After making reservations at another restaurant, we drove there only to discover they were closed--even though we had received confirmation for our 7:00 PM reservation. Needless to say, it was a disappointing start to what was supposed to be a special family evening. Thankfully, a quick call to Aguardente in Fox Point changed everything. The person who answered explained that they weren't taking reservations that evening, but they did have one outdoor table left if we could make it there in time. Despite the challenges of navigating Providence during the World Cup festivities and the Cape Verde Festival in the Fox Point area, we managed to get to the restaurant and secure that last table. We are incredibly grateful to the staff at Aguardente for helping turn our evening around. Our daughter and son-in-law were hoping to enjoy one last dinner with both families before leaving on Monday for a special assignment in South Carolina, and the unexpected closure of our original restaurant had left everyone feeling frustrated and disappointed. From the moment we arrived, the team at Aguardente made us feel welcome. The food was excellent, the drinks were wonderful, and the service was outstanding. Most importantly, they helped transform what had begun as a stressful evening into a memorable celebration with family. Thank you to everyone at Aguardente for your kindness, hospitality, and professionalism. You made our families smile and created a special memory during an important moment in our lives. We highly recommend Aguardente and look forward to returning. -- A very grateful family read more

Atmosphere: cute outdoor seating area for summer nights. The inside has cool decor (including a bathroom that apparently won an award??), but is very small and cramped. The upper 'porch' like area looks really fun, but the table we were seated at was so close to the other tables I was uncomfortable. I get that we're in a city, but I value my personal space and privacy and felt like the whole restaurant could hear my every word - ick. Service: our server seemed annoyed that I didn't want an alcoholic drink, and was not very helpful. Half of the menu is not in English (very chaotic how some portions are in English and others are not, it doesn't seem consistent), so we had some questions, such as "what does x taste like?" and the only response we got was "not too sweet"....okay, but what DOES it taste like? She spoke very fast and I couldn't understand her listing off the specials, even though she didn't really have an accent. She left partway through while we were there so I guess she was just at the end of her shift and checked out, but it was so offputting how rude and unhelpful she was. When our servers transitioned, we offered to cash out then since we weren't getting anything else and wanted the original server to get her tips, but she started joking around that we didn't have to do that - which I appreciate, but we actually did want to get going and get cashed out, but she refused to give us our check. I asked three times and she still wouldn't 'let us do that'...very weird. Food: there were not a ton of vegetarian options that appealed to me. I went a little overboard on plantains by accident, which is my mistake. I first ordered the Rellenitos with cilantro crema sauce, which were very good and a flavor combination I wasn't expecting. The dough to filling ratio was a little off and they were pretty dry inside, so I needed a lot of the sauce. An order only came with 2 and I wish it was more. I'm glad I ordered something else - Tula Fries, which came with the same exact cilantro creme sauce as the Rellenitos, even though they are described differently on the menu, which felt lazy to repeat a sauce. The sauce didn't go well with them at all in my opinion so I did not enjoy these as much as I would've liked. My friend enjoyed her drink, but thought almost all of the meat on her meat and cheese board was either low quality or close to going bad. It was priced reasonably, which we were shocked by, but she couldn't eat a good portion of it sadly. We did really enjoy the baked flava bean snack that was a part of it. The board weirdly came with just half of one small, half rotten strawberry that looked terrible - it would've been better to leave it off. Towards the end of the night, there was so much water on the floor in the hallway that goes to the bathroom and passes the kitchen - I had to walk through it to go to the bathroom, which felt like a safety hazard. My friend was on crutches and wouldn't even try to get over there since we knew she'd slip on all the water. It just looked terrible and was dangerous, so not sure what we going on that there was such a water issue there. Their specialties and more meat based dishes are probably great, but there just aren't a ton of things for me to eat here. I'd be willing to try it again for drinks and apps if the service wasn't so unwelcoming. read more

