October 16, 2019
Despite Hinesburg’s small-town size, it boasts a surprising variety of restaurants with a wide range of cuisines to choose from. Here’s a look at some of the establishments serving up breakfast, lunch, dinner and more with a little flavor of their stories and what folks at each cafe and restaurant had to say about their place in the community.
Parkside Café
The newly renamed Parkside Café is both a restaurant and a Café serving breakfast food, pastries, and coffee in the morning, lunch in the mid-day and dinner, now with a sit-down bar with a number of beers on tap.
Proprietor Eric Mikkelson said that he hopes it will serve as a place for “anyone looking for either a large family event or just hiding away with a computer and coffee and everything in between.”
He described how the restaurant “rolls over” from being a casual breakfast place to a more typical restaurant in the afternoon, which is the latest development in Parkside’s evolution from the original Bristol Bakery.
Papa Nick’s Restaurant & Pizza
Just around the bend at the south end of the village is Papa Nick’s, one of Hinesburg’s long-standing eateries. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a focus on Greek and Italian food, this restaurant is known for its pizza and comforting, diner-like atmosphere that locals have considered a favorite for nearly 30 years.
According to co-owner Voula Zontanos, it’s a “family place where you can dine in and dine out. People say it’s the heart of the community. We see three generations of folks coming in,” she said of the family operation she and her husband Nick founded in 1990. “People come here because they like the consistency.”
Paisley Hippo Sandwich Shop
Tucked in the corner of the Estey Hardware shopping center, Paisley Hippo fills a niche with big sandwiches for lunch. The shop’s wide variety of sandwiches has become a favorite for students at nearby Champlain Valley Union High School and their families, according to Manager Johnny Dang.
“We try to keep a reputation — people come here and expect the same thing,” Dang said. “Hopefully in the future, we’ll expand to more locations and have a greater variety of foods including breakfast.”
As for right now, the Hippo is best known for its cheesesteaks.
Hinesburgh Public House
With its outdoor deck and in-house piano performances, the Public House has a distinct feel, both thanks to its food and its true pub atmosphere. “Most people describe it as a family place,” said managing partner Alex Dziurzynski, who talked about both the kids and adult menus and how the restaurant serves above and beyond your typical pub fare.
“We try to keep up with our name,” he explained. “A public house is meant for the entire public — not high end or low end, just quality food.”
Good Times Café
Another Hinesburg staple, Good Times is an “artisan pizzeria with a hint of New Orleans Cajun,” according to its website. In addition to pizza, the restaurant is known for its soups and sandwiches, and an extensive dessert menu. Some changes may be coming to the eatery in the near future. “The business is for sale, so we’re looking for a transition,” said co-owner Tracy Applin, while also emphasizing the restaurant’s “strong connection with the community.”
Bucky’s Pub
Bucky’s is the newest restaurant in town serving great pub fare in a family friendly atmosphere just behind the library. The Pub also doubles as a big game reporting station and is open 3:00 to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 2:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 2:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Dragon House Restaurant
Dragon House Restaurant offers chinese take out & dine-in options and is open 10:00 to 9:30 all week long. A deeper dive on this local favorite coming soon!
Community News Service is a collaboration with the University of Vermont’s Reporting & Documentary Storytelling program.