This culinary adventure guide is brought to you in partnership with the Manchester Business Association, connecting you with the businesses and experiences that make Manchester, Vermont a premier destination.
Let’s start with the bottom line: Manchester serves up picture-perfect dishes that taste as good as they look, from art gallery dining to wood-fired bread that's basically edible poetry.
When you're scrolling through your feed later, you want meals that make people stop and say "Wait, where is that?" Manchester delivers exactly that - restaurants where the lighting hits just right, the plating makes you pause, and every bite lives up to the hype. Here's where the magic happens.
Located at the Southern Vermont Arts Center, CurATE offers artfully curated small plates, salads, artisanal sandwiches, flatbreads, and dinner options within SVAC's beautiful galleries and grounds. The periwinkle dining room with massive windows overlooking the Green Mountains creates that effortless elegance you can't fake. Pure Instagram gold.
Pro tip: The outdoor patio offers mountain views, perfect for those golden hour shots with your perfectly plated meal. Also, don’t sleep on the cocktails - they’re superb.
This beloved Manchester institution brings you back to neighborhood markets of days gone by, with cases filled with authentic, made-from-scratch Italian delicacies. The Al Ducci's visual feast starts before you even order - the legendary house-made mozz, fresh pasta specials, and house-made sweet and hot sausages accompanied by colorful roasted peppers.
The meat lasagna has been a cornerstone of the menu for 31 years, and when you see those layers photographed against the rustic deli backdrop, you'll understand why.
What really sets this apart: The magic of this place is that they haven't really changed a thing, creating that authentic Italian market aesthetic that's impossible to replicate.
Chef Ed St.Onge's Raven's Den Steakhouse features Black Angus Western aged choice beef, fresh seafood, and everything made from scratch, with a stone fireplace creating the perfect "Den" atmosphere. The patio offers great views of the Green Mountains, but the real Instagram moment happens inside.
Raven's Nachos come loaded with jack cheese, jalapeños, chicken, seasoned black beans, and roasted corn - they make their own chips.
Here's the thing: The steaks here are next-level prime. Make sure to bring your appetite.
A Southern Kitchen in the Green Mountains featuring Southern Home Cooking, House Smoked Barbecue, artisan cocktails, and craft brews. Pearl's Place and Pantry's cozy indoor dining and al fresco dining with firepit sets the scene, but the food steals the show. Indulge in classics like fried chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and collard greens, each bursting with authentic Southern taste.
You know what we love? Weekday specials include Monday Fried Chicken Platters, Tuesday Southern Comfort Food, and Wednesday Bourbon & Barbecue Pairings. Each night offers its own photogenic possibilities.
After 23 years running The Perfect Wife Restaurant, Chef Amy Chamberlain transformed her culinary expertise into something completely different - Amy's on the Road: prepared meals that bring restaurant-quality presentation straight to your table. Her kitchen at 53B Manchester Valley Road creates Instagram-worthy dishes you can pick up and serve at home.
Picture this: Lobster Macaroni and Cheese made with campanelle pasta, Cabot cheddar, and Maine lobster that photographs like a magazine cover. The Pan Roasted Hanger Steak arrives with garlic balsamic glaze and butternut squash with leeks - plated perfection that just needs reheating. Her Creole Jambalaya with real Cajun sausage, shrimp, and blackened chicken creates those vibrant, colorful shots that scream "I know good food."
For your next celebration: If you're planning a dinner or party that's not only delicious but show-stopping and beautiful, Amy's is your answer. Her prepared meals let you host like a chef without the stress, creating those "How did you make this?" moments that make the best content.
TripAdvisor crowned The Silver Fork the best spot in the country for date night, and one look at their location inside the old Mark Skinner Library tells you why. The stunning and intimate atmosphere inside the Mark Skinner Library creates lighting that makes everything look magical.
Chef Mark French creates an International menu called "a Menu in Movement" that changes according to his inspiration and what's great that season.
What makes this special: It's romantic at night when it's all lit up and the candles are on the table. Every dish arrives looking like it belongs in a food magazine.
Counter service, quick, chefy eats in a hip corner nook right in the center of downtown Manchester. Roadrunner features fried chicken, sandwiches, salads, hand cut fries and more, this spot nails that effortless cool factor. The burger with runny egg on top along with their handcut fries creates that perfect messy-but-gorgeous shot.
These donuts are hand-made daily in the kitchen. They serve donuts, bagels, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches in a space that feels authentically Vermont. Not to mention the plethora of donut choices is the absolute best.
Come to Willoughby's and see the Southern Vermont mural and stay for the donuts and good people. Those old-fashioned donuts create the kind of cozy, sweet content that never fails to charm.
A certified organic three generation family farmstead and wood fired bakery, Earth Sky Time delivers farm-to-table aesthetics that feel completely authentic. Fresh produce, breads and pastries, and wholesome bulk goods create those abundant, earthy shots that showcase Vermont's agricultural heart.
But the real magic happens: During their Farm Nights at the Wilburton Inn every Wednesday night during summers, where the combination of organic produce and picturesque farm setting creates content gold.
Timing matters: CurATE is located within SVAC's beautiful galleries, so plan to explore the art before or after your meal for varied backdrop options.
Ask about specials: Many of these spots change their offerings seasonally or daily, giving you fresh content opportunities with each visit.
Combine experiences: Earth Sky Time supplies bread to many local restaurants including The Silver Fork and Amy's on the Road, creating connections between your food photos and the local farm community.
Manchester's dining scene delivers that perfect blend of authentic Vermont character and seriously photogenic presentation. These aren't just pretty plates - they're experiences that taste as extraordinary as they look, giving you content that captures the real spirit of this mountain town.
This culinary adventure guide is brought to you in partnership with the Manchester Business Association, connecting you with the businesses and experiences that make Manchester, Vermont a premier destination.
