We had a disappointing dining experience there last Friday. Tony S's review on 7/3 was spot on. The seating outside on a rickety park bench was not conducive to a comfortable dining experience. Then when I asked if they would add chicken to my pasta and the response was that they didn't make any changes to the dishes AT ALL, I was done. It was partly her tone, as if we should be honored that they were deigning to serve us. Lastly we were not impressed with the quality of our meals. They were ok at best. read more

I came here for an end-of-night glass of wine with some friends. While I didn't try any of the food, I did have a nice glass of sauvigon blanc. My friend tried the pinot and the prosecco and everyone seemed to enjoy their choices. While we didn't get too adventurous with the drinks (or food, for that matter), Oberlin is a nice little spot in Downcity. I enjoyed the atmosphere (niche, relaxing, young) and the service. I'll have to come back to try the food! read more

Oberlin - Oberlin at closing time. Great little spot! - New American Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Amazing experience. Everything we ate was absolutely delicious. The staff were incredible and knowledgeable. We bonded with the couple seated next to us talking about how amazing everything was! Enough said! Lol read more

Amazing crudos, great ambiance. I'm looking forward to their expansion for more seating.

Enjoyed the variety of tapas sized dishes. The fresh raw seafood was great - we had the scallops that melted in your moth, mussels with nice spice, fluke with nice citrus dressing and had ordered the wonderful crusty on outside and soft on inside that we used to dip in the dishes sauce. One of our favorites was agnolotti pasta stuffed with jalapeños and cream. We also had duck gnocchi and green beans puttanesca. For dessert we tried both the basque cheesecake which is crustless, oil olive burned top and blueberry tart with olive oil ice cream. Only wish I had is they had chocolate dessert option. read more

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I had a variety of small plates here. The service was very pleasant and offered a lot of great suggestions. We had some raw fish, Brandade with grilled bread, beef tartare, and ricotta agnolotti. The raw fish was very simple and fresh. The grilled sourdough was really good, though next time I might just get it with garlic and oil. The agnolotti and beef tartare was delicious, wish there was more of it! Overall we had a really pleasant time. Next time I'd like to try one of their whole roasted fish read more

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Great place close to the financial district and campuses in Providence, it features creative, attentively-crafted dishes based on fish, pasta, and other delicatessen. They have sakes, Amaros, and a well-curated wine list. Everything is special, the human factor comprised. Have I said that the neighborhood is enchanting? Do not miss this restaurant. read more

My boyfriend and I were excited to try Oberlin. Here are our thoughts: Service: Pretty good. Our server was friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable. They were able to make some excellent suggestions and made sure to check on us periodically. There was one dish we got that both of us didn't like at all - and it's a dish we're both familiar with (Cacio e Pepe) and this one just wasn't...right. We each took a bite and left it. For $20, I would have appreciated the server asking what about the dish wasn't to our liking but instead whisked it away from the table (and not off the bill). Ambiance: Lovely. Other reviews we'd read said that the volume in the restaurant (specifically the music) was too loud. We didn't find this to be the case at all. Food: Over all, enjoyable - and we'll come back but try other items instead. We started with the raw black bass - AMAZING. Next, the raw scallops. A little heavy on the mayo, but otherwise we enjoyed it very much. After that, the Lamb Tartar with warm bread. Lovely...though my boyfriend enjoyed it more. Then, the Japanese Sweet Potatoes - I loved this! Be careful - the spiciness creeps up on you! But nicely sweet to balance it out. Then - the Cacio e Pepe... this, we did not enjoy at all. We're both familiar with Cacio e Pepe, my boyfriend more so as he's also enjoyed it while in Italy and it's literally his all-time favorite meal. The homemade pasta just fell apart as we each tried to eat our first bite, as if it was over cooked. While, yes, Pepe means pepper - this version of the dish had so much pepper that we could not enjoy it (and my boyfriend LOVES pepper!!). I couldn't get the front of my tongue to stop burning, and that was just after 1 bite. I also didn't feel like the sauce quite came together...it was watery, not silky. This is the dish that we didn't eat beyond each of our first bites. It was simply not enjoyable, especially with the over-doneness of the thick pasta. An off night perhaps?? Who knows. Lastly, we got the cheesecake... this was not a style of cheesecake we're used to and it was enjoyable enough, though the olive oil seemed unnecessary. My boyfriend asked me if I loved it (cheesecake is my favorite) and I said "I'm...enjoying it..." but not enough to finish it, and that's a first for me and cheesecake lol. It was...ok enough, but I wouldn't order it again. The top is supposed to be a warm colored brown...caramelized beautifully... (and we'd seen a picture of this very cheesecake from Oberlin that had been posted online), but this was so dark/burnt that it had become quite bitter. Beverages: For the lovely selection of tastes, I do wish that they offered more for libations. I'm a pickier drinker, so I stuck with the citrus cordial and, quite honestly, LOVED IT, but I think it could have been a stunner with some vodka added. (I could have asked I suppose, but nothing else on the drink menu implied that they even had vodka, so I didn't ask - my fault, I guess). My boyfriend enjoyed his Negroni fine enough. We're not wine people - so some truly interesting beverage concoctions really seemed like they'd be fitting here, but were not. Will we come back? Yes. We look forward to trying the entire Raw selection plate as well as the full seabass that we saw another table get - it looked wonderful. read more

