Providence
Dining And Drinking

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Providence is a rich history with a variety of dining options, most of which can be found downtown, in East Providence, Federal Hill and just outside the city.

Downtown

Downtown Providence features diverse dining establishments. Capriccio's, along the river, features European fine dining. Just down the next street is Pot au Feu, which serves French food in the dining room or the more casual basement area. Murphy's Delicatessen serves home-style meals and deli sandwiches. New Rivers American Bistro offers dinners that fuse many different global cuisines. Overlooking the river is Barnsider's Mile and a Quarter, an attractive space with a good salad bar and murder mystery dinners on the weekends. If you're looking for Asian flavors, New Japan Restaurant has a diverse menu that guests love.

Cafe Nuovo, an acclaimed fusion cuisine eatery, has a river view. Olives on North Main Street features a martini bar. Another restaurant where people go to see and be seen is CAV, the antique shop/restaurant in the old jewelry district.

East Providence

The Gourmet House offers a similar array of national foods from Southeast Asia and China. The Tokyo Restaurant gives a you a thoroughly Japanese eating experience, complete with a tatami room. Geoff's on Thayer and Geoff's on Benefit feature whimsically named sandwiches that are arguably the best in the city.

Catering to the upscale residents and communities of Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design, the East Side offers many dining experiences. Taste of India is a popular restaurant, as is Kabob-N-Curry—both offer a reasonably-priced Sunday buffet. Contemporary American dining can be found at the Z Bar and Grille. In one small three-block area of Hope Street near Wickenden Street, is Rachel's Pastanova, Rue de l'Espoir, Guido's and the Sawaddee Thai restaurant. Rachel's specializes in pasta and seafood, Guido's is an intimate Italian restaurant and the Rue features French cuisine and a tasty Sunday brunch.

Nearby, Cafe Paragon offers upscale dining at reasonable prices. You can get Middle Eastern food at East Side Pockets, or tasty Greek meals at Andreas.

The very popular Coffee Exchange is a good place to stop in the morning. A tiny restaurant called Creperie offers crepes and smoothies.

Federal Hill

Providence is home to a large Italian community, reflected in the pasta dishes and pizzas available in many area restaurants. But the city and environs is also a melting pot, reflected in the many other kinds of cuisine available here.

Federal Hill, just to the west of downtown, may be where you can find the best Italian food, from inexpensive and casual Angelo's to the stately, ornate Camille's and the modern, stylish L'Epicureo Ristorante and Mediterraneo. All offer pasta, meat, poultry and seafood dishes, each with its own flavorful and unique style. What some consider the queen among pizzerias, Caserta's, resides on the edge of Federal Hill.

Outside the City

If you venture on short trips outside Providence you can find some delightful restaurants. Just north of Providence, in Pawtucket, is the hearty food of the Modern Diner on East Avenue. A short ride south of Providence in Cranston is the famous Twin Oaks fine dining establishment. Five minutes east on Route 195 lies the lodge-like family restaurant Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse, surrounded by large stores and chain restaurants.

West Warwick features one of the state's most popular Mexican restaurants: Mr. Taco's Que Pasa. Continuing south of Providence you can enjoy fine dining at the Warehouse Tavern overlooking the harbor of East Greenwich. Just below East Greenwich you can get gourmet snacks and sandwiches in the Wickford Gourmet, or good dinners at Wickford's Seaport Tavern. By Narragansett Beach you can dine at the Coast Guard House and watch the ocean's waves. Or you could sample seafood and traditional American fare by the water in George's of Galilee.

Southeast of Providence in Warren you can experience fine dining with a view and pick your own lobster at the bayside The Wharf Tavern. In Bristol, just south of Warren you'll find the low-key, casual Sandbar Restaurant, good for chowder and fish, and just down the road (and also on the water) a charming Irish eating experience awaits at Aidan's Pub & Grub (which can also be found in Newport).