Bob & Cyndi's Guidebook
Food scene
Downtown Brattleboro. Michael is an inspired chef who will work magic for your enjoyment. Intimate dining experience in a lovingly restored diner car. Note: Quite pricey -- this is the place to go to celebrate life's little victories!
49 locals recommend
T. J. Buckley's
132 Elliot StDowntown Brattleboro. Michael is an inspired chef who will work magic for your enjoyment. Intimate dining experience in a lovingly restored diner car. Note: Quite pricey -- this is the place to go to celebrate life's little victories!
Downtown Brattleboro. Terrific local restaurant with 30+ year history in Brattleboro; a real local scene where the well heeled in Brattleboro meet to eat. Their Oyster Bar next door, just opened recently, is a great addition, with a good variety of shellfish and drinks for you to enjoy. Note: Moderate to high priced.
51 locals recommend
Peter Havens Restaurant
32 Elliot StDowntown Brattleboro. Terrific local restaurant with 30+ year history in Brattleboro; a real local scene where the well heeled in Brattleboro meet to eat. Their Oyster Bar next door, just opened recently, is a great addition, with a good variety of shellfish and drinks for you to enjoy. Note: Moderate to high priced.
Currently closed. We'll keep this updated as they reopen.
A go-to for reasonably priced breakfast and lunch prepared with integrity and wit, and an outdoor food truck for later times of day, where you can pick up your food and eat right there in the outdoor seating area.
32 locals recommend
Chelsea Royal Diner
487 Marlboro RdCurrently closed. We'll keep this updated as they reopen.
A go-to for reasonably priced breakfast and lunch prepared with integrity and wit, and an outdoor food truck for later times of day, where you can pick up your food and eat right there in the outdoor seating area.
Downtown Brattleboro. Great handmade vegan Israeli street food. Why buy store hummus when the fresh kind pops so much better?
Takeout only.
32 locals recommend
Yalla Vermont
80 Main StDowntown Brattleboro. Great handmade vegan Israeli street food. Why buy store hummus when the fresh kind pops so much better?
Takeout only.
Newfane, 10 minutes north. Amazing thin crust pizza, salads, sandwiches. Open late on weekends. Try the clam chowder, it will spoil all others. As we said, it's in Newfane VT (take Rte 30 North 10 minutes).
50 locals recommend
Fat Crow Restaurant
550 VT-30Newfane, 10 minutes north. Amazing thin crust pizza, salads, sandwiches. Open late on weekends. Try the clam chowder, it will spoil all others. As we said, it's in Newfane VT (take Rte 30 North 10 minutes).
Across the street. Tasty Italian food offerings such as Chicken or Veal Parmigiana, Marsala and Francese, good pasta, and Full Bar. Lovely view of the Country Club Green from the outdoor deck. And did we say full bar? We did. Walk there, drink wine, walk home.
Bella Notte
52 -59 Senator Gannett DriveAcross the street. Tasty Italian food offerings such as Chicken or Veal Parmigiana, Marsala and Francese, good pasta, and Full Bar. Lovely view of the Country Club Green from the outdoor deck. And did we say full bar? We did. Walk there, drink wine, walk home.
Downtown Brattleboro. Ken's an inspired and amusingly cranky chef who cooks up Northern Italian classics. Make sure to reserve as they can be a bit tentative with walk-ins -- even if the place looks empty.
Blue Moose
39 Main StDowntown Brattleboro. Ken's an inspired and amusingly cranky chef who cooks up Northern Italian classics. Make sure to reserve as they can be a bit tentative with walk-ins -- even if the place looks empty.
South Brattleboro. We have to admit we haven't tried this brand-new place yet, but it's 100% vegan menu might be what you need!
Vegan A.F.
105 Canal StreetSouth Brattleboro. We have to admit we haven't tried this brand-new place yet, but it's 100% vegan menu might be what you need!
