A chic, modern seafood restaurant with a variety of raw and hot selections. Lots of oysters to choose from, and most of them are local from RI. Our knowledgeable server helped recommend the types that we'd like, as they knew the specifics about each type of oyster. $2 for happy hour is a deal!! Another must‑try dish is the raw scallops. Not only is it beautifully plated, the taste is intricate with the sesame oil mixed with fresh raw scallops. Btw, they have sake on tap! read more

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After visiting RISD on their free Sundays, my friend and I were looking for a place to eat, preferably something refreshing and not too heavy. We decided on the Gift Horse and circled around a couple of times to find street parking (which is also free on Sundays). At the time that we went in, all spots were busy, but we were directed to their standing bar area where we could order a drink and hang out while something became available. Literally 2 minutes later, something freed up. I started with their Silver Spring cocktail ($15) which was very good - refreshing and slightly sweet. For food, we ordered a crudo plate ($18) with a side of sourdough bread ($6), followed by oysters ($18), then the lamb burger ($22), and lastly the crispy piri piti fish (MP - $40). The crudo plate was one of our favorites. We enjoyed all the cuts of fish it came with, but our favorite was the yellowfin tuna as it was firm and flavorful. The toppings of olive oil, capers, onions, etc. were the perfect touch. The sourdough was simply toasted and buttered but oh so good. They have a happy hour for oysters from 4-5 PM where they're only $2 instead of $3 but we missed the window by a little. There is a half dozen order minimum so we did two Quonnie, two Great Salt Pond, and two Wild Goose. That's the order in which we ranked them, from best to less best. The Quonnie were smaller, but they were flavorful and the Great Salt Pond were big and meaty. All were very fresh. There are three sauces to choose from, but we went with the GH Fermented Green Chili Hot Sauce. The RI Lamb Burger was incredibly good. It was advertised as a Bulgarian style burger so we asked about the difference between Bulgarian and I guess American and it came down to the spices used. We enjoyed how juicy and well-seasoned the meat was. I loved the contrast between sweet (pepper jelly and fried onions) and salty (feta). The bread seemed homemade; it was light and fluffy and had a healthy amount of sesame seeds. The crispy piri piri fish came out last and it was not what we were expecting. My friend didn't enjoy it as much, but I liked it. The fish was battered for a crispy finish and sat over a piri piri sauce with two rolls, mustard greens, and potatoes. The piri piri sauce was tasty, not too spicy, with a thicker consistency. The rolls seemed like they were made in house; they were slightly buttery and soft. The mustard greens were good. The potatoes were similar to home fries with onions. The staff was very helpful and explained the food after delivering it. Ambiance is good. read more

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Stopped in here on a Monday while visiting Providence for work. It's a cozy little place with a big oyster bar in the center. The oyster bar is impressive and I sat at the bar behind it where I enjoyed watching the gentleman work on shucking. What a great experience. I was very hungry after a long day of traveling so I tried 3 stone crab claws, fish dip, and crispy oysters to start. The crab was okay, they were smaller than expected and didn't have much meat. The fish dip is phenomenal with unique chips unlike anything I've ever had. The crispy oysters were very flavorful and very tasty. I finished this amazing meal with a scallop roll that came on a pillowy toasted bun. It was excellent and satisfying. read more

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It's a scene. We stopped by on a Monday night, but the place was still hopping. We snagged three seats at the bar and indulged in oysters and cocktails. While the drink list looked interesting, I prefer a dry vodka martini and chose from a list of unfamiliar vodkas. Dry martini ordered; dry martini delivered. We were fortunate to be seated in front of the shucking station and had a lively conversation with a seasoned pro preparing the oysters. The Fox Island oysters - from a relatively new aquaculture development located at the eponymous island in the West Bay of Narragansett were our favorite for their deep cups and minerality. The french fries with GH spice were hot, crisp and spicy and fried pickled onions were salty and savory. Both accompanied the couple dozen oysters well and kept us ordering drinks. Post-oysters and cocktails we moved on to SOTT for a satisfying Korean dish with cold beers, but that's another review! If you are looking for a scene with beautifully shucked oysters and some intriguing apps, Gift Horse is worth a spin. Three people, two rounds, 24 oysters and a tip were just shy of $200. read more

