Food Scene
Middlebury. Really fun and really popular with locals, the college kids, and everyone. Lunch, dinner, bar... Park on the street or in the lot behind the library.
64 locals recommend
Two Brothers Tavern
86 Main StMiddlebury. Really fun and really popular with locals, the college kids, and everyone. Lunch, dinner, bar... Park on the street or in the lot behind the library.
Middlebury. They also have "Otter East" which is closer to the A-frame, just off of Route 7 in East Middlebury (Ossie Road, sort of near the big Irving gas station). Cute t-shirts for sale, too.
26 locals recommend
Otter Creek Bakery & Deli
14 College StMiddlebury. They also have "Otter East" which is closer to the A-frame, just off of Route 7 in East Middlebury (Ossie Road, sort of near the big Irving gas station). Cute t-shirts for sale, too.
Cafe Provence
11 Center StBrandon. So yummy! Lunch, brunch, dinner. People love this place!
The Otter Creek Brewery
793 Exchange StCLOSED. :( Middlebury.
Middlebury. Super popular and always busy, but "fine dining" or "healthy fare" it is not. A great place for breakfast or to go when everything else is closed. Basic food that your parents would love. My parents go there about 3x/ week for breakfast or lunch! :) Lots of locals - which means it is better than I am making it sound.
18 locals recommend
Rosie's
886 US-7Middlebury. Super popular and always busy, but "fine dining" or "healthy fare" it is not. A great place for breakfast or to go when everything else is closed. Basic food that your parents would love. My parents go there about 3x/ week for breakfast or lunch! :) Lots of locals - which means it is better than I am making it sound.
Middlebury. Haymaker is fantastic! Coffee and yummy things. I think the Arcadian is still closed. They couldn't find workers after covid. The couple that started these places and run them were my parents' neighbors. Small towns are great. :)
19 locals recommend
Haymaker Bun Company & The Arcadian
7 Bakery LnMiddlebury. Haymaker is fantastic! Coffee and yummy things. I think the Arcadian is still closed. They couldn't find workers after covid. The couple that started these places and run them were my parents' neighbors. Small towns are great. :)
Middlebury. (In Marble Works) Sandwiches to dream about later. Folks go nuts about this place! I am not sure if they are letting you sit inside now, so be prepared to take your food to go. In nice weather, sit right outside and gaze at the falls.
12 locals recommend
Noonie's Deli
137 Maple StMiddlebury. (In Marble Works) Sandwiches to dream about later. Folks go nuts about this place! I am not sure if they are letting you sit inside now, so be prepared to take your food to go. In nice weather, sit right outside and gaze at the falls.
Middlebury. Lunch and dinner. Very casual. Sit by Otter Creek or take out. I imagine they have inside seating as well but have never tried it.
137 locals recommend
The Mad Taco
5101 Main StMiddlebury. Lunch and dinner. Very casual. Sit by Otter Creek or take out. I imagine they have inside seating as well but have never tried it.
Foley Taco and Bean
Brandon. Fun place! Margaritas! Fun food!
Middlebury. "The Marble Works District is home to numerous shops, restaurants, and service providers." Noonie's is here as is American Flatbread, etc.
Marble works
Middlebury. "The Marble Works District is home to numerous shops, restaurants, and service providers." Noonie's is here as is American Flatbread, etc.
Mae's Place
10 Park StBrandon. Good for breakfast although the atmosphere is a bit lacking.
Middlebury. In nice weather, try to eat on the porch which overlooks Otter Creek. I don't love the food here, but it is OK and my family really enjoys it.
20 locals recommend
Mister Up's Restaurant & Pub
25 Bakery LnMiddlebury. In nice weather, try to eat on the porch which overlooks Otter Creek. I don't love the food here, but it is OK and my family really enjoys it.
Brandon. I have only been here once, but it seemed to have interesting food and cocktails. I wished the inside had more atmosphere, and we couldn't get a table on the deck that night.
