Once I figured out the place was hidden behind scaffolding, I entered to find a warm and inviting gem. My husband and I have wanted to try this place for a few years but the prices had kept us away. Thanks to Restaurant Weeks we jumped at the chance to try the three course meal for $29.95. We were not disappointed. From the quality of service, extensive wine list to the excellent food (presentation and taste) we were in for an enjoyable evening. I have a gluten-allergy and the waitress knew exactly what that was and how to handle it. They even brought me rice crackers in place of the bread! What a nice surprise! Also, my husband favors an obscure cocktail no one knows of... it ended up being a special drink of theirs! Ben was in Sazerac heaven. I highly recommend this place and even though the prices are a bit higher than our typical spots we plan to make it back again. read more

Quite good- duck ham charcuterie was rich and smoky. Entrees were small and pricey but delicious- we had the pork chop which was divinely salty and grilled perfectly, the wine-braised beef was tender and rich, and we enjoyed the winter vegetable touches of parsnips and fennel on our plates too. My port drink was very tart and interesting but not something I'd order again. Desert menu looked good but we didn't end up sampling it. My only issue is that while I thought the flavors were interesting, nicely balanced and thoughtfully assembled, I had the slight feeling that the lower priced entrees were dishes an ambitious cook using Bon Appetit as a guide could attempt at home, so you have to blow out almost $30 to try something more complicated. A lovely experience but quite expensive. read more

Loveddddd it. Holy cow the best fine dining meal and experience you will have in providence. I made a reservation the night before and I received a phone call confirmation the day later reminding me of my reservation. I arrived slightly late which didn't seem to be an issue. We were seated right away to the dining room in the back- meanwhile, the front entrance was on the side behind a tavern, upon entering you are immediately greeted by a host and a small quaint bar to the left. There are few tables behind the host desk and then another dining room past the bar. The lights were semi dim - the main source of light came from the large windows which faced the street. The entire building is historical and old fashioned. We were greeted by our server who was very enthusiastic and new the menu very well- we had loads of questions as the menu was quite extensive and everything seemed spectacular. We ordered appetizers of oysters, soup, asparagus and the toastanes (I forget their name). Everything was five star quality and the presentation was exquisite. The asparagus dish was simple but the flavored were well developed and they were grilled to perfection. The oysters were absolutely amazing and fresh. The soup was to die for- perfectly mellow but memorable in flavor, not too salty, and just heaven in your mouth. The little cracker bites were a bit salty for my taste, but delicious none the less. The main course, I had the salad, dad had the burger, mom had the lobster pasta and my sister had the agnolotti. The salad was incredibly beautiful with all the spring mixes- but some green I can't quite name was a bit bitter. I wish I ordered my mothers lobster pasta which was home made and I believed was the most delicious on the table. It has a bit of sweetness, texture from the peas and the pasta was cooked to aldente. The agnolotti was Devine- with a light lemon tang and much flavor with a ricotta filling. The burger also looked incredible with Vermont cheddar cheese and mushrooms on top. The best burger you'll find in providence with no doubt. Everything came out in a timely manner and the service was superb. As our reservation was a bit early at 6:30- by the time we left, the place was packed and I can certainly understand why. We will most definitely be back again. read more

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My foodie friends and I stopped in here with a plan to share just appetizers and light fare. We started with oysters, then moved on to a charcuterie plate and various other selections from their "small plates" menu. A very interesting assortment of eatables, with lots of little surprises. The frites were terrific. So my tip today, as we discovered, is to not always charge into the main courses, but hang around the appz and small plates; there's a whole different dining experience there. read more

