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    The Reef

    3.6 (375 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    The Reef Photos

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    THE REEF ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Classy
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Reef

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    Short Rib
    Meesh U.

    This spot has been on my radar to check out for some time. Just off the beaten path, right on the waterfront down a small alley from the hustle & bustle of Thames Street, it's easy to miss & I always forget that it's here. We were right in the neighborhood & hungry when a bell went off in my head - "Let's finally try The Reef". Upon approaching, the first thing I noticed was parking. Such a rarity in this neighborhood to find free parking! We made a mental note to remember this. It was a bit early for the tourist season & for dinner time, so we were seated quickly. The dining room continued to fill & liven up during our visit. A private party filled the bar area as well. What a gorgeous spot on the water! I imagine the sunset views from here are fabulous and the tent and patios on the dock must be wonderful on a nice, summer day. Our waiter ( Vincent maybe? ), promptly welcomed us & remained attentive & helpful through our visit. When asked for a recommendation, he immediately went into a thorough description of the items & helped our decision. The first thing that I noticed was that the prices on the menu were, in many cases, much different than what was shown on the website. I always peruse online menus before hand and I quickly noticed that the entrée I had been considering, the Black Cod, was a full $10 more than what showed online. It is inexcusable for a large restaurant company like Hertiage to have incorrect or outdated menu information on their property websites. We ordered that Black Cod & the Short Rib ( which is now served with mashed potato - not polenta as shown on the website ). The first thing I noticed when it quickly arrived was the portion size. A small piece of fish, maybe four or five ounces, sat atop a cup of rice and a few thin asparagus spears. It almost appeared to be an appetizer, not a main dish. The short rib was a heartier portion & certainly more fulfilling. My partner was happy with the beef, although the sauce was oddly VERY smoky, almost tasting like too much smoke flavoring had been added. If there was a deep, beefy flavor typical or a demi, it was completely overwhelmed by the smokiness. The flavor of the fish was even more disappointing. While it certanly didn't taste spoiled, it had very little flavor from the glaze & a strong fishy-ness. When I discoved that the bottom of the filet still had a silver skin layer, I removed it and the fish flavor improved but the dish remained very bland. I ate it but found it just "meh" & left still hungry, despite not having a huge appetite arriving. I think we will try it again. Perhaps for a brunch on the patio on a nice summer day. The pasta dishes I saw going by looked better and, you certainly can't beat the location.

    Prickly Pear Margarita
    Sandy D.

    We made reservations on the day of and The Reef was the only place available during the time we wanted with our party of 5. We had an amazing server, Sawyer. The food and drinks were great. I got the warm lobster and boyyy was that filling. I also loved the mussels and my table ordered it twice. I would highly recommend.

    from our table
    Katie C.

    Food service ambiance -- fabulous. I'll be back! Mussels were excellent. Tacos super delicious. Really nice views

    Cold lobster roll
    Erin C.

    The view of the marina is beautiful! The food was mediocre. I had the cold lobster roll. It was tasteless with more bread than lobster. We were there on a Sunday and they had a steel drum duo. This made the ambience very nice.

    Jaclyn T.

    All in all, I recommend the reef. It's a perfect location, lots of room, great drink and food menu and it was perfect for our big work group. Majority of us got the lobster roll and to be honest, it was my first lobster meal I had all to myself. The only comment I have is the lobster was good, but it wasn't the best part of the lobster meat. I'm guessing what's why the price was lower. Otherwise, service was fantastic and we loved the drinks and the fries too!

    Sharon W.

    You can't beat the location! The Reef is dockside and has both inside and outside seating. The outside seating is covered, so you can enjoy the al fresco without baking in the sun or getting rained on. We started with a bottle of rose, the clam chowder and the Thames off the raw bar. There may have been something else in there as well. We next had the lobster pasta. The food was excellent and very fresh! We especially enjoyed the lobster pasta! I thought the pricing was really high. I get that it's fresh seafood and there is a cost to that but I was a little disappointed by the quantity included with the Thames. The service was decent; friendly but a tad on the slow side. All in all, the Reef is an excellent spot to spent a pleasant afternoon!

    Mediterranean tuna
    Jillian C.

    I came here with a group of five on a winter Saturday and had an overall great experience! We sat inside one of the themed igloos. For the most part it was warm but wish it was a little warmer (had the heat turned up all the way). Really cozy inside though and amazing view of the water. Our waitress was really friendly and accommodating. There's enough on the menu to choose from. The food was delicious. Only complaint is not having dipping options for fries (minor).

