Nice historic spot in Newport. It was built up as being amazing, so I think I expected more from the food. Our entree, the Ragout Bolognese, was just ok. Not too much flavor, but I loved the addition of the prosciutto to the beef. The lobster bisque was just ok as well, tasted too much of just cream. The star of the dinner was the beef tartare, surprisingly. It was extremely flavorful, with all sorts of spices mixed into the beef, notably capers and cornichons. Delicious and served with amazing homemade potato chips. Service was good and dress code was more relaxed than I had imagined, so that was nice as well. Bread pudding and Tavern Candy Bar are delightful dessert options as well. read more

White Horse Tavern - Ragout Bolognese - New American Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

I made reservations in advance for celebrating a milestone in February. Even in the slow months this place was busier than I expected. Rightly so, because it was really amazing. It is a legitimate original tavern - not a theme park restaurant made to look era appropriate. Very impressive. It's all dark wood and fireplaces - the ambiance is real. It does get a bit noisy from other diners, but that's expected in a place that uses and preserves the original materials and doesn't have rugs or decorations to muffle sounds. The place is a bit cramped, but that is expected as well. Original dwellings were not spacious. The steps at the door were awkward and upon leaving it was sort of surprising - you have to be careful upon exit. If you're nimble and aware then it won't be an issue, but if you're unsteady for whatever reason it could be bad. The food was dynamite. I had the beef Wellington - it was very delicious. The staff were very friendly and attentive. I look forward to another visit. read more

The service was excellent. Very attentive to your needs. The ambiance was cozy and inviting. Everyone was enjoying there drinks and excellent food along with good conversation. Our food was excellent. We had the paella with clam, swordfish, scallops, and shrimps. The sword fish and scallops were buttery smooth. Our other dishes were the grilled Swordfish with pineapple salsa withover asparagus and mashed potatoes. The swordfish was buttery smooth and seasoned well. For dessert we had the bread pudding topped with vanilla gelato. This was an excellent end to our dinner. read more

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What an iconic spot! We had to check this out because it's Americas oldest restaurant. We were a little nervous given the mixed reviews but that was unfounded. Great apps and drinks and nice, dark ambience. We got a beer and old fashioned (not smoky, but still good and strong), oysters and scotch egg! Yum! Attentive service. Definitely worth checking out once read more

White Horse Tavern - Local New England Oysters - New American Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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Came for dinner as we heard this was one of the oldest continuously operating restaurant in US. Wewere able to get a seat in the bar. Both staff and patrons friendly. Average noise level. Clam Chowder-$12. Tasted ok, didn't have a lot of clams and chowder was lumpy Beef welling $59. Tasty and just slightly overcooked - BF wanted medium rare. Smoked salmon $18. Good portion and tasty. I wish there had been a bit more sauce and capers. Took most of it home as the chowder filled me up. It was a nice experience and somewhere to try if you are in the area read more

