For our first night in Newport, we dined at Flora at Gardiner House. The ambience was very nice, if not romantic. However, the tables were a bit too close together for my liking. I don't like hearing what others discuss; nor do I want them listening to us either. It was that kind of close. However, the food was quite good. One of the highlights was their Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho Soup, made with Heirloom Tomatoes, Cucumber, Green Peppers, Red Wine Vinegar, Red Onion, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It was served pureed. I probably would have liked some of the cucumber and green pepper tossed in the soup finely diced just for a little crunch, but the soup tasted fine, and we always love when gazpacho is offered, which is rarely. We also tried the Pulpo a la Plancha, which was charred octopus over a bed of corn, red pepper and a few other items (that I now don't recall.) The octopus was good... I've had better elsewhere, but this was still good. Not seasoned all that much, and perhaps, a bit too charred, but we made it work. The star of the evening were the scallops. We actually split the entree, and with a side addition of broccolini, it actually was enough food for us, since we both had the gazpacho and octopus as appetizers. Amazing how growing older has diminished our appetites... but we figured that since we're on a road trip, it's not like doggy bags for leftovers will work out, so we didn't want to waste any food and just ordered the one entree. There were five good size scallops (already a bonus cuz most restaurants only give THREE, and they gave FIVE at Flora). It came with Corn Puree, Roasted Corn pieces, Tomato Gazpacho, Truffle Dust, and Sweet Potato Crisps. The scallops were succulent, flavorful, and meaty. Absolutely delicious... and the accompanying corn and tomato flavors added even more flavor. We would've licked the plate if we could. Lastly, the sangria was sweet and refreshing. I would definitely return here if we ever get back to Newport. read more

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Flora is now my new Favorite restaurant in Newport! As a May baby I take my restaurant reservations very seriously. So when we made plans to spend the day in Newport, I had some time to book the perfect restaurant. Also, a few choices came to mind, but then I found Flora. Flora is fairly new to Newport. A Mediterranean hot spot with gorgeous views in the beautiful Gardiner House, which used to be a vacant lot. The good - Parking can be difficult around here since its down a side street off Thames. They do Valet for $25 which I thought was a bit steep. So, we eventually found metered street parking. Upon walking to the restaurant we were greeted by a very friendly attendant. He showed us the way to the restaurant which was up a few flights of staircases. The great - Once inside Flora we were greeted by a very nice Hostess. She brought us to our table which was overlooking the ocean. The ambiance is stunning! Our server came over and we ordered a bottle of water and some drinks. Then, we also ordered one of their popular appetizers called Jamon Con Tomate - delish! Then, we ordered their beet salad which was also good. For entrees, I went with their Black Bass (something new that I have never heard of before). My husband had their Veal Scallopini, also excellent. They brought over 2 different desserts for my birthday, one with a candle of course. In summary - Everything about this restaurant was spectacular. And, I want to note that even though some of the other reviews were not as good, don't let that deter you from dining here. I highly recommend checking out Flora the next time you are here. Plus, they have a gorgeous patio for those hot summer days in Newport. Nothing beats a warm day, and ocean views. Cheers~ read more

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If you're looking for a beautiful spot on the harbor in Newport, then Flora is your place. Located off Thames Street, Flora is located in the Gardiner Hotel. The atmosphere has a flair of French elegance, paired with impeccable service. There is an outdoor patio and bar that wasn't yet open for the day when we visited, but on a beautiful night, if you can't join for dinner, we recommend grabbing a drink to enjoy the views. We enjoyed a late breakfast and some coffees and lattes. The portion sizes and presentation for breakfast were wonderful. The chef came out to check on our meals, such service and care is truly a special touch. This is a fine dining restaurant, so it's preferable to dress nicely- for dinner this is a requirement. Reservations are a must, especially during the busy season. Gentlemen- plan a date night here with your ladies, you won't regret it Lentz_explore read more

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What an outstanding meal! The paella was very satisfying, and everything was delicious. The service was outstanding and the view of the harbor was wonderful. read more

