Providence Guidebook
Quick Breakfast/Lunch
Our go-to spots for coffee, sandwiches and tasty snacks.
When we're headed to the beach, this is usually our first stop on the way out of town. It's hard to go wrong with any of the choices here, but we strongly recommend any of the bread, the lemon cake, and the kale salad.
170 locals recommend
Seven Stars Bakery
342 BroadwayWhen we're headed to the beach, this is usually our first stop on the way out of town. It's hard to go wrong with any of the choices here, but we strongly recommend any of the bread, the lemon cake, and the kale salad.
Hard to go wrong here, but the nitro cold brew and avo toast are best in class!
25 locals recommend
The Nitro Bar
228 BroadwayHard to go wrong here, but the nitro cold brew and avo toast are best in class!
If you find yourself near the Newport beaches, definitely make a stop here for a bite to eat. They have great prepared picnic food— sandwiches, pies, salads, cheese, etc.—and a great selection of fresh produce and pantry staples if you plan on cooking later. Nearby Howland Park is a great place to park if you’re thinking of doing a bike ride or trying to avoid the beach parking fees (our favorite, 2nd beach is ~2.5 miles away).
68 locals recommend
Sweet Berry Farm
915 Mitchell's LnIf you find yourself near the Newport beaches, definitely make a stop here for a bite to eat. They have great prepared picnic food— sandwiches, pies, salads, cheese, etc.—and a great selection of fresh produce and pantry staples if you plan on cooking later. Nearby Howland Park is a great place to park if you’re thinking of doing a bike ride or trying to avoid the beach parking fees (our favorite, 2nd beach is ~2.5 miles away).
Great coffee and breakfast sandwiches! It's a long, but lovely walk to get there from the studio.
17 locals recommend
Dave's Coffee
341 S Main StGreat coffee and breakfast sandwiches! It's a long, but lovely walk to get there from the studio.
Little City Coffee & Kitchen
170 Mathewson StreetThe smoky mushroom breakfast sandwich is the best we've ever had!
A short walk down Benefit St, this is a great spot to grab a latte and a light bite. They have a small but delicious menu and they brew local favorite Bolt Coffee.
6 locals recommend
Cafe Pearl at RISD Museum
224 Benefit StA short walk down Benefit St, this is a great spot to grab a latte and a light bite. They have a small but delicious menu and they brew local favorite Bolt Coffee.
Dinner
These are our go-to places for both low-key and more special occasion dinners. Reliably delicious!
This is our go-to Thai spot- and they deliver on Doordash. We recommend the Green Curry and the Pad Si Ew (especially with a little bit of their hot oil!).
9 locals recommend
Heng Thai & Rotisserie
165 Angell StThis is our go-to Thai spot- and they deliver on Doordash. We recommend the Green Curry and the Pad Si Ew (especially with a little bit of their hot oil!).
This is our go-to for delicious Indian food, and they deliver on Doordash! The Tofu Mango curry and pesto naan are some favorites.
17 locals recommend
Kabob and Curry
261 Thayer StThis is our go-to for delicious Indian food, and they deliver on Doordash! The Tofu Mango curry and pesto naan are some favorites.
My husband lived on this place during grad school, and it's still phenomenal. The dough, sauce and toppings are all top notch, so just go with whatever combo appeals to you...
11 locals recommend
Nice Slice Pizzeria
767 Westminster StMy husband lived on this place during grad school, and it's still phenomenal. The dough, sauce and toppings are all top notch, so just go with whatever combo appeals to you...
We had a takeout party when they came back earlier in the pandemic! The butternut squash quesadilla is as good as ever. Be sure to grab a few pastries too-- so good!
60 locals recommend
Garden Grille
727 East AveWe had a takeout party when they came back earlier in the pandemic! The butternut squash quesadilla is as good as ever. Be sure to grab a few pastries too-- so good!
This is a local institution for brunch, but dinner here is excellent as well.
122 locals recommend
nicks on broadway
500 BroadwayThis is a local institution for brunch, but dinner here is excellent as well.
One of our favorites for special occasions. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but definitely try the deviled eggs before you dig into to the rest of your meal...
29 locals recommend
Persimmon
99 Hope StOne of our favorites for special occasions. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but definitely try the deviled eggs before you dig into to the rest of your meal...
