Oakes & Evelyn - Montpelier

Oakes & Evelyn isn’t just dinner — it’s a full dining experience. The bartender is like a mad scientist in the best way, always experimenting and elevating even the classics with incredible flavor. The food is thoughtful and beautifully plated. The Branzino is hands-down the best thing I’ve eaten in Vermont since moving here — crispy, flavorful, and balanced perfectly with bright pickled veggies and that ginger chimichurri (I could drink it). This is one of those rare spots where the care behind every cocktail and dish really shines. It's not fast or cheap, but if you're after creativity, flavor, and a night that feels a little special, it's absolutely worth it. Casual vibe, top-tier experience.

Only rated atmosphere 4 stars because of how close the tables are to one another. Great food, friendly, swift and attentive staff. Prime location for downtown. Close to everything. Didn't take advantage but the small print on the menu even suggests that they can veganize some of the dishes. Price was fitting for the quality and portion size. Minus the mushroom bao bun... probably a little steep at the $8 or $9 charge. Went here for our 18y anniversary. Unfortunately we don't consume dairy so no desert for us. We would gladly return to try some of the other fish dishes or perhaps one of their no dairy vegan versions of a dish. Calamari was amazing, first time I could guarantee I was having the real thing...reminded me of a small French restaurant in Paris or somewhere similar. Worth the stop!

This place means a lot to me. Was traveling from Montreal to Boston in mid April 2025, had a stop at Montpelier by accident, was forced to spend the night in the town and I didn’t know where to go. Walked into this restaurant, bartender Tobin served me with great drinks, and provided me with a lot of information about the town and helped me in any way he can. Atmosphere here is great, had conversations with some staff and they are all very very welcoming and friendly people!! If I ever come back to Montpelier I would definitely visit again! (Last time unfortunately I didn’t try much food, but the options on the menu seem delicious) Also recommended this place to any of my friends who were visiting/passing by, they all liked it a lot.

Aug 2025: This was our second visit and we didn't enjoy it as much. We both had the crispy octopus, too spicy for my tastes. I had the steak. The meat was a proper medium rare but it was topped with a pasta that was covered in a cheesy sauce that didn't go well with meat. The soft shell crab bao is terrific. My steak was good but it was cooked a little beyond the medium rare that I ordered. They have outdoor dining but they won't reserve an outdoor table however they will put a note on your reservation that says you want it.

2025: The food was not as good as the last time we were here three years ago. Crispy octopus was fine, but spicy. I did not think the flavors went together, although the octopus itself was prepared well. The Jonah crab pasta had more bacon than crab, so it has a strong smokey flavor and it overpowered the minced crab. 2022: Soft shell bao bun was excellent, I enjoyed it very much. Scallop and pork belly was good. The steak was slightly overdone (not medium rare as ordered). Chocolate desert was a mousse with strawberries and raspberries for nice ending that was not too sweet. They have a nice outdoor area - 4 or 5 tables under umbrellas. They protect from the sun but not rain.

Truly delicious food, especially any of the mushroom dishes. Sat at the bar less than an hour before closing and they re-opened the kitchen just for us! Very grateful. The service and company was wonderful as well. Would easily come back if in the area again.

Exquisite food, comfortable atmosphere, excellent service (Sarah was fantastic). Some of the best food we've had in months. Outstanding overall.

My husband and I absolutely adore this restaurant. We come here for nearly all our special occasions as a couple. I would feel quite confident saying this is the best restaurant in VT where we’ve dined and we are huge travel foodies. You will not be disappointed if you enjoy fine dining.

