• Oliver Parini
• Grilled octopus at Honey Road

Honey Road

156 Church St., Burlington, honeyroadrestaurant.com

Chef Cara Chigazola-Tobin's masterful Mediterranean mezze garnered this restaurant two James Beard Award nominations in its very first year. Plates include baba ghanoush, braised lamb and grilled octopus. On warm evenings, thirsty diners hang with the pink flamingos that decorate the restaurant's busy Church Street patio, downing harissa-glazed chicken wings and bottles of Miller High Life.

Bento

197 College St., Burlington, bentovermont.com

This Japanese market and sushi shop specializes in the eponymous segmented lunch boxes. Fill one with tofu teriyaki to go, or grab a window seat for made-to-order sushi.

El Cortijo Taqueria y Cantina

189 Bank St., Burlington, cortijovt.com

• Oliver Parini
• Tacos at El Cortijo

Tortillas made with heirloom corn cradle local meats, cheeses and produce in taco, burrito and enchilada form. Locals go loco for the "wicked-fly" margaritas.

Joyce's Noodle House

5 Carmichael St., Essex Junction, 288-9828

Owner Joyce Fong traces her culinary roots to the Shang Dynasty. Dig into dim sum, scallion pancakes or a stir-fry; all of the noodles and sauces are homemade.

Nepali Dumpling House

78 North St., Burlington, 497-1992

Tucked into a market with traditional Asian clothing and culinary goods, customers queue up for authentic momos — filled with veggies or meat and served on their own or in soup.

Pho Tao Vietnamese Restaurant

1355 North Ave., Burlington, 497-0475

Inside this casual New North End restaurant, co-owners Thanh Pham and Bishnu Gurung flip Vietnamese noodles and spicy Nepali chow mein in a fiery wok.

Tiny Thai Restaurant

24 Main St., Winooski, tinythairestaurant.net

• Oliver Parini
• Noodles at Tiny Thai

Tom kha, satay, stir-fries and curries take their cues from food carts and family tables across Thailand. Vermonters have voted this the best Thai restaurant in the state for six years straight.