Member Highlight: Capital City Farmers Market
May 01, 2025
Discover how the Capital City Farmers Market fuels community connection, supports local farms, and adapts through challenges—all while creating a vibrant Saturday tradition in the heart of Montpelier. In our interview with Market Manager Keri Ryan, we explore what makes this market unique, how it operates on a grassroots level, and why it continues to be a cornerstone of Central Vermont’s local food economy.
Member Highlight: Skinny Pancake
February 20, 2025
Skinny Pancake has grown from a humble food cart to a beloved Vermont staple, serving up delicious, locally sourced food with a commitment to sustainability. In our interview with Marketing Manager Maddie Hayes, she shares the story behind the brand’s growth and its deep connection to Montpelier. With a focus on community and real food, Skinny Pancake continues to bring people together over crepes and local flavors.
Featured Restaurant: Enna
February 11, 2025
Meet Shannon Bates who owns and runs Enna! In this interview, Shannon gives us a peek into how she got started in the food industry, her inspiration and a little bit about her philosophy regarding cuisine.
Featured Restaurant: The North Branch Café
February 11, 2025
We spoke to Lauren Parker, owner of The North Branch Cafe, to learn more about her path into the restaurant industry along with her philosophy on customer experience and providing healthy food to locals.
Featured Restaurant: Barr Hill
February 04, 2025
We interviewed Patrick Amice, General Manager of the Barr Hill distillery, where he shared a little about his own career inspiration and journey.
Featured Restaurant: Oakes & Evelyn
February 04, 2025
Justin Dain of Oakes & Evelyn shares his fascinating background and career trajectory within the hospitality industry along with how he and his staff express their commitment to fine dining and creativity through service and cuisine.
Flannel Friday 2023
November 10, 2023
Show a little love to downtown Montpelier, shop local! Flannel Friday starts off the holiday season on Friday, November 24th, the day after Thanksgiving. Montpelier's unique and locally-owned businesses offer a wide variety of unique gifts and they could all use extra love after recovering or still recovering from the July flood. Come downtown in your flannel attire on Flannel Friday because if you're spotted by the Flannel Fairy, you can win prizes and gift cards from downtown businesses! On November 25th, Small Business Saturday, is a day to celebrate and support our downtown businesses and all they do for our community. It's
The Taste of Montpelier Food Festival Returns to the Capital City October 7th
September 27, 2023
The Taste of Montpelier Food Festival, presented by Hunger Mountain Co-op, returns for its third year. This year it’s the main event of Montpelier’s Reopening Celebration! Taste features food trucks, vendors and artisans, chef demos, beer and cocktail gardens and street performers - this year’s Taste of Montpelier has it all! The main attraction, The Great Taste runs from 1-5pm on Saturday, October 7th on Langdon Street and State Street from Main to Elm. It features over 20 food trucks and artisan foods. The demo tent features four different presentations ranging from a high school student teaching how to make tamales,
Barre Street Eateries
December 15, 2022
Downtown Montpelier is renowned for its wide variety of dining options, but step just outside of the mainstreet area, and find plenty of other amazing eating places. One neighborhood, along Barre Street and Stonecutters Way, offers fare that highlights farm to table, senior focused fare, or meals to help those in need.
Learn from the experts: Chefs share their secrets!
September 08, 2022
The Taste of Montpelier Food Festival is unlike any food festival you've been to before. Forget about those stuffy events with $100 tickets off in the middle of a hot field. Join us in the heart of Montpelier's downtown to get a true taste of what we're all about. Fun, approachable, delicious.
Quench Your Thirst in Central Vermont
July 28, 2022
Vermont's craft beverage makers have become a major driver of visitors to the state and Central Vermont has been a hotbed of this trend. But it’s not just our world-famous beers that will quench your thirst.
A Place to Stay
March 03, 2022
Montpelier, nestled into the heart of Vermont amidst the Green Mountains and at the convergence of three rivers including the notable Winooski, is a quaint gem of a town. Montpelier is the smallest Capital in the Nation, with the vibrancy of a bustling city. Known for its abundance of restaurants and cafes, and weekend family-friendly community events, Montpelier radiates activity.
Downtown Spotlight: Hugo's Bar and Grill
February 03, 2022
We are excited to welcome Hugo’s Bar and Grill to our Capital City! The new restaurant plans on opening on February 12, and we wish them a successful start.
Downtown Spotlight: The Social
May 07, 2021
Montpelier Alive had the chance to connect with Michael Drake, owner of the new restaurant The Social, now open at The Inn at Montpelier, 147 Main Street. We can't wait to check it out!
Downtown Spotlight: Oakes & Evelyn
February 11, 2021
Montpelier continues to draw exciting new businesses, in spite of the pandemic. Montpelier Alive had the chance to connect with Justin Dain, Chef and Owner at Oakes & Evelyn, which recently opened at 52 State Street in the former Kismet location in downtown Montpelier.