Top 5 Newport, RI, Food & Drink Spots: A Local’s Guide
Newport, Rhode Island. That town is just gorgeous, too, with its ocean views, historic mansions, and a certain salty charm that just gets under your skin. I find it pretty neat! Of course, all that sea air makes a person hungry! I’ve spent a pretty significant chunk of my life right here, so I figured it would be helpful to share my go-to spots for delicious food and great drinks, a little something for pretty much any taste and price range. These aren’t just any random spots either; they are, you know, spots where the locals actually go, places with that, very real, Newport feel.
1. The Black Pearl: A Newport Institution
The Black Pearl, they’re really a pretty significant landmark right on Bannister’s Wharf. Too it’s almost a must-visit, basically, especially, as I see it, if you’re hoping to, actually, grab a super solid classic Newport experience. Inside is cozy, you see, yet the real action? That’s definitely at the outdoor bar, actually, that faces the harbor. Now, I am saying, you really can’t beat a Dark ‘n’ Stormy, or two, or, even, three, right there while watching boats come and go. You get me? It has been the perfect perch for, in a way, people-watching. It may be a bit on the pricey side, but you’re also paying, apparently, for the atmosphere and location that you may like.
Plus, they also have a full restaurant that you could visit, that features some fantastic seafood dishes; think, say, classic New England clam chowder that everyone loves, lobsters that were freshly caught, and other various local catches. My personal go-to? Well that would, for sure, have to be the clam chowder; on cooler days, too, that chowder will really warm you to your core. Oh, one pro tip: get there early. Like seriously. And I mean that, especially during peak season because seats fill up unbelievably quickly!
2. Midtown Oyster Bar: Shucking Good Times
Oh, do you like oysters? If you do, oh boy, too it’s almost that you will absolutely adore Midtown Oyster Bar, truly one of the top spots. Just picture this, a really cool and trendy place with raw bar options aplenty, right? They have all manner of different oyster types from various local farms and, is that, beyond, too it’s almost the type of spot. Sit at the bar. Okay? I’m letting you in on a bit of a secret here. You will want to sit at the bar, okay? It’s really neat because that allows you to, maybe, watch the oyster shuckers in action. Which is really cool in some ways. Plus, it also lets you, too, strike up conversation, maybe, with other oyster fanatics, actually, like your truly, and I love oysters, actually. Yet the oysters are not only, in a way, why this spot gets the nod!
The cocktail program is, like, pretty innovative; so it’s almost like you’ll find a unique drink that perfectly pairs to whatever you’re enjoying. And the, uh, non-oyster menu items aren’t too shabby either. You’ll, maybe, find me, as I was saying, crushing a lobster roll with a pint. Maybe the scallops could work too, if you, like, feel so inclined. What else? Oh, there is also a great rooftop bar too! Right, that rooftop is where, too, you get great views. Make sure to head up there at some point because they really offer beautiful sunsets that really bring it all home. You have got to admit.
3. Clarke Cooke House: Fine Dining with a View
Want something fancy? Okay. Well Clarke Cooke House is a timeless Newport establishment, right, you might just say that has just become the go-to for special occasions, for instance, and, like, super impressive dining experiences. That’s kind of very, very true. I love their Commodore’s Room, the views in this place will really leave you speechless. Now I mean it when I am saying that it is situated directly overlooking the harbor, actually, which makes it just perfect, right, for a romantic date or just, very, some celebrating. Just go. Seriously. What else can you say, I find that neat too, basically. You can’t have everything in life, that much is known! The atmosphere alone could actually carry the food. But the food, too, does stand on its own very own, you see? Here the menu has classics like steak and lobster but the preparation just is very classy.
But it does also include items that, might be, influenced, maybe, by more global cuisine that, may be, you are into! Do yourself a favor. Get dessert. Honestly. That Snowball in Hell. It is pretty much, like, worth the splurge. Even though this spot, like, does skew toward, you see, the higher end of the price spectrum. This, too, is the place to do things up the right way. Basically. Treat you to some good old Newport class, maybe, if you’ve earned it! Basically. This spot should definitely get the nod! It’s true in some respects!
4. Diego’s Barrio Cantina: Tacos and Tequila Time
Maybe something a bit more laid-back is needed, maybe, with a more fun, right? Maybe the fiesta is, in fact, something, arguably, that interests you a bit, okay, great. Because I feel Diego’s Barrio Cantina will serve you greatly; it also comes correct with the fiesta, maybe? Okay. Here’s a little secret, yet it still rocks on in Newport like many of those other tourist spots too. Okay? It is located a tad off the beaten path and too you’re getting the distinct vibe of a very cool, almost California type. With their very fun decor, it kind of almost rocks the Southern California beach vibes, very! Then I think there’s those who will like a vast menu featuring all your taco types. Everything? Yup. You know the type, fish tacos and chicken tacos but those featuring short rib too and that old style carnitas? Of course! It really has the bang! The drinks too are very good, right?
This really could be the right time for grabbing that marg, honestly? Or several margaritas, as a matter of fact? And as far as sharing goes, get some nachos; I find that pretty neat because that stuff is truly great with those friends. It has it! What else could I, also, say? Alright? Alright, so. This one won’t set you back all the crazy bills either which helps many, clearly, to chill here too, apparently, while on vacation. It’s affordable, which, for me at least, I would say can give it more appeal. Because I am very cheap, for a fact.
5. The Red Parrot Restaurant: Fun and Festive
The Red Parrot, well, that too, can be described pretty significantly; so it’s almost that Newport has a certain restaurant and you also can kind of sense it’s really built more for tourist-types or maybe very much families, as I was saying. I feel they do have lots of energy in that little location with very huge menus that contain lots of the type; I mean, those items you want from Newport vacation spots, very. You feeling pizza or burgers or even fried seafood? Yeah okay cool it’s also like what they provide. I kind of see this as the one. This type is still awesome to come to on any vacation though because it’s fun! If you are with a bit larger groups that want lots of options and fun, that place can work! Even your old school rum punch or any old colorful concoction to drink too will do you nice.
Okay great! Because if the vibe is, well, just sort of just high-energy type in every location, too, that’s awesome for something, still? At all times? In the old and wonderful city of Newport RI? Now that will just probably win over for you, basically? And then after, well just probably stroll on the harbor. I’m thinking to you that you do deserve this day anyway. And by the way you’ve also earned all this just for surviving all week!