Al Forno is a food destination, one of the most acclaimed restaurants in New England and the inventor of grilled pizza. It is very pricey, but worth it. The Dirty Steak(!!!) and pizzas are our typical go-tos, but everything else we've tried has been really good.
49 locals recommend
Al Forno Restaurant
577 S Water StAl Forno is a food destination, one of the most acclaimed restaurants in New England and the inventor of grilled pizza. It is very pricey, but worth it. The Dirty Steak(!!!) and pizzas are our typical go-tos, but everything else we've tried has been really good.
Awesome little restaurant within walking distance to the studio! It's casual fancy-- you'd feel comfortable here getting a burger (which is one of the best in the city) at the bar or celebrating a special occasion. It can be a little price-y depending on what you get but worth it.
23 locals recommend
New Rivers
7 Steeple StAwesome little restaurant within walking distance to the studio! It's casual fancy-- you'd feel comfortable here getting a burger (which is one of the best in the city) at the bar or celebrating a special occasion. It can be a little price-y depending on what you get but worth it.
Only open seasonally but this is the perfect place to enjoy a lobster roll and a few beers in the spring/summer! There's no indoor seating here, but almost all of the tables have umbrellas and dogs are welcome. It's right along the river, so it's great to pair with a long walk.
14 locals recommend
Dune Brothers Seafood
239 Dyer StOnly open seasonally but this is the perfect place to enjoy a lobster roll and a few beers in the spring/summer! There's no indoor seating here, but almost all of the tables have umbrellas and dogs are welcome. It's right along the river, so it's great to pair with a long walk.
Our favorite tapas spot, and in walking distance (~0.5 miles)! Definitely try the Ensalada Palo and the Patatas Bravas.
Palo
Our favorite tapas spot, and in walking distance (~0.5 miles)! Definitely try the Ensalada Palo and the Patatas Bravas.
Groceries
This large and well stocked Whole Foods is a short (~5-7 min) walk right around the corner from the studio.
186 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
601 N Main StThis large and well stocked Whole Foods is a short (~5-7 min) walk right around the corner from the studio.
This excellent liquor store is a short (5-7 min.) walk from the studio and right next to the Whole Foods. The craft beer and organic wine selections are unusually good.
10 locals recommend
High Spirit Liquors
559 N Main StThis excellent liquor store is a short (5-7 min.) walk from the studio and right next to the Whole Foods. The craft beer and organic wine selections are unusually good.
Outdoor Activities
This is right around the corner from the studio, and a great place to have a picnic. It has an epic view of downtown and beyond.
76 locals recommend
Prospect Terrace
60 Congdon StThis is right around the corner from the studio, and a great place to have a picnic. It has an epic view of downtown and beyond.
This is the closest "real" beach to Providence and about 20 minutes from the studio. It's rocky, but beautiful. Great spot for a walk, picnic, or just not being indoors. Just be aware of parking signs.
13 locals recommend
Barrington Beach
This is the closest "real" beach to Providence and about 20 minutes from the studio. It's rocky, but beautiful. Great spot for a walk, picnic, or just not being indoors. Just be aware of parking signs.
RI is home to some stunning beaches, and this is one of our favorites. It's a bit of a trek-- 45 min. to 1 hour-- but worth it. Definitely check riparks.com to see if the parking lot has space. Matunuck Oyster Bar is a short drive away from the beach, and we love their foods-- especially the fries!
52 locals recommend
East Matunuck State Beach
Succotash RdRI is home to some stunning beaches, and this is one of our favorites. It's a bit of a trek-- 45 min. to 1 hour-- but worth it. Definitely check riparks.com to see if the parking lot has space. Matunuck Oyster Bar is a short drive away from the beach, and we love their foods-- especially the fries!
There is an entrance to this 14.5 mi bike path in India Point Park, which is about a 1.5 mi from the studio. Parts of the path-- particularly the parts in Warren/Bristol-- are just stunning. You can also get to Colt State Park directly from the trail, which is one of the most beautiful spots in RI.
71 locals recommend
East Bay Bike Path
There is an entrance to this 14.5 mi bike path in India Point Park, which is about a 1.5 mi from the studio. Parts of the path-- particularly the parts in Warren/Bristol-- are just stunning. You can also get to Colt State Park directly from the trail, which is one of the most beautiful spots in RI.
