Blackback Pub

Ordered some takeout here while staying in Waterbury and had a great experience! From the moment…read morethey answered the phone to the second I picked it up was smooth and pleasant. They even give you a thermal lined take away bag which is reusable...bonus!! I'd be lying if I said it was the best burger I've ever had, but it was serviceable and cooked right. The pretzel sticks were a hit with my kids and the fries (although salty) were pretty decent, especially for take away. The chicken sandwich was also cooked correctly and tasted just fine. It seems that many of the critical reviews center around slow service so I think that doing take away helped remove that aspect as we only picked it up 45 mins after ordering. I'm sure that when compared to all the cute foodie spots in Waterbury McGs isn't quite on the same level, but overall it was exactly what I needed and they did a great job! I'd order again without hesitation.

we ate at this place and were very disappointed in the food. my hamburger was burnt and the meat…read morewas horrible. My husband has wings and they sent him chicken chicken drumsticks, only three wing flats. BYW the chicken was tough! Not happy with the food. Service was slow They took off my hamburger from bill but left all the drumsticks The beer was Great!

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Prohibition Pig

4.1(1.3k reviews)

Good and service were great. Wait list via Yelp worked great too. Well curated spirit menu…read morecomplimented food nicely.

This place has well over 1000 reviews and most of them are positive for a reason! Pro Pig checks…read moreso many boxes and is a must try for anyone in the area. It gets busy and they don't take reservations. They do have an online waitlist but we went around 4:30 and didn't have to utilize it. Our party of 6 climbed camel's hump earlier in the day and showed up famished. We knew this was the right pig out spot for us to refuel from the moment we walked in, smelled the food and saw the amazing ceiling-high bar. The smoked meats were outstanding. High quality cuts smoked to perfection. We had an order of every meat they offer and they were all just as good. That being said, I could go back just for the cornbread w maple butter. My word, it was like eating cake for dinner. The Mac & cheese was ooey and gooey with a nice crispy top. And the cookie skillet was like a party in your mouth. We didn't think we'd be able to finish everything but there wasn't a crumb to be found when we were done. As far as service goes, it was as good as I've ever had at a place like this. Our server was laid back yet always on top of things. We never waited for anything and her timing was perfect. There's outdoor seating if that's your jam. We sat in the large table by the window and got to look out on main st. It couldn't have been more perfect.

Brisket sandwich.

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Special of the day: cassoulet with smoked pork sausage and duck in a white bean stew

The Reservoir

4.0(368 reviews)

Went for early dinner and had a great meal Greated nicely,…read morejust had to wait for table turnover Our server Dave D was very personalable and attentive to our table of 4. He checked on us regularly. Kitchen missed one item on plate and he was so apologetic and quickly got it corrected. Definitely will return when we return ro area end of June. Place was packed for a weeknight so a bit noisy. Otherwise every thing was awesome

Dave D was the server of the night! Friendly, attentive and willing to ask the kitchen questions…read moreto help us to make informed decisions. The food was plentiful and delicious. I ordered the grilled chicken with a side salad instead of fries. It comes dressed with a light vinaigrette. Perfect! Others in our party had crab cakes and pulled pork. All satisfying. The Brussels sprouts appetizer was fried with pork belly. The only item to ding was the corn chowder. It had more potatoes than corn. Still tasty. We ate everything. That says it all.

Interior

Vegetable Curry with Chicken

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Focal Banger

Prohibition Pig

3.9(82 reviews)

tasty bbq onsite solid brewery and nice little porch spot for lunch. Perfect for an otw somewhere…read morelunch stop off

They have a limited selection of beers however they are really good. The nachos were great and the…read morestaff was friendly and fun. Surprisingly it was not crowded at all.

Interior of the brewery

Pickles

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Inside

Doc Ponds

4.5(869 reviews)

9.7 mi

Put our name on the waitlist for a busy Friday night and by the time we got there we only had to…read morewait a few minutes for our table to be ready even though our quoted time when we showed up was a little longer. Had an assortment of appetizers including one from the specials menu and a burger. Everyone in my party loved the food.

