everything about this place is just perfect. our waiter was so much fun and he took excellent care of us. the food is top notch, the drinks are amazing and the menu has lots to offer all ages. I won't ever forget my beautiful experience here. read more

Street parking was difficult to find on a Friday night. There is a parking garage located right next to the restaurant to make things easier. The waiter had asked if we had parked there so sounded like they could've validated our parking but we were lucky to find a close parking spot on the street. We had made reservations for a table at 830 outside but since it was a little breezy asked to be seated inside. Hostess told us it would just be able 15 to 20 minutes for an inside table so we waited. Once seated it took a bit before our waiter came over to ask above beverages. He was very nice ans friendly though. The one grievance I have is bread wasn't brought out until after our appetizers were served. We ordered the dressed cucumbers and tuna crudo. For drinks we ordered the floor is guava and label and love. The mocktail options were delicious and the appetizers were quick to come out. The lobster bisque was so good!! It had pieces of lobster in it which some restaurants miss out on. For an entree I ordered originally the local monk fish but they were sadly out of it. I ended up getting the fresh frusilli and it was so yummy! The freshly made pasta with the shrimp and scallops were so good. I was initially disappointed with the size of the scallops but there was an abundance of them in the dish. The salmon was good with the light side of the tomatos and honey vinaigrette. We had to get the rest of our meals to go to have space for dessert! The citrus olive oil cake was so refreshing! The creme brulee was so creamy and not overly sweet. The coffee milk was rich and delicious as well. I definitely can not wait to come here again! read more

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We arrived at Hemenway's on time for our reservation and had our service dog. The hostesses were checking me in per usual but suddenly the manager stepped in and miraculously they didn't have room for us. Before we were seated, the manager at the check in desk told us flatly that he couldn't accommodate "five people and a dog" -- our service dog, who lies under the table and is not an extra seat. My dog had his service vest and was easily recognizable. The only space they offered was outside. It was a nice day, so we agreed -- and were seated in a corner next to the service station. Appetizers and the kids' meal came out fine and were tasty. Then we waited ONE HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES for 2 entrées. When they finally arrived, the tuna I'd asked for "well done - cooked through" came out medium rare. An hour and fifteen minutes for a tuna steak and a whole fish, and they still got the temperature wrong. I was so disappointed I sent the entrées back. No apology, no offer to fix it -- the waiter just brought the check, we paid and had to go to the food hall down the block to finish eating. A totally disappointing experience. If you have a service animal, be prepared to have to advocate for yourself here because clearly the staff is unwelcoming. Unfortunately, the food wasn't so amazing that I would want to endure such bad service again. read more

Overall decent experience! While it definitely caters to a touristy crowd, we were glad to snag a last min reservation, and several dishes made it well worth the visit. Tuna Crudo (4.5/5): Excellent flavor profile, the sauce paired nicely with the fresh tuna Clam Chowder & Seafood Casserole (4.5/5): Both were fantastic comfort options; the casserole was rich, creamy, and cheesy. Fresh Fusilli (4.5/5): Having heard their pasta leans very firm/al dente, I asked for it cooked a little longer, it came out cooked to my preference and tasted great! Dressed Cucumber (4.25/5): The perfect refreshing palate cleanser alongside heavier dishes NY Sirloin (4/5): Tender and well-cooked steak, but the sauce was an odd fit and the side of flat cilantro noodles was an unexpected pairing that didn't really work Yellowfin Tartare (4.25/5) & Green Beans (4.25/5): Both had great texture, but ran a touch salty. Lobster Bisque (2/5): Lacked any visible or substantial lobster meat and had an unpleasantly sweet taste read more