This is the prize waiting for you at the end of the East Bay Bike Path. You won't be disappointed by the bay views! There are also multiple spots to picnic.
93 locals recommend
Colt State Park
Route 114This is the prize waiting for you at the end of the East Bay Bike Path. You won't be disappointed by the bay views! There are also multiple spots to picnic.
Another close spot for a picnic or long walk with great views! You can drive over and park or do a long walk (~1.5mi) from the studio. For the long walk, you have two great options: walking past the historic homes on Benefit Street, or heading southwest along the waterfront that separates the East Side from downtown.
82 locals recommend
India Point Park
201 India StAnother close spot for a picnic or long walk with great views! You can drive over and park or do a long walk (~1.5mi) from the studio. For the long walk, you have two great options: walking past the historic homes on Benefit Street, or heading southwest along the waterfront that separates the East Side from downtown.
This and the adjacent Goosewing Beach are simply beautiful. It's about 45 minutes from the studio, and you'll need to get there early to find a parking spot during the summer. On nice days, it's tough to park, so be sure to get there before they open.
39 locals recommend
South Shore Beach
South Shore RoadThis and the adjacent Goosewing Beach are simply beautiful. It's about 45 minutes from the studio, and you'll need to get there early to find a parking spot during the summer. On nice days, it's tough to park, so be sure to get there before they open.
Most RI beaches don't allow dogs at any time during the summer, but nearby there's usually a pet-friendly fishing area. Camp Cronin is one of the nicest: it has a little sandy beach with a great view that you and your pup can relax on for hours. It's also right around the corner from the Point Judith Lighthouse and a short drive to Iggy's and Aunt Carrie's, two of Narragansett's most popular seafood dives.
12 locals recommend
Camp Cronin Fishing Area
Most RI beaches don't allow dogs at any time during the summer, but nearby there's usually a pet-friendly fishing area. Camp Cronin is one of the nicest: it has a little sandy beach with a great view that you and your pup can relax on for hours. It's also right around the corner from the Point Judith Lighthouse and a short drive to Iggy's and Aunt Carrie's, two of Narragansett's most popular seafood dives.
This is our favorite place to visit in Newport. It's a great spot to incorporate into a longer bike ride or just to sit out and enjoy the ocean.
55 locals recommend
Brenton Point State Park
Ocean DriveThis is our favorite place to visit in Newport. It's a great spot to incorporate into a longer bike ride or just to sit out and enjoy the ocean.
Other Things to Do
The RISD Museum is walking distance from the studio and a great way to get a taste of the incredible art scene in Providence.
256 locals recommend
RISD Museum
20 N Main StThe RISD Museum is walking distance from the studio and a great way to get a taste of the incredible art scene in Providence.
The Providence Athenaeum is a beautiful, 19th century library in the heart of historic Benefit St, right by RISD, and in walking distance from the studio. The building itself is worth checking out. And maybe the best part... dogs are welcome! But check the website before your visit- during the pandemic the Athenaeum has only been open to members.
58 locals recommend
Providence Athenaeum
251 Benefit StThe Providence Athenaeum is a beautiful, 19th century library in the heart of historic Benefit St, right by RISD, and in walking distance from the studio. The building itself is worth checking out. And maybe the best part... dogs are welcome! But check the website before your visit- during the pandemic the Athenaeum has only been open to members.
Year-round, the Farm Fresh Providence Farmer's Market on Sims Ave. has a huge selection of foods from local farms and merchants as well as other types of products and gifts. (Note...from May-October there's also an awesome outdoor farmer's market at the intersection of Hope St. and Blackstone Blvd.)
Farm Fresh Rhode Island
10 Sims AvenueYear-round, the Farm Fresh Providence Farmer's Market on Sims Ave. has a huge selection of foods from local farms and merchants as well as other types of products and gifts. (Note...from May-October there's also an awesome outdoor farmer's market at the intersection of Hope St. and Blackstone Blvd.)
The Providence Performing Arts Center is in the heart of downtown Providence. The building is gorgeous and we've seen incredible casts of Hamilton and RENT there. Check out what shows will be playing while you're in town and plan accordingly!
98 locals recommend
Providence Performing Arts Center
220 Weybosset StThe Providence Performing Arts Center is in the heart of downtown Providence. The building is gorgeous and we've seen incredible casts of Hamilton and RENT there. Check out what shows will be playing while you're in town and plan accordingly!