Benjamin's Raw Bar Photos
Benjamin's Raw Bar Popular Dishes
BENJAMIN'S RAW BAR ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Benjamin's Raw Bar
Recommended Reviews - Benjamin's Raw Bar
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
10/10! We came for dinner, and each got one of the specials. Lamb Chops, and Stuffed Sole. Everything was so delicious. The rice is some of the best I've ever had. Nice atmosphere in the upstairs restaurant area. The waitress was very nice as well. I'd definitely go back to try more dishes! They had such a great menu it was hard to choose which dish to get!
$1.50 HH 12-2 pm. Pic, the Bartender very friendly and gave us tips on where to go. We ordered a hot lobster roll-a little smaller than I expected for $27.95 but It was tasty and we had the fries with malt vinegar. Also ordered a dozen oysters. Sat at the bar in front of the oyster bar. Noise level was normal.
There's a downstairs seating that's more dive/sports bar-y with a TV, and an upstairs area with a nicer view and more restaurant vibes. No AC in the summer in the downstairs part. Got the seafood platter, but the shrimp still had the poop chute in it and the mussels were unpleasant. The scallops and fish part were good. Clam chowder was way too salty and watery with a hint of sour aftertaste. Entrees are expensive given the price which is unsurprising for Newport but you can get better seafood for the same price elsewhere. Service was good but a little long.
We saw this place while we shopped and decided to come back for dinner and honestly it did not disappoint. Downstairs is a little louder and has more of a bar feel while upstairs is a restaurant feel. When we ordered, we were greeted by a very nice waiter who took our orders. We got the New England clam chowder and Raw Oysters to start with a side of garlic bread. No words can describe how good it was. For dinner, we ordered the hot lobster roll and muscles zuppa style. Overall delicious and fresh. Costs were reasonable and I will return.
We were looking for light eats and drinks. We were with my cousin who knew the area - walked into Benjamin's around 4:30. We didn't have a reservation but they had a four top that was perfect for our party of 3. Lauren was quick to bring us water and then take our drink order. Lots of Newport vibes here with nautical themes, Fenway Park signs, lots of Christmas decor. Lots of music, spots on the tv. We loved the food! The calamari app $15 had perfectly fried rings and no tentacles. Yummy marinara served with the calamari. The oysters were shucked well - no shell fragments and all the oysters were freed from the shell. Clams casino are warm and delicious with toasted breadcrumbs. $1.50 each for both oysters and casino. Lauren kept our group happy!
Upstairs at Benjamin's did not disappoint! We made a reservation ahead of time and got right in at our time. The dining room was cozy and reminded me of the seafood places we grew up with. They had kids menus ready for ours which is great (some restaurants in Newport aren't so child friendly). The staff worked together to get us what we needed and pre-bus the table in time for our food to come out. We started with the Oysters Rockefeller- one of my faves! I went with a lobster roll with a salad instead of fries and coleslaw. That slaw was some of the BEST I've ever had! The hot lobster roll was good but a little fishy- maybe it needed more butter? The platters were all huge- someone in our group had the stuffed lobster- presentation was beautiful. We will be back!
Avoid this place and try another spot. I was actually going to the place next store but stopped here due to their menu and raw bar. Staff is ok.... We were sat fast and then forgotten about. Two other tables came in after us and ordered before us. I finally got my oysters.... They were ok. The food was finally ordered about 45 minutes later. I went with the 1 lb lobster with a side of clam chowder. Clam chowder was barely warm and probably the worst I have ever had. Now, let's get to the real reason for the 1 star. You served me a bad lobster it smelled of ammonia when it arrived and I knew it was bad but I did not want to make a scene. I regret that. I paid and we left. Avoid the hell out of a place were they do not care enough to do the right thing and serve you bad seafood.
Love their happy hour/lunch specials! Looking for a place to sit and relax and eat fresh oysters and clams? This is your place!! We got a big plate of oysters and clams and very large shrimp! Also got some Rockefeller cooked oysters and a garlic bread to balance things out. We had a good time with all the food. Raw items were super fresh, the shrimp were nice and big, and the cooked items had good flavor. Yes they had a full menu of other items, but we didn't really look at that. There is a nice bar with good drinks and beers. Our waiter was good too - helpful and funny. It's a great place to stop midday for a fun, fresh lunch!