Very good food with a fresh and unique menu. Small parking lot in the back. Walked in but generally…read morereservations are recommended. It can be a bit drafty and cold inside. 1. Mac and cheese - Properly cheesy and hot. Very good. 2. Jalapeño popper - delicious, not too spicy, large poppers and full of flavor 3. Crab dip - the crackers it comes with can be salty but the dip was good 4. Crispy chicken sandwich - good and crispy. Flavorful. Can be a little messy. 5. Baked beans - hearty and flavorful Overall, I would recommend stopping by at least once!

The Monty with hamburger and fries

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Outside

Burt's Irish Pub

4.2(42 reviews)

9.7 mi

•$

I didn't have much expectations dining in here but it exceeded my expectations…read more When you think: Pork wings? You're probably like ehhh.... But hear me out -- it's really good. Great crisp and flavor. I liked it over the tamales which was also a popular pick amongst others. Service was friendly and the quick. Ambiance, small and what you'd expect at an Irish Pub there was live music and good amount of people there. 10/10 worth a stop!

Absolutely loved Bert's in Stowe...all the way from Fort Worth, Texas!!…read moreJanet is the sweetest -- she makes you feel like you've been coming there for years. Gavin's an awesome bartender. The tamales were amazing and those pork wings... wow. So good. Great vibe, great people, can't wait to go back!

Pork Wings and Tamales

Beef and lamb stew

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Tamale

Freak Folk Bier

4.3(13 reviews)

0.1 mi

Great beer. Excellent service. Nice area to walk into town for food. Staff are very helpful and…read moregive great recommendations.

*****no kids, no dogs*****…read more I just wanted to get that out of the way because I stupidly walked in there with my teenagers in tow and was met with some unhappy faces from behind the bar. Once we apologized for our ignorance (it IS posted on the front door) we sent our kids off wandering because we weren't going to not have a beer. The beer is great. Better than anything in Waterbury for sure and probably up at the top of VT brewers, which is saying a lot! What I really enjoy is that they can brew different styles. Their NE IPAs are great but their farmhouse stuff is also tops. Not every brewery can pull that off. Clean and sterile warehouse vibe inside with a few tables outside as well. Big lot behind the building that is sometimes surprisingly full. Like others say, it's a little pretentious here but I do respect that they don't want to be the next daycare and dog pound like so many breweries have become.

"Penumbra" (Oak-Aged Saison)

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Von Trapp Brewing Bierhall Restaurant

4.1(852 reviews)

9.3 mi

The sound of music? More like the sound of my burp after this delicious meal. The service was a bit…read moreslow but there was only one waiter so Rhonda is giving her a lil break. When I was looking at the beautiful scenery I thought back to when I was young and in love in till he left me for Rachel wells...Look at me now Rachel?! Alas..... it was great! Sincerely, Rhonda

Go for the hype; stay for the beer. This place is genuinely enjoyable--the beer is excellent, and…read morethe food is well prepared. The waitstaff may not treat you quite like family, but they are quick, courteous, and attentive. The wild boar heads and large feast-style tables create a small German beer-hall feel that adds to the experience. Take the time to go, relax, and sample the beer. And if you like good lagers give them a try.

House Salad

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Zucchini Fritters

Idletyme

4.0(853 reviews)

9.6 mi

Best brewery we visited on our trip. And that's saying something as we hit almost half a dozen…read more We were in Stowe for the day to see friends and do a few things. We wanted to hit some of their top breweries. A friend who had been last year said his favorite was Idletyme so we hit their first. We wandered through the inside areas in to the back area. That's the spot. Underneath the canopy of trees there sits a long wooden bar. The vibe that day was ideal with the sunlight cutting through the leaves. I got their pilsner and it was the best beer of the trip. An excellent subtle tasty golden beverage. We moved on shortly after to the next spot but I had to agree that Idletyme was the spot. I plan to make it back to Stowe again soon, and Idletyme will be one of my first stops.

