

Relaxed spot with a woodsy-chic interior offering a changing menu of thoughtfully sourced fare.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 55 Cherry St, Burlington, VT 05401
Phone: (802) 540-0534
Website: http://henofthewood.com/
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Hen of the Wood Restaurant
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Reviews
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 felt both indulgent and refined.
Dessert was the chocolate almond cake served with ice cream, a standout finale that was truly memorable and easily among the best desserts I’ve had this year. Throughout the meal, service was attentive and polished, complementing an already remarkable atmosphere. Hen of the Wood is absolutely worth a dedicated trip and comes highly recommended.
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 ordered the duck, which she found incredibly tasty and well prepared.
One unique and thoughtful touch was on the menu itself—items labeled something like “kisses to the cooks” and “hugs to the kitchen.” Curious, I asked our server and learned these are tips that go directly to the kitchen staff. I really appreciated this gesture, recognizing the people who work hard behind the scenes and aren’t usually visible to guests.
To finish the meal in classic Vermont style, we ordered three different cheeses from the cheese menu. They were served with hazelnuts and crackers lightly sweetened with almond—an outstanding and memorable ending to the meal.
The ambiance was warm and inviting, and the restrooms were exceptionally clean and well maintained. My wife is usually hesitant to use restrooms in crowded places, but she was pleasantly surprised and even praised how clean they were.
Overall, this was a fantastic dining experience. If you’re in Burlington, Vermont and looking for a high-quality dinner spot, I highly recommend Hen of the Wood. It’s family-friendly as well—we saw other families with young children—making it a great choice for both special occasions and relaxed evenings out.
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.
We couldn’t get a reservation a month out (via resy and calling) but we followed the advice here to show up at 4 and ask to eat at the bar or chefs table. The bar was filled up at 405 for seats, so we got chefs table. My advice is that if you don’t have a res you need to show up early.
Chef’s table experience was great. You could tell by the energy of the staff that they were happy to be there and proud of the product. They rolled with the fact that boo didn’t want any big plates and they coursed out the meal with aplomb.
Farm to table is a challenge in New England in winter (see Erin French’s musings on this subject in her history HBO show) but the cabbage dish was fire.
Not a Michelin star spot bc they don’t come here (Boston paid for their stars, fyi) but it well could be based on my experience dining at those spots in cities like sf, la, NYC, Barcelona, Paris, London ETC.
Called for a same-day res for 2, and we did have to wait a bit. Though we got drinks immediately, then had a wonderful time watching the rhythm of the restaurant.
Got bar seats watching the kitchen. Highly recommend. The chefs most consistently and deliberately. Slow is intentional. Intentional is fast. They crank out a ton of food in their grill, stove, and wood oven.
We got the hanger steak and broccoli hen of the woods mains. Steak was cooked perfectly. The charred kale was crispy smoky and enjoyed by the kale skeptics in our group.
We also enjoyed the kielbasa with cabbage and sea urchin sauce. Unique, smoky, acidic.
And the service was great. Never waited, always pleasant and helpful.
Excellent experience for a romantic get away, or family occasion.