3.5/5 Great spot for oyster happy hour with strong drinks (the margarita packs a punch, and the Newport Sunset is a nice balance). Service was excellent and really made the visit. Food was more hit-or-miss: the fried shrimp were good and tasted super fresh, but the seafood pot pie had overcooked shrimp with the tails still on, which made it tricky to eat. Didn't love the little neck clams. Limited street parking, but the ocean view and the quirky Grand Marnier Club wall of bottles give the place a fun, local charm.
Good service, good food. We sat on the table by the window and it was very refreshing without being bothered by passing people or cars. I had the fisherman platter and my husband got a burger. All good, we will be back.
My wife and I were in Newport for a mini vacation. We had been here one time in the past and thought it was good. So we decided to return . Bad idea. We started with the island punch, which was actually very good. That's where the highlights end. We then moved onto the lobster bisque. This can best be described as tomato soup with no lobster flavor. To start, the color was a dark murky brown. Unlike any lobster bisque I have ever seen. If I was blindfolded and asked to name what I was eating, lobster bisque would not be my guess. On to the entrees. My wife had the Stuffed Sole. It was supposed to have a cream Sherry sauce stuffed with lobster , scallops and shrimp. None of these items were evident in the dish. In fact, the sherry sauce turned out to be nothing more than retreaded lobster bisque. I had the shrimp scampi with linguine. This dish is quite puzzling. The best way I can describe this is shrimp cocktail over linguine and a bowl of flavorless soup covered with mozzarella cheese. You heard right ,mozzarella cheese. In what world does mozzarella cheese go on shrimp scampi? This establishment clearly does not have a chef. There is no cooking acumen whatsoever contained in the slop they are serving. My wife ate 2 packages of oyster crackers and considered that the highlight of the meal. On a positive note, our sever Connor was Excellent. He was very apologetic and arranged for my dinner as well as 1 Bisque to be deducted from the Check since they were barely touched. Unfortunately we will be crossing Benjamin's off our list. I suggest you do the same.
Haven't been to Benjamin's in 2 years, and it's still the same. The bartender, Andrew, was great. We came on a raw bar Tuesday night, and it wasn't busy. We enjoyed the oyster Rockefeller, Benjamin's linguine, and ribeye steak. Coming back soon.
Best raw seafood spot ever. I eat a lot of raw seafood. Their Oysters and Clams are the best half shells you will ever eat!!!
3 months ago
If you're in Newport, I think this is THE place for oysters. I love their whole day happy hour Tuesdays where oysters are $1.50 each. The only other thing we can rave about is their pan roasted mussels. My boyfriend is in love with it. We also ordered calamari but we didn't like it. It was tasteless. The ambiance is fine where I think the tables are too close to each other but that didn't really bother us. There's also more seating upstairs. Parking is on street and nearby parking lots. read more
4 months ago
10/10! We came for dinner, and each got one of the specials. Lamb Chops, and Stuffed Sole. Everything was so delicious. The rice is some of the best I've ever had. Nice atmosphere in the upstairs restaurant area. The waitress was very nice as well. I'd definitely go back to try more dishes! They had such a great menu it was hard to choose which dish to get! read more
$1.50 HH 12-2 pm. Pic, the Bartender very friendly and gave us tips on where to go. We ordered a hot lobster roll-a little smaller than I expected for $27.95 but It was tasty and we had the fries with malt vinegar. Also ordered a dozen oysters. Sat at the bar in front of the oyster bar. Noise level was normal. read more
There's a downstairs seating that's more dive/sports bar-y with a TV, and an upstairs area with a nicer view and more restaurant vibes. No AC in the summer in the downstairs part. Got the seafood platter, but the shrimp still had the poop chute in it and the mussels were unpleasant. The scallops and fish part were good. Clam chowder was way too salty and watery with a hint of sour aftertaste. Entrees are expensive given the price which is unsurprising for Newport but you can get better seafood for the same price elsewhere. Service was good but a little long. read more
6 months ago
We saw this place while we shopped and decided to come back for dinner and honestly it did not disappoint. Downstairs is a little louder and has more of a bar feel while upstairs is a restaurant feel. When we ordered, we were greeted by a very nice waiter who took our orders. We got the New England clam chowder and Raw Oysters to start with a side of garlic bread. No words can describe how good it was. For dinner, we ordered the hot lobster roll and muscles zuppa style. Overall delicious and fresh. Costs were reasonable and I will return. read more
