Track 15, the food hall at 1 Union Station in downtown Providence, is welcoming two new concepts this spring after Giusto PVD and Mother Pizzeria PVD announced they will not be renewing their leases in order to focus on their Newport operations. Mother Pizzeria’s last day at Track 15 is Sunday, March 29. Newport’s Mother […]
Food & Drink
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Boat House restaurant puts winning student dish on the menu
The Boat House restaurant is featuring an adaptation of the winning dish from the 14th Annual Rhode Island High School Culinary Arts, Foodservice & Hotel Management Competition on its menu through Monday. The appetizer — Asian Chicken Wonton Cups — was created by students Anthony Morales, Richard Desmarais, Tyler Hartley and Liam McGloin from the […]
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Forum Lodge to celebrate Irish and Italian heritage with Gaelic & Garlic dinner March 18
Forum Lodge #391, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, will host its annual Gaelic and Garlic Celebration of Irish and Italian Heritage on Wednesday, March 18, at Vasco da Gama Hall, 15 Fenner Ave. Held in memory of Ralph J. Gizzi, the evening features corned beef and potatoes, pasta and sausage, Irish and […]
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Newport OUT brings Spring Break Drag Brunch to Stoneacre Brasserie on March 22
Newport OUT is bringing its Spring Break Drag Brunch to Stoneacre Brasserie on Sunday, March 22, with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. and the show beginning at 11 a.m. The event will be hosted by Provincetown’s “Neon Queen,” Mackenzie, with performances by Ladda Nurv, Lucy Diamonds and Kennedy Plaza. Tickets are $58 per person and […]
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The Vanderbilt teams up with The Macallan for a weekend of whisky, classic cars, and fine dining
The Vanderbilt, Auberge Collection is partnering with The Macallan for a two-day whisky and heritage experience at the historic Newport estate March 27-28. “A Weekend with The Macallan at the Mansion” invites guests to explore the Scottish whisky brand’s celebrated expressions through bespoke tastings, an intimate paired dinner and the property’s first-ever Macallan Reserve Room […]
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Newport Burger Bender breaks record with 60 restaurants, 7,000 burgers sold
The 9th Annual Newport Burger Bender broke a record for the second consecutive year, with 60 restaurants participating and more than 7,000 burgers sold across Newport and Bristol counties during the 10-day event held Feb. 13-22. This year’s contest featured the most participating restaurants in the event’s history, including 10 first-time entrants. Organizers say the […]
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Roger Williams University leads effort to restore Rhode Island’s quahog populations in Narragansett Bay
Roger Williams University is spearheading a research initiative aimed at reversing decades of decline in Rhode Island’s quahog fisheries, partnering with state agencies, industry groups and students to bolster wild clam populations in Narragansett Bay. The university’s Center for Economic and Environmental Development, known as CEED, is leading the effort through a grant funded by […]
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Safari Room at OceanCliff wins Newport Winter Festival’s Mac & Cheese Smackdown
Safari Room at OceanCliff claimed first place Sunday in the Mac & Cheese Smackdown, the final event of the 38th Annual Newport Winter Festival. Caleb & Broad finished second, and Skiff Bar at Marriott rounded out the top three in the competition. The Mac & Cheese Smackdown capped off a festival filled with culinary competitions. […]
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The Reef takes top honors at Newport Winter Festival’s annual Hot Drink Contest
The Reef claimed first place Thursday in the Annual Hot Drink Contest, held as part of the 38th Annual Newport Winter Festival. Jo’s American Bistro finished second, and Red Parrot rounded out the top three in the competition. The Hot Drink Contest is among the final events of the festival, which runs Feb. 13–22 across […]
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Newport Vineyards names new executive chef
Newport Vineyards & Taproot Brewing Co. has hired Kyle Johnson as its new executive chef, the vineyard announced on its Facebook page Feb. 6, tapping a Johnson & Wales University graduate with a resume that includes stints at some of Boston’s most acclaimed restaurants. Johnson replaces Andy Teixeira, who stepped down in October after nearly […]
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Caleb & Broad takes top honors at 29th Annual Newport Chili Cook-Off
Caleb & Broad claimed first place Saturday at the 29th Annual Chili Cook-Off, held as part of the 38th Annual Newport Winter Festival at the Newport Marriott. Skiff Bar at the Marriott finished second, and Jo’s American Bistro rounded out the top three in the competition, which ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Area […]
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Record-breaking 60 restaurants set to compete in 9th Annual Newport Burger Bender
The 9th Annual Newport Burger Bender kicks off today with a record-breaking 60 restaurants vying for bragging rights in the region’s biggest burger competition. The 10-day event, running Feb. 13-22, features the wildest and most creative burgers from restaurants throughout Newport and Bristol counties. Ten of the 60 participating restaurants are new to the contest […]
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38th Annual Newport Winter Festival returns February 13-22 with new WienerFest competition
The 38th Annual Newport Winter Festival returns February 13–22, bringing ten days of live entertainment, culinary competitions, and family-friendly events to venues across the City by the Sea. Billed as “New England’s Largest Winter Festival,” the annual celebration kicks off Friday, February 13, with a performance by Bennie & The Jets, an Elton John tribute […]
