We were excited to stumble upon this restaurant during our stroll through town, and it turned out to be a fantastic find. The stone crab was incredible--large, juicy, and perfectly prepared. The tuna crudo was exceptionally fresh and absolutely delicious. The service was outstanding: attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, making the entire experience even more enjoyable. The atmosphere was clean, crisp, and inviting, creating the perfect setting for a great meal. Having tried four clam chowders today this one is by far the best. Consistency , flavor and preparation a ten. We finished the night with their key lime pie. Omg absolutely outstanding. This is definitely a must-try restaurant, and we'll be looking forward to returning on our next visit. read more

Claw & Hammer - Seafood Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

This is another addition from the group that is taking over most of Newport on Thames. It is in the old Scales and Shells space. The ambience is nice. The food was all good. Everything was fresh and tasty. Our server did not check in to see how things were or if he could get us anything and did not add my Loyalty number to my check, but otherwise it was decent. Would I go back? Maybe. There are so many places in Newport; I really want the service to be stellar and it was sort of lacking here. read more

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Perfection from start to finish! Had a friend in town that had a hankering for seafood and had not been into Claw & Hammer yet so figured we would give it a try and super glad we did! Great selection of drinks between beer, wine and cocktails to kick it off with some starters. The Coal Fired Octopus was fresh with perfect level of char to enjoy between a party of two. The smoked fish board was an excellent combo of smoked fish pate, bread and dijon to close out the appetizer round. Debated grabbing individual items or going for a combo for two and settled on the later to enjoy. The Grand Island Reserve was a perfect combination of lobster, stone crab claw, mussels, scallops and little necks nestled in an amazing broth. Even had a side of hot butter to dip or pour over as needed. This comes with two sides (of note can't get any of the mac and cheeses with this) and grabbed the tallow fries and charred broccolini both very fresh and delicious. After a hot towel with lemon clean up from the feast turned our eyes to the dessert menu and had to try some of the homemade pie. Glad we had a little room left as both the key lime and coffee pie were amazingly good. The service from start to finish was impeccable! Hostesses provided warm welcome, server was on point with great recommendations all around, table was consistently bussed to even clean the shell bowl a couple times along with various staff and even the chef checking in to see how the meal was progressing. As the season picks up, highly recommend setting a reservation, which was super easy from their website, to ensure your party can enjoy a great night out to enjoy some fresh seafood! Don't pass this one up!! read more

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Located on a strip with many different types of restaurants. Great seafood spot. Many different options. They are accommodating with dietary restrictions - aswell. Inside has nice decor. Seafood is fresh. Raw and cooked seafood is available. Cold and hot lobster rolls are offered. They offer alcoholic drinks and mocktails. A great taste of what Newport has to offer. read more

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Located where Scales & Shells used to be, this brand new restaurant is already wowing patrons with top tier food. My friends and I decided to give it a shot and we were all thoroughly impressed. Ambience is slightly upscale and impressive in its own right. Waitstaff was friendly and energetic. I started off with the lobster bisque. If you get this dish and wonder why you're getting a small bowl with a tiny bit of ingredients in it, they finish the dish tableside by pouring the soup base into the bowl in front of you. Sensational from the first bite to the last. Creamy, savory, not too salty or fishy. Masterfully balanced. I relished this. Then for the main course I got the lobster parpadelle. This tased like it was made by the personal chef of a royal family. Tender lobster, a special saffron cream sauce, a hint of onion, a bit of spice from the pepper strings on top. Luxury dining at its finest. There are many excellent mainstays in Newport, RI where you can get an amazing meal every time, but this new kid on the block has some serious claws. Try it. You won't regret it in the slightest. read more

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What a wonderful way to spend our first night in Newport. From the minute we walked into the restaurant we felt welcomed and were very impressed by the elegant, yet laid back vibe. Our waiter, Allistar and his partner Khalili took great care of us throughout the evening with good food recommendations, attentive service and thoughtful interaction. Food came out quickly, but not rushed and the place was busy. A sign of a well run establishment. But make no mistake: the food was the star. I highly recommend going to Claw and Hammer on your next trip to Newport. read more

This was our 1st visit to Claw & Hammer ~ to start, we ordered Pearls and Bubbles & the Dockside Tower, both were super fresh and delicious. I had the lobster/pasta special ... presentation, portion size, homemade pasta, incredible flavors, ...just wow. The dessert special, a fresh peach sorbet on a bed of peaches and fresh cream was the perfect end to an amazing meal. Our server Darius was great - fun, knowledgeable, and attentive. This could be my new favorite spot in Newport. read more

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We loved it! The lobster tails for 2 were perfect. 1.5lb tail meat and two sides, the perfect amount for the both of us. The spritzers were really good too! read more

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We were here for opening night and the restaurant is well laid out and very comfortable. We had the Grand Island Reserve shareable dinner with mashed potatoes and carrots. Service was phenomena andl people were extremely friendly and helpful. The Tuna Crudo was an excellent way to start. They have a very good wine menu as well. This will be a regular stop for us! read more

Claw & Hammer - This is the Grand Island Reserve after we dove into it. - Seafood Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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Excellent food. Fish dishes were outstanding. Maria was attentive and provided lots of info. Would dine here again.

