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    Caffe Bon Ami

    4.2 (209 reviews)
    Open 6:30 am - 1:00 pm

    Caffe Bon Ami Photos

    CAFFE BON AMI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for working
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Caffe Bon Ami

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    Cappuccino
    Melanie S.

    10/10! Stopped in on my way back to Pennsylvania, just typed in coffee and this place popped up. I feel so lucky we found this gem, my cappuccino was amazing and the atmosphere was so inviting as were the guest themselves and Mal the owner! He makes this place a must to visit, funny and hospitable; I feel like I stopped to visit a friend for coffee. Highly recommend!

    Amanda M.

    Was in the area so decided to look up cafes in the area and this place seemed charming and cozy. So glad I stopped in, from the moment I stepped foot in the door I was greeted by the owner and treated as if I was family. Unsure as to what to order so I had them just surprise me. It's a true gift and honor to be served the most delicious espresso beverage I have had the pleasure of tasting. You can tell that such art and care goes into each cup. Also got an almond biscotti which I learned was made by his sister. I just love the rustic and family oriented feel this place has.

    Taylor P.

    IFirst time trying this cafe. My friend and I got iced lattes. They were amazing! By far this cafe has the most authentic latte in the state of RI. From the milk to the espresso everything is perfected. The owner was so nice and even let us sample the specialty milk they use. I can't wait to come back and try their signature chai tea latte and crepes. p.s. it is CASH ONLY here

    French bistro feels
    Toni T.

    Stopped in for a coffee almost just as they were closing in a Saturday (the tables and chairs were being collected from the front patio and there was a shop vac in the entryway). We were told the kitchen was closed but we could get any beverage we wanted. Today, that was just an iced coffee, but we could choose dark roast, regular, or French vanilla. The coffee was smooth and delicious and the cafe itself is adorable - this is all perfect, but I'm holding off on a full review until I taste the food! It turns out that the man starting to vacuum is the owner, Malcolm. You'll read mixed things about him here on Yelp but he was really kind to us, and took the time to tell us the story of how he got into brewing/selling coffee (really interesting for a BU Football Hall of Famer who played pro ball for a season with the Pats), and even brought me a sample of an amazing iced turmeric that he claims is even more delicious and complex in flavor served hot. We were the only ones in the cafe, except for Malcolm and two female staff members. We'll be back for the crepes and paninis when it's sure to be busier and we can really test if the great service - and coffee- we had today hold true when it's busy.

    Main Bar
    Cary B.

    Finally stopped at Bon Ami and what a great and dangerous stop. Its a unique cafe Paris decorated. The stars here are the drinks. I got a mocha and husband got turmeric latte. The turmeric latte was so good I hd to go back the following week. The sandwich and crepes were also good. The owner is a true Rhode Islander / local super friendly and fun. Line can get long and its cash only but it doesn't disappoint. Also tried the cookie and crack cake - both delicious and leaving you wanting more

    Decaf soy latte
    Minyan L.

    Accidentally found this gem. If you're looking for a low-key, friendly, delicious, patron-centered cafe , this is it. The owner and staff were wonderful and know what coffee and food is all about! ESPECIALLY the beverages. Don't judge a book by its cover. This place is wonderful, we will definitely be back when we visit RI!

    Hot vanilla chai, and breakfast sandwich w/ egg, spinach, bacon, and gouda
    Lauren H.

    I've lived up the street from this place for 3 years and finally went today! I loved everything about Caffe Bon Ami! Atmosphere is cozy, and filled with all Paris things (love Paris!) the owner Malcom was so wonderful and made sure our first experience was excellent. I got a hot chai, and a breakfast sandwich. Both absolutely amazing- fresh ingredients and very tastey! It seemed everyone who walked in were regulars- and after today's experience, it is clear to me why! I will be back for sure! I can't wait to try what else is on the menu and enjoy the outside seating soon!

    Lattelicious
    Amanda R.

    I love love love love this little cafe in Cranston! The owner is funny attentive knows a lot about chai( he's the chai guy of RI) and it's the best I've ever had! Drive past T's....you heard me do Not stop at T's just a few feet further you find this Gem, with authentic French inspiration! Go and thank me later :)

    Cappuccino
    Percy B.

    What a phenomenal breakfast experience! After a disappointing dinner at another restaurant last night, I visited this restaurant to have a good start to my birthday and it did not disappointment! I ordered the Belgium Waffle, bacon pieces, and a cup of cappuccino. Every bit, flavor, and sip, was exquisite! They may have a small space, but they produce big time flavors, customer service, and five stars restaurant experience.

