Top 10 Cultural Restaurants In Pawtucket, Rhode Island

A favorite in Pawtucket, Heritage Tap is a quintessential New England pub that delights all guests who visit. Specializing in comfort food, this gastropub serves all manner of large plates, appetizers and desserts that allow for perfect over-indulgence. The Heritage Tap also boasts a regularly changing specials menu. Dishes include chicken sautéed with mushrooms and marsala wine, or veal parmesan, in which a cutlet is coated in marinara and parmesan sauce. The menu is extensive and there are bound to be a multitude of dishes to entice everyone.

With almost a fifth of Rhode Island’s population being of Irish heritage, venues such as Doherty’s Irish Pub are easy to come by. But with its reputation for friendly service, Doherty’s is a local special that is sure to delight. This pub, with its selection of great beers – there is a whole separate menu for guests to peruse – serves food that is typical of the pub’s Irish roots. Dishes include bangers and mash, cottage pie and corned beef sautéed with cabbage. However, for the more adventurous, there are options such as blackened jerk salmon or hand-picked steak tips in barbecue sauce.

La Arepa started out in 2000 as nothing more than a truck, serving some of the very best Venezuelan food in town. While the restaurant was founded five years later, the current incarnation is a much bigger venue, perfect for catering to large groups. The restaurant’s namesake – Arepa – is a local Venezuelan specialty, a cornbread made from maize flour. Featuring a great array of meat dishes, fish dishes and vegetarian sides, La Arepa is a place for true Latin American feasts.

One of Pawtucket’s most prominent Kosher and vegetarian establishments, the Garden Grille restaurant makes a special effort to ensure the use of organic beans, fruits and vegetables wherever possible. In particular, the restaurant supports a number of local farms. Starters include Korean tacos, which see crisp tortilla shells stuffed with cabbage, guacamole and chipotle mayonnaise, while main dishes, such as hazelnut-crusted tofu with parsnip puree, or a root vegetable pie, are choices year-round. Additionally, Garden Grille also puts on an excellent spread for lunch and brunch. Slater Mill | © Dietmar Rabich/Wikimedia Commons

A forerunner in the Pawtucket beer-and-burger scene, the Boundary Brewhouse serves homemade burgers and craft beer. In fact, the bar features an extensive list of artisanal draught and bottle beers, catering to a broad spectrum of beer enthusiasts. While the burgers are made with premium ground beef from chuck steak, they come with all manner of options and are fully customizable. Bacon, sauces, cheese and other toppings can be paired with your meat of choice, as well as a choice of sides. Courtesy of Boundary Brewhouse

Founded by George Spumoni, who first came to America from Italy in 1916, Spumoni’s is as traditional an Italian restaurant as you’ll find in any part of the USA. Known as ‘Papa George’ by friends, Spumoni taught his children and grandchildren to love the industry as much as he did, before passing the restaurant onto the next generation. While the menu boasts a plethora of Italian specialties, Spumoni’s also offers guests the chance to go on a gastronomic tour of Italy. These combinations include dishes from Tuscany, Rome, Naples and many more.

Pawtucket’s Wildflour is a certified Kosher delicatessen and bakery, and comes complete with a unique set of values – it aims to provide delicious goods with as few processed ingredients as possible. Wildflour produces a variety of baked goods, such as cupcakes and cookies. There are also a number of delicious large cakes available, and lunch options too. These include pizza strips, lasagne, and salads. Wildflour also bakes its delicious treats for those with wheat intolerances, with many gluten-free options available.

A fun and friendly local diner, Kip’s Restaurant has provided great food on a budget for 50 years. Such is Kip’s an institution that the owners were even given the keys to the city. A traditional American diner, Kip’s serves great comfort food to discerning guests throughout the day. Dishes include pancakes, French toast and omelets for breakfast, while lunch and dinner move on to include bigger meals.

The Modern Diner in Pawtucket is a restaurant with a difference. Set inside an art-deco train carriage, the Modern Diner takes visitors back to a different time in American history. The restaurant has even been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Coupled with a reputation for brilliant pancakes (as well as other breakfast items), the Modern Diner is not one to be missed for those finding themselves in Pawtucket. It is particularly celebrated for its Lobster Grits, where lobster is cooked in a creamy cheese sauce.