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My friend and I came here on Father's Day expecting it to be packed, which it was, but there were still a few tables available, both inside and outside. At their front patio, they had the World Cup game playing, but the back patio felt cozier so we opted for that. The inside though was a strong second since the lighting is very low, creating a cool and calm environment. Walking through the restaurant to get to our table made me realize that each table is unique, no two are decorated the same or have the same furniture. It was a hot day but the overhead mesh cover blocked out a lot of the sun. Our waitress made us feel very welcome from the start and told us about their drink and food specials. My friend ordered Guatemalan beer as well as a Spanish beer. For food, we ordered the plantain fries, octopus, calamari, and shrimp salad, and grilled lamp chops. The seafood salad came out first. According to the menu, it was going to be paired with cornbread. It looked like sourdough bread but had a far denser consistency. I was expecting the salad to have lots of shrimp to act as a filler but surprisingly, it was about 60% octopus, 25% calamari, 10% shrimp, and 5% onions. The seafood was very flavorful, tasted fresh, and cooked perfectly. The portion size was great for two. Next came the plantain fries, which I was least impressed with as it was essentially fried plantain chunks. I think it would have been better if they were cut into smaller pieces that can be easily dipped and consumed in one bite. The plantain was gently ripe, so just a little sweet and the dipping sauce was like a less sour sour cream. Lastly, the lamp chops came out and the presentation was wonderful. They were a bit skinnier and less tender than that I was expecting, but flavor wise they were good. We enjoyed the food, ambiance, and service here. read more

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Delicious and well portioned tapas experience. Food service was quick and the staff was so friendly. Absolutely gorgeous interior and exterior seating areas. Vibes are immaculate. We got 3 tapas and 1 larger seafood plate plus the espresso martini flight for well under $100. read more

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Cute tapas spot where we celebrated a birthday. Food was good but slightly limited if dietary/meat restrictions. Slightly on the expensive side given how much food you get for the price, but not atypical for tapas. My favorite was the queijo de cabra. Drinks are delicious and strong. Limited seating inside and outside but fun atmosphere. Waiters were so fun and friendly and helped create a celebratory atmosphere. read more

Aguardente - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Wow. If you're looking for a spot that has amazing food, beautiful art and design aspects, friendly service, and plates to share, Aguardente is the place for you. A friend and I came in and put our names on the waitlist, waited for about 45 minutes at a bar down the street, and then had some of the most fulfilling tapas ever! We got a Prosciutto & Salpicao board, the Queijo de Cabra, and Frijol Dip. I also got a nice portuguese red wine that paired well with some of the cheese we received. We sat in a very sweet and cozy nook and enjoyed every minute! I will be back when it's warm out and the front patio is open! read more

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What a beautiful and inviting space. The inside is filled with Spanish tiles, cozy seating areas and a gorgeous back-lit bar area. We had a pitcher of the daily special margarita which was grapefruit, cherry and rosemary. We tried it with aguardente (a Portuguese liquor) rather than tequila. The taste was refreshing and light. For food we shared nachos, codfish fritters and queijo de cabra (a baked goat cheese appetizer). The codfish fritters were perfectly crispy and soft inside with a delicious creamy dipping sauce. The nachos were a smaller appetizer portion. The chips were fresh and delicious. The baked goat cheese came with toasted bread and a tangy tomato and onion sauce. Staff was attentive and friendly. I definitely want to go back to try more things! read more

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Delicious food Drinks such a fun vibe and atmosphere . Our server made some amazing recommendations and we enjoyed each of them. The bartender was very creative in making our drinks. I will return soon read more

Some very creative, unusual Portuguese dishes that were quite delicious. Service was great as well. With some help from the server's recs, we managed to feed two ravenous teenagers for a relatively reasonable price. read more

Our friends took us to Aguardente when we were in town and we enjoyed our meal here. It's tapas style so everything is shareable but you can also get plates for yourself. We got a smattering of things and some of my favorites were the rellenitos and the lupini beans of all things. I don't know why but something about the bit of crunch from the bean and the spicy oil it was marinated in really worked for me. My husband and I shared the seafood paella and it was huge! Definitely could have fed at least two more people. Service was good. It was crowded for a Sunday night but we managed to get a table outside on the patio without a reservation. read more

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Aguardente is easily one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Providence. Their tapas and small plates are all unique and with amazing flavors. The staff is also always so friendly and helpful, especially when trying to pick which wine pairs best with each plate! Their outdoor patio and outdoor seating options also make for an amazing summer meal! Our friends and I were fortunate to get one of the outside tables, and it made for a wonderful, relaxing summery vibe! Highly recommend this restaurant all around!! read more

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AMAZING! It's our favorite restaurant in Providence, and I am finally writing a review! We usually take friends and family here because the food and drinks are so good, the atmosphere is great for any occasion, and I love being able to share a bunch of dishes for everyone to try. Some of our favorites is the (sorry I don't know the official menu names) baked goat cheese, stuffed avocados, empanadas, and pastel de nada for dessert. You really can't go wrong with anything you order! We tried the cactus tacos for the first time too, which were delicious and exciting to try something new! The servers are always super friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the dishes. If you have any questions, definitely ask. Aguardente is a must stop if you are in the area! read more

