Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The River Social

    3.3 (135 reviews)

    The River Social Photos

    THE RIVER SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The River Social

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Shrimp over polenta~ Outstanding
    Elizabeth S.

    I'm still dreaming about the shrimp dish over polenta. Wow was it azaaazzzzing!!!! The establishment itself is very visually appealing and even more so if you get the opportunity to snag a table outside to enjoy Waterfire. My friends and I shared a few plates but here's 4 pics. Everything was so tasty and unique. I wasn't crazy about having to pay to park in a nearby lot but that's not the restaurants fault. I probably could've taken more time to find a spot to park for free. Otherwise, it's a wonderful restaurant and I can't wait to return.

    Brunch with the girls!
    X R.

    We had reservations and had to wait a bit... Totally worth it though, Service was great!! Food came in decent time, martinis were delicious and food was good.

    Gardener's Benedict
    Katie M.

    Bottomless mimosas at a more upscale environment. Thr food was delicious as were the drinks and the river view made it a great date spot or brunch with friends spot. Next time we spend a weekend in RI we will definitely be back for brunch.

    Mediterranean Mediterranean
    Theresa A.

    Went here for brunch on a nice Sunday morning and was able to sit outside. Great view if you can sit outside. We got there when it opened so we did not have to wait. Our server arrived quickly to grad our drink order. They give you the option for ice or hot coffee which I liked. We both ordered omelets, I ordered the Mediterranean my husband ordered the meat lovers. We were both very happy with our meals. They played club music fairly loud outside which was kind of surprising for brunch. Prices were average, we would definitely go back!

    Exterior
    Victoria K.

    I had a very enjoyable brunch here recently with a colleague! The scenery is quite nice with a view of the river, the menu is very appealing and the service is good overall. We both tried the crab cake benedict which was the perfect portion size, not too big and not too small. I really enjoyed the home fries which are spiced with za'atar seasoning. It was a delightful surprise, and an unexpected flavor profile but it went well with some of the other Mediterranean style dishes on the menu. I am glad I discovered this spot and will definitely keep it in mind for future meals in the area! It's a bit out of sight, but if you are looking for it you will find it :)

    Steak Benedict
    Alexandria C.

    My friend and I loved the brunch here! I'm actually surprised at their ratings because I believe it's worth a try and would go back. I had the seafood Benedict which was delicious with a side of fruit and a Bloody Mary. My friend had the steak Benedict with potatoes. We both enjoyed our meals, and I'm already hoping to go back soon to have the seafood Benedict again! My friend also said the potatoes were very fresh and tasty. It is a small restaurant so I recommend making reservations. Our waiter was kind and attentive.

    Braised short rib empanadas, truffle fries. And seafood stuffed mushrooms.
    Mikaela B.

    I really wanted to like this place but it was just very average. I was shocked because the location was so pretty, right by the water and the inside was put together so nicely. My friend and I ordered multiple appetizers and both didn't "love" anything besides the shrimp. But even those I thought were over cooked. The empanadas barely had any meat and I found a short black hair in the mushrooms. I could not stomach much after that. Our waitress was very attentive the entire time we were there. We had multiple drinks and they were all good. I would say this place is more for drinking, not so much a dinner/food spot.

    Katya K.

    Food was excellent! Waitress very nice and accommodating. I loved the quiet ambiance. You can hear your company without music being too loud like most places. Valet tried to hustle us for parking. Told me $40 while told my friend $20. I would be back again and try to find street parking. Will be white a walk though.

    Irene M.

    Bottomless mimosas drew me here for brunch. I wish their portion sizes were bigger, I left still hungry. The staff was friendly and the waitress came back to refill our drinks to get the most out of our mimosa timeframe. The restaurant itself is very small, there is the option for outdoor seating but indoor there are limited tables so having a reservation is recommended. The food was good but again, the portion sizes are small.

    "Crispy" Chicken and Waffles
    James F.

    Very disappointing experience. The hostess sat us in the blazing sun outside for brunch... when requested one of the four fully shaded tables, she stated they were reserved. 3 of 4 remained empty when we left 45 minutes later. Picture attached shows a "Crispy" Chicken and Waffles... the chicken was a freezer chicken disc you could buy at Walmart. Bloody Mary menu online from 2021 listed 8 different adder options for your bloody Mary... current menu we scanned had 2. We did ask for the manager and he refund our frozen chicken waffles... this was appreciated and resulted in the second star. Hostess never even thought to re-seat us when all the shade table reservations "cancelled last minute". Pls save your money and socialize on the river somewhere else.

