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Must-Try Restaurants In Newport, Rhode Island

As one of America’s colonial rum capitals, Newport has a rich, exciting and colourful history
As one of America’s colonial rum capitals, Newport has a rich, exciting and colourful history | © Timothy Burling / Flickr

As one of America’s colonial rum capitals, Newport has a rich, exciting and colourful history that makes it a stand-out city of Rhode Island. Here’s our guide to dining out in Newport to best experience the town’s rich culture.

The White Horse Tavern

As the USA’s oldest tavern, and the tenth oldest restaurant in the world, The White Horse Tavern is regarded as a national treasure. Placed on the National Historic Register, the property was built in 1652, but not converted to a barn until 1673. Diners can enjoy their meals immersed in rustic surroundings, with wooden beam ceilings and open fireplaces. The rooms have been restored to their colonial glory and meals are accompanied by candles, enhancing the traditional and romantic feel of the venue. The cuisine includes a delicious number of artisan cheeses, and a sweet selection of honey, tasty prime meat cuts and locally caught fish. This 17th century venue is a must see for foodies and history enthusiasts alike.

Muse by Jonathan Cartwright

This stylish restaurant, located in the vicinity of the Touro Synagogue, America’s oldest synagogue, is housed within one of the luxury boutique Grace hotels. Each hotel in the group is distinctive, and Muse by Jonathan Cartwright restaurant at the Rhode Island Vanderbilt Grace is a beautiful example of serenity and elegance. Muse is a quintessential fine dining restaurant that has won numerous awards and has been recognised as one of Newport’s top restaurants since it opened in 2011. The cuisine is contemporary American and French in style, courtesy of Chef Jonathan Cartwright, and the extensive wine list offers a number of exquisite bottles.

Spiced Pear

Housed within the beautiful The Chanler at Cliff Walk hotel, this restaurant’s visitors can enjoy an open-air kitchen, an impressive fireplace and Atlantic Ocean views, plus a vista over the romantic Easton’s Beach. The cuisine at Spiced Pear focuses on the local New England style, with continental options also appearing on the menu. The dishes on offer are regularly refreshed, but diners can expect to see such delights as roasted ‘Archer Angus’ bone marrow, Nova Scotia halibut, and Berkshire pork chop, all prepared using seasonal and local ingredients. At this notably romantic venue jazz is played on Friday nights to accompany and elevate the intimate dining experience.

Castle Hill Inn

Established in 1875, the Castle Hill Inn offers diners local fish, regional meat and fresh seasonal produce in their award-winning contemporary American kitchen. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful environment within which the Inn is placed, with scenic views and a relaxing atmosphere in one of the four dining rooms available to guests. In winter, the views of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay from the heated Sunset Terrace Bar are truly beautiful, while in warmer moments diners can enjoy the outdoor New England dining experience on The Lawn.

Bouchard

This inn and restaurant offers some of the best French cuisine to be found in Rhode Island. Bouchard has been delivering artistic cuisine for over 20 years, where elegant presentation and sophistication during the preparation process go hand in hand. The haute cuisine delights here offer a slice of France, in addition to representing Rhode Island’s fishing culture. The duck breast sautéed with a coffee crust and sprinkled with a Brandy balsamic sauce, or the restuffed roasted lobster with a pinch of truffle and Gruyere cheese make for fantastic mains and guarantee the highest quality of ingredients. Award-winning Bouchard is perfectly situated in the centre of Newport, making it a great ease-of-access culinary venue.

Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant

Known as one of the best Pub-Restaurants in New England, the Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant has been a local and tourist favourite in Newport for over 30 years. It is an exciting mix of ethnicities and tastes, all bound together with the element of fun. The emphasis is on diners having a convivial experience, contemporary rather than traditional. The restaurant has a fantastic fireplace where visitors can warm themselves in winter, and the cuisine encompasses seasonal dishes, plus a selection of succulent steaks, fresh fish and plentiful pasta. Brick Alley can be found in the vicinity of the Museum of Newport History and the 1762 Brick Market, and has won notable reviews from both local and national publications.

About the author

A Cardiff-born writer, James Norman is a professional wordsmith, creating content across several different sectors. A BA English (Hons) graduate, James has interviewed key figures in Welsh communities relating to the environment, health and tourism. His passion for writing began at an early age, contributing to collections of poetry published throughout his childhood. A keen traveller and photographer, James is equally happy trekking through historical ruins, or dining inside neon-dipped skyscrapers. His travel highlights include journeying through the People’s Republic of China and working in Edinburgh and Brussels. James’ cultural highlights include walking the Great Wall of China, and standing face-to-face with Munch’s masterpiece, The Scream, in Oslo. Follow James on Twitter @jamesnorman7_ for more of the above.

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