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After our self guided Providence Downtown Art Tour, compliments of The Avenue Concept, we arrived at Hemneway's. Our reservation was for outside seating, and we appreciated the hostess's flexibility when we decided to change from outdoor to indoor seating. We were promptly seated at a table, and our waiter appeared shortly afterward. We ordered water, a beer, a Chardonnay, two glasses of red sangria, and a side glass of ice. One of the sangrias had to be returned because it was cloudy and didn't taste right. This was quickly corrected, and the replacement was good. The glass of ice never arrived, but we didn't bother following up on it. We shared two appetizers, the calamari and a Caesar salad. The salad was excellent. The calamari seemed like a much smaller portion than we've received in the past, and we also found it somewhat dry. Our entrées were the tuna, paella, eggplant Milanese, and half chicken. We enjoyed all of them with the exception of the chicken. We preferred the previous version of this dish and found the potatoes soft and mushy. Service was very good at the beginning of the meal, but as the evening progressed, the restaurant became very busy and our very nice server was handling a large number of tables. Perhaps Hemenway's was a little short-staffed on this busy Saturday evening. Overall we enjoyed our dinner and certainly intend to return. Tip: Complimentary Valet Parking is provided in the garage adjacent to the restaurant. Have the waiter validate your parking ticket for up to three hours of free parking. read more

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Had dinner with some friends. The ambiance is great. The food is good, and service I have mixed feeling. We sat at the bar waited for our friends. Oscar the bartender was so pleasant and very engaging. We were seated in the back room at a middle table. Had a good view of the water. That was nice. Our waitress shared specials- we all had one item from the specials. She was professional and knew her stuff but not smiling or friendly. Stoned faced and seemed annoyed. Everyone in my group felt the same way. read more

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The legendary best seafood restaurant in Providence. I tried the Rhode Island Clam Chowder, but honestly, I couldn't get used to it... Rhode Island Clam Chowder: It's said the difference between it and the New England Clam Chowder is the absence of cream and batter, but it was completely different... It's supposed to be a clear broth, but it wasn't light at all. The taste was a bit like KFC chicken gravy with a touch of vinegar--neither flavorful nor rich. Table Bread: The bread was rather dry and hard, and the buttercream had no salt at all; it was greasy and not fragrant. I waited a long time for takeout, and finally couldn't resist asking the waiter, only to find that it had already been packed. read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - Rhode Island Clam Chowder, Table Bread - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Amazing restaurant in Providence. Right on the river with a beautiful view of the water. Lots of great options on the menu- making it hard to choose. They use local vendors and fresh caught fish. Great wine list and cocktails. They have an appetizer samplers that includes traditional Rhode Island stuffies, but stuffies themselves were not listed separately. Our waiter said we could order them separately. Great service and they were delicious! A few of us got the lobster- fisherman's style. That means it was stuffed with seafood like scallops and shrimp. Sooo tasty! If you want a fantastic meal, this is the spot. Make sure to book ahead. read more

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This place never disappoints!! Good was amazing wait staff was amazing Definitely worth the money read more

After many years of hearing of this restaurant, i finally got to go there. My company hosted a retirement dinner for my boss there. Parking there is a little tough, i think might be valet parking but not sure. There is a parking garage next door and the restaurant does validate but im not sure what the cost is after validation. Otherwise there is metered street parking. I went on a Tuesday night so there was plenty metered parking but on weekends that area is very busy. The service was great; friendly and patient servers for our big party. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with great views of the water. The food was very delicious. We got appetizers platters to share; came with coconut shrimp, calamari and bacon wrapped scallops. Was my favorite part of the meal. For entree i got the surf and turf special that had steak, scallops and asparagus with a hollandaise sauce. It also came up a soup or salad option; i chose the lobster bisque. It had small pieces of lobster on top; only wish it was a lot more flavorful. Overall a great dinner; everyone loved their meals. read more

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Really great dining experience. I would say it is a must go to when in Providence. The wait staff was incredibly friendly and gave great suggestions. The food was incredible. We shared some appetizers and some entrees. There were 6 of us in total and everyone was inpressed with their dishes. I really enjoyed the mussels and the stuffed lobster. read more

