Diner’s Update

Nitro Bar is now open on Ives Street in Providence.

OPENINGS AND UPDATES

The latest Nitro Bar is now open at 134 Ives St. in Providence, where Glou used to be. Today, Thurs., Oct. 1 is the first day they are open, and to celebrate, they are donating all profits from all Nitro Bar shops this Thursday to the communities of Newport, Providence and Pawtucket, including @bvcap_ri@betterlives_riand@newportmlk.

La Fe Taqueria opened in the former Blue Cottage space on Hope Street in Providence. The business is partially owned by the the owner of Lotus Pepper.

DeQuattro Restaurant Group is adding another restaurant to its roster, this time, down in South Kingstown. They already own Pane e Vino on Federal Hill in Providence, two Massimo locations, one on Federal Hill and another at Legacy Place in Dedham, Mass., the Crow’s Nest in Warwick and Bar ‘Lino in Johnston. They recently purchased the Chophouse Grille location at 191 Old Tower Hill Rd., and will call this new restaurant Acqua Pazza, according to Gail Ciampa at the Providence Journal.

Speaking of Italian, Pat’s Italian in Cumberland may have closed, but Pat’s Italian is coming to Providence’s Federal Hill in the space that was formerly occupied by Blackstone’s on the Hill. In the meantime, you can still visit Pat’s locations in Coventry, Warwick and Johnston.

The Peach Cobbler Factory has also opened at 102 Dean St. on Providence’s Federal Hill, bringing the viral desserts to Providence from the Southern-inspired chain. “Think warm fruit cobblers served with ice cream, creamy banana pudding, loaded cinnamon rolls, giant cookies, brownies, churro stix, thick milkshakes and their signature Pudd-N-Shakes.”

A Portuguese-inspired coffeehouse has opened in Barrington. Maggie Mulvena, founder of Feast & Fettle meal delivery service and author of The Feast & Fettle Cookbook, has created Aldeia Coffeehouse as a space to celebrate Portuguese heritage through coffee drinks, pastries, sandwiches, European pantry items and ceramics. It’s open Wed.-Mon. from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Tuesdays).

Kingfish in Warren is open with some reservations available, but most tables are available as walk-ins. They are offering $2 shucks on Mondays. The seafood-focused restaurant is open Thursday through Monday, starting at 4 p.m. A note from the owners Luke Mersfelder and Brittany Simons: “If you go to make a reservation and see that we’re ‘fully booked,’ we most certainly are not. We’ve just capped the number of reservations we’re currently taking so that we can accommodate more walk-ins.”

Newport Harbor Island Resort on Goat Island has revamped its 1639 dining concept, and hired a new director of food and beverage, John Barth. Barth is now handling 1639, room service, banquets and catering, and the resort’s four other dining concepts: Torpedo Bar & Lounge, The Firepits, The Bakery and The Pineapple Club. 1639 offers a refined coastal dining experience that celebrates the flavors of New England with an innovative twist, including house-made pastas and locally sourced seafood and meats.

TRANSITIONS

The Boat House in Tiverton will close for renovations starting after dinner service on October 3, and reopen in the spring of 2027. When it reopens, guests can look forward to a refreshed dining room and bar and outdoor expansion. The revitalized space will feature a brand-new outdoor bar on the North Patio with panoramic views of Mount Hope Bay, as well as additional seating and a new awning on the South Patio.

The former Newport Creamery in Barrington has been purchased by the Blount family and will reopen as Barrington Creamery. According to an Instagram post from the town of Barrington, the restaurant will reopen in 2027. “Barrington Creamery is a community restaurant opening in 2027 at 296 County Road — built for, and with, the people of Barrington and the East Bay. On the menu: the classic creamery favorites you grew up with, a few newer and lighter options for the way people eat today, and select highlights pulled from the Blount menu. It’s a mix that’s meant to feel familiar the first time you walk in. This is a neighborhood place first — for families, regulars, kids after school, and everyone in between. The Blount family will be managing the establishment, but it is dedicated to local families; and Creamery diehards!”

CLOSINGS

Sin Bakery will be closing permanently on October 31, which they call “the perfect day for a bakery called Sin!” “Thank you for everything you’ve given us. It’s meant so much to be a part of your lives and celebrations for the last twenty years,” wrote owner Jennifer Luxmoore.

Debbie’s sandwich shop in downtown Providence is closing on September 30. This week it’s open Wed.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sat., noon-4 p.m., and the final week, Tues.-Fri., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Owner Ed Davis wrote: “Why are we closing? Well that’s about a million different reasons but the big one is it just wasn’t busy enough.”

