When I visited Newport, Rhode Island, for the first time this fall, I was expecting to find boujee mansions, beautiful beaches, and charming coastal town vibes.
Although Newport checked all those boxes, one thing about the city surprised me—the food! Seriously, I don’t think we had one bad meal here—all of the places to eat in Newport, RI, are out-of-this-world-amazing! Plus, there were still tons of spots recommended to me that we didn’t even get the chance to visit since we were only in Newport for two days.
So, do yourself a favor, and if you’re planning a trip to this quaint city soon, don’t miss the chance to dine at these ten unique places to eat in Newport, RI!
Breakfast
1. The Nitro Bar
If you’re looking for great coffee and a great breakfast, you’ll find it at The Nitro Bar, one of the best places to eat in Newport, RI!
The Nitro Bar is a local coffee chain in Rhode Island specializing in locally-brewed nitro cold brew (as the name suggests). They have two locations in Newport, one on Thames Street and one on Pond Avenue. Although cold brew is their specialty, they also have tons of handcrafted drinks, like the “Lavender Latte” or “Dirty Chai Latte.” Personally, I got a caramel latte with oat milk, and my husband got a black coffee, and we both loved our drinks!
We were also really impressed with their selection of food. We both ordered breakfast here, and it was great! Plus, the ambiance of the spot was laid-back, too. Definitely stop here for coffee (and a bite to eat) during your trip to Newport.
2. CRU Café
CRU Café is another can’t-miss breakfast spot in Newport. Although they only recently opened in 2015, this charming café has quickly become a local favorite and one of the best places to eat in Newport, RI.
First, this place is seriously adorable. I loved the greenery covering the walls of the entrance and the nautical-themed décor inside. Second, the prices are seriously unbeatable! I ordered a massive breakfast sandwich (pictured below) and paid just over five dollars. Third, the food was delicious and filling, and they had plenty of options to choose from.
Don’t think twice—just stop at CRU Café during your trip to Newport! You’ll thank me later.
3. Empire Tea & Coffee
Empire Tea & Coffee is a local coffee chain in Rhode Island with three locations across the state. We stopped at the location on Bellevue Avenue one morning for a coffee, and I really loved it—the ambiance reminded me of one of my favorite coffee shops at home.
I ordered one of the fall drinks, the “Maple Cookie Latte” with oat milk, and it was so delicious. They also had a “Samoa Latte” and “Chaider” that I wanted to try. I’m disappointed we only discovered this spot on our way out of town. Otherwise, we would have been back!
Lunch & Dinner
4. Bar and Board Bistro
We stumbled upon Bar and Board Bistro while we were looking for a drink one night after dinner. We stopped in for an hour, and we loved the ambiance of this spot!
Bar and Board is located on Thames Street in Newport, and they focus on build-your-own charcuterie boards, oysters, and specialty cocktails from sustainable and seasonal ingredients. Since we were coming from dinner, we didn’t order a charcuterie board, but I was definitely tempted. They looked amazing!
We did, however, each order an espresso martini, and they were excellent! I would come back here for a charcuterie board next time I’m in Newport, and I’d recommend this spot as one of the best places to eat in Newport, RI, for a late-night snack and cocktail.
5. Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant
Brick Alley Pub was highly recommended to me before our trip to Newport. Unfortunately, we could not dine here during our trip, but I wanted to include this highly-rated restaurant on this list of the best places to eat in Newport, RI since it’s a fan favorite!
Brick Alley Pub has been voted “Best Restaurant” and “Best Bar” in Newport and is a famous landmark along Thames Street. They serve pub-style comfort food, award-winning seafood, juicy steaks, and more. They also have over 25 beers on-tap, as well as an impressive selection of cocktails and wines.
6. The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar
The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar was one of my favorite dining experiences during our entire ten-day trip to New England! If you’re only in Newport for one night, I highly recommend choosing this dining experience over the others. It’s spectacular!
This beautiful restaurant is located on the town’s historic waterfront, and it offers excellent views of the harbor, especially at sunset! I highly recommend sitting on the patio if you’re able to, and I also recommend making a reservation, especially if you’re visiting on the weekend. Since this is one of the most popular places to eat in Newport, RI, the tables fill up quickly.
The seafood steals the show at The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar. They are committed to purchasing sustainable seafood whenever possible through various local sources, and they serve it in every way imaginable, from raw oysters to lobster rolls!
During our time at The Mooring, my husband ordered Spicy Seafood Linguini, and I ordered Grilled Salmon. Both were excellent! They also serve handcrafted cocktails and beer, and they have an impressive list of wines to pair with their meals.
7. Cara
Are you looking for an upscale, fine dining experience to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or another special occasion during your time in Newport? If so, look no further than Cara, located at The Chanler at Cliff Walk, a five-star hotel (or opulent mansion) with breathtaking ocean views.
We didn’t dine at Cara during our trip to Newport, but this is undoubtedly one of the best places to eat in Newport, RI, so I couldn’t miss the chance to add it to this list. At Cara, you can reserve a five-course blind tasting experience or an eight-course blind tasting experience with dishes that feature meat, seafood, vegetables, and other local New England ingredients.
Tip: If you’re looking for a beautiful dining experience at The Chanler at Cliff Walk that’s a bit more laid-back, try The Chanler Café for refined yet casual waterfront dining.
8. Pasta Beach
Pasta Beach is an authentic Italian restaurant on Bellevue Avenue with a fun, modern feel. We stopped here for lunch one day, and we loved the food and the experience. Pasta Beach definitely deserves a spot on this list of awesome places to eat in Newport, RI, though they have two other locations in Boston and Providence, too.
Pasta Beach serves traditional Italian dishes, like pasta, pizza, calzones, paninis, and more. We ordered the “Olive e Focaccia” for an appetizer, and I was so happy with the number of olives we received in the sauce. We then ordered the “Del Povero” pizza with tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, fontina, and fresh basil, and it was delicious!
Overall, I loved the restaurant’s décor (they had a fun wallpaper with greenery and funky chandeliers) and the overall vibe. This spot is super “instagrammable,” so if you’re looking for a restaurant where the photo opportunities are just as great as the food, check out Pasta Beach!
9. Clarke Cooke House
Another of the best places to eat in Newport, RI, is the Clarke Cooke House—an award-winning restaurant serving New England specialties along Newport’s beautiful waterfront.
Although we didn’t get the chance to dine at the Clarke Cooke House, the reviews for this restaurant speak for themselves! The restaurant also has a unique “upscale dining” experience on its summer porch and a “casual dining” experience year-round in the indoor dining room.
The next time I’m in Newport, I’ll be giving the Clarke Cooke House a try. If you beat me to it, you’ll have to let me know how the food, ambiance, and experience are!
Dessert
10. Kilwin’s Chocolates and Ice Cream
I know Kilwin’s Chocolates and Ice Cream has hundreds of locations across the country, but as a West Coast gal, my first experience with this delicious ice cream was right here, in Newport!
In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with homemade ice cream on a waffle cone. I loved the “Sea Salt Caramel” and “Turtle Cheesecake” flavors—so much, actually, that we had to go back every night we were in Newport!
If you’re looking for a sweet treat in Newport, look no further than Kilwin’s! They also have homemade fudge, chocolates, and other goodies for sale, too.
Grab Reservation at These Best Places to Eat in Newport, RI
Whether you’re looking for a delicious breakfast or an upscale dinner—Newport, Rhode Island, has it all! Which of these best places to eat in Newport, RI, sounds the most delicious to you?
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