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    New Rivers

    4.2 (257 reviews)
    PriceyNew American
    Closed 4:30 pm - 9:30 PM

    New Rivers Photos

    Business Info

    NEW RIVERS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Romantic
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - New Rivers

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    Reviews With Photos

    Jamie A.

    Very memorable meal! My partner set a reservation for 8:50pm, and we were able to be seated sooner since we arrived a bit early. Parking is limited and does have a lot right in the back, but you gotta pay for parking. We found street parking, and just note, after 6pm parking is free in Providence. Inside was small and since our table was wobbly, it was fixed promptly! I requested a simple but not too dry wine, and was given a delicious sparkling wine~ For valentines there was a 3 course meal with wine pairings for an extra charge, but very helpful if you don't want to think of what to drink. Menu was hard to do over, but upon asking, every line was a separate dish. The wording and description felt like a whole paragraph. This also included a desert course option! My ham cheese tart for my first course was very tasty, warm, and flaky! The sauce had a slight but not too overwhelming kick that I enjoyed~ perfect pair~ My second course was mash potatoes with greenery on top and it was tasty~ my partner had a raviolio, and I enjoyed his better~ My third course was a shared dish for two~ we selected the seafood dish which was large, and tasty! There wasn't too much seasoning, allowing the taste of fresh clams and lobster ve the main stars of the dish~ Desert was also amazing and funny~ I decided not to look up what baked Alaska was, and was very surprised! We had a fun time looking up what it was after an noticed it was a political dish look it up! Nothing was disappointing and I thoroughly enjoyed all my meals! Price was on the higher side, but worth it~ this place is more of a special occasion spot, and for valentines, it was a special course meal we felt was worth a visit!

    Baked Alaska for 2
    Kent S.

    Rating: 4.4 Decided to try this place for valentine dinner. Made a reservation and had to make $50 unrefundable deposit. Parking is difficult around the area since it's in downtown providence but there are some parking lots and street parking nearby. Inside is not as big as you think and it's nice with dim lighting but seatings seemed to be limited. Reservation is recommended. We put our jacket on the hanger and were seated right away. Once we were seated we were given menu. Valentine dinner consisted of course menu where you choose appetizer, side, main dish, and dessert. The menu was a bit confusing because food and description seemed to not be clearly separated but upon asking the staff they helped us understand it better. Some dish were for 2 people so both people had to choose the same dish. I ended up getting crispy oyster appetizer, ravioli dish, seafood bake for 2 and baked Alaska for 2. Crispy oyster was tasty. Seemed like oyster mixed with some stuffing and sauce. Ravioli dish was good as well. Good flavor and aldente ravioli with savory filling and sauce. Both dishes were good but portion was little. Seafood bake was tasty. Lots of seafood. 3 pieces of lobster and bunch of clams, mussels, squid and a bread. Seasonings were light so i got to enjoy the natural flavor of seafood which i liked. But also at the same time seasoning was not necessary enhancing the dish. Removing the clams and mussel shell was bit annoying but not a huge deal. Seafood was cooked well and was good portion since it was for 2 people. Bread was also nice and paired well with the seafood juice. I think adding shrimp and tad bit more seasoning would improve the dish. Lastly baked alaska had olive cake, meringue, ice-cream and lemon flavoring with cinammon powder. I've never had tried baked alaska before so i was interested. It was good but probably not something i would order again. Service was good overall. Staff were attentive and were there to take our order, refill water, even noticed that our table was wobbly so came in to fix it. Overall i think this restaurant is solid and you get what you pay for. Certainly on the more expensive side and smaller portion as it's considered fine dining. I ended up paying about $250 for 2 people or so. Service is excellent and food is solid. Only thing is that food was not outstanding nor did it exceeded my expectation for the price range and having non refundable deposit for reservation is bit much. I think it's a good place for a special occasion. I was still glad that i got to try it. My partner did like the place.

    Steak
    Alyson W.

    I've been here several times and it is always a great experience. Their wine list and cocktails are good, but the food is the star of the show. Their menu changes daily with seasonal specials. Waitstaff is very competent, quick, and responsive. I like to get several appetizers/small plates instead of an entree and I've never been disappointed. Inside is cozy yet airy, and they always have sweet fresh flower arrangements on the tables.

