Tip Top Cafe
85 N Main St, White River Junction, VT, 05001
Tip Top Cafe Menu
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Visit below restaurant in White River Junction for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in White River Junction for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in White River Junction for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
85 N Main St
White River Junction, VT, 05001 - Phone (802) 295-3312
- Website https://www.tiptopcafevermont.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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M. Deloris D.
The Tip Top Cafe is truly delightful. We stopped in to take a break during a long drive and found Tip Top to be a departure from the diners/chain restaurants that so prominently punctuate the highways. We shared pea risotto cakes (think arancini) with wilted greens and bacon dressing. Even a fool knows that bacon can make anything delicious. The bread they served with the house dipping sauce was incredibly delicious. We shared the pork and ginger meatloaf with red wine demiglace and mashed potatoes. For dessert, we shared the creme brulee. Everything was quite good. The decor was great. The Tip Top Cafe is a sure winner.
(5)Susan W.
Enjoyed an amazing meal with my husband and 5 year old. Loved that this place was classy enough to feel like we were in the world of grown ups, yet welcoming and comfortable for my daughter. It's in a strip mall sort of looking building, but has been decorated and interior architecture altered well enough that if you weren't looking at the huge glass windows into a parking lot you would totally forget that tiny drawback. The food was phenomenal. We went all out because we were on vacation and it was our splurge night. Had both of the appetizers of the day...a brie and fig tart and a goat cheese and potato terrine. Both were fabulous. My husband's duck was cooked to perfection and the greens that came with it were so flavorful I was envying his every bite. My butternut squash taquitos were delicious. I cleaned my plate. I did wish the shell was lighter...more of an eggroll wrap than traditional taquito but yummy nonetheless. Both were on the regular menu. My daughter had the child's menu salmon with green beans and mashed potato. She didn't like the honey sauce for the fish but thank goodness they were smart enough to put it on the side. She ate every bite save the two tiny flakes she shared with us which were tender and tasty. Her mashed potatoes were completely flavorless so we had to load on salt for her to even eat a second bite. That was the biggest disappointment of dinner, but some kids don't eat anything with seasoning so I guess they were playing it safe. The chocolate cake was good I thought...hubby thought it was a little chalky...daughter would have licked the plate if we'd let her. And my coffee and banana cheesecake were a perfect end. Everything was a very reasonable portion size as well. And for 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, child's meal, 2 sodas, 2 coffees and 3 desserts at a VERY nice restaurant, I didn't think that $115 incl. tax was bad at all. The waitstaff were also very friendly and helpful...even brought a box of crayons for my daughter to draw on the brown paper table covering. All in all a perfect night. I just wish we'd had time to duck into the paint your own pottery place across the hall. Next time...
(5)Erica K.
Best restaurant I have been to since moving to the Upper Valley. It feels like you are back in the city again with the modern decor and creative menu. The food is delicious, I have absolutely no complaints. I have been once for dinner and once for lunch, both were fantastic. Definitely a recommendation for anyone looking for excellent food and a fun night out.
(5)Hilary S.
Great find! Sadly we were only in town for a night, but finding the Tip Top Cafe made that night memorable. Their garlic aioli (served with crusty bread) sets up high expectations for a meal that did not disappoint. We had the apple and sweetpotato fritters, which came piping hot with a slightly spicy creamy dipping sauce. Next was the butternut squash, bacon, and cheddar risotto (I had mine w/o bacon). Finally, we snagged a chocolate chip cookie for the road.
(5)Sydney S.
We had a late dinner this Labor Day weekend and it was the third in a trio of very satisfying visits there. In the past six weeks we have brought two sets of friends there and all have loved their meals (the timbale, lamb and stir fry have been favorites). The whole experience has been consistently positive from the bread/house-made dipping sauce to the wine list to the menu choices. Our server last Friday night (Mandy) was excellent and the overall ambiance of the restaurant is wonderful. Dinner in White River is a terrific break from the usual mix of Hanover/Norwich and we are so grateful that Tip Top exists.
(4)Patty D.
A few months ago I would have given Tip Top a 5 star rating, but our visit there last week was not anywhere near the same quality we had been accustomed to. For started, the waitress told us they had to change their house wine to a lower quality wine and it was a 1 on a five point scale. They need to have a wine that matches their upscale image! The dish my husband had was way overdone with spices so after one bite he didn't want anymore. My salmon was dry and bland and the worst part was the uncooked mussels I had for an appetizer that I actually had to spit out. I don't know if I will ever return to this quaint Vt cafe again after this horrible experience and I have not seen a restaurant go from a 5 to a generous 3 before!
(3)Lance B.
Really great place for lunch or dinner. The ambiance is very nice with both indoor and outdoor seating (weather permits). The wait staff are very friendly and courteous. The food is really good - both meat and vegetarian dishes. The portions are just right. I personally love their ginger pork meatloaf.
(5)Basil M.
Tried this place this afternoon based on the reviews here on Yelp which is usually a good thing to do. The service was very slow. Not sure if the waiter was having an off day or what but he was pretty bad. Wife ordered the chicken and red pepper soup of the day and he brought the tomato bisque. It took forever to get it so rather then send it back she ate it , it was mediocre. She ordered the chicken salad sandwich she said wasn't bad but the bread was rock hard and hard to chew. I ordered the Cobb salad that was a small scoop of chicken salad and a few greens, pretty small but ok, nothing special. Waiter never came back to check on us and it took forever to get the check. I'm going to give Tip Top another chance because I just don't think this was up to par for them, some of the food looked good that I saw go by and I'm not sure we made the best choices, and the waitress at the tables around us was very attentive and efficient.
(2)Buck C.
Magnificent place. Always stop by there as we drive up to Vermont or back.
(5)Chad A.
Great easy to find location. Not a bad seat in the place. Solid service. Fantastic menu that's unique and still priced reasonably... and those fries!!!
(5)Gina T.
Had dinner here after visiting Dartmouth. Nice ambiance, good service and good food. Nothing spectacular but probably excellent considering its location. The haddock was very good with lots of texture and nice blending of flavors. Meat loaf was ok Seafood Gumbo was very sausage-y. I did not care for it, but my son liked it. Fries were crisp and thin but could use more salt.
