fancy's

Where is the Michelin star already?! I like to consider myself a foodie, and this was by far the best meal I have had, in my *entire life*. This is not an exaggeration. We were visiting from out of town and had a large party (10). They gave us a sampling of the whole menu; everything was incredible. I'm not vegetarian, but I certainly enjoyed everything!!! I have never done this at a restaurant before, but the Apple Cider Donut Cake was so good, that I asked if they would be willing to make a whole cake to go. To our surprise, they said yes! They made us a whole cake and we picked it up the next day. I have slowly been working on it, and stashed away some in the freezer for the future. It is THAT GOOD!!!

Absolutely top tier. A mainly vegetarian restaurant that leaves no yearning for more meat. Everything was very thoughtfully created, sourced, written and plated. I feel like this spot gets slept on, and I have no idea why they didn’t have a line around the block. Everything we tasted was special, unique, healthy, and absolutely delicious. We ordered the whole menu and a couple of cocktails. 10/10 would recommend.

Rivaling many progressive European establishments in their sourcing of locally grown foods and their innovative preparation and presentation, Fancy’s is hands down the best restaurant we’ve been to in Vermont. Located in Burlington’s Old North End—the oldest section of the city and a rough melange of cultural diversity—this restaurant is nowhere near the more traveled thoroughfares of the city. It is, however, certainly worth the short drive through the neighborhood and pleasant walk from your street-side parking spot. My wife and I arrived for their first seating at 5pm and the small interior soon filled up (had it been a little cooler, we would have opted for a front sidewalk table). For drinks my wife ordered the Pink Panther and I got the ‘non-boozy’ Frisky Sour, which was deliciously refreshing and mildly sweet. Food is served tapa-style, on small plates meant to be shared, the next dish brought to the table soon after the prior one is finished. This timing was great, allowing for some interim conversation and a few sips of our drinks as a palate cleanser in preparation for the next gustatory revelation, each different from the last in terms of ingredients and flavor, but consistent with regard to the use of extremely fresh and aromatic plant-based foods and seasonings in an array of brilliant colors and creative combinations. We chose the following plates: Black Chickpea Hummus, Charred Romano Beans, Crispy Lentil Pancake, Squid & Shishito Peppers, and Ginger Scallion Broccolini. Each was as flavorful as its predecessor, and I sense we could have ordered five totally different plates and they all would have been equally delicious. And, yes, aside from the squid, the Black Cod, and two vegetarian options, each of the dishes on the menu was vegan. For dessert: Vanilla Creemee Sundae, made from an oat milk base. In addition, the service was exceptional—all the waitstaff seemed genuinely relaxed and happy to be there. If you’re anywhere near Burlington, VT I highly recommend you set aside some time for a visit to Fancy’s.

When my boyfriend suggested a vegetarian restaurant for date night, I wasn’t sure—but I’m so glad I said yes. Fancy’s is an unexpected gem, bringing incredible flavor, creativity, and heart to a town that rarely sees it. Every detail impressed me: the food, the service, and the team’s pride in their craft. We tried nearly everything on the menu, plus cocktails, and every dish was perfectly executed. On my second visit, I called ahead and spoke with someone incredibly kind and patient about the best time to come in. Later, I learned it was Chef Paul Trombly himself! That level of care and involvement shows how deeply the team values their guests. Both visits were impeccable—amazing food, attentive service, and a beautiful atmosphere. This is dining at its finest: delicious food, thoughtful service, and true hospitality. Fancy’s is a rare treasure—please keep it up!

Fancy’s is an absolute must-go. If this place isn’t already critically acclaimed or James Beard–recognized, it truly should be. In my experience, it outshines most of the Beard-nominated spots I’ve visited and easily rivals the rest. What sets Fancy’s apart is the extraordinary attention to flavor, texture, and balance. Every dish feels deeply thought out. The halloumi was crisped to perfection on the outside yet tender inside, paired with herbs and vegetables so fresh they tasted just-picked. The duck kebab? One of the best things I’ve ever eaten—layers of flavor brought together by perfectly toasted walnuts that elevated the dish to another level. And the zucchini with rice cakes and tahini—oh my god. Add to that the lentil pancakes, the olive oil cake… every single plate had me savoring every bite and longing for more. I also love that Fancy’s isn’t just about incredible food—they’re committed to sourcing carefully and supporting local farms. That’s the kind of standard every restaurant in a region this abundant should strive for. And the pricing? Incredibly fair given the artistry and care that goes into every detail. I don’t have a big dining-out budget, but this is a place worth investing in. If you’re hesitating because of the price, trust me—every dollar supports not just unforgettable food, but local farmers and makers. Fancy’s is the kind of restaurant that makes you excited about eating again. I can't imagine another restaurant with better price to quality (artistry) ratio. I was so excited I only took pictures of two of the dishes over my two visits!