    Latte with cinnamon and cocoa dusting.

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

    What a find. Visiting in RI and found this gem thanks to Yelp. Spot on yummy crepes. Everything seems made with care.

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Excellent service, excellent food, great conversation from owner! Will be returning to very soon!

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    7 years ago

    Best cafe in the area!! I live down the road and you can't beat the patio in the summer. Plus, everything they sever is delicious!

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    Page 2 of 6

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    Sophia’s Cafe Cranston - Ham and Cheese Empanada

    Sophia’s Cafe Cranston

    4.6(36 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Sophia's Cafe is a small store front that makes delicious Latin foods and does mostly take away…read morebusiness. They have a sunny space at the front where you are welcome to dine-in at one of their half dozen tables for two. We parked in a lot next to the building. Order at the counter or call ahead for pick-up. Above the order counter is a menu without descriptions and as this is my first visit, I needed info. Paper menus are on the counter that include ingredients which was exactly what I was looking for! I had heard their empanadas were very good and that is why I visited. Then I saw the menu and changed my mind to Chimi de Res sandwich. This sandwich was so good. Cool slaw, beef patty, sauce, good bread, all together a pleasant flavor and texture combination. My SO got a steak & Cheese. Not sure what they do differently, but it was very much enjoyed. Fries are crunchy outside, soft inside. Well done. I tried one of their shakes and it was just the right amount of sweet and full of fruit flavor. Excellent. They have a drinks cooler next to the register to grab a bottled beverage too. No steps up to enter the business. Standard glass and metal 'push' type entrance door. I did not see an 'auto open' door feature or a handicap parking spot in the shared lot but there was snow so it's hard to tell at the moment. There is no public restroom. It's tiny and as mentioned, most business is take-away. The staff were super nice. Food is soooo good. For take-away or casual dine-in, this is an excellent stop. I will be back to try those empanada!

    I waited too long to come here. It's dangerously close to my house.. And the chopped cheese goes…read moredown way too easy. Everything you love about a burger slapped in between some crisp bread, add some saucy cheese, and dig in. There's not much else to say about this one other than I really want to try everything else on their menu now. Simple counter service place, but plenty of seating inside if you wanted to eat in.

    Photos
    Sophia’s Cafe Cranston - Ordering counter and menu

    Ordering counter and menu

    Sophia’s Cafe Cranston - Pernil Chimichurri

    Pernil Chimichurri

    Sophia’s Cafe Cranston - Beef and cheese empanadas

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    Beef and cheese empanadas

    Screaming Unicorn - Buffal Caesar Wrap

    Screaming Unicorn

    4.3(22 reviews)
    3.1 miValley

    Holy smokes the unicorn came in screaming while I was enjoying a few beers at the bar. I was…read morestarving until I ordered some wings and pizza and it came out hot n ready. First came the wings, wet and flavorful to the max with an extra dilly ranch and real bacon crumbles. Then came the cupped pepperoni pizza on a wheat crust, greasy but not more than you would like to be. In previous visits I have had the BLT and mushroom banh mi to which I also cannot rave enough about. Get out of your house and grab a beer at Buttonwoods and food at Screaming Unicorn so you know what it's like to live a life full of hops and flavor!

    It's been a while since I've dropped in around here, first time here since Buttonwoods took over…read moreand screaming unicorn was manning the food. RI food fights brought me in and you don't get access to the whole sandwich menu here, unfortunately you have to pick between their "Mushroom Bahn MI" and their "Screaming BLT". I went with the BLT since I wasn't feeling the vegan option. The description was "chili-hoisin glazed bacon | sliced tomato baby greens tomato jam | dill pickle pickled red onion chipotle aioli toasty thick-sliced white bread". Honestly, it was underwhelming. It had some tasty components but it was pretty average. The bacon was terribly weak. It was probably frozen precooked bacon that is heated and brushed with a hoisen glaze. I was hoping for some thick cut glazed almost candied bacon. Their avg. sandwich was around $16-17. If paying for that, I'd be left pretty disappointed. On top of that, it probably took around 35-40 minutes to get the sandwich. Again, pretty okay sandwich, the pickled onion, tomato jam and Chipotle aioli elevated things, but it's in vain with the bacon they use. Their other sandwiches sound good, so it's possible I'll visit to try them out at some point but can't see myself running back here after my impression with this BLT.