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Theresa was amazing!! The epitome of exceptional service! The food was out of this world! New England Clam Chowder and Rhode Island Clam Chowder! The shrimp ceviche exquisite....smoked salmon BLT...will change your life!! The ambiance was chic, upscale with view of the river! A pleasant surprise and worth the visit! And the Olive Oil Cake...My goodness! read more

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Came here without a reservation around 5:30/5:45 and were pleasantly surprised to be seated right away. If I were rating based on ambiance alone, this would easily be 5 stars. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful both inside and out, and the atmosphere really sets the tone for a great dining experience. The menu also looked fantastic with a lot of appealing options. I ended up ordering the baked shrimp, which came with seasoned potatoes and string beans. Unfortunately, the dish didn't quite meet expectations. The potatoes were described as seasoned, but leaned more toward a Cajun-style flavor, which wasn't what I was expecting. The string beans were also quite undercooked. For a $29 dish at a fine dining restaurant, I was hoping for a more polished meal. That said, the service was good, and the ambiance truly stands out as a highlight. Overall, I left feeling a bit underwhelmed by the food, but I would consider giving it another try if I'm back in town, as the setting alone makes it worth revisiting. read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - Baked Stuffed Shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Phenomenal! Easily in my top 5 favorite restaurants of my life. Classy atmosphere, sharp service, and ALL the food was amazing. Every single dish hit hard, the stuffed quahogs packed with flavor, the sushi was fresh, and the full lobster stuffed with shrimp, scallops, and crab stuffing is a must order. That dish alone is worth the trip. Not one thing on the table was a disappointment. It's not cheap, but it's absolutely worth it. If I ever wrote a book on top restaurants in the Northeast, or honestly the entire Western Hemisphere, this would be a TOP pick. read more

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Came here this February on my birthday and sat at the bar. The bartender was super nice and entertaining- he made fantastic martinis. I ordered the calamari and the burger medium rare- perfect! I had one dirty gin martini with bleu cheese stuffed olives and one Basil Hayden Manhattan- both were superb and had me giggly. I love sitting at the bar and looking at the gorgeous decor and great views. I will definitely be back! Since it was my actual birthday they also gave me a complimentary dessert- I chose the cheesecake to-go because I was stuffed and they even sent me home with a candle in the box- thanks Hemenway's for making my birthday truly special this year! Can't wait to go back and sit at my new favorite spot- the bar! read more

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Cold beer, strong cocktails, and delicious food! I had the calamari and a perfectly cooked burger. I sat at the bar and the bartenders were fantastic. Great ambiance and fantastic views! Highly recommend this place for special occasions or just a quick burger at the bar! Cheesecake was also AMAZING! read more

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Seafood tower was very filling - big lobster claw and tail portions. Got the rock crab sushi roll wich was delicious - some of the best crab I've had recently. Inside is nicer atmosphere but outside was still good for a summer evening. Service was kind and helpful. Definitely on the expensive side which is why one star off so would reserve this place for special occasions. read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - Seafood tower - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

The wife ,1 of our daughters .. the eldest and myself went here our last night in Rhode Island while on vacation . We had the Calamari,I would say 8/10 , this shrimp dish 7.5/10 I can't remember the name, but I do remember liking it , the shrimp were nice and big. We also had the 14 oz pork chop with some sorta slaw 8.6/10 pork chop was good and juicy I don't remember what the slaw tasted like or the other side I just liked it and last we had a Paella.. I think that's how you spell that 7.9/10 it was good.We ate for 3 and the bill was about 180 dollars or so ,good food for a damn good price ... The bread!!!!!! 9.1/10 The bread was foot to the floor DTP good ! Overall I would say an 8.4/10 food and the service 9.5/10 . read more

