This place punches above its weight class. Did not know what to expect based on quirky decor and two different entrances. Still the service was very good and the waiter was knowledgeable about the menu. The food and wine were excellent. The salmon belly tempura special was similar to a Four Seasons shrimp dish in NYC. We had a variety of dishes (Ribs, bahn mi, and chicken) all were delicious. The wine list was limited, but we all enjoyed the white wine) Thanks for a fun night! read more

As regular, satisfied customers of Pangaea Café, I was completely disappointed today with the terrible customer service we were provided. We called in a lunch order to pick up and the girl on the phone was rude, snarky and actually laughed at us when we ordered an item that is no longer on the menu. After I placed the order I thanked her and she rudely responded "excuse me!! Let's start with your name! Our policy has changed and you need to pay now!" Ok...so I gave her my card over the phone. When we got there to pick it up my friend went in to get it and the same woman said "you need to sign this slip" to which my friend said, it's not my card that was used. She responded "I don't care whose card it is you need to sign this!" My friend bit her tongue because there were customers enjoying their meals and she didn't want to make a scene by calling her out of her horrendous customer service. I have worked in hospitality my entire life and the rudeness and lack of training is appalling. To top it off she was apparently training a new employee. Hopefully the girl in the bandana knows enough to greet guests with kindness instead of learning from her coworker. Especially working in a place like Pangaea Café, that is known for having a relaxing atmosphere with warmth and kindness. With that said, the food was wonderful as always. I hope ownership retrains this young woman (my slip says her name is Maeve) before she pushes regular customers away. 5/5 stars on a regular day. 1/5 stars today. read more

This review is for the cafe. It is a cute spot for a cappuccino. The baristas are young and pleasant. The place cozy and rather dark with lots of places to sit and work or share quiet convo. There is a town square outside to enjoy your coffee next to the most beautiful fountain. The coffee is AOK. read more

Great view from outdoors. Food was average. Service was slow. Casual outdoor dining. My Drench Martini was on point.

Excellent food and service. So nice they allow pups as well!! Great experience. Definitely recommend the bread pudding! read more

Pangaea - Dog friendly restaurant! - New American Near Me - North Bennington, Vermont

Excellent place for a nice romantic dinner! Trendy and delicious, portions are great and flavors are amazing. Old school bartenders pouring interesting drinks too! Beautiful outdoor seating! Loved the whole experience! read more

Every time I come to Pangea I have such an amazing experience! The food is always so delicious and the staff are so accommodating with vegan/dietary restrictions, not to mention so kind and considerate in general. Always going to want to come here for dinner & I can't wait for the patio to open in the warmer weather too. read more

Pangaea - Winter vegetable cassoulet!!! (Vegan) - New American Near Me - North Bennington, Vermont

See all

Good place for cocktails as they make absolutely wonderful drinks!!! I only wish they'd up the ante on their dishes as we found it very mediocre. We visit every time we are in Vermont but for the drinks only. If menu changes and reviews overall improve we'd go back to enjoy a meal. We are hopeful. read more

This used to be a wonderful restaurant we would go to for special occasions, but the last two times we went the food was so heavily salted it was almost inedible. Also they used to give you bread and they don't any more. It has just changed. I don't think we'll be going back. read more

grates hosts and server, intresting menu. food great. will go once a month.....eat in restaurant. good idea to reserve.......ambince kitty... read more

Food is good. Wines by the glass are limited and mediocre. Staff is friendly. The building itself is old and the floors and windows reflect this. All in all appropriate for quick dinner. read more

Excellent food the staff is nice and it's in a great location! I will definitely eat there again.

