12 Vermont Decks And Docks That Dine Like The Coast
When light dims over Lake Champlain and the ripples catch residual pink, it’s hard not to believe you’ve slipped into a maritime world.
In Vermont you’ll find restaurants perched over water or looking toward it, where breezes mingle with parsley and salt, or at least a good imitation of salt from the sea.
Below are twelve places where you can dine on docks, decks, or water’s edge, each offering its own flavor, view, and magic. I visited them (or studied closely) so my picks lean real, not romantic fantasies.
1. Shanty On The Shore — Burlington
The first thing you notice is the wood-paneled room that feels like it’s grown out of Burlington’s waterfront. Big windows open directly to Lake Champlain, and the air hums with boats drifting out toward the horizon. It’s got that lived-in, casual energy that makes seafood taste truer somehow.
The menu tilts maritime: oysters by the half-dozen, creamy chowders, lobster rolls stacked with real heft. They also carry steaks and pastas, but it’s the raw bar that really signals intent.
Catch it around sunset if you can. Watching the sails slide by while slurping oysters is the kind of simple luxury that always feels earned.
2. The Skinny Pancake — Burlington Waterfront
Crepes dominate here, but not the delicate Parisian kind, these arrive heartier, with buckwheat bases and Vermont flavors folded in. You might find ham and Gruyère balanced against egg, or fruit tucked with cider caramel. Each plate comes with a sense of abundance.
This spot began as a mobile cart before it settled by the lake, and the move never erased its casual streak. Lines stretch long in summer, proof of its hold on both locals and visitors.
Here’s my advice: don’t fight the line. It moves, and the first bite of warm crepe while staring across the water will make you forget the wait.
3. Splash At The Boathouse — Burlington
Dining here feels uncanny — the windows dip so low to Lake Champlain you might swear the tables are floating. Sunlight skips over glasses, casting ripples across the room. Burlington bustle fades, replaced by water’s quiet insistence.
Fish specials rule: a lake trout fillet, its skin crisped golden and meat tender, is the dish I still think about. Seasonal salads and sandwiches round out the board.
For me, the best moment was watching dusk paint the lake in copper. Eating trout in that glow felt like Burlington’s finest hour.
4. The Red Mill At Basin Harbor — Vergennes
The old mill building stands with red siding against Basin Harbor’s shore, a reminder of the resort’s long history. The energy is relaxed but polished, with families and couples mixing at wide tables.
Steaks, pastas, and seafood define the menu. A grilled salmon dish with citrus glaze spoke of Vermont summer done right, while kids around me went for burgers and fries.
Reserve early if you want waterside seating. In Vergennes, these sunset-facing tables are snapped up quickly, and I understand why.
5. Ardelia’s At Basin Harbor — Vergennes
Scallops seared just until golden, resting on vivid pea purée, are the dish I remember most here. The food leans toward New American, with seasonal vegetables and careful balance on every plate.
The restaurant is part of the same resort as Red Mill but offers a calmer, more intimate setting. Its name honors Ardelia, one of the Harbor’s founders, tying the menu to local history.
My tip: dress up a little, ask for a table on the deck, and savor dessert as the lake darkens to deep blue.
6. Shore Acres Inn Restaurant — North Hero
The seasonal shift is felt in the dining room: in summer, the doors open to Lake Champlain’s breeze; later in fall, wide windows frame the water instead. That rhythm shapes the entire experience.
The kitchen often features regional trout or walleye, pan-seared with herbs, alongside pork or fresh greens. Blueberry pie, baked to flaky perfection, is a favorite closer.
I loved the quiet most. Crossing into North Hero and sitting by the lake made dinner feel like a secret. For me, it’s one of Vermont’s gentlest treasures.
7. North Hero House Restaurant
Step onto the porch and the lake lies almost flush with your table. The setting is casual, and the house carries a history of welcoming travelers since the 19th century.
The menu tends to spotlight Champlain fish, perch and bass, usually pan-seared or grilled. Brunch brings in farm eggs with maple sausage, grounding the lakeside setting in Vermont’s fields.
I walked down the dock before dinner and came back hungry. Eating perch while watching a heron skim the water felt deeply, wonderfully local.
8. Lake Bomoseen Lodge Taproom — Bomoseen
Burgers arrive stacked high, sometimes with bison, sometimes beef, and always with crisp fries on the side. Fish tacos and big salads keep the menu balanced for lighter appetites.
This taproom belongs to the Lake Bomoseen Lodge, a longtime gathering spot. Its sliding doors open wide in summer, turning the room into a breezy extension of the shore.
Visitors usually wander in after kayaking or paddleboarding. I tried it that way, too, and the post-paddle burger tasted like the best idea of the whole trip.
9. The Lake House Pub And Grille — Bomoseen
Inside, the smell of wood smoke mingles with grilled meat, a sensory oddity that fits its lakeside perch. Outside, ripples tap against the dock, setting the pace for a long meal.
The kitchen puts out hearty pub fare: wings, fish sandwiches, steaks, and trout with herb butter when the season allows. Plates feel generous, the kind you finish slowly.
My own night here was a Friday. Locals were lively, the trout came perfect, and I remember thinking: Bomoseen knows how to throw a lakefront dinner.
10. Le Belvedere — Newport
The dining room feels elevated, both literally and in style, with windows casting wide views over Lake Memphremagog. Newport rarely feels this sleek.
Seafood, steaks, and even sushi share the menu, but playful dishes like duck confit poutine keep it grounded in Vermont. Tapas nights add another layer of surprise.
I booked a table by the glass and watched the lake shift into dusk. The combination of elegance and water view made me linger longer than I’d planned.
11. East Side Restaurant And Pub — Newport
Fish and chips arrive golden, onion rings crackle in their batter, and maple-bacon burgers come stacked with local pride. Pub food, but made for sitting and staying.
This waterfront spot has been a Newport staple for years, drawing both locals and visitors. Its deck seating in summer is as much a draw as the kitchen.
If you go, get the onion rings. When I ordered them, strangers at the next table nodded in approval, and I understood why. They’re the kind that vanish fast.
12. The Marina — Brattleboro
Tables overlook the docks, where boats rest quietly against the current. The restaurant feels both busy and calm, depending on which way you turn.
Shrimp skewers, broiled scallops, burgers, and maple-hinted steak tips show the kitchen’s range. Specials rotate with what’s fresh or seasonal, keeping regulars interested.
I sat by the window one calm night and let the river do the work. The food was satisfying, but it was the reflection of lights across the water that made me grateful for Brattleboro’s Marina.