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    Screaming Unicorn
    Screaming Unicorn
    Screaming Unicorn

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    Sonia's Near East Market & Deli - Pita chip and hummus

    Sonia's Near East Market & Deli

    4.6(290 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    I visited here after Sonia's Deli had their renovation and I love the look of it! I love the…read moretraditional rug wallpaper they have on the wall, it really gives it an authentic Armenian look. The art on the walls are also a great touch as well as the sitting area with backgammon available to play. I also love the food and drinks they have in the grocery section. I do wish they had more selections to choose from though. In terms of more options of Russian/Armenian food like deli meat, dairy products, smoked fish, fruits/veggies, candy, cookies, juice... The prices here are steep, it's a big reason as to why I don't shop here often. It's a shame because I would love to support an Armenian business.

    The food here is absolutely incredible & full of flavor. It is one of those places you keep coming…read moreback to because everything is consistently fresh & delicious. The staff is warm & engaging. My go-to is the supreme gyro: perfectly seasoned gyro meat, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, red onions, feta cheese & banana peppers topped with creamy tzatziki sauce & wrapped in warm Greek flatbread. Every bite is the perfect mix of savory, tangy & fresh. You can really tell the ingredients are high quality & prepared with love! They also have a wonderful specialty market filled with great spices, specialty ingredients & unique items you won't always find elsewhere. Be sure to try the halva - they carry it in several different flavors & it is yummi & unique. The baklava is also outstanding. Both are the perfect sweet treat to take home after an amazing meal! NOM NOM NOM #YUM

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    Sonia's Near East Market & Deli - Market

    Market

    Sonia's Near East Market & Deli
    Sonia's Near East Market & Deli

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    The Big Cheese & Pub

    The Big Cheese & Pub

    4.3(429 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    This place is great ... you can tell not too much has changed since the 1970's and unintentional…read moreretro/vintage is my thing. This place could be so perfect with only a couple small changes! - There are white flourescent style lights on the ceiling. This really kills the vibe. It's almost like the top of the restaurant and the bottom don't match. You have cozy, 70's style wood paneling with dark wooden booths and stained glass lights hanging over the tables. Warm, cozy and intimate. Then, bright white lights above. I'd love to eat here with those bright lights turned off sometime. - Probably not economical but red checkered tablecloths, like vintage Italian restaurants used to have would make this place look like a movie set in a good way. That being said, everything else about this place is cool ... you know a good spot by how many regulars are there and everyone seemed to know everyone else by name on a Tuesday night. It wasn't crowded ... but it wasn't empty on an off-night. - The staff is exceptionally good. The waitress and hostess couldn't have been any sweeter and more helpful. Fast refills on the soft drinks and helpful without being intrusive. - The pizza is good. I have to admit, I am not sold on the cheddar cheese vs. mozzarella. I thought it would give the cheese an interesting, sharper taste but it seemed a bit bland. I will do the Italian-style next time with mozzarella. I liked my pizza but there was just something different about it. The crust is Greek-style ... kind of like the old Pizza Hut, when it was actually made fresh. Back in the 1980's and 90's there was nothing better than a golden, buttery light and crisp pizza crust from Pizza Hut, before the brand went to shit. This reminds me of that goodness of 1980's pizza crust. I'm not a thin crust guy ... but if you are, they have a thinner crust on the menu as well. Topping was good, maybe a bit spicier pepperoni would be a bit better ... toppings are a tad expensive for a few slices of pepperoni. A 3-topping pizza adds around $5. The small is good for two-people with light/moderate appetites. I wouldn't be able to eat a small and a salad by myself. Speaking of the salad ... one of the best regular house salads I've ever had. The dressing is amazing ... tangy, salty, perfectly done. I know it's hard to get all worked up over a standard Italian dressing but often the simplest things in cooking are the hardest to get right ... and they get the dressing right! Also, the lettuce was super fresh and the tomatoe slices were as well. The only issue I had was there was no 'side salad' version. There was a 'small' salad for around $8 ... but that could easily feed 2 - 4 people. Overall, this place gets just about everything right. It doesn't change or modernize. It's portions are great ... the food is very good ... prices maybe a bit high compared to other spots ... but you can tell they don't cut corners and everything is freshly made. The bar is where I'd want to sit normally ... but the seats are very close together and I didn't want to be elnow to elbow with strangers, so I snagged a small booth, which was also fine. The customers seemed nice ... but they all seemed very 'Cranston'. If they could deal with the lighting situation and make it less bright, I'd eat here 2 times per week. You can't beat a classic ... and this place is a classic.

    One of my favorite pizzas in Rhode Island. I love the old school, no frills ambiance and classic…read morehometown friendly service. They also have one of my favorite salad dressings- I would go there for that alone! I can't recommend this place enough- the delicious food and comforting vibes keep me coming back!

