Hen of the Wood - Burlington

Hen of the Wood is widely regarded as Vermont’s most celebrated restaurant, and the experience makes it immediately clear why. The space itself sets the tone: warm wood textures and thoughtful design create an intimate, grounded atmosphere that feels special even before the first dish arrives. I began with the scallop crudo, an appetizer defined by exceptional freshness and precision. The scallops were pristine, their delicate sweetness enhanced by carefully balanced seasonings and garnishes that added both contrast and textural interest without overwhelming the dish. For the main course, the duck breast was flawlessly executed—crisp skin giving way to tender, flavorful meat. The accompanying elements provided a welcome counterpoint to the richness of the duck, resulting in a dish that f

We had a wonderful dinner at Hen of the Wood with my wife and son. We arrived on time and were seated immediately, even though it was fairly crowded for a Sunday evening. Our table was close to the kitchen, and you could feel the warmth and energy from the back—something I actually enjoyed, as it added to the atmosphere. We started with seltzer water and drinks, and our server went above and beyond by making a homemade Shirley Temple for my son, which he absolutely loved. For appetizers, we ordered the pork pâté wrapped in bacon, served with charred bread. It was rich, flavorful, and beautifully done. For my main course, I ordered the 16-ounce ribeye, cooked medium rare. It came with potatoes and a delicious jus, along with mustard seeds that added a fantastic pop of flavor. My wife orde

Hen of the Wood was a fabulous experience. Although reservations were fully booked, our party of 2 made an attempt at bar seating, and we were delighted that after just 10 minutes we were seated at the chef’s table. The food is incredible, of course. Don’t miss the cheese selections. If you’re dining with someone willing to share, I recommend ordering several plates and splitting them to taste as much of the menu as possible. Service was wonderful, our server was attentive, helpful, and kind. The whole evening was a treat and a highlight of our weekend visit to Burlington.

Dishes are really perfect! Better reserve the seats beforehand as the restaurant is quite busy. The dishes are really perfect! The menus are always updated from time to time depending on the seasonal and fresh market food. A lot of choices of wines for your selection. Environment is decent and comfortable, waiter is very knowledgeable and friendly to introduce the special dishes and recommend the right wines for us. Small plates and big plates are very very delicious and perfect. Only the dessert we ordered is a little bit sweet for myself, maybe next time I will choose some ice cream.

Delicious drinks and food! Went for a really late dinner & the hosts + servers + bartender were all very friendly and accommodating. Had oysters (not pictured), steak, duck, and tile fish. All amazing.