    Sierra S.

    Best food I've had in Rhode Island. The menu changes daily and the staff are very informed. We ordered the burger on focaccia (sesame allergy so we changed the bun), the rolls, and a pasta dish. The vibe is very colonial but with modern touches. HIGHLY recommend!!!!!

    Death with a purple smile cocktail.
    Leah S.

    Recently went there for dinner and had an incredible meal. Started with 4 warm house rolls, garlic chive butter, parmigiano reggiano The soft, cheesy rolls are just incredible. I had spinach and ricotta Gnudi, my partner also had a pasta dish: Description from menu: crispy tesa, spring onion pesto, roasted almonds, parmigiano, saba, pork fat crumbs. We ended with their baked Alaska to share, ginger ice cream, honey sponge cake, citrus curd, torched meringue, lavender anglaise. It's one of my partners favorite desserts. Turned out to be too gingery, but I love ginger. I wasn't complaining having it all to myself. One of the most memorable meals. As usual, excellent service and atmosphere.

    A variety of delicious dishes.
    Hasan K.

    Six of us (three couples) decided to dine together on Valentine's Day. I reserved a table in the lower dining room which I like for its intimacy. The restaurant had a four course prix-fixe menu for $95 per person, not including drinks or the gratuity of 20% which was added to the check. The total came to around $850 - expensive but worth it for this occasion. We commenced with a bunch of different tasty appetizers supplemented with some delicious oysters. The main courses included chicken, steak, pork and scallops - all excellent - ending with fine desserts. This was accompanied by wine, a couple of cocktails, with the designated drivers sticking with sparkling water. I had to end such a meal with an espresso. The service was attentive and pleasant. Our server, Valerie L, could not have been any better, for whom I added an additional tip. Everyone enjoyed the evening, the atmosphere, the place and the food. This was one of the rare occasions in which the restaurant deserved four stars.

    Chloe H.

    The menu here is seasonal and usually flipping amazing. This winter it was the clams casino toast that did it. Mind blown. We go with with newer items like chickpea fries instead of the staples like pickled veg and fritters and the burger- though they all are solid options too. Seafood dishes like clams, scallops, are always amazing...so is whatever pork entree on the menu, they are always switching it up. I did have a pasta in a tomato sauce that I wasn't crazy about here but was just one dish. Consider the homemade ice creams- the blueberry one in the summer was probably the best I've ever had. Tip: they do take walk ins but take advantage of their online reservations

    NY Strip
    Alex C.

    I've heard a lot of great things about New Rivers and finally had the chance to try it during Providence Restaurant Week. We had a reservation for 4 people and were seated at one of the tables behind the entrance counter. The restaurant itself is very cozy and inviting, but space is limited in the dining area. Our server greeted us shortly after we were seated and gave us the rundown on the restaurant week menu. He answered all of the questions we had for him and was extremely accommodating. I settled on the fried oysters, NY strip for an entree and the dark chocolate pots de creme. The standout was the NY Strip as it came with bone marrow red wine jus and duck fat hash brown topped with beef tallow creamed spinach- a beef lovers dream. The creamed spinach melted the second it hit my tongue and the flavors were rich and comforting. Both the fried oysters and pots de creme were delicious as well. I am definitely making another stop at New Rivers soon to try some of their other seasonal specialties.

    Clams and oysters
    Ava M.

    Beautiful spot downtown by the Providence River. To preface this review: I've been to NR twice, both times I sat at the bar and had drinks and appetizers. I have yet to go for a full dinner. Inside, the atmosphere is cozy and classy. The bar is intimate with nice natural light coming in from the windows, and the building seems to be a converted home, which adds to the classic New England feel. In particular, I like the hardwood floors that creak just the right amount when you walk across them. Most recently, I tried the little neck clams, and both types of oysters. The presentation was beautiful-- shells arranged with seaweed, lemon, and a delightful selection of cocktail sauce and mignonette. The oysters were good. At $3.50 an oyster however, there are other places where I'd rather indulge. I also tried the bone marrow toast. The dish was presented in the bone, topped with a fresh tasting chutney, and two slices of toasted baguette. The bone marrow was smooth and rich, and the chutney was the perfect complement to its flavor. Of course, this is a very rich appetizer, so I'd suggest sharing with a friend. While the presentation looked beautiful, functionally you probably want twice as much bread to fully enjoy the marrow. The bar service was wonderful, and the host was polite and professional. The cocktails were balanced and beautiful, plus the glass wear is very aesthetic. Overall, New Rivers is a solid spot for American dishes. However, for the price-- compared to other upscale dining around the city, not my first choice.