The ambulance. Staff, service really fine selections and actual food was totally delicious!! Best of luck. This is a great food find!! Totally all around a positive evening there. read more

Very nice staff and good service but the food needs some help. The halibut was tough and needs a little more sauce. It was dry. The risotto was quite good. The crab claws were fine but pretty hard to mess those up. There should be some more menu items especially more seafood options. There also should be a lobster for one. At this point there's only lobster for two. Also the price point is quite steep at this restaurant which is surprising since it's supposed to be a casual place. Also the portions are not overly large considering the prices. They should probably come with more sides included. read more

Enjoyed opening night at Claw and Hammer, formerly Scales and Shells. Beautiful interior and very welcoming staff. We were greeted with a glass of prosecco. Started with a delicious Crab Cake along with a Crispy Maitake Mushroom dish. Main course was a Crab Encrusted Halibut, with a side of Roasted Corn Succotash, and Lobster Pappardelle with plenty of Lobster. Both dishes were delicious and plentiful. Ended with a slice of Banana Cream Pie. Absolutely worth the visit. Alastair was our server and very attentive. read more

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Things started off rocky with the hostess, we had a reservation that they sent me confirmations and reminders multiple times. There was one other couple in the restaurant a little after 5. She asked if we minded sitting at the bar, we were like ok. I think since we were from out of town she didn't think we mattered. It was the seat by the door so every time it opened, I got frozen. Again, there was no one else sitting in there. By the time we left, the bar was full and the dining room was maybe a quarter! Well beyond that, our waitress was great, along with all the other staff. They brought out a complementary spoon of crab salad. That was nice. I had a Chianti with the saffron lobster pasta. Delicious. Hubs had a beer with the lobster roll, excellent. We finished with the key lime pie. Nice size and great flavor. Aside from the seating. It was excellent. read more

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First, the quality of the food was top notch. Scallops were done perfectly and super high quality. Their succotash was amazing. I got the medium size stone crab order , and found the crab delicious, and the three sauces very tasty. Their crab is cracked and prepped for you, so no hammers, no work. You just have to eat it. I think the menu should clarify this, so folks know this is not a crab shack type place, but a fine restaurant. Our service was perfect, friendly, and helpful. The feel of the place is relaxed upscale, pleasant without snobbery. I can't think of anything bad to say about this place. I plan to eat here every time I'm in Newport...( usually twice a year). read more

We found ourselves on a weekend adventure, exploring the local culinary scene with a mission to savor the finest appetizers. Despite encountering a mix of hits and misses along the way, our journey led us to an unexpected gem. This hidden spot, unnoticed by others, caught our eye with its display of fresh stone crabs, beckoning us to step inside. Curiosity piqued, I couldn't resist the temptation to sample their offerings. As connoisseurs accustomed to the elegance of Las Vegas dining, we were pleasantly surprised by the meticulous attention to detail in this quaint establishment. From the pristine decor to the well-arranged table settings, every aspect exuded sophistication. The bar, a haven for whiskey enthusiasts, boasted an impressive selection, complemented by a discerning choice of wines. Even the restrooms reflected a thoughtful design. Unlike the lackluster options in the vicinity, this place set the bar high, ensuring that each dish surpassed expectations. The stone crab, a true delight, outshone even the tempting lobster roll. As we eagerly awaited the clam chowder to complete our taste test, it became evident that this culinary experience was a cut above the rest. With the manager's impeccable attire and the attentive staff, the atmosphere exuded a five-star charm. For those seeking a culinary masterpiece, this hidden treasure comes highly recommended. read more

Claw & Hammer - The amazing manager and my wonderful fiancé, enjoying a great Stone, crab and wine snack - Seafood Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

We were a group of nine, five checks. The server handled it well and was pleasant, but not very attentive. Cocktails, mostly glasses of wine, took 15 minutes to be served. Four of us had lobster- one lobster mac and cheese, two lobster rolls, one lobster pappardelle. In each case the lobster was mushy like it had been frozen then thawed, everyone commented that theirs tasted fishy and not like a fresh lobster that Newport restaurants are known for. Three of the four could not eat theirs. The lobster rolls included buns that were not cut into so the small amount of lobster piled on made them look larger than they actually were, very skimpy on the meat. Rather than simply charge for a cocktail, for a liquor ordered "neat" they increased the price by 20%. There are other restaurant groups that provide consistent quality, better to patronize them. read more

Amazing food and incredible service. Large stone crabs were the freshest I've ever had and I have a house in Florida so I have had plenty of stone crabs in my day! Oysters were fresh and incredible. Halibut with crab oscar was decadent and the flavors were absolutely perfect. Wife loved the sesame tuna, absolutely beautiful. The service was absolutely immaculate, you can tell this staff was trained properly and knows how to create a great experience. 10 stars very well done!!! Must try! read more

TLDR: not fresh food, clearly frozen Sysco ingredients, messy service, and thus not worth the price. I grew up eating at Scales and Shells, the legendary restaurant that used to be here. Claw and Hammer does not hold a candle to it. Clams casino were soggy and very not fresh- might get food poisoning.. we'll find out soon. Oysters were average- not as good as other places nearby. Lobster roll had little meat, was filled with a measly portion of 2 day old lobster salad. Fries on the side were clearly Sysco frozen fries. Total and utter disappointment. The old restaurant was a classic- chalkboard menu with only the freshest produce, classic preparations, and always delicious. Nothing fancy, just real fresh food cooked by a great team. You used to be able to watch them cook your food right there on the open grill and would hear the chefs yelling for service in the background. It was a real restaurant that served real, simple, authentic, fresh Italian inspired New England seafood. Claw and Hammer is none of these things. read more

Some of the best seafood we've ever had in Rhode Island. Great raw bar. The stone crab claws are worth a trip just by themselves. Very professional and friendly service. Well designed restaurant. Lively atmosphere but you can still have a conversation with your dining partners. read more

The food was first class and service was very attentive. Very nice warm and comfortable with good acoustics.