Part of my Block Island tradition is enjoying a lobster club sandwich at The Oar, and this trip I came with a group of nine. When we checked in, we were told we were the only large party, yet we ended up waiting what felt like an hour. When I mentioned this to our waitress, she snapped back that it had been "39 minutes." I asked her to double-check, and soon after we were told our table was being cleaned and would be ready in 10 minutes. When we walked up, the manager George, who I've seen here throughout more than a decade of visits, was his usual warm and genuine self. He personally apologized for the delay, and that sincerity more than made up for the rocky start. Once seated, our experience turned around completely. Our waitress Lindsay was an absolute gem! Kind, attentive, and patient, even with three fussy kids in the mix. The food was excellent as always, and The Oar continues to deliver on the reasons it remains a staple in my Block Island rotation. read more

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Take it or leave it on The Oar. We had heard amazing things about it and were told it was a must stop when on Block Island. The food was just okay; nothing too special. It's a pretty large menu which is good to please a large crowd though. It took a while for our server to come back to us when we needed drink and water refills, to order food, and get the check. However, getting seated was super fast. We were expecting to wait a little while on a Saturday for lunch, but it was a well oiled machine of us checking in our front and getting us seated. It is a pretty view out to the water: exactly what you'd expect from a Block Island restaurant. The oars all over are also a cute tradition too! read more

Incredibly poor food and service. Views are good but it is simply not worth it. AVOID! The Food: Food at the Oar is consistently bad. I've been multiple times (drawn in by the good view) and each time, I'm served bad tasting food that is served in an unappealing presentation. For this visit, the steamers special was horrible. Instead of how steamers are typically served (steamers with separate water container to clean them & another container of warmed butter to dunk the cleaned steamers in), the Oar steamers were served in a garlicky broth- which sounds good in theory BUT 1. It was entirely different than how the waitress described it to us (steamers with sauce separately on the side) & 2. The kitchen left all the steamers sandy, which was really unpleasant to eat sand... We also ordered a few fish sandwiches - none of the sandwiches came with fries (extra charge for side of fries) and the fish portions were tiny given the price. We also ordered lobster grilled cheese and the lobster itself was not great (some of it tasted like imitation crab, unsure if it was truly real lobster). Lobster pieces were cold which was unexpected given that it was a hot sandwich. The Service and Value: Service was inattentive. For the poor quality of food, the price of everything is incredibly high and overpriced. They seem to give skimpy portions of everything (steamers, fish pieces, even the fries!) As a side note, one of the members in my group shared that when they were last here, someone in their group was served a chicken sandwich with raw and cold chicken! This again drives the point of the poor quality of food at this establishment. read more

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We went there 10 July 2025 around 4:30pm. There are many good things to say about The Oar! First off, the food was delicious! I ordered blackened-shrimp tacos, and they were the best I've ever had. Our friend Carol ordered the fried shrimp, and her hubby ordered the fried cod. They both were raving about how good the food was. The 4th member of our party ordered a turkey club sandwich (why, I don't know???) Anyway, he said it was just okay, nothing special. So, don't get that. This is basically a fresh seafood/sushi place with very casual dining indoor or outdoor. The service was quick, and our wait staff were super friendly, very attentive. The prices ranged from around $5 (hot dogs, grilled cheese, etc.) to around $35 for entrees. There was quite a variety for children and adults to choose from. My 2 shrimp tacos were $21 and worth every penny! The best part: the VIEW! The Oar is right on a very scenic harbor. If you arrive at the right time, you might just catch a spectacular sunset. The restaurant sits on a large, grassy lot with lots of picnic tables and Adirondack chairs to sit and watch the boats go by. Inside it is pretty much open air with almost 180-degree views. It's a very big open room with lots of tables and chairs. The Oar does not take reservations because the place is so big inside and out. IMPORTANT: There are some stairs to climb, and I don't know if they have a ramp. So, please call ahead if you or someone in your party needs assistance with stairs. If you don't want to or can't climb stairs, sit outside on the beautiful grassy lawn overlooking the harbor. ALSO IMPORTANT: If you're coming over on the ferry without a car you will need a taxi. The 4 of us got a round-trip taxi for $40, so $10 buck for each of us. But it was well worth the price because it's too far to walk from town. We ferry over a few times a year and we've eaten at several restaurants, but we will definitely be returning to The Oar. Sorry the review is so long, but like I said there are many good things to say about The Oar. Go there!! read more