What a sweet little spot! The freshest , most plump oysters I've had in a long time- love the staff, ambience and the food! The fries are crisp and seasoned to perfection and the drinks are expertly crafted. I highly recommend this beautiful, intimate spot and I can't wait to try more of their brilliant food! read more

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Delicious, fresh and plump oysters with tasty, well-seasoned fries and a nice cold beer- what more is there to say? Friendly service in a cozy atmosphere! Would definitely recommend sitting at the bar for some freshly shucked oysters and clams- they also have great cocktails if that's your thing. Would love to go back and try more of their food. *oysters are $2 during happy hour (4-5pm), not a bad deal considering the quality! read more

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We walked in on a Thursday around 5pm and the place was already bumping, with almost all of the seats taken. Luckily, we were able to sit right away and didn't have to wait at this tiny restaurant that does not take reservations. It's really cute in here, decorated minimally, and very modern. Most of the space is taken up by the oyster bar, so it's a huge focal point. You can sit around this bar or one of the outer tables. It's a bit tight in here but it's worth it. The service is incredible, with super friendly people. I will admit I wasn't a fan of our server, he seemed to not like us and made me feel weird, like he was judging us and super didn't care for us, but everyone else was spectacular. I appreciated that they clean the table while you're sitting there before dessert or the check. This is a touch lost by a lot of modern restaurants and I'm glad they still do it here. The food and drink here is amazing. It's seasonal so the menu seems to change a lot. Everything we ate was top notch, prepared beautifully and absolutely delicious. Of course, the oysters and the accompanying sauces were fantastic but the thing I'll think about for quite some time, the thing that is making my mouth water right this moment? The sugar kelp salad. I considered ordering another bowl, it was that good. The only thing that I didn't like was one of the desserts but I'm super picky about desserts, so I'll let that pass. read more

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AMAZING, as always. The drinks are innovative and delicious. The seafood is fresh and light. The service is always impeccable. The space is beautiful and welcoming. You really can't go wrong. The oysters are a must have; I always decide how many I want and ask the server for suggestions on which ones to get. Some other favorites are the crudo plate, the smoked fish dip, and the scallop roll! The drinks are also great; there's a wide variety so my suggestion is to pick what you find the most interesting! read more

Gift Horse - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Great food, great service. Best oysters I've ever had, awesome drinks and friendly attentive staff.

Love this place. We do not live locally but do our best to visit Providence when we can, and always stop in as it's always good. Service is always great. We hope to be back soon read more

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I tried Gift Horse during Providence Restaurant Week and was really pleasantly surprised. I went in with high expectations after it was announced as a James Beard award winner, and somehow it lived up to them--which is no small feat. It's a small restaurant, so I'd recommend going with a small group or, if you have six people, reserving their one large table. Date night at the bar is perfect. Best chance at a table is right when they open at 5pm, but if you don't get in immediately, there's cute shopping nearby to kill some time. Food-wise, everything we had was fantastic. The raw scallops were the standout--amazing flavor, texture, and freshness. My girlfriend, who normally doesn't even like seafood, loved them. The menu changes often based on what's seasonal, but they always have a fantastic oyster selection. I'm personally not an oyster fan, but my friends who are think this is the best spot for variety and freshness. Dessert was well-balanced and delicious, and the drinks were strong and flavorful. The staff gave great recommendations. It is a bit pricey, and portions are on the smaller side, so you might get hungry later--but the quality makes it worth it. Overall, one of the best seafood spots Providence has to offer. I'd highly recommend it to any seafood lover. read more

