Walk into The Farmhouse and you’re immediately struck by how they’ve managed something tricky: farm-to-table gastropub dining that genuinely welcomes families alongside craft beer enthusiasts.
The restaurant earned #96 on Yelp’s 2023 Top 100 Burger Spots through locally sourced burgers from LaPlatte River Angus Farm, but that ranking only tells part of the story.
At 160 Bank Street in downtown Burlington, this two-floor operation features a main dining room for reservations, a speakeasy-style Parlor Bar downstairs with games and darts, plus a seasonal outdoor beer garden that fills up fast with locals who know Vermont’s backyard produces exceptional craft beer.
What Makes The Farmhouse Special
The restaurant operates as a true farm-to-table gastropub, sourcing ingredients locally and showcasing Vermont’s finest beers and ciders on rotating draft lists.
The Farmhouse offers burger options beyond typical beef – pork, turkey, lamb, veggie, and black bean versions all get the same quality treatment with locally sourced ingredients.
The downstairs Parlor Bar creates what one New Jersey guest called “more like a lounge chill type setup” – half self-service with board games, darts, and that speakeasy vibe you wouldn’t expect from a gastropub.
The Story Behind the Gastropub
The Farmhouse opened at 160 Bank Street as part of the Farmhouse Group, establishing itself in the heart of downtown Burlington with a mission to showcase Vermont’s farm-to-table movement.
The rotating draft list featuring marquee IPAs and Vermont craft beer built a reputation that attracted both serious beer enthusiasts and families looking for quality meals.
The seasonal outdoor beer garden and downstairs Parlor Bar expansion showed how the restaurant could serve different crowds simultaneously – families upstairs, craft beer lovers downstairs, everyone enjoying locally sourced food.
Food Highlights
- LaPlatte River Angus Farm Beef Burger: This locally sourced burger earned the restaurant #96 on Yelp’s 2023 Top 100 Burger Spots. One Connecticut guest called it “juicy, flavorful” with bacon jam, heirloom tomatoes, and chili lime mayo that “really made it pop.” 🍔
- Pork Burger: This alternative burger has earned 95 specific mentions from guests who appreciate options beyond beef. The quality treatment extends across all burger proteins. 🍔
- Turkey Burger: At 101 mentions, this lighter option demonstrates how the farm-to-table approach works across different meats. The locally sourced turkey gets the same attention as beef. 🦃
- Cheddar Ale Soup: This Vermont classic with 60 mentions showcases local cheese and beer in soup form. The combination represents regional ingredients done right. 🍲
- Fish and Chips: With 74 mentions, this pub staple features New England fish fry that one DC guest said “tasted great.” The restaurant menu specifies pollock or hake depending on availability. 🐟
- Veggie Burger: Earning 88 mentions, this house-made option shows the kitchen’s range beyond meat burgers. The quality extends to vegetarian preparations. 🌱
Atmosphere
The Farmhouse sits at 160 Bank Street in downtown Burlington, where two floors create different dining experiences – main room with reservations upstairs, speakeasy Parlor Bar with games downstairs.
The seasonal outdoor beer garden operates first-come-first-served and fills quickly, while moderate noise levels and casual vibe welcome everyone from families with kids to groups seeking craft beer.
Street meter parking proves challenging, but spacious waiting areas with full bars make waits manageable when the restaurant fills up during peak hours.
Bottom Line
Visit The Farmhouse Tap & Grill because earning #96 on Yelp’s 2023 Top 100 Burger Spots means the LaPlatte River Angus Farm beef and farm-to-table approach genuinely delivers quality.
The variety of burger options – pork, turkey, lamb, veggie, black bean – plus rotating draft lists featuring Vermont’s finest beers demonstrate how gastropub dining successfully showcases local ingredients through lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.
The two-floor setup with speakeasy Parlor Bar downstairs, seasonal outdoor beer garden, and commitment to Vermont’s farm-to-table movement prove this Bank Street gastropub has earned its place as a Burlington institution.
Address: The Farmhouse Tap & Grill 160 Bank Street, Burlington, VT 05401
📞 (802) 859-0888
🕐 Sun-Thu: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Fri-Sat: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
#96 Yelp Top 100 Burgers 2023 | Farm-to-table | Rotating Vermont craft beer | Seasonal beer garden | Speakeasy Parlor Bar