The Oar - Just a small part of the lawn seating area - Seafood Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

We had lunch at The Oar and while the food and service were just okay, the setting absolutely makes it worth a visit. The views over the harbor are stunning, and the massive dining area means you're likely to get a table even during busy times. It's a classic Block Island experience--laid-back, scenic, and ideal for a casual meal or a drink. Worth stopping by if you're on the island, especially for the atmosphere. read more

This cool restaurant located in New Harbor serves up anything from sushi to burgers and offers mostly outdoor seating under its covered deck with limited indoor seating with direct views of the kitchen. The servers, like most places on Block Island, hail from all over the world. Most of them know enough English and are able to communicate but sometimes struggle with understanding requests and communicating clearly. When our food came out, one of the people in my party had received the wrong type of sushi. The food is pretty good. The only drawback is that they don't offer many, if any, gluten free meals, and they are not particularly accommodating when it comes to allergies. I asked our server specifically about whether or not the guacamole had any peppers in it. She confidently assured us that it did not have any kind of pepper in it. When it came out, it had red pepper in it. I didn't bother pointing out the error. One of the other people in my party received a pickle which unfortunately had a small fly stuck to it. When he pointed it out to the server, she apologized but didn't offer to get a new one or comp the meal. If this restaurant catered a little more to its customers' dietary needs and had staff that clearly communicated, I would give it five stars for sure. read more

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Ok the goodness. "Mudslides" and "onion rings" are pretty great together. After a good day at the beach it's a great place for the kids to run around outside for sure. Give it a try but heed the next few buts. What needs work. 1.) There are many requirements on where to sit. First make sure your party is all there or you will get relegated to the waiting tables. Great time for drinks but no food. 2.) the middle picnic tables require some food with drinks and full party. 3.) the patio requires full party and you must order full entree's (no appetizers + drinks) ... great view tho. 4.) Remember: every patio table is a table, but not every table is a patio table. Just like a square is a rhombus, but a rhombus isn't always a square. Geometry and dining rules go hand in hand. For the food: my only advice. Do not get the crab cakes off the entree menu. It's the appetizer and they add fries for an extra 5 bucks. Actually just don't get them bc they are not very good to begin with. read more

The Oar - Crab cakes from the dinner menu and cakes from the app menu.. - Seafood Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

My first stop on block island set the tone for the rest of my trip. LOBSTER. GRILLED. CHEESE. I thought about this so much after having it, that I went back and had it again. They don't skimp on the lobster and they serve it with cole slaw and a pickle. I also downed two delightful mudslides that brought me the most joy. My friend had the sushi which is a tradition for her. It is FRESH - and does not disappoint. The best part of this place? It's right at the docks. You get an awesome view of the boats. read more

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The Oar is the perfect place for a nice meal with a great view! Our server, Mariah, was super friendly and very knowledgeable on the menu. I had the tacos with fried chicken which were excellent. My pre-dinner drink from the bar was pretty weak which is my only complaint, but besides that everything was amazing! There is corn hole to play as you wait for your table, and adirondack chairs that overlook the marina which are a great place to sit for a post-dinner drink. read more

The oar did amazing job providing an excellence experience for my friends and I! Our server, Nataleigh explained to us the outstanding bluefin tuna special...it was delicious! Don't sleep on the Arnold Palmer or hot dog... truly next level. Nataleigh and the oar know how to crush the little things that elevate your dining experience. I will absolutely be coming back for more mudslides and sushi and sitting in her section!!! Love love love read more