I've been reluctant to post a lukewarm review of a place that has a great local reputation and deserves a lot of cred for its establishing role in the local restaurant scene (especially when it comes to local ingredients). Yet after maybe 8 visits to New Rivers over a three-year period, I have to say I always leave a little disappointed. The main reason I keep returning is that they are open Mondays (unlike many Providence restaurants in this quality/price range), and sometimes you just need to take guests somewhere nice on a Monday night. The good: great service, for the most part (the only weak spots have been timing-related). Meat-eating companions rave about the charcuterie. Those who order the higher-end entrees have generally been pretty happy with them. I've had some stellar glasses of wine here. The not-so-good: the vegetarian and/or lower-end entrees lack creativity and verve -- they just don't seem very well thought-out, and most would be easy for a competent home chef to throw together (and improve upon). They consistently sound better on the menu than they taste. There's also some slippage on details that is really not acceptable for a restaurant at this price point. On my last visit I had some attractively-plated agnolotti, but they were cold inside. The cheese plate was supposed to include a fig cake (according to the menu) but only came with toasts and some grapes, a far cry from the gorgeous accompaniments offered at other restaurants around town. The desserts are not only overpriced for the quality (up to $14!), but they are priced differently on the dinner menu and the dessert menu (the higher of the two prices appears on the check, of course). Don't get me wrong, this is still basically a good restaurant. I just don't feel that it lives up to its established reputation or its prices. I have to agree with the reviewer who summed it up as "average for a high-class place" -- and Providence offers quite a few restaurants that leave "average" in the dust. read more

I am a huge fan of this place. I went with my whole family and everyone said it was great. This is going to be high on the recommendation list to friends for a quiet, delicious outing. It is really nice to find a good "go to" space for when I get to Providence. The menu tends to be meat heavy but don't shy from the seafood if the scallop dish is any indication, delicious! Other highlights were a very good wine by the glass program and "very" affordable/interesting wine list. Great space for a quiet group or for an impressive date. Big thumbs up! Thank you for the great experience! read more

Mother's Day brunch with mom, dad and brother. Brother says that brunch was only offered this one day. There's no sign outside so we walked right past the first time. Our server was a total sweetheart. Short menu. I had oj and I'm pretty sure it was Tropicana. Mom and brother had coffee. We started with an order of 6 biscuits with jam and a platter of fruit salad. The jam was so delicious I am still thinking about it; the biscuits were pretty good too and I made them my meal with the nice ripe fruit salad b/c I was not a fan of my french toast. I had been craving pancakes that morning and none were offered. The brioche french toast was too dry/thick; neither my mother nor I enjoyed the consistency. My brother was surprised with the sunny egg on top of his goat cheese and mushroom tart. They took it back and cooked the egg enough to satisfy him. It came with a cute little side salad. Dad ordered the scramble special, which I think had tasso and cheese, as well as home fries and an English muffin - a nice plate. read more

New Rivers has always been a favorite, and I have written a glowing review before. It is now in the innovative and capable hands of Beau in the kitchen and Elizabeth in the front of house (both of whom have been there for years). They are taking the mantle handed off by Bruce, the former owner, and running with it. Every meal that we've had since the new ownership has been OUTSTANDING! Beau's food just keeps getting better and better. Elizabeth is running the place with a keen eye and warm heart. Go and enjoy this wonderful restaurant! read more

Came here during Restaurant Week in July and was blown away by the food. The prix fixe menu was a little pricier than what I normally like to pay for dinner, but it was well worth it. The restaurant itself can get a little cramped, but the meal and service more than made up for it. The decor was nice too. read more

It's pricey, but amazing. I was here for a workshop and a friend who used to live in RI suggested this place. I took a lovely walk in light rain past many older homes to find this place, then sat at the bar. I think I arrived around 6pm on a Thursday night and maybe 30 minutes after I sat down the small place was packed. If you're not by yourself you HAVE TO HAVE RESERVATIONS. The bartender was incredibly friendly and efficient at balancing the bar's food orders and the tables' drink orders. I had a delicious scallop dish and a cheese plate for desert as well as two whisky cocktails. The bar was a nice area for general light banter with strangers, so I am glad that I chose to sit there instead of at a table. In sum, it was a perfect solo meal. read more

New Rivers continues to be one of my favorite places in Providence, and the right place to take visitors to showcase local New England food. Tuesday nights definitely go for the $1 oysters - you won't be disappointed. I also appreciate that the cocktail list has a non-alcoholic offering - the mulled cider I had last night really hit the spot, and had a nice hint of OJ that made the drink special. I had the prix fixe last night: $28 for a lovely salad, agnolotti with hen of the woods mushrooms, and a pineapple coconut bar with pomegranate seeds for desserts. Each course was really nice, and we shared the roasted oysters to start, which had a pleasant kick to them. I haven't had a bad dish at New Rivers; I would call it the most consistently good restaurant in Providence. read more