    Mercedes L.

    The Reef is located at a perfect spot by the water in Newport, RI. TR has indoor and outdoors dinning. We sat "al fresco" taking advantage of the nice weather. There was life music, a young singer with her guitar and a nice repertoire. Customer Service was tops at TR. Nice menu, plenty of options, we shared appetizers: Caesar salad and Calamari. For Main Entree; Warm Lobster Rolls with Sweet Potato Fries. TR has a nice list of cocktails, I had a Prickly Pear done to perfection. For dessert we enjoyed of Fried Ice Cream and Cappuccino Crème Brûlée. Visit The Reef whenever in the area.

    Oysters!
    Kim N.

    One of our favorite restaurants in Newport. Eight of us went for brunch with pooch in tow so we had a table in their tented outdoor space near the water. Very nice setting, a little toasty in the sun as it was coming in on our backs on half the table. Food & drink were great. Despite my memory that The Reef used to have an oyster menu with a multitude of choices, there were only 4 oysters to choose from and they were out of 1 of them. Probably just as well as we blew almost $168 on 42 oysters. Really enjoyed the watermelon salad, truffled burratta, and calamari. Loved their lobster pasta - very tasty sauce and texture of pasta just right. Still one our favorites list!

    Amelia S.

    Came here with a bachelorette party. The staff was super accommodating and kind. The food came out quickly. The Korean noodles were pretty good for an American restaurant (I'm not a seafood fan - but this was the groups choice). The area and seating were beautiful. Reasonably priced.

    Pasta, drinks, and a view!  Lobster Pasta, Reef Wagyu Bolognese Pasta, and the Rose Sangria
    Lauren M.

    Took a day trip to visit Newport, RI and landed at this perfect spot to enjoy a nice dinner. They seated us right away at a table next to the water with a great view, and the live music made the experience even better. I ordered the Rose Sangria, which was beautiful and the Reef Wagyu Bolognese pasta, which was absolutely delicious. I couldn't stop raving about it and I ate every bite. I was so impressed how well everything worked out and how this meal exceeded my expectations. I'd definitely recommend visiting The Reef!

    Heirloom Tomato Salad

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    5 years ago

    $44 lobster pasta had a single piece of lobster. Chicken Sandwhich was dry. Lobster roll was tiny. Bartender was an a-hole

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    The Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice was excellent, as well as the service! Great view of the water too.

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    Page 6 of 10

    Ask the Community - The Reef

    Is this restaurant located in the harbor hotel?

    Hi Erin, the reef is not located in the harbor hotel. It's about a mile down the road.

    View All 2 Questions

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    The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar - Warm Buttered Lobster Roll (~$37)

    The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar

    4.1(2.7k reviews)
    0.3 mi
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    Busy Saturday of Labor Day weekend and thank God I was smart and made a reservation a few days…read morebefore because this place was JAMMIN. Somehow scored a 4:30 reso and from the second we walked in the energy was amazing. We were greeted at the door with so many smiles and the entire host team was so pleasant, not only to us but to everyone waiting. We met the GM Joe and you could immediately tell his team truly loves and respects him. He was running that front door like a soccer captain, greeting guests, helping his team, checking tables and keeping everything moving. We scored an amazing table on the patio overlooking the water and were greeted by Jennifer who was seriously the BEST. She walked us through the menu and pointed out some of the iconic and legendary dishes we needed to try. You could tell she knew the menu and genuinely loved the food she was describing. Right from the beginning she sold us on this beautiful raw tuna special, but obviously being in New England we needed oysters and some raw bar too. She recommended the grilled octopus to have in between our courses and told us we needed to try the chowders. Everything she recommended was spot on. Ohh and she told me I needed to try the Corporate Chefs Wife's own Hot Sauce!! It was so good! The cocktails were amazing and I finished with a mezcal cocktail that was an absolute A+. One of my favorite parts of the whole experience was honestly watching the hospitality and teamwork throughout the restaurant. Everyone was helping everyone. You can tell this place is really well run and that the people working there actually enjoy being there. Jennifer especially was just happy, genuine and so much fun to have taking care of us. Joe, Jennifer and the entire team, thank you for making one of my final end of summer meals in New England something I'll truly never forget. Amazing food, amazing view, great cocktails and even better hospitality. Can't wait to come back.