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Having over 350 years of history in this building as the oldest tavern and operating restaurant in the US (and 10th oldest in the world), there is no reason why someone obsessed with such things wouldn't take a slight (or even large) detour to visit and partake in it. Perhaps, it would immediately make sense for those who loved strong spirits to visit and slowly sample through their extensive beverage list over a week (safely) or a lifetime (as a connoisseur). However, word is they have also made a slight culinary name for themselves in this part of the woods. For that latter part, I made it a point to make a reservation during this visit to Newport shortly after a lovely walk along the coast. It looked like just any other colonial style New England-ish building from the outside, which is rather common in this area. You've got to thank those who restored this building to blend right in and not stick out like a sore thumb awaiting demolishment. However, once you walk in through those doors, you are immediately ported back a few centuries. There is this presence of age that can only be explained by personal experience standing within the halls. The staff were not tavern wenches hailing a pirate's arrival but well-mannered, well-dressed professionals who greet and usher you to your table. It reminded me somewhat of European style fine dining. As it was a VERY cold day, the wood fireplaces were lit and I was lucky enough to be seated right by it. It was probably the highlight in the moment as I began to thaw enough to make proper decisions about the menu that was handed to me by my attentive server, Britney. Without any hesitation, she talked about the specials they were running as well as made her local recommendations on the menu. She gave a slight speech on what they do here and the usual clientele that visits and what they often order. With that, she gave me ample time to continue thawing and decide which culinary path I will embark on. I honestly don't know how long I stared into that fireplace. I guess it must have been quite a while if the same staff member added two rounds of wood and stoked the embers. As they were running a special from their raw bar this evening with $1 clams and $2 oysters, I did my signature move of 2 dozen each (which I was planning to do anyways). The first dozen of each arrived shortly and the culinary delight began. The clams were fat, succulent, fresh, and shucked really well. So good that a very slight touch of lemon juice was all that was needed to marry with the brine to elevate it to a seafood lover's delight. The oysters were local from the nearby river, small, very clean, light brine, and also shucked really well (minimal debris). It was also so fresh that the slightest hint of lemon juice turned the experience to nirvana. Round 1 was good. Round 2 just as great. For the mains, I had the Seafood Paella and the Crispy Duck Leg Confit. Britney relayed the kitchen question if I was still going to actually eat the clams in the paella dish after having put away two dozen fatties. Her hand was still on my plate ready to remove it if I said no; to which I laughed and said, OF COURSE. Paella was fragrant and delectable. I wouldn't consider it a true Spanish paella but it sure was lovely and bursting with flavor with each bite. As for the duck, the meat was super crispy - almost like they deep fried it to finish (which I wouldn't be surprised if they did). The accompanying cassoulet was lovely with the cannellini on the al-dente side and provided great textural contrast to each bite. Absolutely executed well. As for dessert, I found it humorous when I looked at the options. It was like I could hear him say to his staff (and shareholders), "Just keep it simple...the chances they are going to eat dessert after our selection of raw bar, salads and appetizers, and mains, are almost close to none. They would probably want to choose a dessert wine or spirit since we *are* a tavern. If they *are* that desperate for sugar...let's just throw them a bone with this short list." I laughed and made myself order a dessert in the moment to see if they actually made the same effort as they did the rest of the menu. Not much surprise that it was as I thought. It's there for the sake of being there and not much of their focus at all. All in all, so long as I reside in New England, I am making it an annual tradition to come here a week or two before their annual closure for the season. The crowds are no longer crazy and this area becomes quite sleepy and quiet. With obviously limited patrons, service is as good and as attentive as it could possibly be. Definitely recommend and can't wait to be back again! read more

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Great place for dinner! I got the Vegetable Farm Plate, without the mushrooms, and added whipped potatoes. Everything was so fresh, and was cooked and seasoned perfectly. More than I could finish, even though I wanted to! We got the crème brûlée and caramelized banana gelato for dessert, both fantastic!! Cozy place, comfortable atmosphere, make reservations. Staff was wonderful, friendly and attentive! read more

White Horse Tavern - Vegetable Farm Plate - New American Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

This place does not disappoint! The wine menu is extensive. The cocktails are fantastic! Definitely try the seasonal cocktails, especially the seasonal martini. If you get a chance, please make sure you ask for the server Tim he is divine! Both couples in our party had the scotch egg which we admittedly admit that is the best scotch egg we have all ever had... And by the way, we're Irish and Scottish. The beef Wellington is cooks perfect either medium or medium well. The scallops or scallops but they are absolutely done perfect perfectly with the succotash. Make sure you try the salmon platter. And if they have the foiaie gras get it! Absolutely the best I've ever had.! read more

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The ambiance is what you're paying for here, and it does not disappoint. We dined in the bar area, but walked upstairs to have a look around afterwards. There is a lot of character in every seating area. Even though we were seated in the bar, we sat next to a fireplace with lit faux candles and admired the ceiling beams. The service was courteous, neither rushing us nor ignoring us. My partner preferred her oysters at White Horse Tavern to the top notch seafood restaurant we'd dined at the evening before... So I'd say that's quite the endorsement. I got the vegetable platter, but hadn't anticipated how much black pepper much of it would contain...of which I'm not a fan. As a result, I barely touched some of the more visually peppered vegetable dishes. On the upside, even with sharing the dish with my dining companion, the portions were generous and there was plenty to go around. I was quite full with the 2 1/2 selections that I did consume: carrots, mushrooms and 1/2 the beets (which had more pepper), leaving the more highly peppered asparagus and squash untouched. Select your side dishes accordingly. In the end, I'm glad we came....but wish I'd ordered seafood, with a side of carrots or mushrooms. read more

