A Road Trip Across Vermont Led Me To This Café Which Serves The Pumpkin Pie Locals Swear By Every Fall
There’s a moment every fall in Montpelier when it feels like all roads lead to Wayside Restaurant & Bakery. The air cools, the leaves flare up, and suddenly that pumpkin pie becomes less of a dessert and more of a seasonal checkpoint.
Since 1918, this little roadside landmark has been serving the kind of food that makes Vermonters shrug and say, “You just have to try it”, and they mean it. Inside, the vibe is pure comfort: mugs of coffee, familiar chatter, bakery cases glowing with pies and pastries.
Then your slice arrives, fragrant with spice, topped just right, and warm enough to feel like it came straight from someone’s family kitchen. One bite, and you understand why people come back every autumn.
A Century Of Slice-Worthy Tradition
Walk into Wayside Restaurant & Bakery and you’re stepping into more than a café—you’re entering a 1918 Vermont tradition.
The pumpkin pie here tastes like history done right: velvety, spiced, and baked with care that’s been perfected for generations. Locals return every fall because the flavor is as reliable as the first frost on US-302.
With prices that still feel small-town and service that feels like family, Wayside turns a simple slice into a seasonal ritual. Add steaming coffee, a cozy booth, and the hum of regulars, and you’ve got the definition of Vermont comfort.
The Pumpkin Pie: Spice, Silky Custard, Perfect Crust
Wayside’s pumpkin pie wins on balance: a lush, silky custard kissed with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, layered into a flaky, buttery crust that shatters delicately with each bite.
The filling isn’t overly sweet, letting earthy pumpkin and warm spice lead. A whisper of vanilla and a light crown of whipped cream complete the experience.
It’s the kind of pie that turns a weekday into a holiday. Fans swear it tastes like first snow and maple smoke in the air: comforting, humble, and deeply Vermont. Order a slice or take home a whole pie before they sell out.
Why Locals Line Up Every Fall
Ask a regular and they’ll tell you: Wayside’s pumpkin pie delivers nostalgia without shortcuts. The bakery’s consistency, fair $10–20 pricing across the menu, and friendly service create loyalty that lasts decades.
Reviews gush about homemade desserts, generous portions, and the feeling of being known. Come late afternoon and you might wait a few minutes, proof that tradition still matters.
With operating hours from 7 AM to 8:30 PM daily, there’s time to sneak in a slice after dinner or pick one up for a weekend gathering. In Montpelier, autumn plans often start here.
Pair It Right: Vermont-Forward Sips and Sides
Turn your slice into a moment with smart pairings. A hot cup of diner coffee brings out the spice, while a scoop of Wayside’s house ice cream adds creamy contrast.
Prefer breakfast-for-dessert? A side of blueberry pancakes before pumpkin pie is a Montpelier move that regulars swear by.
On crisp evenings, finish a homey turkey plate, then let the pie close the show. However you pair it, the pie remains the star; balanced, fragrant, and seasonally evocative. Bring friends, order a few forks, and linger in that golden hour glow.
Insider Timing: How Not To Miss a Slice
Peak pie hours happen fast in leaf-peeping season. Aim for late morning or early afternoon to beat dinner rushes, especially on weekends.
If you’re planning a whole pie for a gathering, call ahead at +1 802-223-6611 to check availability or place an order. The location at 1873 US-302 is easy to reach with ample parking, and the bakery counter moves quickly.
Open 7 AM–8:30 PM daily, it’s friendly to early birds and night owls alike. Pro tip: dine in for a warm slice, then snag a boxed slice for tomorrow, you’ll be grateful.
Atmosphere: Classic Diner Warmth, Vermont Heart
There’s a particular warmth at Wayside, the kind you feel in a place that’s fed generations. Booths are cozy, staff greet with genuine smiles, and specials read like love letters to comfort food.
People praise the homey vibe, fair prices, and thoughtful accommodations, from gluten-friendly options to quick table setups for larger parties. Whether it’s a birthday slice or a quiet solo treat, the room hums with easy conversation.
It’s Americana, preserved and vibrant, where the pumpkin pie feels right at home under soft lights and the clink of coffee spoons.
What Else To Order (Before Pie, Of Course)
Come hungry. Fans rave about blueberry pancakes, Green Mountain brunch plates, turkey sandwiches, salmon specials, and classic comfort sides like sweet potato tots and fried mushrooms.
The daily specials board often surprises, and prices remain refreshingly reasonable. Breakfasts are hearty, lunches comforting, and dinners deeply satisfying. Still, leave room for dessert; the bakery case tempts with seasonal treats, but the pumpkin pie defines fall.
Share entrees to pace yourself, then order a whole pie for later. You’ll leave with a full belly, a smile, and plans to return before the leaves are gone.
Plan Your Visit: Map, Details, And Take-Home Pie
Set your GPS to 44.2350324, -72.5544788 and follow US-302 to Wayside Restaurant, Bakery & Creamery. Check the website (waysiderestaurant.com) for updates, and remember: open daily from 7 AM to 8:30 PM.
Dine in for that perfect warm slice, then bring a whole pie to your cabin, campsite, or kitchen table. With 2,000+ glowing reviews and more than a century of practice, this is the reliable fall stop you’ll recommend to everyone.
In Montpelier, autumn isn’t official until the pumpkin pie comes from Wayside.