Planning a meeting or event in Burlington comes with one big perk: incredible local food. Whether you're hosting a small team session or a full-scale corporate gathering, Burlington’s caterers bring fresh ingredients, creative menus, and plenty of Vermont character to the table. This guide highlights some of the best local partners to help you fuel your event with ease.
Full Service Caterers in Burlington, Vermont
Adventure Dinner (Colchester, VT)
Adventure Dinner is a woman-owned, queer-friendly event and catering company known for unforgettable private dinners, team gatherings, and other events. Their exclusive Clubhouse venue takes full-service to the next level, with custom and seasonal food & cocktail menus, distinct rooms suited for different group sizes and styles, and experienced event planners.
Great Northern Catering (Burlington, VT)
Great Northern Catering offers seasonally inspired menus, flexible service options, and a customizable bar program featuring Zero Gravity Craft Brewery. With more than fifteen years of experience, their menu includes three-course meals, buffets, and dessert for traditional catering and drop-off sandwich platters.
Let’s Pretend Catering (South Hero, VT)
Let’s Pretend provides full-service catering for meetings, corporate events, and conferences across Vermont. Their team offers dependable service and curated, seasonal menus using local ingredients for events of any size.
Sugarsnap Catering (South Burlington, VT)
With over 20 years of experience, Sugarsnap Catering is Vermont’s premier farm-to-table caterer. They exclusively serve the ECHO center and the Barn at Smugglers' Notch, offering enchiladas, lasagna, and sandwiches, along with bar service.
Cloud Nine Caterers (Colchester, VT)
Cloud 9 brings more than 30 years of experience to the table for corporate groups, nonprofit events, and private gatherings. Their team offers artisan hors d’oeuvres, along with plated dinners featuring locally sourced entrees to accommodate a wide range of events.
Catering by Dale (South Burlington, VT)
With over 20 years of experience, Catering by Dale brings a hands-on approach to catering meetings, corporate events, and private gatherings in Vermont. Their team is known for flexible menus and reliable service from planning to executing events.
Specialty Catering Options in Burlington, Vermont
Barbeque and Comfort Food
Bluebird Barbecue (Burlington, VT)
Bluebird Barbecue serves classic BBQ slow-smoked meats and hearty sides for group meals. Their party orders menu provides hot, ready-to-serve dishes to pick up for events.
Southern Smoke Foods (Winooski, VT)
Southern Smoke Foods features barbecue, Cajun dishes, Caribbean flavors, and Italian comfort food. Their menus include mains, sides, and build-your-own bars that work well for small and large groups.
Haymaker Bun Company (Burlington, VT)
Known for their handmade buns, Haymaker offers catering that works especially well for casual meetings and events. Their menu features crowd-pleasing options that are easy to serve, making them a great option for planners.
Everyone's Favorite: Dessert!
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Catering (Burlington, VT)
Ben and Jerry’s adds fun ways to close out events with classic flavors, nondairy options, and build-your-own sundae bars. Perfect for afternoon breaks, celebrations, or anytime you want to add something sweet to the schedule.
Sisters of Anarchy Ice Cream (Shelburne, VT)
Sisters of Anarchy crafts farm-to-cone ice cream using ingredients grown on their Vermont farm. Catering options include an ice cream truck, indoor event setups, and single-serve cups or ice cream sandwiches for convenient drop-offs.
Food Trucks in Burlington, Vermont
El Gato Cantina Truck
The El Gato Cantina truck serves tacos and Mexican favorites for quick service and customizable plates.
Jilibjiblets
Spice up any event with this seasonal Burlington staple, bringing Somali cuisine to the Green Mountain state.
Hello Kabab
Hello Kabab serves Persian street food, featuring kababs, rice bowls, and fresh sides with bold yet approachable flavors.
Expert Tips from a Professional Event Planner
To help answer some of the most common catering questions from meeting planners, we connected with Ashley Brunelle, a Vermont-based events professional with more than 15 years of experience in hospitality, restaurants, and catering. Her background in food and beverage planning brings a practical, behind-the-scenes perspective to coordinating meals for meetings and events.
What are some tips for catering meetings and events?
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A good rule of thumb is to have food ready about 15 minutes before the scheduled mealtime. Meetings rarely end exactly on time, so it helps to plan for flexibility and have a way to keep food hot or cold until it is served.
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When possible, gather dietary preferences in advance. If that is not an option, plan to include at least one vegetarian or vegan option and a gluten-free dish so everyone has something substantial to enjoy.
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Clear buffet labels are essential. Guests should be able to quickly identify what they are eating and note common allergens or ingredients.
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For groups of 20 or more, a double-sided buffet can help keep lines moving and get guests fed efficiently. Even if utensils are provided, having extras on hand is always a smart backup. Do not forget condiments.
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Switching up caterers or cuisines for recurring meetings can also keep things feeling fresh and highlight Burlington’s diverse local food scene.
What do planners appreciate about working with local caterers?
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Local caterers and restaurants bring a strong sense of pride and care to their work, which shows in the consistency and quality of the food.
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They also offer a more personal working relationship. In a small state like Vermont, those relationships grow quickly, and repeat planners benefit from caterers who remember preferences and anticipate needs.
What are some Vermont-inspired catering ideas?
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Local products like maple, cheese, and cider are always popular. Ben and Jerry’s remains a classic choice, especially when dairy-free options are available.
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For something unexpected, The Coco Bar offers freshly cracked coconuts with custom branding. Other creative options include custom macarons from Matryoshka’s Bakery, non-alcoholic cocktails from Tonique Mobile Bar, and customized cookies from Klingers Bakery.