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    The Spot on the Dock

    3.3 (173 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    The Spot on the Dock Photos

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    THE SPOT ON THE DOCK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Very loud
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Spot on the Dock

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    VT tofu rice bowl
    Lydia C.

    We were a pretty large group of 7 so the wait was understandable, though it was hot out. There is an awning that provides sufficient shade, and we cooled off as we ate. Ambiance overall is what you would expect for a lakeside eatery. The avocado fries were a good appetizer and probably the best thing I ate here, but it's a pretty small plate for $15. The rest of the food took quite a long time to come out, and honestly, it was disappointing after a long day at the lake. The tofu rice bowl had stellar crispy tofu and decent sauce, but all the greens were bone dry and tasteless. Similarly, the fish tacos were decent but the tortilla chips tasted exactly as you would expect if they came straight out of the bag. Everything was edible, but every dish in totality was meh.

    Fish tacos - with a view!
    Haleigh P.

    Great little spot on the water, perfect for a quick lunch spot! All outdoor seating- tables and bar seating. Great selection of food and drinks! Came for lunch and had a tasty meal with amazing service! I had the fish tacos, with the side of chips and salsa. Fish was crispy and the cabbage with their sauce was fantastic! 2 tacos in a meal and it's enough to fill you up! (Or have to take 1 to go like I did). Can't beat a spot on the water! You also can see people coming and going off their boats- cool to watch!

    Lobster roll
    Ericka B.

    Went here for a late lunch on a Sunday and was surprised to see how many people were there. It's a great waterfront atmosphere, and we were pleased by how comfortable the temperature was. The waitress was quick to come get our drink orders, appetizer, and kid menu orders. I got the grapefruit spritzer, and I just need to remind myself that I'm always underwhelmed by these types of drinks. Feels like I could just get a flavored seltzer water instead. A friend got the maple lemonade and it was fine, pretty tart. For our appetizer we ordered the fried avocado and we were very impressed by how well it was done. There was a nice creaminess to it and the sauce was the highlight. The kids chicken tenders and fries also went over well. They clearly know what they're doing with the fryer as everything was crisp, and didn't feel greasy. For the rest of us for main food we got the fish tacos, lobster roll, and coney dogs. One individual wanted the salmon bowl, but they were unfortunately out of salmon. The fish tacos were fine, but the fish itself felt a little dry. I ended up adding some of the sauce from the fried avocado to help. The chips and salsa that it came with were also just average and it would have been nicer if it came with a salad. The lobster roll was fine, but smaller than expected. It did have a well balanced taste though. The greens it came with were kind of sad; both smothered in dressing and no flavor from dressing. The coney dogs were also fine. Really we got them as a backup if the children didn't like the chicken. Overall, the place is kind of pricey for the food you get, but I also get that you're paying for the view and atmosphere. The staff were very nice and food did come out quick though.

    Lobster roll with a side of greens
    Snoop D.

    Tried Spot on the Dock this afternoon with a friend and we each got the lobster roll. It was truly one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had in the state of Vermont-- even better than some I've had on the coast. Service was good, wasn't terribly busy when we went so things moved along pretty quickly. The view/ambiance is really nice, it almost makes you forget you're in Burlington. If you're in the mood for a lobster roll, definitely give this Spot a try!

    Menu
    Shay S.

    This is a review for The Sweet Spot, a brand new ice cream shop - not The Spot on the Dock. I guess because The Sweet Spot is so new and they are owned by the same people then they're combining the reviews!

    Fried CalamariCalamari
    Gloria M.

    Super great spot for views and atmosphere. The server came up super frequently to ask if we wanted to close our which sort of was a lot at some points. The ranch water was great! The calamari was super greasy and oily so I didn't love that. I think it probably just missed being dried after the frier but wasn't my fav to eat honestly

    Beautiful views along the railing
    Jacki R.

    Great service and good draft selections from local breweries. I just had a beer and small order of tortilla chips/salsa while I watched the sun come down and the boats come in. I also see plenty of seating available with tables. Loved my visit!!

    Frozen Mojito
    Nancy H.

