Dining Guide to Newport & Aquidneck Island
- This Cafe Life
- Sep 6
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 19
Newport’s dining culture is as rich as its history: refined fine dining, bustling raw bars, clam shacks by the sand, vineyards and breweries, and markets brimming with local products. In autumn, many of these places add festivals or seasonal menus that make a visit even more special.
Note on Aquidneck Island - Newport sits on the southern tip of Aquidneck Island, which it shares with the towns of Middletown and Portsmouth. Together, the three towns form a seamless destination — you can drive from one to the other in minutes. That’s why this guide includes farms in Middletown, vineyards in Portsmouth, and taverns and raw bars in downtown Newport. They all belong to the same island table.
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Fine Dining & Elevated Fare
Bouchard Restaurant & Inn (Newport) — Elegant French cuisine, intimate, romantic setting.
22 Bowen’s (Bowen’s Wharf, Newport) — Prime steaks, seafood, excellent wine list.
The Mooring (Newport) — Known for its “Bag of Doughnuts” lobster fritters, harbor views.
The Black Pearl (Newport) — Famed for its award-winning clam chowder, casual elegance.
White Horse Tavern (Newport) — America’s oldest tavern (1673), fire-side casual elegance.
Chef Recommended: The Chanler at Cliff Walk (Newport)
Located at the start of the Cliff Walk, The Chanler is Newport’s most romantic fine dining destination. Its restaurant, Cara, offers a Michelin-level tasting menu with seasonal ingredients, served in an intimate dining room overlooking the Atlantic. Autumn evenings here are made for fireside tables, with golden sunsets spilling through tall windows as the waves crash below.
Noted Item: The multi-course Chef’s Tasting Menu, paired with wines from their extensive cellar.
Taverns, Pubs & Nightlife
Brick Alley Pub (Newport) — Beloved local hangout, eclectic décor. festive atmosphere.
Pelham East (Newport) — Late-night spot for live music, dancing, bar culture.
Narragansett Café (Jamestown) — Just over the bridge, legendary no-frills live music bar.
Chef Recommended: Clarke Cooke House (Bowen’s Wharf, Newport) If one restaurant captures Newport’s layered personality, it’s Clarke Cooke House. With multiple dining rooms ranging from elegant white-tablecloth service upstairs to casual brasserie plates downstairs — plus the legendary Boom Boom Room nightclub — this Bowen’s Wharf institution is equal parts dining and experience.
Raw Bars & Seafood Dining
Scales & Shells (Newport) — Lively raw bar, wood-grilled seafood, convivial open-kitchen vibe.
The Lobster Bar (Bowen’s Wharf, Newport) — Dockside lobster rolls and cocktails.
Chef Recommended: Midtown Oyster Bar - Raw bars are Newport’s lifeblood, and Midtown Oyster Bar is the city’s beating heart. With three floors, multiple bars, and a rooftop terrace, it’s a lively hub for slurping oysters, clams, and littlenecks. The oyster list changes daily, pulling from Rhode Island waters and beyond. Pair them with crisp local beer or a glass of Muscadet, then dig into lobster rolls, calamari, or tuna tartare. The energy here is buzzy, casual, and convivial — the way raw bars are meant to be.
Clam Shacks & Takeaway Favorites
Anthony’s Seafood (Middletown) — Market + restaurant; locals flock here.
Easton’s Beach Snack Bar (Newport) — Iconic twin lobster roll deal.
Chef Recommended: Flo’s Clam Shack - Since 1936, Flo's has been feeding generations of locals and visitors with fried clams, lobster rolls, and chowder. Steps from Easton’s Beach, it’s everything a clam shack should be - no-frills, paper plates, and salty air mixed with the smell of fried seafood. In summer the line snakes out the door; in autumn you’ll find a calmer pace — and the same addictive fried clams. It’s as Rhode Island as it gets.
Vineyards & Wineries
Greenvale Vineyards (Portsmouth) — Family-run along the Sakonnet River, known for tastings with live jazz and a laid-back countryside setting.
Chef Recommended: Newport Vineyards - More than a winery — it’s a full food-and-drink destination. Ramble through rows of vines, then head inside for a guided tasting of estate-grown wines. Stay for lunch or dinner at Brix Restaurant, where the menu highlights local produce and farm-raised meats. The vineyard also houses Taproot Brewing Co., making it a perfect stop for beer lovers. Autumn brings their Harvest Festival, complete with grape stomping, brunch, and live music. A vineyard visit here is about savoring the season as much as the wine.
Craft Breweries & Local Beer
Rejects Beer Co. (Middletown) — Playful, creative brewery, hazy IPAs, inventive lagers.
Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling (Newport) — The city’s oldest brewery.
Narragansett Beer (Statewide) — Not Aquidneck-specific, “Hi-Neighbor!” Gansett is iconic.
Chef Recommended: Ragged Island Brewing - Set on a farm in Portsmouth with sweeping coastal views, Ragged Island Brewing embodies the new wave of Rhode Island craft beer. Their beers are rooted in place — from hazy IPAs to seasonal brews inspired by the farm’s own produce. Outdoor seating spills across fields and meadows with ocean breezes, making it the perfect spot to sip a flight on a crisp autumn afternoon. Sustainability is central to their mission, and that authenticity shines through in every pint.
Farms, Markets & Orchards.
Aquidneck Growers’ Market (Newport & Middletown) — Seasonal farmers’ market.
Rocky Brook Orchard (Middletown) — Over 80 varieties of apples; fall favorite for families.
Chef Recommended: Sweet Berry Farm - The heart of Aquidneck’s farm-to-table culture. In autumn, rows of apple trees invite you to pick your own, while the market overflows with pumpkins, gourds, and farm-fresh produce. The on-site creamery serves homemade ice cream, and the bakery turns out pies, cookies, and muffins that taste like fall. It’s part farm, part café, part community hub.
Seafood from the Docks
Bowen’s Wharf (Newport) — Active wharf, local boats land lobsters and squid.
State Pier & Long Wharf (Newport) — Arrive early to watch fishermen unloading the day’s catch.
Sweet Treats & Creameries
Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream (Newport) — Fudge, caramel apples, and ice cream classics.
The Ice Cream Café (Newport) — Local gem with inventive flavors and dairy-free options.
Chef Recommended: Cold Fusion Gelato - Their artisan gelato is churned in small batches, with seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice, apple pie, and salted caramel that taste like autumn in a cup. It’s a sweet way to end a day of exploring — indulgent, but not heavy.
Newport and Aquidneck Island offer something for every appetite, from fine dining and historic taverns to casual clam shacks, raw bars, farms, and vineyards. Autumn adds a special touch with seasonal menus, harvest festivals, and fewer crowds, making it one of the best times to explore the region’s food scene. No matter where you start, you’ll find fresh flavors and plenty of local character at every stop.
Plan your visit and taste your way through New England, Newport and Aquidneck Island this fall. From seafood fresh off the docks to vineyard harvest festivals, every stop offers a chance to experience the best of coastal Rhode Island. Start building your itinerary and let the food and drink guide your getaway.
More New England Dining Guides:
Tides of Flavor - A New England Seafood Guide - A recent drop about everything seafood!
Top 10 Dining Destinations in Providence - Chef-centric culinary experiences.
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