We were looking for light eats and drinks. We were with my cousin who knew the area - walked into Benjamin's around 4:30. We didn't have a reservation but they had a four top that was perfect for our party of 3. Lauren was quick to bring us water and then take our drink order. Lots of Newport vibes here with nautical themes, Fenway Park signs, lots of Christmas decor. Lots of music, spots on the tv. We loved the food! The calamari app $15 had perfectly fried rings and no tentacles. Yummy marinara served with the calamari. The oysters were shucked well - no shell fragments and all the oysters were freed from the shell. Clams casino are warm and delicious with toasted breadcrumbs. $1.50 each for both oysters and casino. Lauren kept our group happy! read more
8 months ago
Upstairs at Benjamin's did not disappoint! We made a reservation ahead of time and got right in at our time. The dining room was cozy and reminded me of the seafood places we grew up with. They had kids menus ready for ours which is great (some restaurants in Newport aren't so child friendly). The staff worked together to get us what we needed and pre-bus the table in time for our food to come out. We started with the Oysters Rockefeller- one of my faves! I went with a lobster roll with a salad instead of fries and coleslaw. That slaw was some of the BEST I've ever had! The hot lobster roll was good but a little fishy- maybe it needed more butter? The platters were all huge- someone in our group had the stuffed lobster- presentation was beautiful. We will be back! read more
16 days ago
Avoid this place and try another spot. I was actually going to the place next store but stopped here due to their menu and raw bar. Staff is ok.... We were sat fast and then forgotten about. Two other tables came in after us and ordered before us. I finally got my oysters.... They were ok. The food was finally ordered about 45 minutes later. I went with the 1 lb lobster with a side of clam chowder. Clam chowder was barely warm and probably the worst I have ever had. Now, let's get to the real reason for the 1 star. You served me a bad lobster it smelled of ammonia when it arrived and I knew it was bad but I did not want to make a scene. I regret that. I paid and we left. Avoid the hell out of a place were they do not care enough to do the right thing and serve you bad seafood. read more
Love their happy hour/lunch specials! Looking for a place to sit and relax and eat fresh oysters and clams? This is your place!! We got a big plate of oysters and clams and very large shrimp! Also got some Rockefeller cooked oysters and a garlic bread to balance things out. We had a good time with all the food. Raw items were super fresh, the shrimp were nice and big, and the cooked items had good flavor. Yes they had a full menu of other items, but we didn't really look at that. There is a nice bar with good drinks and beers. Our waiter was good too - helpful and funny. It's a great place to stop midday for a fun, fresh lunch! read more
1 year ago
3.5/5 Great spot for oyster happy hour with strong drinks (the margarita packs a punch, and the Newport Sunset is a nice balance). Service was excellent and really made the visit. Food was more hit-or-miss: the fried shrimp were good and tasted super fresh, but the seafood pot pie had overcooked shrimp with the tails still on, which made it tricky to eat. Didn't love the little neck clams. Limited street parking, but the ocean view and the quirky Grand Marnier Club wall of bottles give the place a fun, local charm. read more
3 months ago
Good service, good food. We sat on the table by the window and it was very refreshing without being bothered by passing people or cars. I had the fisherman platter and my husband got a burger. All good, we will be back. read more
1 year ago
My wife and I were in Newport for a mini vacation. We had been here one time in the past and thought it was good. So we decided to return . Bad idea. We started with the island punch, which was actually very good. That's where the highlights end. We then moved onto the lobster bisque. This can best be described as tomato soup with no lobster flavor. To start, the color was a dark murky brown. Unlike any lobster bisque I have ever seen. If I was blindfolded and asked to name what I was eating, lobster bisque would not be my guess. On to the entrees. My wife had the Stuffed Sole. It was supposed to have a cream Sherry sauce stuffed with lobster , scallops and shrimp. None of these items were evident in the dish. In fact, the sherry