Flora at Gardiner House - Arroz del Senyoret (seafood paella) - Seafood Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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Unfortunately had an experience that left a bad taste in my mouth. We arrived for breakfast on my birthday and were seated at a table by the window, so off to a solid start. I ordered the omelette, pancakes, and the yogurt side which states it comes with granola. The omelette was supposed to come with toast and I realized after ordering I wanted to make sure it would be sourdough (they didn't prompt me to specify a bread when I ordered), and so I had my husband ask while I stepped away to the restroom. He told me the waiter replied "well she didn't say that." Which was a weird response given it was a very normal thing to follow up on and we were perfectly polite with checking about it. When the food arrived the yogurt didn't come with granola so we again politely inquired and the waiter again said "well you didn't specify that when you ordered."Like...? Ok? The side said it came with granola and I didn't realize I had to clearly specify "with granola." If you frequently have people wanting with/without granola then a simple waiter follow up question saying "it comes with granola, is that ok or would you prefer without" would be a better follow up than sassing the patron for asking about it. On top of this the service was slow despite there being 4 parties in the restaurant, and the food was not noteworthy. Overall just an unnecessarily brusque service experience that could've very easily been avoided. read more

I came in with a reservation and even though it was fairly empty I got seated in the WORST spot. Right in front of the entrance. That's on me. I didn't ask to get a better table (even though every table that was sat next to me was asked if they wanted another spot even though I was not). The tuna tartare was a mix of what I can only assume is blended tuna and diced tuna together. It was...odd. Dinner? Well, on the menu, it's labeled as Arroz De Sayonet, but they bring it to you and call it Paella (it is the worst rendition of paella I've ever had). It was flavorless. I was HIGHLY disappointed by it. I did the truffle Brie for dessert thinking it was going to be the only happy note and I was right. The space itself is fine. It's well lit and gives a "Newport" vibe but the food was just not it. read more

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2 Star (for view alone) - An absolutely beautiful room for brunch - fun wallpaper, striped ceiling, and water views. Unfortunately, the food was below average and presentation was sad, especially for the price. We had read about the restaurant in Condé Nast, so it was incredibly disappointing. Service was slower, especially with drinks, but it got there. read more

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First for the good part - the restaurant was beautiful and the views were great. 3 friends and I were looking forward to a lovely brunch here. Unfortunately we received horrible service. I have truly never been ignored so blatantly at a restaurant. We arrived 5-10 mins before our reservation and were promptly seated outside by the hostess (who was very friendly). We sat outside for 30 minutes without being greeted by a server, no one offered us water and no one ever came to take our order. After 30 MINUTES, we walked out. Totally unacceptable!!! We saw the servers look at our table, ignore us and go to other tables to take their orders, refill their water glasses etc. If someone stopped by and said "we're really busy, someone will be with you shortly", we would have understood. However we saw people arrive after us and they were greeted warmly and offered water. I have never been so insulted! read more

The view, ambiance, service, food ... everything was amazing. Our server Arianna was excellent. The chef came by to say hi. It was an amazing experience. Highly recommend!! read more

Flora at Gardiner House - Seafood Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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Delicious food, service and ambiance. Celebrated a birthday and it was very special read more

We waited for our table at the bar and honestly--highly recommend starting your night there. Great drinks, great energy, zero regrets. The restaurant is very dimly lit, so prepare to use your phone flashlight like you're decoding secret messages just to read the menu. Mood lighting is one thing... this felt like a challenge. I ordered the slow braised short rib and WOW--HIGHLY recommend. Perfectly tender and full of flavor. My friend ordered the Seared Rohan Duck Breast. It was duck. It was good. Solid choice. We also got the truffle fries (and YES, they had ketchup!). Delicious. Shoutout to the servers--they were very attentive, checked in often, and didn't make us feel rushed. Plus, they actually have gluten-free bread options, which was a pleasant surprise and a big win for anyone with dietary restrictions. Only downside: the tables are very close together. Like "I could tell you the couple next to us was on their third date and he's afraid of commitment" close. Excellent for people-watching, not so great for privacy. Overall: Great food, attentive service, gluten-free friendly, and a built-in eavesdropping experience. Would definitely go again! read more

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Flora at Gardiner House is a beautiful restaurant with an incredible view of Newport Harbor. My husband and I had an amazing dinner here with great food and fabulous service. The only thing I regret is ordering the Jamon con Tomate - it was bread , Proscuitto, and cold tomato sauce. For my entree I ordered the shrimp fusilli and it was divine!! My husband got the arroz del senyoret and really enjoyed it. We really enjoyed our meal here and would be happy to return! read more

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The service was very poor. The manager was both condescending and rude. The general attitude was that they are doing us a favor. Too many good places to go in Newport to be treated poorly. read more