Brie was our waiter who was super friendly and well informed about the menu and gave us good suggestions They had live music which is a routine feature on Wednesdays Appetizers were light yet delightful 1. Bao bun with fried oyster mushroom - i would call this a two bite delight - soft bun packed with crispy. Mushroom goodness 2. Fennel apple salad - was a refreshing irresistible salad For entree we shared the Gnocchi whiz . was soft pillowy melt in your mouth goodness - home made and delicious Polenta olive oil cake to finish our meal - light not too sweet cake with the raspberries and edible flowers from the chefs garden to add to the freshness Amanda executive chef was a treat to talk to and so were the musicians group . We loved our time spent having an enjoyable intimate diner with love music and a romantic ambience ,

Really good, cozy spot in the center of Montpelier. The Bao buns are their signature delicious dishes, such good crispy mushroom bun and pork belly bun. Creamy butternut squash risotto and smooth crab dish with delicious toasted bread. The dessert was just okay, very sweet, wouldn't recommend the cupcake/devil's food cake. Wouldn't rush back but glad to try it!

More on the expensive side. Food was phenomenal. The beef tartar was delicious and the sauce and creme fraiche with the oysters was 10/10. The drink with the olives (a play on a martini) tasted like straight up vodka. Nothing else. Would come back for the food. Romantic setting.

This is a restaurant that every bit deserves its reputation. The staff were friendly and kind, but what really stood out was the food. When we ordered a lamb sausage dish whose name I can't pronounce, we kept our expectations low and were hoping it wouldn't turn out to be too weird. It turned out to be absolutely delicious. Next, the prime rib loin was perfectly done, with something that looked like a large piece of ravioli and cheese on top. I had no idea that it could be done that way, but it somehow worked out and was amazing. Lastly, we had a very picture-worthy peaches-and-cream slice of cheesecake which was decorated with mint leaves. It was lighter and less dense than most cheesecake, and it was a fitting end to our anniversary dinner.

We ate dinner here last night and the food was very good: we ordered the lamb merguez special, cape cod oysters, burrata and prosciutto with caramelized persimmons, octopus with thai chili peppers, and the passionfruit curd with coconut crust for dessert. The beet salad was delicious too. Service was great if a little on the slower side. Nice ambience. Great spot for a date night!

Another foodie friend and I have been wanting to try this place for awhile. Once we coordinated work schedules (she runs another fine dining establishment) with their availability for reservations, we chose a midweek, 6pm, about a month out (which is very reasonable). We knew this would be a culinary adventure and we were excited to try as many dishes as our stomachs would allow. I arrived first and was warmly greeted by the hostess and immediately seated. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate. When my friend arrived, I had her choose the wine, a bottle of Rosé that she recommended. It was light, perfectly acidic for the food we'd be eating and bubbly. We'd discussed the menu in advance, so when the server came over, she had me tell him what we were doing: lots of shared plates. They were as follows: -Spicy Korean Fried Chicken Steam Bun with kimchi, hoisin aioli, pickles. -Spicy Korean Fried Mushroom Steam Bun with kimchi, hoisin aioli, pickles. Thoughts: Of the two steam buns, I preferred the chicken; the flavor profile was excellent on both. We agreed that the buns themselves were perfection. 1/2 dozen Cape Cod Oysters (three varieties), 6 served with a habanero-cucumber-lime vinegar, horseradish creme fraîche, fresh lemon. Thoughts: We both tried each condiment, which I rarely do, as I like the pure brine of the oyster best, sometimes with a little squeeze of lemon or even a traditional mignonette. The sauces were very good on their own and we contemplated getting more oysters if we had more room later on (HAHA, who were we kidding). -Spiced Yellowfin Tuna Tartare with apple, citrus oil, celery, radish. -Hamachi Crudo with yuzu dashi, charred citrus, shallot, avocado, shiso, togarashi. -Scallop Crudo with spicy coconut, pineapple, pickled chiles, sea salt. -Ora King Salmon Crudo with hazelnut & green olive pesto, olive oil. Thoughts: All four of these were delicious and the marriage of flavors for each dish was spot on. My favorites were the tartare and scallop crudo. I would have never thought to combine pesto with raw fish and to me, it was an inventive twist on an Italian carpaccio. -Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras & Ahi Tuna with local apple & miso relish, beet & balsamic gastrique, pistachio. -Crispy Octopus with spiced lentils, confit tomatoes, olives, eggplant, fennel, 'nduja vinaigrette. -Small plate order of the Carbonara Filled Ravioli with charred cauliflower, bacon, parmesan, egg yolk jam. -Crispy broccolini Caesar salad with brioche croutons, parmesan frico and soft egg. Thoughts: These dishes were all quite decadent and rich. If we'd had any appetite left from our other small plates, it was decimated with these. The foie gras and ahi tuna was an unexpected, yet delightful fusion of flavors. This was a dish I had really wanted to try and the contrast of the velvety foie gras, the tender fresh tuna, with the slightly agro-dolce relish plus gastrique really melded together quite nicely. I think the pairing was true artistry and worked well. My initial bite was to taste the foie gras and ahi tuna on their own and it did not work as well (Note to self and to readers: trust the chefs, always). The crispy octopus was perfectly crisped on the outside with a light batter, very tender, thick tentacles on the inside. The accoutrements were spot on for it: spicy and flavor forward. My friend absolutely loved this dish; this was something she had looked forward to. The ravioli were to die for, creamy, delightful pillows of pasta with medium size chunks of bacon, more like thick pancetta. The egg yolk jam was excellent. We both loved it. We also loved the broccolini. Cutting into the soft egg as the yolk flowed over the dish was delightful. The parmesan frico were a little too thick and salty for my tastes, however, and overpowered the other flavors of the dish for me. Dessert: Chocolate Velvet Cake with avocado chocolate mousse, raspberries, cherry-beet reduction. Thoughts: heavenly. Lush, dense, decadent chocolate, creamy mousse, delicious reduction. The chefs worked their magic. They made sure to pace the dishes so we had time to just chat and relax between courses. The server whisked away plates and flatware after each course, made sure to keep refilling our wine glasses for us. We felt loved and cared for without any pretension (which is key). We definitely ordered too much food (my fault), but it was worth every penny. I would come back here to try the smoke beef tartare (we first smell this delectable aroma of smoke before we saw it being served with hurricane dome) and nosh on the other small plates, split a main course, such as the duck. If you're looking for fine dining without pretension, look no further.