    Photos
    The Big Cheese & Pub
    The Big Cheese & Pub - Pepperoni, mushroom & olive pizza

    Pepperoni, mushroom & olive pizza

    The Big Cheese & Pub

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    Lou Umberto's Italian Kitchen

    Lou Umberto's Italian Kitchen

    4.4(86 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $

    This place makes the neighborhood even more Italian somehow. I ride by before they open and smell…read morethen cooking everyday....and it smells so good! Great place to go with someone who has different taste than you because the selection is vast, even different style of pizza but stay away from the white Italian one, it's addictive. My problem is that I want all of it. Even their drink variety is impressive. Don't have to read menus at all. You can walk in, see the long glass food fridge and point while grunting. Everyone else does Also, don't tell the Original Italian Bakery, the pizza chips are better here

    Cutting Crew was playing over the speakers…read more At an Italian deli with a brick oven and an Italian flag hanging in the front window. (I Just) Died in Your Arms, 1986. Whitney Houston a few minutes earlier. Taylor Dayne before that. Huey Lewis somewhere in the rotation too. Somebody behind that counter was a kid in the late eighties and built the playlist around the songs they grew up with while the food their grandparents brought over from Italy came out of the oven twenty feet away. Lou Umberto opened this place in 2017 after graduating from Johnson and Wales. His family is from Cerreto Sannita, a hill town in Campania. He set up shop on Cranston Street, just outside Knightsville, on the edge of one of the oldest Italian neighborhoods in the city. Lauren and I went on a Monday afternoon. Gray skies. One of those quiet Rhode Island days where lunch slowly becomes dinner without anybody announcing the transition. Before we got inside, one of the guys working there was helping an elderly woman through the side door and walking her back toward her car with her groceries. That told me most of what I needed to know. Walk in and the room is doing four jobs at once without any of them getting in the others' way. Shelves stacked with imported groceries. Rummo pasta. Loacker wafers. Baci chocolates. Bottles of olive oil lined up beside jars of tomatoes and peppers. Along the opposite wall sits a long deli case full of prepared food. Eggplant parm. Broccoli rabe. Pasta in vodka sauce. Stuffed banana peppers. Pasta salad. Roasted vegetables. Then the bakery case. Tomato pie cut in squares with red sauce all the way to the edge and enough seasoning on top to perfume the whole counter. Potato pizza. Calzones. Spinach pies stacked on black trays. The kind of food that makes people walk in for one thing and leave with six. Near the front, bags of pizzelle tied shut with twist ties sat on a wire rack underneath a hanging sign that read Welcome Family and Friends. Normally signs like that feel decorative. This one didn't. And behind all of it, through the opening in the back, sat the brick oven. That being said. The pizza. The pepperoni pie came out raised on a metal stand by the window, the Italian flag moving outside in the gray afternoon behind it. Good looking pizza immediately. No stunt toppings. No overloaded nonsense. Just confidence. The pepperoni was placed, not dumped. Natural casing cups charred dark at the edges. Maybe fifteen slices total across the whole pie. Somebody understood restraint. The crust landed somewhere just outside classic New York style. Slightly thicker, but only enough to give the inside some chew. The outer rim puffed up high in spots and blistered dark from the oven. Flour still clung to the bottom and the back edge from the peel. The sauce tasted bright and barely cooked. In some bites it pushed forward sharp and fresh. In others it melted completely into the cheese. Sometimes all you tasted was crust, and that worked too. The cheese browned into amber patches across the surface that pure mozzarella usually doesn't create by itself. Probably some provolone mixed in there. I didn't ask. I should have asked. And the slice held beautifully. Crisp underneath. Enough structure to fold slightly at the front without collapsing. You could see the care in it immediately. Nothing rushed. Nothing overloaded. Nothing trying too hard. Just a very good neighborhood pizza made by people who seem to understand exactly what kind of place they want this to be. The kind of place where somebody helps an elderly woman through the side door before getting back to work. The kind of place that makes you think living nearby might not be the worst idea in the world. Don't forget to grab a bag of pizzelle on the way out.

