Bring your own bottle (of beer or wine) to this family-owned and operated Vietnamese gem. Pho Hong has been lauded as having Burlington’s best pho, and it’s easy on the wallet with spring rolls, curries, “Happy Pancakes” (crepes stuffed with shrimp, pork and onions), and a long list of chef’s specials under $15.

Formerly a food cart parked on the Church Street Marketplace, Hong Yu now sells her popular handmade dumplings in a Pearl Street storefront. Thanks to a local Kickstarter campaign, dumpling-lovers can enjoy her famous chicken, pork, and veggie dumplings along with outside-the-box creations like crab-and-cream cheese. Three dumplings will only cost $5 so go ahead and order her traditional soups and sesame noodles were recently added to the menu.

Pizza by the slice is only available during lunch hours at Leonardo’s. But order a whole medium ($15) or large ($20) pie for dinner and it’s still a good deal. For 25 years, this local favourite (which has since branched out to Portland, Maine) has been serving creative meat toppings along with a list of interesting vegetarian combinations.

Burlington might seem like a town better known for hot chocolate and maple syrup than burritos. But this casual family-run Mexican chain (Burlington is one of seven New England locations) serves made-to-order meat, vegetarian and vegan quesadillas, soft tacos and burritos. And though specials like the Thai chicken burrito with basmati rice, red cabbage slaw and spicy Thai peanut sauce certainly isn’t authentic, it’s only $8.50 and worth every penny.

“Food is love” at this groovy cafeteria-style cafe. Since 1997, Zabby and Elf’s Stone Soup has been partnering with local farms to provide a daily changing menu of comfort food. Referred to by locals as “Stone Soup,” this vegetarian institution in the heart of downtown Burlington has a dedicated local following of regulars thanks to its creative New York-Jewish-cuisine-meets-vegetarian menu offerings like Seitan Kung Pao and Matzo Brie with Salmon. Compose your own plate from a colourful spread of nourishing options offered at just $11.75 per pound.

This Church Street Marketplace deli has been a lunch favourite for decades.  What would otherwise seem like a basic lunch staple, The Red Onion makes destination-worthy. Hearty sandwiches like house roasted turkey, warm reubens and corned beef are all made from scratch and served on a choice of homemade baked wheat, rye, sourdough, seven grain baguette, or their famous honey oat bread. If you’re an early bird, stop in for tempting breakfast items like the Red Onion eggs Benedict sandwich (scrambled eggs, Canadian bacon, hollandaise mayo, baby spinach and provolone) or the Red Onion bagel with chive cream cheese, red onions, tomatoes and capers for just $3.50.

Gyoza (dumplings), steamed pork buns, and karaage fried chicken are all great ways to segue into a steaming bowl of ramen at this comforting Japanese noodle shop. That said, generous bowls of chicken shoyu ($11.95) or miso ($11.50) ramen are often filling enough on their own.

For that go-to late night slice of pie, head to Mr. Mike’s where $2.50 gets a slice of cheese pizza and $11.00 gets a whole pie. Stay for craft beers, wings and good vibes because this 25-year-old Burlington stalwart eatery stays open until 3 a.m. on weekends.

The tasting room for one of Vermont’s most popular hard ciders offers an extensive pub food menu of everything from poutine, to bangers and mash to Vermont beef burgers. Stop in for hot-dog-and-can Thursdays where guests can enjoy an all-beef hot dog and a 16 ounce can of Unified Press cider for just $6.

For Montreal-style bagels (the smaller, thinner, sweeter, and denser kind) head to Myer’s for a variety all-day bagel sandwich items (unlike certain Montreal bakeries, they’ll put things on your bagel). For the extra-hungry, there’s the McMyer: house-roasted brisket, melted swiss, pickles, cole slaw, fingerling potatoes and “Green Day sauce” (a Thousand Island-style dressing). The sandwich was even featured on bulk eating TV show Man vs. Food. They keep it local with Vermont Coffee Company coffee.

The lox sandwich with cream cheese, tomato, red onion and capers is $7.50 at Feldman’s and that’s the most expensive menu item. A variety of bagel sandwiches, like the egg and cheese, roast beef, BLT and more are available for $6.75. Try their signature bagel-wrapped hot dogs (bagel dogs) or create your own bagel sandwich from a variety of options like hummus, white fish salad or kosher beef salami. $8.50 gets you a baker’s dozen and if you’re really on a budget, order a plain bagel toasted with butter and maple syrup for just $2.25, because after all, you’re in Vermont. Wash it down with local Speeder & Earl’s coffee. Expect the doughier America-style bagels here (for Montreal style, see Myer’s).