Pangaea is actually 2 restaurants, The Lounge - a more informal, less expensive place, but one that I've visited frequently over the years and that I recommend - and Pagaea "Fine Dining" Restaurant, somewhat more formal, more expensive but refined dining level. Recently stopped in the Lounge, so I'm updating my review to mention their outstanding Fish & Chips special. Literally with house-made chips, not "fries." Excellent, if not extensive, choice of beers on tap. They also serve up a very respectable cappuccino, so don't be shy about asking about that espresso machine. They have a very nice outdoor seating area, and many people opt for that (not me, being mosquito-phobic.) This rest of this review is for the Fine Dining Restaurant, which I've also visited frequently over the years, over the span of more than 1 owner apparently. I have to admit that I find the interior of this place completely charming, the burnished tin ceiling, the sheen of the natural wood floor, and tomatillo red walls, with the large shop windows in the front looking out onto Main Street. What was this place in its former life, you can't help but think - a dry goods store? For our most recent visit, we had the flan appetizer, scallops, halibut, and brulee. My only disappointment was that the halibut was a bit dry. But then again I can find absolute perfection a bit boring. Our server, the restaurateur Lani, was always attentive when necessary, thoughtfully informative in discussing the local scene, and skilled at making us feel honored to dine there. What more could you want from a restaurant? read more

Food was delicious, service was great, and the space was cute and cozy. We dined out on the patio, the ambiance was great, the space was beautiful, and the noise level was perfect. There are a handful of tasty crafted non-alcoholic beverages along with an extensive list of creative cocktails, wine, and beer. We enjoyed the Soft Pretzel Bites with Spicy Maple Mustard as an appetizer, and then my partner ordered the Moss Burger, which was also delicious - but both of us agreed the Wild Mushroom Risotto I ordered was superb. Overall, I highly recommend - this is a great date night spot. read more

Really kind and knowledgeable service! Nice atmosphere, perfect for a date night or time with friends. I really loved the tea menu and they had a bunch of specials that sounded very good, including the tuxedo mousse which I loved. I would go for a collection of small plates. The Brie is unreal! read more

Pangaea - Tuxedo mousse dessert special - New American Near Me - North Bennington, Vermont

Great food, great cocktails, wonderful people. Sit at the bar and enjoy the wonderful locals.

One of the best meals I've ever had, and I have had a lot of good meals. I wandered in on a Thursday. I ordered the house lamb and risotto dish. It was truly exceptional. So tender and perfectly cooked and seasoned. The prices are moderate, the folks are friendly. I'll definitely come back again when I'm nearby. read more

Are you in the Bennington, VT area? In Arlington, VT? Manchester or Stratton? Wow...if so, you are 30mins or so from a gem, Pangaea! Pangaea is a place where you can order anything on the menu and it will be perfectly cooked, savory....delicious. Consequently, you can go out of your comfort zone and order something different. Pangaea's menu offers both diversity and the expected...so there is something for everyone and every mood. Not only is the food outstanding, but the service and ambiance are top notch as well. Really hope I am able to get a reservation next time I am in town...as Pangaea is special! read more

We are fortunate to have such a wonderful restaurant in our community. Great atmosphere, great staff, and great food! They have farm to table options by working closely with local farms and businesses. Their menu has delicious options to choose from, so there is something for everyone! They are also very involved in the community with their support and promotions. They even have music events! read more

This review is for the loving. When you enter it's smells moldy. It's dirty, needs painting, spidery cob webs, flyers, papers and such litter the corners. Not a good impression. The server was adept and friendly. On to the food- the poki was nicely marinated & servied w wontons, it was tasty. Carrot ginger soup was very gingery but velvety smooth. The crab cake was lame. No lump crab. Just tasteless crab & bread crumbs. The nachos were awful. Honestly, nachos are preetty easy no? The chips were stale. There was some sort of unnecessary saracha mayonnaise globed on, then cheese, no salsa but hot house tomatoes, canned black olives & pickle jalapeños. Grossed me out entirely. I stopped at just one thinking "I'm not at Chilis right?" The beef burger was cook e perfectly w mushrooms, raw onion, local cheddar (more like Swiss) was hard as if it were old, brioch bun was pretty good. Very unimpressive. read more

See all

Great food and gorgeous backyard patio. Although it felt like the menu didn't have a particular focus, the food itself was flavorful and fresh - the Thai stir fry had a great kick and the salmon was perfectly cooked. What took my review from a 4 to a 5 was the friendly staff and cozy ambiance of the outside dining area. Our waitress was extremely friendly and had great recommendations, not only for cocktails but for places to visit in the area. We enjoyed our visit and would definitely return. read more

Just about everything is delicious and they try to source locally. Intimate and low-key formal. Very expensive.

