Best Restaurants in Providence
For fresh seafood, few places satisfy quite like Hemenway’s, whether you’re in the mood for raw Rhode Island oysters, buttery clams casino, or Maine lobster stuffed with shrimp, scallops, and crab. Be sure to try the Rhode Island clam chowder, a clear-broth style chowder that’s often overshadowed by its New England and Manhattan cousins.
Even if the service weren’t outstanding, patrons would still flock to this Peruvian and Bolivian restaurant for the spicy ceviche, lobster paella, and short rib empanadas. Luckily, the service is impeccable, making this one of the best restaurants in Providence for both food and hospitality.
Birch Restaurant
Few Providence restaurants have more Instagram-worthy dishes than Birch, but there’s substance to go with those good looks too. Chef Benjamin Sukle has earned a James Beard nomination for his inventive and artful farm-to-table fare, which remains astoundingly affordable, with a four-course dinner running just $60.
Al Forno has been called “the most influential restaurant in Providence”, which is pretty miraculous considering the owners are trained artists, not chefs. Then again, Al Forno’s menu is filled with creative spins on Italian classics, from the calamari-topped pizzas, which are grilled, not baked, to the inventive specials, which often include items like rabbit meatballs. Although somewhat more predictable, the baked pastas are not to be missed, nor is the seasonal fruit tart, whatever flavor it may be.
One of the best old-school Italian restaurants in Providence, Mike’s Kitchen is as much known for its salty service, cash-only policy, and unusual location (it’s in a VFW hall), as it is for its food. But that doesn’t mean the cuisine is forgettable: the fried smelt, polenta with red gravy, and stuffed artichokes are so excellent that locals don’t mind having to brave the cranky servers to get their fix.