Becky’s BBQ in Middletown is closing at the end of the month but will continue catering, it announced on social media posts. “We will still be offering catering for your parties, events, gatherings, and special occasions. We’re excited to continue serving you in a new way! For now, you can reach out to us through Big Mike’s Smokehouse, by phone at ☎️ 401-841-9909.”

Le Central bistro in Bristol closed on Sept. 3., according to the Providence Journal. Chef Jesse James owned the restaurant for more than twenty years.

The Grind, the coffee shop at Crook Point Brewing in Providence, is closing on Sept. 26.

The Puerto Rican cafe Little Sister announced it is closing at the end of the year after eight years in business on Hope Street in Providence. They will continue brunch, but service is now first-come, first-served. Owner Milena Pagan posted on the the Little Sister Instagram account, announcing the decision: “I want to set the narrative straight from the jump: This decision is purely lifestyle driven,” Pagán wrote. “My Papi is getting very old, he’s 78. I haven’t spent significant time with him in the 20 years I’ve been studying and working in America. That’s a long time to be away from your family. I need more of my time back so I can visit Puerto Rico more often, build our family farm … and pursue other opportunities that are coming up in our lives. We are so grateful for the experience — the beautiful memories we’ll treasure, and the unsavory moments that ultimately made us stronger.”

Also on Hope Street in Providence, Ran Zan posted a sign on its door that it has permanently closed. The sign said: “Thank you to our amazing community for all the support and wonderful memories over the last 28 years. It was an honor serving you.”

EVENTS, SPECIALS AND MENU UPDATES

10/1

On Thurs., Oct. 1, Red Stripe in Wayland Square will host a four-course wine dinner featuring pairings from The Prisoner Wine Co. The menu includes lobster bisque with butter-poached lobster, Filet Oscar, Belgian chocolate mousse and more, with a different wine paired with each course.The dinner begins at 5 p.m. and is $79 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Food Truck Nights

• Fri. 10/2 at the Crowne Plaza for Warwick Food Truck night foodtrucksin.com/warwick-food-truck-night-crowne-plaza-10-02-2026

• Sat. 10/3, annual Food Trucks at Flames of Hope supporting Gloria Gemma
  facebook.com/events/200123110748171

The plaza at Track 15.

10/1-10/4

Down in Newport, head to the Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week. There are several food- and drink-related and car-themed events to attend, including today’s Wine by the Water from 2-5 p.m. at Forty 1° North. Kick off Motor Week in style overlooking Newport’s breathtaking waterfront views while sampling wine brands hand-selected by wine expert Brian Ward of WineAdvise, joined with delicious food pairings from the chefs at Forty 1° North. Guests can sample the curated beverages and delicious treats while taking in luxury yachts, custom automobiles and Newport sunset views. On Friday, Oct. 2 from 7-11 p.m., head to Whisky by the Water at The Reef in Newport to join The Macallan for an elevated waterfront evening. This exclusive experience brings together Macallan specialty cocktails, select whisky tastings, heavy hors d’oeuvres, entertainment and a Fine & Rare whisky auction display in one of Newport’s most distinctive coastal settings. On Sat., Oct. 3, head to the Hilltop Hangout from 2-6 p.m. at Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co. for cocktails and a cigar.

10/2

Track 15 in downtown Providence kicked off its 2026 Summer Concert Series, bringing twenty weeks of free Friday night live music, art and creative programming to its outdoor plaza at 1 Union Station. The weekly series spotlights local musicians and Rhode Island-based creatives, with performances expected from Julie Rhodes & The Electric, The Grace Darko Quartet, Mary McAvoy, How’s About Charlie, The Wolff Sisters, Charlie Marie and more throughout the season. Guests can enjoy dinner and drinks from Track 15’s vendors, relax on the lawn, and take part in rotating arts programming, including painting, crafts, poetry, pottery and other creative activations. On concert nights, Track 15 will also offer a Rosé and Bubbles bar sponsored by Santa Margherita Wines, featuring rosé, prosecco and a custom frosé. The free series runs every Friday at 6:30 p.m. through Oct. 2, with select dates aligning with Basin WaterFire evenings and Rhode Island Night Market activations.

10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30

Attend the Hope & Main West End Makers Markets on Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. from September 11 through October 30 at the Providence location on 945 Westminster Street. And come celebrate the ribbon cutting for the new West End Kitchens on October 2.