Truly excellent food! I never would have found Fancy's without a recommendation from our AirB&B host, but I am so glad that we tried it! All of the food was delicious and interesting, and I would love to come back and try everything else! Cocktails were also thoughtful and delicious. We aren't vegetarian but we absolutely didn't miss meat on the menu.

What a gem! This is a must go to if you’re in Burlington :) Everything is sourced locally from farms and spots in Burlington so it couldn’t be more fresh or flavorful. The drinks are delicious as well. We got the hen of the woods mushroom & oyster mushroom dish with sunchokes, garlic, and pea shoots, woah woah woah honestly one of the best things I have eaten in my entire life❣️ IT WAS SOOOOO GOOD!! The mushrooms had the best flavor and texture and the sunchokes, garlic, and pea shoots (and whatever sauce it had on it) was absolutely fire :) my sister & I ate the whole thing and then ordered another one to split because it was that good. We also got the grilled sweet potato with pineapple, red curry, and thai basil, another phenomenal dish full of flavor and freshness (wish I got a picture but we started eating it cuz it looked so good hehe) I’ve never had food that was more fresh or packed with flavor. Highly, highly, highly recommend checking this local gem out, next time I’m back in Burlington I will be coming here :)

I'm a chef. I've dined at 3 and 4-star restaurants in NYC, London, Paris, Kyoto... and this, my friends, was the best meal I have ever had in my entire life. Every plate spoke for itself. Inventive Mediterranean-inspired creations had me diving in for another taste—deliciously mesmerizing. We shared about 7 dishes, and it was just one hit after the next with no misses. Even dessert, a simple vanilla sundae with candied squash, sesame, halva, and date molasses, left us absolutely stunned. And a nod to the waitstaff—they are professional, friendly, and welcoming. This is a true neighborhood place with food that reflects passion. Get ready to have all of your expectations upended. One for the records—WHAT A PLACE AND WHAT A MEAL!

Small dishes to share are small experiments in flavor. Liked everything we had: white bean hummus with their divine za'atar focaccia, crystals of salt on top. Squash falafel interesting nicely crispy outside. Lentil and rice wafers totally reminiscent of classic dosa in small size. Very inventive, well-presented and tasty food in a small place with tables and a counter. Expensive for size of portions, but you're paying for creativity done well! Cheery mural, nice music, attentive help. Good place for a special meal. Or just dinner!

Delicious dinner with lots of eclectic flavors. Lovely waitstaff and delicious cocktails. Definitely worth a visit.

Excellent food, great service and chill vibe. Loved every dish they put in front of us.

Great service, delicious flavors, casual but contemporary vibe. Our first time in Vermont and lucky that our bnb was a couple blocks from this sweet place. 10/10 recommend! Also, mostly vegs so we left feeling satiated and "healthy"! Will be back, eager to try their ever-changing menu.

Literally incredible amazing food. And poppy's is also the best sandwich place in the state so the whole experience I've had in this building has been excellent

Fancy's is an experience not to be missed! The chef/owner Paul is a kind & wonderful human being who takes great pride & joy in the quality of food he serves to his customers! Each plate we is brought to us with a dance party for our taste buds! Fresh local produce is adorned with flavors and textures to be savored! Smooth, crunchy, savory, sweet, spicy, never overcooked (which is the death of a veggie) and always delicious, beautiful, sexy plates! Never disappointed, always blown away! Plenty of vegan options. The service component is always staffed with lovely folks! Highly recommend

If you are reading this, do not hesitate to go to this perfectly perfect bijou restaurant. The menu is imaginative and excellent for vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters. We had the sweet pea hummus with focaccia and cucumber slices, crushed cucumber salad with crunchy rice and fresh herbs and Caesar salad all different than you've ever had before. We also ordered a cocktail and mocktail made with simple syrup with bitter herbs- you will love them. Kudos to David and Mr. Fancy for attentive service and perfect timing between courses. We also ordered 2 creemees to go toasted coconut and a rhubarb flavor -so yummy!

Amazing!!!! You must try Fancy's. We sat indoors and were immediately taken in by the colorful mural. We shared the gochujang green beans, grilled zucchini chilaquiles, and halibut shish (phenomenal!). Everything tasted so fresh and the combinations were incredible. Wrapped up with a blueberry corn twist creemee and the olive oil cake the staff were so friendly and pacing of the meal was perfect. Can't wait to come back!

Tried this place on a dinner with some friends. Service was great from the moment we walked in. We ordered a bunch of plates for sharing so we could try all the flavors - the leek dish was so good! Would totally go back.