Best Restaurants in Providence

Originally opened in 1988 as a social club, today Andino’s stands as one of the old guards on Federal Hill. Owner Antony Merola presents a dining room adorned with framed art and a hand-painted mural of the neighborhood while photographs commemorating Italian American icons hang over the marble bar that serves hand-crafted sangrias. Diners can enjoy Italian masterpieces at glass top tables set with white linens and absorb the family atmosphere over plates of fra diavolo (snails with spicy marinara), stuffed mushrooms, and lobster ravioli. Insider tip: the veal and chicken saltimbocca is a house specialty.

Begun in 2016 with a mission of combining locally sourced ingredients with traditional Italian cuisine on Federal Hill, Anthony’s offers diners a trattoria-style atmosphere with red and white patterned tablecloths matching the floor tiles and a wide selection of domestic and imported wines at the bar. Diners may choose from dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, eggplant pizza, and baked scrod (with lemon butter garlic sauce). Insider tip: the trattoria frequently features live music nights.

Lovingly described by The Providence Journal as “loud, intimate, traditional”, this Italian restaurant was opened in 2020 by owner Armando Bisceglia. Bringing his family recipes from Naples, Italy, to Federal Hill, Bisceglia offers a homey atmosphere with a seating area featuring classy tables and colorful wall décor. His menu offers dishes like tavola di salumi (24-month aged prosciutto), cacio e peppe (imported gragnano bucatini prepared tableside), and Uova al Purgatorio (poached eggs in house made marinara). Pro tip: pair meal with one of the imported house wines.

A destination in itself along the Riverwalk since 1994, owner Dmitri Kriticos presents this beautiful international restaurant, serving diners on its al fresco “piazza” (listed by GoLocalProv as one of the 10 best in Rhode Island) or at one of the “casually elegant” tables in its crisp, bright interior which looks out over the Providence skyline. The menu features dishes from around the world like crispy Brussels sprouts, duck pappardelle, and Chilean sea bass. Pro tip: Valet parking is provided at the front entrance during dinner hours.

Rhode Island’s oldest Italian restaurant, Camille’s has been a local landmark on Federal Hill since 1914. Thrillist celebrates the “incredible” wine list (winner of Wine Spectator’s 2020 Award of Excellence), while TimeOut describes executive chef John Granata as “serving the soul of Italy”. The dining room exudes class and style with muted lighting, exquisite table settings, and a décor that speaks to Camille’s heritage. Specialties include Camille’s famous baccalà salad, seafood soup, and the 16oz veal rib chop. Insider tip: the outdoor Roman patio offers superb seating in the summer.

Established in 1977 by Vincenzo Lemma, Capriccio has described itself as “an oasis of sophistication and style” serving the best Italian cuisine in Downtown. Called an “exquisite experience” by Providence Monthly, the dining area features fine carpet and even finer tables with white linens and high-backed chairs complemented by the stone fireplace, while the bar offers plush seats and an old-world charm. Classics include the sauteed veal (celebrated by GoLocalProv), a raw bar with Cotuit oysters, and an array of domestic and imported wines and champaign. Pro tip: Capriccio offers free valet service and private event hosting.

Opened in 2020 in south Providence, this hip restaurant is all about contrast, from its dining area featuring recessed and neon lights over wooden décor and tables that look more like modern art, to its “fusion” cuisine that combines Dominican and Japanese ingredients. Chef Mitsuhisa Nishio nightly crafts dishes like California rolls (with crab), mar y tierra (surf and turf with chimichurri), and miso soup with a side of yucca fries. Insider tip: try the popular taki taki roll (with bacon and cream cheese).

Proprietor Ellen Graoyalny and chef Matthew Varga present one of the best restaurants in Providence, at least the only one to have won six AAA four-diamond awards. Located downtown since 2005, this restaurant offers fine cuisine from around the world like autumn squash soup, Atlantic swordfish, and Gracie's sweet crème brûlée. Diners can enjoy a welcoming atmosphere in a seating area adorned with padded chairs and bright bouquets on the tables. Insider tip: Gracie’s doubles as a “classic” wedding venue (five-time winner of WeddingWire’s Couple’s Choice Award).

This seafood legend in Riverwalk has been granted Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence annually since 2012 and named among the top 10 restaurants in Providence by The Culture Trip. The dining room reflects a sentimental charm, with large windows, elegant tables, and dark wood décor spread beneath high ceilings and a massive mural depicting Rhode Island’s coastal heritage. Chef Max Peterson offers classic dishes like RI style calamari, yellowfin tuna, and live Maine lobsters. Pro tip: try the signature Shellfish Platter from the raw bar on half-price Mondays.

Begun in 2018 by Manya Rubinstein and Dan Neff, the Industrious Spirits Company in Steel Yard bills itself as the first distillery in Providence since Prohibition. With an industrial, yet bright tasting room adorned with local art and an iconic steel bar, this operation presents an atmosphere of community, expression, and sustainability and has been listed among the nine best “secret bars” (Rhode Island Monthly). Libations include ornamental gin (featuring juniper), structural vodka (charcoal filtered 20+ times), and blue velvet bourbon (100-proof). Pro tip: try the made-from-scratch cocktails.

Tucked away in Northwest sits this unassuming masterpiece serving the best Peruvian and Bolivian cuisine in Providence. A gentle stream runs by the outdoor patio, while the dining room feels like an Andean dream with a massive carved head and gorgeous aquarium presiding over the potted exotic plants, padded booths, and wooden tables where diners enjoy traditional meals like 8oz atun (sushi grade tuna), causa limena (Peruvian whipped potatoes), and pique a lo macho (angus sirloin with raw salsa) prepared by co-owner and chef Cesin Curi. Insider tip: Los Andes also provides catering services.