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Ragged Island Brewing Co. to host third annual music festival in Portsmouth this June
Ragged Island Brewing Co. will bring live music back to the meadows this summer with its third annual Ragged Island Music Festival, presented by Northeast Alternatives, on Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14. The two-day, family-friendly festival at the Portsmouth brewery and farm at 54 Bristol Ferry Rd. will feature a full stage with professional sound […]
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Hotel Viking partners with Littleneck Hospitality Group for new restaurant, bar concepts ahead of spring reopening
Hotel Viking announced Tuesday evening that it is partnering with Providence-based Littleneck Hospitality Group to launch new restaurant and bar concepts at the historic hotel ahead of its reopening this spring. Littleneck Hospitality Group is the team behind Pizza Marvin, which opened in 2020, and Club Frills, which opened in 2025. The group is led […]
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Castle Hill Inn to begin welcoming guests again March 5; restaurants targeting Memorial Day reopening
Castle Hill Inn announced Tuesday that it will begin welcoming overnight guests again on March 5, less than a month after a two-alarm fire caused significant damage to the historic Ocean Drive property. The fire, which broke out the evening of Feb. 5, has been deemed accidental and was related to the use of a […]
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Gardiner Provisions opens on Thames Street
The team behind the Gardiner House hotel has opened Gardiner Provisions, a new bakery and coffee bar at 429 Thames St. The shop brings together house-made breads, French pastry classics and seasonal specialties alongside a carefully crafted coffee program, adding a new gathering spot to the Thames Street corridor. The menu is led by Gardiner […]
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White Horse Tavern named among America’s top romantic restaurants
The White Horse Tavern has been named one of the top 100 romantic restaurants in America by OpenTable, the online reservation platform announced in its 2026 rankings. The historic restaurant at 26 Marlborough St. earned a 4.8 rating from diners and was one of just two Rhode Island establishments to make the national list. Boat […]
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Rhode Island brewers team up to create ‘401 Beer,’ releasing statewide April 1
Rhode Island’s craft brewers are joining forces this spring to release a collaborative beer named after the Ocean State’s iconic area code. Members of the Rhode Island Brewers Guild have created “401 Beer,” a limited-edition hoppy lager set to launch statewide on Wednesday, April 1. Proceeds from sales will benefit the guild. The recipe came […]
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Jo’s American Bistro reopens under new ownership as Heritage Restaurant Group completes acquisition
Jo’s American Bistro reopened its doors Thursday evening under new ownership after Heritage Restaurant Group completed its acquisition of the beloved Memorial Boulevard restaurant. The restaurant, which has been a staple of Newport’s dining scene since 2013, welcomed guests back at 4:30 p.m. on January 22. Heritage Restaurant Group, which owns a growing portfolio of Rhode […]
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Newport Restaurant Group to open Avvio Ristorante in Millbury, Massachusetts
Newport Restaurant Group announced Wednesday it will open a new Avvio Ristorante at The Shops at Blackstone Valley in Millbury, Massachusetts, marking the company’s fifth restaurant in the Commonwealth and first in Worcester County. The restaurant, located at 70 Worcester-Providence Turnpike, is scheduled to open in summer 2026. The 5,200-square-foot space will feature seating for […]
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Providence Restaurant Weeks returns for 20th year with more than 90 participating eateries
Providence Restaurant Weeks returns this month for its 20th year, with nearly 100 restaurants across the state offering prix fixe menus, lunch and dinner specials and creative drink offerings. The two-week culinary event runs Jan. 25 through Feb. 7 and features restaurants from Providence to the West Bay, East Bay and beyond, according to GoProvidence, […]
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RI VegFest returns to Providence for sixth year in February
RI VegFest, one of the East Coast’s largest fully vegan festivals, returns to WaterFire Arts Center on Feb. 21 and 22 for its sixth year celebrating plant-based eating and living. The 2026 event will feature more than 90 vegan and vegan-friendly food and beverage producers, restaurants, bakeries, food trucks, artists and makers from Rhode Island […]
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Heritage Group reaches agreement to acquire The Quencher, staff to remain
The Quencher is set to have new ownership, but patrons of the neighborhood spot can expect the same familiar faces behind the bar. Heritage Group announced Thursday it has reached an agreement to acquire The Quencher from Scott and Adrienne Kirmil of Inked Restaurant Group. The existing staff and management will remain in place, and […]
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Newport County Dinner Club returns for 37th year with 2-for-1 deals at 55+ local restaurants
The Newport County Dinner Club is back for its 37th year with a holiday offer that benefits local restaurants and food lovers alike. For $27, members receive two-for-one dining at more than 55 restaurants across Newport County — an increase from last year’s roster of 50-plus participating eateries. The club’s motto, “Shop Local, Dine Local,” […]