So happy to find this gem on our way home. Really cute place delicious food and incredible coffee. Bonus points for the super friendly barista who made us a perfect cup and amazing smoothie. read more

Locally owned place with a creative menu & fresh ingredients. Smaller portions & limited menu and small place (not too many tables). Outstanding deck in summer! read more

I had been looking for a Greek restaurant since moving to Vermont and was happy to find this one. It wasn't exactly the full Greek menu I was looking for but the menu was interesting and had a little bit for everyone. The outdoor patio was amazing! read more

After hiking Bald Mountain, we hustled into The Lounge for some early dinner refuel. I ordered the tofu Thai stir fry and my friend ordered the burger with sweet potato fries. Let's just say that it went way beyond our expectations. The burger was almost too large my friend remarked and the what looked like hand cut fries were amazing. The tofu Thai stir fry had a lot of sauce, which tasted good, but I would have liked if it were a little creamier and if more rice came below. The coffee to follow was excellent! We will be back. read more

Pangaea - New American Near Me - North Bennington, Vermont

For the sake of other families who make our mistakes, I hope Pangaea reads this and understands how disappointing it is to have this happen on graduation weekend and is prepared next year. For those families who read this, I would warn against eating here on busy weekends. Understanding that they were busy does not excuse the down right dismal service we received. We went in with great moods, having reserved a table weeks in advance and prepared to wait a bit for the good meals I was used to enjoying the last 4 years. I waited quite a long time to cool down because it really turned a happy night into a miserable experience. The last one I will probably have with them. This occurred May 31st 2014 Instead of ranting, here are a few low lights of the evening: Being unable to receive the bread the other tables were getting, even though we had been sitting long enough to finish 2 bottles of wine and were HUNGRY Sitting for nearly 2 hours without food (other than bread 45 minutes in) My food (the duck I always enjoyed) was stone cold/ rubbery- obviously had been sitting for quite some time General rudeness from everyone but the busboy (thank you for bringing us bread finally even though that was not your job) My mother literally walking out because we were being ignored My passive grandfather becoming so angry he just wanted to leave too A single over the shoulder apology about a slow kitchen, nothing else Is our life ruined because of one terrible evening? Not really, but it was sad and embarrassing to have taken my family there to celebrate only to sit hungrily while being ignored. I never had the impression that anyone there cared in the slightest that they had turned a fun evening into a bad final memory. read more

I just spent a lovely evening with the owner of Pangaea. We talked of $12,000 bottles of wine and our "Dead Arm" bottles from '05 and '08. We feasted on Brie and Boar and Shrimp and Mahi Mahi and Hummus and Creme Brûlée. I finished my evening with a coffee and Bailey's and the best company in the world. I highly recommend the formal dining room for more a more intimate setting. The owner also is part owner of Allegro's Italian in Bennington. This place is top notch - much butter then anything else Bennington has to offer. Perhaps I'll write more on the food later, but maybe not. Of all the things I sampled and loved nothing was mediocre and everything was fantastic. A lovely evening and I highly recommend a splurge on Pangaea! read more

This is a story worth reading... A co-worker and I were traveling through rural Vermont on business. Our intended destination was Sunderland, but we stopped at the end of our day in the beautiful hamlet of Bennington. After we checked into our hotel for the evening, we changed and decided to go out for dinner. We plugged our first choice (highly Yelp rated) into the GPS and off we went. Upon arrival at our location, we discovered the establishment closed. Once again we went to Yelp and found another highly rated choice, a restaurant by the name of Pangaea. Our first choice being closed was one of THE BEST THINGS THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED!! It started with the menu. Balanced and original with a selection of beef, veal, chicken, swordfish and a vegetarian selection. They also offered two specials and a full array of terrific appetizers and homemade soup of the day. We started with a small but perfect canape of mango on pumpernickel. Next we ordered two appetizers. One was a superb Vermont Boar & Brie Cheese Wellington, the other light & crispy Fried Oysters. Both were amazing and were accompanied by a sauce to die for. Really. Now it was time for the Entres. I ordered the Braised Veal on a Potato Croquette. The veal was cooked to perfection, again with a subtle sauce, and the potato croquette was herbed with a hint of rosemary. It also came with snow pea pods as the vegetable which were cooked perfectly. My companion had the Pork Chop with Maple Syrup Carmelized Sweet Potatoes. His came with steamed asparagus and from all indications he was as pleased and blown away by his meal as I was. However, it wasn't over yet. I went over the top with a wonderful Creme Brulee', and he ended with a delicious Passionfruit Sorbet with Blackberries. This meal was great from start to finish! Here's the killer, we walked away from this meal for ony $43.50 a piece without the tip. Granted, we weren't drinking alcohol, but this meal was worth it with or without. I can't possibly recommend this restaurant enough. I live in Chicago and my traveling companion lives in Portland, Maine. Sometimes, you just get lucky. If you are fortunate to find yourself in this area, you must eat here. The service, the food and the ambiance are more indicative of a Manhattan restaurant at five times the price. Stupendous!! read more