First visit and had dinner here for our anniversary. Seating is fairly tight in here, so it's not a very private experience. We both started with cup of clam chowder; good, but not great and overpriced at $12. I had the Beef Wellington for my entrée and it was excellent. Service was adequate. Warning: drink prices are insanely high here. They did pour us each a half glass of champagne to toast our anniversary - this was a nice touch and very much appreciated. read more

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The food was good. The service was initially good. Then they lost my bank card. I was so upset. I got no re assurance from them. After finding it somewhere under some glasses They gave it back with barely an apology. They were in the wrong and didn't accept responsibility. They didn't even offer me a drink. If this happened in New York they would have shown more hospitality and support. These people were awful, classless and careless. I will never go back and I'm telling everyone I know how I was treated. read more

The food and ambiance were definitely first class. Lobster Bisque, Beef Wellington and Triple Chocolate Brownie with mint chocolate chip ice cream were beyond perfect. Service was most attentive read more

What a treat to eat in such a historical restaurant. Considered to be the oldest restaurant in the country, serving guests since 1673. It's a National Historic Landmark and so beautiful. Very attentive and friendly service. Lovely details such as white linens on the tables. Excellent food. Tasty sangria. I'm glad we started with the delicious Caesar salad followed by the perfect Scotch egg. My boyfriend loved his confit duck main course and my ragout bolognese was wonderful. We had yummy gelato for dessert. Perfect place for a romantic date night. read more

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This is a tiny two-floor restaurant, which accommodates just 40 people, is open only a few hours a day for dinner, and is advertised to be the oldest operating restaurant in America, starting in 1673. Be aware that Its fairly pricey, including their somewhat extensive wine list. Our waiter was very informative and accomplished. His assistants though were all young and seemed in training, We were a large party of 7 adults, a youngster, and a toddler, making 9 in total. Everyone ordered something different, so we had a wide sample of the menu. Most people enjoyed their food, including the Beef Wellington, the duck, the chicken, and the steak. The bacon wrapped scallops appetizer was also very good. What was disappointing though, surprisingly, given the location, was the lobster bisque, as it was somewhat ordinary and lacked sufficient pieces of lobster when compared to every other place we ate while in the in the area. Even more disappointing was the lobster ravioli. While it had plenty of lobster inside, the additional few pieces in the serving were not nearly as good as every other place we'd eaten or would eat in the area, and the sauce was overly heavy and thick, as well as not very savory. The wines we chose were both good, the Paraduxx and the Napanook, which together came to about $300, before tax and tip. The total dinner all in was $1,000. Desserts were limited and not all had any. Those that did felt they were just OK. So, what went really wrong? After the meal we had a very unpleasant interaction with their management. It should not have happened and could have been avoided, but management was not only guilty for it, they also inflamed the matter and unreasonably so. I'll get into specific details should this establishment dare challenge these assertions. They were downright threatening, said they'd involve the police for providing a negative review (laughable!), and told us to never return - believe me, we will not. Frankly, they acted despicably. Ugly people, which is amazing for a premier resort location. Maybe this circumstance was unusual. I certainly hope so, but it was enough to ruin an otherwise pleasant experience, where this place would otherwise be at least a 3 and maybe could reach a 4. read more

White Horse Tavern - Exterior plaque - New American Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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Loved the steak frites and French onion soup. The lobster ravioli tasted way too fishy, however, so this wasn't a favorite. Excellent cozy ambiance and great service. read more

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Giving this experience a 3 strictly based on the service. We are on our honeymoon and made this reservation months in advanced. The service was slow and didn't provide us any information on the history of the restaurant. We went out for drinks later that night and got to talk with some locals. They asked where we went to dinner and did we enjoy learning about the history and backstory behind the restaurant and we didn't hear any of that. They were disappointed since they said it is a big part of the reason to go there. That being said, the food was fantastic. The lobster ravioli was some of the best I've had and so was the duck. We got the bacon wrapped scallops for an appetizer and they were cooked perfectly. read more