10/2-10/4

Oktoberfest is back at Narragansett! The sixth Annual Narragansett Oktoberfest will take place October 2–4 at the Narragansett Taproom in Providence. The celebration has deep roots for the brand: the original Narragansett brewery was founded in Cranston in 1890 by six German immigrants, who brought their Bavarian traditions, including Oktoberfest, with them. This annual event carries that heritage forward for a new generation of fans, with special pours including Fest Beer, Gourd Reaper and award-winning Tock Haus Lager.

10/3 and 10/4

Sakonnet Vineyard in Little Compton will host its free, family-friendly second annual Harvest Festival on Sat., Oct. 3 and Sun., Oct. 4, from noon to 5 p.m. Spend the weekend enjoying wine tastings, vineyard tours, local food and a curated artisan market by Juicy Market PVD. Families can dive into fall fun with pumpkin painting, face painting, games and balloon animals, all while the tasting room remains open until 8 p.m. Saturday kicks off at noon with a book signing in the barn featuring Jamie Coelho, editor-in-chief of Rhode Island Monthly and author of Rhode Island Food Crawls. Live music keeps the vineyard buzzing all weekend long, featuring Stefan Couture and Purple Honey on Saturday, followed by The Difference and Take it to the Bridge on Sunday.

10/3

In Providence, thousands of people will gather for Gloria Gemma’s Flames of Hope: A Celebration of Life. This event, complete with the Passport to Survivorship Expo at the Rhode Island Convention Center, and the free Celebration of Life Festival, featuring the Illuminations of Life Ceremony and Torch Procession at 195 District Park, was created to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This weekend-long celebration embraces everyone who has been impacted by cancer. On Sat., Oct. 3 from 4:30-11:30 p.m. at the 195 District Park, there will be food, a free concert, dancing and family-fun activities.

10/9

As part of the FABRIC Arts Festival celebrating Fall River and New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island, Portugalia Marketplace in Fall River is hosting Boston-based artist Evelyn Rydz for “Across Aisles: Recetas de Casa.” Developed from the Comida Casera workshops presented at FABRIC earlier this year, a collection of recipe-stories is distributed throughout the supermarket for visitors to discover, collect, and take home.

10/10

On Saturday, FABRIC Arts Festival takes over Mundo’s in Pawtucket for a night unfolding between dinner, performance, poetry, interactive installation and dance. The evening begins with RED, a collective dinner-performance conceived by writer and curator Filipa da Rocha Nunes and artist Claudio Bueno, with J. Simões, Dandha da Hora, and Mundo’s. Through three acts of food, readings, ritual, and shared gestures, the work brings Passagem (2024), by Explode! Platform, into the setting of a communal meal. Guests are invited to come dressed in red and bring words with them — poems, proverbs, songs, or other texts around freedom and abolition — becoming part of an experience constructed collectively around the table. Following dinner, artist and educator Melanie Hoff presents Dance Poem Revolution, an interactive installation in which participants generate poetry through movement using a custom-built system inspired by Dance Dance Revolution. From 11 p.m., multidisciplinary artist and DJ Lévi takes over the ballroom for a DJ set moving between hyperpop, techno, vocals, and unexpected references, carrying the night from words into sound and collective movement.

10/11

FABRIC Arts Festival concludes with Sunday Social at Luzo Auto Body, a family-run garage that has been part of New Bedford’s Azorean community for more than fifty years. For one afternoon, the working auto shop becomes a setting for food, wine, music, artworks and stories. Chef Grace Goodrich serves a churrasco-style menu, while an installation by Mia Pinheiro and Michael Medeiros draws from Luzo’s history and the region’s relationship with cod fishing. Luzo owner Victor Pinheiro continues the garage’s tradition of pressing wine. At 5:30 p.m., Claudia de Sousa-Baptista presents a lecture-performance on resistance music across the Portuguese-speaking diaspora. From 6:30 p.m., Claudia takes over the music and the garage becomes a dance floor, bringing FABRIC 2026 to a close.

10/14

Rhode Island’s favorite tasting event is back and tickets are on sale now for the winter showcase of Taste of Rhode Island. The evnet takes place on Oct. 14 from 6-9 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. Taste your way through Rhode Island as restaurants, bakeries, wineries, breweries, distilleries and specialty food businesses come together for tasting great food and drinks, live entertainment and more. Tickets are $49.87 for general admission and $65.87 for VIP.