    Carrot salad on fried Swiss chard leaf

    We loved New Rivers! The food was creative and delicious. Very creative chef with an obvious rapport with great flavors. The service was wonderful. The entire staff was cheerful, warm and efficient. The ambiance is welcoming and fun. The noise was occasionally a little excessive, but not enough to spoil a conversation. We started with the carrot "salad" on a large batter fried swiss chard leaf. We would definitely order again and again. Next we had the calamari fried with corn meal and a savory sweet glaze. The glaze enhanced the calamari and didn't over power the calamari as a sweet Thai or Korean sauce often does. Loved it. We ordered the chive biscuits and swooned. They were fabulous and we wish we could have eaten a dozen of them, but of course they are also filling. The fried halibut appetizer was done simply and served on remoulaide sauce. The halibut was some of the most flavorful fish we've ever had. Next we had the bone marrow appetizer which was well seasoned and beautifully presented. We also ordered a side of triple fried frites because they looked irresistible and we were glad we did not resist. Next we had the cheese fritters, crispy and cheesy, delicious!! Our last dish was clams casino on foccacia. It was delicious, bit we were so full that we could not finish. This is a great eclectic restaurant with memorable food. We highly, highly recommend New Rivers!

    Grilled sea bass

    We came here for Restaurant Week and had a peak experience. The subtle clam and corn chowder was so good we took a bowl home. Garlicky rolls fresh from the oven were wonderful. Sea bass was fresh and firm, with grilled veggies and corn. The chocolate pudding and lemon tart were to die for. I had to be talked out of taking one of those home too. The atmosphere was moody Neil Young and Sultans of Swing, the staff smart and pleasant. I think I love this place.

    Strawberry fields forever
    Victoria K.

    As a local food lover, I cannot believe it took me so long to finally discover New Rivers. Although we had planned the dinner before we knew it was Restaurant Week, my friend and I happened to dine here that week. Although RW can have a reputation of dumbing down the menu, if you will, I didn't find that at all during my dinner here. The food was outstanding and the service was very good. I can see why people in my orbit had been raving about New Rivers for so long, and I'm ashamed it took me so long to try it myself. I will definitely be back! Highly recommend.

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    What a great meal! Flew in from out of state & this is the one restaurant i recommend when in Providence. Overall great service & interior

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    We had a great meal. Quality service, an ever changing menu with lots of fun dishes. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - New Rivers

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    The District

    The District

    4.4
    (876 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Went to brunch with cousins, first time here! Parking was easy; street parking is available for…read morecheap and free on the weekend, apparently. There is a pay lot in the back for convenience, and for 2 hours it would have been around $9.00. I ordered breakfast tacos. Delish!! Served with a choice of side. I went with hash browns. Pleasantly surprised to get a mixture of potato hash brown cubes with sweet potato hash brown cubes. The creamy sauce over the tacos was amazing. Loved the avocado. I shared what my table mates ordered as well. I did not have a beverage, however the adult menu looked fantastic. Will def be back to try something! Service was prompt and friendly. Seating was spread out, clean bathrooms, overall great place.

    Food/Drinks: This place has delicious food and is honestly one of the best spots for breakfast. One…read moreof my favorite things here are the boozy flights! Strong, tasty, and have such a good variety. Honestly, they're one of the best parts of the colder weather coming back, just so I can go and have them again. I do wish they had them all year round ! Location: The location has a cozy, casual yet modern. You can definitely come dressed casually, but it's also nice enough to dress up if you want. I've only been here for breakfast, so I'm not sure how dinner is. I would definitely recommend making a reservation since it gets pretty busy. This place is perfect for a chill family time, first date, or just to catch up with friends ! Parking is easy with both street parking and a lot right in front, which makes it super convenient. Service: The service has always been great when I've gone. The servers are friendly, attentive, and get the job done, no complaints there. I'll definitely keep coming back, especially in the wintertime!

