Food and Dining in Rhode Island

The Rhode Island restaurant scene is bustling, and we're here to help you find the hottest new spots, the coolest hidden gems, and the best places to satisfy your cravings for great food and drinks.

Everyone's gotta eat! Grab a seat and load up your plate: We've got regularly updated guides, behind-the-scenes features, Q&As with up-and-coming chefs and restaurant owners, and all the news that foodies can use.

Love to cook? There's an entire section of great recipes from experts to explore.
And we're serving up the best food news in Rhode Island as well. Sign up for our weekly newsletter and we'll deliver it directly to your inbox.

A drunken noodle dish with Thai tea at Thai Lan Xang, a new Lao restaurant at 1573 Plainfield Pike in Johnston, R.I.

The savory flavors of Laos in R.I.: Three restaurants serving traditional Lao cuisine

“In a way, we try to teach our customers about Lao food so they know more about Lao culture,” says Britny Savankham, who works with her father at Thai Lan Xang in Johnston.

Rebelle’s Milena Pagán, MIT grad and James Beard semifinalist, will bring her singular brand of bagel to Kendall Square this year

Vincent Emery, 19-year-old co-founder of Lil’ Rhody Coffee Company, at his company headquarters in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Coffee has a serious carbon footprint. One R.I. brand is trying to do things differently.

"Capisce" is an Italian pilsner brewed by the Proclamation Ale Company in a collaboration with sister restaurants Oberlin and Gift Horse.

In a growing beer scene, 6 unique brews from around R.I.

Tavern on Main is on Main Street in the village of Chepachet, R.I. Paranormal researcher Tom D’Agostino has more than 80 accounts of hauntings at the tavern.

Ghost stories — and unearthly encounters — feed curious guests at this Chepachet, R.I., tavern

The Guides

Dishes from Upscales, the sister upstairs restaurant to Scales & Shells, an Italian restaurant on Thames Street in Newport, R.I.

Seven new restaurants to check out in R.I.

From Vietnamese dishes in Providence to an aesthetically pleasing café in Newport, here are some new places to try in Rhode Island.

The front counter inside the Groundswell Cafe + Bakery in Tiverton, R.I.

Where to get the best coffee in Rhode Island? Here’s what readers had to say.

We asked readers of Globe Rhode Island’s weekly Food & Dining newsletter where their favorite cafés were across the state, and received a ton of responses.

Fall food guide: 12 often overlooked best places to eat and drink in Rhode Island this fall

From family-owned farms to a cidery’s antique bar, here are a few unique places to have a meal this autumn.

The interior of the Rise 'n Shine Coffee Bar, on the first floor of the 1858 Christopher Dodge Carriage House on Holden Street, in Providence's Smith Hill neighborhood.

Three new-ish cafés where you can get work done in R.I.

In June, Globe Rhode Island's Alexa Gagosz got to do what most food writers dream of: attend the James Beard Awards.

A spread from the "Unexpected Wine Pairings" session at the 2023 Annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival at the Rosecliff Mansion.

What wine goes best with Pirate’s Booty? Or pigs-in-a-blanket?

Unexpected wine parings were the stars of the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival. So we decided to experiement ourselves.

Dozens of local oysters from southern Rhode Island.

The best oyster deals in Rhode Island

There are scores of $1 oysters and half-priced deals in the Ocean State. Here are a few of the best ones.

Fresh scup is one of many types of fish consumers aren't as familiar with, and some Rhode Island organizations have set out to change that.

What do Rhode Island consumers need to learn about local seafood? Actually, quite a bit.

A number of local organizations have set out to change how people perceive some of the plentiful seafood native to the state.

The savory flavors of Laos in R.I.: Three restaurants serving traditional Lao cuisine

“In a way, we try to teach our customers about Lao food so they know more about Lao culture,” says Britny Savankham, who works with her father at Thai Lan Xang in Johnston.

Garmi Mawolo at her fresh vegetable stand outside Urban Greens in Providence, R.I. She farms at Bami Farm in Johnston, which is run by the African Alliance of Rhode Island.

Support local farmers in R.I. and head to one of these summer markets

A sure sign of summer: Farmers markets are the ideal warm weather activity, and that joy of buying local, outdoors, is about to return to the Ocean State.

Cheese shop offerings from around Rhode Island.

Where to buy cheese in Rhode Island

In the past nine months, the number of specialty cheese shops in Rhode Island has doubled, and at least two more will open this summer. Here are some of Rhode Island’s specialty cheese shops.

The Newport Lobster Shack, 150 Long Wharf, is one of the best places to eat in Newport that are hidden in plain site.

Newport has a ton of culinary gems hidden in plain sight. Here’s where to eat, according to a local.

Although some restaurants in this coastal enclave get substantial lines or wait times, the city has some treasures tucked away in the most unexpected corners.

Pedestrians walk past the Colosseum, a large 18-plus nightclub on Pine Street in Providence, Rhode Island on August 25, 2023. There are several popular nightclubs in the area that fill up with partiers on weekend nights.

Why does Providence have so many 18-plus nightclubs?

With thousands of students returning to the city this fall, establishments are once again getting ready for a boon in business, one that often comes from Rhode Island’s younger crowds.

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Drinks

Eastern Standard has partnered with Rhode Island's Narragansett Beer to create ES Pilsner, a specialty "Bohemian" lager brewed exclusively for the restaurant.

Here’s the latest Boston-area beer news

The Riffraff Bookstore + Bar in Providence was sold to Ottavia De Luca (left) and Lucas Mann (right), two longtime West End residents who have been going to the bookstore since before it opened in 2017.

