Horn of the Moon

Horn of the Moon on Langdon Street in Montpelier holds a singular place in Vermont's dining landscape as the state's oldest continuously operating vegetarian restaurant, having served the capital city since 1975. The restaurant predates the modern farm-to-table movement by decades and continues to operate with the founding commitment to whole foods, plant-based cooking, and community-oriented hospitality that made it a beloved institution in Vermont's small but vibrant capital.

The menu draws on global vegetarian traditions — whole grain cooking, legume-based dishes, fermented and cultured preparations, and fresh salads — combined with Vermont-grown organic produce sourced through relationships with regional farms and food cooperatives that have been maintained for decades. The veggie burger, assembled on house-baked bread with house-made condiments and served alongside a salad and pickles, is the menu's most-requested item and has been a fixture since the early years. The Tempeh Reuben — grilled marinated tempeh with tangy sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and house Russian dressing on seeded rye — demonstrates the kitchen's serious and creative approach to plant-based cooking. Seasonal grain bowls rotate with the Vermont agricultural calendar, incorporating ancient and heritage grains, roasted vegetables, and house-made dressings.

The dining room is warm, unpretentious, and deeply community-oriented, with wooden furniture, community bulletin boards featuring local events and notices, and an atmosphere that reflects Montpelier's character as an engaged small-city community. The café opens early enough for a proper breakfast and serves through dinner on most days, providing one of the most flexible full-day dining options in the capital area.

No reservations are accepted; the restaurant is walk-in only.