(3)Ellen G.
Perfect place! Everything & everyone was really perfect. Wonderful flavor in everything we ate!
(5)TeTeDaMouse C.
Our party of three came here for lunch today and each of us were disappointed in the food and service. Pros: the French fries were amazing and the lattes were delicious. Cons: Unfortunately, everything else. We had meals, coffee, and dessert. The service was practically non-existent. Our food was mediocre-two of us ordered falafels which were dry and had very little tzatziki sauce. The greens that came with the falafels were tasty, but not terribly hard to put together. The salmon brioche was pretty to look at but felt more like food you'd eat a tea party. On top of the long wait for our food, we were each overcharged a third more than our bill and the staff didn't notice until we brought it to their attention. I doubt that we'll be going back anytime soon. One person in our party who recommended the restaurant to us as she liked it before has declared that she will not be returning.
(2)Sara C.
Came into town and found this cute little restaurant. We didn't have reservations but we immediately seated on the patio. Service was initially great but then waned as the patio filled up. I had asked for a glass of wine with dinner, which never came. When I reminded our waitress she did bring it and comped it. We split the tomato bisque, it was delicious. My boyfriend has the sesame pork and ginger meatloaf, no complaints. I had the char grilled hangar steak and again very good. Fresh warm bread with a herb butter accompanied our dinner. Also, enjoy the Saratoga Springs sparkling water! It's delicious.
(4)Don F.
We liked this place quite a bit. The food was good and room was nice. Good local choices. Several local beers and good ingredients. We tried three dishes and they all were very good. Meatloaf, pork chop and beef steak. All were good. The staff was very helpful and took care of us.
(5)Glenn D.
The atmosphere is very nice and elegant. We had a drink called the "Outrigger" and it was awesome. The food selection is somewhat limited but everything was delicious. the waitess was attentive and helpful in ordering. Highly recommed this place.
(5)Jeff M.
What in the WHAT!? I don't understand what I just stumbled into, I still think I was dreaming. Oh and this is a milestone review, #200....and I'm honored to be reviewing such an incredible find. This isn't a "cafe" in my eyes at all unless you count the small outdoor space I saw, which when i was there it was still 12 degrees outside. I'm sure this is a gem of a spot on a 70 degree summer night but I still felt right at home in the dimly-lit, artfully decorated interior. Gary was my waiter and he was one of, if not THEE best waiter I have ever had in my entire life. That isn't an exaggeration at all. He was knowledgeable about the food, helpful at every turn and super pleasant....but not in a pushy or campy way. Kudos to whoever hired him, hold onto him for as long as you can. I started with the soup of the day, white bean and barley. When a soup is this good to start a meal you know you are in for a treat. Perfectly balanced and topped with fresh herbs, the beans were cooked to perfection and I slurped up everything in my bowl. Well technically I didn't "start" with the soup, the bread and faux chimichurri dipping sauce almost outshined everything else I had. While the bread was fairly standard, the dip was divine. It reminded me of ginger/scallion dip my wife's Chinese father made us for dunking freshly killed chicken from Chinatown. If it didn't sit around for at least 24 hours to have all of those yummy flavors blend together in a beautiful marriage then the Tip Top chef really fooled me with this one. Can I get a bottle of this to go.....pretty please? Some of the biggest disappointments came from the pork belly dish. About 10% of it was unedible and super fatty. To be expected with belly but I don't like wasting meat and some of it could have been trimmed off. Also, the jicama didn't pair as well with the pork as I think the chef was going for. Sure, it's exotic but I'd much rather have a green apple compliment the belly, even though they aren't really in season in the middle of winter. The onion topping was a great touch and I can't remember ever having those two things together before, usually fried onions are with beef. Still, none of the perceived flaws pulled down the overall rating of the restaurant.. This type of food in Boston would likely cost 30 - 40% more than what I paid (I think the pork belly was $18). You're spoiled at times Vermont, especially when it comes to the farm to table so many of these great joints are offering these days. I can't wait to go back even though my time in VT is coming to an end.....this is one special, classy place and the owners are doing everything right.
(5)Ben R.
Poor service! Waited 10 minutes for the "hostess" to finish paying out some contractor, meanwhile a bevy of waitstaff walked by and barely spoke. Once seated multiple waitstaff walked by, making eye contact with my partner but scurrying to clear other patrons tables. One either came to the table next to us and put his derrière nearly in my ladies face and promptly ignored us. After another 10 minutes of waiting we stood up and left. Not how it's done folks!
(1)Mark B.
Tip top was a favorite place for a very nice casual lunch when I worked in area. Presentation, quality and variety of food always much above what one expects at their very reasonable prices. Last night tried dinner for 1st time, w/o reservation and on tight time line. They did a superb job getting us in, comfortably fed and out while making the whole experience relaxed. Sesame pork & ginger meatloaf is wonderfully satisfying, nicely plated. Not your father's meatloaf and on other hand not curtsied up. Comfort, substantial, while being light in texture. Ricotta dumplings also very nice experience with sauce, roasted winter veggies and lovely oyster mushrooms. A novel pairing that worked. A very pleasant meal on very cold night. Nice warm feeling. I now know they do dinner and will stay more up to date.
(4)Gilbert R.
This place has everything you need. Great food, best service ( ask for Gary) and amazing location. The ambience is just so great. Food is well priced. The only thing I want to add is that the menu selection seem not to change in a long time, but that is not a minus. If you like your dish you will always find it to the most part.
(5)Sam T.
Ditto to everything Jeff M said ; congrats on the 200 I don't know who the chef is but I assure you this chef is a pure genius. The food speaks for itself and my how it speaks. Tip Top Cafe is not a Café but a fine dining restaurant that serves American Modern with a pleasant intrusion of southern flair. The pork belly was the best I've ever had and the jambalaya was flawless. The garlic fries are perfectly seasoned, crisp, and not too garlicky. You can't make a mistake ordering from this menu; the only potential mistake is to drive by the WRJ and not stop by the Tip Top Cafe.
(5)Kasey L.