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I've been a fan of Benjamin Sukle & his restaurants since I moved to Rhode Island. I've had spectacular meals at both Oberlin & birch. I walk by Gift Horse all the time & it is always hopping. The combo of Providence Restaurant Week & the newly minted James Beard Foundation award-winning chef, Sky Haneul Kim, finally made us go! Gift Horse only takes reservations for six or more, happy hour is from 4pm-5pm & Providence Restaurant Week starts at 5pm (restaurant opens at 4pm). Hubby went at 4:30pm to score a table as I was running late. By 5pm, every seat at the bar & every table was full! We treated ourselves by doing a mix of regular menu items & Providence Restaurant Week menu. We started with $2 buck a shuck from the happy hour menu. All oysters were from Rhode Island & we ordered East Beach Blondes (Ningret Pond-Charlestown), Point Judith Pearls (Pt. Judith Pond), Portsmouth Salts (Sakonnet River) & Rough Waters(West Passage-Narragansett). My favorite Portsmouth Salts, hubby's fav Rough Waters. From the regular menu, we ordered the Smoked Fish Dip, Preserved Calabrian Peppers, Puffed Nori Chips. I want another serving of this right now! It was perfection on a plate. Loved the drizzle of calabrian peppers & the herbaceousness of the oil. Every bite was an adventure! From the PRW menu, I ordered the Crudo Plate, Raw Fish, Herb Capers, Onion, Arbequina Olive Oil. Fish in the photo (l-r): fluke, blue fish, blue tuna. Initially, I was wondering why so much olive oil but it really was a great addition to the fish. Loved the addition of toppings so every bite was special. Should have ordered a second one so I didn't have to share! Hubby selected the Chef's choice: 1/2 dozen oysters from the raw bar (cuz there is no such thing as too many oysters!). Walrus & Carpenter "Dutchies" & Seakist oysters, both West Passage in Narragansett. These were our favorite oysters of the six we tried. From the regular menu, we ordered the Monkfish Toast, Piri Piri. In my mind, I had envisioned this dish differently - more like caviar on toast. First bite without dipping in the sauce was meh. Second bite with it was yummi. I really loved how crispy crunchy the toast was compared to the creamy monkfish on the inside. There were two PRW options for the main course. Hubby selected Littleneck Clam Naengmyeon, Cold Noodles, Joetgal, Cucumber, Gochujang Broth. Everything was thoughtfully put together & so well balanced with nuance. Gift Horse makes the noodles in-house. Do any of my foodies/chefs know what these would be similar to at an Asian grocery store? Thinner than udon but with the same delightful chewiness. I selected the Bulgogi Burger, Fried Egg, Cooper Sharp Cheese, Lettuce, Sesame Bun. This would not have been my choice but since there were only two entree options, I ordered this one. This burger would be great late night after a few cocktails! From the PRW menu, I ordered the Chocolate Ice Cream, Marshmallow, Rosette Cookie. An elevated s'mores experience. So good! Hubby selected the Brown Sugar Semifreddo, Lemon, Toasted Soy, Dalgona. We were kinda full by the time dessert was served & we didn't love the semifreddo so we took it home & stuck it in the freezer to make it more ice cream like for another taste tonite. Loved the dalgona - Korean honeycomb toffee candy made with melted sugar & baking soda. We are SOOOO lucky to have restaurants like Gift Horse in Rhode Island! It really is a special place. Highly recommend. NOM NOM NOM #YUM read more

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Raw Scallops (9/10): Excellent. The scallops were so smooth and fresh. The marinade was delicious - beautiful flavors with little bursts of sesame. Sugar Kelp Salad (6/10): Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot going on in this dish. It felt pretty one-dimensional. I think it could benefit from something to balance out the acidity. Sourdough (9/10): Sourdough was delicious. Great crust and great chew. Spring Onion Jeon (5/10): Unfortunately does not stack up to pajeon I've had at other restaurants in IL/CA. Not even talking about the amazing pajeon in Korea. Not crispy enough, flavors were underwhelming, seafood was underwhelming. Squid Sandwich (8/10): This was very solid. It was also a lot of food! Squid was tender and the sauce went perfectly with the bread. Very balanced. This is a seasonal dish, so get it while you can. Service was good. I would say the food is a 3/5 and the service is a 4.5/5, so we'll round this one to a 4/5 overall. read more

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Had a very nice dinner at this awesome spot. The staff was so nice and accommodating! You absolutely have to get the scallop roll and fresh oysters when you visit. Their seasoned fries pair well with the kimchi mayo. Our favorite oysters were aquidneck cups which were really crisp and sweet. read more