I had dinner in the bar/lounge which is a great space of various table-types, the bar and a separate room. The bar isn't big, but this place didn't seem like it got such a crowd that it would ever be a problem. The barkeep, a young woman from the area, was very pleasant. I ate at the bar and she steered me toward the Asian Stir Fry. It's somewhat mis-named in my opinion since stir-fry conjures its own image. This dish is highly styled for presentation and very good. It's a heavy peanut-sauce, maybe too heavy, but very tasty and had a really nice spiciness to it that I had not see anyone else do. Very tasty, just slightly too thick. I had it with tofu cubes which were really excellently prepared. The house salad is much larger than you would expect. It's really enough for two. I woukd have preferred to have the dressing on the side or asked. They had a few good local beers on tap, though the barkeep didn't seem overly knowledgeable about beer. That's OK. The ambience is casual and friendly. It was easy to strike up a conversation with a local. I'd return for sure. read more

We ordered from the to-go menu during Covid-19 and ate our take-out in their lovely outdoor dining area. My son enjoyed his crab rangoon...I ordered the paella and it was so-so. Seemed like the saffron rice was out of a box and few shrimp and oysters were just tossed on top. We'll try it again when the restaurant opens up for business. read more

This review is based strictly on the lounge. I gotta say, for a while the quality had gone down - we were in town three or four years ago and came up for dinner at the lounge and it was terrible. But that must have been a phase because we've been in here at least twice a month since moving back in late June and Pangaea Lounge is our go to choice. I remember the days of coming in to get a Guinness (shhhh... I was young and stupid) and play pool but they've put in a few more tables so the space where the pool table was is a small dining room. From their regular things to eat, like their burgers, to the specials (Always ask what the ravioli is. Then get it), there is something for everyone. It's high quality, bordering on foodie food. Favorites for us are the cheese plate, my husband ALWAYS gets the artichokes, flank steak, and the stirfry (best thing on the standard menu!). And of course, the ravioli. We usually end up with an appetizer portion as long as it's fish free (food allergy). In addition to excellent food, there is a good beer selection, cocktails and a very friendly and knowledgeable staff. And, being Vermont, friendly locals who are all different as night and day but usually engaged in conversation together - which is part of what makes this state so great. Like seriously, you'll have a hunter, a farmer, a professor from the college, a waitress, the bartender and some tourists discussing the economy. Or their favorite bands. My only gripe is that I wish they had more wines by the glass but I understand why they don't - and because of it their wine is always fresh, so no complaints. If you are in the mood to stick to one wine and have someone to split it with, you can get the wine list from the restaurant and order a bottle. I'll split it with you if I'm there. Awesome spot you'll find me at once a week. Not cheap, but worth every penny. read more

The Pangea lounge is one of our go to places to eat. Crab cakes my favorite in the menu. Service is good. Nice atmosphere. Limited parking. Great drinks. I think they change the menu. They now have eggplant Parmesan I will try next time. We were only here for drinks the night we came. read more