Another wonderful meal and dining experience at Floras . This is one of my favorite restaurants on Aquidneck Island. I really enjoyed dining there at this time of year as it is quieter and calming than the summer. The ambiance is still lovely . Started the evening with mushroom croquettes and ordered the special which was Black Sea bass with a sweet potato medley. The restaurant usually serves local fish and the Black Sea bass is a nice white fish. The food is well seasoned and the flavors pop in your mouth. The fish was perfectly pan seared with a crispy skin. The sweet potato medley included diced chorizo and Brussels sprouts. For dessert we had the crème brûlée which was perfect. Our waitress Alexee was very attentive and friendly and the food servers were helpful. read more

We had the most fabulous meal here while celebrating my sister's bachelorette. There was a slight wait for our reservation, but it worked in our favor--we got to enjoy cocktails at the outdoor bar while taking in the absolutely breathtaking views. The entire space is stunning and thoughtfully curated, striking the perfect balance between elegant and welcoming. The cocktails were delicious--expertly made, though on the pricier side at $20 each. Our server did a great job handling our group and made the experience feel smooth and special. The only minor downside was having to ask multiple times for water refills. For food, we went family style and shared a wide variety of dishes: tuna crudo, croquettes, burrata, summer salad, gambas, artichokes, shrimp fusilli, market fish (tuna), scallops, and the plancha lemon sole. A large basket of fresh bread was also brought out, which was a lovely touch. Standouts were the croquettes and the shrimp fusilli--absolutely packed with flavor, and you could tell the pasta was made in-house. Every dish had something special, and it was clear a lot of care goes into the ingredients and execution. We finished with the crème brûlée and burnt Basque cheesecake--both the perfect ending to a phenomenal meal. This place is a must-visit for the food, the ambiance, and those can't-miss views. Highly recommend, especially for a special occasion. read more

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My friends suprised me with this reservation on the first night of my bachelorette and it was perfect. Exquisite atmosphere, food and cocktails. read more

Ambiance - 5 stars Food - 3 stars (Veal was not very tender. Duck was ok. Scallops were amazing.Tuna Crudo appetizer was great.) Service - 2.5 stars (Very nice staff, but they were running around chaotically, as if they were short staffed, when it appeared there were plenty of helping hands. Our waitress disappeared after we put our order in for drinks and 3 appetizers and didn't take our entree order until 15 minutes AFTER we had finished the apps and the plates had been cleared. It took just as long to get the bill at the end of the night.) Other - 1 star (I think it is totally ridiculous that they have mandatory valet parking, but proceed to charge you 25.00 for it, especially on a week night during shoulder season and especially when you're already dropping nearly 300.00 at their over priced restaurant) read more

What an amazing experience we had at Flora. The ambience is so moody and welcoming.. beautifully outfitted with amazing views. The food presentation was artful and the flavors melded perfectly. Exquisite service by TR. His knowledge of exactly where the fish were caught and his complete familiarity of the menu and specials were so impressive TR was so attentive...we felt so taken care of. When we were choosing a wine, he sent the sommelier, Nick, over who was so skilled and interesting and took the time to help us pair the perfect wine for our dinner choices. This may have been my best dining experience ever. read more

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This is a truly beautiful setting with A++ staff and service. The food was delicious and very upscale. The menu emphasized local seafood. My "surf and turf" was also great. This is a great destination for a special evening. read more

Amazing ambience, service and food! We had the tuna tartare and the ceviche which was excellent & refreshing. The scallops blew my mind out of this world. Truffle pasta cooked to perfection. The homemade gelato and raspberry creme brûlée was a MUST!!!! Brie our server was hands down with the best waitresses we've ever had and made the experience even better. Hope to be back soon. read more

Flora at Gardiner House - View - Seafood Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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Meh was expecting a higher class experience based on the "dress code" and website portrayal. But very mediocre and just okay. Staff and service was SO nice and welcoming but the food was average and lots of people wearing jeans and sweaters for a place claiming to be up scale backed by a collared shirt required notice that's clearly not enforced. read more

Absolutely stunning interior matched with waterfront views in the restaurant - with a rooftop bar & deck! The ambiance and aesthetic is so classy and upscale yet relaxed and homey. It's like visiting your very own Newport mansion. Service was impeccable, so friendly and personable, helpful and friendly! The food was truly incredible- we loved how creative everything was while also being so delicious, familiar, and locally sourced! A must visit in Newport! DO NOT SKIP the toffee pudding for dessert - trust me. read more

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Food, service and ambience were all amazing. We had a wonderful meal and experience. Highly recommend