Providence Monthly hailed the opening in 2020 of this cocktail bar in Downtown by co-owners Marcelino Abou Ali and Basel Badawi, raving about the fancy yet relaxed atmosphere complemented by “mood-setting music, chic, velvet armchairs, and gold accents”. The mezze-style menu offers dishes like goat cheese tacos and tajin salmon carpaccio (with radish and grapefruit), while the “dark, mysterious” (Rhode Island Monthly) bar serves up cocktails with ingredients made from scratch. Insider tip: try one of the hummus and flatbread small plates.

Located in the Italo-American Club on Federal Hill since 2019, chefs Salvatore Cefaliello and Anthony Ricamo serve Italian dishes made from family recipes like barbabietole salad (with beets and whipped goat cheese), gnocchi alla Sorentina (potato dumplings), and spaghetti putanesca (with anchovies and sweet pomodoro). Diners can relax in the welcoming atmosphere, surrounded by painted murals, hanging curtains, and finely set tables in this once private home. Pro tip: this location offers outdoor entertainment in the summer and hosts private events.

Co-operators Jeff Goodno, Ben Estes, and Bryan Benedict opened this taproom and beer garden in the West End in 2020, a bold move announced by EatDrinkRI. Drafts like the Quahog stout and the Modern Chemistry pale ale flow from the no-nonsense bar while German Oktobeiter can be enjoyed by the can in a taproom featuring polished wood tables and artsy wall patterns. Food is provided by a local restaurant. Insider tip: pet dogs are welcome in the taproom and outdoor beer garden.

Occupying a formerly iconic haberdashery, this modern-day “speakeasy” opened in 2021, immediately celebrated by Rhode Island Monthly for seducing diners with an atmosphere of bygone opulence featuring “dark velvet curtains, ornate painted tin ceilings, and red leather furniture”. Matt Simmons serves up unique cocktails like the Money Clip (featuring scotch and cherry Heering) at the bar, while chef Brandon Tylek prepares house classics like “Eddie’s Better Half” (roasted half-chicken with butter-mashed potatoes) and the “Royale with Cheese” burger (think Pulp Fiction). Pro tip: the small plates (featuring street corn or tuna tacos) are surprisingly satisfying.

Described by The Huffington Post as “a spectacle of artfully plated food and delicious flavors” this breakfast restaurant opened in 2001 in the West End, providing diners a cozy atmosphere in a seating area featuring exposed brick walls and a long counter. Owner/chef Derek Wagner offers favorites like apple cinnamon granola French toast, honey chili chicken biscuits, and seasonal drinks like frozen cocktails (celebrated by the Beverage Journal) and hot chocolate. Insider tip: Ask for a seat at the counter for a view into the mad genius of the open kitchen.

Owners Mustafa and Lisa Kuscu opened this location in the East Side in 2007, calling it a “labor of love”. With a seating area featuring recessed lights, wood tables, and jazzy décor, diners enjoy an urban atmosphere as they feast on menu selections like cucumber appetizers, spring roll salad, or pan-tossed noodles like the Singapore. Pro tip: Diners can design their own custom noodle soup like the skinny rice with tofu and coconut curry.

Featuring a dining room of contrasts, with white painted walls and exposed brick, and simple tables surrounded by potted plants, this location in Downtown bills itself as “the world’s first vegan food hall”. Since 2019 local favorites have included craft beers at the bar and bistro fare created by chef Matthew Kenney like buffalo “chicken” sandwiches, sweet apple cobbler, and the Everything Brunch Burger (fried tofu and shitake bacon). Insider tip: metered street parking can be found on South Water Street.

With views of Downtown from its cozy upstairs dining room featuring padded seats and hardwood floors contrasting with the old-world charm of the Parisian-themed downstairs (with plush booths and ornate lighting), chef Matthew Evan serves contemporary northeast American fare (called “confident” by Rhode Island Monthly) like lamb chops, Caesar salads, and butter-aged sirloin steaks. Opened in 2021 by co-owners Stephen White and Ryan Whitecotton, this bistro has been called “memorable” and “elegant” by GoProvidence. Pro tip: Enjoy dinner at Res before catching a show at the nearby theater.

Named for the Japanese word for “ancestor”, owner Nino Elgheryany opened this lounge in the Jewelry District in 2021. Diners are welcomed with muted lighting and simple wood chairs at the bar before choosing a table by the large television. The menu offers traditional East Asian dishes like edamame or Korean dumplings, baby bok choi, or Okinawa Night sushi (with yellowtail, salmon, and tuna). Insider tip: this location offers private event hosting.

Voted the best pizza in Rhode Island 2017-2019 by Rhode Island Food Fights and called a “gem” by the Providence Journal in 2018, owner Richard Storti opened this neighborhood pizzeria in the Jewelry District in 2016, calling it a “pizza fanatic’s love child”. Diners can choose between neat tables and chairs or short-backed stools at the bar in an atmosphere of urban comfort accented by brick walls and the roar of the wood-burning oven. Classics include baby back ribs and wood-fired pizzas like Pesto and Meat Lovers. Pro tip: Check out the no-cover live entertainment on the weekends.

Bursting onto the scene in the Valley neighborhood in 2017, this food truck-turned-restaurant describes itself as “fun, fresh, and familiar”. Featuring a bright and colorful dining room with basket seating and urban artwork adorning the walls, Architectural Digest named its bar the most beautiful in Rhode Island in 2018, while the Food Network calls it among the most “Instagrammable” restaurants in America. Chef Jason Timothy offers traditional street fare like nuggets and fries in addition to more modern dishes like vegan fried tofu banh mi and mahi mahi katsu (with grilled scallions). Insider tip: stop by on the weekend for a brunch menu featuring the famous hangover burger (with arugula).