The Oar - Hot dog! - Seafood Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

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The Oar embodies the best places to eat that the islands of New England have to offer. You can smell the sea and take in all the sights while you enjoy your meal either on the lawn, in the chair/table combos, on the patio, or at one of the picnic tables. They have a large menu that covers everything anybody could want: kids, seafood lovers, land lovers (no seafood), and the pickiest of eaters. They offer the New England standard fare of oysters, clam chowder, fresh catches, lobster, crab, fish, etc. as well as the choice selection of kids and those that don't always enjoy seafood such as hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, and fries. Everything is fresh, well executed, and reasonably priced... which was shocking given the location and being on Block Island in the heart of town. I cannot speak highly enough of this place, as it reminds me what I have grown to love about New England and especially about our adventures to the islands. If you are looking for a place to remember, stop by The Oar. You will be greeted by a friendly and attentive staff, treated to a fantastic menu, and be able to take in all the views, smells, and atmosphere you could want for a quick lunch between activities or a few afternoon (or evening) drinks to wind down after a busy day. I cannot recommend The Oar enough, it was (to me) head and shoulders above anywhere else we dined during our long weekend on the island. If I had to point you to one location to eat on Block, it is here without hesitation. read more

The Oar - Fresh (raw) oysters and their clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

One of a kind with knockout view and Great menu and Mud Slides. A must visit when on BI

The Oar is ran like a tight ship! No reservations, but our party of two got in pretty quick. We got to sit outside and order drinks as we waited for our table. Outdoor seating is extensive. We sat on the deck and got to catch the sunset, it was an enjoyable dining experience. The calamari was perfect and the fries were exactly how we like them. Large piece on crispy fried fish! Prickly pear marg was so delicious and strong, I needed a nap after this meal! Servers are very busy trying to get everyone in (and out). I never felt like I was waiting a long time for anything. read more

The Oar - fried fish, calamari, and prickly pear margaritas - Seafood Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

The location could not be more beautiful; a wide lush lawn overlooking the Great Salt Pond. I didn't go inside but the outdoor seating is clearly the move, weather permitting. Drinks were good. A little expensive hit but expected at a vacation location. The mudslide was very hyped and actually was quite good and had a relatively complex flavor including a clever addition of screwball peanut butter whiskey. The watermelon sangria was pretty sweet but did have a fresh watermelon flavor. Hamachi was quite expensive but was delicious. Edamame was a very small portion so I would skip that next time. The mahi mahi tacos were surprisingly large with a substantial portion of fish. The staff was very attentive, laid back, and kindly replaced a drink we dropped for free. I would definitely add this to your block island to do list. read more

The Oar - Outside - Seafood Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

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We had a terrific family dinner here yesterday!!! The wait for a first available table was a pleasure! Drinks and a family corn hole game was delightful! They were able to seat a party of 10 in thirty minutes . We had a wide variety items in on table. The appetizers of calamari, crab cakes, veggie w hummus platter and mozzarella sticks all came out quickly. Our server was very attentive. Meals ranged from a vegan beyond burger to fish and chips, lobster rolls, sushi, salads and lobster club and grilled cheese. We were notified the sushi would come before meals but it was fine for those in our party to wait and eat with the remaining family members. The atmosphere and food were lovely and we will visit again when on the island!! read more

The Oar - Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

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We had dinner there tonight. Delicious! I had the fried cod with fries. And, of course, a top-shelf Mudslide with an espresso floater. My husband had the grilled cheese with lobster, which he enjoyed as well Our server was attentive and quite pleasant. The sunset amazing It's a definite go-to on Block Island. read more