I am happy to update my previous review and make it a glowing recommendation. Happened by while trolling Waterfire with my cousin who peeked in the window and immediately wanted to go in for a drink at the bar. We were promptly seated with a perfect view of the live music stage right outside their window. Presented with the drinks menu we were curious about several of the cocktails. The bartender paused in the midst of his busy crafting to pull down bottles and let us sniff or poured small tastes to assuage us. Because we asked so many questions he forgot exactly what we ordered but gifted us with the extra cocktail anyway. A friend was there that night for his bachelor party dinner and when we requested a round of shots be sent over, he concocted a tasty beverage of mezcal, pickled tomato/shishito pepper juice, artichoke liqueur and other good things... So good I asked for it as a stand alone drink for myself! Since we were surrounding by food smells we couldn't help but take a look thru the menu too. Shishito peppers and chive taglialini with uni were chosen for our snack. My cousin plans to return to providence within the week to eat that uni pasta again it was that impressive. Al dente wide pasta coated in a rich but not creamy sauce with pieces of fresh fresh uni had us scraping the bottom for more! I wish we hadn't already eaten dinner elsewhere, there were many items we would have liked to try. This experience was far superior to my last and I hope my next will be just as enjoyable, I plan to return soon. read more

Happened to be walking by this restaurant, just before 5. It looked so cute from outside, I decided to linger until they opened at 5 and ate at the bar. Started with the Tomato Soup, it was excellent. Then I had the small order of Agnolotti , added the homemade sausage. I think I would have enjoyed it better without the sausage. The sausage overwhelmed the corn and tomato. Would definitely visit this restaurant again if I find myself back in Providence. read more

This place is lovely. Oh my goodness, the pork belly was like a big piece of bacon - but better! Is there anything that is better than bacon?! SO good! Here's the breakdown, there were three of us eating: starters: Beef cheek ravioli, sweetbreads with cauliflower puree, oysters, charcuterie: pork belly, pork cheek Decidedly, the most exciting part of the starters was their mustard and pickled vegetables with the charcuterie. The sweetbreads' membrane had not been fully removed, thus making some pieces chewy. The beef cheek ravioli was delicious, but the reduction was too salty (please fix that!) The oysters were great, only had one each, but they were fantastic. Entree: pork shank duck venison The pork shank was the last one of the night, and the smallest of the three plates, it made me think that it should not have been the last one but half a portion! It was very flavorful, had a nice texture. The venison was fantastic (and chosen because the pork shank was no longer available) - the brussels sprouts were fantastic. The venison was lovely, everything about it was nice. The muscovy duck was the star of the three (thankfully it was mine!) The gnocchi were pillowy soft, the cippollini onions were perfectly caramelized and the kale was just right. The duck was seared leaving the rest of the breast a beautiful rareness (let the chef cook it however he wants - you really do get it the right way) and melted in your mouth. Bravo, New Rivers! Bruce (the owner) suggested a lovely bottle of Portuguese red, that went perfectly with our meal. Dessert: tea, coffee and two orders of the apple cake, one order of the lemon curd tart. The desserts were great as well. I look forward to coming here the next time I am in town! read more

Charcuterie is top notch. My favorite was probably the pork belly. They were out of the cheek which I wanted to try. Lardo was real interesting, paper thin or should I say saran wrap thin. Seeing as you can see right though it. Duck ham tasted like, um ham. Really good ham, but i expected some more duck flavor. Pig neck was good I just didnt expect it to be breaded and deep fried. I expected a little more from my pork chop. It was good, I just expected it to be a little more juicy. Was moist throughout but not super tender. read more

They do a great job with plant based dishes. I highly recommend their brussel sprouts and the squash entree, both cooked to perfection.

This is an excellent restaurant with amazing food, attentive wait staff and adorable space. I will go back.