    Ordered: Castle Hill "Windward Weiss" Draft (~$9)…read more3 RI Oysters (~$4 each): Wild Goose, Portsmouth, Rough Waters Caviar Cone (~$9 each): sesame waffle cone, crème fraiche, Kaluga caviar, chives Lobster Shrimp Fritters aka Bag O' Donuts (~$18): with maple chipotle aioli Warm Buttered Lobster Roll (~$37): with crispy onion, lettuce, on a toasted brioche; served with fries Fish Sandwich (~$20): fried haddock, shaved lettuce, cheddar, pickle, kewpie mayo, on a seeded roll; served with fries Aya's take: The Mooring is a popular spot in Newport and it's only right it was my first lunch stop on our first trip to Newport! There is tons of seating but I highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time to avoid waiting. We were seated right away while other walk-ins waited for a table to open up. We started with some Rhode Island Oysters and I love that it has today's date on it along with where they got it and what the flavor profile is. The 3 I tried were slightly salty, briny, with varying (clean/mineral) finishes. They were super delicate yet rich in flavor. The Caviar Cones were a bit gimmicky; the crème fraiche overpowered the caviar but it practically melted in my mouth. We got the Lobster Shrimp Fritters aka Bag O' Donuts which I surprisingly liked although they are pretty batter-heavy. It paired well with the Castle Hill "Windward Weiss" Draft. This is a great dish to just have on the table for sharing. For entrees, we got the Warm Buttered Lobster Roll and Fish Sandwich. I absolutely loved this Fish Sandwich. Crispy, flaky, light. The shaved lettuce and pickles added some fresh crunch. My only suggestion would be to swap the kewpie mayo for tartar sauce. The Warm Buttered Lobster Roll had large, fresh pieces of lobster inside. The brioche was nicely toasted & buttered but I didn't care for the lettuce and the crispy onions were good for texture but felt out of place. All in all, really solid lunch!

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    The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar
    The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar - Fish Sandwich (~$20)

    Fish Sandwich (~$20)

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    Midtown Oyster Bar - Oysters Rockefeller are more like charbroiled cheese oysters & soooo good!!

    Midtown Oyster Bar

    3.9(1.6k reviews)
    0.2 mi
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    At the bar, Brian made me the best Hugo spritz I've ever had. Thank you Brian, and Midtown for the…read morebest night. Will be back very soon.

    Based on my reviews, one would think I'm rarely satisfied with where the hostess seats us. I'd say…read moremy percentage is 60/40. However, if I don't feel that the ambience and nearby environment is suitable to spend anything -especially $200+ for a great meal, I request a change. Again, our anniversary weekend-they asked celebrating anything? And then led us to a 4-top in the back of restaurant, by a wait station (another pet peeve of mine with all the clattering of clean up etc), next to a table with a screaming baby. I have 3 children, but when out with my husband, I'd prefer not to be dealing with that nonsense during dinner (nor should a baby be out that late in a nice restaurant IMO) Alas, I immediately requested a different table. They were able to accommodate us at a 2-top, by a window that proved to be much better for us. (But why would they think we'd want the previous table and sadly you could hear the baby from the back at the hostess stand...So let's just march this couple toward the screaming baby in the back and hope they like it?) Bottom line-if it wasn't for the service from Carrigan, our server, and the VERY TASTY Oysters and Shrimp with an amazing broth, this experience wouldn't have been as enjoyable. Dinners were good-husband had swordfish, I had the Chilean Bass, but nothing special. I typically don't mind a high top, but will say that the uncomfortable chairs are difficult to push in and barely fit under the table. Overall, a nice dinner and experience. Oh and Carrigan, our server, did comp us dessert for our anniversary weekend. For the record, it's not that I expect anything for free, but when a restaurant app asks are you celebrating something when making the reservation, then make it be known to the staff or worthwhile. As most of you know, when celebrating a special occasion with or for someone, it's a royal pain to get up and discreetly ask the server for a dessert or special favor.

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    West room

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    Hooked - Complimentary focaccia bread

    Hooked

    4.3(20 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Fabulous experience! What an amazing dining experience we…read morehad at Hooked last night! It was our first time dining outside this season, and we're so glad we chose Hooked. From start to finish, everything was outstanding. Shelby, our server, was attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and truly embodied the spirit of hospitality. She genuinely cared about making our evening special, and it absolutely showed. The food was fabulous -- no surprise with the talented Scales crew behind it all! And the dirty martini with hand-stuffed blue cheese olives was perfectly crafted and absolutely on point. Overall, it was a truly memorable evening, and a huge shoutout to Shelby for making the experience so exceptional. We can't wait to come back!

