The place is quite big yet quite small. The chefs are amazing. As packed as the place was, they kept up with it. They work in front of basically half the tables and always keep their cool. With as busy as they are, they don't have an enormous menu and I feel that it's better that way. I'm not sure how often they change the menu as the online page showed slightly different meals. The wait staff are plentiful and it's rather amazing how well they keep up. The way my family and I were treated upon arrival was extremely disappointing. The male host was unnecessarily disrespectful and unwelcoming from the moment we walked in, despite us being polite and having every intention of dining there. After getting a reservation online and returning, the female host/manager was also a little rude and dismissive toward us at first. That only added to the uncomfortable atmosphere we felt. Even the bartenders didn't acknowledge us. Staff would catch eye contact with us and just keep going. Thankfully, the experience improved once we were seated. Our waiter (Cam) was genuinely kind, professional, and attentive throughout the meal, and the food itself was excellent. The chefs clearly know what they're doing, because every dish was prepared beautifully and tasted amazing. It's unfortunate that such strong food and service from the waitstaff are overshadowed by the poor attitude at the front of the restaurant. A little basic respect and hospitality toward guests would make a huge difference. Growing up in the hospitality service (restaurant) then working in retail to aviation. We're all taught from the beginning. A person walks in, greet them with a smile and let them know you'll be with them shortly. Not ignore them then to be slightly rude. We all understand being busy. But don't take it out on the customers. Especially when they didn't cause your stress. I'm giving them a high score because Cam and the chefs were amazing. Even the chefs said goodnight to us and thanked us. read more

One of the best food places on island. Be aware that it's a small and you likely will have to wait, but it's worth it. Great service, yummy food, good drink menu, photos of cute dogs on the wall... what more could you want after a long day at the beach? The tuna nachos were to die for. They definitely had some kick! The bread basket with the garlic butter was a nice touch. I loved my salmon and the bite I took of my partner's burger was juicy and delicious. The thick seasoned fries with the burger were also great. Unfortunately we filled up on everything and didn't save room for dessert, but we will definitely have dessert next time. read more

Eli's - Salmon - New American Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

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Small but intimate little restaurant on Block Island. No reservations excepted. Eli's works on a first come first serve basis. There are about 10 seats their cozy bar area. The restaurant is warm and cozy with nice lighting. It can be loud when the restaurant is full. The service and the food were excellent! It's a must try on Block Island! read more

Eli's - Halibut over spinach with scallop potatoes - New American Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

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Eli's has been a staple top tier dining experience for years. This is our go to anniversary dinner spot. Tuna nachos and bread basket for the appetizer were fantastic. Cod and scallops for entree were delicious. Excellent service and the drinks were amazing as well. It's a small place with a first come, first served operation, but they do a good job of utilizing space and the wait is worth it. read more

Always the culinary highlight of our BI trips for an amazing 25+ years. Maybe a little pricey (but probably very reasonable compared to the Spring House and Manisse which I can't confirm), but it ain't cheap getting stuff to an island! Great location, and no reservations about recommending ir literally... They don't take reservations. read more

Chef Erika is consistently changing the menu but keeping the popular dishes on the menu (tuna nachos, blue cheese salad, burger). No reservations so plan to be there at 6 pm when they open or 8 pm when tables open up again. The bartender Rosemary is best on the island! Love it when they have the pork chop on the menu! read more

We have dined here multiple times over the years and never been disappointed. It's one of the best restaurants on the island, which is saying a lot given the delicious food options on Block Island. The ambiance is very cozy, which we love. The staff has always been friendly and attentive. read more

This is by far one of the best dinner restaurants on the island. If you blink you'll miss it. The food is amazing and the service is friendly and helpful. The gentleman at the front is extremely helpful and if he isn't the owner, he should be. So great. He made our preseason anniversary a night to remember. I'm thinking this our new island go to. read more

Eli's - Menu - New American Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

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No reservations, so arrive early! Because you will not want to miss enjoying a meal at Eli's! Delicious food, great service and an intimate atmosphere make Eli's a consistent Block Island staple! read more

We have been going to Eli's for years! It's cozy and relaxing inside the staff is ok the owner is behind the bar. The food is out of this world. Probably in the top 5 on the island. Note: the bathroom there is definitely one of a kind! Go, you won't be disappointed. read more