10/16-10/17

Castle Hill Inn in Newport is welcoming back Michelin-starred chef Nick Curtin of Copenhagen’s acclaimed Alouette, to once again join forces with Aurelia at Castle Hill and chef Quentin Diez for a special multi-course tasting experience on Oct 16 and 17. Earlier this year, Aurelia at Castle Hill also received the coveted 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award. Originally from Providence, chef Nick Curtin is returning to his home state for this special two-night celebration. Copenhagen’s Alouette highlights artisans and local growers and he’s bringing this same thoughtful approach to Aurelia at Castle Hill. Guests will enjoy a curated prix-fixe menu that celebrates Rhode Island’s local bounty – from peak-season produce to the region’s renowned seafood and artisanal purveyors. Reservations will be available via Open Table beginning September 16. The prix fixe menu will be available for $185 per person, with beverage pairings and wines available at an additional cost.

10/17

Fearless Fish Market‘s Oystermania is taking place Oct. 17 from noon to 5 p.m. at 721 Hope St. in Providence. Fearless Fish will have oysters from three growers: East Beach Blondes, Fox Island, North Star. Food will be provided by Little Friend, ice cream by Big Feeling, music by Playing Dead, beer with Moniker Brewery, a kid zone and more!

10/17

Narragansett Brewery in Providence is hosting Neighbor Day on Sat., Oct. 17 from 1–6 p.m. Co-hosted with Providence Flea, Neighbor Day is a celebration of the community and will feature local vendors, live music, a beer garden, games, taproom food specials and local organizations. They will also have free pet portraits from 2–4:30 p.m., with suggested donations benefiting the Providence Animal Rescue League.

10/30

The Vanderbilt, Auberge Collection in Newport is hosting its annual Halloween event, the Ghosts of the Atlantic: Drowned Pirates Ball, on Fri., Oct. 30, 2026 from 7-11 p.m. The event tells the tale of the seafaring legend of mansioneer Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt and Newport’s storied harbor. Inside the historic mansion, candlelit halls will come alive with ghostly sailors, restless captains and haunted Gilded Age socialites, blending Newport’s rich history with a playful nautical twist. Guests can expect nautical cocktails, decadent passed hors d’oeuvres, stationed food and live entertainment throughout the evening. Costumes are encouraged, whether guests arrive as a bewitched deckhand, glamorous Gilded Age ghost or phantom captain. Tickets include an open bar, food and access to all entertainment. Open to hotel guests and local visitors for $275 a ticket, this twenty-one-plus event offers a unique way to celebrate Halloween inside one of Newport’s most iconic historic mansions.

11/13-11/14

ONGOING EVENTS

At Beech in Jamestown, every Sunday is “Bolognese Sunday” where they bring back this beloved guest favorite dish exclusively on Sundays for $36. The dish is a traditional recipe from Bologna, Italy, made with a five-hour simmered sauce and housemade tagliatelle pasta.

Ten Steak & Sushi located at 55 Pine St. in Providence is offering a new Social Hour Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 6 p.m., which includes a full menu of elevated bar bites, $10 cocktails and half-priced wine. Small bites include Chips & Dip ($9) with the option to add caviar ($14); tenderloin yakitori with garlic mango sauce ($12); deluxe truffle fries ($10); jumbo shrimp cocktail with Old Bay and bloody mary cocktail sauce ($12 for four shrimp); tuna crispy rice: tuna, avocado, crispy rice, spicy mayo and sriracha ($10); California roll: lump crab, cucumber and tobiko ($10); spicy ahi tuna maki with cucumber, spicy mayo and togarashi ($10); and Rhode Island calamari with banana peppers and jalapeño tartar sauce ($14). $10cocktails include the Ten Prime Martini with 10 Prime Organic Vodka and blue cheese stuffed olives; Ten’s signature mojito with Bacardi Superior, muddled lime and mint; red or white sangria; and the Moscow mule with 10 Prime Organic Vodka, ginger beer and lime. A selection of wines are available for half-price during Social Hour, including Torresella Rosé Prosecco ($6), Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc ($6), Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio ($7), Carpineto Dogojolo Sangiovese ($6), the 2021 Cambria Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir ($8), and the 2021 Ely Callaway Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon ($8).

Little Clam Restaurant at the Wayfinder in Newport is hosting its Burger of the Month Club, which gives guests a limited-time specialty burger inspired by the flavors of the season. August’s featured burger is the Tuscan Chicken Burger ($24), topped with basil pesto aioli, fresh mozzarella, crispy prosciutto, and arugula. The restaurant is also celebrating its one-year anniversary throughout August with Daily Birthday Bites (Aug. 1–31, Sun.–Wed. from 3–5 p.m.), featuring $1 oysters, fries, cucumber salad, a rotating draft beer and prosecco (limit one per guest).