sauce turned out to be nothing more than retreaded lobster bisque. I had the shrimp scampi with linguine. This dish is quite puzzling. The best way I can describe this is shrimp cocktail over linguine and a bowl of flavorless soup covered with mozzarella cheese. You heard right ,mozzarella cheese. In what world does mozzarella cheese go on shrimp scampi? This establishment clearly does not have a chef. There is no cooking acumen whatsoever contained in the slop they are serving. My wife ate 2 packages of oyster crackers and considered that the highlight of the meal. On a positive note, our sever Connor was Excellent. He was very apologetic and arranged for my dinner as well as 1 Bisque to be deducted from the Check since they were barely touched. Unfortunately we will be crossing Benjamin's off our list. I suggest you do the same. read more
8 months ago
Haven't been to Benjamin's in 2 years, and it's still the same. The bartender, Andrew, was great. We came on a raw bar Tuesday night, and it wasn't busy. We enjoyed the oyster Rockefeller, Benjamin's linguine, and ribeye steak. Coming back soon. read more
11 days ago
6 months ago
Best raw seafood spot ever. I eat a lot of raw seafood. Their Oysters and Clams are the best half shells you will ever eat!!! read more
2 months ago
5 months ago
Service was outstanding!! Our waitress was so attentive and kind. We would come back for her. The stuffed sole was amazing. My lobster roll was a little overcooked but definitely worth eating. The fries and coleslaw were delicious. A must, if you in Newport. read more
4 months ago
I can't say enough about the seafood here. Pretty small seating area inside but we were lucky to get seated right away. Very nice servers too. They were very busy but the servers were hustling and kept up. Our order was correct, hot, and delicious. We had Oysters Rockefeller, Clams Casino, and steamers. Spot on excellent! read more
28 days ago
4 months ago
11 months ago
Great visit. Food was cooked to perfection. You need to get the French fries. Plenty of room in the front too dinning room service was a little slow read more
11 months ago
We popped in for lunch and honestly? Great decision on our part. We started with the clam chowder -- very good, cozy, and exactly what chowder dreams are made of. Then came the hot lobster roll, which was chef's kiss: delicious, warm, and perfectly balanced without drowning in butter (love butter, but I prefer to eat it, not swim in it). We also ordered shrimp and oysters that were so fresh I'm convinced they filled out timecards that morning. The staff was lovely, super helpful, and wonderfully attentive -- the kind of people who make you feel like you've been coming here for years. Overall, highly recommend. We'll be going back very soon... probably sooner than we should admit. read more
9 months ago
1 year ago
Everyone goes to Benjamin's. You will see it packed with happy customers. Great seafood in a comfortable vibe. The Tuesday raw bar special $1.50 oysters is very popular. I have eaten pretty much everything on the menu. It's all great! I love their fish and chips and prime rib dinner. I brought a large group for dinner. Our server was outstanding. Avery was very friendly and helpful when we were deciding what to order. She made us feel that we were part of the Benjamin's family. It's a great place and food is awesome. The whole staff here make this place special. read more
I'm born and raised in Newport and this is one of the places I usually eat at when I visit home. I always eat upstairs not downstairs btw. The lobster bisque may be the best I've ever had, the steamers were magnificent, my wife and daughter loved the oysters. And the seafood past always great too!! My only complaint is we ordered mules and they came in regular glass cups (never had that happen before) & it didn't taste anything like a mule. Other than that this review would've been an easy 5 stars read more
Great seafood restaurant decorated so cute in a nautical theme. We ate on the second floor and had a great view of the Wharf. The service was really good. She took care of us and was so friendly. He ordered the hot lobster roll and I ordered the fish and chips. Both were so good. The portion sizes were so big we couldn't eat it all and to top that the prices didn't break the bank! read more
Stopped by solely for the $1.50 happy hour oysters (12-2 daily) and they were excellent. Expertly shucked fresh in front of me at the bar by Steve, the oysters were sweet and clean tasting. It was quite busy but Steve had a great attitude and patience in dealing with the waiting groups while he also managed the bar and shucked. Worth a visit for sure! read more