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We have long enjoyed The Oar, and have visited a few times every summer for a decade or so, but after our most recent experience, I don't think we'll be back. We ordered two entrees, both involving fried fish, and a spicy tuna roll. The spicy tuna roll tasted fine, but was clearly some kind of acquired and plated preparation. Both entrees were horrible. Everything on both plates was visibly cold. One came with sweet potato fries; when I attempted to lift a fry, the entire pile came puff the plate, a cold, congealed mess. I hate sending anything back, but the only edible item on either plate was a handful of tortilla chips. We told our server, who was generally pleasant up to this point. She promptly removed the dishes from the table and offered to put new tickets in for the same food. We declined. We were both planning to order something else (hoping the problem was limited to the fried food), but weren't offered the option, and the server walked away before we could ask for menus. She removed the entrees from the bill before dropping it on the table without another word. We didn't see her again. read more

The Oar is a legendary spot for delicious mudslides with an incredible view. We came with 20 people and they were able to accommodate our large party with tables near each other outside. The food was fabulous, seriously try the sushi, and our server was on top of making sure everyone was happy and had full drinks. Super neat decor with decorated oars from all generations. Worth the hype! read more

The Oar - Outdoor dining area - Seafood Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

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The best thing here is the setting. And the sushi which is surprisingly good! First, the setting: on a small bluff overlooking the quiet harbor, full of a variety of boats (sailboats, yachts, motorboats and sport fishing boats) bobbing up and down on the water makes for a memorable and pleasant dining experience. There are three venues: upstairs on the covered deck, on the lawn with picnic tables under a large umbrella, or on Adirondack chairs set up looking straight out to the water. The sushi was great. Had a spicy tuna roll. However the lobster roll left a lot to be desired. It was mostly "roll" and lettuce, with very little lobster. What lobster there was, was dry and flavorless. Disappointing, but still a decent place for lunch. read more

The Oar - View - Seafood Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

Go for the sushi and nothing else... Way over priced, Mudslides come out of a slushi machine and the Dinners are horrible. Not only did the entres come out 55 min after the sushi entres then the $30 1/2 chichen looked like it was a pigion it was so small then my sons $36 Mahi Mahi dinner came out and I swear it was no more than 3oz. even the waitress was embarrased. It looked more like a tourist cash machine place. No Pride in their product and poor service due to the high demand I'm sure. Just go to Dead Eye Dicks..it was so much better and a 5 min walk. Paynes also makes their mud slides fresh. read more

Arrived around 8:15ish on a Tuesday evening and we sat at outside lawn picnic table. Our waitress came over didn't introduce herself or even say hello. She seemed angry we were there and made me feel really uncomfortable. When I am spending money on a special night out I expect to have a pleasant experience. She wasn't even trying in the slightest to engage or add any warmth. It was very off putting. My mother in law ordered appetizers for the table. They served the apps and dinner at same time. I then overheard another waiter telling his table they closed at 9. So now I understood a little better why our waitress seemed annoyed with us. Food was just okay. No kids menu. No light on outside tables so as dusk approached we couldn't see. Staff pulled a garbage can next to our table and started cleaning up as we were still eating. Customer service is important. I was extremely disappointed in our experience. read more

Food and atmosphere are amazing Sushi and Tacos Great combination Next I am on block island It is worth the trip read more

During a trip to Block Island, we chose The Oar for lunch based on a friend's enthusiastic recommendation. We wanted a place on the water with a view as one of our Boston-area pals was flying over to the island in his helicopter to meet us. The Oar did not disappoint. The decor, as you might imagine, is a series of colorful oars attached to the walls. The outside deck is spacious with a fabulous view of the harbor. Their specialty drink is a Mudslide, so I had to order one. My husband chose a Bloodie. Both were on par. For our meals, Mark and I selected the Lobster BLT - only one we saw on any menu - which was divine. Our friend enjoyed his Mahi Mahi sandwich. The fries - regular and sweet potato - were as expected. Service was just OK. Overall, the food was very good - especially the Lobster BLT - but the star of the show was the view. read more

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Food was mediocre. Service was not patient. Felt rushed so they could turnover the tables. Best thing is the view. read more

The Oar overlooks New Harbor which is stunningly beautiful! The picnic tables setup on the grass made it family friendly and casual yet the sushi and service were exceptional. Our waiter was very zen and efficient. We would highly recommended this gem! read more

