A destination dining experience that quietly rivals Michelin-level restaurants Some places are good. Some places are memorable. And then there are places that make you stop mid-bite and think, "How is this here?" The Dinner House is absolutely one of those places. Tucked into the most charming corner of Vermont, this restaurant feels like a discovery -- elegant without being pretentious, warm without being casual. During my stay, the dining room was packed every single night, with real waitlists and a steady buzz that confirmed what was already obvious: people know this place is special. The food is on another level. Thoughtful, refined, and deeply satisfying -- every dish is executed with precision and heart. It's the kind of cooking that feels effortlessly confident. Honestly? This is Michelin-consideration legit. The kind of restaurant you'd expect to read about in a city dining guide, not stumble upon in rural Vermont. Behind it all is a true culinary powerhouse: Steve, the chef, and Maria, the baker. Together, they are magic. The savory dishes are layered, balanced, and beautifully composed, while the baking is exceptional -- the kind that lingers in your memory long after the plate is cleared. Their collaboration elevates the entire experience. Sunday brunch deserves special mention -- indulgent, comforting, and flawless. Come hungry, expect to wait, and trust that it will be worth it. This isn't just a great local restaurant. It's a destination. If you care about food, hospitality, and experiences that feel rare and intentional, make the trip. read more

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This is a must try! Such an amazing experience and phenomenal food. We went here for the first time today and had an amazing experience. The staff was extremely friendly, the food was great and prices were completely reasonable. You start off with complimentary corn bread (best I've ever had) and tortilla chips with homemade salsa and whipped cheese. Then we had the pork belly, poutine, and croquettes. All amazing. And had the split pea soup and dinner salad for the main. The cocktails were great too! This has to be the best restaurant I've been to in this area. read more

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I hate to post this review as I don't want it to interfere with my ability to get a reservation but this pls e is just to good not to share. First we pulled up in the evening and the place is so inviting and charming. Fantastic menu from drinks to entrees all the way to desert. Our food was outstanding and I have to say this is by far the best dining experience we have had in Vermont. We will now be regulars. I hear they do a brunch as well that I will try and update this review read more

Dining at the Dinner House was an amazing experience because they serve phenomenal food and delicious cocktails. While it was my first occasion to dine there, it will not be my last. The warm and friendly staff only enhanced my dining experience. The homemade tortilla chips were wonderful surprise, but the lobster bisque was beyond INCREDIBLE!!! It is definitely the BEST I have ever tasted and I always try the lobster bisque! However, the pork belly appetizer was scrumptious. I have no doubt that everything will be equally pleasing as I get the opportunity to peruse the menu on reoccurring visits. In addition, I spent a delightful night in a very comfortable room at the Runaway Inn. I highly recommend the Runaway Inn & The Dinner House for a vacation getaway. It will be a pleasurable experience that you will always remember. read more

Really good! Expensive AF , though, so be ready to drop a hundo per person. Drinks were tasty. read more

The Dinner House - Maria's Mojito. Yum - Comfort Food Near Me - Glover, Vermont

Service was very kind and genuinely friendly. The restaurant itself was adorable. The food was spot on. We wanted to try many dishes so we ordered many small plates and each was perfectly thought out to the tiniest detail to create a wonderful culinary experience. WOW! The pork belly and mushrooms were my personal favorite. I wish that this place was closer to home and I believe that if the restaurant was in a more traveled area it would receive national attention. What a wonderful find. The husband is a master chef, the wife is a master baker and hostess and the son was an artistic bartender with balanced and delicious creations! When my kids return to camp next year, we will book this restaurant immediately! What a find! read more

We've been to many, many restaurants in VT, and Parson's is hands down the best we've had in VT. The food was exquisite, right down to all the details on the plate including the sauces, potato croquettes and zucchini noodles, normally things you may leave on your plate after eating the main protein at other restaurants. We started with some homemade blueberry (in-season) bread accompanied by a homemade whipped cheese & hot jelly. Again we cleaned the plate. The service was impeccable, helpful without being overbearing, showing up at just the right moments. It is a small place so be sure to make reservations when you're in town, and do not pass up the opportunity to experience their food & hospitality. read more

This was our second time at Parson's Dinner House and food, service and atmosphere were excellent. Prior to apps they bring complimentary tortilla chips, hummus, salsa verde, and corn bread. Each so good. Order their special drink (we had the strawberry rhubarb margarita - delicious). There were four of us and we split two orders of the dumpling (3 dumplings in each order). I highly recommend the VT sticky chicken and the scallops (had those last time). Can't wait to go back next time I visit Vermont! read more

