15 Must-Try Mytouries in Providence, Rhode Island
Rhode Islanders take pride in their vibrant food scene, which significantly exceeds expectations for the smallest state in the U.S. The iconic Rhode Island-style calamari even made a splash during the virtual roll call at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Providence boasts a rich culinary landscape, benefiting from fresh produce and seafood sourced from local farms and waters. With a renowned culinary school at Johnson & Wales and a variety of unique regional dishes—such as coffee milk, stuffed clams (stuffies), clam cakes, and Del’s Lemonade—this city is a haven for food lovers. Additionally, lower rent prices for restaurant spaces compared to nearby Boston attract skilled chefs eager to start their own ventures. The presence of the Rhode Island School of Design and numerous artists lends an indie, creative vibe that resonates through many local dining establishments.
Los Andes
Oberlin
Chef-owner Benjamin Sukle gained recognition at his first restaurant, Birch, known for its meticulous New England-inspired dishes influenced by Noma. Although Birch closed during the pandemic, Sukle continues to work with Rhode Island’s fresh seafood and produce at his more laid-back second restaurant, along with his new raw bar, Gift Horse. Oberlin focuses on handmade pasta and freshly caught local fish like fluke and scup, served raw with a touch of salt and olive oil or grilled/roasted whole. His dishes are made for sharing, so don't forget to add a vegetable side (the Tokyo turnip Caesar is a must-try) and a seasonal pasta, such as the summer lumache with sweet corn, lonza, shishitos, and mint. Oberlin recently relocated just a short distance from its original site, and Sukle partnered with wine expert Bethany Caliaro to launch Gift Horse next door.
Persimmon
Champe Speidel’s stylish New American bistro strikes the perfect balance of sophistication without being pretentious. Alongside his wife, Lisa, Speidel crafts shareable dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients. Don’t miss the exquisite chestnut agnolotti and the pan-seared local scallops paired with apple. The drink offerings are equally impressive; consult sommelier Steffen Rasch for the ideal pairing or sample one of bar manager Kevin O’Connor’s impressive zero-proof cocktails.
Dolores
Chef Maria Meza came to the U.S. in 1992 with aspirations of opening her own restaurant. Today, patrons eagerly await a table to enjoy her authentic dishes from Mexico’s Mixteca region. The Meza family crafts meals inspired by Maria’s childhood in Oaxaca and Puebla, featuring rich, slow-cooked moles; hand-ground heirloom corn tortillas filled with cheese to create tetelas; and a variety of tamales, which are also available for takeout. Maria’s son Joaquin manages the bar, offering a selection of artisanal mezcal and other regional spirits.
Gracie's
Since its inception in 1998 by Ellen Gracyalny, Gracie’s has become a premier destination in Providence for romantic and upscale dining. Executive chef Matthew Varga offers seasonal five- or seven-course tasting menus that frequently highlight ingredients from the restaurant’s rooftop garden. Dishes may feature foie gras served with carrot bread and golden raisin confit, or locally-sourced sea scallops paired with peas, leeks, and pork belly. Gracie’s unique “teamshare” model adds a service charge to each bill, ensuring fair compensation for all staff members.
Aleppo Sweets
Youssef Akhtarini began baking as a teenager in Aleppo, Syria. After escaping the war and relocating to Providence, he opened Aleppo Sweets in 2019, with support from his wife, Reem. This bakery and café features nearly a dozen types of light and crispy Syrian-style baklava, including one with whole pistachios encased in phyllo and another rolled like ladyfingers with crushed nuts. The savory menu also shines, offering meze such as smoky baba ghanoush, za’atar-dusted labneh, chicken and lamb kebabs, and red lentil soup. The café provides employment to several other Syrian refugees building new lives in Providence.
Broadway Bistro
Warm and inviting, Broadway Bistro has the charm of a neighborhood favorite with culinary offerings that draw visitors from afar. Now celebrating its fifteenth year, it’s the ideal setting for a relaxed yet memorable date night. While the menu frequently evolves, beloved dishes like the app ribs and grits with orange soy marinade remain constants. Entree specials vary but may include crispy lamb belly served with sweet corn risotto, swordfish paired with summer succotash, or roasted duck leg accompanied by braised kale and creamy polenta.