    Solid 3 stars, just like Yelp determined. I will say that their outdoor seating area, specifically the lounge couches are very cool and a great place to hang out. However, minimal shading on hot days and we suffered. We came on a Sunday around lunch time and it was quite busy, but we were able to sit right away. Service was somewhere between mediocre and poor. The gal taking care of us seemed like she definitely didn't want to be there. We ordered drinks, which were all pretty good. I tried both their regular mojito and their frozen mojito. The frozen mojito was super refreshing and not overly sweet. As an app, we tried the avocado fries, which were good, but the dipping sauce wasn't the right one. Something more cooling would have been better, but I did love the crispy-ness. Entrees were mediocre. I got the fish tacos which are called something different on the menu. Fish was a bit soggy and a little fishy. Pricing is high, but what else would we expect on the water? Overall, I would come back for drinks and atmosphere, but it wouldn't be a first choice for food.

    Fried Calamari

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    4 days ago

    Great view and the service wonderful. I take out of town visitors there. I love the fish tacos!

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    2 months ago

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    8 days ago

    Food is great, not too terribly expensive and the service is relatively fast, the view of the lake is amazing.

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    9 months ago

    Great service. Great food. And amazing atmosphere. Will be visiting here again. The view is a big reason to go. Tacos were so good.

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    2 years ago

    Decent food, beautiful location, good service. Come for the ambiance, there's shaded spots.

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Yummy, nice service, great views of the lake and watched the storm roll in, overall great and delicious food.

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    Page 1 of 5

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    Bleu Northeast Kitchen

    Bleu Northeast Kitchen

    3.8
    (150 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    Having worked in the hospitality and travel business for over four decades, I'm pretty picky. I…read morecan't remember ever being impressed by a hotel restaurant. Bleu is a rare exception. Located in the Courtyard (Marriott) Hotel, only a stone's throw from Lake Champlain and close to the center of Burlington, VT, the restaurant sits just off the lobby. I made a dinner reservation and we was seated by the window with a view of the park with the lake beyond. Off to a good start. My Dirty Martini was spot-on. The perfect balance of Tito's and brine. Only missing the 'bleu' cheese olives. I often order a second appetizer as my entree. My starter was carpaccio that was outstanding. The microgreens were a nice touch. The mussels (appetizer) that I chose for my main course were small in size but ample in portion and were the perfect choice for me. My husband chose the cheese platter for his starter. It was disappointing. Two slices of bleu cheese. Should have been three different ones for $15. And no VT cheddar? Not much imagination here. His Steak Frites was OK; the quality of the beef could have been better. We shared the spinach watermelon salad which was fresh and delicious. Service was friendly and attentive. Overall, we liked this restaurant and will return.

    The breakfast was good. Even though the place was busy, the service was very good and we had coffee…read morerefills. The restaurant itself is very lovely next to the lake.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Arctic char
    Arctic char
    Bar area

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    Bar area
    Original Skiff Fish & Oysters

    Original Skiff Fish & Oysters

    3.7
    (41 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Located on the main floor of the Champlain Hotel by Hilton Curio, this place was an exciting and…read moreworthwhile destination for its oysters happy hour from 4-5pm daily. At $2.00 a piece we feasted on a family favorite and followed up with delicious small bites. We enjoyed the smoked wings either homemade buttermilk dressings. Meaty, just crispy enough with that smoky goodness. I also enjoyed the crab deviled eggs topped with salty roe. Four pieces of yum that was loaded with protein and filling. Ambiance is very much like the classic wood paneled, casual elegant dining room of a tasteful cruise ship; lots of elevated nautical motifs. Fun and lively bar area.

    The service here on our visit was good. My companion enjoyed his raw bar dinner…read more Unfortunately, I did not. First, the seating does not accommodate people of small stature. Sitting on the bench, the table did not clear my shoulders. The chairs lifted me only a little. I ordered a half tea half lemonade and was served something truly vile. Later, I found out it was made with LIME. The shrimp cocktail was overcooked and perhaps made ahead of time. The sauce was ketchup. ??? The clam chowder turned out to be bacon flavored milk broth. The fish and chips was requested with unseasoned fries. The fries came seasoned with Old Bay. They did remake the fries, which were very good and I finally had something to eat. The fish, though, was very fishy- a sign of going bad. Never again here unless they overhaul their kitchen and recipes.

    Photos
    Original Skiff Fish & Oysters
    Fish Fry
    Fish Fry
    Best DIPA ever!!!

