I love Vermont because it has so much great local fresh food
In the Mad River Valley alone:
American Flatbread - great pizza and salads, and good beer on tap - waitsfield
Warren store - cookies, sandwiches - warren
Red Hen Bakery - AMAZING bread and cookies, croissants, coffee - middlesex
Sandy's Seasoned books - awesome cookies, breads, sandwiches, quiches, etc. they pick veggies from their back yard and go right into the food - rochester
Hostel Tevere - awesome breakfast - warren
Big picture - Great burritos and more awesome breakfast
I thought the Farmer diner in Middlebury was a little overrated.
I really like the Bridge Street Cafe in Richmond. All of their food is great, but I love their breakfast. They use a lot of local, fresh ingredients. They serve Switchback too so its always a good choice for dinner.
The Paisley Hippo Sandwich Shop in Hinesburg also has really good food. They have a ton of original sandwiches, including their "killer" cheesesteaks (per the menu). Great for meeting someone for lunch or grabbing some takeout.
I love Sandy's Seasoned Books in Rochester too, GREAT place!
I love the Alchemist in Waterbury if you want good food and great beer and don't mind waiting for it sometimes. Also Michael's On the Hill in Waterbury/Stowe is well worth the price for special occassions, same goes for Hen of the Wood in Waterbury.