Rhode Island’s 10 Best Foodie Neighborhoods
It's a beautiful day in these neighborhoods, where food and drink are the major draws.
Boru Noodle Bar on Broadway in Newport. Photography by Wolf Matthewson.
Broadway
Newport
Population: 24,5942 (in Newport) ◆ Food and Drink establishments: 25
Newport locals know the place to go for a good meal and epic bar-hopping is Broadway. This street caters to residents and tourists alike, and it’s known as the old-reliable to year-rounders. Even in the off-season, when many downtown restaurants shutter for a few weeks in the middle of winter, Broadway stays the course. It has every type of cuisine including weekday-worthy burgers, American classics and pub food at Caleb and Broad, Tavern on Broadway, Malt, Norey’s, Pour Judgement and more. Salvation Cafe has long been a favorite haunt with its elegant rustic barn atmosphere, eclectic menu and summer tiki bar in back. The street is also known for the best BYOB brunch in town at the Corner Cafe, where lines stretch out onto the sidewalk on almost every weekend morning. Fancy up your morning meal with live music and Sunday brunch at the Fifth Element or get a simple breakfast grilled cheese sammy to-go at Scratch Kitchen. There’s meaty ribs and pulled pork perfect for your football party at Binge BBQ, ramen fit for a cold night at Boru Noodle Bar and Jamaican jerk chicken at Humming Bird. For creative cupcakes and birthday cakes, hit up Mad Hatter Bakery. Even with all these choices, we still can’t pass up hot dogs slathered in meat sauce at Ben’s Chili Dogs.
The Scoop:
Where to park: Find a metered spot on Broadway, or head to the Newport Gateway Center’s lot and walk over. It’s free through April 30.
Shop: Shop for locally made products and quirky Rhode Island gifts at Only in Rhode Island, or venture over to boutiques on nearby Thames Street.
Cup of coffee: A stone’s throw from Broadway at 2 Pond Avenue is the latest coffee shop addition to the area, the Nitro Bar. Empire Tea and Coffee is also located directly on Broadway.
Hidden gem: Sneak behind Broadway to Mission on Marlborough Street, where the best burgers in the whole city by the sea await.
Grab a drink: Fancy stouts and IPAs can be found at Norey’s and Pour Judgement, which were mainstays long before craft beer became mainstream. —J.C.