Incredible spot for date night. Our server, Adam, provided the best service we have ever received. His knowledge on the menu was exceptional and it made our experience one of a kind. The wine was fantastic and every food dish we had was unique and lovely. We will be back. Thank you for such a warm and excellent experience! read more

Some flavor pairings might seem odd My favorite? The brandade Stop by to see Ben and Evan For a glass of wine and a taste of heaven 'Oberlin' means 'A gift from God' read more

Solid spot in Providence, great waiter and food! Would come back here again to try some of the other main dishes. Apps are a little too similar and on the small side. read more

Oberlin - New American Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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I DIDN'T EVEN EAT HERE! 6pm, approaching the hostess with a party of 2, and being told there was an hour wait, we left! Plus, they don't take reservations! I've heard this place is very good, but how long do they expect people to wait to be seated? Unlikely to go back. read more

Food is phenomenal. We ordered the mafaldine to start. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and the culture cream/braised duck flavors balanced out perfectly. This was my favorite dish of the night! We also had a yummy dish of griddled turnips with pea green soubise, almond and seaweed. Who knew eating vegetables would be that easy? The fish of the day Scup was amazing as well. The crispy herbed brown rice, dill, lemon are a powerful combination to create memorable flavors. Lastly, the dessert of mochi butter cake and lemon ice cream (with pistachio, cocoa nib, cardomom) is so creative and I would have ordered a second one if I wasn't so stuffed! read more

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My wife and I had a terrific anniversary dinner. We started with the combo platter and finished it - delicious! The kohlrabi Caesar is a must. And the roasted winter flounder was worth every bite (except for the preparation around it). Wine was great. Dessert tart was awesome. Overall, great experience. read more

Oberlin - At our anniversary dinner, my wife finishing off the fresh roasted winter flounder. A great meal! - New American Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Great meal of a whole roasted fish for two perfectly prepared. They have a talented kitchen preparing local fresh ingredients with out over powering the flavors of fresh ingredients. read more

Oberlin - Roasted whole fish - New American Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

I left just had the best food experience in my life. I haven't posted a review on yelp in YEARS but needed to immediately tell everyone how amazing this place was. The plate sizes were the perfect portions, enough to be fully satisfied with all the different flavors and textures. We had 8? 9? Items off the menu and literally each thing was better than the previous. I told the waiter he will learn our names real quick because we will be going again... and again... and again. Top notch. Loved it all. read more

Drove by Oberlin and liked the feel of the place, but didn't end up going until receiving a recommendation from some of the locals. My fiancée and I went for dinner. We split the potato gnocchi and the whole black sea bass. The food was incredible. Our waiter was excellent and did a wonderful job pairing our wine with our meal. From start to finish Oberlin sets the perfect tone for a great night out with their low wait times, talented/friendly staff, delicious food, and good pricing. read more

Oberlin - Black Sea bass with homemade couscous at Oberlin - New American Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Aside from the slow service, I was relatively unimpressed with the quality of the food. The flounder was especially mediocre, and I don't suggest it. The bread, however, was fantastic! read more

AAHMAYZING FOOD AND STAFF!!!! And a very reasonable price- perfect combo LOL Our family of four adults arrived very hungry on a rainy night! So..... we ordered lots of food. Good thing is the portions are small but they are huge on flavor!!! Can't go wrong with any dish. We had starters: raw tuna - raw winter fluke - gnocchi.... uno perfecto Moved on to: local sourdough bread- grilled scallions- brandade bread- potato gnocchi- broccoli CA palette- RI mushrooms- just awesome!!!!!! Mouth licking goodness!!!! Still more folks- finally last item- IT WAS A HUGE PORTION! The whole roasted John Dory!!!! A large platter with the full fish surrounded by super tasty vegetables and broth. Best part???? That the servings were small so we felt less guilty tasting a variety of dishes. Hehehe Staff was fun and helpful and guided us well on choice of dishes. Highly recommend! read more