We went to Tip Top with a large group, and everyone got something different, so we had quite the variety at our table! I got the hangar steak, and I LOVED it. I ate every last bite, it came with fabulous potatoes, the sauce was delicious...just a fantastic dish. I don't really care about presentation per se, but it was also pretty beautiful. I split some of those awesome fries with the group as an appetizer, and they were just as good as everyone says. Nom. Based on my food experience alone, I would for sure give Tip Top five stars. The environment is pretty casual--it's in a multi-use building that also houses a yoga studio, some artsy spaces, etc. I expected the food to be just as casual, so I was blown away after my meal. My family was less impressed. They collectively got: shrimp and sausage gumbo, a burger special, cod, pork belly, and tomato bisque with the beet salad. I asked everyone what their rating would be, and it averaged around 3-3.5. I was seriously shocked by this, but maybe they should've just ordered the hangar steak. While I didn't pay for dinner, I did think it was maybe a bit expensive for what we got. There were no leftovers. The only other thing that is maybe worth comment is that they were playing motown during dinner, which is OK, but it just didn't really match the space. My last observation, as someone who is from a legitimate city, is that the area that this restaurant is in was a perfectly nice place. After reading some other reviews, I was under the impression that this area was practically in the ghetto. Words I would use to describe this area would be quaint and trendy.
(4)Barney G.
Our party of three parents stopped in for dinner after taking prom pictures of the kids. Not many patrons for a Saturday night, so we were seated immediately. Server didn't show for what at least seemed like a long time. No water, nothing. We weren't really in a hurry so whatever. We started with the fries - they were great though really salty. Drinks were great, menu was varied and interesting, room was nice decorated though spare - I thought that, given the price point, they could have nixed the butcher paper over the tablecloth, but whatever. We had the steak special, the gumbo and a vegetarian stew of some sort. All of the food was great. The bread was fresh and delicious. The creme brule was very nice. Kudos to the chef - a great menu, great presentation, and delicious food. The service was not at the same level as the food. Borderline inattentive, not terribly skillful, but for a leisurely dinner in a "cafe" setting OK. Altogether a very pleasant and satisfying experience. We have been before and will certainly return.
(4)Mike A.
Excellent food gets mired down by inattentive waitstaff. This place tries to be hip, but please take it from this New Yorker, train your staff better. Hostess was nice and also helped clean tables and serve when we were there, so my guess is that there was some staffing issue as there were empty tables on a Saturday night and a half hour wait. Maybe we were stuck with the worst waitress in the place. Someone of the waitstaff dropped a glass at one point and it took forever for a beer to get to our table. Efficiency was not in the house. Food was otherwise top notch worthy of any NYC hip place. Chef take note. Cka
(3)Dylan J.
Fantastic find. Had the haddock with brussels sprouts, perfect combination of flavor and texture. Clean, sophisticated and unpretentious ambiance. Sucker for bread pudding and there's is amazing. Wonderful service. Truly exceeded expectations. Will look for reason to return to area to visit here again
(5)Ben H.
Great food, great service, and nice ambiance. We could not have been happier with our dinning experience. Anyone who is looking for a cool place to have dinner in Vermont should go out of their way to try this restaurant. A few hints: Consider calling for a reservation. The place was busy when we were there on the Friday of Columbus Day weekend and we were very lucky to get a table. (They were basically booked solid until 8:30 p.m.) Be sure to walk the halls of the building before you leave. The building, which looks like it was once a warehouse has been beautifully converted into artists lofts.
(4)Grace W.
Tip Top is a great little restaurant in White River Junction - perfect for a pre-theater meal or just a nice dinner out. They have a pretty eclectic menu, from meatloaf to dumplings, but everything I've tried has been super flavorful (almost too much for my bland tastes.) The prices are slightly higher than typical Upper Valley restaurants (assume spending $25-30 per person), but the service is fantastic. The sauce that comes with the bread is also AMAZING. Make reservations a few days ahead of time for an evening dinner since they book up and there isn't really much of a "bar" area if you were thinking of grabbing a glass of wine while waiting for a table to open up.
(4)Russ U.
The food here was very high end and somewhat above my palette For example, I got the steak special and our waitress told us about it, but when it came I recognized the ribeye, but nothing else. Don't get me wrong it was very good, and all the food was very good. We also had the soup of the day which was very good. They do go a little bit heavy on the garlic. However, I would recommend this restaurant if you are in the area. The one complaint we had was that the service was somewhat slow. The waitress was very friendly, but she took a while to take our orders and then we had to wait for the check.
(4)John S.
I can't review everything, I can only tell you about what I ate (or stole from my son's plate). Let's talk Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo! Whoa! Who put the crack in the dirty rice in White River Junction? It's filled with shrimp, chorizo, and Andouille sausage. Do you really need another piece of salmon...or hanger steak...or meatloaf (well the pork meatloaf was mighty fine, although my son didn't give up much). The flavor burst of this Gumbo is worth a thousand words, but I won't bore you with a culinary love letter like Warren Harding's autoerotic tribute to his bawdy mistress. Fun atmosphere, peppy waiter, fine pinot noir, swimmin' pools, movie stars!
(5)Kim A.
This place looks nice inside, friendly enough staff, but the food (lunch) was awful. I should've known better than to get a Cuban sandwich at a non-Cuban place but this wasn't even an ok sandwich. The sub roll wasn't fresh (and not toasted), minimal cheese, and weird meat selection.
(2)Dianne J.
Yes, just say yes! Perfect service, really good food!
(5)Ellen G.
Driving into the parking lot, you're welcomed by a quirky, eclectic building with a pottery craft business on one side and a cozy cafe on the other. This place definitely has an audience it is geared towards. Hip, fun, classy, the foodie-- if you will. I have never had a bad meal here, but come with an open palette. Don't bring your kid who will only eat hotdogs and pb & j sandwiches. I've come here with my mom for lunch and dinner, and both times I was very pleased with the experience. We always share an order of the aioli fries, the fries I believe, are twice-cooked, making them extra crunchy and substantial enough to hold up to the garlicky aioli dipping sauce. The presentation for the fries as well as all the meals show care and quality with the ingredients. The portions are typical for a place of this kind (they got it right between not too big, not too small. Just enough to feel content with a gourmet meal.) I don't want to forget about ambiance, the cafe does a nice job of decorating with minimal style, the place has a mixture of old and new, similar to the building itself. If weather permits, the outdoor seating is a great spot, its petite size and trees surrounding make the environment feel intimate and further away from the road than it actually is. Last thing I want to mention is the service, which has been consistent and willing to please.