On August 2, 2026 my wife and I had some free so we decided to stop in Idletyme. I'm glad we did…read more It was a beautiful day so we sat outside. It is a large, attractive space. They had a nice crowed but we managed to find two spots at the bar. We had a couple of beers and split the French Onion Soup. Everything was very good. Service was good, and prices are reasonable.

Sad, cheap decor to enjoy your equally sad, but expensive meal.

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Ordered ciders to go with lunch.

The Bench

4.2(874 reviews)

9.9 mi

My wife and I loved our visit to this fun and friendly gastropub in Stowe. It was crowded for a…read moreWednesday night, but the staff was friendly and efficient. We waited about 15 minutes for a table. Not bad at all!! Our server was energetic and accommodating. She cheerfully answered all our questions and honored our request to get a margherita pizza as an appetizer. The aforementioned pizza arrived in no time. It was good. Not the best ever, but still quite solid. The star of the culinary show was the salmon entree. Both my wife and I got it and we both loved it. It was a big piece of wood fired salmon and came with a nice assortment of roasted veggies. I'm talking real veggies--zucchini, broccoli, fingerling potatoes, the works. Neither one of us are big drinkers, but there are LOTS of microbrews on tap if you're into that kind of thing. The dining room was lively without being too noisy. Both of us enjoyed hanging out there. It would be a great place to have a beer and watch baseball on TV. Will definitely return the next time I'm in town.

Let me cut to the chase: get the steak frites or anything else with the chimichurri. It's going to…read morechange your life and you can go ahead and thank me later. The poutine was very good, but I'll grant you that it's maybe hard to get that wrong - but their gravy is on point! Service was great - got there around 5:40pm on a Wednesday, so the wait was non-existent and a table for 5 was easy to accommodate. Duncan was the server, who disclosed that he was new but you wouldn't know it from how he took orders and brought food out. Even threw him a curve by asking for the steak frites with an additional side of brussel sprouts, which he handled no problem - even though there weren't any sides I saw on the menu. Steak was medium rare and perfectly seasoned, and I think I mentioned the chimichurri but it deserves additional mention. Maybe you're wondering about beverages. The maple lemonade is great - it leans harder on the tart side and there are sweeter options around (Cliff House) but I love a lemonade that tastes... lemony. Pineapple cherry punch was also a hit - but that's secondhand hearsay, unlike my direct opinion on the chimichurri - which I would drink if I could. Definitely check this place out. The table near ours seemed to immensely enjoy their meal and also get great service from Duncan.

Mussels = Amazing!

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Mussels - SO GOOD!!

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Alan G.

157

8 years ago

I would like to preface this review by saying we've eaten here multiple times, and each time I say to myself... I should really write a Yelp review...and I never do... then I think how often I use Yelp to decide where to go...and realized I really should. So, first things first. The tap list is second to none. It looks like a normal bar outside, and is located across the street from the biggest tourist trap in town. The tap list here is amazing, featuring Alchemist, Hill Farmstead, Lawson's , Foam and more. The beer menu has an IPA side , Non IPAs and cans. Really one of the best, if not THE best tap lists you could ask for. So tonight, we're up in VT celebrating my girlfriend's birthday. We spent all day driving(from PA), hit up Alchemist, Fiddlehead, and Lawson's so far, and we were looking for dinner. We usually eat here the first day here, and say we'll be next year, and wind up here the next night again because its so good... however tonight we wanted to sit somewhere warm, have some comfort food and relax. We walked in, the owner greeted us, told us all about the beers he had, and recommended beers that he just got in. (Already bonus points for that). Told him we had 2, told us it would be about 5 minutes, took about 2, he sat us, and away we went. Perused the menu and decided on pulled pork blue cheese Mac and cheese for her, and the spicy dragon noodles for me. Her Mac and cheese came out, smelled absolutely amazing, ... and I had no noodles. ABout 5 minutes went by... and a woman(turned out to be an owner) said to my gf "you don't seem to be doing so good", as she hadn't touched her Mac and cheese much, she said 'oh I don't want to eat without him, we're waiting for his noodles"... she ran over and looked at the screen, realized she never sent the order in, and said they would be right out. And they came right out a few minutes later. Hey, things happen, she got it out super fast and her food was still hot, so I cannot complain. It was literally some of the best Mac and cheese we've ever had. Perfect balance of flavors, perfect fall /winter comfort food. My spicy dragon noodles? Well I love Asian noodle dishes , and honestly ordered it as I had pizza for lunch and dinner last night, and wanted something with some veggies and spice... and it blew me away. Tasted authentic. (I do wish it had a smidge more sriracha). I loved every bite of it. So it doesn't end there. The owner came over and asked where we were from and where we were staying, and offered to get us a ride back home instead of walking to where we were staying(we declined as the walk did us good), but how awesome is that? Seriously, is this place cheap? No. It's about a mid level price range for food, and mid to high price on beer(but it's high end beer, so what do you expect?). Is this place fancy? Nope. It's awesome cooking, awesome owners, awesome waitstaff and just all around good people here. If you're looking for the best food in Waterbury, you need to go here...we always do. read more