The Oar - Lawn seating - Seafood Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

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The view was good but the food was terrible. I was sick from the ferry ride so I just ordered the chicken cessar salad. It was unpleasant. It consisted of only lettuce, croutons and big chunks of uncut grilled chicken. The dressing was not cesear. Instead it was a strange, sweet taste. There were no tomatoes or Parmesan cheese. My husband got the fish and chips (which is what I wanted) but the fish has been fried in old oil and tastes terrible. The cold slaw was old and very sour. We will never go back there. read more

Super fun and well run restaurant to grab some sushi in a beautiful waterfront setting. The sushi special was excellent. The regular roll just ok/average but everything super fresh. Great service and staff. read more

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Great view, great service, fun place and excellent food. One of the best on Block Island.

Great food, great view right at the marina, great service. Took some friends that have never been on the island and they loved it.

Yummy sushi and chicken burger ! Great to sit by the water and enjoy the weather and boats Food was served fast and hot !!! Best mudslides around read more

I think I had the best Lobster Roll I have ever had so far here at The Oar. Wasn't expecting to say that, but I really enjoyed it! It was served cold, tossed in mayo on a bed of lettuce with a toasted roll. It was perfect for the hot day that was upon us. I also had the Nihon Nachos- spicy tuna, crab mix, avocado, masago, jalapeno with habanero, sweet soy & wonton chips. Another really awesome surprise. I love nachos, so I have to say, they were super unique and refreshing. The wait was a little long and the crew I was with was getting a little crabby pants, but hey- it's Block Island on a busy summer day. What did you think was going to happen? Our server was amazing and refilled drinks faster than we could 'em. Score. This was my first time to The Oar and I am really glad we came. They also have some really cool seating along the water if you happen to snag one of those. They are two seaters, but first come, first serve. read more

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This was my first food stop on my first trip to Block Island with friends. Our friends insisted that we visit The Oar and it was more fabulous than I expected. We got there around 5ish on a breezy, not too hot Friday. We did have to wait for a table but found some Adirondack chairs on the picturesque lawn to wait for it. A waitress took our drink order out on the lawn and our table was ready before she delivered our drinks (I love it when you barely have to wait for a table). We ordered fish and chicken tacos, crab cakes, some sushi, tuna...everything was fresh and delicious. My wife and I were pleasantly surprised when one of the waiters came over and said he recognized us from a restaurant where he worked near our hometown in CT. Good to see he's expanding his horizons working this summer in a beautiful location at a Block Island go-to restaurant. read more

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This year, I'm disappointed with my dinner served on 8/1. I had Stadler chicken with vegetable medley and baked sweet potato. My other friend had fish with vegetable medley and baked sweet potato. We did not mind waiting baked sweet potato as they were available after 5pm. We didn't mind waiting as we had chicken wings and 7 mudslides then. Natalie had told us that we had to wait for our dinners. Our complaint was the vegetable medley. Granted that it had raw carrot cuts, steamed broccoli, steamed cauliflower and steamed beans. At least be consistent about preparing vegetables either raw or steamed or sauté. Our male companions raw vegetable medley completely and not said anything. In other words, they suck up and ate or not eat their vegetables on their plates. That is a waste of food. The atmosphere was conducive to families and couples. Natalie was understanding and offered a substitute for our vegetables with rice and beans instead. I look forward to a better dinner next year. The mudslides are still the top shelf as is. I hope the chef will consider being consistent on what's on the dinner entrees. If he can reply why the vegetable medley was inconsistent, I would appreciate it. We have been to the Oars more than a decade and would like to continue the tradition of enjoying the food, mudslides and the atmosphere in the years to come. read more

Great views. gorgeous breeze on the day we went and they have umbrellas so you're cool in the shade. Oysters came in a cute boat and were good but a little pricey ($4.50). Was really excited about the mudslides but $15 for a mudslide that comes out of a machine!? Not to mention it had some sort of gelatin in it that made it chewy and grainy. (See pic) Sushi was good. Great ambience but food didn't blow me away. read more

