Newport, Rhode Island
Where to eat, stay and what to do in Newport, RI.
Where to eat in Newport
Clarke Cooke House - A Newport classic. The Cooke House has multiple floors each with a different dress code, vibe, and offering.
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The Candy Store/Bistro offers more casual dining and attire.
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The Upscale Dining Room located upstairs offers a more sophisticated vibe (men are required to wear jackets & collared shirts. No denim, flip flops, sneakers or athletic wear).
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The Boom Boom Room is located in the basement and is known for being a great after-dinner spot for drinks and dancing.
Each floor offers a bustling bar and great vibes. The food is great as well as the service. Make a reservation on Resy.
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The Black Pearl - Another Newport classic. The Black Pearl located on Banister's Wharf is a go-to spot. They are famous for their Clam Chowder, which is worth the hype (you can even take home frozen batches of it)! They offer three dining spots:
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The Tavern, which offers a cozy vibe with it's dark wood interior - it feels like you're in the inside of an old sailboat.
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The Commodore's Room, which offers a more sophisticated dining experience with white table cloths and jackets required.
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The Patio, outside right on the wharf offers the most casual of their dining options and great people watching. (note no tank tops for men are allowed).
No reservations so its first-come first-served. Put your name in and wander around the neighboring shops on the Wharf.
The Safari Room- is a chic and unique spot for dinner that is a bit outside of the hustle and bustle of the main streets. They have an incredible ambiance and amazing food. If you're looking for a chic night out that feels a little different - I recommend making a res on OpenTable. ​
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Castle Hill Inn - Castle Hill offers incredible food and views. It is located on the famous Ocean Drive and has both dining room and lawn options. One of my favorites is their chocolate chip pancakes at brunch - they're to die for! You can make a reservation on OpenTable.
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Forty 1° North - Located on Thames St is a great spot for drinks, lunch, or dinner. The aesthetic is more modern than any of the Newport classic spots.
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The Grill is located in the main part of the hotel and has views of the water. Their food is delicious
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The Oval Bar & Lounge - is a large bar located between the entrance of the hotel and the Grill. It's a good spot to go for drinks if you're looking to socialize after dinner.
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The Pavilion Bar is the most casual option located outside on the dock for drinks and small bites
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Pasta Beach - A more casual spot that offers good vibes and delicious pasta and pizza. Great spot to get takeout from and head town to the beach for a picnic!
22 Bowens - Delicious steakhouse on the wharf that offers delicious food and darker sexier vibes. Great for dinner. Make your reservation on OpenTable.
Atlantic Grille - Or as the locals call it "AG" is the best spot in town for brunch if you're hoping to get over a big night out. With very casual diner vibes its the perfect spot to go in the morning. With an incredible menu (my favorite being First Beach - 1 chocolate chip pancake, 1 egg, 1 sausage patty, 1 grilled english muffin - and an iced coffee) and being located between 1st and 2nd beach its the perfect spot to go before the beach or cliff walk if you're looking to have one meal carry you through till dinner. No reservations - first-come first-served
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Diego's - Great spot for Mexican food. With amazing margaritas and chips and guac its a very casual spot to go with friends. No reservations - first-come first-served
What to do in Newport
Cliff Walk - If you're hoping to see the sights and get some exercise in, I highly recommend taking a walk along the Cliff Walk. I definitely recommend wearing athletic sneakers since its a little rocky and uneven. This brings you along the water and offers incredible views. The entrance is located at 119 Memorial Blvd.
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Sunset Cruise - Take a sail on a classic Schooner around Narragansett Bay with a cocktail in hand as the sun sets. It's a great way to see Newport from the water and see all the gorgeous properties on the water, including Hammersmith Farm which is JFK's old property. Book your tickets ($45) on Newport Classic Cruises.
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Newport Mansions - If you're interested in seeing gorgeous and ginormous mansions, I recommend taking a drive down Bellevue Avenue. If you're a history & real estate buff, take a look here for ways to actually go inside and get a tour.
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Head to the beach - Newport has numerous beaches to choose from. Pick any of 1st, 2nd, or 3rd beach and make sure to enjoy a Del's Lemonade.
Where to stay in Newport
Castle Hill - If you're looking for a classic, clean, and upscale place to stay - Castle Hill is your best bet. It's probably the top property in all of Newport with sweeping views of the water. The only caveat is that its about a 10-15 minute drive from town (without traffic).
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Forty 1° North - This is a more modern hotel option and is right off of Thames Street, so walking distance to most restaurants. Also located on the water its a great place to stay.
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Pelham Court Hotel - located right in the middle of Newport, this is a great option if you're just hoping for a clean spacious place to stay. They have great multi-bedroom apartments for those staying in a group.
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Newport Harbor Island Resort - Located on Goat Island, this is another hotel option that is a bit removed from town but about 5-10 minute drive from the Wharf. This hotel has been turned over to multiple hotel brands in the last 5-10 years so wouldn't be my first pick, but this was most recently a Gurney's property.