Jeffrey M.

Elite 23

1374

601

1628

2 years ago

Yesterday, we visited Blackback Pub for the first time, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. The pub has a warm, inviting ambiance with a laid-back vibe, making it the perfect spot for a relaxed evening out. The service was impeccable--our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, ensuring we had everything we needed throughout the meal. We started with three small plates, and each one was a hit. The Korean Vegetable Pancake was perfectly crispy, with the zucchini, cabbage, and carrot giving it great texture. The sweet and spicy dipping sauce was the perfect complement, balancing the savoury pancake nicely. The Broccolini with Gochujang Peanut Sauce was another standout--pan-seared to perfection, with the house-made sauce adding a deliciously unique flavour. Finally, the Batata Harra was a delightful surprise. The spicy fingerling potatoes paired beautifully with the garlic, lemon, and chili pepper, and the vegan charred scallion aioli was the perfect finishing touch. From the specials menu, I opted for the Baby Tai Chicken Sandwich, which was simply amazing. The cumin mayo marinated chicken thigh was tender and flavorful, while the Indian-inspired tomato-onion chutney and maple curry aioli added a fantastic blend of sweet and savory. The soft brioche bun and side of kettle chips made this dish a winner. For dessert, we couldn't resist the deconstructed Key Lime Pie--the lime custard and whipped cream were light, refreshing, and full of flavour, with just the right amount of tartness. To drink, I had a refreshing lemonade, and my wife enjoyed a glass of Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon, which paired perfectly with the food. Overall, Blackback Pub exceeded our expectations in every way, and we'll definitely be back! read more

Wayne B.

10 years ago

My wife and travel through Waterbury to get to Stowe. We decided one day to stop and walk around the Waterbury Village. The weather was great and wanted to make the most of it. As we were walking around a restaurant / pub we had never been in was the Blackback pub. As soon as we entered the establishment we felt very at home and relaxed. So glad we did!! We ordered some appetizers and a few different beers off of the incredible draft list. What made this hole experience exceptional was the Gentlemen behind the bar. His name was Will. As a fellow bartender I'm little more critical on the service side of the business. This gentleman was a STANDOUT. You should be very proud to have him on your team. I would also like to say that we never made it to Stowe and are looking forward to our visit back. read more

Jaq A.

9 years ago

We kept meaning to go here when we visited Waterbury and we finally made it tonight! The beer: The tap list is phenomenal. They carry the local big names (Alchemist, Hill Farmstead, Lawsons) as well as other lesser-known local brews. The bartender/server was happy to answer our questions and make recommendations. He was very knowledgable about the beers and knew just when to ask us if we wanted to order another one. The food: Awesome. We had an appetizer special (a cheese pastry) which was excellent. The pub fries were amazing. Who knew that maple syrup, blue cheese, bacon, and chipotle went with nachos. Well, they do. I like the fact that they tell you what farm their different products (bread, pork, etc) come from. We will definitely be back! read more

Beth Marie R.

