Providence Dining Guide
Restaurants in the Campus Area
Cafes/Sandwiches, pg. 2
Dinner, pgs. 3-4
Restaurants in the Wickenden/Waterfront Area, pgs. 5-6
Restaurants in Downtown Providence, pgs. 7-8
Restaurants in the Campus Area
Cafes/Sandwiches
Au Bon Pain 223 Thayer Street 751-0472 $Creperie/Crepes & Smoothies & Wraps
A quiet little café right off Thayer Street. Serving crepes, coffee, tea, wraps, & smoothies. A little taste of France, only a five minute walk from Brown University. Take-Out.
82 Fones Alley 751-5536 $
East Side Pockets
Mediterranean Cuisine, including Falafel (some say best in New England), Gyros, and Kabobs. Lots of vegetarian options. Service is fast and friendly and the prices are unbelievably low. Take-Out. Open
278 Thayer Street 453-1100
$
Geoff’s Superlative Sandwiches
Deli-style sandwiches, named after local
personalities. Wide variety of breakfast bagels and pastries. Lots of vegetarian, too. Take-Out. Open M-F, 8 am-9 pm. Open Sa-Su, 9:30 am-9 pm. Two locations:
163 Benefit Street
178 Angell Street (At Thayer)
751-2248
$
Johnny Rockets
Burgers and shakes in a '50s diner atmosphere. Very casual. No reservations. Bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. Open Su-Th lunch to midnight; F-S to 2 am. 269 Thayer St
276-0003 $
Meeting Street Café
Giant selection of sandwiches, with combinations as interesting as their names. Breakfast and dessert, too. Open daily, 7 am-7 pm.
251 Meeting Street, off Thayer. 273-1006
$
Spike's Junkyard Dogs
Featuring the world's best hot dogs - maybe better. Voted best hot dog in RI by RI Monthly magazine (they have vegetarian hot dogs too). Also, has great subs and pizza. Sun Noon-12, Mon/Tue 11-12, Wed/Thu 11-2AM, Fri/Sat 11-2AM
273 Thayer St
Wheelchair access (401) 454-1459 $
Starbuck’s Coffee
Starbuck’s offers over thirty varieties and blends of the world’s finest arabica coffee beans, expertly prepared coffee and espresso beverages, and an extensive selection of home brewing equipment. Open M-F, 7 am-11 pm. Open Sa-Su, 7 am-11:30 pm.
218 Thayer Street 421-1677
Dinner
Adesso
A popular California café serving nouvelle cuisine in bright, pleasant surroundings. Open Su-W, 4:30 pm-10:30 pm. Open Th-F, 4:30 pm-11 pm. 161 Cushing Street 521-0770. $$$ Andreas
A favorite student spot featuring Greek as well as American cuisine. Casual. Open M-F, 11 am-11 pm. Open Sa-Su, 9 am-10:30 pm. 268 Thayer Street
331-7879 $$
Asian Paradise
Cambodian, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Great values, great selection, friendly staff, and pleasant atmosphere.
Open Su-Th, 11:30 am-10 pm. Open F-Sa, 11:30 am-11 pm.
165 Angell Street 454-0222. $
Café Paragon
A trendy, Euro-style hot spot serving a variety of wood grilled pizzas, pastas, burgers, and good house wines. Recently opened its bar dance area next door (Viva!) with an inside connecting passage. Open daily, 11:45 am-11:30 pm.
234 Thayer Street 331-6200. $$
Guido’s
An Italian-American experience, one that requires a boisterousness of mood and a willingness to pass things around the table. Casual. Reservations accepted. Not wheelchair accessible. Smoking section. Wed-Sun for dinner. No credit cards. BYOB.
102 Hope Street 273-5812 $$
Kabob-n-Curry
Arguably the best Indian food in Rhode Island. Casual. Reservations accepted. Not wheelchair accessible. Open seven days for lunch and dinner, Sun buffet.
261 Thayer Street 273-8844
$.
Kartabar
New restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
284 Thayer Street 331-8111
$$
Max’s Upstairs
Comfortable, contemporary cafe with Southwestern flavor M-Th, 11:30 am to 11:30 pm F-S, 11:30 am to 12:30 am Su, Noon to 11:30 pm 272 Thayer Street 273-7427 $
Rue de L’Espoir
An outstanding French country-style restaurant. The brunch is great, and inexpensive, too ($). Reservations accepted. Open Tu-F, 7:30 am- 2:30 pm, and 5 pm-9 pm. Sa, 8:30 am- 2 pm, and 5 pm-10:30 pm. Su, 8:30 am-2 pm, and 5 pm-9 pm.
99 Hope Street 751-8890 $$$
Ristorante Pizzico
"Best of Award of Excellence" from The Wine Spectator magazine since 1992. For one of the best wine lists in the world. Rated four stars from the RI Monthly and reviewed by the NY Times, Pizzico offers creative Italian food in an upscale bistro ambience, refined in a European sense.
