Oakes & Evelyn - Montpelier

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Every bite at Oakes & Evelyn gave me a novel but welcoming burst of flavor. I very much enjoyed every plate and beverage. These are serious chefs at work. I don't remember my server's name, but she was always there when needed. The habanero sauce for the oysters was unbelievable because it had all of the flavor of scotch bonnet peppers, but the heat was just enough. I am not in Montpellier often, but I will swing by here at least once more, and then Savoy Theater around the corner for a movie. I wonder what brunch is like on Sundays...

We've been going to this spot regularly for about seven months now, and it’s become one of our favorites. The staff is always friendly and welcoming — there’s clearly low turnover, which says a lot about how the place is run. It’s refreshing to see familiar faces each time, and they do a great job making you feel at home. The menu rotates periodically, with new specials showing up often enough to keep things interesting. There are definitely some recurring dishes, but we’ve appreciated the way they balance consistency with seasonal updates. The ingredients are high quality, and the flavors are consistently well balanced and creative. Some of the negative reviews mention things like pricing or having to wait longer at the bar. That hasn’t been our experience at all and those reviews are all pretty old. It seems like any earlier kinks may have been worked out — or we’ve just had consistently great visits. Either way, it’s worth noting that yes, prices are higher everywhere these days in general, but what you're getting here is more than just a meal. The presentation, the thoughtful flavor and texture combinations, and the overall dining experience are what make it worth it for us. If you're looking for a bargain or a quick bite, this probably isn’t the place. But if you’re looking to enjoy a full dining experience with multiple courses, it absolutely delivers. We often choose to sit at the bar, and yes — the pace can occasionally be slower like some of the negative reviews reference, but that’s true at pretty much any bar, where the bartender is handling drinks for the whole restaurant. We don’t mind it at all. In fact, we enjoy it. The bartender here is especially friendly and fascinating to watch mixing drinks, and we’ve had some great conversations with both staff and fellow diners. It’s always a fun, relaxed atmosphere, and we’ve met some fantastic locals just by sitting at the bar. Overall, this place has become one we keep coming back to because it offers something rare: a thoughtful, well-executed experience from start to finish. The cocktails are beautifully crafted, the food is consistent, interesting, fresh, and well-balanced, and the atmosphere always feels just right for our family.