(4)Lisa S.
I do love this place. I've been lucky enough to travel through White River Junction on a semi-regular basis, though it had been a couple of years since my last visit. Never fear, the Tip Top Cafe is still tip top. Tonight, I ordered the Fried Ricotta Dumplings. Had no idea what to expect, but what arrived was delicious. Served atop perfectly cooked spring vegetables with an amazing, almost bitter, lemon salsa that brought all the disparate parts of the meal together. What a gem this is. Oh yeah, as others have mentioned, the dipping sauce for the bread is SO GOOD. I want to eat an entire loaf of bread just to be able to suck down the sauce but I somehow manage to hold back in order to have room for the rest of the delicious meal.
(5)Erin Reid C.
Found it by mistake today while visiting White River Junction and couldn't be more happy. Super attentive staff and one of the best waiters I have ever had. Small lunch menu done perfectly. Known for their garlic fries and it's easy to see why.
(5)Kim-Chi V.
Flew from California to this place for BFF 's mother surprises Birthday dinner on 12/7/2011. When the 8 of us arrived, the manager came back to the bar from the service area ( which is right next to the entrance door ) told us, "I will be with you shortly." How short, if you wondering? About 10 minutes later, we get a "welcome sound." We had been hanging around at the front door, even though BFF's sister has reserved a table a week ahead. But we had plenty of fun posing for all kinds of photos right behind the entrance door--about three dozen of them :-) That little disappointment goes away after we sat down as a nice waitress delivered a fews loaves of toasted bread with fancy dip. Whoooo hhooo,numero uno, I think. We ordered appetizers. BFF's oldest sister comments this the fries are addictive. So far all the appetizer are awesome. We had two round of fries and I mentioned to the services that I 'm a bread lover, wow, they offer me non stop on that bread. Lovely staff. Then came the entrees. I ordered the tasty looking pork chop, which was very lean and came with an interesting side dish, which went well with the meat and a glass of wine. BFF and his sibling goes for the meat loaf. It was yummy, they said. One sister told me that the salmon was delicious. So far, the food was very good for a very reasonable price. All the Vermonter and surrounding should be able to go out to enjoy a new style, tasty food at least once a month to see life is wonderful.
(4)Allie W.
I usually love the starters and desserts here, but could take or leave the entrees. The soups are really good. The creme brulee is wonderful. Main courses aren't bad at all, just a little fancier than I usually like.
(4)Kristine N.
Great friendly service. Small quaint restaurant. Had the southwestern chicken sandwich with the italian wedding soup, both were really good. I really liked the dressing on the salad. Coworker had the cornbread and chili and he seemed really impressed.
(4)Dan L.
Delicious meal! Try the flash grilled Caesar and the trout sandwich. Great service and atmosphere. Would definitely come back. Good find.
(5)Paul W.
Just finished lunch here with my family. Excellent food, friendly service, artistic open decor. The kids love it. Thanks to YELP. We wouldn't have stopped by here if it weren't all these positive reviews.
(4)Ed S.
Great lunch with an upscale menu. Sweet potato and chipotle soup was absolutely delicious. First taste is sweet but just as you start to swallow you get the some heat from the chipotle. But not too hot. Really kept you coming back for more. Also had a chicken salad plate that just a hint of spice but otherwise creamy chicken salad. Coffee was nice and strong. Service was wonderful. I think this place is a diamond in the rough.
(5)Diana H.
3 stars for NYC standards but I can see the argument for 4 stars in the upper valley. The service was good, it was nice to be able to sit outdoors and enjoy the warm weather. The food was good but excessive with the ginger. I can't say anything really was amazing, the fried calamari was a little mushy the skin should have been crispier but the flavor was nice. I ordered the salmon which had huge chunks of ginger on it, not subtle. My husband ordered the lamb and there was no flavor there, the sides were really what made the dish (polenta cheddar mash) . I would go again because we don't have much to work with but don't go with four star expectations.
(3)Stefanie D.
Thank you yelp for finding us this gem! Excellent food!!!!! Good service, love the fries!!!! Now we stop every year as we head north skiing!
(5)Nicole E.
Came back here without realizing that I had been here before (that's why I have Yelp - to remember for me)! I was in for lunch and it was amazing - just the right size and so tasty. I had a turkey chili and I wish that I could make my turkey chili this well! If you're in the area you much stop in, because it's still as good now as the first time I was here!!
(5)Debbie P.
What a wonderful surprise...passing through and reading the Yelp reviews, I expected a very good ham and cheese type place. Instead an informal yet elegant bistro with a good menu and service. We had the tomato bisque, split a steak, and had dessert and wine, for under $60., not including tip. The food was very good, and the service attentive if a bit slow (three waiters and the kitchen trying to provide for 40-50 people). I highly recommend it. At least for the night we sampled Tip Top it was 4-5 stars for this type of bistro/cafe.
(5)Tim R.
Soup of the day was carrot spice delight... The salad to match was chicken tarragon. Tip top meal!
(4)Jim F.
Hot Dam, this is good food, worth every penny. food awesome. service awesome. so worth listening to the kids complain as we passed the usual road food fast food establishments to get to this joint, well reviewed by Yelpers. The food...seriously everything out of the kitchen was awesome. fries.....ridiculous, double your order. pastrami, good, juicy, tender, trout sandwich, yeah I said that, trout sandwich, crispy, tasty yum, falafel, yeah, warm pita goodness, and even the dressing on the side salads wants to make you ask for the recipe. so good we stayed for desert...for lunch. and when my daughter balked at getting the chocolate mousse because typically to 'adult' tasting for her, waitress (who was awesome) brought her a sample, and she went with the butterfinger cheesecake, and yes they mixed those two things together, and yes, as with the other stuff....awesome. do not question yourself about driving a few extra minutes to pass everything else to get here when stopping for food, is it more than a happy meal, damn straight but worth every single penny. Tip Top is Tip Top.
