Pioneer Lakeshore Café
Pioneer Lakeshore Café — photo 2
Pioneer Lakeshore Café — photo 3
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Pioneer Lakeshore Café

824 W Lakeshore Dr #1, South Burlington, VT

★★★★★4.9(248 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

Pioneer Lakeshore Café feels like the kind of place that's been quietly perfecting comfort food and coffee for locals and passersby alike, where the owner's genuine warmth matches the quality of their surprisingly technique-forward menu. Beyond solid espresso drinks, they're doing exceptional things with breakfast—crispy hashbrowns, waffles, breakfast burritos—and their fried items (shrimp, chicken, mozzarella sticks) have a careful attention to texture that shows real skill. It's rare to find this level of care, kindness, and value in one spot, especially one that feels equally welcoming whether you're grabbing coffee for the road or settling in by the lake for a proper meal.

What to expect

Traditional drinksSlow sitMeetingsLight foodOutdoor seatingQuick grabFamily friendly

Google Reviews

Stephen Coggio
★★★★★6 months ago

What a lovely place. What lovely people. What a deal. Maybe the last place in Vermont you can get lunch for under $20. A massive menu of options with some serious hidden technique buried throughout. I really can’t wait to go back for more. Pictured is the fish sandwich, tartar sauce, pickles, shredded lettuce. It was seriously delicious

Kevin Lumpkin
★★★★★11 months ago

This is truly a hidden gem! An incredible menu, amazing atmosphere, and the kindest most personable owner you can imagine! Don't sleep on the milkshakes!

Kristina Dahl
★★★★★a year ago

Delicious & lovely experience. The cheeseburgers were juicy and flavorful, a basket of fresh fries on the side to share. The lavender lemon spritz was tasty. The best mozzarella sticks, such a treat!

Mieko A Ozeki
★★★★★a year ago

I love stopping by Pioneer Lakeshore Cafe for breakfast and lunch as I pass through Mallets Bay. I like their waffles and breakfast burrito. In particular I really like the hashbrown. The fried chicken sandwich and BBQ brisket melt are so melt in your mouth good plus the truffle fries. They use fresh ingredients and are attentive to detail. You order at the counter and they bring the food your table promptly. The staff are friendly and the owners are delight to chat with. Worth dining there as it is filling and a delight to support this local business.

Alex
★★★★★a year ago

A hidden gem that we discovered while driving around the lake. Cute little place that seemed popular amongst the local. The fried shrimp sandwich was so delicious (shrimps were well cooked and fried). The HASHBROWN IS AMAZING (get it !!!). A great stop for lunch or dinner ! Already saved for a must-visit for my next trip.

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