Nice spot, however it's expensive! Food is good. Need a very distinctive palette. Not for young kids.

Awesome meal. Attentive service. Great drinks. Terrific desserts. What more could you ask for ? We split the rib eye steak. Tender, great sides. Small, intimate atmosphere, try it!

Not exactly tapas but most everything is served in small plates. The menu though is quite international from bao to naan to foie gras. Presentation is artful. Service is unobtrusive and efficient.

Almost every dish was amazing, very fresh ingredients. Me and my friend did not care for the main eggplant dish, it had no salt and the breading was not easy to eat.

We only ate there based on reviews. Not sure why the reviews were so good.Everything was bad. We got there for our 7:30 reservation. They were out of a pasta dish and the only salad on the menu. We ordered drinks and they took about 30 minutes. They only came then after reminding someone we never got them. The food took way too long. I ordered soy sauce for my appetizer and had finished it before the soy sauce came. I ordered an eggplant dish that was awful. My husband ordered the wavy steak that he bound not eat it was so tough. We ordered a Carmel pie dessert that was great. Our waitress knew we were unhappy as she commented the only thing you like was dessert. We told her that was correct. We had left our other dishes they were so bad. No apologies . Nobody asked what was wrong. Would never recommend this restaurant. I never do reviews but felt the need as we had such a bad dinner.

The only reason this gets 3 stars instead of 4 is because wow this was too pricey!! The food had hits and misses. The octopus was not good, but the mushroom bao was TASTY! The chorizo bao was okay, but not well shaped; the broccolini & cauliflower Caesar salad was YUM! (but a bit salty). The gnocchi really needed black and red pepper but was good and the ahi tuna / foie gras was incredible! I needed more cherry compote in the chocolate cake cause that was also delicious. Cocktails were really good!

Beautiful old building with a laid back ambiance, great service and maybe the best hamburger that I've ever eaten.