10 years ago

The Blackback Pub is a great local place for delicious food and 22 awesome beers on tap and a decent wine list. We stopped in for the first time last week after a long ride from Boston, MA. The staff immediately welcomed us and found us a seat at the bar. I had the chili and nachos, my boyfriend had the spicy noodles. Both were great. We stopped in last night after a long drive. They remembered us and welcomed us with such hospitality. The bar was full and we were immediately given drinks and menus and were told it would be a short wait. Food was on point. We will make Blackback Pub our regular place upon arrival to Vermont from now on. Great Staff+Great Food = Awesome Food Experience! read more

Judy D.

10 years ago

Not all that impressed with this place. The bartenders werent all that polite on all three occasions that i went here David J. Owner 34 minutes ago Judy frankly arrogance doesn't fly here. Good luck with your Yelp career. Now responding to true experiences that customers have in there place of business like that is rather unprofessional also. read more

Hungryman A.

14 years ago

What a gem! An incredible rotation of superb draft beers. Wonderfully quirky atmosphere, good service from knowledgeable bartenders--but don't walk in hungry. If you stumbled into this place in the middle of Boston or Chicago, you'd be amazed--but it's in freakin' WATERBURY VERMONT. read more

Erin K.

266

10 years ago

Favorite place in Waterbury! Fun vibe, great food & drink. Bartender, Will, knows everything about beer and always has a positive attitude. A great variety of food , and even some vegan options! read more

Tony P.

10 years ago

Very nice food with a beer selection . Were are not going to like the same things.so give it a try ... My friends & I ordered different items on the menu & I tried most & it was delicious . read more

Laura W.

12 years ago

Great draft list accompanied by a great whiskey and scotch list. No cocktails but that's not their going for. Small, cozy, and kinda feels like a tiny Irish pub. A beer lovers dream. read more

David J.

12 years ago

Pork Schnitzel was off the hook. Paired with one of 22 beer 5 from Hill Farmstead, need I say more. Reasonably priced too. This is so much better than Mad Taco. read more

Meralis C.

9 years ago

Dont go into this place of you are a large group. They are not friendly towards large groups. Save your time and effort and go somewhere else. read more

Renee B.

11 years ago

We love to find these kinds of local spots! Worth your time but a little hard to find. We will be back!

John C.

5 years ago

Food is excellent. Can't wait for the expansion. The owner is always there and is very personable.

Jim J.

10 years ago

Ultimate hole-in-the wall pub.Outstanding all around.

Kenji G.

234

11 years ago

Epic, great beer list great food!

Blackback Pub - pubs - Updated September 2026

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Zero stars if I could…read more We came here to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday, and the experience was disappointing from start to finish. Our server never introduced herself, made very little eye contact, and seemed uncomfortable interacting with us. She was also slow. We came on a Sunday where they have discounted drinks for brunch. They told the table after us about it, but they didn't tell us. We then found a LIVE bug crawling in our salad. Both the server and the manager explained that the lettuce is locally farmed. I understand that bugs can be found on fresh produce, but that does not change the fact that the salad should have been properly washed and inspected before being served. The brownie was also undercooked and raw in the middle, and the response to that was that it was "gluten free," which again felt more like an excuse than accountability. The manager offered us a $20 gift card and said he hoped we would give them another chance. I asked to use it toward our bill instead, and even that required the server to go check whether it could be done. What bothered me most was the lack of a sincere apology. Everyone seemed embarrassed and eager to move past the situation, but a genuine apology and some accountability would have gone a long way. This was supposed to be a nice birthday dinner, and instead it was an extremely unpleasant experience. We will not be returning. Go elsewhere.

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Friendly servers and a nice ambience did not make up for the bad food that I received. Nicoise…read moresalad was doused with dressing, sushi grade tuna with no flavor and potatoes that tasted so dry they crumbled like shortbread cookies. The appetizer - artichoke hearts - was tasty. The coconut fennel mussels were overcooked and paired with day old bread. It's really a quality control thing at the end of the day.

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