Even in the off season, the place was busy, at least early on. It's a small place on a side street, so no water views but the food (and drink) is what you come for. The food was really good. The crust on the empanadas was crunchy and the filling was tasty. Our party of three had three different seafood dishes - cod, salmon, tuna. All were very good, with the salmon perhaps slightly overcooked. The tuna was nice - seared well on the outside, but rare inside. As nice surprise, the drinks were really good. Margarita used fresh lime and the bourbon old fashioned had the right balance with the muddled fruit and just enough sugar. This was our first time here, but we would definitely come back the next time we return to Block Island. read more

This review is for the service staff: Came in with my mom for dinner and was told by the wait staff there would be a wait which was no problem until two people who came in without reservations after us were sat. Would not give my money to a place that lacks professionalism. read more

Probably the Best restaurant on Block Island. My wife and I dined here on a Sunday night. Atmosphere - Excellent. Small but very homey. There is about 12 tables and a bar that seats about 10. Lighting makes it romantic and also intimate but not too fancy which is perfect for the island. It was busy. Food - Excellent. We started off with a Summer salad. It actually was perfect starter. Light and not filling. My wife got the Halibut with fennel. Im not a halibut person but she raved about it and said it was one of the best seafood dishes she has had. I ordered the filet Mignon. It was excellent as well. I had my reservations about ordering a steak on the island but it did not disappoint. Its a little small and they do slice it which is weird. But the taste outweighed the presentation. Drinks - had a nice wine list but i stuck to titos Service - the best part. We didnt have reservations so when we walked in services was top notch from our hostess to the bartender to the waitress at our table. Overall, i gave this a 5 star because honestly its tough to find a great restaurant on block island but we finally did. Elis is it read more

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Eli's restaurant on Block Island is worth the ferry ride and more!!! The food is excellent, the service was friendly, fast, and warm. We were lucky enough to be there for the grand opening for 2023, and we became so charmed with the place that we went there two nights in a row!! The Tuna Nachos are a cannot miss item, and the limoncello shrimp are delicious!!! But I must say, what tops it all off is the water service provided by the host. He was always on top of things and my glass was never empty. I am certain that we will visit Eli's again the next time we are on the island, and the next, and the next.... Until then, thank you for two wonderful meals, and thanks for being part of our 19th anniversary weekend celebration!! read more

Came here over the 4th of July weekend. Place typically difficult to get into but for some reason was not crowded. Lucky us. My sister raved about the tuna nachos - so we got 2 of them. My oh my was she correct. The seaweed salad combo with the tuna and sesame flavor was awesome. Two orders of the lamb ragu out of the 5 of us and it was good but I think the lemon thyme had a slight tang that took it in the wrong direction. My sister hesitantly got the surf & turf saying the steaks haven't been great here lately - but she hit the jackpot because hers was the best of the dinners. The salads, sausage gnocchi and Salmon were all excellent (so said those not sharing :) ). I look forward to exploring the menu further and would put this place in the top 5, if not top 3 restaurants on Block. read more

Always excellent. Delicious well prepared food, attentive service. Comfy, no reservations which explains the line of people happily waiting outside for the doors to open at 6:00. Excellent! read more

Very small quaint restaurant with exceptional service and food. The restaurant is a gem. Off the beat and path tucked away and worth the discovery. Very nice and well balanced menu. I went with the arugula salad which was served with warm goat cheese. My main entree was the Roasted Halibut, which was served with tomato, chick peas, and summer squash ragout, caper berries, mint pistachio falafel, foraged samphire and coriander vinaigrette. It was absolutely amazingly delicious. My palate was overjoyed! All staff members were very friendly and professional. Made all customers including myself feel very comfortable. I will certainly make this my go to Block Island restaurant. read more

Eli's - Arugula salad with goat cheese - New American Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

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This is my absolute favorite restaurant in the entire world. We've been coming here annually for the last 5 or 6 years and have never had anything less than an amazing experience every time. The lighting feels incredibly comfortable! This spot is a Block island treasure. read more