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Have been looking to try this place for a long time and finally came here for lunch with two other friends. The restaurant is beyond amazing! The interior is chic and colorful. We sat in the back patio and it was private and breezy. The service was fast and friendly. We got 8 dishes to share. Most dishes are very flavorful, the fava bean stew is very well seasoned. The razor clam is also very tasty. Many dishes come with various carb components and they're very filling. The fresh farmer's cheese has a texture like silken tofu which was very refreshing. The seafood paella and octopus are also good with sizable portions. We only got espresso flight to share and I loved the chocolate and coconut flavored ones. There are many more dishes I'd love to come back and try with a bigger group. Overall an amazing experience! read more

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Food was amazing! Services even better. The staff truly made you feel welcomed. Can't wait to go back read more

Aguardente - Marinated Olives - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Really impressed by this place and looking forward to trying more from the menu. It's very cozy and charming, with character and authenticity. The drinks were tasty with a great presentation. The server gave great menu suggestions! read more

Aguardente - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

I came in yesterday for the first time and tried a couple of things. We made a reservation before we went and sat inside as it's been a little bad air quality wise lately. Next time I would absolutely sit outside because their space is so great. Their inside is adorable and the service was great. We tried things like the cheesy croquettes and the mussels and the beef sandwich. Everything was really good. We also had some sangria's. I will say... there were a freakish amount of fruit flies there yesterday. Like to the point that it was disruptive to our meal. We all talked about it after so it wasn't just one person thinking about it. But there were so many fruit flies in there, it was a little icky. The fruit flies were everywhere and were trying to land on the food, the whole time and in the drinks. Like it felt like there must've been 25 of them or more. So maybe next time I would sit outside? Overall, we all agreed we'd love to come back and try their food again. But I'll be sitting outside next time. read more

Excellent service and the food was so delicious! I love the tapas style- I'll definitely be back! read more

Aguardente - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Ambiance reminded me of a contemporary Portugal. Service was spectacular. The server was attentive and welcoming. She had great recommendations. Food was to notch especially the empanadas and pasteis de bachalu (fish cakes). The cocktails were spot on and fresh takes on classics. The only down side... It's small. Parking can be challenging. Minor things to what you get from this experience. We'll worth it. I'll be back... soon read more

Aguardente - Pasteis de bacalhau (L) and empanadas (R). Batata fritas with doing sauce (C). - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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One of the best restaurants I have ever been to. The service? Amazing. The location? Awesome. The food? Excellent. The drinks? Perfect. What a spot in Rhode Island. Reggaeton and chill music all night. So authentic all around. read more

Quaint little spot with delicious food and great service! Tapas always means you get to try many things. We started with the fava beans and the nopal salad. Fava beans were well seasoned and tender. Nopales came with onion and cheese as well as tortilla chips. Could have used a bit of salt, otherwise quite fresh and tasty. The star was the baked goat cheese in a bath of tomato chunks served with bread. Next favorite was the octopus, which was perfectly tender and well charred. My wife enjoyed a pisco cocktail and I had a glass of pet nat wine. Both paired well. No room for dessert. The restaurant is tiny with a large patio however we were glad to sit indoors as it was blazing hot and humid outside. Lots of interesting murals and artwork on the walls. read more

Delicious, authentic, affordable, and fresh. I've been in a few times and always enjoy it. Servers are always great, ingredients are noticeably fresh, indoor seating has a nice laid back almost "speakeasy" feel, outdoor seating is clean and quiet. The menu really nails staying true to Portuguese and Latin roots without completely alienating diners with less adventurous palates. I always order way more than I can eat and am still pleasantly surprised by the bill. Great spot for a date night. read more

FINALLY. came on a thrusday with no reservation around 7:40pm and was seated immediately. weather was immaculate and we sat in the back patio. our server was on it as soon as we ordered. we blinked and fresh food was on the table. the ensalada de nopales freaking slapped. i missed nopales so much. i enjoyed the tin codfish and goat cheese dishes, and i regret not ordering something sweet to drink. but i'm a grandma and sugar would have kept me up on a work night. the octopus was 8/10. it was deliciously flavored, i just wanted more of a sear on the exterior. still would order it again. will absolutely be coming back here again and again. read more