    Vanessa O.

    This was a nicely situated dining spot right on the waterplace. Service was great and responsive. They do offer complimentary valet services; just don't forget your validation from server. We ordered the risotto at first but it wasn't fully cooked to us. The rice and beans were too crunchy. We asked to substitute for the pasta, with lobster included and glad we did. The lobster was more delicious on the pasta dish.

    Restaurant Week Menu - Winter 2020
    Shawn A.

    Stopped it for the first time during Restaurant Week after having this in my Providence Collection since they opened a year ago. All of their offerings looked great so I was glad I went with a group so I could try a number of the dishes. The location is great sitting right on the river and they have done a great job with the decor. The nigh we were there there was only one person serving, both the tables and the bar. She did a great job managing both and was attentive to us as guests. For apps we selected the Shrimp and Polenta and the Crispy Cheese Triangles. The shrimp was tasty and the polenta came out in a small fried disk shape that the shrimp were presented on. It was a nice combo. The Cheese Triangles were a big upgrade to fried cheese sticks. For our entrees we tried three of them, we missed the Risotto (which looked fantastic, but I wanted a couple of Scallops to fall on it so it wasn't a vegetarian dish). I got the Rosemary Lamb Rack over Polenta (I guess it was a polenta themed night for me). The lamb as excellent. It had a great Dijon coating. My wife got the Pulled Pork Shank, great flavor! I also got a bite of the Duck which was a winner as well. For dessert we went with the Bombolini, pastry willed with Nutella (great) and the Baklava Sandwich (who doesn't like Ice Cream stuffed Baklava). Great meal, great place.

    I didn't contemplate taking a picture until the end... again, edible, but $47 worth?
    Stacey S.

    So my fiancé and I were trying to kill some time in Providence and made a 4:15pm reservation at this restaurant. I've got to say - never been this genuinely disappointed by a meal. We walk in and there's one other party in the corner but otherwise the place is deserted. There's about four employees at the bar chatting. We order two spicy margaritas and split the kafta. Honestly at this point things are going pretty well. Spicy marg was absolutely delicious and the kafta was great! I really loved it, and it was a great app to split between two people. I went to the bathroom at this point and was kind of shocked. The whole restaurant is kind of instagrammy, with the neon signs and greenery on the wall but the bathroom was super icky in comparison. The majority of the floor was wet, and there was cleaning products scattered under the sink in such a way that I couldn't even properly stand in front of the sink to wash my hands easily. Pretty frustrating considering the restaurant was still empty and everyone was standing around when we got there... seems like no one thought about cleaning the one bathroom they have during all the down time. Then we go back and my fiancé and I have ordered the filet medallions to share. Okay, this is a $45 meal, and it's 4:20pm at this point so we aren't very hungry, we figured that a meal that is called "Filet Medallions" and costs $45 would be a good one to share, right? The meal comes out in two plates - which is great because we said we wanted to split it. Each plate has a filet and a half of steak, fries, and a salad. First and foremost- the steak had nothing on it. No sauce, no juus, no gravy. Just a steak with fake looking grill marks instead of a proper sear. Furthermore, the filet was not a good cut of steak - had that stringy and tough quality that chuck steak tends to have. The fries were marketed as fries with feta - all my fries had two chunks of feta and that was it. Feels like if you're going to market it as feta fries then maybe put a bit more thought into it? Didn't have a lot of flavor at all. The salad was fine. Not a lot happening there, but pretty hard to mess up salad. Overall, the meal was comparable to a "steak" dinner at a Chilis or Applebees. I'm honestly leaving this as a two star because I mean, it was edible. Just a massive fucking disappointment and a waste of money. All in all, two margaritas, two glasses of wine, the kafta and the "filet" was $145 after tip. I am perfectly happy paying that much for a decent meal, but this one was definitely not worth half this much. They also charged us $2 extra for our filet, maybe because we split it? I feel like ordering an app and the most expensive item on the menu and four drinks at ~4:35pm should have prevented us from getting a "split fee" but whatever. As an aside, our server didn't have a very good attitude, but trying not to hold it against her because well, it's the pandemic and sometimes life just sucks, so be it.

    Seasonal watermelon white sangria

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Liza B.
    94
    39
    15

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 15
    Thanks 3
    Love this 13
    Oh no 0
    Photo of X R.
    0
    18
    26

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Katya K.
    601
    30
    25

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hoa N.
    189
    483
    3274

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Frank W.
    159
    1738
    17412

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kylie W.
    16
    11
    22

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Vijay S.
    358
    1534
    1905

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Eddy A.