7 locals recommend
River Pub & Grill
18 Center StBrandon. I have only been here once, but it seemed to have interesting food and cocktails. I wished the inside had more atmosphere, and we couldn't get a table on the deck that night.
Middlebury. Pizza. I am not sure they have fully recovered after the pandemic, and I think you can only do take-out, but if you are in Midd and want pizza...
Green Peppers Restaurant
10 Washington StMiddlebury. Pizza. I am not sure they have fully recovered after the pandemic, and I think you can only do take-out, but if you are in Midd and want pizza...
Brandon House of Pizza
16 Center StBrandon. Pizza. Just what you'd imagine, I think.
Lake Dunmore. Pizza, salads, and other standard fare quite close to Fern Lake. 
15 locals recommend
Paddlers Pub
937 W Shore RdLake Dunmore. Pizza, salads, and other standard fare quite close to Fern Lake. 
American Flatbread
Middlebury. Yum! As always, check to see if it is open first!
Middlebury Bagel
11 Washington StMiddlebury. Yummy breakfast and more!
Neshobe Cafe
Brandon. A part of the Brandon Inn. Tiny and new. Let me know if you check it out.
The Brandon Inn
Brandon. Tapas and sangria a few evenings a week! Fun!
TEMPORARILY CLOSED. (Check website or call to see if reopening.) Middlebury. Downstairs (in the basement) from Two Brothers Tavern. Upscale casual Italian.
Notte
86 Main StTEMPORARILY CLOSED. (Check website or call to see if reopening.) Middlebury. Downstairs (in the basement) from Two Brothers Tavern. Upscale casual Italian.
The Bobcat Cafe and Brewery
5 Main StBristol. Cozy, homey, pub food.
Vergennes. Bakery and café. Open 8 - 3 Thursday - Sunday (but please check first).
40 locals recommend
Vergennes Laundry by CK
247 Main StVergennes. Bakery and café. Open 8 - 3 Thursday - Sunday (but please check first).
Shopping
Middlebury. There are shops and restaurants here, including Noonie's and American Flatbread. Nice lawn and picnic tables with a view of the falls. A walking bridge across Otter Creek connects Marbleworks to the rest of Midd - near Mad Taco.
Marble works
Middlebury. There are shops and restaurants here, including Noonie's and American Flatbread. Nice lawn and picnic tables with a view of the falls. A walking bridge across Otter Creek connects Marbleworks to the rest of Midd - near Mad Taco.
Blue Moon Clothing & Gifts
31 Center StBrandon. I love this shop. Clothing. Boutique.
T.J. Maxx
260 Court StMiddlebury. Next to Hannaford grocery store.
The Vermont Book Shop
38 Main StMiddlebury. Love this place.
Middlebury. Great place for gifts and cards and art, etc. Lots of local items items to choose from.
Sweet Cecily
42 Main StMiddlebury. Great place for gifts and cards and art, etc. Lots of local items items to choose from.
Middlebury Mountaineer
56 Main StMiddlebury. Clothing, guided fishing trips, etc. 
Middlebury.  Fine gifts, coffee shop, specialty wines. All near the falls.

Stone Mill Public Market
3 Mill StMiddlebury.  Fine gifts, coffee shop, specialty wines. All near the falls.

Woodware
1124 US-7Middlebury (Rte 7 South). Quality furniture and wood products.
Danforth Pewter Middlebury Downtown
46 Main StMiddlebury. Unique, handcrafted pewter gifts.
Carr's Gifts
21 Center StBrandon. Eclectic gifts. Many Vermont items. Some great finds in here.
Middlebury. Now called "The Middlebury Shop." Full disclosure: My high school boyfriend who is still a good friend is the owner. Gotta love small towns! :)
Forth 'N Goal Sports
68 Main StMiddlebury. Now called "The Middlebury Shop." Full disclosure: My high school boyfriend who is still a good friend is the owner. Gotta love small towns! :)
Essentials
Shaw's
8 Washington StMiddlebury and Bristol. Grocery store.
Brandon and Middlebury. Grocery store. The Hannaford in Middlebury is quite a bit larger than the one in Brandon and therefore had a much wider selection of products.