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I had a very enjoyable meal at Hemenway's in Providence. It's a classic seafood spot that clearly takes pride in the quality of its ingredients. I started with the jumbo shrimp, which was excellent. The shrimp were large, fresh, and perfectly chilled, paired with a traditional cocktail sauce that had just the right amount of bite. For the entrée, I ordered the seafood casserole, which was rich, creamy, and loaded with seafood. The portion was extremely generous. In fact, it was so filling I couldn't even finish it, which says a lot. It's definitely a dish worth ordering if you're in the mood for something hearty. The Old Fashioned was decent. It was balanced enough, but it didn't come with a large ice cube, which in my opinion is pretty essential for a truly top notch Old Fashioned since it controls dilution and improves presentation. The bartender was decent as well. Service was solid and professional, and the bar experience overall was good. All in all, Hemenway's delivers a strong seafood dining experience with fresh ingredients and generous portions. It's easy to see why it's a Providence staple. read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - Shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Always a treat to eat at Hemenway's and my meal lived up to expectations -- chowder, monkfish, baked Alaska and a lovely Campari cocktail. Our sweet waitress was a good sport and served us valiantly. Sadly, the other diners at my table were disappointed: the mussels were sent back (comped) and the scallop special was a misnomer as the scallops were lost in the sauce below a slice of cod. It was a super busy evening so perhaps things slipped in the kitchen. But lucky me, I was 100 percent satisfied! read more

TLDR: fancy upscale seafood Come for a special occasion or if you're feeling fancy. Would recommend a res unless it's off hours or you're ok with bar seating as the place got busy on a Monday night very quickly. There's plenty of yummy seafood and the occasional turf item as well. For us the highlight was the hamachi crudo and the raw bar oysters. We could probably pass on the beef tartare. It was more raisin/fruit forward than other tartare we've had. I got the Thai cocktail which was an elevated tiki drink and perfect. read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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We had an amazing experience. We are celebrating Mother's Day! Our lovely waiter Mason definitely made this experience very enjoyable! First of all, the restaurant was very prepared when it comes to little ones. They had a separate kids menu and a sticky stick that is entertaining for the kids (instead of the classic box of crayons). Thanks so much for understanding the difficulty of keeping them busy/entertained during the meal!! The food was delicious. We ordered a seafood tower, scallops, stuffed lobster, kids chicken breast, and the chocolate cake. I would highly recommend all of these dishes. Their bread with butter was also on point! Thanks for having us and I would definitely come back again! read more

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Amazing service For the price the food was worth it. Our party of four had great conversation and our waitress did her part flawlessly with no complaints. It's that simple have not had a bad time here noise level not to loud and this visit met some people from NY whose first time at Hemingways and sure to be back. Great Place with Great People read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - Seafood Casserole - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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My husband and I came to Hemenway's to celebrate our 19th anniversary. We first came here years ago and had a wonderful experience, so we decided to come back. From the moment we walked in the door, we were treated warm and friendly. We had a reservation, and when we arrived we were told to wait just a moment. When we arrived at our table, they had put down some rose petals. I asked my husband if he requested this, and he said no. This was very thoughtful of them! Our table was by the window, and even though it was night, the view was still nice. The ambiance romantic. I need to take a moment to speak about our waiter Mason. He was absolutely wonderful. My husband asked Mason for recommendations on drinks and food, and Mason delivered on everything. He was incredibly kind, attentive and went above and beyond as a waiter. We would come back just for him! Thank you! For food, we got scallops wrapped in bacon and crab cakes for appetizers. Both were delicious but the scallops were superb. For meals, my husband got the lobster tortellini and I got the Yellowfin Tuna. My husband devoured his food, and I ate every bite. Everything was incredible! Mason kindly brought us a crème brûlée on the house as a happy anniversary. It was to die for! I also got some mango sorbet to finish off the night. Overall, we had a wonderful experience at Hemenway's! It's expensive, yes, but worth it in my opinion. We already want to come back soon. read more

