Walk into The Friendly Toast and you’re immediately surrounded by gaming-themed art, bright red and green colors, sparkling cushion seats, and whimsical paintings that could keep you entertained for hours.
The restaurant started in “quaint Portsmouth, New Hampshire” and grew into one of New England’s most popular brunch spots, earning accolades like Best Breakfast, Best Brunch, Best Bloody Mary, and Best Pancakes.
At 86 St Paul Street in Burlington, this scratch kitchen serves creative breakfast all day with a menu section hilariously titled “Friends with Benedicts” – showcasing the playful approach that’s made them essential dining across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine.
What Makes The Friendly Toast Special
The restaurant operates as a scratch kitchen making five different kinds of fresh bread daily, serving the full menu – breakfast, lunch, dinner – all day long.
The Friendly Toast combines favorites you recognize with innovative dishes you’ve never seen before, like Rice Krispies breaded fried chicken and homemade tater tots guests describe as unexpectedly huge.
The Brunch Club loyalty program rewards diners with 1 point per $1 spent, with double points Monday-Friday from 8am-3pm – showing how they’ve built community around creative brunch culture.
The Story Behind the Restaurant
The Friendly Toast launched in Portsmouth, New Hampshire with humble beginnings before growing into a New England brunch institution.
The creative menu and funky decor – described as “nostalgia on shuffle-mode” – built a reputation that earned recognition as one of 14 Essential Breakfast Spots Around Boston.
The expansion across New England while maintaining scratch kitchen standards and whimsical atmosphere proved this approach resonates beyond just one college town.
Food Highlights
- Hash Quiche: At $17.50, two crispy fried hash brown bowls get stuffed with scrambled eggs, bacon, peppers, onions, and jalapeño-jack, topped with crema and fresh dill. This creative dish has earned 14 specific mentions plus favorite status from staff. 🥔
- Chicken & Waffles: For $19, Belgian waffle meets Rice Krispies breaded fried chicken with brown sugar glaze and cinnamon maple butter. The creative breading technique sets this apart from typical chicken and waffles. 🧇
- French Toast: With 30 mentions, this classic earns its popularity through execution and the scratch kitchen approach. The French Toast Monster version at $19.50 adds two eggs and breakfast meat. 🍞
- Eggs Benedict: Eighteen mentions prove the “Friends with Benedicts” section delivers beyond just clever naming. The poached eggs arrive runny as requested, showcasing proper technique. 🥚
- Breakfast Burrito: At $13, flour tortilla wraps scrambled eggs, jalapeño-jack, jumbo cheddar tater tots, black beans, poblano corn, pico, and chipotle sauce. One New Jersey guest said her husband “loved it” despite not finishing the generous home fries portion. 🌯
- Monte Madame: This $12 French-toasted croissant stuffed with ham and gruyere on cheese sauce topped with egg creates what one guest called “so close to being amazing.” The creative fusion of Monte Cristo and Croque Madame shows the innovative approach. 🥐
Atmosphere
The Friendly Toast sits at 86 St Paul Street right off Church Street, where vibrant, colorful decor with gaming-themed art creates what guests call “modern contemporary art look.”
The moderate noise, casual-trendy, hipster vibe welcomes families with kids while maintaining that college town energy through sparkling cushion seats and whimsical paintings.
The live-updated waitlist helps manage 20-25 minute waits during peak brunch hours, while outdoor patio seating accommodates groups and provides space for families with babies.
Bottom Line
Visit The Friendly Toast because earning Best Breakfast, Best Brunch, and Best Pancakes recognition means the creative menu and scratch kitchen approach genuinely deliver across New England.
The Hash Quiche and Chicken & Waffles with Rice Krispies breading showcase innovative dishes beyond typical brunch, while “Friends with Benedicts” demonstrates how playful creativity extends throughout the experience.
The Portsmouth origins grown into New England institution, whimsical decor with gaming-themed art, scratch kitchen making five types of bread daily, and Brunch Club loyalty program prove this St Paul Street spot has earned its place as a Burlington brunch destination.
Address: The Friendly Toast
86 St Paul Street, Burlington, VT 05401
📞 (802) 495-5491
🕐 Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM | Sat-Sun: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Best Breakfast & Brunch awards | Scratch kitchen | Five fresh breads daily | All-day breakfast | Brunch Club loyalty | Catering available