Downtown Brattleboro. Managed by Whetstone station, this lovely bar offers the widest selection of beers in Brattleboro, mostly Vermont and Massachusetts breweries, plus Whetstone's own house-brewed beers. Unless you're starving, skip the small bites. Weather permitting, sit out on the patio for STELLAR river and mountain views.
7 locals recommend
River Garden Marketplace
157 Main StreetDowntown Brattleboro. Managed by Whetstone station, this lovely bar offers the widest selection of beers in Brattleboro, mostly Vermont and Massachusetts breweries, plus Whetstone's own house-brewed beers. Unless you're starving, skip the small bites. Weather permitting, sit out on the patio for STELLAR river and mountain views.
Local farm products
Where to go to get local produce, liquors, cheeses and meats, handmade products, woodworking, and all kinds of other “Vermonty” things!
Saturdays. Summers, it's by the Creamery covered bridge; Winters it's at the Winston Prouty campus. Lots of local farm goods and local food preparers. Closest thing to a Vermont Food Court you'll ever see. (Said with a smile.)
51 locals recommend
Brattleboro Farmers Market
570 Western AveSaturdays. Summers, it's by the Creamery covered bridge; Winters it's at the Winston Prouty campus. Lots of local farm goods and local food preparers. Closest thing to a Vermont Food Court you'll ever see. (Said with a smile.)
Almost in Newfane. 7 minutes up Rte 30, it's a great place for local veggies and fruits; GREAT pies and baked goods made fresh.
8 locals recommend
Dutton Berry Farmstand
Marlboro RoadAlmost in Newfane. 7 minutes up Rte 30, it's a great place for local veggies and fruits; GREAT pies and baked goods made fresh.
Next door, walking distance. A fully stocked farm stand. Hosted by Wild Carrot, the farm behind our lovely acre. The nicest neighbors and really good local farm products.
6 locals recommend
Wild Carrot Farm
118 Upper Dummerston RdNext door, walking distance. A fully stocked farm stand. Hosted by Wild Carrot, the farm behind our lovely acre. The nicest neighbors and really good local farm products.
Putney Road area of Brattleboro. Local-but-famous maple aged bourbon, coffee liqueur, and amazing herbal Snowball gin.
9 locals recommend
Saxtons Distillery
155 Chickering DrPutney Road area of Brattleboro. Local-but-famous maple aged bourbon, coffee liqueur, and amazing herbal Snowball gin.
Around the corner, 1 minute up the road. Award-winning cheddar is just the beginning... so many other local crafted food products are available at this outpost of the original Grafton cheese factory in Grafton Vermont.
44 locals recommend
Grafton Village Cheese Company
400 Linden StAround the corner, 1 minute up the road. Award-winning cheddar is just the beginning... so many other local crafted food products are available at this outpost of the original Grafton cheese factory in Grafton Vermont.
Part expansive and lovely local Coop market (where you can buy all kinds of groceries, meats, fish, produce, and staples) and part Deli where you can not only purchase prepared foods but also sit comfortably in the cafe to enjoy a meal, the Co-op is a community anchor and worthy place to visit.
102 locals recommend
Brattleboro Food Co-Op
2 Main StPart expansive and lovely local Coop market (where you can buy all kinds of groceries, meats, fish, produce, and staples) and part Deli where you can not only purchase prepared foods but also sit comfortably in the cafe to enjoy a meal, the Co-op is a community anchor and worthy place to visit.
For the active lifestyle
Hiking, running, walking, playing in our beautiful area
Terrific view after a lovely hike up the mountain, this privately owned trail is probably the best effort-to-reward experience you'll get in the hiking department.
7 locals recommend
Black Mountain Trailhead
1933 Black Mountain RdTerrific view after a lovely hike up the mountain, this privately owned trail is probably the best effort-to-reward experience you'll get in the hiking department.
