Rhode Island’s 10 Best Foodie Neighborhoods
It's a beautiful day in these neighborhoods, where food and drink are the major draws.
Downtown Westerly
Population: 17,936 (Westerly) ◆ Food and Drink establishments: 19
Downtown Westerly has been booming for more than a decade with some local mainstays and new businesses popping up every year. Some of our favorites include Bridge Restaurant, with a locally minded menu that appeals to meat-eaters and vegans alike, as well as the lively atmosphere at Perks and Corks, known for its bar food, open mics, live music and great cocktails. The Malted Barley is the place to go for casual craft beer and housemade pretzels. Across the street, you can try handcrafted apple-based wine at the Tapped Apple Winery or go gelato tasting just like in Italy at Pompelmo Gelateria, (reopening in March), Fancy Mexican? Head to Amigos Taqueria y Tequila. Irish pub food can be had with bangers and mash at the Brazen Hen. Want to play pinball while chowing a burger and sipping a beer? Hit up Flip Side. Make a day out of an outing to Westerly by browsing covers at the Savoy Bookshop and Cafe, listen to live music at the Knickerbocker or see a show at one of the numerous theaters. You can also swing by beautiful Watch Hill and reserve a spot at the majestic Ocean House Sunday jazz brunch while watching the ocean’s angry winter surf crash onto the sand. Summer’s only a hop, skip and a jump away.
The Scoop:
Where to park: Three-hour parking downtown on High and Canal streets is relatively easy in the off-season. A public parking lot is located next to the post office adjacent to the library.
Shop: Shop for books and small gifts at the Savoy Bookshop, Christina’s LTD for clothing, jewelry and accessories, and various galleries for art.
Cup of Coffee: Enjoy an onsite cup at Perks and Corks or take it to go from Savoy Bookshop and Cafe.
Hidden gem: The Shallows Kitchen and Bar may be tucked away, but its food and drink is worth veering off the main drag. Stop by Saturday or Sunday — brunch takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — for hearty comfort food like duck hash or biscuits and gravy and much more.
Grab a drink: Venture up Canal Street to sip beers at Grey Sail Brewing’s tap room and scope out the seasonal beer garden. —J.C.
Hope Village
Providence
Population: 2,972 ◆ Food and Drink establishments: 20
In 1978, counterculture artist the Mad Peck wrote of Providence, “Rich folks live on Power Street, but most of us live off Hope.” Forty years later, there’s still plenty of life, not to mention good eating, in the area of Hope Village between Rochambeau Avenue and the Pawtucket line. Start off the day with a BEC or a stack of pancakes at the Blue Cottage, or eat breakfast all day at Three Sisters, which also serves housemade ice cream and smoothies. On Fridays and Saturdays, lunchtime lines form at Chez Pascal’s Wurst Kitchen, serving house-made wurst and condiments; in the evening the restaurant offers the Wurst Kitchen classics and a menu based on French tradition, relying heavily on local and seasonal produce, some of which grows in Chez Pascal’s rooftop garden. Coming soon across the street is the second location for Avenue N in the former Cook and Brown space, and further down the road is the highly-anticipated Little Sister, an all-day bakery and eatery from the owners of Rebelle Artisan Bagels. For late-night noshing, hit up the Ivy Tavern for Korean bibimbap, and Hope Street Pizza, serving Greek-style pies and gyros until 1 a.m. during the week and 2 a.m. on weekends. From May through October, the Hope Street Farmers Market sets up in Lippitt Park on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons, bringing together farmers and producers in a kid- and dog-friendly space.
The Scoop:
Where to park: Hope Street offers a healthy amount of on-street parking, as do the side streets.
Shop: Evolve Apothecary for nurse-approved beauty products, Frog and Toad for whimsical gifts and Stock for everything culinary.
Cup of Coffee: Seven Stars, which exclusively brews George Howell Coffee, is a neighborhood institution for fancy pours; Three Sisters will blend your joe with ice cream to create a Freester.
Hidden gem: Not Just Snacks serves Northern and Southern Indian dishes, many vegan and gluten-free, and has a case full of tempting and affordable take-away items. Its sister market, Not Just Spices, sits directly across the street and provides ingredients to create an Indian feast at home.
Grab a drink: Check out the impressive selection of beers on tap at the Ivy Tavern. —Jamie Samons