I'm reluctant to write this review because Eli's is my favorite spot on the island and selfishly, I'd rather the secret not get out. Many restaurants on the island are focused on views, and while that can be important, it's often at the expense of food quality and service. In fact, most places along Water Street are mediocre at best. Eli's, on the other hand, is consistently amazing. Every meal I've had has been incredible -- cooked perfectly and always well seasoned. I highly recommend the tuna nachos -- although, "nachos" is a misnomer. It's like poke-style tuna with wasabi dressing and sesame oil, served with crispy wontons. I most recently visited Eli's after they opened post-COVID, and the glass dividers in-between the booths and at the bar are beautiful. Who knew CDC regulations could be so lovely? Seriously, don't miss this place if you're looking for an incredible meal on the island and you aren't fooled by the white tablecloths elsewhere. read more

My husband and I come to Block every year for a week or two if we're lucky as my in-laws summer here. We got engaged at the Spring House a decade ago, and the island has changed a lot in 10 years, but one thing that remains a constant is the absolute perfection of Eli's. Having a limited time, we compose a "BI bucket list" upon arrival and date night at Eli's is always at the top. From the quaint ambiance to the wonderful service to the extensive wine list and most importantly, the divine food, Eli's always delivers. Don't let the long wait time deter you - put your name in at Eli's first, then grab a dirty martini on the deck at the Spring House to watch the sunset. Remember, you're on island time, right? Patience is a virtue (I'm talking to you, RI and New Jersey vacationers...) The menu is always changing, and is a fresh departure from the standard island fare you find elsewhere. I'm a vegetarian and absolutely love the fact that they have a full vegetarian menu - a rare treat. Order the arugula salad - there is a reason why it never leaves the menu. You're welcome. read more

Excellent dinner on the night before Hurricane Henri hit Block Island. Wonderful service and even better halibut and tuna entree's. Having eaten at several restaurants on the island, this is THE BEST. read more

Had a lovely experience at Eli's. Service was top notch. Perfectly mixed Old Fashion, delicious appetizers and entrees. Would highly recommend and will make it a point to come back when we return. read more

Amazing little restaurant! Inquired with the hostess to place reservations but it is a first come, first server basis. We went in later that week on a Wednesday around 7:00pm and the wait was an hour. We hopped around for a drink and got a phone call that our table was ready. Eli's is intimate, dim, and lively. A birthday was being celebrated and the whole restaurant sung. It's a special place! The food is just as exciting as the environment. We ordered the Lobster Bao Buns: if you're not an adventurous eater, don't focus on the ingredients, just order them! So delicious! We also ordered wine, the skirt steak, and the chicken dish-both were ornate and spectacular. Would visit again and again! read more

A true gem. A small, intimate, friendly restaurant with an eclectic fine dining menu. The Tuna Nachos are out of this world! read more

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I can't help but compare this restaurant to Kimberly's restaurant which is also located on Block Island. They're similar in look and price, but the two have several differences. Eli's is smaller in size. Kimberly's interior is larger/airy (it's great for letting in an ocean breeze). Also, Kimberly's menu is a tad more creative than Eli's menu. Now don't get me wrong, Eli's is not bad. I definitely did enjoy my visit. Service was top notch and my burger was one of the best burgers I've had in my life. By the way, you'll likely have to wait for a table. Because of its small size the inside gets crowded really quickly. My advice is to get there at exactly 6:00 PM when the door opens. At that time you're likely to find a table. read more

This place was our best stop on Block island. Fantastic food all around cooked perfectly. It has a great ambiance very clean, whimsical and classy. It's definitely a local favorite, the staff was very friendly and seams to have great relations with their clientele. It was a pleasure to enjoy their food and we will definitely be back! read more

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Highly recommend this restaurant. My husband and I were referred here by the BI ghost hunt staff. We had an hour wait but Rick, the Host, took our number and called allowing time for us to return. The meal was fabulous, get the Burger or Ahi Tuna. It does not disappoint. Go here instead of Winfields.... ;) read more

Excellent food, amazing drinks and an even better atmosphere!! The ros'arita was perfect and the tuna nachos are to die for. The atmosphere is cozy, friendly and inviting. I felt like I was a regular and it was my first time here!! Any time I visit block island, Eli's is a must. read more

Eli's - Tuna nachos and a ros'arita - New American Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

Terrible service - we waited 1.5 hrs for our food. The explanation was "we have a small kitchen and it's the best we can do". Vegetarian food was awful. Halibut was good. read more

