Cassandra Hemenway
Back in 2022, The Bridge surveyed breakfast options throughout central Vermont, but this time around, we’re focusing solely on Barre to see what early morning bites are available throughout the Granite City. From a 4:30 a.m. drive-through donut to an hours-long brunch at the Barre Social Club, Barre offers a wide range of morning meals, many with locally sourced foods. Highlights include classic diner dishes, Mexican burritos, bagels, veggie-forward quiches, and a couple of gourmet takes on the basic breakfast sandwich. See the list below for details.
Arandas Mexican Cuisine
For Mexican breakfast offerings, check out Arandas’ latest Barre location, just across from the Pierre Motel on North Main Street; it’s not an option for an early breakfast (it opens at 11 a.m. most days), but good if you like your breakfast all day. The menu features the expected huevos rancheros; tamales; and a Mexican breakfast sandwich; but also chilaquiles, lightly fried corn tortilla pieces simmered in a red or green salsa, topped with crumbled cheese, onions, and cilantro; and sincronizada Mexican-style ham-and-cheese hot sandwich with tortillas in place of bread, with avocado and pico de Gallo.
Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 377 North Main Street, Barre.
Barre Social Club
If you want a creative menu, veggie-forward breakfast offerings, local foods, and a place to hang out for hours, this is your spot. On some Saturdays (when there isn’t a late-night Friday event or a Saturday morning event on the books), co-owner Cat Allen offers a locally sourced brunch with a varying menu. Always offered — with changing flavors and seasonal twists — is a baked French toast (made with challa from Fox Market), a gluten-free waffle, a gluten-free quiche, and grits. There’s also a surprise offering on every menu, Allen said, such as last week’s roasted butternut squash soup with a bacon and three-cheese grilled sandwich, gluten-free bread available.
Open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday brunches are open to the public, but members pay a little less than non-members. To find out which Saturdays brunch is offered, see the Barre Social Club blog at barresocialclub.com/blog. Next brunch is Feb. 28, 105 North Main Street, Barre.
Dunkin’ Donuts
Dunkin’ offers drive-through or sit-down service with a consistent menu featuring hot and cold drinks; hot sandwich, hash brown and toast offerings; and, of course, donuts. There’s two locations in Barre (plus one in Montpelier).
Barre Dunkin’s are open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the 350 North Main Street location and 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the 572 Route 302 location.
Espresso Bueno
If you want a counter-service breakfast with a Mexican flair, and coffee from Vermont roasters, this is your stop. Choose from a full range of coffees, from a basic cuppa to an Espresso Bar with lattes, cortada, and flavors such as Mexican Mocha Latte with a cinnamon syrup, a “Hot and Honey’” espresso, or a Con Panna (latte topped with maple syrup whipped cream). The breakfast menu features chorizo and morning burritos, breakfast tacos, a tostada, housemade granola, and muffins, among other items. And if you’re really hungry, try the “Burrito of Enormity” with three scrambled eggs, carnitas, beans, and cheddar.
Open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 248 N. Main Street, Barre. 802-479-0896.
Gunnerbrook Market and Deli
The family-owned shop recently announced on its Facebook page that they now serve early morning breakfast sandwiches and burritos.
Open 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. 339 East Montpelier Road, Barre.
Kitty Corner Café
If you want a little feline friendship with your breakfast, Vermont’s first cat café offers a cat lounge “filled with adorable kitties in search of forever homes,” according to its website. The café offers coffee and other beverages, locally sourced baked goods, sandwiches, and for $8 per person, customers can reserve a 30-minute cuddle sesh with the cats.
Open Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 214 North Main Street, Barre.
Maria’s Bagels
The Smoked Salmon bagel isn’t the only breakfast (or lunch) option at the downtown Barre bagel shop (but it is a favorite of this writer). There’s a hearty breakfast bagel with two eggs; cheese; and choice of ham, sausage, or bacon; and bagel varieties ranging from the classic plain or everything, to Cabot cheddar dill and orange cranberry.
Open Thursday through Monday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 162 North Main Street, Barre.
Morse Block Deli and Taps
Serves fantastic sandwiches with locally sourced foods, including the “Egg Sando” with local eggs, Cabot cheese, “Hops ‘n Honey” hot sauce on a Portuguese muffin with a meat option.
Open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. 260 N. Main Street, No. 19, Barre. 802-476-2131.
Tasty Bites Diner
Get your classic American breakfast here, all day long. Eggs and toast? No problem. Hearty, huge pancakes? They’re on the menu. Eggs Benedict? Served every day except Sundays. Owner Lisa St. Lawrence says the Vermonter is their best seller, with eggs, bacon, homefries, and toast. One Saturday a month state Rep. Michael Boutin (R-Washington-3) serves up meals and 100% of his tips go to a local organization. Diners can donate to the monthly recipient (this month it’s the Veteran’s Place) in a box near the cash register, or online at vermontveteransplace.org/donate.
Open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and Thursday through Sunday. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. 81 North Main Street, Barre.
