Thanks to outdoor seating, majestic views, and food fit for a king, anyone can eat like royalty in the NEK. Our real estate agents share some of their favorite restaurants to visit this spring.

Great Outdoor Dining Spots in the NEK of Vermont and Western Maine

Kingdom Crust Co. - St. Johnsbury, VT

Address: 1216 Railroad St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

Great pizza starts at the bottom, and no one does it better than Kingdom Crust Co. Their dough uses high-quality, locally made King Arthur Flour, less than an hour from St. Johnsbury homes for sale. 

Relax on the patio with Fido as you enjoy these delicious starters and sides: 

• Maple Kingdom Fries, hand-cut and topped with Vermont maple butter and pretzel salt
• Kingdom Wings with your choice of five different sauces
• Garlic Knots with house-made marinara for dipping

Hours are 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. weekdays and 2 - 8 p.m. Saturday.

Cafe Sweet Basil - Lyndonville, VT

Address: 32 Depot St., Lyndonville, VT 05851

After Delise Roberts opened up her friends-and-family catering to the general public, demand quickly outgrew her modest home kitchen. In 2001, Cafe Sweet Basil opened near Lyndon homes for sale, with Delise still in the kitchen of the charming farmhouse-style restaurant.

In addition to the Hispanic-flavored regular menu, Cafe Sweet Basil offers specials such as:

• Chicken Saltimbocca
• Jumbo Shrimp Scampi
• Maine Lobster Alfredo

Dinner is served from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, and reservations are recommended.

Red Barn Brewing - Danville, VT

Address: 2211 US Route 2 E., Danville, VT 05828

Red Barn Brewing may have originated in a 1840s-era barn, not far from Danville homes for sale, but their craft beers are on point for the 21st century. In 2019, they moved into a larger space that retains the rustic feel while adding a modern 10 BBL brew system.

Meet up with friends for these special activities:

• Trivia Tuesdays
• Open Mic Wednesdays 
• Live music on weekends

Hours are 5 - 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 - 8 p.m. on Friday, noon - 8 p.m. on Saturday, and noon - 6 p.m. on Sunday. Leashed dogs are welcome on the patio.

The Oxford House Inn - Fryeburg, ME

Address: 548 Main St., Fryeburg, ME 04037

Indoors or outdoors, the ambiance at The Oxford House Inn is just as pleasing as the food. Mountain View, one of four indoor dining rooms, features spacious windows overlooking the mountains and the valley, with breathtaking sunsets. Meanwhile, the outside screened-in porch provides a throwback to the classic "Main Street" experience near Fryeburg homes for sale.

Take a midweek break for "Three for $30" on Wednesday and Thursday. Options include:

• Salad: Garden wedge or classic wedge
• Entree: Chicken Parmesan or Bolognese
• Dessert: OHI Sundae or sorbet

The Oxford House Inn serves dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 5 - 8 p.m., and reservations are recommended.

Prohibition Kitchen - St. Johnsbury, VT

Address: St. Johnsbury Distillery, 74 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

Plan a dinner outing for the two- and four-legged members of your family on the porch at Prohibition Kitchen. The restaurant and bar area of St. Johnsbury Distillery makes creative use of the house spirits to add some unique flavor to dishes such as shepherd's pie, Vermont buttered chicken, and cauliflower risotto.

Upcoming events include:

• Mother's Day Brunch (Sunday, 5/10)
• 5th Annual Summer Soiree (Saturday, 5/30)

Hours are 4 - 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year to enjoy outdoor dining in this region?

Late spring through early fall is the prime season for outdoor dining in the NEK of Vermont and Western Maine. Summer offers the most consistent weather, while early fall adds scenic foliage views that make patio and porch dining especially memorable.

Are reservations recommended for these restaurants?

Yes, especially during peak summer weekends and foliage season. Popular spots like The Oxford House Inn and Cafe Sweet Basil often fill up quickly, so booking ahead helps ensure you get a table.

Are these outdoor dining spots pet-friendly?

Some restaurants welcome leashed dogs in outdoor areas. For example, Red Barn Brewing allows dogs on the patio. It's always a good idea to check ahead with each location for their current pet policy.

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