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Top notch establishment! Our server, Tim, was one of the most polished and professional servers I've ever had. Our group tried a variety of dishes and all were exceptional. Beef wellington was delicious, so was the chowder, and the steak, and on and on! Desserts were divine, too. Only caution is that the building is VERY old (obviously), so our party was unable to navigate the twisty, rickety stairs up to the second floor. The servers were able to adjust and seat us on the main floor, but if anyone in your party has issues with mobility, be sure to mention it when you book your reservation. read more

I will just say - when George Washington walked into this tavern, it was already 100 years old! If that isn't enough to pique your curiosity and your desire to visit this iconic restaurant, then let me tempt you further. The wine selection is impressive; the food (don't miss the Beef Wellington) is delicious; and the service is impeccable!. Still not convinced? The staff is welcoming and gracious - and the bartender pours the perfect Rusty Nail! Still need more? Our reservations kept changing (our fault - NOT theirs) - but Bill and Ryan were superb and accommodating. We were celebrating a birthday - and the owners of the Golden Steer Las Vegas were in our party (no pressure ). It could not have been a more exciting or grander memory! read more

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Dinner was an experience--and not just because of the food. First, we were seated in what can only be described as... a closet. Like, honestly, I half expected someone to come in looking for a broom. Cozy? Sure. Romantic? Debatable. Hilarious? Absolutely. Then came the very French service, which meant our server delivered everything with the perfect mix of elegance and "I despise you just a little." Honestly, it added ambiance. The food, thankfully, saved us from feeling like full-time storage items: * Lobster ravioli -- rich and delicious. * Duck -- a little crispy, but in a good "is this intentional?" kind of way. * Chicken breast -- the reliable, no-drama plate. * Beef Wellington -- the Beyoncé of the night. Flawless. Closet seating aside, we laughed the whole time and ate really well. Would I go back? Yes. Will I be checking for a real table first? Also yes. read more

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Superb! The tavern has so much history and a great backstory, we were very grateful we snagged a last minute reservation (online). INTERIOR/AMBIANCE: Cozy, a bit warm (in terms of temperature). Informal, but still urges business casual dress. We were seated on the lower level, but there is a stairway which leads to additional seating upstairs. DRINKS: Limited cocktail menu, and extensive wine list. I ordered the smoky old fashioned which was not so smoky, but a solid old fashioned nonetheless. There were extra pieces of orange peel inside, which made the drink particularly refreshing. A single large ice cube would have elevated the drink even further, as the ice chips eventually melted and diluted the drink. We also ordered wines by the glass, which were good. FOOD: Excellent. We ordered the bacon-wrapped scallops which were divine; the bacon was crispy, while the scallop was cooked perfectly and very fresh. The order included 6 scallops. I opted for the lobster ravioli (large ravioli generously filled with lobster and a delicious cream based sauce). The favorite of the night was the beef Wellington, which was seasoned perfectly with a good combination of flavors and the meat was cooked medium rare as ordered. We also ordered the chicken, which was perfectly tender and paired with a Marsala sauce. Finally, we ended our meal with the bread pudding (berry flavored with a maple walnut sauce) on which was perched a large scoop of vanilla ice cream. Delightful. SERVICE: Good. Our server was nice and attentive. OVERALL: We were impressed with our perfect meal in a historic tavern. Highly recommend! read more

There's a reason this place is on every Newport Guide! Granted we enjoyed our meal in December seated in front of a fire pit - it doesn't get much better than that! Options are a tad pricey but everything was worth it to us! It's the kind of spot you want to stay curled up in all night, and we're so glad they don't rush you to leave. We enjoyed the best lobster bisque I've ever had and split the steak frites - a lovely juicy filet covered in a seasoned butter. Perfect meal in our book for a cold winter night! read more

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Rating: 3.8 Came to try the restaurant for valentines dinner with reservation. It's an historic establishment in Newport that offers fine dining experience. When we arrived we were quickly taken up stairs and sat down. We were glad that we made an reservation because the place was busy even for early dinner. I ended up ordering large seafood sampler, duck scotch eggs, and the specials which was lobster with crab meat stuffings. Large seafood samplers included fresh little necks, oysters and shrimp cocktails. Tasty but it's pretty standard around the area. Duck scotch eggs were interesting and delicious. Soft boiled egg went well with meaty fried outer layer. The specials were also pretty good. Lobster were cooked well and stuffings were tasty. Asparagus was grilled to perfection and mashed potatoes were pretty good. We ordered seasonal bread puddings as desert. Felt a bit too sweet but ice cream made it more mild and tasty. The foods were consistently good. Service was very good. The waiter was very attentive and checked on us frequently. Overall, the place is decent. Great service, and decent food but its pretty pricy. Good for special occasion if you are around the area. Personally, I thought it was just okay considering the prices. I can definitely find places that offer similar menu for more reasonable price. read more