The Oar - Mud slide - Seafood Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

This is by far one of the best places to have lunch or dinner on the island. Located in New Harbor, you have exquisite views of the water as well as the many boats docked in and around the area. The interior is covered ceiling to floor in a variety of oars collected through the years. The seating on the lawn are picnic tables with umbrellas. They have one of the best mudslides, be sure to order a Meyers floater on the top. Also, they have a great menu which also includes delicious sushi. Our most recent visit was in late June when they first opened back up with the pandemic, they were very cautious and we were lucky that there had been no wait when we arrived for an early dinner. Once we left the wait was much longer and we have been hearing it's over an hour these days. Unfortunately you can't make reservations last time I checked. The Oar is great for kids and adults alike. read more

The Oar - Bring your sunglasses and some sunscreen! - Seafood Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

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Two days sitting on the deck at the rail. Cold draft Gansett and the lobster roll. First time had crab cakes as well. There are two large cakes with tons of crab. Unfortunately a little over zealous use of salt took away some of the taste of crab. Memo to kitchen: easy on the salt. Lobster rolls are perfect. Large roll grilled or cold, stuffed with meat, lightly mayo'd and a lettuce leaf. Fries on the side were good plain ole fries, no truffle cheese spiced nonsense. The staff is super friendly this year too. All in all a great experience. read more

The Oar - Lobster rolls with fries. - Seafood Near Me - Block Island, Rhode Island

Great views at The Oar. During summer you can eat on the lawn, on the deck overlooking the water or inside, so lots of variety in seating. My party always enjoys the sushi and I feel like most dishes we've had have been good. It's a good place for families with kids; very relaxed atmosphere. read more

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I've been here several times and it keeps getting better! This is the only place we ate at twice last week. Our waiter both times was Nick and he was the best server we had during the entire week of eating out 2-3 times a day. The sushi was phenomenal, and the beer selection decent. We had oyster 1/2 shell twice and both times they were great. It doesn't get much better than this! We'll continue to prioritize coming to the Oar when we visit BIRI! You should too! read more

Busy bustling spot in one of BIs marina's. Interesting mix of seafood, tacos and sushi (with many other options along the way!). Tons of outdoor seating. Great for kids (aside from the sometimes longish wait in the mid-summer) and a delightful place to sit at the picnic tables with friends imbibing. Our server was sweet and attentive despite running around super busy! The prices are on-par for the Block (overpriced), and the mudslides with a butterscotch topper keep me coming back. read more

The only redeeming quality about our visit was that we only had to wait for 10 minutes before being sat at our table. 1) We notified our server of a severe shellfish allergy and he told us that the turkey club is cut on the same cutting board as lobster rolls, and that they could not cut the turkey club on another surface. We asked about having it cut on a napkin or a paper plate and he said it was not possible. This is mind blowing and completely unacceptable that a simple request to have an item cut on a non-shellfish contaminated surface due to a severe shellfish allergy could not be done. This tells me they do not have any regard for allergies and are lacking in safe food handling procedures. Completely unacceptable. 2) Our server, who as far as we could see, was not super busy, forgot several drinks and said he had to "go downstairs to get our drinks" but we watched him get both of them from a visible bar window on the same level. Just own it that you forgot to put them in and check back to make sure we received them. There was no dialogue or care for how our meal was either. 3) Only alcoholic drinks can be ordered while waiting for a table in the tented area near the hostess stand. Completely ridiculous for families who cannot get their teenage children a drink while waiting, yet adults can have alcoholic-only beverages. We were denied even a Coke (which is funny because a rum and Coke is allowed to be ordered??). 4) The food is mediocre at best as other reviews have said. Nothing special and a little overpriced for the quality. This was my first and only time I'll come to The Oar after this experience. I don't have super high dining standards but the disregard for the allergy was truly what did it for me. Don't waste your time here unless you think the above is acceptable! read more