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    Best DIPA ever!!!
    Kismet Mediterranean

    Kismet Mediterranean

    4.8
    (80 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Unlike many "ethnic" restaurants, Kismet definitely qualifies as "fine dining" due to the attention…read moreto detail in the food, the comfortable, elegant surroundings, and impeccable service. Everybody I interacted with - greeter, waiter, food runners, etc. - were friendly, neat, and professional, which along with the great food made a memorable dining experience. I had no trouble making a 6:00 Saturday reservation earlier that day but it did fill up while I was there so it was probably needed. Though there were some seats that remained open at the bar, so walk-ins might be accommodated there. It was a nice bar, with a very pretty stained glass table lamp on the counter and a very cool-looking bartender adding flair to the otherwise conservatively-attired staff. The menu is extensive and very Turkish. Even the wine list: every wine that I checked was Turkish. I know nothing about Turkish wine but the one I did try (many available by the glass) was enjoyable. I tried a cocktail too; a Turkish Cosmo, made with a Turkish pomegranate syrup. This was good too, tangy and not too sweet. For beers they offer ones from Turkey, Vermont, Mexico, and Connecticut. I was happy not to see any major American brands offered. I don't usually comment on prices, but they seemed slightly on the low side here, for everything: drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. I am not complaining! I started with the Cold Meze Platter appetizer, recommended for 2. (Too much for 1 so I took some home.) Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Turkish Salsa, Hadari, and Stuffed Grape Leaves. Everything was very good, and the fresh-baked still-warm hadari bread it was served with was perfect with it. The Baba Ganoush was exceptional, chunky in texture and smoky in flavor. From the very extensive entree section I chose the Surf and Turf: skewers of swordfish and lamb, the latter cooked to order (it came out a perfect medium-rare as requested). The skewers, which also had green pepper and onions, was served with rice, bulghur, grilled tomato, a lemon wedge, and a salad of cabbage and pickled onions. Both the swordfish and lamb were marinated and had lots of flavor. The sides were good too. The portion size was generous and I didn't quite finish it, taking the rest of it home along with some of the appetizer. After finishing my entree and my wine, and taking in the ambience of this relaxing, blue-walled space, it was time for dessert. Among the 8 choices (a refreshingly large number) were 3 kinds of baklava. I went with the Fistikli Çikolata (chocolate, pistachio, and hazelnut) If, like me your experience with baklava has mostly been the junk found on the counter of numerous pizza houses (stale, dry, and overly sweet) this is nothing like that and will change your opinion. The three pieces made a fairly large portion but it was so good there was no question of leaving any behind. This was also offered with Turkish ice cream but I didn't get it that way. Many more things to try here. I hope to return soon.

    Food is outstanding! Every time we're in town we always get takeout from here. Everything we've…read moretried is 5 stars and service is always friendly and inviting. Stand outs are the grape leaves, falafels, kebob plates, lavas bread and the Cacik yogurt sauce is amazing!

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    Overview
    Overview
    Içli Köfte - Kibbeh
    Içli Köfte - Kibbeh
    Mercimek Köfte - Lentil Balls

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    Mercimek Köfte - Lentil Balls
    The Farmhouse Tap & Grill

    The Farmhouse Tap & Grill

    4.0
    (2k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    This was our first visit to the Farmhouse. It was an exceptional dining experience. Though the main…read moreroom was large and seemed loud at first, it quickly become an enjoyable night out. This was mainly due to the great service and delicious meals ordered by each of us in our family of three. Our table was never left waiting and the food was served hot. Our meal choices were varied, including apps such as steak tartar and cheddar ale soup for one and the meatloaf plate and the turkey burger for the others. Everything was made with original flavor additions such as homemade sauces, fresh breads, and unique use of herbs and spices. Lastly, I was told to mention that the hand cut fries were exceptional. Since we visit Burlington often, we look forward to returning to the Farmhouse to try other dishes on their menu or just ordering the same meals since they were so good. We all agreed that this restaurant has definately moved to the top of the list for our next trip to Vt.

    Lovely dinner spot! The cocktails were tasty and the waiter offered lots of good recommendations…read moreand insights. The cheese plate was phenomenal and had something for everyone. Oysters were tasty, nothing outstanding. Burger was very tasty and had lots of local ingredients which I loved.

    Photos
    View of the bar from our table
    View of the bar from our table
    Start your meal with a cheese plate full of local cheeses! Restaurant Burlington Vermont, American restaurant Burlington.
    Start your meal with a cheese plate full of local cheeses! Restaurant Burlington Vermont, American restaurant Burlington.
    Rotating draft list always full of VT's finest beers and ciders!

