Mad River Valley/Waterbury (8)
Allium
3 S. Main St., Waterbury, 802-244-8973
A Euro-style café tucked between beer bars serves up daily specials, including $5 wine on Wednesday and $20 steak frites with a pint of beer on Thursday.
Hen of the Wood (Waterbury)
92 Stowe St., Waterbury, 802-244-7300
Upscale dining takes a rustic turn in this former grist mill. Creative use of ultra-local meats, greens and cheeses has earned the chef-owner seven James Beard Award nominations.
Hyde Away Inn and Restaurant
1428 Route 17, Waitsfield, 802-496-2322
Classic comfort food gets a boost from local ingredients — think bacon-wrapped meatloaf and cider-braised pork osso bucco.
Michael’s on the Hill
4182 Waterbury-Stowe Rd., Waterbury Center, 802-244-7476
Elegant, ever-changing dishes highlight Vermont ingredients and the chef-owner’s European roots. Closed Tuesday.
Prohibition Pig
23 S. Main St., Waterbury, 802-244-4120
Locals come for the barbecue and “proper” cocktails, as well as one of the largest craft-beer selections in New England. In the adjacent brewery, pair a pint with tacos and small bites.
The Mad Taco (Waitsfield)
2 Village Sq., Waitsfield, 802-496-3832
This lucha-themed eatery specializes in Mexican dishes made with local, farm-fresh ingredients. Have a margarita with your tacos, or opt for one of 11 craft beers on tap.
The Reservoir Restaurant & Tap Room
1 S. Main St., Waterbury, 802-244-7827
Dive into Vermont’s culinary culture here: There are 38 beers on tap — some of them brewed on-site — and locavore pub fare such as fried chicken and big-time burgers. Lunch on weekends only.
Zenbarn
179 Guptil Rd., Waterbury, 802-244-8134
Enjoy items like ramen, tempura mushrooms and signature grass-fed beef burgers — at this “soil-to-soul” facility, which also houses a yoga studio and cultural center. Live bands on the weekend.