Providence’s beloved Riffraff bookstore and bar have new owners that plan on keeping it just the same

What wine goes best with Pirate’s Booty? Or pigs-in-a-blanket?

In a growing beer scene, 6 unique brews from around R.I.

Behind the scenes

Jacques Pépin at his home in Madison, Conn., on Aug. 15, 2022.

‘Cooking for someone is the greatest expression of love’: Jacques Pépin on love, loss, and eating alone

After Lil Rhody Clam Cake Crawl No. 9, the “Clamarati” -- friends who embark on a daylong journey to sample and rank the best clam cakes -- may have reached local celebrity status.

Tacos from Terra Negra Cantina, a new Mexican restaurant in Providence's historic Federal Hill neighborhood where chefs Amilkar and Pamela Gonell are honoring the country's traditional cooking techniques.

‘Our love letter to Mexico’: New restaurant on Providence’s Federal Hill pays homage to traditional cuisine

Amilkar and Pamela Gonell are opening Terra Negra Cantina in DePasquale Square.

Cozy table seating separate from the bar space at Eastern Standard in Boston, Oct. 22, 2023.

In Boston, Eastern Standard is back. But is it as good as the original?

The troubles of retailers like Christmas Tree Shops and Bed Bath & Beyond can be a boon for Ocean State Job Lot, a closeout operation. And they're involved with tons of other businesses.

The exterior of one of Rory's Market and Kitchen's locations.

Downtown Providence grocer Rory’s closes its doors, a year after opening

Rory’s Market + Kitchen was the first grocer to open in downtown Providence in decades.

Norpak LLC is relocating from New Jersey to a facility at 132 Fairgrounds Road in South Kingstown, R.I.

N.J. manufacturer of food paper products is moving to R.I., to be considered for tax credits

The company plans to hire about 75 to 100 people over the next three years.

Selena Teletina delivered food at Block Island's Airport Diner.

Restaurants in R.I., Maine still struggle to find workers

“We need to do more to keep these people in our industry,” said Dale Venturini, the CEO of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association.

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Cooking

Recipe: Author Bee Wilson’s pasta with mushrooms and cream, cooked in one pan, is magic

Recipe for Magic Pasta with Mushrooms, Garlic, Cream, and Wine

Spice up your standard chicken soup with versions from around the world

Variations of comforting, brothy chicken soup are found in nearly every cuisine, including these bold options from Somalia, Thailand, and China.

Recipe: Make your own hot honey to coat these spicy chicken strips

Recipe for Hot Honey Chicken Strips

MORE RECIPES FROM THE GLOBE

Recipe: Oil-cured olives and sharp cheese garnish Sicilian-style Swiss chard

Recipe for Sicilian-Style Swiss Chard with Olives

How to make Sheryl Julian’s homestyle Boston Cream Pie

Bakers of many skill levels will find this classic treat easy to create.

Recipe: Stuff sweet potatoes with chickpeas, kale, and tahini yogurt for a hearty vegetarian dinner

Recipe for Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas, Kale, and Tahini Yogurt

Recipe: When there’s a chill in the air, make this hearty stuffed acorn squash with sausage and farro

Recipe for Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage and Farro

Bee Wilson, author of “The Secret of Cooking”

This British author will change the way you work in the kitchen

Bee Wilson’s “The Secret of Cooking” focuses like a laser beam on the things that make capable cooks capable.

Meet the Rhode Island Team

news

Rhode Island Food & Dining Headlines

RI FOOD & DINING

The savory flavors of Laos in R.I.: Three restaurants serving traditional Lao cuisine

“In a way, we try to teach our customers about Lao food so they know more about Lao culture,” says Britny Savankham, who works with her father at Thai Lan Xang in Johnston. 11:28 a.m.

GETTING SALTY

Rebelle’s Milena Pagán, MIT grad and James Beard semifinalist, will bring her singular brand of bagel to Kendall Square this year

Her secret? Eight hours of sleep. 9:00 a.m.

RHODE MAP

🎃 A one-stop guide to trick-or-treating in Rhode Island

The best and worst candies for Halloween, and reader recommendations for the best neighborhoods for filling your pillowcase sacks. 8:38 a.m.

FOOD & DINING NEWSLETTER

Coffee has a serious carbon footprint. One R.I. brand is trying to do things differently.

The Lil’ Rhody Coffee Company is working to accelerate the industry’s adoption of sustainable energy, and cutting out fossil fuels when roasting. 6:00 a.m.

DEVRA FIRST

Happy Halloween, and may all the candy bars in your bucket be full-size.

These are the best and worst candies of Halloween

Remember when I sorted Halloween candy into “Best” and “Worst” buckets and not everyone was sweet about it? Well, I'm sorry but Mounds are still marvelous and Twizzlers are still terrible. Let's Take 5 to reflect on candy again. 12:42 p.m.

Ghost stories — and unearthly encounters — feed curious guests at this Chepachet, R.I., tavern

Locals refer to it with an old name — the Stagecoach Tavern — but Tavern on Main’s kitschy decor and rebellious past makes it the perfect place for dinner and spirits. 6:00 a.m.

ENVIRONMENT

A bag of Quahogs, just one type of seafood found in the coastal waters of Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay, on Oct. 1, 2023. T

In Rhode Island, a hunt is on to understand the decline of the state’s iconic quahog clam

A legislative commission is looking at possible factors, from oxygen deficiency to changing aquatic life and climate change. 2:28 p.m.

FOOD & DINING NEWSLETTER

In a growing beer scene, 6 unique brews from around R.I.

Beer collaborations have become a big part of the brew business, pushing new partnerships among beverage creators, or with chefs, farms, and other brands. 6:00 a.m.