(5)Jae L.
Just had a great night here with family -- including my husband's uncle, who remembers when this place was still the Tip Top Bakery! I was looking for a place where my parents could meet my husband's 2 hilarious uncles and their wife & girlfriend. I know Aunt R. only eats bland food, so Yama was out. I turn to Yelp. After reading the reviews, I think, "This sounds great! Why have we not tried this place before?" (Answer: Yama.) The building & history may be old (they have pictures to prove it!), but the decor is hip & pleasant. The menu is not extensive, but everything was creative and tempting, & everyone (except Aunt R.) enjoyed their meal. Amazing bread pudding. Attentive service. So while Uncle W. told me about the time he met Albert Einstein, I devoured half a basket of delicious, chewy bread. I try not to eat simple carbs, but couldn't help it. It wasn't just the bread -- they serve it with this bowl-licking-worthy chimichurri dip. The little bowl was smaller than a shot glass, so we had to keep sending our server back for more of this garlicky green gold. Had it come in a shot glass, I would have taken then hint and thrown it back. While Aunt R. regaled us with how, on the night they met at a USO dance, Uncle W. took her into the movie theater, forgot she was sitting on his left, & landed up kissing the girl on his right (Uncle W: It was *very* very dark it there!!!"), I was loving my flash-grilled Caesar salad. It had that lovely smokey flavor, but the leaves were still a bit crisp, & the flavor was balanced by the dressing & plenty of cheese. We enjoyed our huge main courses while Uncle G & his GF told us how they met at a Meals-On-Wheels lunch (there's a joke here I can't post on Yelp). My husband & I split the braised short rib special. The cut was a nice tall hunk, no bone, that ensured there was plenty of inner meat, tender & flavorful itself. The outer meat had the nice, salty flavor of the braise, but it didn't overwhelm the flavor of the meat. That came with a creative dish-- like scalloped potatoes, but made of swiss cheese & delicately thin slices of sweet potato. Definitely going to try this at home! The side of sauteed rainbow chard was a nice compliment. Mom got the sesame-encrusted tilapia, which came on a huge bed of greens. I loved the sesame-seed crust, but she declared the fish a little bland (she loved the greens). Dad got the crispy duck -- he said it was good, could have been crispier, but loved the sauce. Uncle G & GF split the meatloaf & loved it (I think Uncle G was done before I got in my 3rd bite.) Uncle W enjoyed the tilapia while describing how, growing up, the least favorite chore was grinding wheat into flour (their mom wouldn't let them leave the farm for school until it was just right!) Now Auntie R didn't like her meal, but that should be a good sign for you! She likes her food REALLY bland. And traditional. (She was disappointed her butternut squash didn't come mashed or whipped, but in tiny little cubes mixed with fingerling potatoes. I don't think she ever even saw the little orange cubes because she didn't eat them. Moreover, she declared with disgust that "that squash tastes just like everyday potatoes!") For desert, my husband & I inhaled the bread pudding in caramel whisky sauce while Uncle W. told us how the army thought he was injured during a fox-hole drill. He was in the fox hole at 6 am & was supposed to wait for a call, then stick up the cardboard cut-out of a soldier for the other men to fire at. Well, they don't call him until 9 am, & by then he was fast asleep. All the gun shots hadn't woken him yet, so neither did the phone. Command got all concerned, kept calling -- no response -- & figured he must have been injured by stray bullets. So they halt the drill & run a "meat-wagon" to pick him up. W. says the guy was all mad, yelling "Well, shoot! This one ain't dead! He's just asleep!" So the 1st time Uncle W came here was when he was draftd in 1951. The bus picked him up in Burlington & they stopped at Tip Top Bread for sandwiches. Afterwards, he told his new buddies he was going to the bathroom. Goes in, comes out, bus is gone. He hails a cab and yells, "catch that bus!", which they did...in Windsor. "I'd been in the army for 2 hours, and I was AWOL already!!!" Go to Tip Top. And bring your favorite folks from another generation. Ask questions about The War. Learn about life without electricity. Ask them how they met, how they fell in love. Laugh your head off. And don't let Aunt R near the chimichurri.
(4)Jeffrey C.
My friends picked me up at WRJ station and we made a beeline here for dinner. the food is wonderful. Creative, delicious food, friendly staff, and tasty libations.
(3)Sarah R.
While taking a vacation in VT I followed the reviews on Yelp to this delightful restaurant. I was not disappointed! The lavender rubbed duck breast over apricot relish with black rice & braised red cabbage is one of the best meals I've ever had. Even a basic salad was give some flare- the Caesar is flashed grilled and the char on lettuce lends a sweetness to the romaine. The creative use of the old radiators from this charming building was wonderful too- painted and used to make a fence around the out door dining area. I will certainly visit again if I find myself in that area!
(5)Mayumi K.
Stopped by this afternoon. I had about an hour to kill before I had to go pick up the lil ones, so i decided to grab a paper and hang out with a latte or something. I had no intention of having anything to eat, but as soon as I took one look at the menu.. i had to. Please understand that I am NOT a salad-only kinda girl - but their kale salad sounded sooo good. (Hard to find a restaurant that is brave enough to use kale as a star ingredient.) The kale was gently wilted, surrounded by big chunks of goat cheese, and topped with a creamy nut butter dressing. It was divine! I'm not sure if the salad is a special menu item.. but DAMN, it was good. As for service, everyone was very warm from the start. I had a server from a different table come by and ask me how the salad was. There was one little hiccup that I mentioned my server, but it was immediately remedied. Minutes later the manager(?) came by to apologize for the error. Hey, we're only human.. and it was fixed, so who needs to dwell? From the outside, it looks like an unassuming little coffee shop - but i'll tell you what, they're menu and service is something you'd find in the downtown of a metropolitan city. I highly recommend!
(4)Aaron S.
