Newport Restaurants
Establishment
neighborhood
Meg’s Aussie Milk Bar
111 Bellevue Ave., Bellevue
Milk bars are to Australia what diners are to America, selling tasty breakfast options, snacks and milkshakes.
Mission
29 Marlborough St., Downtown
Mission is low-key, family friendly, burger and falafel spot that’s always full.
The Black Pearl
1 Bannister's Wharf, Newport Wharf
The Black Pearl is a historic Newport institution with three dining options for every occasion.
Fluke
41 Bowens Wharf, Newport Wharf
Fluke is on the more refined end of the the dining experiences to be had in Newport.
Clarke Cooke House
1 Bannister's Wharf, Newport Wharf
This Bannister Wharf eatery provides the quintessential Newport dining experience.
Flo’s Clam Shack
4 Wave Ave., Middletown
A visit to a Rhode Island seaside town would be incomplete without a clam shack stop, and if you’re only making one, go for Flo’s with its picnic tables and fishermen’s tchotchkes hanging from the ceilings. Open since 1936—when it first introduced New England to the fried clam—it’s now a major, two-floor operation overlooking Easton Beach. Besides fried seafood, they’re known for their chowder. Bring cash.
The Franklin Spa
229 Spring St., Downtown
This classic neighborhood diner serves up gargantuan portions and bottomless cups of coffee for breakfast, brunch, and lunch every day starting at 6am. It’s nothing fancy, and the décor is expectedly kitschy with red vinyl booths, stools, and a long formica counter, but it’s worth making a stop for breakfast. You will likely brave a line of tourists and locals waiting for Blueberry stuffed French Toast or Eggs Benedict with lobster.
The Mooring
1 Sayers Wharf, Newport Wharf
Head to this big, bustling Newport Wharf restaurant for lunch before visiting the museum and library just a few blocks away. It’s a no-frills and family-friendly affair during the day (lots of kids coloring on placemats), but the casual food is super tasty. In fact, it’s perfect waterside lunch fare, from the fresh and meaty Mexican white shrimp to the delicious Cajun Redfish Wrap. The real standout, though, is their Native Scallop Chowder, brightened up with bits of dill. Be sure to snag a table out on the patio overlooking Narragansett Bay.
White Horse Tavern
26 Marlborough St., Downtown
The tavern dates back to 1673, when it was a colonial watering hole, and it looks it with patriotic flag curtains, deep fireplaces, and woodsy interiors. The food is of the delicious New England variety: Chef Rich Silvia sources local Rhode Island fish, meat, and vegetables to make traditional dishes like clam chowder, fish cakes, lobster macaroni & cheese, and clam boils. There’s a formal dining room upstairs, or stay downstairs and grab a snack and drink at the bar. There’s also a brunch menu on Sundays with local specialties like lobster stuffed omelettes and eggs benedict.
Perro Salado
19 Charles St., Downtown
If you’re driving in on a Friday night, make this husband-and-wife helmed restaurant your first stop. Located in the northern part of town, where most restaurants are pretty tired/run-of-the-mill, this casual Mexican restaurant is the exception. Andi makes the cocktails (her cilantro-jalapeno martini is insane) while Dan heads up the kitchen, bringing his own brand of upscale Mexican to Newport. Expect perfectly battered fish tacos, a Mexican-infused kale salad, and avocado fries, which probably shouldn’t be missed.