    This was our second visit to hooked and we wanted to like it as much as the first time, but we left…read moredisappointed in our meals. The octopus starter was cooked very well and had a nice flavorful sauce. We ordered linguine with scallops and with mussels and the white wine sauce. There was pecorino in the sauce which completely overpowered the whole dish and left a bad taste in our mouths after eating the mussels and scallops. The sauce had a shallow flavor and all we could taste was the cheese. The mussels were slightly overcooked. Service was okay, but our waiter seemed to forget about our table for almost 30 minutes at the start of the meal. Ambiance of the restaurant is nice, good outdoor seating. We will not be returning for meals, good place for an appetizer and a drink but would not recommend getting an entree.

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    Greens salad

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    From the moment we walked up, the host team greeted us with so many smiles and such great energy…read more Katie introduced herself as the GM, was right there welcoming incoming guests herself. It was a BUSY Saturday night, we had no reservation, and the bar was packed... but divine timing somehow worked in our favor and two seats opened up right at the end of the bar. That's where we met Nick behind the bar, and honestly, he made the night. Nick was working the service well, taking care of a packed bar and banging out beautifully curated cocktails. I still don't know how he was that efficient while also taking the time to walk us through the entire menu. You could tell he genuinely took pride in the food he was describing and wanted us to experience it. I started with the Mezcal Negroni and from there we decided on a few small bites. First, the ricotta gnudi... perfectly fried and warm with just the right bite on the outside, then you break into this warm, soft little pillow of ricotta that was an absolute flavor bomb. Finished with freshly shaved Parmesan on top. I swear for a second I thought I was sitting somewhere on the water in Italy. Then the Scotch bonnet egg... WOW... truly every dish was just mind blowing ...all this dishes we ate....Nothing overpowered anything else. Every bite mattered. You could actually taste every layer and every little detail that went into all the dishes. Then came the beef tartare. Beautifully presented with the green crab purée in the center and crispy chips for that perfect crunch. Katie came over herself to explain the dish, and once you got everything together in one bite... absolute flavor explosion. Rich, bright, creamy, salty, crunchy. Everything on that plate had a purpose. We were also told we HAD to try the sweet corn agnolotti and THANK GOD we listened. Another complete flavor bomb. Absolutely amazing. It genuinely gives some of my favorite Italian restaurants in Beverly Hills El Baldi a run for their money. At this point Nick basically said, "Trust me," and asked if he could choose our next course. YES. PLEASE. Out came this gorgeous lamb sausage with fresh greens, snap peas, mint, dill, pickled vegetables and this beautiful creamy green sauce underneath. THAT DISH. The sausage was rich, perfectly cooked and packed with flavor, but all those fresh herbs, greens and acidity made the entire plate feel bright and balanced. Hearty and comforting while somehow still tasting fresh and light. Then Nick convinced us to put our trust in him one last time and let him choose dessert. He brought out the bread pudding and I am not exaggerating when I say it was the PERFECT ending to this entire food adventure. I literally had tears in my eyes. The food, the cocktails, the service, the salt water in the air, the smiles from the staff... everything just came together.....Nothing was pretentious. Everything was highly elevated while still having this incredible sense of warmth and comfort. It almost felt like being welcomed into someone's home and they just happened to be cooking some of the best food you've ever eaten. Huge shoutout to GM Katie and bartender Nick. Thank you both for giving us one of the most amazing and memorable dining experiences I've ever had. We walked in on a packed Saturday night without a reservation, just hoping to grab a couple seats, have a cocktail and eat something good... and walked out feeling like we had experienced something really special. 10/10. Every bite. Every cocktail. Every detail. I would go back in a heartbeat.

    Came here for an impromptu dinner with coworkers since we were staying across the street at…read moreHammetts Hotel, which unfortunately didn't have a restaurant on-site. The restaurant was packed, and since we didn't have a reservation, we ended up sitting in the bar area. Honestly, that wasn't a bad thing--the views of the sunset and the wharf were beautiful. The drinks came out quickly, although my cocktail had way too much citrus. The oysters arrived next, and they were fresh and delicious, so we were all feeling pretty good about the meal and looking forward to our entrées. Unfortunately, that's where things went downhill. We waited an entire hour for our entrées to arrive, and the waitstaff wasn't very forthcoming with updates. We had to track someone down anytime we had a question or needed something, which became very frustrating. Once the food finally arrived, it was disappointing. Several of the dishes were extremely salty. I ordered the swordfish, which was slightly overcooked, and the vegetables were overwhelmingly acidic, as if an entire bottle of vinegar had been poured over them. They were also topped with a generous amount of capers, making the dish even saltier. Overall, it just wasn't enjoyable. I mentioned my concerns to our waitress, but unfortunately, she didn't seem particularly concerned. Hopefully, she passed the feedback along to the chef so some adjustments can be made. The beautiful waterfront setting and fresh oysters were definitely highlights which gained a star here but unfortunately, the long wait, lack of communication, and disappointing entrées overshadowed the experience.