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This is the absolute best restaurant on my trip to the East Coast! The raw scallops are to die for. We had a great variety of oysters. The Peri Peri tuna was good, though my friend said the bonito fish was better. The chocolate ice cream with potato chip is so good and interesting - crispy, salty and sweet! The waiter and bartender serving us were all very nice! Nice atmosphere! read more

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Came here on a Friday afternoon with my boyfriend. No wait and street parking or pay for a nearby garage. Nothing really wowed me. Ordered crab claws which were small, the cold noodles, oysters, a beer and the semifreddo. The kimchi mignonette and other dressing wasn't spectacular. Small area with mostly bar seating. Bathroom is extremely dark read more

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Gift Horse is my go to when I am craving oysters in downtown Providence. They are always super super fresh and of the highest quality. I love that you can see all the available types right at the bar. Also, the french fries here are AMAZING, and I'm not one to get super excited about french fries! Also honorable mention to the crudo, which is also amazing. The cocktails here are also top notch. The bartenders really are wizards at their craft and I highly recommend the Gift Horse martini or the Reef Keeper. I also love the feel of this place, wether you sit at the bar or at a table. I love both, I guess it just depends on how I feel that day. The staff is super nice and attentive. Even when our order got looked over by accident last time I was here, the seriously awesome waiter fixed it super quick and with a smile.Howver, I will say it is very small, so it can feel a little cramped in here sometimes, but it has never impacted my experience. I'm sure I will be back sooner than later when I am looking for oysters or I want to try more of their excellent fare. read more

Came here one night without a reservation and was able to get seated right away. It was our first time so we got really good recommendations and loved every dish! The seafood here is really fresh and delicious. And the restaurant itself is super cozy with a pleasant atmosphere. Would definitely recommend to anyone in the area! read more

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Came here for dinner with two friends. The restaurant is small and chic but we got seated pretty quickly at a high table. All the dishes are very unique and seem to be seafood asian fusion. We got multiple dishes to share. The rice ball is very chewy and unique. The cold noodle is also very flavorful. The fish dip looks nice but the smoked fish taste is not my favorite but is still worth a try. The fried fish dish is a must try! The lettuce wrap, banchan, and the fish itself is such an experience and very filling. Would come back to try more dishes. read more

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Upon walking into Gift Horse I was immediately wowed by the interior. The dining space was well-curated and well-designed. The menu also seemed promising, featuring what seemed to be an assortment of intriguing dishes. Unfortunately, I left Gift Horse feeling disappointed. With the premium price of the menu items, I expected much more. Oysters: The oyster selection was wonderful. The Block Island oysters had a subtle brininess and were very smooth. Crudo Plate: What seems like quality seafood is ruined by a sea of olive oil. Although, the olive oil had delicious grassy notes, it was just too much. The capers added some acidity but were powerless compared to the onslaught of olive oil. Smoked Fish Dip: A perfect appetizer. The fish dip was creamy and light. The nori chips were the perfect vessel. A simple concept done well. Pickled Fried Onions: A unique twist on classic onion rings. Using pickled onions gives this dish some acidity, which cuts the oiliness. Fried Oysters: Good, but I would rather have the oysters raw. The smearing of cocktail sauce also felt like a bit much. Monkfish Toast: For dishes served on toast, I usually expect the toast to be exceptional. The toast here did no favors. The monkfish also tasted quite bland. Smoked Scallop Roll: The ratio of roll-to-scallop is atrocious here. There is far too much bread and not enough scallops. Crispy Fish: The fish was not noteworthy. The side dishes stole the show here. read more

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Best happy hour service with $2 oysters and raw bar options. The restaurant is small and fills up fast. Glad we were able to snag a spot on a weekend :) read more

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Stopped in while we waited for the train and so glad we did. The place was busy around 8:25 but there is standing room that you can stay at or wait to be seated. Dim lighting, perfect for a date night, girls dinner, or solo at the bar, These oysters were fresh, the perfect amount of brine and not too large. Paired with a glass of Riesling. The servers were quick and efficient, super friendly. They also offered great suggestions on the oyster selection. I will definitely be back to try some of the other appetizers I saw. read more

