This dining adventure is brought to you in partnership with the Manchester Business Association, connecting you with the businesses and experiences that make Manchester, Vermont, a premier adventure destination.
The first thing you notice walking into The Copper Grouse isn't just the warm lighting or the elegant botanical wallpaper - it's how the recently renovated interior strikes that perfect balance between classic sophistication and contemporary comfort. Rich leather banquettes, exposed wooden beams, and thoughtfully curated artwork create a space that feels both timeless and completely current. But step outside onto their expansive patio, and you'll discover where this Manchester restaurant truly comes alive during Vermont's precious summer months.
Nestled within the Kimpton Taconic Hotel, The Copper Grouse has mastered the art of showcasing Vermont's seasonal bounty through both creative cuisine and genuine community partnerships. Their summer menu reads like a love letter to local farms, while their outdoor space provides the perfect stage for enjoying it all.
The current summer menu at Copper Grouse demonstrates what happens when creative culinary vision meets Vermont's peak growing season. Take their Summer Cucumber chilled soup - a refreshing composition of avocado, green apple, and diced cucumber brightened with cucumber vinegar and basil micro greens. It's the kind of dish that captures summer in a bowl, showcasing how local ingredients can be transformed into something unexpectedly elegant.
Their Heirloom Beet Salad combines red beet coulis with arugula, candied walnuts, and grated feta for a plate that's as visually stunning as it is flavorful, while the Tomato Gazpacho elevates the classic with marinated heirloom cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. These aren't just pretty dishes - they represent a thoughtful approach to highlighting Vermont's agricultural diversity.
The creativity extends to unexpected touches like their Chickpea Fries served with sriracha aioli, and the Sourdough Tartine topped with arugula oil, asparagus, and perfectly poached eggs. The Garganelli pasta showcases roasted garlic with basil and parsley coulis, asparagus, and English peas - a dish that feels both refined and comfortingly familiar.
For mains, the Grilled Salmon demonstrates the kitchen's attention to both flavor and presentation, served alongside arugula, asparagus, glazed baby carrots, and finished with saffron butter. Every plate arrives as a small work of art, with vibrant colors and careful plating that reflects the quality of ingredients underneath.
What sets Copper Grouse apart isn't just their commitment to local sourcing - it's how deeply they've woven themselves into Manchester's community fabric. Their bar features exclusively Vermont beers, including Longtail IPA, because as manager Susann Crunden puts it, "Vermont has a really sensational beer culture."
The most intriguing partnership story involves Bhakta Spirits. Since 2022, Copper Grouse has collaborated with Raj Bhakta to create their own Copper Grouse Armagnac line. This isn't just another local product on the shelf - it's featured in a signature specialty cocktail that you can't get anywhere else. "It's something signature, unique to the property that we're really proud of," Crunden notes.
Their local connections extend to partnerships with Clear Brook Farm, Earth Sky Time, and Woodlawn Farmstead, whose seasonal produce drives those creative menu changes throughout the summer. They also work with Village Garage Distillery, creating a spirits program that reads like a Vermont craft beverage tour.
The outdoor space at Copper Grouse feels purpose-built for those perfect Vermont summer evenings. Beyond the dining tables, guests can settle into rocking chairs to gather around the firepit, challenge friends to lawn games, or simply enjoy a cocktail on the expansive lawn. The cheerful yellow lemonade stand tucked among the Adirondack chairs adds a whimsical touch, serving refreshing strawberry-lavender lemonades and blueberry limeades crafted with berries from local Vermont farms.
"We wanted something to activate that space more," explains Nicholas Squire General Manager from the Taconic team. "We have the rocking chairs there to sit and enjoy the view, we have the Adirondack chairs on the lawn, we have the lawn games - so we wanted something to take advantage of the guests that are on property and hanging around."
Here's where Copper Grouse really distinguishes itself: they see their role as promoting all of Manchester, not just their own tables. Staff actively hand out recommendation sheets featuring their favorite coffee shops, bagel spots, hiking trails, and running routes around town.
"We try to promote the town as a whole," Squire explains. This philosophy extends to active partnerships with local attractions - bring your Dorset Theatre playbill for 10% off your meal, or show your Pastime Pinball receipt for special offers.
Their Monday Music Nights solve a uniquely Vermont problem: Mondays can be a bit of a ghost town. "There's not a lot to do on Monday night," Crunden laughs, "but we have live music." Throughout the Summer, these events bring together both locals and visitors, creating the kind of authentic community gathering that makes Manchester special.
The challenge many Manchester restaurants face is serving both visitors seeking a Vermont experience and locals who just want a fantastic meal. Copper Grouse addresses this thoughtfully through their programming. During shoulder seasons, they offer pre-fixed menus (two courses for $35-37, three courses for $45) specifically designed for local diners. Sunday brings half-off wine bottles that pack the brunch crowd.
"You want to showcase Vermont products on the menu, but it's trying to get them at a price point that's attractive..." Squire reflects. It's a balance that requires constant attention, but one they've clearly thought through.
The Copper Grouse operates year-round at 3835 Main Street, Manchester, VT 05254, within the Kimpton Taconic Hotel, but summer is when both the outdoor space and seasonal menu truly shine. Lunch and dinner service take full advantage of the patio, weather permitting (this is Vermont, after all).
While the team dreams of eventually serving grouse on a copper plate - a perfect marriage of their name and local hunting traditions - the current focus remains on creative presentations of fresh, local ingredients that change with Vermont's seasons.
The Copper Grouse proves that the best restaurant experiences happen when creative cuisine meets genuine community connection. Whether you're a first-time Manchester visitor or a local looking for Monday night plans, this is a spot that understands how to make every guest feel like they're part of the Vermont story.
For reservations and current hours, visit coppergrouse.com or call ahead. The restaurant is located within the Kimpton Taconic Hotel at 3835 Main Street, Manchester, VT 05254.
This dining adventure is brought to you in partnership with the Manchester Business Association, connecting you with the businesses and experiences that make Manchester, Vermont, a premier adventure destination.