Plant City
Founded by globe-trotting California chef Matthew Kenney in partnership with local owner Kim Anderson, this vegan village combines four distinct restaurant concepts, a café, and a market all in one location. At the Mexican-inspired Besina, options include jackfruit pastor tacos or nachos topped with cashew crema and vegan queso, while Double Zero features Kenney’s renowned raw lasagna alongside a truffle pizza. This lively spot also offers an array of delights such as plant-based burgers, vegan macarons, and locally brewed nitro cold brew from the Nitro Cart.
Aguardente
The cheerful, bright yellow facade of Aguardente welcomes you to a world of culinary delight. Owner Victor Pereira collaborates with Magda León and Natalia Neves to honor their roots in Portugal, Guatemala, and the Azores through a vibrant menu and León’s captivating artwork on display. The tapas-style offerings include baked goat cheese in a flavorful tomato garlic sauce, tacos filled with pork chorizo and nopal (cactus), tinned fish, and littlenecks steamed in white wine and cilantro. Complement your meal with a refreshing caipirinha, a glass of Azorean red wine, or a flight of the restaurant’s namesake Portuguese brandy.
Pizza Marvin
Renowned bartender Jesse Hedberg has crafted some of the finest cocktail menus in the state over the past decade. His latest venture, the retro-inspired Pizza Marvin — co-owned with James Beard Award-nominated chef Robert Andreozzi — features unique drinks you won’t find elsewhere in town. Sip on Hedberg’s bottled pizza Negroni while enjoying one of Andreozzi’s superb thin-crust pizzas alongside a variety of sides. The menu strikes a balance between high and low cuisine, offering delights from raw oysters with mignonette and burrata with charred eggplant to curly fries and taco wings.
Dune Brothers Seafood
Envision a traditional seaside seafood shack, modernized and relocated to the city. That’s the essence of Dune Brothers, operated by chef Nicholas Gillespie and his wife, Monica, out of a charming red food truck. Their menu focuses on sustainable seafood, offering decadent options like rich New England clam chowder paired with deep-fried clam cakes, two varieties of fish sandwiches, and both lobster and crab rolls. Enjoy outdoor seating or take your seaside feast to go. Please note: Dune Brothers operates from March through November.
Jahunger
Bubbling bowls of vibrant flavors continuously emerge from Jahunger’s kitchen, where chefs dedicate hours to pulling noodles and filling dumplings before service begins. The restaurant, owned by Johnson & Wales alum Subat Dilmurat, specializes in Uyghur cuisine, representing the Turkic Muslim ethnic group from the Xinjiang autonomous region of northwestern China. Savor the Jahunger noodles topped with stir-fried beef and Sichuan peppercorns, or for a fiery kick, try the chicken stew, crafted with 15 spices and made in small batches, often selling out daily.
Troop
Imagine if a block party transformed into a restaurant, and you’d find Troop. This vibrant Mytoury, adorned with graffiti and inspired by hip-hop culture, skateboarding, and global street food, is co-managed by chef Jason Timothy and Sean Larkin of Revival Brewing (whose beers are featured on tap). The ever-evolving menu often showcases several vegan dishes, including wok-charred cauliflower with a sweet-spicy twist and a fried tofu banh mi. Meat lovers can indulge in a massive cheeseburger or succulent jerk chicken that practically falls off the bone. Among the drinks is the tequila-based BLM Cocktail, contributing $4 from each sale to a local nonprofit focused on diversity and inclusion.
Nicks on Broadway
Don’t let the name Nick mislead you; it’s chef-owner Derek Wagner who runs the show here. Nearly two decades ago, freshly graduated from Johnson & Wales, 24-year-old Wagner took over the diner from its previous owner. He kept the name but revitalized the kitchen with a contemporary menu and a strong focus on local ingredients. Nicks has consistently ranked among the city’s busiest Mytouries, so be prepared for a wait or consider making a reservation, especially for weekend brunch. Grab a counter seat to enjoy a front-row view of the open kitchen, where you can see Wagner and his team whip up everything from eggs Benedict to house-made chicken pâté and cornmeal-fried Rhode Island scup.
Al Forno Restaurant
No restaurant in Rhode Island is quite as cherished as Al Forno, established by chef Johanne Killeen and her late husband, chef George Germon, in 1980. The ambiance and menu exude rustic Italian charm. A must-try is the grilled pizza, a dish the couple is widely credited with inventing, which helped them secure a James Beard Award in 1993. The bubbly baked pasta featuring tomato, cream, and five cheeses is equally enticing. For dessert, don’t miss the made-to-order fruit tarts. In response to the pandemic, they now offer takeout and reservations for smaller parties.
Evaluation :
5/5