I've finally accomplished the impossible! I went to New Rivers on the famed $1 Oyster night on Tuesdays! After my last disastrous visit to the other "$1 oyster happy hour" establishment, I was getting desperate to find another place to indulge on exquisite, fresh chucked oysters. New Rivers did not disappoint. The oysters were fresh and succulent, although a little bit on the smaller side. We were a little bit saddened by how quickly some of the specialty dishes were gone. The place opened at 6pm, and but 6:45pm, half of their specialties were gone. I loved the soft shelled crabs and the artichokes with crab meat were delicious. Both were in tiny portions, but the flavor was top notch. My biggest concern is the size of the dishes were a bit on the smaller side, especially compared to the price. I'd still recommend it if you haven't been. It's a decent date place. Food: 4 stars Price: 3 stars Service: 5 stars (the waitress were very attentive and always smiling) Ambiance: 3-4 stars read more

I'm giving New Rivers 5 stars for a few reasons: 1. The food is _without question_ at least 4 stars, and while I prefer to hold back 5 stars until a few visits, I'm just not in Providence often enough. 2. Providence is kinda-sorta happening but it needs places like this desparately. New Rivers needs kudos for its years of service to this community that wants to be cool but has a few, well, issues still. 3. The service all around, in the bar, different wait staff, our awesome waitress were all deserving of a clear 5 stars+. 4. The vibe is cozy and European. 5. Inez N in her Yelp review was right on and deserves credit. She's from Boston and Boston even should have spots like this. OK, food, vibe, service all excellent. Oh, and they serve hard liquor which is appreciated, as Martinis are one of the Gifts of God. East Coasters understand the merits of hard liquor. Lord knows I do. The creativity of the menu is excellent, and _not_ How-Do-We-Invent-Some-Jackass-Combination-Where-You'll-Never-Find-the-Ingredients. The creativity is authentic using local ingredients like pigs shot on the island of Aquidneck. Hey, people shoot things in Providence. Problems? I have one complaint. I am not a Vertical Food Guy. I always think Vertical is a substitute for good old fashioned presentation. My wife told me to shut up about this, but once again I am right in this relationship: skip the overly vertical statues of food. Otherwise, outstanding. Go. Don't worry about the pigs getting shot. Have a Martini. And say I sent you. read more

I've been here twice in the past three months. Both times were spectacular. The combination of great food and superior service is very nice. They always try to incorporate local ingredients as well which I think is very nice. The atmosphere is very cozy and romantic. Even though the tables are small and fairly close, I still barely noticed anyone else around me. The menu changes frequently and there is also a prix fixe menu Monday thru Thursday, which I always like to take advantage of. Just a few of the tasty things I had the last time: spiked hot cider, venison (soooooo tender), skate wing, beets, porchetta di testa (pig head). And they also do have a very tasty variety of breads that comes with an interesting spread (I think it changes frequently). Definitely one of my favorite spots in Providence. Can't wait to go back. read more

New Rivers is consistently spot on. Have been here about 5 times and every time the food and service were fantastic. They recently expanded into the space next door. The new room looks great...includes a bar with about 6 or so stools. Much larger than the old bar. And there are about 6 tables in the new room too. A few stairs connect the "old" dining room with the new area. What really sets this place apart is the food though. It's so tasty. Love this place. Will definitely be back next time I'm in Providence. read more

I have been never a fan of their menu options but when my mom wanted to check out their Latkes Sunday dinner I said sure. The Latkes were awesome. I also had the brisket. It was ok, now they had to live up to a lot because I make a slap your rabbi brisket with horseradish mash potatoes. I tried the donuts with jelly and I think they forgot the jelly but the donuts were good. what really topped off the night was when a lady wearing a christmas sweater to a jewish dinner.......smh read more

All in all, a fairly tasty dinner. We made a reservation for 5 PM on a Saturday and were seated promptly. While the restaurant wasn't very full throughout the duration of our meal, it's fairly small, and I'm guessing that they are right to recommend that you make reservations. For an appetizer, we ordered hen-of-the-woods (a type of mushroom) on bread, and it was delicious. Before that, they served various types of bread with white bean spread, which was interesting and tasted good as well. As a meal, I ordered a beef dish cooked with pumpkin and broccolini, while my dining companion had the polenta. Note that their menu online is not very accurate. The dishes were well-presented and cooked well as well. Our dinner of a rum praline ice cream with cookies with pretty good; the alcohol was definitely easy to taste, a little too much for me, at least. read more