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    Seating area

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    4.1(29 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    While only a few miles from home, we tend to avoid Newport during the crazy busy summer months, but…read morethis has been on our radar since opening. The RI Food Fights TacoMania competition & tourist season starting to slow got us over the bridge to try early on a Saturday evening. Arriving just after opening, we had our choice of tables in an empty room. That was a good thing since, by the time we left, the place was jamming! The server, who was welcoming, enthusiastic about the menu & and handled the ever-growing crowd on his own, told us that we could always call ahead for a table. Good to know since we didn't see a way to reserve. The little place is comfy & lovely! The decor perfectly suits the Newport scene and includes a welcoming food bar area that would be perfect for enjoying their international tapa-like street-food inspired offerings. A small patio is available to overlook Memorial Blvd in nicer weather. While they do not have a liquor license, you are welcome to BYOB and we did, finding the $3 per person corkage fee very fair. Now, about the food... WOW! What a explosion of fun flavors! With choices of snacks from around the world, you can jump from one intense palate to another, over and over. Three of us shared five small dishes & one large and we loved them all. The Nduja Shrimp Dumplings were delicate and fresh and loaded with flavor. The tacos that we were here to judge were fantastic. The pork was juicy & flavorful, and, though we were afraid the vegetable tacos would be boring - they were anything but. We'd eat these all the time! Bravas Frites were a fun twist on traditional Spanish Patatas Bravas, using fries as a base rather than cubed potatoes. Again, delicious! But, our favorite of the small plates had to be the Brussel Sprouts. We almost didn't get them as they've been so over-done, but felt vegetable guilt & threw them in. OMG - the best prep of these tiny cabbages ever! Finally, the pièce de résistance was the Lobster Fried Rice - a perfect way to top it all off. Buttery, umami & loaded with chunks of fresh lobster meat, my mouth waters now just thinking it. So glad we finally stopped here. A great Tacomania contender and we can't wait to return to eat our way through the rest of the menu!

    Our first visit on a Friday night. They don't take reservations. Few diners but they have only been…read moreopen a few weeks. My review is not favorable but I think knowing this is a Pasta Beach effort - it will be a hit in a few months. It is in the original Pasta Beach spot next to a Dunkin' Donuts for whatever reason is open late at night. The positives - plenty of nearby street parking, modern and cozy space, and very good staff. I should mention that after we ordered, our 5 appetizers arrived starting in 5 minutes and all were served within 10 minutes. We did screw up by forgetting we were at BYOB. OK - the killer - the food. Of the 5 appetizers we ordered only one was a winner! That was the Brussel sprouts which were outstanding and a large portion. All the other dishes were about the right size for sharing by 2. Realize they are striving for "fusion" but they missed it on the pulled pork dumplings. The lamb skewers were a struggle to eat - tough (and certainly could not be eaten off the skewers) - but the saving grace was the dipping sauce. The big failures were the prosciutto croquettes - a real mess with a sliver of meat on top of mainly onions - and OMG - the Korean chicken wings. The latter came slathered with a sticky and spicy, sweet, red sauce (too hot for my wife) and some sort of dipping sauce. A mess to eat. We had to request paper towels and dip in our water to clean up. Damages with tip was $90 and we only had a tea and sparkling water. We may try it in a few months, but their current menu did not work with our palates. Food 2/5 Service 5/5 Value 3/5 (average) Cleanliness 5/5 Noise 5/5 (lack of) Décor 5/5

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    Mr. R
    Mr. R
    Mr. R

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    Bar 'Cino Newport - Spaghetti carbonara

    Bar 'Cino Newport

    4.6(584 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Great spot to go to in Newport, RI! Came here two years ago and just recently had it again this…read moreMay. The food is so good here! Very fresh and honestly, very affordable for the aesthetic, quality, and taste. Plus the service is great. I've had their pastas, entrees, apps, pizza, and drinks and there is nothing you can go wrong with. My personal favorites is their kale salad, chianti marsala braised beef and mushroom tagliatelle. Again, the quality is great and everything is seasoned/ flavored well. Plus their pastas are homemade! They also give free bread, who doesn't love that? I cannot recommend this place enough. Perfect for a date night or night out with friends.