Extensive trail system through lovely countryside. https://www.brattleboro.org/vertical/Sites/%7BFABA8FB3-EBD9-4E2C-91F9-C74DE6CECDFD%7D/uploads/Retreat_Trails_kiosk_map.pdf
Retreat Tower Trailhead
Tower RoadExtensive trail system through lovely countryside. https://www.brattleboro.org/vertical/Sites/%7BFABA8FB3-EBD9-4E2C-91F9-C74DE6CECDFD%7D/uploads/Retreat_Trails_kiosk_map.pdf
Just over the Vermont border in Hinsdale. A nice straight-path hike through gradual sloping trail alongside the Connecticut River, with the option of challenging climb to the summit with first class views of the Connecticut River.
Wantastiquet Mountain Trail
Wantastiquet Mountain TrailJust over the Vermont border in Hinsdale. A nice straight-path hike through gradual sloping trail alongside the Connecticut River, with the option of challenging climb to the summit with first class views of the Connecticut River.
Winter only. Right across the road from the Casita, you'll find extensive XC skiing and snowshoeing. If you do not have your own equipment, BOC can even rent you some. How's that for convenient? Note: Winter only (naturally).
Brattleboro Outing Club XC Ski Hut
73 Senator Gannett DriveWinter only. Right across the road from the Casita, you'll find extensive XC skiing and snowshoeing. If you do not have your own equipment, BOC can even rent you some. How's that for convenient? Note: Winter only (naturally).
Sightseeing
25 minutes from the Casita, up Route 9 (accessible most easily via Meadowbrook Rd to Marlboro Rd), this is a 100 mile view on a clear day with a gift shop where you can buy all sorts of local crafty items.
48 locals recommend
Hogback Mountain
25 minutes from the Casita, up Route 9 (accessible most easily via Meadowbrook Rd to Marlboro Rd), this is a 100 mile view on a clear day with a gift shop where you can buy all sorts of local crafty items.
Hungry?
The Works Café
118 Main StSit down, have a nice Vermont sandwich.
Yes, it's a chain... but if you need a decent bagel, it's the place to go. We know, we're from NYC.
Bruegger's Bagels
Yes, it's a chain... but if you need a decent bagel, it's the place to go. We know, we're from NYC.
The good stuff. You won't get real NTC/New Haven pizza anywhere else within 50 miles. Order a large pie to go. We should know; we're from NYC.
Martocci's
The good stuff. You won't get real NTC/New Haven pizza anywhere else within 50 miles. Order a large pie to go. We should know; we're from NYC.
Around the corner. Home to Gille's bakery for THE best baguette in Brat, great coffee, and Lucie's wonderful French pastries. On weekends, it becomes a scene, with live music.
RIGHT around the corner on Rte 30.
Fire Arts Bakery & Cafe
Around the corner. Home to Gille's bakery for THE best baguette in Brat, great coffee, and Lucie's wonderful French pastries. On weekends, it becomes a scene, with live music.
RIGHT around the corner on Rte 30.
So much to do in paradise
Want to throw a pot? Or buy a bowl? This collective of local clay artists regularly hosts classes and activities, and has a gallery shop.
Wheelhouse Clay Center
48 Harmony PlaceWant to throw a pot? Or buy a bowl? This collective of local clay artists regularly hosts classes and activities, and has a gallery shop.
Downtown Brattleboro. First-class art gallery, with regular shows featuring significant local artists.
8 locals recommend
Mitchell • Giddings Fine Arts
181-183 Main StDowntown Brattleboro. First-class art gallery, with regular shows featuring significant local artists.
Downtown Brattleboro. If you collect comics, or love a carefully selected and eclectic mix of reading, Book Lovers is worth finding. Tucked away off Flat Street, next to the Transportation Center.
Book Lovers
Downtown Brattleboro. If you collect comics, or love a carefully selected and eclectic mix of reading, Book Lovers is worth finding. Tucked away off Flat Street, next to the Transportation Center.
Downtown Brattleboro. A collective of 30 local artists runs this gallery-like shop. Crafts, gift ideas, prints, cards and original art for sale. Cyndi's work is on permanent display.
Harmony Collective Artist Gallery
Downtown Brattleboro. A collective of 30 local artists runs this gallery-like shop. Crafts, gift ideas, prints, cards and original art for sale. Cyndi's work is on permanent display.