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3 stars. Absolutely beautiful restaurant located at the School of Public Health. Service was good. Very personable staff. The lobster roll and truffle fries were a miss for me. The warm lobster roll had zero flavor and was served room temperature. Not tasty. I was served two orders of lukewarm French fries. Fresh fries are a must for me and neither were, so that was disappointing. I switched my side to the garlic spinach since hot fries isn't their thing. It was garlic and spinach and oil. Very bland. Not inedible but certainly not delicious. I could have taken it home and turned it into a spin dip or layered it on a pizza. It's just not a standalone side IMO. NE clam chowder was decent but not as flavorful as I'd like. The lobster bisque was decent and is served with a few pieces of fresh lobster. The bread and butter was very enjoyable. The chocolate cake was a total hit! The mousse was creamy and light. The cake had a deep chocolate flavor with a tender crumb. So delicious! Kinda pricey, but isn't everything around here? read more

This paella was so good. I could not stop eating. Our waitress was thee best! I loved our seats by the window with the view of the boardwalk. Food is always fresh and worth it. read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - Paella - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Took us at the bar on a packed Saturday Night! Great service, great ambiance, amazing food, awesome drinks. 10/10 recommend! read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - Seafood Casserole - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Hemenway's (Providence) great meal, even better service Had a solid outdoor dinner at Hemenway's. For apps we got a lobster bisque , 2 shrimp cocktails 2 oysters , Ordered The lobster Mac and also a Surf and Turft. The Food was fresh and looked as good as it tasted. What really stood out was our waiter Derek. My fiancée kept talking about how good and professional he was the whole time he even recommended me a very awesome drink and it was a hit, Derek was very sharp, friendly, and just made the whole experience easy. Ask for him if you go. read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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The food is delicious, but we didn't have a great service experience this time around. The wait was longer than usual for us to get any food. Thankfully we weren't in a rush. The bigger concern was around reserving of food that we saw. When we were waiting for our appetizers, we got delivered a correct main and an incorrect side. For a moment, we thought they had jumbled up when food was being delivered (getting a main before appetizers) and had given us a side of mushrooms instead of the mushroom toast. We told the individual who delivered the food that it wasn't correct, and he said we should keep it because he can't reserve it but he will get the order corrected to the mushroom toast and have our other appetizers arrive. We waited a few minutes for our server to come back to tell us what was happening, so we didn't touch the food. However, our server came back to the table and realized that the order had been delivered to the wrong table. She proceeded to pick up the 2 dishes and turned around and delivered them to the correct table. Based on the FDA Food Code, I believe reserving of food that has already hit a different table can't be reserved. Thankfully we hadn't touched it, but I was surprised by all of this at this high end of a restaurant. The food is good but this was concerning. read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - Yellowfin Tuna - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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We had an excellent dining experience with great service and delicious food tonight. The host even offered me a black napkin instead of a white one so it wouldn't leave white lint on my black pants. That's fancy! Our waters were always filled promptly and our food arrived quickly. I enjoyed a beer and the seafood paella and my wife loved the seafood casserole. We shared the baked Alaska for dessert and I had the coco noche dessert cocktail. The only odd and slightly off-putting part of the experience was that it was my wife's birthday (and I reminded the host and included it on the reservation) and there was no recognition of it by the server, even though the table next to us was given a complimentary dessert for an anniversary celebration. That was a bit disappointing, as it was a special night out sans kids for us. Otherwise, it was a lovely dining experience with excellent food and we'll be back. read more