    Ordered: Bright Side Mocktail (~$7): orange shrub, lime,…read morecranberry, ginger Romaine & Kale Caesar Salad (~$14) with Chicken Milanese (+$11): parmesan, lemon, crushed croutons Oven Roasted Chicken Grilled Pizza (~$21): arugula, pesto, chicories, parmesan Tagliatelle (~$24): roasted Rhode Island mushrooms, asparagus, basil pesto, parmesan Limoncello Mascarpone Cake (complimentary) Aya's take: Bar'Cino is such a cute restaurant on Newport and I'm so glad we were able to snag a same day reservation on a Sunday evening. Every table and bar seat was packed so I highly recommend having a reservation or be prepared to wait a bit. The Romaine & Kale Caesar Salad with Chicken Milanese was genuinely tremendous. Such an elite combination from the freshness & creaminess of the salad to the crispiness and saltiness of the Chicken Milanese. Since we were sharing, they pre-split the portion for us which was a nice hassle-free experience. I could've honestly ended the meal here and been super content. I rarely see oven roasted pizza on the menu so we decided to try the Oven Roasted Chicken Grilled Pizza. The best part was actually the dough; it's thin enough where the roasted/grilled flavor comes through. The pesto and arugula were both good and paired well with the grilled chicken. The Tagliatelle was savory, earthy, and not overly creamy. The pasta itself was cooked just right. Since we were celebrating a birthday, I was so grateful that they offered us a complimentary slice of Limoncello Mascarpone Cake. It was so good! Moist, creamy, and not too sweet or citrusy. It was a pleasant bite to end the meal on. Great spot!

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    Bar 'Cino Newport
    Bar 'Cino Newport - Braised beef short rib

    Braised beef short rib

    Bar 'Cino Newport - Tuscan kale salad, avocado, pine nuts, parmesan, sun-dried tomato vinaigrette

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    Tuscan kale salad, avocado, pine nuts, parmesan, sun-dried tomato vinaigrette

    Scales & Shells

    Scales & Shells

    3.4(416 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    First time back in a couple of years and the food was excellent. The new management and kitchen…read moreare putting out much better dishes than in the past! Lobster bisque was very good as was the Cesar salad. Linguine and clams were delicious and cooked perfectly. The spicy seafood linguine was also very good! Freshly made linguine in house. Grilled lobster was also excellent. Our server Loretta Lynne was great as was the manager checking in on us during our meal. We will definitely make this a regular again when visiting Newport!

    We were in Newport for the day & found Scales & Shells while walking off our lunch LOL & it was…read moreright across the street from where we parked. They were closed until dinner time, so we went to walk around to browse at the shops nearby before coming back to try for dinner! It was pretty quiet when we went, so there were plenty of tables available. Service is slow here, even though there was only 3 other tables were dining at the same time. Multiple servers and staff were just on their phones doing nothing. Our food took a while, too! We had ordered the calamari ($17), clams linguine ($28), & the seared scallops ($38). Portions were okay... wished there was more linguine in the clam linguine dish & also not much flavor going on. I know Italian food can be pricey (I still love it though hehe), but this was not worth the price at all, in my opinion. We walked out of here, STILL hungry & unsatisfied, which is honestly pretty rare... But we were also surprised that they gave 6 scallops because we were totally expecting 2 or 3 scallops only LOL since so many places overcharge for scallops, so this was good in terms of quantity. We wished that they included something else with this dish? Like maybe asparagus or some sort of vegetable? The clam linguine had basically no flavor at all. I know that the flavor for this dish is usually kept pretty simple for the most part but this literally tasted like just pasta water. No garlic, nothing. Just salty pasta water? Overall, I will not be coming back. On the bright side, the place did seem pretty clean.

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    Scales & Shells - Toro Tuna Steak - my favorite!

    Toro Tuna Steak - my favorite!

    Scales & Shells - From the raw bar

    From the raw bar

    Scales & Shells - Grilled Mahi-Mahi

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    Grilled Mahi-Mahi

    The Reef - seafood - Updated September 2026

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