My wife and I and her brother and sister-in-law ate at Flora last night. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. Two of us had a special black sea bass entree, and it was delicious. My wife had veal, which was excellent. We sampled a number of the apps, and all of them were excellent. All of us loved the mushroom fritters; and we also loved the veal carpaccio. Deserts were excellent too--especially the Basque cheesecake. The leadership of Exec Chef, Miguel Somoza, is evident in both the food prep and the service. All around excellent. A special shoutout to the sommelier, who is a real pro--one of the best. read more

I'm going to start with the space itself, it is gorgeous, cozy and perfect for a high end date night. We started downstairs at the bar and I especially love the interior design of the bar. Service I would give a 4/5 for a up scale place there were some mistakes made. We were told about a special that two people from our table ordered and the server omitted that the meal had lobster on it. Thankfully it was a happy surprise for us. We just got the sense they weren't a seasoned pro? But not a huge deal. For the food I would also give 4/5 some dishes were great while one really missed the mark. They have a lot of seafood and they do that well, tuna tartare, lobster tail, jumbo shrimp, beef tartare and mushroom croquets were our starters and they were great! The mushroom croquets are very small for the price. Portions in general were on the smaller side. One person ordered the pasta with clams, they asked me to take a bite and I have to agree that it had no flavor, the pasta was also too thick. The clams were good but the pasta itself tasted a bit like when you sample a plain piece of pasta to test if it is il dente. Someone had the filet and loved it. I was one that ordered the special with the surprise lobster and I enjoyed it. Afterwards I reflected it would have been best to have their fish dishes. I have to hold this restaurant to a high standard because it is upscale a night out for four can easily cost upwards of $500 with a few cocktails. read more

Flora at Gardiner House - This was the clam pasta dish that missed the mark. - Seafood Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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Wonderful new addition to Newport's ever-growing dining scene! Flora is a beautiful restaurant nestled on the second floor of the boutique hotel, and while sometimes hotel restaurants are less than stellar, this one is actually quite excellent. The panoramic views of the waterfront are gorgeous, and they even have an outdoor patio section that will be winsome in warmer months. I chose to sit at the bar and enjoy a few appetizers. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable, and do everything they can to make you feel at home and comfortable. Yes, the restaurant is upscale, but the service is anything but stiff and stuffy. Every meals at Flora starts with a complimentary amuse from the kitchen. Tonight's was iberico ham on a crostini, and it was delicious! I also loved the homemade focaccia bread with plenty of olive oil for dipping. The mushroom croquettes packed a punch of umami flavor, and are a definite winner on the menu. Items are in the $$$-$$$$ range, however, if you are looking for a memorable night out, this should be at the top of your list! read more

So disappointing. We were four, coming for dinner. We were excited when we saw the menu online. We arrived, then it all went south. The noise level was beyond annoying. We had to literally lean forward to hear and be heard. After a while the four of us gave up. There were no ceiling tiles, nor or anything that would baffle the sound. We struggled through a $300+ dinner, not even having the strength to have dessert. If you thrive on a never-ending din in order to eat, this is your place. If not, spend all that money somewhere else. We wasted our money. read more

First visit on a busy Turkey Day weekend. Our neighbor has raved about lunches there (never been to dinner). Service superb. Happy with all dishes except out of duck and the mushroom soup at $18 was a bit much and the tuna tostado was a flop (almost like canned tuna pate). Other dishes were swell. However, be prepared for a VERY NOISY dining experience. Damages for 3 with tip was $400. read more

What a beautiful place! Went for Brunch on a Sunday in December. I've never seen such a beautiful holiday decor, just dreamy. The pictures don't do it justice. Had Eggs Florentine Benedict with home fries, delish. Great service with Darya. Lovely view of the harbour. Looking forward to visiting again in the warmer weather. read more

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The best restaurant in Newport views ambiance and awesome food! Great service! Really the best.. 6 stars. Had special lamb shank for the holiday. Pounded filet and amazing appetizers. Sh read more

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I am so sad to leave this review because I have been here before and absolutely loved it. I came back with my husband and feel like we went completely unnoticed. We were sat in the bar which is not the vibe we were going for on our 2nd anniversary. We ordered cocktails and appetizers which were delish but once we were served our mains, the flow changes. Our dinner was essentially almost gone by the time we got our wine. Our server did not check on us once we had our food but we could see him being attentive to every other table around us. It's so disappointing because the food here does not miss but I expected a better experience from such a nice place. read more

