A Guide to the Best Eats Near Our Vermont Factory

May 6, 2017

Sadly, you can’t live on Ben & Jerry’s ice cream alone. Trust us, we’ve tried. So to help make your next visit to our Waterbury, Vermont, factory and visitor center complete, we put together this local dining guide. Whether you’re an aspiring Vermont localvore, craft beer connoisseur or a family on a budget, there are breakfast, lunch and dinner options for any palate (and wallet). If you want to eat like a local, read on for a few of our favorite spots in the Waterbury/Stowe area.

Best Breakfast Joints

K.C.’s Bagel Café

Boasting New York-style bagels freshly baked on-site, K.C.’s Bagel Café is a downtown Waterbury staple, and the perfect morning pick-me-up. With sandwiches as well, bagel and otherwise, it's an excellent lunch spot, too.

McCarthy’s

One of the most popular breakfast spots in Stowe, McCarthy’s is a family-owned local favorite known for comfort food and friendly service. Their lunch is downright awesome, too. 

 

Favorite Lunch Spots

Edelweiss Mountain Deli 

Sandwiches from the Edelweiss country store and deli are aaahh-mazing. Grab one to go and then find a nice spot along the nearby Stowe Bike Path for a picnic.

Swiss Fondue by Heinz

Make your Stowe experience complete with a lunchtime stop at Swiss Fondue by Heinz—a cozy and rustic spot located in the heart of the village. Their crepes are incredible, too!

 

Perfect Places to Share A Pie

Piecasso Pizzeria 

After a day of exploring with the family in Stowe, there’s no better stop than Piecasso. Travel & Leisure voted them as one of country’s top 11 places to grab a slice. They've got an ample selection of locally crafted adult beverages, too.

The Blue Stone 

Serving up hand-tossed pizzas, rustic dishes, and craft brews in a saloon-style setting in downtown Waterbury, The Blue Stone offers locally sources ingredients with a twist. 

 

For Date Night

Hen of the Wood 

Nestled in a historic grist mill along Thatcher Brook in Waterbury, Hen of the Wood is critically acclaimed for its intimate setting and inspired local and seasonal cuisine. Co-owner Chef Eric Warnstedt is a seven-time nominee for the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Northeast.

Michael’s on the Hill

With views overlooking the spine of the Green Mountains, Michael’s on the Hill is well-known for serving locally sourced continental cuisine in an elegantly renovated 1820 farmhouse.

 

If You Love A Good Brew, Too

Prohibition Pig 

With 20+ craft beers on tap, including many brewed in-house, plus some of the best southern-style dishes and BBQ this side of the Mason-Dixon Line, Prohibition Pig is sure to please. 

The Reservoir Restaurant & Tap Room

Located in the heart of downtown Waterbury, The Reservoir offers generous portions of Vermont comfort food, and lays claim to having the most beers on tap in the state. Among the 38 drafts, you'll find a few of their very own in-house brews to wash down their well-known wings.

Deli Bakery and Brewery at Trapp Family Lodge 

Quite possibly the most scenic spot on our list, this hidden gem at Stowe’s Trapp Family Lodge is the perfect place to enjoy a fresh pastry or sandwich and a beer from their Austrian-style brewery.

Doc Ponds

Two turn tables and an impressive vinyl collection set the mood at this hip beer bar with 24 beers on tap, and nearly 60 offerings in bottles and cans (clap your hands!). Doc Ponds offers upscale-but-affordable comfort foods that you can finish off with a milkshake or a slice of house-made pie.

 

The Budget-Friendly Picks

Stowe Street Café 

A hidden gem tucked away in downtown Waterbury, Stowe Street Café is a great breakfast, lunch, or early dinner spot featuring a healthy array of handcrafted soups, salads, and sandwiches. 

 

Best For Big Groups

The Matterhorn Bar & Grill

(Almost) as iconic as its namesake mountain, The Matterhorn is a Stowe après ski destination that serves up pizza, wing AND sushi year round. There's live music and a fireside game room, too!

Arvads Grill

A family-run centerpiece of downtown Waterbury, Arvads Grill prides themselves for steaks, burgers, and more with a focus on local ingredients. Their front deck is the perfect perch in the warmer months.