Food & Drink
Breakfast
Franklin Spa, Spring Street, is a throwback to all the great breakfast counters of days gone by and a local favorite. Excellent hash, great prices. Other good choices: Annie’s on Bellevue (fresh squeezed OJ), Cru Cafe, fresh local ingredients. Breakfast all day and the Atlantic Grille, another local’s favorite, Aquidneck Ave. in nearby Middletown. Apple cinnamon stuffed French Toast, incredible omelets and six kinds of Eggs Benedict. Don’t want a full breakfast? Head to Coffee Grinders at the end of Bowen’s Wharf and enjoy the water views, delicious coffees and muffins.
Brunch
In the colder months, go to the White Horse Tavern , the oldest tavern in the country for a fantastic a la carte brunch. Roaring fires, cozy rooms and a ghost or two. Sun. 11am-2pm. Ask for Table #10. Boat House. On the water. Called “One of the Best 100 Al Fresco” Restaurants in America by Open Table.
Lunch
22 Bowens, is good anytime. Excellent lunch menu served harborside. Raw bar. Good wine selection. Brick Alley Pub below, the Mooring on Sayer’s Wharf. Perfect waterfront location, awesome wine list and wonderful lunches with a seafood bent (think Lobster Roll!), @the Deck is hidden away on Waites Wharf, but is a local favorite. Sit outside on the deck and enjoy the weather and the water. White Horse Tavern. History, maybe a ghost or two. Wonderful setting. Fireplaces. Try the Lobster Mac & Cheese. Cafe Zelda, on Thames. Great salads, a local favorite. Boat House. On the water. Called “One of the Best 100 Al Fresco” Restaurants in America by Open Table.
Burger
Brick Alley Pub. This institution seems to win all the awards for bar food; burger, nachos and so forth. Surprise! A Wine Spectator wine list. A real favorite of the locals.
Chowder
The Black Pearl . Barrister’s Wharf. Good place for a cocktail as well. The Moorings is a close second.
Oyster/Raw Bar
22 Bowen’s is a favorite for a number of reasons; the waterfront setting, amazing wine list and unusual interpretations of the standards. Love the Bubbles & Oysters- 6 market oysters, hackleback cavier, lemon-chive creme fraiche, 1/2 bottle of lanson Rose Champagne. $85. Midtown Oyster Bar. in the center of town has a great selection of raw bar items as well as sushi.
Fried Clams
Absolutely no debate on this one. Flo’s Drive-In, off 138 on Park Avenue in Portsmouth. Only open in summer. Fanatical following. Local favorite.
Lobster
Newport Lobster Shack. Fish local waters and they serve only what they catch. Waterside location. Outside tables.
Martini
This is a tough one, having sampled a few around town! In no particular order, the Candy Store at Bannister’s Wharf, the waterfront setting contributes, the Brick Alley, above, everyone has fun here. Cafe Zelda is a local’s hangout with a cool little bar.
Cocktails
Martini spots mentioned above plus; The Mooring. Also on the water. Try The Fifth Element for artisan cocktails. Outside patio. West Deck patio. On the water. Favorite of the locals. Roof Deck at the Vanderbilt.
Activities/Shopping
Sunset
The outside bars at Gurney’s Newport are nestled in the trees, overlooking the pool and the Newport Bridge. This is where the locals come to escape the madness downtown during the summer. Castle Hill Inn & Resort on Ocean Drive, about 5 minutes from town. Grab a cocktail at the bar and sit on the terrace or in one of the Adirondack chairs on the lawn. Also try the rooftop bar at the Grace Vanderbilt.
After Dinner Fun
Newport Blues Café . Thames Street. Blues, jazz, funk, R&B, Motown and reggae. Voted Best place for live music, Newport Life. Dance the night away at The Dockside, down Waites Wharf, is on the water and serves a young crowd. 70’s and 80’s music is the theme at the Boom Boom , downstairs at Cooke’s at Bannister Wharf.
Bike Rental
Ten Speed Spokes. Elm Street, a block from the Visitor’s Center. Good selection. $25/day.
Wine Shop
Great selection at Bellevue Wine & Spirits.
Sweet Tooth
The Newport Fudgery. Thames Street. Hand whipped fudge in 12 flavors. They’ll ship it too. Newport Creamery , Bellevue Ave and other locations. Have an Awful, Awful, a decadent ice cream concoction invented by this company 60 years ago.
Picnic Fixins
We like the Corner Cafe on Broadway. If you are staying at Castle Hill or The Chanler they’ll be happy to whip something up for you.
Shopping
Lots of shops and boutiques. Some of our favorites; Annabelle, Thames Street, Fine lingerie. Portobello Jewelers. Voted Best Jeweler in Newport. Closet Revival is a fantastic vintage clothing store. Women love Isoude for dresses. Downtown Designs highlights works by special needs community.