The Dinner House - VT sticky chicken - Comfort Food Near Me - Glover, Vermont

Parsons Dinner House is by far the best place for a wonderful meal in the Northeast Kingdom. They recently experienced damage from the flooding in VT and there is a fundraiser to help them. https://gofund.me/9a05cc23 read more

Highly, highly recommend this GEM. You will not be disappointed. Craft cocktails were fantastic, i recommend the Blueberry/watermelon. Moving on the appetizers and soups are all fantastic. I recommend the tostada or dumplings. The gazpacho was also excellent. Main course: Bolognese, Steak, or Veal all fantastic, Get a reservation in advance! read more

Absolutely wonderful gourmet esque prepared food. Best in the area for sure. Service was polite, well placed and the ambiance is country charming. Cocktails were gorgorea and spot on. Had veal with fresh mushrooms and sauce that was outstanding. Lobster bisque was phenom. This is a piece of art in little downtown Barton VT. Don't miss it. Host is awesome and sooo friendly. Can't wait to head back. read more

Extraordinary gem in the middle of the Northeast Kingdom. Incomparable food, attentive service - simply a special place...

This is NEK's finest!! Such a lovely experience, delightful people and service, the food hits every time. I love the cozy ambiance. Well done Steve & Maria! read more

Recently reopened breakfast spot in Barton. The VT fav breakfast plate was good and the coffee decent while the French toast could have been softer, richer, and tastier. All in all, a friendly breakfast spot worth visiting if one's in or around Barton. read more

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I live in the Burlington area with many restaurants to select from, farm to table. Parson's blew me away. 1st, the staff was excellent in service and describing menu items you wanted to order it all. The drink selection is unique and features in season floral flavors - fantastic. Finally, the food, WOW! The flavors were so well balanced I could taste them all. We had the pork belly, calamari and mushroom appetizers. Best I've ever had. For dinner we had the scallops, veal and sticky chicken. I recommend looking at the menu online to view the delicious combinations. Don't be fooled by the tired outside of the house. The inside is quaint and tastefully decorated. I can not wait to go back, we can't stop talking about it. YUMMMMMM read more

This is a little hidden gem in Barton. Looks a little shabby on the outside and when you go in it's very impressive. The staff are friendly and professional and make you feel at home, and the food is absolutely incredible. Everything is well thought out and it feels as though maximum effort went into every item on the menu. Everything from the sauces to the sides is done to near perfection. This is without a doubt one of the best restaurants in the area and Vt as a whole, and is definitely worth a visit. read more

Food was delicious! Summer salad was super fresh and perfectly prepared, excellent combination of fruit, cheese and greens. Mushrooms, polenta and tomato coulis was outstanding. Pork belly perfectly cooked and portioned. Everyone in our party of 5 enjoyed their food - ribs, salmon, pasta and scallops. Seasonal cocktail menu was inspired, local and fab. A must go on your list! read more

The Dinner House - Rose martini and first page of the menu - Comfort Food Near Me - Glover, Vermont

Went back again last night and had the ribs and mushroom soup. Still real good. My wife had the clams and muscles and enjoyed them. My mother in law went for brunch this past Sunday. Probably should be buying stock in the place. read more

In May 2021, Parsons Dinner House opened its doors in Barton, a village nestled in the mountains of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. I have summered in Barton for the past twenty years, and to the best of my knowledge, the village has never had a fine dining establishment before Parsons. I'm delighted to see this new gem among the Kingdom's treasures. The restaurant's atmosphere/decor is simple and elegant. You will find there is great service from the friendly staff. Pastry Chef Maria Hill and Executive Chef Steve Vazzano are always warm and welcoming. When I dine there, I feel as if I'm visiting family--who also happen to be excellent chefs. Chef Steve has a New American Cuisine menu, with upscale comfort food with a Parsons twist. The dinner menu offers everything from Mac and Cheese to Italian specialties. You will feast on delectable, regional, and some homegrown foods, including fruits, herbs, and lavender. Everything is prepared fresh, and you can taste the difference. The meals arrive beautifully presented. Your dining experience begins with something from the chef: cornbread, chips, Quark cheese, hummus, and a light salsa. The last time I was there, I started with a delicious strawberry Mojito made with real strawberries and fresh mint. From the Starter menu, I chose a mouthwatering Tostada: a crispy flour tortilla with smoked salmon, avocado, cilantro aioli, spring onion, radishes, and crumbled goat cheese capers. When I asked for my favorite fish entrée, which wasn't on the dinner menu that night, Chef Steve made me a customized dish. This type of service is hard to find. I dined on fresh lobster and gnocchi macaroni in a crème sauce fused with a hint of lavender. As a book reviewer, as well as the positive, I look for flaws to point out. I tried to transfer this in reviewing Parsons'. All that I came up with is that I would have preferred if the sourdough bread had been placed on the table without my having to ask. I have been here many times, and I can honestly say I never had a negative experience. Parsons is an exceptional restaurant. I highly recommend going to Parsons Dinner House and suggest you make a reservation in advance. Due to its popularity, it is usually busy.--Martie Maselli read more