    Photos
    Chicken & Waffle eggs Benedict
    Chicken & Waffle eggs Benedict
    Salmon entree!
    Salmon entree!
    Kevin Hart visiting us for lunch!!

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    Kevin Hart visiting us for lunch!!
    Ellie's

    Ellie's

    4.3
    (614 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    I came here as part of Providence Coffee Crawls. I had been here before and loved my experience, so…read moreI was looking forward to visiting again. The first time I came, it was a rainy weekday and this time it was a sunny weekend, so I was expecting an even larger crowd; and my prediction was correct. The line was just out the door but because of their awesome staff, the line was moving very quickly. While we waited in line, we could watch them making pastries through the glass, a couple feet in front of us. I admired that level of transparency. When we were third in line, the kindest lady asked us whether we'd be eating in or taking out and she took down our name to help us find a table when it came time. She did the same for the rest of the people in line. She also gave us some recommendations, including the cinnamon bun - apparently they're so good kids cry when they sell out. I didn't intend to order anything with my drink, but I couldn't get the cinnamon bun out of my head so I ordered it along with my iced spiced chai latte. The hen (I think it's their logo) on the aprons of the employees are super cute. We did secure a table. The tables are close together to maximize the number of people who can sit down but I didn't mind. I love their art all around, mostly of birds which I am obsessed with. I love that they have a lot of natural lighting coming through their tall windows. I also like the navy blue and white theme they have going on. The chai latte was perfect. It was the right color (a dark tan), meaning the ratio of tea and milk was good and I could taste a lot of the spices. The cinnamon bun blew my expectations away. The second my teeth made. contact with the icing, it was a magical feeling. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it tasted like, but the closest I got was dulce de leche. It is truly unlike any other cinnamon bun I have ever had. The dough is soft and there is a good amount of cinnamon. It's also $4 which is not bad. I had a bite of their canelé, which apparently requires a lot of work to make. It was very moist, with a great caramelized finish. I am super excited to try their new weekend dinner menu, but also more of their all day menu items.

    I bought a cinnamon bun ($5) and it was basic. Once you bite it, you realize it is just a brioche…read moredonut with some frosting. There were no cinnamon-butter layers inside it. The frosting was incredible though. That stuff could go on anything. The cinnamon buns at Oak Bakeshop and Whole Foods are much better with those typical gooey layers inside. Also, it was not large in size, anyone can eat it in one sitting. The worker who took my order was very friendly and it is so nice/comfortable inside there.

    Photos
    Pastry display case with all the amazing house made pasties!
    Pastry display case with all the amazing house made pasties!
    Ellie's Signature Breakfast Sandwich
    Ellie's Signature Breakfast Sandwich
    Entrance to Ellie's located on union st

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    Entrance to Ellie's located on union st
    Oberlin

    Oberlin

    4.2
    (328 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    We haven't been back to Oberlin for some time. We had a PPAC performance and were lucky to score a…read morelast-minute reservation on a Friday night. The hostess sat us at a table. We were lucky that another patron decided they wanted a table versus the chef's seat at the counter. For us, this is the perfect place to sit because it lets you take in the whole experience. The ambiance was great. I had the same great Negroni as last time, but also had a new take on an Old Fashioned called the Dinner Jacket. Very yummy! Our server was very pleasant and attentive. We ordered the Kohlrabi Caesar and sesame focaccia again. It was as great as the first time. The focaccia is amazing. My wife ordered the Anolini for her entree, and I ordered the fabulous rack of lamb cooked in the wood-fired oven. It was simply amazing. We ended by splitting the warm apple tart. Everything was fabulous...my rating is the same. Go and enjoy yourself.