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Wonderful meal for our final day in Newport! It's the oldest existing tavern in the USA and I love how they've honored that with the interior. They have a dress code, making the meal feel more special. My family was seated in a private space to the side of the regular dining room (we didn't request it!). It was a nice surprise. The food was great. I got the catch of the day, which was swordfish. My parents got the chicken, and they loved it. read more

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Great food and ambience. We got a table near the fireplace. It was very romantic. The service was excellent.

The oldest tavern in America served us well. The staff was friendly and our waiter, Scott, was very knowledgeable about the restaurant and personable. He definitely enhanced our experience. The lobster bisque and french onion soup were yummy and the beef wellington was great- melt in your mouth, tender... For a candle lit, romantic dinner, this is a lovely choice. read more

White Horse Tavern - menu - New American Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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A must-visit in Newport--historic charm, great food, and stellar service We visited The White Horse Tavern during a weekend trip to Newport, drawn by its reputation as the oldest continuously operating tavern in the U.S. The ambiance did not disappoint--warm, intimate, and steeped in history. We sat in the cozy bar room, where Destiny, our server, delivered exceptional service with great insight and thoughtful recommendations for both the menu and the rest of our Newport visit. The Dark and Stormy cocktail was perfectly balanced, and the bacon-wrapped scallops were absolutely phenomenal--one of the best dishes we had all weekend. Highly recommend stopping in for a meal or even just a drink if you're in town. It's a Newport experience that delivers both on charm and quality. read more

My husband and I recently dined at The White Horse Tavern in Newport, Rhode Island, and the experience was a historical experience! We shared the Steak Frites, an 8oz filet mignon paired with an arugula salad, Parmesan truffle fries, and a roasted garlic butter. The filet was perfectly cooked, which was the highlight of our meal. The White Horse Tavern is the "oldest operating restaurant in the U.S." and is acknowledged as the 10th oldest in the world. It is a National Historic Landmark being America's oldest restaurant, having served guests since 1673. The opportunity to dine within these walls was a privilege. read more

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I am so happy to be able to say this was my second time here! I was there about twenty years ago and was able to have dinner there again the first week of September with my boyfriend while we were on vacation. We didn't have reservations but they were somehow able to squeeze us in and I was thrilled! The staff is wonderful! They all take such pride in their jobs and it shows in everything they do. We stared with drinks and the crispy halloumi cheese dish. We would up both ordering the beef Wellington for dinner followed by warm bread pudding for dessert. Everything was incredible! I was so happy that I was able to show my boyfriend this special restaurant! read more

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The longest operational restaurant/tavern in US. Tight spaced as there are much table for an old spaced tavern. Service is pleasant. Vibe is rustic. Accepts credit/debit. Limited space for parking. Has a dress code. Could book through opentable. No High Chair/booster available. See images for reference. read more

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The swordfish was fresh and very good, almost felt like a steak. The wellington was good but not as great, as the temperature was slightly uneven and the pâté was not very noticeable; however the sauce and the vegetables that accompanied were very good. Ambience was warm and cozy, and the service was excellent. Price was slightly on the higher side but acceptable. read more

I absolutely love this place. Aside from its historical significance (and possibly being haunted), the atmosphere, staff and food is excellent! We came with kids and everyone was able to choose a delicious dish. The cocktails were also on point. An absolute gem! read more

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Scott took great care of us and it was very cool being in such a historic place. All of the dishes, especially the swordfish and chowder, were simply next-level. read more