This place is Amazing!!!! The Duck confit is to die for. Rosemary was awesome behind the bar. This weekend is off to a great start!!!! read more

Eli's - New American Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

An intimate, rustick restaurant where the menu rotates regularly and has an Asian flair. The service was great and the ahi tuna nachos and arugla salad's are must try dishes. Will be back! read more

Just enjoyed a great meal here. The menu was creative and interesting, the service was outrageous and the atmosphere was comfortable and inviting. Being, as my dinner companions eloquently stated, a food snob, I was impressed with the quality of the food and presentation. Shortly after dinner, the chef came to our table to introduce himself. I picked his brain about the food scene here in the island. He was friendly, gregarious and happy to share. I highly recommend Eli's if you're looking for a great all around dining experience!! read more

The total block island experience. Low key but excellent food and service! 10/10! Just make sure to be in line for the opening seating and save room for dessert! read more

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I have been going to Block Island every year since 2005. Eli's has been one of the two restaurants that has continuously been amazing from the start. Tuna Nachos are a classic and unique dish that I get every time, the service is great, and Eli's has a special place in my heart. read more

Appetizer fish dip was great. Ordered scallops and they tasted like ammonia. By the time they brought out another batch of scallops my party had already finished eating. The second batch smelled and tasted like ammonia as well. They should have just told me they didn't have any more scallops instead of bringing out a second try. Googled ammonia+scallops and is a result of decomposition. read more

If I had to choose a last meal before my death I'd pull up a seat here. This place is the most alluring combination of intoxicating atmosphere, charming service and perfectly balanced food. The wine pours from the bar are more than generous. It's the perfect place for a date or family meal. The waitresses know their stuff and will impress you with their command of the menu. Insiders tip... Get the tuna nachos, you will thank me kindly later. read more

Eli's - Best bartender in this here town. - New American Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

This is a small place, sits about 30 with the tables close together. It was packed when we visited and I guess it's packed all summer long. We started with a salad with bread and a leaves and an anchovy rich dressing, like a semi-caesar and that was good. Then for mains some perfect scallops, they were by far the best thing we tried. And the fried chicken, which was the by far worst. The chicken was bland, the broccoli served alongside cold, and the overdone potato dish had a burnt swiss cheese flavor to go with the slightly charred potato. We were initially sat at the bar, where the service was kinda distracted/overwhelmed, the woman serving our table was much better read more

It's so sad to not give Eli's 5 stars since the food here was phenomenal and, by far, the best I've had on Block Island. I have to say, though, the seating situation was a disaster. A party of 3 walks in at 8pm on a Saturday night and we were told it would be a one hour wait. That was expected so we took a few seats at the bar and waited. It was close to 2 hours before we actually got to sit down due to a large party that came in after we did and the hostess holding a number of tables to eventually seat them vs seating us (there a good hour before them). In the end, the large party was seated, then moved to another location, and we were given a table that had vacated about 90 minutes prior. I mean...Come on guys...You've got to know your space and you've got to be able to make this kind of thing work without significantly impacting your customers. In the end, the very nice bartender had to intervene to figure out what the heck was going on. Maybe if we got an apology, a free drink, or the like, it wouldn't have seemed so bad but there was nothing. Moving on to the meal once we were actually seated...WOW. Good stuff. I had the ciopino which was incredible. The tomato soup topped with gruyere was amazing as well. The prices were reasonable and they had a limited but decent wine list. Service once we were seated was speedy and friendly. I would highly recommend Eli's but would also highly recommend you keep on top of what is happening with your wait time or just eat at the bar. read more

We had lobster gnudi....it was outstanding with a glass of baby sancerre....sauvignon blanc. Highly recommend! read more

Eli's - 'Baby Sancerre' - New American Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

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The bathroom is the nicest I've ever encountered at a restaurant. The Italian and olive breads served warm with roasted garlic, basil, and sun-dried tomato were delicious. My Thai steamed mussels with coconut broth, pineapple, and black puffed rice were outstanding as was the arugula salad with toasted almonds, cranberries, red onion, and seared goat cheese. The salad tasted super fresh. I also loved the toasted coconut panna cotta. The portions were generous. Eli's is not to be missed! Be sure to arrive right at 6pm for a seat. read more