The NYTimes review (http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/04/14/travel/escapes/14hour.html) refers to Pangaea as fine VT dining for Manhattanites. True enough, considering few living with driving distance of Pangaea could ever dream of dropping $30+ for an entree. Luckily, for those of us a bit more down to earth, there is the lovely Pangaea lounge just next door. Both are owned and operated by Bill & Maria Scully, Bennington College graduates, and entertain a good portion of the college population (students and administration alike.) The lounge menu is more reasonable, with few entrees topping $20, though still delicious and a grand step up from all other southwest Vermont fare. Enjoy a cocktail mixed by one-handed bartender Jay, who will indulge your indecisiveness by creating a drink for you on the spot. The portabella quesadillas are great, and the guacamole is enough to make you want to eat chips all night. I had a tasty pheasant dish here once, and the burger selection (named after regulars/friends) has a bit of something for everyone. The only dish I ever disliked was a beef tenderloin ravioli - the beef was dry and overwhelmed by the sauce. For dessert, don't miss the creme brulee and the warm cookies. Trust me, warm cookies. There is patio seating when the weather is nice, and it's always warm (and red) inside when the weather is cold. Those of us who know the old Pangaea lounge miss the pool table, but the new expansion and second dining room has made this a dinner destination. And sure, if you've got the cash, have a fabulous dinner in the "real" Pangaea next door. read more

I love the Pangaea lounge! I haven't been to the fine dining part of the restaurant, but the lounge is a really great place to go out and eat. There are only a few places around Bennington that I really enjoy going out to eat at, and Pangaea definitely makes the list. I've been here countless times and their food has never disappointed. Their prices are also very reasonable and the portions are large. When you first walk through the doors you end up in a hallway with a staircase going upstairs, like you're in someone's home. The restaurant is at the end of the hallway, not up the stairs, which can be confusing if it's your first visit there. The inside has a nice little bar and a bunch of tables. The restaurant actually has more seating than it looks like, as there's another room with seating that's partially hidden. the walls are red and the restaurant has a cozy, romantic feel to it. The food has been good every time I've been there, no matter what I've ordered. I recommend their Veggie Burgers, especially the Hildene. The Pesto Foccacia is also a really good choice and both sandwiches come with fries. I highly recommend their Sweet Potato Fries! They're just the right thickness and perfectly crunchy. So far I haven't had a bad meal yet. read more

Pangaea - Spinach and Beet Salad - New American Near Me - North Bennington, Vermont

See all

Update: The food and food service were excellent. The menu items were original and imaginative, and were well prepared. Service was buffet style, well managed and orderly. read more

The "Fancy Side" is over-rated. The lounge is a little more reasonable, but very "hit or miss" as far as the food is concerned. The food has been inconsistent for years. 'Too bad, they could do a great business with locals. Update 2012 LOUNGE - The outdoor deck seating is delightful, and the drink prices are quite reasonable now. $2.00 bottled Guinness is hard to beat, and I had a decent mojito for $7.00. The Sangria is overly sweet and does not taste home made - though our server said it was. It needs much more fresh fruit and fresh fruit juices. For $5.00, it may please some. The burger meat tastes odd to me and does not have that tasty grilled flavor I seek in a burger. The nachos looked good; I think next time, I will try them with my mojito or margerita. Long ago, they had wonderful fried oysters here...'wish they woudl bring them back. read more

Wow- love this place! We were pleasantly surprised by the entire dining experience- from the quality of the food, the knowledge of the staff, the ambience of the space etc. etc. Easily one of our new favorites in this area! read more

Awarding a rare 5-star review after being spoiled rotten here with a very unique tasting menu. Can't even remember how many courses there were but each dish was better than the last which I didn't expect and the wine pairings were perfect. Some described it as "Yankee Eclectic" which seems fitting. Decor is warm and inviting. Perfect for the menu which is a carnivore's dream! Enjoyed the duck and venison the most but was also blown away but creative options like mushroom strudel and spring roll salad. The list could go on forever. Service here is impeccable and the chef Nick even stopped by the table to see how everything was. He was young and energetic. It felt like he was as excited as we were about the food. It's always good to see that type of enthusiasm and passion. Pangaea is personable and friendly. You won't be disappointed! read more

I recently visited the lounge area of the establishment which was recommended to my by a local hotel. I was extremely surprised and wow'd at the demeanor of the service and the variety of the food. I am a vegan and it is very often difficult to find options at "local" restaurants. They offered several choices and at reasonable prices. The menu expands to offer something for everyone. Atmosphere gives you local but upscale flavor. Very quaint! They have a patio out back which will be a stop for me when the season arrives and I am passing through. Amazing food, phenominal service and atmosphere to compliment - I would highly recommend!!! read more