Celeste, located just steps from the beach at 15 Kingstown Road in Narragansett, officially launched its seasonal Friday lunch service. The summer menu features coastal-inspired dishes, including a local raw bar, fresh artisan pizzas, a classic chilled lobster roll with brown butter aioli, and creative hand-crafted cocktails like the Golden Hour.

Weekapaug Inn in Westerly is hosting the Sunday Coastal Grille Series, a weekly waterfront dining experience (July 12, 19 and 26, Aug. 2, 9, 16 and 23), featuring live music and a rotating menu of grilled seafood, smoked meats and seasonal specialties. Guests can also enjoy Movies on the Pond, Camp Weekapaug for families, naturalist-led adventures, the Summer Speaker Series and the inn’s signature summer traditions throughout July and August.

Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton hosts live music on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. Guests can enjoy wine tastings in the tasting room accompanied by a variety of music styles and seasonal offerings from the café.

Coast Guard House in Narraganset just launched Sound Waves, a new weekly vinyl DJ series set on the restaurant’s upper deck overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Each Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m., from June 11 to August 27, Providence-based DJ Dayglow will spin an eclectic mix of vinyl records from around the world. Known for her joyful and engaging sets, DJ Dayglow will connect Sound Waves attendees with beloved classics and unexpected gems alike.

Hemenway’s Restaurant, located at 121 S Main St. in Providence, is now offering Hand Roll Happy Hour available for dine-in guests at the raw bar and bar Monday through Friday from 3-5 p.m.

FOOD TOURS

Get a feel for the Providence and Newport dining scenes with Rhode Island Red Food Tours. For Rhode Island Monthly magazine’s Best of Rhode Island Award-winning Downcity Providence Food Tour, delicious adventure awaits where food, art, and architecture collide in Providence’s vibrant Downcity Arts District. Sample from diverse Rhode Island favorites and award-winning culinary restaurants, and between bites get an insider’s view of this lively and creative small city. Expert guides will help you discover the treasure of epicurean favorites, hidden art, historic architectural gems, sharing local stories and the many happenings to be found in Rhode Island’s Creative Capital. Tours take place on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, mid-April through November. Tickets are $79 Per Person (no alcohol) or $99 Per Person (with alcohol), or $105 (no alcohol with Rhode Island Food Crawls book) or $125 (with alcohol and Rhode Island Food Crawls Book).

During the Rhode Island Red Food Tours’ Newport Neighborhood Tour, guests will discover diverse, eclectic out-of-the-way neighborhood eateries – with a homespun vibe, where the locals know to go as well as hotbeds of food and fun in the more traveled parts of the city. Step inside some of what may appear as a hole-in-the-wall café or an authentic, cozy 18th century tavern and you will be surprised to find a mouthwatering food scene, using both cultural & regional influences with a strong commitment to sustainable ingredients. Tours take place on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, mid-April through November. Tickets are $79 Per Person (no alcohol) or $99 Per Person (with alcohol), or $105 (no alcohol with Rhode Island Food Crawls book) or $125 (with alcohol and Rhode Island Food Crawls Book).

NOTABLES

Nominations are now open for the Rhode Island Hospitality Association’s awards program, the 2026 ANCHORS, honoring excellence across Rhode Island’s hospitality industry. To make a nomination, please visit: The ANCHORS – RI Hospitality Association.

The ANCHORS, short for “Awards for Noteworthy Champions of Hospitality and Outstanding Restaurant Service,” celebrate individuals and organizations who exemplify dedication, innovation and professionalism in Rhode Island’s vibrant hospitality sector. Open to the entire industry, not just RIHA members, the awards recognize outstanding contributions across a variety of hospitality categories.

“Rhode Island’s hospitality industry is powered by people who care deeply about the work they do and the experiences they create,” said Farouk Rajab, President/CEO, RI Hospitality Association. “The ANCHORS give us a chance to recognize those individuals and businesses, and we encourage people across the state to nominate the colleagues and organizations they believe deserve to be celebrated.”

Nominations will be accepted online through midnight on Wed., Sept. 30 at rihospitality.org/the-anchors. Employers, colleagues and members of the public are encouraged to submit nominations for deserving individuals and organizations across all award categories.