    Eddy A.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike C.
    1
    74
    373

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Eddy A.

    Eddy A.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - The River Social

    Ellie's - Chocolate croissant

    Ellie's

    4.3(606 reviews)
    0.3 miDownCity
    $$

    I came here as part of Providence Coffee Crawls. I had been here before and loved my experience, so…read moreI was looking forward to visiting again. The first time I came, it was a rainy weekday and this time it was a sunny weekend, so I was expecting an even larger crowd; and my prediction was correct. The line was just out the door but because of their awesome staff, the line was moving very quickly. While we waited in line, we could watch them making pastries through the glass, a couple feet in front of us. I admired that level of transparency. When we were third in line, the kindest lady asked us whether we'd be eating in or taking out and she took down our name to help us find a table when it came time. She did the same for the rest of the people in line. She also gave us some recommendations, including the cinnamon bun - apparently they're so good kids cry when they sell out. I didn't intend to order anything with my drink, but I couldn't get the cinnamon bun out of my head so I ordered it along with my iced spiced chai latte. The hen (I think it's their logo) on the aprons of the employees are super cute. We did secure a table. The tables are close together to maximize the number of people who can sit down but I didn't mind. I love their art all around, mostly of birds which I am obsessed with. I love that they have a lot of natural lighting coming through their tall windows. I also like the navy blue and white theme they have going on. The chai latte was perfect. It was the right color (a dark tan), meaning the ratio of tea and milk was good and I could taste a lot of the spices. The cinnamon bun blew my expectations away. The second my teeth made. contact with the icing, it was a magical feeling. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it tasted like, but the closest I got was dulce de leche. It is truly unlike any other cinnamon bun I have ever had. The dough is soft and there is a good amount of cinnamon. It's also $4 which is not bad. I had a bite of their canelé, which apparently requires a lot of work to make. It was very moist, with a great caramelized finish. I am super excited to try their new weekend dinner menu, but also more of their all day menu items.

    Ellie's is dangerous. I walked in thinking coffee and one pastry. That lasted about 30 seconds…read more The owner (adorable, by the way) was walking around checking on tables and making sure everyone was happy. It feels like her place in the best way -- warm, proud, hands-on. Pastries are legit. Super buttery, flaky enough to make a mess, clearly baked that morning. No sad, sitting-around-all-day vibes. Ordered the breakfast sandwich and that tomato jam needs to be illegal. Sweet, savory, slightly tangy -- it completely makes the sandwich. I kept trying to figure out how to recreate it at home. Not happening. Crispy chicken sandwich was properly seasoned and not dried out (why is that so hard for some places?). Fries were solid too -- crispy, not limp. And the kale salad with roasted chickpeas and chicken made me feel like I had my life together. Fresh, simple, and actually satisfying. It's one of those places you stumble into while traveling and then immediately start googling whether you can justify going back the next day.

    Photos
    Ellie's - Pastry display case with all the amazing house made pasties!

    Pastry display case with all the amazing house made pasties!

    Ellie's - Ellie's Signature Breakfast Sandwich

    Ellie's Signature Breakfast Sandwich

    Ellie's - Entrance to Ellie's located on union st

    See all

    Entrance to Ellie's located on union st

    Troop PVD - Fried chicken sandwich

    Troop PVD

    4.3(448 reviews)
    1.5 miOlneyville
    $$

    We love Troop for its energetic, fun atmosphere and genuinely friendly vibe. The service is…read moreconsistently great, the hamburgers and breakfast foods are excellent, and the decor feels more like a curated urban art gallery than a typical restaurant. Every detail feels intentional and creatively combined -- from the beautiful art screens on the windows to the barstools made with skateboard backs. The space has a unique artistic identity without feeling forced or pretentious. It's one of those places that feels lively and inspiring the moment you walk in.

    Impress your cool, city friends when they are in town by bringing them here for drinks, dinner or…read morebrunch. The space is a cavernous open space with colorful art and funky vibes. Favorites are the vegan bahn mi (with fried tofu and cashew pate, crunchy picked vegetables) the cardamom pancakes and the cheddar biscuits. Biscuits are huge and buttery with a moist interior and a crunchy outside. The pancakes are the biggest pancakes I've ever seen! They were bigger than our heads. We got three to share for the table but honestly one would have been enough. Cocktails are strong and the bloody mary was perfectly spicy. Service can be a little slow at times but was friendly and helpful. The music can also get loud and voices echo when it's busy. So don't bring your noise sensitive friends. Make sure you have a reservation as it can get crowded!

