Fresh Food. Historic Place. Purposeful Work.

Enjoy made-to-order breakfast and lunch in Burlington’s historic Innovation Center, where every meal helps support meaningful training and employment opportunities.

Monday through Friday · 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM
Breakfast served all day · Dine in or take out
Free parking

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Historic brick Innovation Café building and tall mill smokestack at 128 Lakeside Avenue in Burlington, Vermont

Made Fresh, Monday Through Friday

From all-day breakfast and freshly prepared sandwiches to crisp salads, quesadillas, smoothies, and locally roasted coffee, there is something for every appetite at the Innovation Café.

Breakfast, All Day

Start your morning, or brighten your afternoon, with breakfast sandwiches, hearty pockets, omelets, and more.

Lunch Favorites

Choose from freshly prepared sandwiches, wraps, quesadillas, burgers, and crisp made-to-order salads.

Coffee & Smoothies

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A Café with a Story

The Innovation Café is located in a distinctive part of Burlington’s historic mill complex, first established in 1894. Today, this remarkable setting has a new purpose: bringing people together over fresh food while helping students and trainees gain practical workplace experience.

Your Meal Makes a Difference

Through partnerships with local organizations, the Innovation Café provides hands-on opportunities in food preparation, baking, customer service, finance, and other essential workplace skills. Every visit helps support this meaningful work.

Our Story

Trainee Program

What Our Guests Are Saying

From all-day breakfast and freshly prepared lunches to friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere, our guests share what they enjoy about visiting the Innovation Café.

Innovation Cafe

4.7

Based on 16 reviews

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Drew Puzon

1 month ago

I wouldn't go there again if you payed for my meal. No regular coffee and driest omelet ever. Forgot the cheese on my cheese omelet. Did I mention unfriendly staff doing nothing

Stephen Kastner

2 months ago

Delicious food in a great atmosphere. Very comfortable environment and I even found a book in the lending library. There are also some nice picnic tables under the trees so you can even sit outside if you want to. There's plenty of free parking.

Bethany Little

1 year ago

Lovely service!! Awsome food!!!

Captain Kirk

1 year ago

We have been to many of the regular Burlington breakfast spots up Pine, down Church and back on Shelburne. I just had the best breakfast sandwich I have ever had outside of my kitchen. It may seem simple, but getting it just right with a freshly fried
super tasty egg (yes, a good fresh egg has a taste), crispy bacon, real cheese, and for my choice, a fresh bagel all just right is joy. The friendliness and industrious staff too it off. This is a special place.

robbin barker

1 year ago

Quality breakfast wrap (although the cheddar cheese was orange lol) for $9.
Apparently, this cafe exists to give vision impaired folks jobs. The place has a very good, friendly vibe. Great quick breakfast option for this part of town. 👍🏿

Debra Trueax

1 year ago

So yummy! I had the savory breakfast wrap with turkey sausage. Egg, sausage, onion & peppers with pesto sauce. It was juicy and the wrap was lightly grilled. Just perfect! Service quick and so friendly.

Jano Abc

1 year ago

Great coffee, friendly staff. I didn't get a chance to grab breakfast but I wish I did - everything looked great and the prices were great, too. A very bright and welcoming cafe with a cozy easy chair area and plenty of tables. They even provide the books at a small take one/leave one library!

Daniel Young

1 year ago

Amazing customer service, genuinely delicious food, nice atmosphere & great prices. The perfect place to grab lunch.

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Come Visit the Innovation Café

Whether you are stopping in for all-day breakfast, meeting a friend for lunch, or picking up something to go, we look forward to welcoming you.

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Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM
128 Lakeside Avenue, Burlington, Vermont

We cater… 802.652.6848