Doc Ponds

294 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672, United States
+1 802-760-6066
$$$ Restaurant , Bar , Cocktail bar , Lounge , Pub
(1454 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Doc Ponds on Mountain Road in Stowe offers a laid-back yet lively spot that balances the vibe of a neighborhood pub with the touch of a thoughtfully curated cocktail lounge. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in for a casual evening with friends, enjoy a few well-crafted drinks, and dig into food that leans on approachable comfort with a slight inventive twist.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, often filled with the low hum of upbeat conversations and the occasional vinyl spinning in the background—giving it a relaxed but not rowdy energy. You’ll find a mix of locals and visitors, especially during early evenings and weekend nights. Outdoor seating is available but popular enough that you might wait for a spot, particularly during busy seasonal weekends in Stowe.

The menu focuses on shareable plates and hearty bar food with a Vermont flair. Snacks like the crunchy house-made chips paired with a tangy classic onion dip and bold red curry-maple peanuts show off a knack for seasoning that’s a bit playful yet satisfying. For larger plates, dishes like the duck confit melt combine rich, slow-cooked meat with unexpected flavor notes like cheese and chutney, while the crispy chicken sandwich and buffalo wings hit those crave-worthy comfort zones without getting too heavy.

Beyond the food, the drink list stands out for both cocktail and beer lovers. Locals appreciate the well-balanced drinks—a winter spritz mocktail is a noted example of the creative, refreshing options available. The vibe encourages lingering, whether you’re nursing a maple lemonade or digging into a double smash burger piled high with Vermont cheddar and bacon.

Doc Ponds suits anyone looking for a casual night out that delivers good quality food and drinks without fuss. It’s a place to gather after a day exploring the Green Mountains or winding down after a local event. Expect attentive but relaxed service that lets you enjoy your company and the surroundings without feeling rushed.

Highlights
Has fast service
Has fireplace
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Has great wine list
Good for watching sport
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves late-night food
Serves organic dishes
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Best for
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

4:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Tuesday

4:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Wednesday

4:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Thursday

4:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

11:30 AM - 8:30 PM

1454 Reviews
Catherine P

05 Jan 2026

Doc Ponds definitely exceeded our expectations. The winter spritz mocktail was so good and one of the best cocktails I have ever had. The burger, fries, and soba noodles were all very good. We loved the cozy atmosphere and our server was great. We will definitely be back on our next Stowe trip!

Vince Maguire

03 Jan 2026

Cool place spinning vinyl and serving up some good food. Friendliest staff that were attentive, but not hovering. Started with the chips and dip. Crunchy homemade chips with lots of great BBQ flavor seasoning. Cool onion dip. Just like in your backyard. Would like a little more dip to chip ratio, but I'm just being greedy! Mac and cheese was brilliantly gooey with a little breadcrumb crunch. The duck sandwich was crazy delicious. The bread was buttery and crispy. Duck was amazingly tender and the blueberry chutney balanced everything beautifully. The banh mi was a great take on a classic sandwich. The meatballs were tender, juicy and spiced perfectly. The fresh pickled veggies add a crunch and the cilantro ties it all together. Flavor explosion. The bread was also the right choice for this sandwich. Peanut butter pie. Enough said. Beer and cider selection was great! Not the prettiest of presentations, but the taste more than makes up for it. Go! 100% would go back.

Teddy Chu

11 Dec 2025

Came to Vermont to catch the changing of color. Stopped by here for early dinner. There was a 20 mins wait for outdoor seating even at 5:00p so this must be a popular place. The chip and onion dip was delicious. The buffalo wings were moist and crispy. I had the half chicken with broccoli slaw. Chicken was a bit overcooked but tasted delicious. The broccoli was cooked perfectly and topped with pickled onions. Also, try the Irish Nitro Stout with it smooth foam. Great meal overall.

Bridget

05 Dec 2025

Our experience was phenomenal. The chicken was out of this world (more than enough for 2 people), the duck confit sandwich was great, the house chips and onion dip were wonderful.

Avery Wright

04 Dec 2025

The food here was amazing! Got the Duck Confit Melt and the quality of meat was good as it was like a pulled pork but with duck on a bread with cheese as you would expect with a melt. Only thing that threw me off was the raisins though it doesn’t ruin the dish. The mac and cheese with crumbs on top was amazing as they use freshly grated cheese. The environment was nice, though I had two screaming kids in my ear which I can’t do anything about but crop dust them from thar Mac n cheese! Only downside was we tried to go at lunch and said they open at 4pm on Fridays. Highkey recommend.

Steven Starr

12 Nov 2025

Stopped in for a quick lunch before heading out from Stowe. Super yummy food! Really enjoyed the mac and cheese, chicken sandwich and corn chowder special. We'll definitely be back!

Chris Derrett

23 Oct 2025

We really enjoyed the creative menu options, high quality dishes, excellent service, and cozy but classy atmosphere. We had a mushroom medley to start, served cold, and they were pleasantly packed with marinated flavor. For our mains, we had a half chicken and bolognese. The chicken was cooked perfectly and topped with a tasty chimichurri, along with delicious hand cut fries. It was a good sized bird with a seasoned, crispy skin, and the portion gave us a whole 'nother meal for the next day! The bolognese delivered on taste as well. We would be happy to come back and try more of the rotating menu offerings another time.

vicki lotts

17 Sep 2025

Excellent! Sat outside ..Delicious Maple beer Blue Cheese fritters and Burger were terrific . Husband had the fried chicken sandwich and Mac and cheese . So good ! Great place with friendly staff

Join the Doc Ponds Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.