Wow! That's all I can say about this place. Okay, maybe a little more than wow, I loved this place! I came here to have a lovely good bye dinner with a dear friend, and I will forever remember this night and New Rivers was the perfect setting for this very special dinner. We went on a Tuesday (dollar oysters on Tuesdays, btw) so of course we all started with oysters, shared a bottle of wine, shared entrees and enjoyed tasting each others' amazing desserts. The atmosphere was very cozy and left us all feeling very warm and fuzzy. Everything was amazing, there were times during this meal where no one said words other than "mmm" and "omg this is so good". I know I will definitely be coming again! Over and Over! Love! I cannot say it enough. My mouth is watering writing this review, THAT GOOD. read more

Booked a Private event for work a week in advance. Elizabeth was incredibly helpful and accommodating, providing a fantastic customized menu that put us under our budget (always a huge plus). In was important to provide an impressive experience to our guests and they walked away thrilled. Thank you to Elizabeth and Team - looking forward to working with you again. read more

It's kind of pricey, but worth it. the sort of place where you can trust that anything on the menu is going to be good, so you can order something that you wouldn't normally eat and experiance something new. i did have a questionable cocktail there once and the wine is pretty pricey. read more

I had a very pleasant experience here. It was a busy night so my husband and I sat at the bar. It was comfortable and the bartender was friendly, quirky, and made good recommendations. We had the scallops to start which were actually a raw dish prepared like a ceviche. They were very good. I have never had scallops like this before, except maybe mixed in with other seafood. They were very fresh and the presentation was beautiful. Although they werent overly salty, I thought the salt overpowered the flavors a little. Then I had the soup of the day which was a zucchini curry which was really good. It was kind of a fusion between American and South Asian and was very tasty and not too heavy. I also had the spring greens salad, which was lovely because it was VERY fresh. Fresh peas, which I rarely have, beets, and crispy fried parsnips on top. Even the salad greens were very fresh tasting. The beets were cut up very small, which did make for a nice presentation and texture but because I love beets so much I wished there were more, bigger pieces so I could taste the beetiness more. My husband had lamb which he loved and was so moist that the juices splashed on me- but thankfully on my hand and not my clothes! Dessert was great too, a caramel praline ice cream which I was afraid would be too sweet but it wasnt. I think we will be back on a less busy night to try it out again. The prices were quite reasonable for the quality. read more

Do not come here hungry, the portions are so tiny and they need to know it's not okay to leave costumers hungry! Do come here for good food, just don't come here hungry. I repeat don't come here hungry! Do come for good food, DONT COME HERE HUNGRY. Pro tip: burger is the most filling thing on the menu read more

One of my favorites in Providence. Always offers a creative menu with great service. I love the decor and atmosphere. Sitting at the bar for dinner actually feels inviting here. Definitely recommend! read more

I happened to pass by New Rivers on a self-directed walking tour of the Brown - RISD area last Tuesday. Tuesdays at New Rivers, it turns out, feature oysters at just one dollar each. I had nine, of three distinct types, all excellent. One type, Walrus and Carpenter, the restaurant collects itself locally. I wanted to gorge on oysters, but New Rivers has an unusual mixed grill. It was superb ... two lamb items (pastrami and sausage), one pork, and a fourth I cannot at the moment recall. But good! Happily, I had a half bottle of red wine with the mixed grill and an espresso afterwards to counter the heavy animal fat ingestion. Oh, and then a long walk. I almost neglected to give the waiter his due. He was informative and very friendly, but in a genuine, not forced, way. read more

I love the fact that this restaurant is housed in a historic building with some original touches. Another delight is that the bartender knows how to make a great pear martini. The food menu seems to be well stocked in appetizers and sides, but not so much entrees. I don't even recall seeing any chicken on the menu. The pumpkin hummus with home made naan was fun as was the gnocchi. I'd like to come back but if you've gone three times, you can sample everything on the menu. If it offered more variety, I'd definitely be a repeat customer. The staff is nice, but the menu needs a boost. read more

I came here for a private party and was able to try ten items off the menu, each of which was excellent. Fresh, well-balanced, and sustainable, this place is a gem in DownCity. Highly recommended. read more

Went tonight with my wife and a friend; we all loved our dinners. The wine selection was great and appropriately priced. We will definitely be going back. Word of caution: there is no sign on the street. read more