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Enjoyed a lovely lunch here while in town for a friend's birthday! I was trying to kill time before meeting the group and dined solo. I came in without a reservation and was able to get a nice table by the window overlooking the river. Everyone was welcoming and kind from the moment I walked in. The mocktail and food were phenomenal. The oysters with caviar bumps on top were truly amazing. I also got the crab cakes and bacon-wrapped scallops, which were also delicious. I hope to try more of the menu on another trip in the future! read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Located at the bottom of Providence's College Hill, Hemenway's is a Rhode Island institution serving up quality seafood with stunning river views. The interior of the restaurant is expansive and bright, with natural light streaming in from floor-to-ceiling windows. There's plenty of seating with a complete bar in the middle of the restaurant, but as it was reunion weekend, I was definitely glad that we made a reservation a couple days in advance! Our party of five was immediately seated at around 12:30pm on a Saturday, although walk-in parties had to wait about 30-40 minutes for a table. The weekend lunchtime ambiance was buzzy but not overwhelming - just quiet enough to enjoy a conversation! The menu is extensive, featuring the freshest selections from local fishmongers and purveyors. and a great wine list. There's plenty of raw bar options, as well as seafood-focused appetizers and sushi, or soups/salads/sandwiches (your typical lunch fare). Additionally, if you're feeling particularly peckish, there's larger-format entrees, and of course, whole lobsters. As a note, it took about twenty minutes for bread service to arrive, and an additional 45 minutes for our entrees to come out. While I understand it was a busy weekend, it was often difficult to flag our server down, which is just something to note in case you're short on time. The meal begins with their complimentary bread service, which includes fresh-baked, warm rolls with butter. The bread is well-baked, with a nice crust on the outside and a pillowy-soft interior. Four members of my table opted for the New England Clam Chowder ($10 for a cup, $12 for a bowl), which comes with rich, indulgent cream-based broth chock full of toothsome clams. It's incredibly salty, so I could only have a few bites of one of my friends' bowls, but if you're looking to maximize value, I would certainly opt for a bowl, as it's only $2 more than a cup, and double the portion. The package of oyster crackers on the side adds a lovely crunch! For entrees, one member of my party ordered the Crab Cakes ($23), which are crispy fried patties of decadent crab meat served with a tangy horseradish remoulade, and a bright, acidic apple-frisee salad. It was a bit of a small portion for the price, but this was classified as an appetizer on the menu. Another member of our party opted for the Yellowfin Tuna ($37), which is a sesame-crusted tuna filet atop sushi rice, pickled cabbage slaw, and avocado mousse, finished with sriracha aioli and a ginger-soy dressing. He really enjoyed his dish, which reminded us of an upscale poke bowl, with a nice sear on the tuna, and thoughtful accoutrements that really dressed up the flavors and textures of the dish. A third member chose the Flounder Milanese ($34), which is a deep-fried filet of tender flounder served with artichoke, tomato, pearl onion, beurre blanc, red watercress, and capers. The brininess of the artichoke and capers served to contrast the oiliness of the fried fish, with the beurre blanc providing a rich canvas of sauce. The tomato, pearl onion, and red watercress were great foils of freshness for the entire dish, and it was quite a large portion of food. A friend also opted for the grilled Lobster ($50 for a 1.25lb lobster, you can choose steamed, boiled, or grilled), which also comes with your choice of side - she chose the roasted asparagus. This wasn't a particularly large portion of lobster, but the meat inside was juicy and succulent, and already removed from the shell, making it easy to eat. The asparagus was nicely roasted, with a good bite and a lovely char. Lastly, I opted for the Wedge Salad ($16), which is two huge quarter-heads of iceberg lettuce topped with fresh tomatoes, pickled red onions, crispy bacon, bleu cheese crumbles, and a bleu cheese dressing (which I asked for on the side). The iceberg lettuce is delightfully crunchy and fun to cut open, and the tomatoes and onions were fresh-tasting. The bacon was just toasty enough with a good smoky flavor, and the bleu cheese had that tangy, earthy flavor that really topped off the dish. The dressing was rich and flavorful, although I would have preferred something that wasn't bleu cheese-based, as there was already a large amount of bleu cheese in the dish. Overall, we really enjoyed our meal at Hemenway's - although it's quite pricey, the food is reliably fresh and high-quality, the menu has options for everyone, and service is friendly, if a bit slow. This is a great stop for an upscale lunch/celebratory dinner if you're in the Providence area! read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - Dozen Oysters ($3.50 each) - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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This place is always amazing. The food is delicious, the service is wonderful, whether you sit at the bar or at a table in the restaurant. It's where I take all my out-of-town friends because I know we're going to have a beautiful time. read more