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When friends come to visit from out of town & we want to go out for dinner, Aguardente is usually on my list of places to go. I love tapas-style eating with friends - More to try & more to share. Aguardente has a plethora of seafood options & even a tinned fish section of their menu. If you're not a seafood lover, you'll still have plenty of things to choose from, but you might miss out on some of their most popular dishes - like their seafood paella. One of my favorite items on the menu is their Queijo de Cabra - a tomato saucy, spicy, baked goat cheese goodness that you can dip bread or vegetables into. My only qualms about the food is that some of the dishes I've ordered in the past have been salted to the heavens. A big carafe of ice water is necessary for a meal at Aguardente, & if the servers are too busy to fill up your carafe (which happens frequently) you may feel like you're going to pass away for a little bit. But you'll persevere. I really prefer sitting outside at Aguardente since it's SO loud inside. The outside patio is magical! It's like a little enchanted garden, & if you're lucky enough to snag one of the couches, it feels like you're in your own little world. Oh - Make a reservation. Otherwise you might be staring down the barrel of an hour+ wait. read more

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We absolutely love it here! As someone who is of Portuguese descent and a huge Mexican food lover, this place hits the perfect fusion of both worlds. You can really taste the family influence and authenticity behind every dish -- it feels like home, but with a fun twist. The Prego no Pão is one of my favorites -- perfectly seasoned steak on soft bread with that classic Portuguese comfort, but elevated in a way that keeps me coming back. We also can't get enough of the seafood dishes -- especially the paella and grilled octopus -- and the chouriço always brings that familiar Portuguese flavor I grew up with. The small plates are perfect for sharing, and trying different things each time has been so much fun. Plus, the touches of Mexican flavor throughout the menu just make my heart happy. The cocktails are always a hit -- fresh, flavorful, and so well-balanced. On top of all that, the décor is beautiful, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the touches of their family history all over make it so charming. Everything from the food to the drinks to the overall vibe is just excellent. Great addition to the city and one of our favorite spots I will add I have also gone with a baby, and while it's not stroller friendly they staff were very kind and patient with a baby learning to eat and making a little bit of a mess read more

Amazing food, service, and generous hospitality. The atmosphere is lovely as well. Can't wait to visit again ! : )

This was my first time at Aguardente. The inside area is pretty small, with a lot of small tables with chairs on one side and a built in bench on the other. There is also bar seating and an area lifted with a little more table seating. The inside decor is very fun though. There is additional seating outside, which looks really nice for warmer months. We had the paella and meatballs. The flavor of the meatballs and sauce was really excellent, and just a little spicy. We did need to ask for bread to soak up the sauce though. The paella was different than others I've had before, without the crunchy rice. They also have a few mocktail choices, which is always nice. read more

Aguardente - Place setting - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Great service and delicious food! This restaurant is tapas focused. We enjoyed a lot of the dishes. My personal favorites were the clams, octopus, and the pasteis de Bacalhau. My husband loved the lamb chops and the seafood paella. Would definitely go back to try the other dishes! read more

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The food was amazing I ordered different appetizers and I was impressed with all of them. The service was great, the bartenders were very friendly. I also tried the provocative drinks on the menu. The ambiance was great, the decor is very cozy and it has a positive energy, I sat at the bar and it was an amazing experience, if your looking for a place with really good drinks and delicious appetizers you should visit this small cozy spot right of Wickenden street.. read more

Ive been here a few time. Its has Wonderful food and a great vibe. I recommend a try. Its worth it

Coming back again to say how much I love this place! Great for a romantic evening with your love or a chill spot to catch up with friends! The ambience is great, food is delicious and well portioned and the Latin playlist is great. I visited twice recently and love that they are playing a lot of songs from the new Bad Bunny album, DTMF. read more

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Fantastic food and service, very unique menu and the outdoor seating when the weather gets nice is so cute! read more

Aguardente - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Good food, but unfortunately this will be my last time here. For the first time, I was asked to leave the table because we stayed "too long" after eating. The manager told me the table was reserved for someone else -- unbelievable. Dining out should also be about enjoying time and conversation with friends, not feeling rushed to leave. read more

Aguardente - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

I really liked the ambiance of this restaurant. It's small and intimate. My friends and I shared their stuffed avocado, plantains, Spanish meatballs, and farm cheese bread dish. The stuffed avocado was super creamy and a little too cheesy. I would have liked it if there was more chorizo or a friend egg to go with it. The plantains were typical, and the meatballs were pretty fine too. read more

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The best Martini I've had with fig and rosemary .... The food is fresh and different! The service and the vibe exceptional . Fair prices ... Coming from Miami where we have great places I have to say .... They should bring this place for us to enjoy !!! read more