The food was amazing. We came in for the raw bar, not knowing about the Tuesday special. I got shrimp & oysters (gluten free) and my hubby got a lobster roll. The happy hour/Tuesday special prices are too good to pass up! read more
5 months ago
Cute little spot for a quick lobster roll and yummy appetizers! We sat on the second floor for a more quiet and relaxing atmosphere - the first floor is more of a bar feel with loud music and a rowdy crowd. The food itself was delicious! Coconut shrimp was to die for and I wish we'd ordered more. The oysters were so tasty and about $3 each. The lobster roll was a tad underwhelming because the bread used became super soggy and could not hold up the lobster. The sides were excellent though, best coleslaw ever and the fried were on point. Compared to other restaurants nearby, this lobster rolls is about $7 cheaper, so that's a win! Change out that bread and it'd be a solid 9/10. read more
The raw oysters were the freshest and tastiest oysters I've ever had. Clam Chowder was very tasty. Fresh Lobster was great. Waitress was very attentive and made sure we were happy with everything. The Bloody Shrimp was delicious. Very cozy establishment on Thames St. read more
1 year ago
This was the only place that wasn't full with reservations at 7:30 on a Saturday on Easter weekend. I thought that meant it might not be as good but I was pleasantly surprised. The fish and chips here was incredible. Truly loved it. My girlfriend got a chicken Caesar and she also loved it. Good pricing and good service. We also got seated immediately. So happy with this choice (We went here in a vlog- Hailey and Kiki on YouTube!) read more
2 years ago
This place is pretty okay, wish it was better. The coconut shrimp was amazing and the service was fast but the lobster roll was not good at all. All my friends and I ordered it and we all agree. The breast was soggy and breaking apart and the lobster roll was not well distributed. Eating upstairs is a much better ambiance! read more
5 months ago
I'm not quite sure where to start, so I'll begin with the positive: our waitress, Olivia, was the absolute best part of the experience. She did everything she could to make things right, and it was clear she genuinely cared. Unfortunately, when the kitchen doesn't get it right or care, there's only so much a server can do -- and that's ultimately what this experience came down to. Olivia even comped our salad without us complaining because she knew our meals weren't right. She handled everything professionally and did her best throughout the night. My husband and I both ordered prime rib cooked medium -- his was the King Cut and mine was the First Mate cut. When the meals arrived, my husband's was barely medium, but mine was completely overcooked with no pink at all. Olivia immediately took it back and brought another piece, but that one was also overcooked. She sent it back again, and the third attempt came out so rare I couldn't eat it. By that point, my husband had nearly finished his meal while I was essentially eating French fries for dinner. At a certain point, how many times can you send back a piece of meat -- especially at a restaurant known for its prime rib? So my husband ate some of mine and I ate some of his so at least I had more than salad and French fries. We had really been looking forward to this dinner. Newport has so many great restaurants, and we chose Benjamin's based on past experiences. Passing up other places for this meal ended up feeling like a mistake, and the entire experience was incredibly disappointing. The only bright spot of the night was Olivia. She was attentive, apologetic, and clearly trying her hardest to fix a situation that was out of her control. So 10 stars for Olivia. 1 for the chef. read more
Stopped in for early dinner. Service was great. The Waterfront Marg was so great. They use Cointreau which I rarely see (its the right way) The herb mussels were superb; i wanted to bring the juice to go to drink it all. The stuffed clams (2) had a nice kick to them. My friend got chicken tenders and fries to go. Nice juicy chicken tenders with honey mustard. Loved it all! Second time we went service was not great we ended up leaving. So it maybe a hit or miss with service. But the food is great. read more
Page 1 of 25
More info about Benjamin's Raw Bar
Benjamin's Raw Bar Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Benjamin's Raw Bar
Hi! Im just wondering if this place have a happy hour on oysters?
Yes they do! See the website for days and times!
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
37 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
4 years ago
12 years ago
9 years ago
4 years ago
6 years ago
4 years ago
4 years ago
1 year ago
10 years ago
12 years ago
15 years ago
9 years ago
12 years ago
9 years ago
7 years ago
12 years ago
11 months ago
9 years ago
8 years ago