Gift Horse - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

I went for early dinner and was in time for the oyster happy hour special. While I didn't partake I've never seen so many platter of oysters be served! I stated with the Jonah crab claws - delish. And then had the skate wing which was ENORMOUS. Oh yeah, and a side of the fries - cause why not. read more

We came for the happy hour $2 oysters. So far in our New England trip RI has been our favorite place for getting oysters. We loved Gift Horse, the place is beautiful -- go to the restroom, trust me on this one, it's an experience. The place was packed but the service was on point. Our server was great with her oyster recommendations! read more

Gift Horse - $2 oyster during HH - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Amazing!!! First off if you are looking for a grand menu, not here, simple and to the point. The folks here are amazing and friendly and VERY helpful! They serve up an incredible selection of Rhode Island Oysters. Fresh flavorful and absolutely delicious! Btw the clams were amazing also!!! They have a lot of twists on some things, like pickles. At first I was a little cautious but they won me over in the end. Bar is stocked smartly and has a little something for everyone. Place is not that large maybe able to seat maybe 40 people. But it's fun and friendly. Def. An see me returning here. My major gripe was that I had to basically pay for everything. Example cocktail sauce with my oysters. Lol. This was a first for me and I have been to many an Oyster-house. Lol All in all this is a great SoCal spot to get some amazing oysters and drinks! Two thumbs up here!!! . read more

The food is very good, the shellfish raw bar succulent and fresh, drinks generous and varied, pleasant staff, and a lively, young ambiance. However, though excellent, the food servings are modest in size and pricey so if you're a big eater, you probably won't be satisfied unless you double up on the orders and sell some tech stocks. That being said, it's nice visiting with an expense account. We shared 2 dozen oysters from 4 different locales - the kimchi mignonette went well with these! - as well as a few little necks. Then we had the crudo plate of raw fish (delicious), the monkfish toast (also delicious, crispy and tasty), the market fish ssam which featured sushi grade tuna (very very good), and the sugar kelp salad (which was a little bit disappointing tbh). We finished with a brace of desserts: a good fresh blueberry tart and an outstanding chocolate ice cream with a crushed potato chip cap. Great place for a drink and a nosh, but might not be for those who want a big meal and doggie bags for later. read more

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I came to Gift Horse for restaurant week with high expectations given its recent James Beard Award, but also with some hesitation as well since I am typically not the biggest fan of seafood. However, GH does not disappoint! For restaurant week, I started with the crudo, which was very good - fish was so fresh, perfectly marinated and seasoned. For the main I got the bulgogi burger which to be honest was not as good as the other seafood dishes my friends got! This is probably the first time I've ever preferred seafood over other meats - that's how I knew this place is good! The dessert was just lovely - both of them. Perfect balance of textures and flavors. Not to mention, the cocktails were also delicious and perfect. Overall, loved my experience here. Waitstaff was super friendly and helpful, vibes of the restaurant were super cute. 100% would come back, especially for the great value of restaurant week. This is a perfect date spot. Parking isn't great though - only really street parking available. Also they don't take reservations for parties of less than 6 so would recommend coming early :) read more

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I had high expectations when it came to this restaurant since its neighbor ( Oberlin) is my absolute favorite here in Providence. After the amazing meal I had, I can say with confidence that the expectations were indeed met! The ambiance of this restaurant is quite different than Oberlin's, as it focuses more on a cozy, chill and yet still classy vibe. I also appreciated how polite our waitress was and she did not attempt to push expensive meals on us ( which is what had happened at Oberlin's last time). In regard to the meal itself, I was extremely pleased by the delicious "Warmed Buttered & Smoked Scallop Roll", which is now the new rival to the classic lobster roll I love. The meal was followed by an amazing dessert pictured below ( the brioche) and left all the members of my dinner party rather impressed with Gift Horse. Will be back soon to try other unique dishes. read more

Gift Horse - Brioche - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Really delicious and fun - highly recommend. FWIW, I was able to walk right in and sit at the bar. read more

Gift Horse - Scallop roll - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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This place reminds me of Neptune in Boston but more spacious and more elbow room. Cute little spot with shucking bar right in the middle showcasing raw bar and shells etc - cute touch. Ordered the Jonah crab, chilled lobster, some raw bar, and winter squash tempura. Those were so good that I ordered a second time. Drinks were nice and strong and we left very happy. Will definitely be back. read more