For our last night in Newport we decided to try the famous White Horse Tavern. This place just oozes history and you can't help but feel a part of it when you dine here. It is amazing to think of all the conversations and people who were present in these walls. We started our meal with oysters that were very fresh and flavorful. I then ordered a French Onion Soup and the Duck. The soup was piping hot and had great flavor. The confit duck was so moist and delicious. It was served over a bean and carrot cassoulet, which was very good but you could have honestly served half as much and I would have been happy. I left about half not the plate, just for the sheer potion size, but it was good. My husband ordered the Swordfish which was served grilled with pineapple salsa over grilled asparagus. For dessert we tried the Pumpkin Cheesecake Bread Pudding and the Lemon Sorbet. The bread pudding was warm and delicious. I enjoyed the sorbet but it was a huge portion, like almost a pint! I am a big eater and even I thought this was too much. Our server even commented how hefty of a portion it was. But for the price you definitely got your moneys worth. Dine here for the history and experience while in Newport, but the food is also worth coming for and we look forward to trying it again. read more

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What went well was the whole evening! Food was delicious, service was impeccable and ambiance was historic and authentic. We did not have a reservation but Nicolas found us a table after a short wait. Our charming and knowledgeable server was Destiny who gave us a short history of the oldest tavern in America among other fun facts, including us sitting at George Washington's table (right by the old fireplace). My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our meal, if you don't hm have a reservation stop by anyway and you might just get lucky! read more

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I was here for the history! The haunted stories and the famous founding father and pirates who visited this place! Our appetizer included a large raw bar sampler and duck scotch egg. The raw bar was simple. Good but nothing too astonishing. There are other locations that are more known for their raw bar. The duck scotch egg was delicious! It was savory and filled with flavors and the sauces made me want more. My main entree was the duck legs on top of white beans, squash, and sweet honey flavored sauce. The duck meat was delicious, soft, falling off the bone savoriness. Didn't even need a knife. I was left very satisfied! Our dessert was a shared seasonal bread pudding~ it was delicious and had flavors of maple, and pecans pieces. It has a topping of ice cream which was melting because the bread was warm~ i could've licked the bowl! Overall I was very satisfied by the portions and found everything delicious. For the price, it was on the higher end and it is located in Newport, so to me, it was to be expected. This place is filled with so much history and upon entering, your are welcomed by the smell of burning firewood from the lit fireplaces. It was well vented, and made the restaurant cozy, toasty, and romantic. Again, I was here for the history, so look up some info like the ghosts, the stories of pirates, and info on where George Washington sat! Come here for the historic experience! Just keep in mind that you need to dress in business casual attire and prepare for a pricier dinner. read more

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3-star review: Nice to visit such a historic landmark, but the food didn't live up to the gravitas of the setting. The atmosphere is undeniably charming, yet the lighting was so dim it detracted from the experience--understandable given the building's age, but a few table lamps would make a world of difference. Service was attentive and personable, and the Blood Orange Martini was hands-down the highlight of the evening. Overall, worth visiting once for the history, but not for the meal. read more

We had made a reservation, and the restaurant was full, so I definitely recommend having a reservation. Atmosphere is PERFECT for a special occasion! Decorated in white linens, candles, and authentic aged wood, paintings, and furnishings. Server was friendly to us, but we witnessed her make snappy comments to other patrons. Once we were ready for the check, the service slowed way down. Food was tasty and served at the right temperature. The portions were good size, we ended up sharing and were pleasantly satisfied! We enjoyed the Scotch Egg, Cesar salad, lobster ravioli, and the bread pudding for dessert, but I forgot to take a picture. Overall a good experience. read more

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The service was really good and we enjoyed every bite of every food we tried. Scales were a bit chewy, but that was OK. The dessert bread pudding was out of this world. read more

White Horse Tavern - Beef Wellington, scallops, bolognese. So yummy - New American Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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Amazing! Everything was just incredible. The service was phenomenal, so attentive. The cocktails were the best I had on my whole vacation. Lobster ravioli was delicious. Such a fun place, full of history. We even sat outside around a fire pit for a bit after eating. Loved it here! read more

White Horse Tavern - Outdoor fire pit after dinner - New American Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

One of the top dining experiences in Newport, Rhode Island. WHT offers exceptional food, outstanding service, and a fabulous ambiance to guests. Whether you're here for a casual dinner or a special celebration, WHT is always an excellent choice! Thank you! Srdan Dokovic read more