Providence, Rhode Island's Top 9 Exciting New Restaurants

This East Side bakery, where bagels hang on long wooden pegs behind the counter, began as a pop-up before securing a permanent location this summer. It has since filled a gap in Providence’s bagel scene. Bagel varieties range from pumpernickel to beet, with cream cheese options like kimchi and strawberry. Rebelle uses King Arthur flour and both hand rolls and cold ferments its bagels. Tip: Arrive early as bagels often sell out before closing.

Pairing good barbecue with Brown University's Thayer Street might seem unlikely, but Steve Durkee, owner of the Eddy cocktail bar, and menu consultant Jake Rojas of Tallulah’s Taqueria, made it work with Durk's Bar-B-Q. Order from a paper menu and choose from smoky brisket (sliced or chopped, fatty or lean), pulled pork, or pork ribs. Meats are sold by the half pound. Sides include mac and cheese, cornbread, coleslaw, or the “Dirty Durk,” a sausage and pulled pork sandwich. Enjoy with one of many American whiskeys available.

Den Den Fried Chicken made a splash this spring just off Thayer Street. The excitement is partly due to its connection with Den Den Café Asian, a favorite on Benefit Street, and partly because Korean fried chicken, with its double-fried wings and drumsticks boasting a light, crispy coating, is irresistibly delicious. Den Den’s signature offerings include two flavors — dark (soy-garlic) and red (spicy). The menu also features ramen, Korean barbecue, katsu, spicy rice cakes, and sweet-and-sour dumplings. Bonus: It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Knead Doughnuts, the latest entrant in Providence’s artisanal doughnut scene, opened in Downcity this year. It offers straightforward gourmet doughnuts in classic, cake, or brioche styles. Managed by a team of Providence food veterans — including Todd Mackey and Bryan Gibb (co-founders of Bolt Coffee) and Adam Lastrina (former general manager at Seven Stars) — Knead Doughnuts knows its audience and delivers doughnuts anywhere downtown.

Adjacent to Oberlin, a standout on Providence’s dining scene, Kleos debuted this summer with a menu of rustic yet sophisticated Greek cuisine. Helmed by Lauren Lynch and Tom Bovis, the team behind downtown's Rosalina, Kleos embraces the challenge and distinction of being one of the city’s few Greek establishments — a fitting nod since Bovis hails from Greece. The airy, earth-toned space serves dishes generously seasoned with olive oil, lemon, and feta. Expect classics like mezze platters, gyros, moussaka, and Greek lasagna.

The East End, a newly established gastropub on the lively Wickenden Street, is a haven for whiskey enthusiasts near Brown University. Boasting a collection of 300 different whiskeys, The East End regularly hosts informative talks and whiskey tasting events such as 'The Finer Things,' where guests can savor rare selections from the bar's stash along with complimentary snacks for $50. The interior exudes a speakeasy charm, while the seasonal patio offers a verdant retreat. Both settings are ideal for enjoying the house-cured charcuterie platter.

This modest Mytoury, which debuted on Wickenden Street this summer, specializes in cuisine from China’s northern Uyghur region. The decor features vibrant cushions and camel-themed wall art. The menu includes unique dishes such as Lamb on Dry Land, combining cumin-spiced lamb with chunks of bread resembling naan, and ding ding noodles, doughy, spaetzle-like morsels in a rich, spicy broth. Note: Jahunger does not offer alcoholic beverages.

Situated conveniently near North, North Bakery, and Bucktown on the West Side, this new American beer hall boasts high ceilings and communal tables. Owners Tom and Natalie Dennen drew inspiration from Munich’s lively beer gardens, incorporating local New England ingredients and brews into their offerings. Place your order at the bar, and when your buzzer goes off, pick up your food. Enjoy a rich beer selection alongside a sourdough pretzel with mustard butter, or a Gastros hot dog nestled in a pretzel bun, all while relaxing in the swinging chairs positioned in the corner.

This cozy pasta Mytoury on the West End is the creation of Adam Baffoni and Bethany Caliaro, both alumni of Johnson and Wales culinary school. Pastaio offers a rotating menu of small plates and main courses, reflecting Baffoni's farm-to-table philosophy. Signature dishes include tagliatelle with chicken sausage, gnocchi alla romana, and chicken liver agnolotti. Noteworthy seasonal dishes have featured cured fluke and corn risotto crowned with a soft-poached egg.