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    Rotating draft list always full of VT's finest beers and ciders!
    Frankie's

    Frankie's

    4.7
    (53 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    Wow, what a transformation from when we last came to Burlington and having breakfast at Penny…read moreCluse, we were pleasantly surprised to find highly recommended Frankie's in the same location! The same large, beautiful windows are there, but the decor is warm, trendy, and modern. Our hostess immediately wished my husband and me happy anniversary and the bartender team Max and Woody were truly outstanding and made our celebration special. They are adept at making cocktails. We tried Blue Bingo and Inside Out. Both were perfectly balanced. The Blue Bingo with fresh blueberry puree, garnished with blueberry and mint was refreshing. The Inside Out was similar to an Old Fashioned. We selected 4 small plates, one large plate, and one side. For small plates, the striped bass collar was meaty and flavored with an herb sauce and punchy blistered cherry tomatoes. The little neck clams came in a broth that was worth sopping up with the grilled sourdough. It was similar to having mussels in a luscious wine butter sauce. I would have eaten like 12 of the clams if they let me but they alas only give you 6. My favorite was grilled Romano beans, slightly crunchy, fresh, and light, with burrata and fried green tomatoes. The breading on the tomatoes was perfectly light and crunchy. The burrata was delicious, and I would have preferred to have it over the barchetta, fresh ravioli like pastas that came with fennel and arugula. The barchetta was missing that creamy element. The served our pork schnitzel as a "splitzel" served cut in half on two plates. Again, it was perfectly crunchy and light. We ordered pomme puree (mashed potatoes) as a side too, creamy and delicious. They had a decent wine and beer selection. We lucked out with our chenin blanc selection, which paired well with everything we had. Eat here! The menu changes every day. We can't wait to come back.

    The bartender was telling me that Frankie's was listed by Boston Magazine as one of the best…read moreup-and-coming restaurants in the U.S. when it first opened, and they're clearly still living up to that standard. I ordered the Something Fun cocktail, which was fruity, refreshing, and beautifully presented with blue salt speckled around the rim of the glass. For dinner, I had the whole trout in a dill sauce with a side of purple cauliflower. Everything is locally sourced, and while the menu features a few staples, it changes daily. Each menu is date-stamped, which I'm obsessed with--it's a great reminder of how fresh everything is. Vermont generally has a great local food scene, and I really appreciate the thoughtfulness behind the ingredients, presentation, and overall quality. Frankie's is a restaurant I'd highly recommend for groups, family dinners, date nights, or even corporate dinners. I'd love to come back and explore more of their wine selection. The staff is incredibly welcoming, happy to chat, and very knowledgeable about the menu. Expect to spend around $75 per person for a meal, a side or appetizer, and one drink.

    Photos
    Frankie's
    Greens
    Greens
    Cocktail

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    Cocktail
    Leunig's Bistro

    Leunig's Bistro

    4.0
    (945 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    44 years in business

    Excellent downtown restaurant in Burlington! We were immediately acknowledged and seated on the…read morepatio. We began our lunch with the Cheese Charcuterie platter; delicious plate of local cheese, crackers and jam. I ordered the grilled Salmon with Frites. It was cooked just right with the best flavor! The frites were hot and crunchy good. The burger was delicious and cooked as requested. This little french bistro was a perfect choice for our mid day meal. Glad we tried it!

    My family and I stopped here for lunch during a recent visit to Burlington. The restaurant was…read morebusy, so I was glad I had made reservations. We were seated immediately upon arrival, and our server greeted us right away. Since we had another appointment to get to, we let her know we were in a hurry, and she did a great job expediting our order. Our food arrived surprisingly quickly. My oldest son ordered the beef bourguignon, which was very tasty, although the mashed potatoes could have used a little more salt. My youngest had the croque monsieur and really enjoyed it. My wife ordered the curried chicken salad. She liked the salad itself but wasn't impressed with the croissant it was served on. I ordered the steak frites. While the steak wasn't the best cut, it was cooked properly and well seasoned. Overall, the service was excellent and the food was decent, but nothing really stood out enough to make me want to return. There are other restaurants in Burlington that I would choose to try before coming back here.

    Photos
    Confit Duck & Cassoulet
    Confit Duck & Cassoulet
    Mediterranean Pasta Salmon, Roasted Red Peppers, Sundried Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Spinach, Cavatappi Pasta with a Feta Parmesan Cream
    Mediterranean Pasta Salmon, Roasted Red Peppers, Sundried Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Spinach, Cavatappi Pasta with a Feta Parmesan Cream
    Leunig's Bistro

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    The Spot on the Dock - seafood - Updated August 2026

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