Visited Hemenway's after the remodel and the inside is absolutely beautiful! We went on a weeknight and by the time we left the restaurant was totally packed, but that never slowed down service. We ordered the tuna crudo, muscles with extra bread, and the 2lb stuffed lobster. The tuna crudo I could have skipped - it was okay, but I've had better. The muscles were delicious and we loved the sauce, but as we looked around we noticed that we received the same bread portion as everyone else even after asking for extra bread for dipping. The lobster was great and we would order it again. read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - 2lb stuffed lobster - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Celebrating the bro's graduation. Surf and turf combo was just ok. Great service and ambiance though. read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - Surf and Turf w/ the PA school grads - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Another 5 star happy hour at a signature PVD locale. A worthy martini, that was. A proper pour. And we split a lobster pasta dish to die for. Best to Uber there...service is world class. Enjoy! read more

Hemenway's Restaurant - Lobster pasta - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

An upscale seafood place that, deservedly, has been around since the 80s. My first time at Hemenway's was during college when some friends and I splurged at the newly opened restaurant. In the intervening years, Hemenway's had kept the quality up. Want a cocktail and an appetizer, the bar is wonderful and full of cool folks. Want a delicious meal and have your dog with you? Sit outside. The waitstaff will bring water and goodie for your doggo and great food for the humans. Want to do a bit of romantic dining... take your time, savor the food and the moments. read more

My brother takes his three July birthday sisters out to celebrate every year. For a number of years we have been going to Hemingway's. In the past always pleased. This was a disappointment. I ordered the tuna, as I have before. while it was cooked properly, it was just dumped on the plate. The vegetables were not cooked enough and the green beans were overly spicy. The service was adequate. The others in my party had scallops that looked burnt. The positive side was we had asked for a quiet area and had just that The ambiance is lovely. I hope the restaurant can Improve dish presentation and vegetable prep. read more

This was a little fancier than I expected; Hemenway's is an old-school steakhouse that has much of the formality you would expect at that type of restaurant. There are huge floor-to-ceiling windows that let in lots of light even if you don't get a view of the river. My friend and I popped in for lunch as I was hoping to get a view of the river, but there are limited seats facing that direction. I got the lobster roll which was all the things you would hope and expect for in a lobster roll - big chunks of lobster and a soft, pillowy bun. Service was both quick and very friendly. read more

I had late lunch here yesterday, and the food itself was just alright, though I suspect our experience was heavily influenced by our server, Michael P. who claimed to be having an "off day." From the start, he shared his dislike of seafood and that being around it is "exposure therapy" for him--information we didn't really need, especially since it was our first visit. He also mentioned he had one too many beers the night before. He mentioned being "on the struggle bus" several times. When our drinks finally arrived, I had to get up to grab our own straws from the bar. When our shellfish platter came out, we had to ask for the oyster spoons, and warm butter for the lobster. We didn't even bother asking for forks at this point. During payment, he asked if we wanted to take the empty shells from the paella home, sharing negative anecdotes about other customers also complaining how some people even bring their own containers for leftovers. This crossed a line for us and left us completely turned off. Our bill was over $180, so this type of service was especially surprising and disappointing. As much as I wanted to talk with a manager I decided to pay by QR code and leave, to limit further contact. Even when settling the bill, he asked whether we were ready to pay in a manner I found inappropriate and inconsistent with basic service ethics. I think it's reasonable to expect that servers understand professional standards when it comes to handling the check. To be clear, the tip we left was for the kitchen--not for our server, Michael P. Unfortunately, this experience has left a lasting impression, and we will not be returning. read more