    The last time I came to Oberlin, they were in a smaller building (now Cielito) in the block over…read more So obviously, they've expanded and the place looks really nice. I loved the cream and gold aesthetics, as well as the cool art on the ceiling. They have a variety of seating areas including tables inside and outside as well as highchairs around the open kitchen and highchairs wrapping around the brick oven which is where we sat. We were warned that it does get very toasty, but it wasn't anything unbearable. My friend comes here often, so he noticed that they've made big changes to their menu. He highly recommended the crudo; it can either be ordered a la carte ($14 per fish serving) or one of each as a platter. I chose to try the black bass and bluefin tuna. We also ordered wood roasted sesame focaccia to eat with the crudo and the cacio and Pepe we ordered. Lastly, we ordered a Kohlrabi Caesar salad which comes with Boston blackened boquerones, croutons, and parmiagano. The food came out at different moments but we ate the salad, bread, and crudo together and saved the pasta for last. The crudo was very fresh and decent serving size. It seemed to only be topped with olive oil and salt, but that was enough to amplify the flavor. The focaccia was soft, easy to tear apart, warm, perfectly crispy/toasted, and every millimeter of the focaccia was covered in sesame seeds. It comes with olive oil to dip in. The salad was unique. I have never had kohlrabi before but it was similar to broccoli stems in its firmness, but not as sweet. It was not drowned in dressing which I was happy about, and has a good amount of parmesan cheese. I could taste the crunchy croutons which added an additional crunch along with the kohlrabi. I have never had boquerones before so I wasn't sure which flavor to look out for. The cacio and Pepe was okay. It was a little bland, but since it was my first time having it, I was not sure what to expect. The spaghetti was cooked a little under al dente and the sauce was a lower viscosity than I imagined. My friend had a drink and all together, our bill was close to $100 which is not too bad. The plates look small (about 6-8" in diameter), but the food is filling. I decided to check out the website for fun and I love the octopus art and that it's easy to navigate. The staff was very friendly and made us feel important and taken care of.

    Photos
    Bar
    Bar
    Spaghetti Spezzati
    Spaghetti Spezzati
    Bar seating

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    Bar seating
    Layali Providence

    Layali Providence

    4.4
    (155 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    I went to Layali with a friend of mine. We got flaming espresso martinis.(I was skeptical since I'm…read morenot the biggest espresso martini person (has to be made right, not too sweet, etc.) I actually really enjoyed this one. The bartender was pretty cool, but the restaurant was busy but service was still great The restaurant itself sits slightly below street level, but is not exactly underground. Rather the restaurant is in the basement of one of the buildings downtown. I recommend Layali for good espresso martinis and order their cocktails

    Food/Drinks: I've been here multiple times, and they have the best martinis. I feel like finding a…read morespot where the martinis are very strong but also extremely tasty is really difficult, and they honestly do an amazing job! I'm also not just talking about their signature martinis with the names. They have different types of martinis and fruity ones as well, and those are just as delicious, maybe even a little better than their signature ones, which always hit the spot regardless. I usually come here to chitchat with friends and catch up for drinks, so I haven't gotten huge meals, but I've heard that the food is delicious, and I definitely will be coming back to try it. I did try their charcuterie board, and it's so delicious and filling, and perfect for picking at a little something while you have your delicious drinks. Location: This location is right in the heart of downtown PVD. This place definitely gives more business casual vibes, but you can definitely dress up to go on a date. If I'm not mistaken, Friday and Saturday nights definitely have more of a club vibe after a certain time, but during the week, I've also gone before, and it's very low-lit, romantic, and honestly perfect for any occasion, especially with the type of drinks they have! Parking can be a little difficult because it's downtown, but you can always try to get street parking with a little walk. I honestly find parking down the street, and it's not that hard. There's also parking you can pay for right on the corners, so there are different ways of finding a place to park. Taking an Uber would be a great idea as well, so you don't have to deal with anything and can drink as much as you want. They do not have valet. Service: The service has always been super friendly and very accommodating. Honestly, all the times that I've gone, they've been very helpful with helping us get seats and just giving us a great experience, even with how busy it gets. This is definitely a spot that I not only recommend to everyone, but it's somewhere that I will continue to go because it's genuinely one of my favorites!

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    Layali Providence
    Shrimp
    Shrimp
    Flaming espresso martini

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    Flaming espresso martini

    New Rivers - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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