Excellent Food and Service. Ambience could be improved by replacing existing tables and reallocate spaces.

Michelin-caliber food served in a casual atmosphere by warm and friendly staff. Everything, from cocktails and appetizers to main courses and dessert, is creative and delicious. Each plate has lots of levels of flavor and presentation is gorgeous. The starter plate from the chef is a delight of flavors - a nice alternative to generic bread and butter! My burger lovers were equally as pleased as my gourmands. It's worth saving room for dessert too - they are all outstanding! This is a restaurant that feels more like going home for your perfect meal. read more

Brunch was fantastic, mimosas and bloody Mary's weren't to shabby either. 50 bucks a head easy for brunch and Very quaint and staff was attentive. read more

Wow! What a delight to have a restaurant of this caliber in northeastern Vermont! I have to say that the combination of food, service, and ambiance made for a delicious and comfortable meal. The food selection was interesting, diverse, and tasty. The staff is professional and friendly. Quite honestly, it was a surprise to discover such quality in Vermont. One of the best (if not the best) restaurant in Vermont! read more

A delicious dinner on a creaky front porch. Cocktails, salad, shell fish with pasta, meatloaf & mashed potatoes, all scrumptious. Such a treat! read more

Food was fantastic! Service was stellar. Lots of flavor in each dish I highly recommend if you are in the area.

An amazing find in culinary dining! We celebrated our anniversary here. We dined on a Friday evening and reservations are a must. We were warmly welcomed by our server Sarah. Drinks were interesting and tasty. Everything we ordered was excellent. The calamari, sticky chicken, and steak were delicious. This is definitely a five star dining experience in the NEK. Thank you to our server Sarah and Maria (co-owner and pastry wizard), for a wonderful night. Shawn and Frank read more

So expensive. This is a small middle class/ poor struggling town, locals can't enjoy this!! Be prepared to spend $50/$100 per person easy.

The food was amazing. The service was great. Our waitress had a nice smile and was personal. I was really wanting lobster bisque while I was in Vermont and their's was great. The place is small so be sure to a reservation! read more

One visit was enough to convince us that this is now our favorite restaurant in the area. Everything we (a group of four including a vegetarian and three meat eaters) ordered was good to excellent: the cocktails were fabulous (the raspberry martini especially), tricolore salad was perfect, polenta with wild chantrelles was delicious, salmon and veal dinners were great, the poutine beat any other we've had locally, etc. The focus on local and freshly picked ingredients was admirable. But it's the service that really made the experience special; co-owner Maria Hill served us and her warmth and dedication were palpable. A perfect five stars. I can't think of another place quite like it within a half hour's drive of Hardwick, and it ranks with the best in Montpelier, Stowe, and St.J. read more

Went there for the first time the staff and Chef are all amazing can't wait to go back ... Wonderful meal !!!!!!!!

The place is small but I went here for dinner once on a holiday and it was AMAZING. The place has a professional chef and pastry baker. And there is tons of flavor in the food. Although the price might be a little expensive it's worth it. The place is really clean too. I recommend this place if your really craving rich. read more

Food was best north of Boston. Staff and service was top shelf. Can't wait to go back.

A rare find in the NEK. The food here is always amazing with fresh ingredients and the menu is updated seasonally. Cocktails are also fun and delicious. On the off chance you aren't in a food coma after the fresh bread and spread, apps, and main course you can't go wrong with the dessert. read more

Every chance I get to choose the restaurant, we go to Parsons. This time, it was my birthday dinner with visiting family and friends and we had such a wonderful meal and great time. Maria and Steve, the owners, made sure to make it special. Th cocktails were beautiful and tasty, especially the seasonal harvest one that featured vodka infused with Maria's crab apples. The meat eaters raved about the Empanada small plate which they all managed to share. The lobster bisque was amazing. My favorite entree remains the scallops, but my partner loves the pork chop. read more