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    Lou Umberto's Italian Kitchen
    Lou Umberto's Italian Kitchen
    Lou Umberto's Italian Kitchen

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    Catanzaro's Pizzeria Cranston - Eggplant Parmesan sandwich

    Catanzaro's Pizzeria Cranston

    4.3(195 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    This was the first time for me, and I was beyond excited. I run a local pizza group and so many of…read morethem told me this was THE BEST and I was ready to experience that for myself. The first thing you notice when you walk in is the counter, then the oven behind a wall of pizza boxes stacked high and ready for service. In front of that wall stood a smiling face. She warmly greeted us and let us know to seat ourselves in the dining room. The bartender was also the dining room server and came over to take care of us. She was a treasure. Every time she came over she brought with her a smile, an anecdote and loads of charm. We ordered a meatball each, then a medium pizza with pepperoni, half olive. While we waited, I checked out the space. At first the place seems small, but it has high ceilings and bright lights that show how much space is actually inside. Beautiful bar, tables of different seating sizes and some cozy booths tucked into the corner shaped perfectly for close conversation. The meatball took no time to arrive, served with a garlic breadstick made from Buono's bread, a local bakery favorite if you did not already know. The meatball was tender, it reminded me of the meatballs my grandfather used to make growing up, and that's when I knew I was in the right place. The sauce was chunky, thick enough to scoop onto the bread. I cleaned my plate, my mother would be proud. Then the moment I had been waiting for: the pizza. It arrived scalding hot and smelling like heaven. I could see the crispy cheese on the edges of the crust and the generosity of the toppings. I am not a patient woman when it comes to pizza so I braved the lava like sauce and took a bite. And understood why so many love Catanzaro's. The thick crust and tangy-sweet sauce combining with the cheese, pepperoni and olive created a moment of sensory excellence. It was a study in Sicilian done well and I can absolutely say the group choosing this spot for Best Sicilian in Rhode Island was well deserved. While we were eating, I noticed one of the owners, Anthony, by the bar. He made his way around to every table. Some people he knew, some he did not. But he spoke to everyone with the same good-natured, welcoming approach. The reputation of Italian hospitality is well known, and Anthony is a terrific continuation of that. When he got to our table, I had the chance to introduce myself to him and explain further what we're trying to do here with our pizza community group. He was immediately excited about what we are trying to build. He and his wife Lauren - great name - love the community we are growing. Outside of the rainy weather, I couldn't have asked for a better beginning to this Best of RI trip based on our group votes. I was happy to connect with another iconic Rhode Island pizzamaker and experience his craft first hand.

    Wednesday. 5:30. The parking lot was busy…read more That told me everything I needed to know before I ever opened the door. The kitchen at Catanzaro's Pizza is open and you can see everything being made from your table. Three people, each one perfect at exactly what they were doing, moving together like a tight jazz trio, every action landing exactly where it needed to. Metronomic precision. And then our server arrived. After I finished my first Mountain Dew I told her to just bring me two more cans so I wouldn't have to bother her later for a third. She said she wanted to keep them cold for me and didn't mind coming back again as needed. Like Radar O'Reilly, she was there every time before I knew I needed her. She could not have been any more friendly, warm, or gracious. It was like eating at your best friend's house, the dinner her cool mom made, the one where you always hoped you'd get invited back. First, the meatballs. One meatball each, served in a pool of sauce it had been simmering in all day, dusted with grated cheese, a wedge of garlic bread there to catch what spills over. Big enough to be an appetizer by itself. And it was the most tender, delicious meatball I've eaten in recent memory. Moist all the way through. No dry pockets. No tough exterior where someone got impatient with the heat. This was a meatball that someone thought about. The sauce it was served in smelled almost impossibly good when it hit the table. And it tasted better than it smelled. It tasted like your grandmother made it. (Assuming she was Italian, knew what she was doing, and loved you enough to get it right.) Anthony, the owner, came over and talked with us for a while. Some owners do that as performance. Anthony does it because he actually wants to know if everything is right. There's a difference when you are passionate about serving your customers as well as you can every time, and you can feel it. Then. The pizza. Catanzaro's does Sicilian. Not the thick, doughy kind that puts you to sleep. This is its own creature, a rectangle with serious intentions, baked in a well-seasoned pan, with a crust that's golden and crisp and an interior that's chewy and pillowy and herbaceous in a way that makes you stop mid-bite and reconsider every other place you thought was in your top five before this. The sauce is tangy. Bright. Lightly sweet in the way a good tomato is sweet, not the way a corporate kitchen adds sugar to cover its sins. The cheese pulls. The pepperoni cups and chars at the edges, pooling in the middle, because the oven is hot. This is substantial pizza. Filling pizza. Fantastic pizza. I walked in a stranger on a busy Wednesday night in Cranston. I'm already planning when I'm coming back to see my new friends.

    Photos
    Catanzaro's Pizzeria Cranston
    Catanzaro's Pizzeria Cranston
    Catanzaro's Pizzeria Cranston

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    Caffe Bon Ami - bakeries - Updated May 2026

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