Don't miss this spot in Montpelier! Fresh, delicious, inventive food. Loved the candlelight vibe on a dark evening! The steamed buns and lamb ragu were amazing.

Ate here the first night upon arriving in Montpelier. Food was 5/5, they didn't have a massive menu (which is good), but everything there looked amazing. The bartender was extremely nice and got us started ahead of waiting for our table to be seated. The restaurant is small with dim lighting, but overall a calming environment. The food did take a while to come out but we were in no rush at all and it was definitely worth the wait.

Oakes and Evelyn stands alone in Montpellier and the surrounding area. It is just different. The food, the cocktails, the service, and the atmosphere are in a completely different league. During a month's stint on the outskirts of town, we took alternatively icy or muddy roads to this restaurant more than once. It is all the quality of a NYC award winner with none of the pretense. We tried most of the dishes and while all were delicious, the octopus stood out and was a repeat order for us. We worked out way through both food and cocktails and were never disappointed. We had the honor of meeting the chef/owner whose passion for food and service is abundantly clear (as is his experience in James Beard award winning kitchens). Come here to feel simultaneously spoiled and comfortable at the same time. I'll be swinging by next time I am in a 50 mile radius!

I had two apps, tartare and tuna. Tartare was unlike any tartare I've ever had anywhere, but good and would have it again. Tuna was unfortunately obliterated by fairly spicy, busy sauce - for tuna (if it's good) simpler is better, Wife had lamb which she said was good - not exactly as described on the menu, but good. Service was excellent and ambiance was comfortable and fairly quiet at 7 PM. It's a quite limited menu and prices are relatively high. Probably won't come again.

Best food in VT . Period. You can close your eyes and pick something off the menu, it's guaranteed to be delicious!! Went there a multiple times.

Best meal in town and for miles. The wine selection is terrific as are the mixed drinks. The service is impeccable: Personable, attentive, efficient, timely. The low lights are great for talking endlessly setting the mood for conversation over food and drink. Justin is fantastic. What I can appreciate is that they're consistently adventurous and bold and they can do it exquisitely. We prefer when establishments do not play it safe and go outside the box -- O&E can do that and they do. Execution is on point always. They were currently hit hard in the flood of July 2023 in Montpelier Vermont. Help them out at their gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/oakes-evelyn-reopening-relief-fund -- they are well worth it!

Such a great special occasion restaurant. The cocktails, wine, and food are phenomenal. Prices are fair for the high quality of everything served, but it's not inexpensive. Service was also wonderful & everything moved at just the right pace - they did not rush us even though we were the last table still finishing up at closing time. It's not a huge space, but they were able to accommodate 8 of us comfortably. There was live music for much of our dinner, too - it was lovely. Will definitely be returning. My husband is gluten free (Celiac) and they were super helpful at making sure he had a safe meal that was just as delicious as other non-GF items.

Very good brunch and they have vegan options. I had the eggs in purgatory and a mimosa. Highly recommend!

This place is amazing. It was like finding a 5-star NYC restaurant in the middle of Vermont. Highly highly recommend, will come again!!

Had dinner there for vday. Incredible from start to finish. A must if you're looking for a fancy night out and a thoughtful and delicious meal

Atmosphere, food, and staff are all fabulous. This has become our top choice of where to meet up with friends or celebrate events such as our anniversary. Recently, when a storm was raging, we got a call rescheduling our reservation because, "we won't risk our staffs' lives." This may be one of the reasons that this restaurant is a favorite, that people are prioritized is felt in all they do and serve. We are looking forward to many more memorable evenings enjoying their amazing meals.

