A Vermont Twist on Tradition: Green Mountain Amish Kitchen Opens in Bennington
The rugged beauty of the Green Mountains has always attracted those who value hard work, land stewardship, and a simpler way of life. This week, that spirit finds a delicious new expression with the opening of Green Mountain Amish Kitchen, a family-run restaurant that brings the comfort of the “plain” table to Southern Vermont.
Located at 210 Northside Drive, Bennington, VT 05201, the kitchen is housed in a warm, timber-framed building that feels more like a neighbor’s dining room than a commercial eatery. While the Amish community in Vermont is small and centered further north in the Northeast Kingdom, this new Bennington outpost serves as a bridge, featuring recipes and goods from the Brownington settlement combined with Southern Vermont’s legendary local produce.
Comfort Food, Vermont Style
The menu at Green Mountain Amish Kitchen is a curated collection of “slow food” staples, where the focus is on depth of flavor and quality ingredients rather than rapid service. The kitchen uses local Vermont maple syrup, Grafton cheeses, and heritage-breed meats, all prepared with the precise, traditional techniques of the Pennsylvania Dutch.
Early menu highlights include:
- Maple-Glazed Ham Balls: A classic PA Dutch dish reimagined with a thick, dark Vermont Grade A maple glaze. These savory-sweet morsels are served alongside hand-mashed potatoes.
- The “Green Mountain Haystack”: A hearty layered bowl featuring crushed crackers, seasoned beef, and fresh garden vegetables, all smothered in a creamy white cheddar sauce made with local sharp Vermont cheese.
- Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding: Made from the bakery’s famous oversized cinnamon rolls, this dense, custard-rich pudding is served warm with a drizzle of maple cream.
Community Voices: “A Much-Needed Addition”
The grand opening saw a mix of local residents and hungry travelers coming off Route 7. Local teacher Clara Higgins was among the first to try the “Haystack.” “I’ve lived in Bennington for twenty years, and we’ve never had anything like this,” she shared. “It’s not just the food—which is incredible—it’s the atmosphere. You walk in and immediately feel like you need to put your phone away and just enjoy the company.”
Another diner, Robert Miller, raved about the craftsmanship of the baked goods. “I bought a loaf of their salt-rising bread to take home, and it didn’t even make it through the car ride. The crust is perfect, and you can tell it wasn’t rushed. It’s exactly the kind of quality you expect when you see that signature Amish style.”