The Drake Bar and Kitchen - St Albans City, Vermont

Sandy

The Drake is truly a unique dining experience. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the welcoming atmosphere that sets it apart from other spots in the area. The food here is outstanding—each dish is cooked fresh, right when you order, which really shows in the flavors and quality of every bite.

The cocktails are fabulous, perfectly crafted, and definitely worth trying. Whether you're a fan of classic cocktails or looking for something more adventurous, there's something for everyone.

What really elevates The Drake, though, is the staff. The service is super attentive and friendly, making sure you're well taken care of from start to finish. It’s clear they genuinely care about creating a great experience for their guests. One of the highlights is the chef, who takes the time to make rounds and check in with customers, adding a personal touch that you don't often see in most places. It’s a small gesture but one that truly makes you feel special and appreciated.

If you’re looking for a place that goes above and beyond, with amazing food, drinks, and service, The Drake is a must-visit. It’s a super special spot that I can’t recommend enough!

Anonymous

We were passing through and chose The Drake Bar and Kitchen for their reviews… and it definitely lived up to their ratings and exceeded our expectations! The staff were all incredible, especially Amanda. They even seated us near closing time with no hesitation. They never made us feel rushed and ensured we had the greatest experience. Their cocktails were perfect and beautifully crafted. We enjoyed the butternut squash soup special, the crispy fries, the pork schnitzel special, and the tacos… and it was all amazing! Their vegetarian options were great and their flexibility to make menu options vegan was also great. Above all, the people here deserve to be recognized for their genuineness, professionalism, hospitality, and just flat out kindness. The Drake Bar and Kitchen goes beyond great food and atmosphere. We highly recommend!

Amanda T.

To say that the food is amazing would be an understatement. This is our 5th or 6th visit to this place and they NAIL it EVERY TIME! I tell my fiancé every time we go “this is definitely my favorite restaurant….dang…I haven’t had one of those in a long time” and it’s true. It’s surprisingly difficult to find a restaurant that not only consistently performs at their best, but that also shares the same values that I do. They SUPPORT LOCALS! They handpick ingredients based on what is in season and their meat comes from local farms. I’m utterly obsessed. Their pricing is on point. You will spend the same if not more at Olive Garden…and guarantee you will leave there broke and unhappy. At the Drake…we leave there feeling full, but not bloated and like we just made the best investment of our lives. Just….go there…okay. And make sure you stay for dessert. Thank you for listening.

Timothy W.

The Drake isn't just the best restaurant in Franklin County -- it's right up there with the best of Vermont and beyond. We've been many times and it's always a great experience. I don't even have recommendations on what to order because literally every drink and dish I've tried has been great. The owners are great people, too. The space isn't huge so reservations or a short wait may be needed, but it's so worth it. If you like good food and drink and are anywhere near St. Albans, give the Drake a try!

Chuck M. C.

The duck fat poutine fries were some of the best I had but the duck entree with sweet potato absolutely knocked my socks off.

Katherine Y.

This place is clearly well loved by the local crowd. My partner and I both agreed the service was amazing - very friendly and the great balance of attentiveness without hovering.

The decor is...interesting, seems like it was a very "homemade" endeavor remodeling the inside space, but it's comfortable enough. There is very little seating, so reservations are encouraged, but there seems to be a lot of open central space that could be more efficiently utilized.

The food was good. We had the poutine, a burger and the chicken sandwich. The poutine was good, little more but no less, I love poutine and this did the trick. I liked the style of the fries but for me personally the liberal dose of black pepper on them is overwhelming. The burger was nicely topped but fully overcooked when I asked for medium. It was still tasty and I was so hungry it wasn't worth troubling to send it back, but something to note. The chicken sandwich was just okay. I personally love a crispy crunchy batter and this was not, but the flavor was decent. The special lilac lemonde was my favorite part!

The check was very reasonable. I know a big part of their draw is their cocktails which looked amazing but we did not partake. I especially appreciated the wide variety of mocktails included on the menu, lots of creative options! I'd go back again to try some of their other offerings, yes, but for a real wow me meal, I'd still make the trip to a Burlington option.

Jessica M.

Love the food here! It’s the best restaurant in St. Albans. Such a unique menu, with ever changing specials that present you with food you’ve never tried before. An absolute delight! Incredible food, lovely service and a warm atmosphere. What’s not to love!

Crystal E.

The only reason I gave 3 stars on the atmosphere is because I only get take out. But it is always stellar!! Their Steak Frites meal is to die for!! So so good!! Highly recommend!!