I've been dying to try New Rivers for years, but for some reason it just never worked out. When a lunch opportunity came up, I was more than happy to jump on it, and I'm glad I finally made it there. My dining companions and I tried their falafel, arancini, pickled vegetables, and early spring greens salad. We also had the roasted organic chicken, grilled arctic char, with sides of butter peas (the name does no justice to how delicious and amazing they were), fingerling potatoes, and wrapped up with their cookies and fresh fruit. What can I say? Everything was exquisite, fresh, simple yet elegant, perfect seasoning and execution of the dishes, with each dish complementing the others. This is New American at its' best. Can't wait to come back! read more

My wife and I stumbled onto New Rivers on our first trip to Providence for dinner. It is a delightful restaurant with genuinely nice staff. Clams Casino and an interesting green salad for were both quite tasty starters. We split a striped bass entre. This was delicious. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. The deserts were so-so. The lemon tart was pretty good. It could have been more tart in my opinion. The baked pear with carmel glaze was disappointing as the pears had no flavor. I'd like to go back and try another entre or some of the small plates. They are so meat focused though it limits my choices. I'm not a vegetarian, but need to watch my cholesterol. They sounded very appetizing, but probably not too heart healthy. read more

I frequently travel to Providence for business and New Rivers is my absolute favourite spot to finish off the week. Everything I've tried here from the mushroom cream soup to venison is absolutely excellent! There is really very little you can go wrong with at this restaurant - everything is prepared and presented flawlessly. Don't overlook their charcuterie and cheese selection - I've tried the zamarano cheese when not in the mood for soup or salad and it hit the spot just right. Another recommendation goes towards their excellent coffee. If you are in Providence, this place is worth a detour and every penny of your money. read more

Great menu. All pretty heavy options. Amazing for a burger and fries (w/ aioli of course). Nice wines. A bit stuffy and not the friendliest device. Always packed. Nice place to go for parents who might be in town to visit college students. read more

New Rivers - Fries. Aioli. Nuff said. - New American Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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My absolute new fave Providence restaurant. Was too consumed with diving in that I forgot to take good pictures ! Started off the meal with potato leek soup which was creamy but super light; perfect portion size. My boyfriend ordered chicken liver mousse and thoroughly enjoyed it. I ordered the attic char; best fish dish I've ever tasted. Served with caramelized brussels sprouts that were perfect cooker. My boyfriend ordered a pasta dish with wild mushrooms and ricotta. Pasta was very al debate but being Italian I really appreciated that. Finished with a chocolate pot which was amazingly decadent. My boyfriend ordered salted caramel ice cream with toffee brittle. My portion size was perfect; larger than others I've ordered. I did think his dessert portion was on the small size, but he was content with it. One of the best meals I've ever had. Owner Elizabeth is a sweetheart and gave great service refilling our water nonstop; a rarity at other establishments. Chef Beau is incredibly talented. His passion for cooking shines through on every plate. Can't wait to return. Will upload pics taken of the food I half ate just to give an idea of what the dishes look like. Obviously they're much more beautiful before being happy demolished. read more

New Rivers - Arctic char, brussels & puree. Half eaten; refused to wait to dive in to take a pic. - New American Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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I found New Rivers for their $1 oyster Tuesday special after the Biltmore hotel (McCormick and Schmicks ) that I am staying at decide to change their $1 oyster night but not their website..... Wow was I lucky! Luke was a great bartender with one of the best Manhattans I have ever had and the food was incredible! I decided to have a few small plates and a couple orders of oysters instead of an entrée, and wasn't disappointed. Everything was created with a passionate eye and it was appreciated . You can tell this place is consistently good as I was the only newbie in the place! The bartender and hostess seemed to know everyone but treated me just as well. As a business traveler some if these smaller spots can be a really bad spot as you sit alone hurrying through your meal to end the discomfort. That wasn't the case here as the small bar crowd took me in quickly and made me feel at home. Thanks to Luke and everyone, this was a great evening out! read more

Ordered a meal here and it took them over an hour and thirty minutes to give us an entree that was supposed to be hot, but the meal was completely cold. The steak which was supposed to be NY Strip was cold, yet completely burned even though it was ordered medium rare. The fish was sent back due to the fact that it was completely inedibly burned. The potatoes were wet and soggy for some reason as well as if drenched in water. We ended up not even being able to finish the entrees of pea-sized portions. All this is not to mention the atrocious service we received from the restaurant. The manager called us the day after not to apologize for the meal but rather to argue with us saying the meal was "as it should be." One of the worst experiences at a restaurant in my life. read more