This spot was exceptional. We had a selection of small plates, including a tuna tartare that must have had the slightest tint of fob spice warming it. The crispy octopus was all things Spanish, laying on a bed of sweet/sour eggplant and capers and olives, Smokey from the grill and paprika, was just plain good. Mushroom toast, topped with a soft poached egg and two slabs of buttery, melting pork belly was the heaviest of the dishes, and served to really fill us up. But then we saw another table's diver scallops walk by, and had to go for one more dish. The scallops were expertly seared with caramelized edges and moist centers. The pork belly showed up again as a base, but this time crisped up and charred just a bit around the periphery, giving crunch to the unctuousness and texture to the silkiness. Didn't need this extra dish, but so glad we did. We had four well crafted cocktails between us. Precious , herbaceous, boozy and perfect. Our server was laid back and casual, but still very professional and on her game, without being stodgy, really helping with a casual atmosphere where enjoying food took precedence over being fancy. This place is beautiful and I will definitely be back.

Went there for brunch, and as others have said, the food was quite good. Based on the food, I would go again, I am interested to try the dinner menu. Other reviews ("best in VT" " like a NYC 5 star restaurant") are a bit over the top, at least based on brunch. However, the service was not great. To be clear, the service wasn't even good. The restaurant was not half full and our meal took almost an hour to come out of the kitchen. We speculated the order was forgotten, as parties seated after us were served first. I always prefer an honest "I'm sorry, it's taking longer than expected..." from the server rather than pretending all is well. The server studiously avoided eye contact each time they passed the table, so asking for coffee (or anything) refills was challenging. A request for coffee refills was forgotten. I drank my coffee almost black because I couldn't get their attention to refill the cream pitcher. Perhaps it was a new inexperienced server. Staffing is tricky these days. But the service tarnished our experience. They should try harder.

Really great unique food you won't be able to have anywhere else! Even the more traditional dishes are well made with great, fresh ingredients. Beautiful presentation. A bit too much AC we got cold, but the hot coffee and soup warmed us up!

Some of the best food around, a little expensive but soooo worth it We order family style and eat a little bit of everything

Fantastic. One of the best meals we've had in a while. The reviews are not exaggerated- this place is amazing. Raves for the gnocchi, tuna and foie gras, the hamachi crudo and hummus... and everything else!

The food was some of the best I've ever had. We tried more than half the menu amongst our group and everyone had nothing but positive feedback. It's nice to have quality, crafted dishes without being in a stuffy environment. Staff was very helpful answering all of our questions. Great selection of wine too!

I never leave O&E without a smile on my face Fantastic menus Fantastic service Fantastic mixology Always looking for an excuse to come back!

Bravo to this newly opened restaurant. We enjoyed Brunch. Smooth service, nice cocktail menu and gorgeous presentation. Our party of 5 loved the Island Creek Oysters with a very nice tobacco citrus emulsion. The Fried Chicken Biscuit Sandwich stands out topped with maple aioli and pickles. Nice job on spicy Dan Dan noodles using delicious local pork, another yummy aioli and those homemade pickles! Duck confit, stuffed pork buns all delicious. Gnocchi bolognese and Ginger turmeric tea very nice. Looking forward to trying them for dinner and dessert. The Chefs have a sweet cookbook collection.

We were a group of 7 for brunch. The food was not only impressively plated but delicious! All our meals were outstanding! It is obvious every customer is treated as if they genuinely care about your service. A MUST GO restaurant!

Without exaggeration, this was easily one of the best meals I've had in my life. From start to finish, every dish we had was unique, thoughtful, and delicious. I cannot recommend this place enough!

Very quaint little restaurant! Food was phenomenal and the staff was very warm and welcoming!

We visited Oakes & Evelyn during our vacation in Vermont a couple of months ago and I still think about the delicious food we had here. Friendly staff, great atmosphere and delicious food. The Slow Braised Lamb Ragu was by far the best pasta I've every had!

A million times yes! Food and service were amazing. Absolutely coming back. We got 4 different drinks, the scallop crudo, the hamachi, the seared scallops and pork belly, the wagyu, and all three of the desserts... I honestly haven't had such an impressively perfect meal in a long time. Highly recommend.

This restaurant is better than most places I've been to in New York and I lived in the City for three years. The Mushroom Toast was a winner. The Dan Dan Noodles were innovative and flavorful. I've never had anything like the Pumpkin Spice Tiramisu before. Everything was absolutely amazing and we will go out of our way to come back here the next time we're in Vermont!