Lunch 11:30/2:30 Dinner 5 to Closing Wheelchair access (401) 421-4114 762 Hope Street
$$
Tortilla Flats
Reliable, tasty Mexican food. The nachos are yummy! Open M-F, 11:30 am-10 pm, and Sa-Su, 11:30 am-11 pm.
353 Hope Street 751-6777
Restaurants in the Wickenden/Waterfront Area Al Forno
A casually upscale trattoria-style restaurant with terrific Mediterranean-inspired food and a warm, cozy atmosphere. The array of grilled pizzas offered as appetizers and the made-to-order desserts are mainstays for which the restaurant has become nationally known. Reservations are not accepted. Not wheelchair accessible. Open Tues. through Sat. for dinner. 577 South Main Street
273-9760
$$$
Barnsider’s Mile & A Quarter
Steaks and seafood with a bountiful salad bar. Nice atmosphere, within walking distance to night life. Open M-Sa, 5-11pm and Su, 4-9pm.
375 South Main Street. 351-7300
$$$
Cable Car Cinema and Cafe
The Cable Car helps define what is unique about Providence. Cafe sandwiches, tasty desserts and our unique blend of coffee, combined with the best of alternative films nightly. Over two decades of memories have been served Everyday 7:30am to (around) 11:30pm Wheelchair Access
204 South Main Street 272-3970
$
Coffee Exchange
Best coffeehouse in town. Atmosphere more like coffeehouses from the sixties than the gourmet nineties. Breakfast pastries served. Open M-F, 6:30 am-11 pm, Sa-Su, 7 am-11 pm.
207 Wickenden Street 273-1198
$
Fahrenheit Bar & Bistro
Chef-owner G. Michael Munroe's menu is simple yet sophisticated, with a strong emphasis on seafood and wood grilling, although there is a large selection of steaks as well.
345 South Water Street 521-7722
$$$
Fellini’s Pizzeria
Gourmet, thin-crust pizzas, New York style. Sandwiches, desserts, and espressos, too! Hottest selling pizzas are the garden pizza and pesto pizza. Priced from $11-$20. Open Su-W, 11:30 am-12 am, Th, 11:30 am-2 am, and F-Sa, 11:30 am-3 am.
166 Wickenden Street 751-6737
Hemingway’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar
Enjoy steaks, chops, and seafood in a grand dining room with soaring ceilings and windows that overlook the city's riverwalk. Open-air dining is available on the front patio, which has a partial view of the park.
121 S. Main Street 351-8570
$$$
Neath’s
Inspired and refreshing Asian-infused food from chef Neath Pal, formerly of Grappa and L'Epicureo. The view of the river is amazing as the city lights up. Casually upscale. Reservations accepted. Wheelchair access to downstairs lounge only. Open Tues. through Sun. for dinner only.
262 Water Street 751-3700
$$$
Parkside Rotisserie & Grill
The Parkside offers a wide variety of innovative foods ranging from spicy crab cakes to grilled tenderloin and Portobello salad. The menu also includes several creative pasta dishes and Parkside’s signature rotisserie meat items. Enjoy watching the culinary staff prepare your meal in the open kitchen and relax in "casual elegance." 76 South Main Street
331- 0003 $$
Taste of India
Serving vegetable dishes, chicken, lamb, rice and freshly baked breads.
Lunch 11:30-2:30, Dinner 5pm-10pm Wheelchair access 230 Wickenden Street 421-4355 $ Tokyo Restaurant
The Japanese cuisine served here is the best in the state. Choose traditional or American seating - or take a stool at the sushi bar, where local fish like tuna, mackerel, and eel are prepared
alongside red snapper and fish from points beyond. The designer rolls include beef, squid, duck, and seaweed. 123 Wickenden Street 331-5330
$$
Z Bar and Grille
Upscale bistro featuring casual dining in a contemporary atmosphere. Courtyard dining is available. Open daily 11:30 am-11 pm. Sunday brunch.
244 Wickenden Street 831-1566
Restaurants in Downtown Providence
Agora
In the Westin Hotel. Inventive eclectic cuisine with a New England flair. Sumptuous surroundings, excellent waitstaff. Casually upscale. Reservations accepted. Wheelchair accessible. Open Mon. through Sat. for dinner only. Highchairs available.
1 W Exchange Street 598-8011
$$$$
Big Fish
Big Fish -- a place where things are real, yet surreal -- is a restaurant for the new millennium. While the decor screams over-the-top, the menu is as down to earth as a seafood restaurant's menu should be: a raw bar with oysters, clams, shrimp; local Cape bluefish and swordfish, fried fish and chips, lobsters and pasta dishes such as shrimp fra diavolo and lobster ravioli. 370 Richmond Street
751-3474
$$$ Café Nuovo
The dining room of this modern downtown restaurant is dominated by two huge murals in lively colors, an open kitchen, and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the city and River Park. Outside dining is an option during warmer months. The food is a fusion of American regional, European, Asian, and island flavors, and entrées are served with dazzling presentations. Chocolate lovers should order the pot of mousse for dessert. Closed Sun. No lunch weekends.