On our list for a while, we finally pulled the trigger and were able to get two last minute seats at the bar - the most comfortable bar seats we've been in. The bartender and waitress were incredibly helpful making suggestions for both food and drinks. We shared 4 plates each one delicious. By far the most interesting were the corn mushrooms served with tortilla chips. For dessert we decided take the waitresses advice and go outside the box with the sweet plantain with black beans, fried and served with espresso infused chocolate sauce and we weren't disappointed. Definitely want to come back and try more of the menu soon. read more

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Absolutely outstanding, from the warm service, offering my wife a few wines to try until she found one she likes, to the fast delivery of the food to the table. Food was outstanding start to finish. Highly recommend the poblano tacos and the lamb chops were out of this world. I'm just upset this is our first time here. Can't wait to go back read more

We went here for a birthday brunch. The food was wonderful. It was unique and flavorful. The flights of espresso martinis we had were beautifully displayed and tasty. Our server was super attentive to our party of six. She made sure we had everything we wanted and needed at all times. The location was gorgeous. I can see why my friend picked it to celebrate her special day. We had a really nice time and will certainly be back. read more

Food, service,ambiance , everything is just perfect every time I visit this restaurant , I'm amazed of all the traditional Mexican dishes they have very unique and authentic . So delicious. It makes me feel in Mexico City every time I visit this place. read more

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Delicious and affordable Portuguese food! Overall, such a great time. Their interior and patio are beautiful, their food was yummy, and the service was great! My friends and I got their most popular item, the seafood paella ($20) as well as their queijo fresca ($10) & tula fries ($6). My personal favorite was the queijo fresca! It came with portuguese corn bread which was so good, i've never had anything like it before! The seafood paella wasn't the best paella i've had, but it was flavorful and well seasoned. Plus for the price you can't beat it! Overall, if I was in the area again, I would stop by! read more

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Are you looking for a dining experience that has excellent food and a great atmosphere? Don't look any further! Aguardente is a GREAT place for date night or groups to get together. I would recommend to always make a reservation ahead of time! I've been here twice and thankfully always had a reservation. I've seen groups of people get turned away because the restaurant was fully booked. It is very easy to use Resy for reservations. There are different tables you can choose and they are explained on Resy - the bar, indoor table, indoor nook, loft, patio nook, or patio table. Bar has tall seats at an oversized bar; Indoor Table has traditional dining table with one bench seat and one chair seat; Indoor Nook has comfy lounge chairs with side tables and a small coffee table; Loft has cozy lounge chairs and couch with side and coffee tables; Patio Nook has large outdoor seats and side tables surrounded by foliage; and Patio Table has traditional dining table and chairs under glowing pergola. Both times I've reserved the indoor table. For drinks, I have tried the Hibisco-rita-Hibiscus tea margarita with Aguardente and a sugared rim and the Sintra Sangria Summer White which has Aguardente, Ginja, muddled pineapple, orange and lime. Both were very good. For tapas, I've ordered a couple of different items and everything is delicious. The tapas that make me wanting more is the Aguacate Relleno, the Pasteis de Bacalhau, and the Plato de Huitlacoche. You must get the Aguacate Relleno which is Avocado with pan fried chorizo and melted Oaxaca cheese topped with arugula and cilantro crema. Everything about this dish is delicious and AMAZING! The avocado is fresh and holds all the other components. The Pasteis de Bacalhau is Codfish Fritter served with creamy cilantro. Every bite of the fritter and the cilantro sauce is flavorsome. The Plato de Huitlacoche is a mix of different mushrooms. This dish is really good and a nice green to balance the other flavors. Other dishes I've had is the Seafood Paella - A Portuguese take on paella with little necks, shrimp, mussels, squid, and paprika; Almondegas - Traditional Spanish Meatballs with chouriço, sautéed in garlic and onions; Prosciutto - Served with crostini, roasted red peppers marinated in smoked paprika, garlic and olive oil & a taste of Quesijaria De S. Romao Seia cheese; Grilled Chouriço, Alheira & Morcela - Three different traditional Portuguese grilled sausages: meat sausage, bread sausage, and blood sausage. This is a great dish to try the different types of grilled sausages if you have never tried it before. It is not dry and flavored really well. For desserts, I've had their Tres Leches Cake and Pastel de Nata. The Tres Leches Cake is authentically prepared, moist cake with hints of vanilla, topped with a hibiscus drizzle. The Pastel de Nata is a traditional crispy pastry filled with custard, served warm. Both of these were very good. Aguardente opened its doors near the end of 2021 and I hope it'll be here for a long time. Service is always wonderful. You will not be hungry after. I am looking forward to the next time I can come visit. read more

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