Walked right in, on the Friday of Labor Day, around 5. Gary was our server and I have to say he was one of the best I've seen. He took an interest in where we were from, how we found the place, and never used any of the standard server cliche lines. Really appreciated the local beers. We started out with the garlic fries (with a touch of sugar?!), which were quite addictive. I had the sesame pork and ginger meat loaf, and the fiancee had the pork chops. Both were delicious. This place seemed to be straddling the line of casual and trendy, I was comfortable in shorts, but others wore their oxford shirts and jeans. Also loved the art on the walls.
(5)Marie O.
We just finished an excellent meal at the Tip Top Cafe. Swordfish grilled to perfection. Fried fennel a delightful surprise. Lime Tart with raspberry sauce a nice ending. Enjoyed freshly brewed iced tea from Harney and Sons Teas. Wait staff attentive and friendly. Knowledgeable about all the entrées and desserts. We will be back.
(5)Sarah B.
The flash grilled Caesar salad was amazing and the crispy fries were easily the best I have had in my life.
(5)Jessica J.
I went with my mother for lunch. My mother had the salmon sandwich special for lunch and I had the Vietnamese sandwich. She enjoyed her sandwich but I was surprised because it had a salmon cream cheese instead of actual salmon on it. My sandwich was yummy but very different than traditional Bah Mi. The vegis were similar but the meat was this pork meat ball, tasty but not what you'd expect. I Overall I think they have a neat local, good ambiance vibe. They have definitely taken a different direction with some of the dishes. The service was great and our waiter was very attentive, but not obnoxious. I should note that I accidentally got the dinner menu, which looked fabulous but more pricey than I'd casually pay for a night out. (Maybe save it for a special occasion?)
(4)Shelley S.
Get the fries....they are to die for!
(5)Alicia B.
Had a great dinner at Tip Top Cafe today. Definitely one of the most under-rated restaurants in the Upper Valley. I've eaten here twice and both times really enjoyed the atmosphere and food. The restaurant has been fairly quiet both times I stopped in (as compared to Murphy's or Canoe Club for example). I seriously don't get how they aren't busier! Service was consistently good both times I went. Food favorites so far are the garlic fries, pork & ginger meatloaf and the flourless chocolate torte. The torte is AMAZING! The only down side to Tip Top Cafe is that they are not open on Sundays and close relatively early (9pm).....so if it's Mon-Sat and before 9pm definitely go here!
(4)David P.
Stopped for lunch because of the many positive reviews. I was, without a doubt, more than satisfied. Everything that I had screamed quality at my eyes, teeth and tongue; there were no shortcuts.
(4)Shane N.
I went here in a group of 5. While the rest of my party kept extolling the merits of the meal, I felt less enthusiastic for several reasons. I will describe my experience and leave it to you to decide. First off, our server was quite friendly. He knew the menu through and through, and after his description, 4 of us decided to share 2 of the specials of the day. Both groups ordered the sole. Everyone else who ordered the sole kept making yum sounds, but I didn't care for it all that much. I don't much like fried fish. But before the main entrees, we received bread, which was fantastic. We ordered red and white wine, and that was very good. We ordered soups too. I got the pumpkin bisque, which I didn't care for, and 3 others got the tomato bisque, which they loved. Soon after, we got salads, which I thought was grand. Then came the main course, as discussed, and with it, crispy fries. I only had a few of those since I filled up, to a great extent, on that wonderful bread. We passed on dessert, since we had cake at home (it was a birthday party.) The atmosphere was upscale modern, if not upscale trendy. It was aesthetically pleasing, while not at all distracting. It was calmly lit, but on the dark side. I like that. I seem to recall music, but it was subdued. So, why a 3/5? Well, mainly because of the sole and the soup. They just didn't wow me. Please keep in mind that the rest of my party seemed to be as happy as clams, so the meals I chose might just not have been for me. I would definitely go again, but I would order something else. Maybe I'd come back with a 5. This is a good date place, and a splendid option for fine dining in WRJ. Enjoy.
(3)Shanon P.
Provided the perfect lunch on a cold, dreary day. It was our first visit. My husband ordered the the pulled pork and gave it a B (could improve with less bun and more pork). We shared the garlic fries, an A. I ordered the soup special, apple and cauliflower, an A+ - uniquely flavored and delicious. I also thoroughly enjoyed the cappuccino. Warm atmosphere, friendly service. We'll return!
(4)Rob N.
This place has it all. Great atmosphere, food and service. so good that I'm staying for dessert. I highly recommend the lamb as your main course, its new on the menu this week.
(5)David R.
Had a very good meal once before and went back this past weekend. It was Dartmouth graduation and they were very busy but 40 minutes to get a bottle of wine and over an hour for a very mediocre meal. Very disappointing. They were very, very nice and seemed to be working hard but not much seemed to work. I would give it another chance based on my first visit and hope it was just a very bad night.
(2)Craig G.
Great food! Their emphasis is not to turn tables over quickly. Their service is methodical and precise. They fries were great. Their have a decent drink selection including a few Vermont craft beers. Their wee no changing tables in the bathrooms for babies. Although them have a kids menu, they are not 100% family friendly. The cup for our little one was a coffee cut with lid and a straw. The food was great! The menu is very smart and local. I had the Roast beef and my wife had a falafel wrap! Both were awesomely build and favored! I would stop here again and hope they they think about upgrading somethings to be a bit more family friendly!!
(4)Liz A.
After fetching our weekend visitor from the Greyhound Station in White River Junction, we headed into town for lunch and picked this place on a lark. I'm so pleased we did! All of us enjoyed our lunches, the service was solid, and the prices were reasonable. J. had the B.L.A.T. (bacon, romaine, avocado and tomato with garlic aioli on multigrain bread) and was very pleased. M. had the special -- a ground lamb burger with ground red onion and kalamata olives and feta cheese all mixed into it. She also enjoyed it, though was perhaps looking for something more distinctly (traditionally?) lamby. Both of those were served with lightly dressed greens on the side. I was THRILLED with the Grilled Artisinal Flatbread -- combining so many of my favorite tastes: mint parsley pesto, prosciutto, summer squash, and topped with lightly dressed arugula. There were also some sweet little orange tomatoes with the arugula. YU-UM. I might try to make some mint parsley pesto at home this week -- not that it would compare. Just that I've got the parsley and mint on hand. And a hankering.... Anyhow, I really appreciated the thoughtful combination of flavors, the proportions, the presentation. I'm not often in White River Junction, but I'd definitely return -- and the drink (capital-D Duh-rink) menu looked like it had lots of fun stuff on it. Comfortable atmosphere, relaxing decor. Check it out!
