A little state with a big food scene, Rhode Island has thousands of restaurants to choose from so it would be understandable if you needed some help narrowing down where to get dinner from. 

That’s where we come in.  

Whether you are looking for something romantic or something as casual as pizza, we have a recommendation for you that’s sure to delight and, if needed, impress. In this dining guide, we’ve compiled our best picks over the years as well as reader-recommended spots making it easy for you to find the best of what Rhode Island has to offer.  

Happy dining!

If you’re looking to impress on date night, these restaurants will deliver both food and atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for water views, twinkle lights or even World elegance, we want to help point you in the right direction. And, of course, the food is fabulous.  

Pick one of these places and you’re stacking the odds in favor of a good night. 

There’s nothing quite like a lobster roll, particularly when served with an ocean view, and Rhode Island has some of the best lobster rolls you’ll find anywhere. To help find the best ones, we recently put it to readers in a poll. Here’s where they recommend you go.

With 400 miles of shoreline to explore, Rhode Island has restaurants with fantastic waterfront views. We polled readers to find the best spots to eat with a salty breeze. Here are their top seven picks.

And if you’re looking for even more options, here’s a waterfront dining guide by our dining editor Gail Ciampa.

Whether it’s for a date night, a night out with friends or a meeting after work, knowing a great bar to go to for a cocktail – or a mocktail – comes in handy. In Providence, you can find moody speakeasies, bright and floral hangouts and to-the-point bars that match any occasion. To find a great one, here’s our reader-approved guide to seven favorites.

Breakfast spots worth waking up for

You know what they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While it often ends up being just grabbing a quick bite of whatever is easiest, sometimes it’s nice to take your time, sit down and go out for a proper meal. Here are seven reader-recommended breakfast spots around Rhode Island that are worth waking up for.

There’s a rich culture of pizza in Rhode Island, meaning there are a lot of excellent pizzerias to try. Consider this guide, compiled based on thousands of reader votes, a bucket list of great places to a slice of pizza in Rhode Island. We recommend you try all of them.

And if that’s not enough pizza for you, here’s a RI pizza guide compiled by our dining editor Gail Ciampa.

Looking for a great burger without having to fire up the grill? We asked readers their favorites, and they put together a list that includes both classic, straightforward options and ones with creative toppings. Whatever your burger style is, this list will help you pick where to go.

The coolest dessert on a hot summer day is an ice cream cone, and in Rhode Island, there’s no shortage of places to order a cone. You won’t be disappointed at any of these spots.

And if you want even more ice cream options, our dining editor Gail Ciampa compiled a list of 15 Rhode Island ice cream places to check out.

Looking for an Italian restaurant in Rhode Island? Do you want red sauce, homestyle, freestyle, inexpensive or fine dining? Should it be a ristorante or a pizzeria? Is Federal Hill the only place to find the best?

When it comes to Italian dining, there are so many questions. But there doesn’t have to be. Our dining editor can point you in the right direction.

Where to go for BYOB

Want to bring your own booze? No problem. We’ve rounded up 20 Rhode Island restaurants where you can bring your own beer, wine or spirits.

If you like a view with your dinner, then rooftop dining might be for you. Whether you’re looking for city views in Providence or a water view in Newport, these spots offer great menus to go with the ambiance.  

Where to go for BBQ

There aren’t many BBQ restaurants in Rhode Island, but our dining editor Gail Ciampa has tried them all. For the most complete run down you’ll find anywhere, read this list.

Seafood is quintessential Rhode Island, and one of the best ways to experience it is at a clam shack. You can find them by the seashore or in the city, and enjoy them inside or seaside, but regardless we recommend ordering a lot of Rhode Island seafood.  

Rhode Island has four operating diners that have made the National Register of Historic Places, serving up classic comfort food. If you are looking for a meal out with a distinctly retro vibe that promises to be a blast, we’ve got the rundown on where to go.  

If beer is more your style, Rhode Island has plenty of breweries to visit as their popularity has only grown. This list will narrow it down to 20 must-try brews the Providence Journal has featured around the state, featuring everything from IPAs to dessert beers.  

Pizza as big as the table it’s served on, cocktails bigger than your head and an omelet big enough to possibly satisfy Disney’s Gaston (who famously ate five dozen eggs a day). For fun, we took a look at menus around the state looking for the largest foods in the smallest state. Here are seven giant foods you could try.