The Best Burgers in Vermont (2026)

The best burgers in Vermont are made with local beef, and the two top picks are Worthy Burger in South Royalton and The Farmhouse Tap & Grill in Burlington. They were co-winners of Best Burger in the 2025 Seven Daysies, the readers' awards from the Vermont weekly Seven Days. After those two, try The Shopping Bag and Archie's Grill near Burlington, Three Penny Taproom in Montpelier, Burger Barn in Jeffersonville and Peace Burger in Waitsfield.

Below is our roundup, grouped by region. Vermont has plenty of small-town and seasonal spots, so check hours before you drive.

What makes a Vermont burger?

Vermont doesn't have a signature burger style, but it does have a signature approach: local, often grass-fed beef from nearby farms, local cheddar and a farm-to-table mindset even at casual places. Look for:

• Local beef: many menus name the farm. Grass-fed beef is leaner and more mineral-tasting than standard grocery beef. Our guide to ground beef explains how fat content changes a burger.
• Vermont cheddar: sharp, aged cheddar is the default cheese here. See our best cheese for burgers guide.
• Beer pairings: Vermont's craft beer scene means many of the best burgers come from taprooms and brewpubs.

Burlington and Chittenden County

• The Farmhouse Tap & Grill (Burlington): a gastropub with several local burgers, including a classic Angus beef burger and a black bean option. It co-won the 2025 Seven Daysies.
• The Shopping Bag (Burlington): a longtime Burlington spot known for the Scibek Sizzler, a Montréal-spiced, cheese-filled burger. It's the kind of hole-in-the-wall spot locals send visitors to.
• Archie's Grill (Shelburne): a casual grill just south of Burlington, known for the Archie Burger with blue cheese, red onion and bacon and for house-fried chips. It was a 2025 Seven Daysies finalist.

Central Vermont

• Worthy Burger (South Royalton): a beef-and-beer spot in an old red freight house. It serves burgers made from grass-fed beef with plenty of topping combinations and a good draft list. It co-won Best Burger in the 2025 Seven Daysies and is worth a detour off I-89. Its sister restaurant, Worthy Kitchen, is in Woodstock.
• Three Penny Taproom (Montpelier): a beer bar in the state capital whose burger is praised for being simple and well seasoned. A 2025 finalist.
• Peace Burger (Waitsfield): a newer burger spot that opened at Afterthoughts in Waitsfield in 2025 and quickly became a Seven Daysies finalist. It's a good stop in the Mad River Valley.

Northern Vermont

• Burger Barn (Jeffersonville): a seasonal burger stand that also runs a food truck. It's known for inventive builds like a burger with Brie, prosciutto, apples and spicy maple mustard. It's near Smugglers' Notch, so it's handy on a summer or fall drive.

About the Seven Daysies

The Seven Daysies are annual readers' choice awards run by Seven Days, the Burlington-based weekly. Readers nominate and vote, and finalists are split into spots inside Chittenden County (the Burlington area) and outside it, which makes the list handy for planning a trip around the whole state. Winners can change from year to year, so use it as a strong starting point.

What to order

• At Worthy Burger: a grass-fed burger with one of the house topping combinations and a local draft.
• At The Farmhouse: the classic Angus beef burger.
• At The Shopping Bag: the Scibek Sizzler, if it's available when you visit.
• At Archie's Grill: the Archie Burger with a side of house-fried chips.
• At Burger Barn: one of the inventive specialty burgers. The spicy maple mustard is very Vermont.

How to plan a Vermont burger trip

1. Start in Burlington. The Farmhouse, The Shopping Bag and Archie's are all within a short drive.
2. Head down I-89. Montpelier and Waitsfield are about 45 minutes from Burlington, and South Royalton is under an hour beyond Montpelier.
3. Check seasonal hours. Burger Barn and other rural spots keep different hours depending on the season.
4. Pair with foliage. Fall is a busy season, so plan for waits on weekends.
5. Share to sample more. If you're hitting two or three spots in a day, split burgers so you have room for the next stop.

Coming from Boston? Our Boston burger guide covers the start of the drive. For more road-trip ideas, browse our burger map.

Make a Vermont-style burger at home

Buy local grass-fed beef if you can, and add a little extra fat (or butter) because grass-fed beef is lean. Top with sharp Vermont cheddar and a spoonful of caramelized onions. Our classic backyard cheeseburger recipe is a good base. Lean beef cooks fast, so use a thermometer and cook ground beef to 160°F for USDA-recommended doneness.

Know a Vermont burger we're missing? Suggest a spot.

FAQ

Who has the best burger in Vermont?

In the 2025 Seven Daysies readers' awards, Worthy Burger in South Royalton and The Farmhouse Tap & Grill in Burlington tied for Best Burger.

Where can I get a good burger in Burlington?

The Farmhouse Tap & Grill and The Shopping Bag are top picks, and Archie's Grill is a short drive south in Shelburne.

Is Worthy Burger worth the drive?

If you're traveling on I-89 between Burlington and the White River Junction area, yes. It's a short detour to South Royalton, and the freight-house setting is part of the fun.

Are Vermont burgers made with grass-fed beef?

Many are. Vermont restaurants often use local beef, and Worthy Burger serves 100 percent grass-fed burgers. Ask your server where the beef comes from.