Been here a couple times. Always sit at the sheds table have a great meal. Food is fantastic

The best meal I've had like ever. From buns to naan to gnocchi. The service was amazing. The ambiance was fantastic. A must stop if you find yourself in the capital city and love fine dining.

Amazing meal last night! We started with delicious mock tails (blueberry and ginger) , moved on to bao buns (chicken and vegetable). Then we did several delicious small plates including: arugula salad, seared tuna, gnocchi and Dan Dan Cauliflower. Dessert was chocolate cherry mousse and vanilla pannacotta. Service was great (we ate family style). Definitely go !!

This place is amazing. I'm a food first patron, but let me say the service was exceptional On the food side, pretty much every dish was out standing and a signature dish. Buns (chicken or mushroom) can't be missed. Broccoli rabe Caesar salad was delicious and original. Tuna tartar, scallops it's all amazing. The desserts were also spectacular. The drinks great, beer selection impressive. Oysters run out, so order your 3rd plate early. Kate the Manager made us all feel welcome. Can't wait to come back.

Excellent food. Someone really knows what they're doing in the kitchen. Well worth it. Great brunch. Has GF options, though I'd like to see them add a GF sweet brunch option (like GF pancakes or waffles)

This place is such a treat. I grew up in the next town over and know Montpelier very very well. I live out of state now, and every time I come home I end up at another restaurant in town. This time I just wanted something different. Lo and behold, my friend and I found this place. It's right on the other side of Julio's and is tiny, so get a reservation. We sat outside on the patio next to the street. Hands down, the best thing we had were the bao buns. My steak-loving friend is obsessed with the mushroom one, that's how good it was. I also really enjoyed the hamachi crudo. The oysters were very good, as well. The dessert we had was a carrot cake cheese cake, which was so good that we realized after one bite that we wanted another one so we wouldn't have to share. If you're in the area, definitely check it out!

We've been on vacation all week to many of the top restaurants in the Waterbury/ Stowe area and this has been our best meal the entire trip ! Impeccable service , comfortable atmosphere and unique and delicious food ! The cocktails were divine. We had the chicken steam bun ( a delicious bite ) , the octopus, gnocchi ( house made !!) and tuna tartare for small bites. The dishes were satisfying without being too filling. For our mains we had the scallops with pork belly and the wagyu beef - both were hearty and oh so delicious. If you have room for dessert -- the chocolate tart was also divine ( we really didn't have room but couldn't resist a few bites !) . We're already looking forward to our next visit !

Discovered this spot by accident last Sunday and we were delighted. Fun cocktail selection and a unique menu. The Avocado toast was delicious! We will be back. Loved the staff as well.

Best bloody mary - ever! The bartender was a consummate professional with immaculate garnishes!

This place is REALLY good. Off their eclectic brunch menu, I had a Korean-style ramen with an intense yuzu-flavored broth, complemented with pickled radish, kimchi, and a fried egg. Dynamite pork belly - crispy outside, melting-tender inside finished the flavor sensation and had me licking the bottom of the bowl (almost). I like big flavors, and this was one of the best things I've eaten in awhile. My husband got a bagel and lox, with whipped cream cheese and pickled onions & beets on the side. The tender greens that came with it had a subtle hint of a luscious dressing - a nice extra touch. Do yourself a favor and seek out Oakes & Evelyn - you'll be glad you did. It's worth the money.

Second visit. It did not disappoint. Started with the General Tso's steam bun and Hamachi Crudo. Interesting blend of flavors and serviceable. The next course, however, was SUBLIME. The risotto with fontina cheese and mushroom special was insane, and thus really pissed me off. I've been making risotto for over 20 years and have never even approached this despite endless effort - creamy, complex, umami with a gently resilient mouth feel. That he could turn this out for a crowd at volume is ridiculous; the endless stirring and reduction doesn't lend itself to mass production. Worth the price of the whole meal. The gnocchi was also excellent. If you're in Montpelier, this is the place to eat.