Established 2005 by two best friends.
Truly-owner operated by Chef Pheobe Bright and mandy Hotchkiss.
The Paddle is a special little bistro nestled in the beautiful Lake Champlain Islands of Vermont. Experience delicious, unpretentious food
and a unique getaway in South Hero!
Only 20 minutes from Burlington: we’re closer than you think!
Home of The Paddle Pups – German Wirehaired Pointers Wilbur and Willoughby.
Dog-friendly during the warmer months!
WHY WE DON’T TAKE ON-LINE RESERVATIONS:
Paddle Pup Wilbur and mandy Hotchkiss answer the phone 7 days a week starting at 6:00 am. Why? Because we prefer the personal touch. We choose the best table to fit your particular needs … we truly care about your experience, start to finish!
Unpretentious restaurant plating inventive, globally inspired fare in intimate quarters.
Calvin Stowell
The food, the people, everything was amazing. Such a great experience, they treat you like family. We brought our newborn for our first outing and they helped make the experience perfect. The oven roasted duck with sweet potatoes was amazing. We will be back.
… moreAmaury S
Blue Paddle Bistro had some hits and misses, but overall, we had a decent experience.
Visiting from out of town, we needed a dinner spot and made a same-day reservation, which they kindly accommodated. The restaurant has a cozy, rustic vibe — think cabin-in-the-mountains charm. The menu was a bit limited, especially with appetizers, but we went with the mussels from Prince Edward Island, and they were incredible. Seriously, some of the best I’ve had. That said, the portion of bread they served alongside was laughably small, especially for a dish made to share.
For our mains, we ordered two different burgers, both medium rare, and unfortunately, they were both overcooked. It was disappointing because the burgers themselves were huge and packed with flavor. The fries, though, were excellent and saved the meal a bit. On the drinks side, the martini I had was fantastic.
Overall, I’d rate this a 3.5 but am rounding up to 4 since it was our first visit, and I can see the potential.
… moreUmar Kareem
This spot is truly a hidden gem! I can’t recommend this restaurant enough. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with genuine warmth. The owners are incredibly friendly and make you feel right at home. The staff is nothing short of amazing; their positive energy, attentiveness, and passion for what they do really elevate the entire dining experience.
And the food? Absolutely outstanding. They’re known for their amazing menu items. Whether you’re stopping by for a casual meal or celebrating something special, this place never disappoints.
If you’re looking for exceptional service, a welcoming atmosphere, and unforgettable food, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit. Highly, highly recommend!
– Umar Kareem
… moreM. Dwyer
What a great spot! Food was excellent, bar service was both convivial (love Brianna!) and creative. Also nice background live music. We will be coming back. Steak was medium instead of medium rare, that’s the only complaint I have.
… morejane leonard
We were in town for the eclipse and had the great good fortune to find the Blue Paddle moments from our campground. We had dinner on Friday night and it was so amazing we returned for brunch on Sunday. The Friday night PEI mussels were out of this world and absolutely the best mussels I have EVER had – including many enjoyed over the years on PEI. Chef Phoebe’s presentation is the key and is not to be missed if you are fortunate enough to dine at the Blue Paddle on Friday or Saturday night. Lobster Benedict was equally amazing with a very generous amount of lobster and very tasty hollandaise for the win at our table for Sunday brunch. The vibe of this restaurant feels very much like home and the places of my youth in New Hope PA with a lot of fun and incredible art including some very cool 3D creations. From the moment we walked in the door we were made to feel very welcome by everyone. As UVM is in our travel plans for the next few years we will certainly be back as often as possible and will include the Blue Paddle as a destination regularly. Thank you for the hospitality, great food and lovely vibe. I am so glad that we found the Blue Paddle!
… moreMolly O’Dwyer
I had an amazingly loaded lobster roll. Easily double the amount of meat for the cost & what you would normally receive at a restaurant. My friend had shrimp scampi that was perfection as well. Pesto aoli with french fries was yummy as well as duck spring rolls! Thoughtful presentation. I greatly appreciate that The Blue Paddle has such a friendly yet classy atmosphere with carefully prepared dishes, while also being relaxed & welcoming to me in my casual attire. Make reservations in advance & you won’t be disappointed with this unique Bistro experience. (Being a dog lover is a plus!)
… moreMichael Murphy
Had a fantastic dinner with friends on a beautiful July evening. Sat outside under the massive oak with our dog. Enjoyed the duck, pork tenderloin, filet mignon and caprese salad. Service was friendly and efficient. Very dog friendly – they gave our pup a nice snack!
The picture is the view from the parking lot
… moreFaith Leon
Very good, delicious fresh food. The prices were a bit high, but i would return. They have a nice menu with unique seasonal combinations of flavors. I would have given it 5 stars but my Hendricks martini was 3/4 full, very disappointing not to get a full glass when ordering such a fine drink.
… moreSam Grise
Blue Paddle Bistro is a real gem in the islands. The food is genuinely outstanding; Chef Phoebe does an amazing job. We can’t get enough of their clams, lobster sauté, filet mignon, fancy cocktails, decadent desserts, and so much more. Everything is always cooked and seasoned to perfection. It’s fine dining in a charming setting. Mandy brings all the warmth and makes you feel like family. What’s better than amazing food where you’re welcomed with open arms. Not to mention they almost always have live music and even sometimes a sing along. It’s the true whimsy and magic of Vermont and we’re so lucky to have it and them.
… morePamela Jacobs
Our server, Phoebe B. Was Brilliant! Very pleased she convinced us to get the Coconut Shrimp $13. She said it was rare that they have it as a Special. It was probably the best part of the meal along with the warm Brownie Sundae $10, I shared. Lobster Saute $31 was good, but not extraordinary. The food here is good but not worth the high price. The online menu doesn’t have the prices listed which feeds into “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.” This is Vermont, this tells they think they would scare people away by sharing the prices. The location is a quaint old house. Decor is charming, but the downstairs space is very noisy. Upstairs is a little quieter, but no real views. For the money, I’d rather drive north on RT 2 and choose one of the Island inns with a lake view!
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