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Avvio This eatery is ideal for those in need of a backdrop for their special occasion – anniversary, spouse’ s birthday, or just a date night to say,“ I love you.” The Italian-forward menu can satisfy all appetites. Cranston, avvioristorante. com
Bellini The 1940s downtown glamour has a menu to match, so start with the steak tartare, following the baked tagliolini with bechamel, parmesan and smoked ham. Providence, bellinirestaurant. com / providence
Besos Tapas A cozy, historic setting featuring creative drinks and an expansive menu with Spanish flair. East Greenwich, besostapas. com
CAV Just imagine: Crystal chandeliers above, East Asian antiques all around, duck confit on your plate. A breathtaking restaurant perfect for date night. Providence, cavrestaurant. com
Destination Date Night
Dress in your finest, grab your other half and head to any one of these spots for a romantic rendezvous in the Ocean State.
Circe Restaurant and Bar Enjoy charcuterie boards, seafood and Italian-style entrees in a sleek and elegant atmosphere. Providence, East Greenwich and Cranston, circerestaurantbar. com
COAST at the Ocean House The peak of New England luxury. Experience an unforgettable night at this five-star restaurant. Watch Hill, oceanhouseri. com
Gracie’ s Relish an ever-changing, three-course seasonal menu at this intimate restaurant. Just don’ t forget to leave some room for dessert! Providence, graciesprov. com
India Restaurant Think: Sparkling decor and creative, flavorful Indian dishes that will add some spice to your life. Enjoy summer patio dining. Providence, indiarestaurant. com
Los Andes Woo your date with authentic
Peruvian and Bolivian appetizers, entrees and fun cocktails like the pisco sour. Providence, losandesri. com
Pasquale’ s Pizzeria Napoletana Just one step into the charming pizzeria and you’ ll feel the heat blazing from the wood-fired oven. Start off with an authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza then see where the night takes you. Wakefield. pasqualespizzeriari. com
Pat’ s Italian Restaurant With three locations in Coventry, Cumberland and Johnston, this spot offers authentic Italian eats, specializing in elevated comfort food. Coventry, Johnston and Cumberland, patsitalian. com
Perro Salado Delicious Latin American dishes served in a maze-like, historic home. Newport, perrosalado. com
White Horse Tavern Feast on exquisite, contemporary cuisine and experience Colonial charm at America’ s oldest tavern. Newport, whitehorsenewport. com
FOR EVEN MORE LOVIN’: Palo, Mill’ s Tavern and Cafe Nuovo in Providence, Safehouse in East Greenwich, Twin Oaks in Cranston, the Mooring, or the Dining Room at The Vanderbilt in Newport.
AN ODE TO FEDERAL HILL
A massive archway welcomes you to what we locals call,“ the Hill” or“ Little Italy” in Providence’ s West End. You may think a pineapple hangs from its center( don’ t worry, even longtime residents make this mistake), but it’ s actually a pinecone.“ La Pigna” symbolized( and still does to this day) abundance and quality to the Italian immigrants who populated the hill in the early 1900s. Lively, welcoming and full of old-world charm, Federal Hill is still home to a number of delicious, authentic Italian restaurants, including Andino’ s, Angelo’ s, Camille’ s, Caserta Pizzeria, Massimo and Pane e Vino. But if you’ re not in the mood for red sauce, the Hill also features a diverse array of flavors from the likes of Nami, Don Jose Tequilas, Harry’ s Bar & Burger and Providence Oyster Bar. Providence, federalhillprov. com
TAKE IT OUTSIDE
Al fresco is the way to go on a sunny day in the Ocean State.
Blu on the Water From crab cakes and Rhode Island calamari to Baja fish tacos and pan roasted mahi mahi, it’ s only right to order the fresh, delivered-daily seafood along the lively marina. Open from late April to late September. East Greenwich, bluonthewater. com
Bywater Located just one block over from Warren’ s bustling Main Street, Bywater’ s outdoor“ parking lot” patio boasts a quiet charm with twinkling lights and a fire pit. Head to the counter to sip wine and slurp oysters while chatting with the friendly bar staff. Warren, bywaterrestaurant. com
Coast Guard House Originally built as a Coast Guard station in the 1800s, this spot off Ocean Road offers beautiful views of the water. Dine on the back patio to really take it all in. Narragansett, thecoastguardhouse. com
Mare The outdoor rooftop seating at Mare has tables, high tops, comfy couches and cityscape views. Order Italian-inspired seafood dishes like the frutti di mare with marinara. Providence, marerooftop. com
Matunuck Oyster Bar Recovering from a recent fire, Matunuck Oyster Bar’ s tented dining area invites seafood lovers to sip craft cocktails and slurp down oysters overlooking Potter Pond. Wakefield, rhodyoysters. com
Oberlin The instantly Instagram-able dishes from Oberlin are all made with local seafood and produce. The restaurant recently moved across the street from its former location, next to its sister restaurant Gift Horse. Providence, oberlinrestaurant. com
The Lobster Pot While taking in the waterfront scenery, fill up on stuffed lobster or stacked burgers throughout the night. Start with delicious apps like fried clams and jumbo lump crab cakes. Bristol, lobsterpotri. com
SEE ALSO: Ocean Mist in Wakefield, Hot Club in Providence and The Reef in Newport.
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY’ S NEWCOMERS’ GUIDE l 2025 17