Honey Road

Eastern Mediterranean meze a la Ana Sortun, with a Vermont twist.

By Molly McDonough

For Bostonians wary of tasting Vermont’s take on Eastern Mediterranean flavors, we’ll just say the magic word: Oleana. That’s where Honey Road’s chef-owner Cara Chigazola Tobin once worked, and she’s translated her exotic flavor chops, earned under the tutelage of Ana Sortun, to her Church Street spot. Fans of Sortun’s Cambridge and Somerville restaurants will note the similarities: a glossary gracing the menu, a meze-focused dining style, and a tahini-makes-everything-better ethos (all the way through to the Tahini Sundae, a must-order masterpiece topped with sesame caramel and crumbled halva).

But this isn’t an Oleana rip-off. Tobin’s menu highlights the best of what grows in Vermont. Her colorful meze selection boasts ample veggie options, particularly during harvest season. And she’s earned three James Beard award nominations (Best New Restaurant in 2018 and Best Chef Northeast in 2018 and 2019), an impressive feat considering Honey Road’s only been open for two years. Eat here and you’ll understand why.

Honey Road

156 Church Street, Burlington, VT


  • Must Have

Sweet Harissa Chicken Wings

Served with dried lime labneh for dipping, these sticky-spicy-sweet wings will make anyone an instant fan of Eastern Mediterranean dining.

  • Insider Tip

Happy Hours are technically banned in Vermont, but Honey Road offers “Honey Time.” From 4 to 5 p.m., visit to sip cocktails and sample a limited snack menu that includes the aforementioned wings for $1 apiece. It’s a great time to snag a seat on the patio if you couldn’t get a reservation online.

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