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Gift Horse has a wonderfully delicate menu that introduces some of the best aspects of Korean seafood flavors to the Western palette. There is a refreshing "cold" taste to the hot soups due to the use of shellfish broth. The other dishes are similarly light and easy to enjoy without feeling excessively heavy or tired after. Gift Horse also has an excellent oyster selection and there have been times I returned multiple times in a week just to have a few sweet oysters and cocktails. The ambience is intimate and chic - I think Gift Horse would be a good first date spot. Because the spot is small, it will be harder to accommodate a larger party. While it's always busy here I never felt pressured by the staff and have been able to get a table without res if I come early around 4pm. Gift Horse is one of my personal favorite restaurants in PVD for familiar Korean flavors as well as fusion foods! read more

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The happy hour from 4 to 5 is a dollar off all oysters. All the oysters come from Rhode Island and are absolutely delightful. We also ordered the white fish dip and the seasoned french fries. For me this was a little bit on the pricey side, but the service was amazing And the food was delicious all around. read more

Gift Horse - White fish dip, and oysters - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Was back in town for the holidays and had to finally check out Gift Horse after hearing some really promising things. The restaurant is cozy and inviting, not too spacious but it felt homey, especially on a freezing cold January night. Service was equally warm and hospitable, answering any questions we had. With so many options, we ended up going with "The King Tide" seafood tower, and it was such a solid move. The 12 oysters (4 each of 3 different types) were all so fresh, massive, and briney - just how I like them. The raw bay scallops, littlenecks, and mussels were equally delicious. The standouts were the scallop crudo and the chilled 1/2 lobster served with a delicious roe mayo. The whole thing was a treasure trove of seafood and I would 100% come back and order again. read more

Gorgeous unique dining experience to say the least! Their menus are curated by a chef there and everything was amazing from the spread of oysters and knowledge of what would fit your palate, the desert was insane! Service was 5 star and the bathroom and decor in general in there was one of a kind and definitely luxe. Went here for a friends birthday and did not disappoint and where else in the city can you get a caviar martini? They have seating bar style in front of the chef or tables ! Went on a weeknight and it was not as packed and I had made a reservation day prior. read more

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Pretentious. Overpriced. Fake creativity. Weird curation of flavors. Trying to be something it's not.

Delicious fresh, gourmet food and 5 star service from the moment we walked in. No wonder they won a James Beard Award. We will definitely be back. read more

Gift Horse - Drink menu had so much to choose from as well! - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

One of the best restaurant meals I've ever had. Imaginative and perfectly executed. Can't wait to go back!

Omg this place is sooooo good. I would definitely drive an hour to eat here again. Definitely a seafood lovers restaurant. Service was accommodating. Restaurant was busy and full. They asked if we wanted to try to fit in a small high top area for a group of us 4. We attempted it but it was quite tight. They were willing to switch us to another table once it was available but we didn't want to be a bother as we already started ordering and eating. Food - not one dish was bad. Everything was amazingly good but my favorite was the smoked fish dip!!! Definitely recommend. read more

Gift Horse - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Came exclusively for the oyster happy hour and did not regret it. Ordered 2 dozen oysters, 9 different varieties, for $2 each. It is astounding that they're so different in flavor, texture, and meatiness yet all from Rhode Island. Top 3 from the varieties we tried: - Watch hill: best brininess - Great salt ponds: honorable mention - Chessawanock: meatiest overall Topped it with two of their sauces, one kimchi mignonette that was absolutely delicious and the other a green chili hot sauce. Went with their two sake options, which were pleasant but unfortunately not a happy hour deal. Waiters super helpful in our choices and pleasant in discussing the different varietals of oyster. Connected to its sister restaurant, Oberlin, the spot itself is hip and fun to sit at the bar watching the shucking. read more

Gift Horse - 2 dozen oysters $2 each - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Great date night ambiance. The menu had so many things that sounded great. We came for an oysters, appetizer and a drink. Those rice cakes were delicious, that kimchi sauce!! I almost wanted a second order. Staff were friendly and we were seated quickly. Our waitress was attentive without hovering, just right. read more