Definately will not be back! Arrived at 3:55 for a 4:00 dinner reservation on 6/12/26. The temperature out today is a feel like 90 + degrees. Reviewed website and NO dress code was given anywhere on site. We were dressed very nicely (Lily y Pulitzer ) and hubby in Tommy Bahama like clothing. Neat, clean and appropriate. Turned away because hubby was in short khakis instead of long khakis. It's close to 100 freaking degrees out at 4:00 and we can't come in to celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary. We will not be back and I can promise you I will discourage any and all friends from having dinner at your venue! We were NOT in beach clothing, dirty, or inappropriate! Shame on you, you lost out on a big tab and tip!! Mid town oyster bar got your profit. read more

Feel like this place doesn't need more 5 star reviews but this was our favorite dinner spot on our Newport weekend. Incredible service from server TR. Expertly made cocktails. Dimly lit. Lively. read more

Flora at Gardiner House - Delicious cocktail- forget name - Seafood Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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The setting is beautiful. The restaurant has a lovely vibe. The food was fresh and delicious, although I liked my husband's fish special more than my fish. The mushroom croquettes are delicious. The basque cheesecake was also a perfect ending to a nearly perfect dinner. The churros were very good - my husband thought they were perfect, I like more cinnamon sugar on mine. It was a lovely dinner experience and we will definitely be returning. read more

My best friend and I decided to pop in for the first time and we were absolutely blown away. The ambiance and holiday decor were both a telling start, not only is the food phenomenal but even better was our service. Our stay felt so extra special with Kevin as our server, not a single beat was missed; from our salad and bread, to the cappuccinos and bread pudding, and every bit in between. The staff is all phenomenal, and the bartender was such a treat. We felt so warm and welcomed from the second we walked up the stairs. Thank you again to the staff at Flora, we look forward to coming back :) read more

I went with my family and we had one issue after another. Didn't even matter that we made a reservation we didn't get seated until an hour later. That was a sign we should have left. The food was another mess. Multiple orders were incorrect and then had items missing on our plates. For the price we paid it better be good. Our wait staff was nice but somehow got our orders wrong. The flavors weren't bad when we eventually got the correct orders. The drinks were good. The decor was beautiful but that's about it. I wouldn't come here again. read more

Exquisite dining experience and food! From the moment you are seated you know you are in for a treat. I had the panzanella salad which was by far the best and freshest ever and the delicious shrimp fusilli pasta. My husband enjoyed the chef's evening special surf and turf and the mushroom truffle soup. The service was impeccable and I can't wait to return (but we are from Los Angeles). read more

Flora at Gardiner House - Shrimp fusilli pasta! - Seafood Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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This place has the most uncomfortable atmosphere. I've been to the Studio Bar a few times and it's a beautiful hotel. The food and drink is pricey but it's pretty standard for the location. The main issue is the bouncer out front will arbitrarily decide if you get in or not. We went for drinks last night (two couples) and were turned away because the husbands were wearing shorts. They were in collared shirts, nice non-denim shorts, and boat shoes. The bouncer approached us (literally walked up to us as we were walking in) and asked if we were staying there. We said no, we were just going for drinks, and he said shorts aren't allowed. We had been there before in shorts last summer, and he said that they're not allowed after 6pm or that maybe we came on a Tuesday when he wasn't there (like what?!). In another review, someone said they arrived prior to 6pm in shorts and were turned away. I'm not really sure what "upscale" vibe they're going for when they allow the 20something year old bachelorette parties in Amazon dresses in, but turn away professional people who were willing to spend a few hundred on drinks and food for wearing shorts... in a sailing town... on a day when it's almost 90 degrees and humid. If I was staying there, I think it would have also been pretty uncomfortable to be approached that way, like I have to show you my room key to get back into the hotel I'm paying a pretty steep price for, just because I'm wearing shorts? With so many other great options in Newport, it's not worth the hassle to go back. read more

Mossed the mark. Beautiful room, staff was great - food was literally awful. Like it shouldn't have left the kitchen. Pounded filet? Terrible. Halibut - dry and flavorless. Tuna tartare was actually very good. Get a new chef and the possibilities are endless. read more

Food was AMAZING - some of the best octopus and fish I've ever had. Service was a bit slow and the halibut came out a bit cold, but the staff was very apologetic and immediately comped the entree and our dessert as a result of our complaint. Would definitely go back! read more

Flora at Gardiner House - Plancha lemon sole - Seafood Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island