    Photos
    Troop PVD - Inside

    Inside

    Troop PVD
    Troop PVD - Smoke N Flowers

    See all

    Smoke N Flowers

    CRU PVD Kitchen & Bar - Croque Madame

    CRU PVD Kitchen & Bar

    4.5(56 reviews)
    0.7 miFederal Hill
    Free parking
    Large group friendly

    GLUTEN-FREE FISH & CHIPS ALERT!…read more My quest for finding gluten-free fish & chips has finally ended in my very own neighborhood. We did it. Well, CRU PVD did it, & I ate it & loved it. The vibes of CRU are immaculate. Retro, friendly, comforting, & suave. The quality of food to price of food ratio is inspiring - I love a heaping salad with seasonal fruits & vegetables for just $8. Most of the menu can be made gluten-free, which brings a tear to my eye. Don't sleep on the pan-fried turnip cake. Sounds strange, right? I crave it constantly. I haven't been to brunch yet here - I'm not a big brunch guy, what can I say. But that seems to be a hugely popular event here. Also check out their calendar of events. They put on some funky soirées. Murder mystery dinners? Yes, please!

    After a brief closing, CRU PVD is back! We had the chance to check out the soft opening & it was a…read morelovely Sunday brunch. The new breakfast & lunch service is casual & easy - order at the counter for dine-in or takeout, then grab a seat & enjoy. Hubby & I tried several dishes: bagel & lox was fresh & satisfying, the California wedge was a creative & lighter option, the lobster omelet felt indulgent & packed with flavor, the corned beef hash was crispy & comforting. Everything came out fresh & well prepared. One unexpectedly fun detail? The self-serve water station! Loved being able to choose between bubbles, cold-ish & ice cold water (a small touch, but honestly such a great idea). Wishing the best of luck to Chef Mark Garofalo & Russell Morin Catering & Events on this new venture. Excited to come back & try more from the menu! NOM NOM NOM #YUM

    Photos
    CRU PVD Kitchen & Bar - Seating

    Seating

    CRU PVD Kitchen & Bar - Raspberry pop tart - special of the day

    Raspberry pop tart - special of the day

    CRU PVD Kitchen & Bar - Scallion Pancake

    See all

    Scallion Pancake

    The Rhody Hen Cafe

    The Rhody Hen Cafe

    4.5(59 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    My favorite after work breakfast spot! Love anything on their menu but the chicken and waffles were…read morewhat I was craving this time. It was so yummy, hit the spot. Had a few Bloody Mary's also a hard choice this time I tried the garden vodka infused bloody-it was bloody good!! Looking forward to my next work night and my next meal at the Rhody Hen!

    So vacationing in Providence, Rhode Island, looking for breakfast before heading into Newport,…read moreright next to my hotel, The Rhody Hen Café, located in a strip mall this cute little establishment came highly recommended from the Yelp community here in Rhode Island, me the wife, daughter and granddaughter stepped on in only to be told 25 minute wait no problems took our name and phone number and the wait started, five minutes later we had a table! Walked into a cozy cute very busy restaurant, greeted within two minutes, took our Beverage order and was off, They specialize in bloody Mary's mimosas as well as special coffees very nice, back in three minutes with the drinks, taking the order and she was off I must say the waitress is very nice very polite and very efficient! that being said within 10 minutes. The main courses arrived looking fantastic. I didn't post any pictures this time cause looking at the plates from the reviews on Yelp it's basic eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes on a plate no special garnishes so I apologize in advance for that however, the food was fantastic. Everything was hot. My only gripe was being from Rhode Island and the Portuguese community being very relevant here they serve Portuguese chorizo and my wife ordered this and it was quite dry not juicy at all. That was a bummer coming from Florida, You can't get it! everything else was phenomenal I must say this was a great experience and if you're ever in the area for a great breakfast and you want to stay away from the chain restaurants that serve breakfast check out The Rhody you won't be disappointed I have spoken...

    Photos
    The Rhody Hen Cafe
    The Rhody Hen Cafe - Blueberry pancakes

    Blueberry pancakes

    The Rhody Hen Cafe - Momma's Coffee Milk

    See all

    Momma's Coffee Milk

    The River Social - mediterranean - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...