(4)Rachel K.
Great stop on our weeklong road trip. Wait staff was wonderful and thoughtful-without asking, they happily served our shared salad and meal on separate plates. The salad special was very tasty with candied walnuts and apples, but the meat load stole the show. It was savory and perfectly grilled. The sauce, green beans, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes were perfect complements. Well done!
(5)Sandra P.
This place is amazing. From the outside, you would think you're walking into a store, or yoga studio. However, when you step one foot into this quaint, cute place, you are pleasantly surprised. And when you taste their food, it will transport you to a delicious, magical place. For lunch time, this cafe is fast and delicious. For dinner it is homemade and superb! Everything was clean, portions were on the smaller side, and the atmosphere speaks for itself. I had the Tomato Bisque soup (which is one of their staples), then the Fried Brie salad, as well as the garlic fries. The food was unbelievable. I went with my coworker, and we had to get dessert! We ate the Banana Cheesecake, and absolutely loved it. The waitstaff and hostess are also incredibly nice. Love this place!
(5)Angel R.
We were denied service here in 2010 while trying to patronize the place because we had our 1-year old with us. They claimed the open tables were taken. Really, on a Wednesday night in White River Junction between seasons? Come on. I've taken my daughter to restaurants in Washington DC where they don't even have high chairs and never been turned away. What a way to make a family feel like 2nd-class citizens, Tip Top.
(1)Matthew B.
five star food and atmosphere. friendly & knowledgeable staff works as a team very low prices fast service in the middle of lunch rush oh, and best fries of your life.
(5)Max F.
By chance, we stopped here in 2009 on our way from Boston to Stowe. It was exceptional. Three years later, on the same drive - we found it a second time. It continues to be five star worthy. It is the PERFECT stopping point. The food is wonderful and the service is the best.
(5)Michael H.
Came back again and am still pleased and impressed by the nice people, the nice place and the very good food. Off-street parking helps. I still like this place!
(5)M D.
We've had dinner here twice and it's been great on both occasions. The service is consistently good and dinner is always excellent. Great cocktail menu- Tip Top is a favorite for getting together with friends... Please add a few more entree selections to increase the variety a bit. Otherwise, great place.
(4)Brian V.
Stopped in the area for business and this restaurant was recommended by the company I was visiting. Abashedly, I have to admit my expectations were low for the area in general, but I was impressed by Tip Top Cafe. My colleague (an herbivore) and I (an omnivore) had dinner here on a Tuesday night. The place was fairly full at 7:30, but we had no wait for a table (although I gather reservations would be a good idea). Service was friendly and genuine with a relaxed air -- exactly my style. I ordered the arugula salad with poached pear, cashews, gorgonzola, and vinaigrette. I'm a fan of arugula in any form and loved this salad despite cashews being low on my list of preferred nuts. The cashews were honey glazed with toasted sesame and added a different note to the normal play of bleu/pear/vinaigrette. Grilled filet was a special that night with grilled asparagus served on gnocchi stuffed with gorgonzola and a fresh simple pomodoro. The asparagus had the right amount of char from the grill and the steak was simply seasoned with only salt. I was very pleased with the meal. Not the best steak I've ever had as it was slightly overdone (pink and the slightest bit parched) instead of my med.rare request (warm red succulent and juicy), but I definitely cleaned my plate. My colleague had a risotto with a variety of vegetables. From my side of the table, it looked colorfully verdant and appetizing. He said he enjoyed it, but never offered to share. Overall, I was pleased with the well-rounded flavors and clean presentation. I also thought the dinner was a good value for the quality of preparation, but I'm from out of town so I don't know how it ranks in the area. If the steak had been done exactly to my liking, I would have given them five stars, but I have pretty high expectations on grilled beef. All in all I enjoyed the meal and would definitely come back for a second visit.
(4)Julia S.
I was disappointed and underwhelmed by Tip Top Cafe. Everything started out well: the space is nice, the staff is friendly, and the somewhat strange cilantro dressing they give you with the bread is very tasty. I almost never say no to garlic fries so we started with that. They were good but somehow sweet in a way that was distracting; it tasted as if they salted and sugared their fries. The mussels were interesting, maybe from the beer broth, but not in a successful way. The friend I came with, who is not a picky eater, strongly disliked them. It was a waste of good mussels. The steak entree was very tasty and flavorful, but the lamb entree was a disaster. The meat was over-charred and tasted simply burnt while the side dish was bland. I have heard a lot of good things about Tip Top so I will likely go back to give it a second chance. I am wary, though, and I will not be recommending it in the meanwhile.
(2)Muebla S.
Three of us met here after a long day of traveling. Two of us were regulars, the other, a first-timer. We had to have some of Tip Top's signature offerings: flash grilled caeser (i.e., a wedge of romaine that's been lightly grilled, and seasonings) and crispy fries with garlic aioli. The latter were good, and the dip definitely garlicky. They were and served festively in a vertical conical holder...but...I think really good fries only need salt. Maybe some catsup. These had a sweetish seasoning, that I didn't think was necessary, and I am not really big on having a fatty dip (mayo, aioli, ranch dressing, etc.) with fries. I liked Burdick's fries (where we went the next day) better. I had Tip Top's sesame pork and ginger meat loaf, a signature entrée. It was ok, but I don't think I'd order it again. I think I might have liked the combination better as a stir fry. One of my dining companions had panko crusted day boat flounder, which is topped with rhubarb, vanilla bean and fennel slaw. The "slaw" was interesting, with slivered pieces of the veggies setting off the flounder. I think we agreed that it would have been better without the vanilla bean. The third member of our party had...I think it was the grilled herb lamb sirloin. She really liked it, and especially the fava beans that came with it.
(4)Emily M.