1 Citizen's Plaza 421-2525 $$$
Capital Grille
Dry-aged beef is the star, but lobster and fish are also on the menu at the cavernous Capital Grille. The mashed potatoes, cottage fries, and Caesar salads are served in portions that will sate even the heartiest appetite. Leather, brass, mahogany, oil portraits, a mounted wooden canoe, and Bloomberg News ticking away in the barroom lend this establishment the feel of an opulent men's club. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.
1 Cookson Pl. 521-5600 $$$$
Capriccio
Continental and Italian cuisine dominate the extensive menu at this luxurious restaurant. The décor is formal and elegant. Valet parking available. Open M-F for lunch and daily for dinner.
2 Pine Street 421-1320
$$$$
CAV
NY Times 5 best restaurants in Providence, CAV serves fresh cut pastas, creative entrees: chicken, duck, fish and shrimp dishes as well as vegetarian dishes. Located in a quaint, historic loft surrounded by intriguing gifts from all over the world. Continental Breakfast, M-F; Lunch, M-Sa; Dinner, M-Su. Wheelchair access.
14 Imperial Place 751-9164
Downcity Diner
One of the best deals in town! 1940’s diner style specializing in “international comfort food!”
Specialties include warm duck salad, sausage and goat cheese crostini, and fettucubu with grilled sausage. Open for breakfast and lunch, M-F; dinner, W-Sa; and brunch Sa-Su.
151 Weybosset Street. 331-9217
$$
Empire
In the heart of downtown, Empire lives up to its regal name and is perfect for before- or after-theater dining. The open, modern, and bright setting is matched by great selections of pasta, fish, chicken, and meat. The grilled pizza is a must. Closed Sun.
123 Empire Street 621-7911
$$$
Mill’s Tavern
Grand, inspired American dining from chef Jules Ramos and owner Jaime D'Oliveira. The dining room is as breathtaking as the menu. Casually upscale. Open for dinner Sun.-Thurs. 5-10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. till 11 p.m. Reservations recommended. Handicapped accessible.
101 North Main Street 272-3331
$$$
New Japan Restaurant
An authentic Japanese restaurant serving such specialties as tempura, teriyaki, sashiri, and suki yaki Sushi on Sunday evenings only. Fresh hand-selected fish, imported Japanese ingredients, quality sake, Japanese beer & plum wine available. Lunch & dinner, Tu-Su. Wheelchair access.
145 Washington Street 351-0300
$$
Pot au Feu Bistro and Salon
Classically prepared French bistro fare in a wonderfully cozy setting. Bistro is casual, Salon is more upscale. Reservations accepted for Salon Not wheelchair accessible. Open for lunch Mon-Fri and dinner nightly (in July and August, they are closed on Sundays). 44 Custom House Street
273-8953 $$-$$$
Raphael Bar-Risto
Raphael's sophisticated menu puts an innovative spin on traditional Italian dishes such as ravioli, gnocchi, and risotto. The atmosphere is "see-and-be-seen" rather than intimate. Casually upscale. Reservations accepted. Wheelchair accessible. Open Mon. through Fri. for lunch and dinner and Sat. and Sun. for dinner only.
1 Union Station $$$
3 Steeple Street
Eclectic food, from meal-size salads to nightly specials, at a perennial Providence favorite. Casual. Reservations accepted for 6 or more. Not wheelchair accessible. Open Mon-Sat for lunch and dinner, Sun for dinner only.
3 Steeple Street 272-3620
Trinity Brewhouse
Trinity Brewhouse serves a variety of foods including American, Hamburgers, Ribs and Steaks. They also have a wide range of sandwiches including vegetarian choices. Last but certainly not least, they micro brew all their own beer.
186 Fountain St 453-2337
BREAKFAST SPOTS
AROUND BROWN UNIVERSITY
Au Bon Pain
233 Thayer St. 751-0472
M-F: 7 am-8 pm Sat & Sun: 8 am-8pm
Bagel Gourmet 250 Brook St. 453-5560 daily 7 am-6 pm Brickway on Wickenden 234 Wickenden St. 751-2477 M-F: 7 am-3pm S: 8 am-5 pm Su: 8 am-5 pm Coffee Exchange 213 Wickenden St. 273-1198 M-S: 6:30 am-11 pm Su: 7 am- 11 pm
Down City Diner
151 Weybosset St. 331-9217
S & Su: 9 am-2 pm
Dunkin’ Donuts 275 Thayer St. 621-9624 daily 6 am- 3 am Louis Restaurant 286 Brook St. 861-5225 daily 6 am-3 pm Meeting St. Café 20 Meeting St. 273-1066 daily 7 am-8 pm Rue de L’espoir 99 Hope St. 751-8890 T-F: 7:30-11 am S & Su: 8:30 am-2 pm
Starbucks Coffee
218 Thayer St. 421-1677
M-F: 7 am- 11 pm S & Su: 7 am-11:30 pm
729 Hope St.
729 Hope St. 273-7290
M-Th: 6 am-9 pm F: 6 am-10 pm S & Su: 7 am-5 pm
Tealuxe
231 Thayer Street 453-4832