28 locals recommend
Hannaford Supermarket
260 Court StBrandon and Middlebury. Grocery store. The Hannaford in Middlebury is quite a bit larger than the one in Brandon and therefore had a much wider selection of products.
Middlebury. Groceries and a fantastic salad bar, etc.
46 locals recommend
Middlebury Natural Foods Co-Op
9 Washington StMiddlebury. Groceries and a fantastic salad bar, etc.
Hikes, bikes, wine, beer, movies, fun, things to see
Various fun things to do or see
Research this to read more about it as there's lots of information!
27 locals recommend
Trail Around Middlebury
Research this to read more about it as there's lots of information!
A hike or mountain bike ride very close to the house. Silver Lake (ignore the "road" part).
Almost every day when possible, I love to drive to the trailhead from the house and then hike up to Silver Lake for a workout. It can also be a good place for a mountain bike ride. See below:
From our A-frame, pedal north on Lake Dunmore Road (Rte 53) to the Silver Lake trailhead and then up to Silver Lake. Go around the lake on the forestry road, keeping the lake on your right. Then follow signs to the Minnie Baker parking area which is on Lake Dunmore Road south of our house. Then take Lake Dunmore Road back to the house.
Silver Lake Road
A hike or mountain bike ride very close to the house. Silver Lake (ignore the "road" part).
Almost every day when possible, I love to drive to the trailhead from the house and then hike up to Silver Lake for a workout. It can also be a good place for a mountain bike ride. See below:
From our A-frame, pedal north on Lake Dunmore Road (Rte 53) to the Silver Lake trailhead and then up to Silver Lake. Go around the lake on the forestry road, keeping the lake on your right. Then follow signs to the Minnie Baker parking area which is on Lake Dunmore Road south of our house. Then take Lake Dunmore Road back to the house.
Marquis Theater
65 Main StMiddlebury. Buy food and drink to consume during the movie!
Frog Hollow Bikes
74 Main StMiddlebury. Bike shop. Helpful ideas for rides, too.
Brandon. I haven't been there yet, but I bet it is worth a try! (Did this distillery put a Bud Light photo on their website? Umm... ?)
Ripton Mountain Distillery
Brandon. I haven't been there yet, but I bet it is worth a try! (Did this distillery put a Bud Light photo on their website? Umm... ?)
Just north of Middlebury. I haven't been there yet but I hear people enjoy it!
32 locals recommend
Lincoln Peak Vineyard
142 River RdJust north of Middlebury. I haven't been there yet but I hear people enjoy it!
Middlebury College Museum of Art
72 Porter Field RdMiddlebury. Can be fun on a rainy day!
Brandon. They used to have a winery here but it looks like they are now doing more beer. Maybe still wine? I really like one of their IPA's, and I can now find them in Boston and elsewhere.
30 locals recommend
Foley Brothers Brewing
79 Stone Mill Dam RdBrandon. They used to have a winery here but it looks like they are now doing more beer. Maybe still wine? I really like one of their IPA's, and I can now find them in Boston and elsewhere.
A gem! Research this place before you go to get the most out of it, though.
14 locals recommend
Morgan Horse Farm
74 Battell DrA gem! Research this place before you go to get the most out of it, though.
Creemees with jimmies (what Vermonters call soft serve ice cream with sprinkles)
Shiretown Marketplace
Middlebury. Creemees (check hours), sandwiches, and more.
Middlebury (Rte 7 South, in Woodware). Great maple creemees and other maple things.
Vermont Maple Market
Middlebury (Rte 7 South, in Woodware). Great maple creemees and other maple things.
Kampersville Deli
Lake Dunmore. Creemees and groceries and more quite close to Fern Lake.
Village Creeme Stand
41 West StBristol. People love these creemees!
Laundromats
Kampersville Country Store
1457 Lake Dunmore RdLake Dunmore. Near their store. Check hours.
Desabrais Laundry & Dry Cleaning
1232 Exchange StMiddlebury. Call first to check hours, etc.