I've been here so many times, and finally am getting around to writing a review. Most recently I went with a large group of friends for my birthday. The waitress was friendly and curteous, and the food was delicious. My key lime martini was incredibly delicious, and the garlic fries were phenomenal (as always - these are a must-try!). I had the salmon for my entrée, and it was some of the best cooked fish I've had up here in VT. Definitely recommend Tip Top - it's one of my favorite places to eat in the Upper Valley.
(5)Dale S.
Not exactly bad, but definitely overrated and overpriced. Heard many good things about Tip Top, so we decided to try it out. I got the meat loaf and my girlfriend got the flounder. Neither was much better than what we could have cooked at home (and we're not great cooks). Very underwhelming considering the reputation of the restaurant. We had the flourless torte for dessert, which was actually very good, but it's hard to justify spending $100 on a mediocre meal for two when the dessert is the only outstanding thing. The thing is, if the bill were $50-60 total, it would have been a decent meal for the price. But if I'm going to spend $50+ per person, I expect more. For these prices, I'd rather go to Simon Pearce or The Canoe Club.
(3)Sutton C.
This is a great place to eat in White River Junction, there isn't much around so it's nice to have such a nice option. If you are going to see a Northern Stage show, grab dinner here before curtain. The tomato bisque soup is delicious as is all of their salads.
(4)Archana V.
Who knew I would find this gem of a restaurant in this part of VT! If only I had ventured out of Burlington more often! We were in Quechee for a relaxing weekend, and drove over to TipTop motivated by the amazing yelp reviews. And boy what a good decision that was! Every dish we tried was excellent. The pesto like sauce that came with the bread was A-mazing. My lamb was perfectly done and the white bean-artichoke salad was zesty and very flavorful. Also tried the crabcakes, salmon with mashed potatoes, the flourless chocolate cake and the creme brulee- all of them top notch! All the good food coupled with a glass of pinot noir, attentive service and the perfect ambience, this was definitely the best meal in a really long time!
(5)Gregory K.
Good food and kid friendly. Really enjoyed it
(4)thomas c.
Just moved to the area today. Wanted to grab a quick lunch and relax. Walked into the restaurant at 2:15 pm. even though they stopped serving lunch at 2:00 pm. the waitress happily sat us with no second thought. we shared a bowl of the butternut squash soup and a cuban pork sandwhich. both were yummy and plenty of food. The place was modern and very sexy. will return.
(4)See W.
Simple, wonderful and unforgettable.
(5)Amy L.
Every time I come to town I like to eat at two places: Tip Top and Yama. Here I really enjoy the yummy fries and tomato basil bisque... And usually the specials seem very interesting! Gods wine list, good coffee- what else to ask for? 4 stars instead of 5 because the soup this visit was almost boiling and I burnt my tongue.
(4)Angela N.
I came here with a big group of people. The art's appalling and it's got that industrialist chic going on (exposed piping, that kind of thing). The party was over 20 strong and they only gave us one waitress. When it became clear she wasn't going to cut it, we were quickly provided with two more. Most of the time they kept the drinks coming. The food is very good - portions a little large for me, but I wasn't complaining - and the creme brulee was fine too, so I've no qualms. One thing that was weird was the row of chairs perched just outside the bathroom. This had the unfortunate result of filling with people, who surprised you with apparently rapt attention when you wandered out of the loo.
(3)K M.
Great food, good service, great location, nice atmosphere. Some unique menu items too.
(4)Leslie A.
I can't believe I just barely found Tip Top before leaving the Upper Valley. The menu is excellent, and the decor is modern and contemporary. I only wish I'd tried the fries with garlic aioli because they looked amazing! The bread with the aioli, however, is a reasonable substitute.
(4)John D.
Amazing. Short menus usually scare me but I can't wait to go back and try it all at Tip Top. The first night in WRJ i found Tip Top. I ordered the lobster risotto. It was absolutely delicious. I was only in WRJ for 2 days so had to try it again. This time i ordered the pork and ginger meatloaf with red wine demi sauce. Again, absolutely delicious. The chef here can wipe up some amazing dishes. I cant wait to go back to WRJ just to try them again. In addition the house dipping sauce they serve with bread made my mouth water. It was so good i had to ask for extra.
(5)Christopher M.
Top Notch! Great for lunch or dinner, and before theater or concert. Inventive cuisine at a reasonable price. Stylish decor and friendly waitstaff.
(5)E A.
Tip Top is in a cool building in White River Junction, the inside is cozy and nice casual, though there is no bar. Service was attentive, and efficient. Now for the food - bread service was a couple of slices of baguette or something white, couldn't tell cause when they sliced it they seemed to have squashed it. It was nice that it was warm though, and the melted butter was a nice touch. Wine was a bit overpriced I thought, and the malbec I ordered was on the too warm side. Had a bowl of the tomato bisque, mediocre at best. Entrees were: Sesame ginger meatloaf for the hubby, it was good, he was surprised that he liked it as much as he did. A slice of meatloaf, grilled, and served atop mashed potatoes, and sauced. It was pleasant, but kind of also weird that it could have been a slice of grilled tuna, and you would have a little hard time identifying. But good. I had the special, Venison, osso buco. The meat was tough, it could have used another 1 1/2 hour simmering. Osso buco should be meltingly unctuous, and this was kind of dry and tough. The sauce helped a little, and the rapini and mashed potatoes were good. For dessert was the caramel bread pudding, I do not recommend getting this. It was rubbery, and very dense. Too bad cause I was looking forward to it. So in conclussion, Tip Top is hit or miss, ok corner bistro, but choose from the menu wisely.
(2)Frank W.
My wife, child, and I just enjoyed a marvelous dinner featuring local ingredients, coupled with superb service. I highly recommend this establishment, but would advise you to arrive early because it is busy by six.
(5)Ella B.
Food is always great. Love the flash-grilled caesar. Waitstaff always attentive but in a good way. I recommend it!
(5)Sarah B.
I have eaten here several times and am rarely disappointed. I LOVE The sweet and salty fries with the garlic aioli- a must when I come here. The flash grilled caesar is another tasty dish....I do wish they would change or add to their menu more often. It's a small ( limited) menu , so it could use a few changes and additions now and then!
(4)Kate R.
Good wines, best french fries, small but interesting menu. Outdoor seating is lovely in the summer.
(4)