The Palms Restaurant

Reviews

• Carl C.

  star star star star star_border 24 September 2026

  Stopped in last night. My cousin recommended we go here. It was a favorite of her mother's.
  
  Small place with street parking. We were able to parallel park right in front of the restaurant. Once we got inside, I was greeted by a small but rather charming restaurant.
  
  The service was good.  Our waitress came back several times to make sure that everything was good.
  
  They serve fresh garlic with the warm bread. That was different and enjoyable. A little garlic, some olive oil on the table and a pinch of salt and I was in for a treat.
  
  I started with some  buffalo wings. For an Italian restaurant, they exceeded my expectations. They were fried up nicely with a sauce that had a good balance of pepper and vinegar.
  
  My entree was the baked shrimp. The shrimp was fresh and cooked well. The stuffing itself was somewhat sparse. It was good. I just suppose that I had pictured it to be something else in my mind.  I had the pasta with it. There sauce was excellent. Fresh, light and not at all bitter. That my friends stole the show here.
  
  If you're Rutland, give this place a shot.

• Rich H.

  star star star star star_border 20 September 2026

  We have eaten here twice, I thought the food was very good. The pizza was excellent.
  There meatballs were very tasty. If your not into Italian, there isn't much to choose from.
  The place was very busy, service was good and the food served hot.
  We will go again.

• Patricia R.

  star star star star star 15 September 2026

  We came on a tour bus. Service was fast. They served a buffet. Food was hot and well presented. I had a veggie dish that was extremely delish. I highly recommend.

• Greg G.

  star star star star star_border 12 September 2026

  I had not eaten here in over 10 years (Mintzer Brothers was down the street). I remembered it as being good. My memory served me correct. Personally, as a seasoned business traveler, I like these types of places. Well established, local eatery with good authentic food. The marinara is spicy, not sweet. The portions are nice. I had seafood fra diavalo which was great. Not expecting good seafood in Vermont! The chicken parm was good too. We finished with a Kentucky pie and chocolate cake, both of which were excellent. Cannot wait to stop in again on my next trip here.

• A F.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 11 September 2026

  Until this visit any meal the I had at this place while growing up in Rutland and visiting family when I come home has been excellent.
  This visit was a real disappointment which was completely unexpected.
  The Palms has been timeless, but perhaps it's season has passed.
  We went there October 13th for a celebration. We made reservations.
  we were seated promptly and our waiter, who was warm and funny introduced himself and gave us our menus.
  From that point forward it was all downhill.
  when we ordered our drinks our waiter said that the bartender was preparing some specialty order drinks and it would be a few minutes. We looked around and felt as about half the tables were full, it wouldn't be too long.
  It was.
  We ordered appetizers and entrees and patiently waited. After some time we received a basket of cold bread, and our Vinegar and Oil tray. And then our drinks.
  We don't mind waiting for good food. But over an hour later we received our entee's.
  What disappointment!
  My husband's Seafood Fra Diavalo wasn't spicy so much as just plain hot! This is an entree he has ordered many times and never turned purple and drank everyone's water!
  My siter and I ordered stuffed Manicotti with Meatballs. Both were served lukewarm. Not al'dente'...under cooked with the ricotta filling the consistency of glue. Little sauce and the shredded cheese on top was barely melted. The meatballs were under cooked.
  We asked for our appetizers and they were unceremoniously dropped off at the table with no apology.
  At one point there was no staff visible on the floor. Another point we received more bread and another condiment Oil and Vinegar which was quickly picked up again as was the original.
  Perhaps if I hadn't set up the meal in my head to the high standards of the past we wouldn't have been so very disappointed.
  I did write to the Palms and received an answer hours after from the owner that he wasn't there on Sat. and would look into it.
  I don't know what the exact issues were, but I'm not willing to spend my time or money there with food that was poorly prepared and served.
  
  On past experience I would have given them 5 stars, but this performance was a 1 at best.
  I will be watching for further reviews before going back.