Oberlin - The John Dory- no photos of other dishes because we were so busy devouring them- forgot to take pics - New American Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

The only way to describe the food at this restaurant, as our president eloquently puts it, SAD! Tiny portions, below average food, above average prices, only leave bad reviews when i feel like I was robbed and this was one of those times. Quarter cup of pasta that tastes like annie's mac and cheese for $16, get real. Beautiful restaurant and great service but the food is just criminal. read more

- Local Grain Sourdough Bread w/ Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil. - Marinated Mussels with Chive, Chili & Sweet Potato / Raw Bass / Raw Mahi Mahi (Surprise Combo). - Brandade w/ Herbs & Grilled Bread. - Kohlrabi Caesar w/ Cured Bluefish, Croutons & Parmiggiano. - Chitarra Cacio e Pepe. - Fusilli Puttanesca w/ Olive, Chili & Breadcrumbs. - Potato Gnocchi w/ Shellfish & Chives. - Beeswax Custard, Tristar Strawberries, Quince & Malted Corn. This was our first meal in Providence. We were going back & forth between having dinner here or birch. We ended up cancelling our birch reservation and going for Oberlin. Wow... No regrets AT ALL!!!! This restaurant is one well-oiled machine! Everything was incredible! We enjoyed the entire meal and experience. Would definitely return! read more

2.75 stars, two visits over the course of two years. Service was excellent - very attentive and friendly staff. Chicken - juicy and organic Pasta with mussels - unmemorable The cheese plate - would it kill you to put at least two pieces of each? And what's up with those paper thin crackers? They break before you even get to put them in your mouth. I think the roasted carrots are the only thing that I would come back for. read more

Excellent restaurant regardless of price but even more so when price is considered. Everything was well prepared and well presented. Service overall was good. Charming spot. read more

Coming in from Chicago, I read an article about this place so My wife and I decided to seek it out. Well I have to say, we were not disappointed, the food was Phenomenal. Our waiter, David I believe was his name suggested most of what we ate and we not disappointed and believe me when I say we made our way through the menu. I highly recommend this place and so does Jon Lester (Ha). Here, this was our menu items: Raw Fluke, wild mushrooms, sourdough bread, heirloom tomatoes, marinated squid and blueberry tart. Oh, let's not forget the Pinot noir from Santa Barbra. read more

This place is really great. I like the food, drinks are good, staff are awesome, but there's one thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars. I sat at the bar, as I like to do (not into tables) and it was FREEZING cold, whenever someone opened the door. Aren't bars supposed to have curtains or something for this? Otherwise... great read more

Farm fresh vegetables, unique fresh sushi grade fish paired with the perfect flavored olive oil dipping sauce, excellent small plates, and a couple larger plates are offered. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I've been about four times and always can't wait to go back. The bar is limited, but the food is fantastic. read more

The place feels like a place for overly self important people. The menu was unapproachable and the drinks were ok at best.

I received a recommendation from the hostess of another restaurant and Wow was she right. A few words...fresh, diverse, fantastic flavors and satisfaction. If you are looking for bar food...don't come here. If you are looking for an excellent dining experience then YES!! read more

Oberlin - Blueberry Tarts - New American Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

I came to Oberlin while in Providence tonight because I follow the Bon Appetit rankings. I was not disappointed. Those looking for large portions, grilled or hot fish, or a lot of options probably would be. This is a delicious but fairly limited menu of crudo, pastas, vegetables and a few well chosen wines. The place itself is beautiful and warm with a variety of seating options like the chef's table, the bar and regular tables. I came in on a Monday evening without a reservation and was quickly seated. My server was wonderful - she made passionate and knowledgeable recommendations that were perfect for my palate and desire to eat a lite dinner. I chose the kohlrabi caesar salad, the winter flounder crudo and a nice California red that was very floral forward called Clarine Jambalaia Rouge. I will have to say with a bit of criticism that, for this California guy, the wine glasses were small and the pours a bit limited for the amount charged ($14 for my glass). The winter flounder was delicious, though I'm not the biggest crudo fan, and was a generous portion. I loved the salad. Kohlrabi is a German turnip, but it tastes and looks like a pickled watercress. Combined with the shaved mozzarella, the kohlrabi takes on a similar look as the cheese. The salad paired the vinegary taste with the sourish taste of mozzarella in a perfect combination. Another great meal in Providence, and kudos to the much celebrated chef and owner for another great destination for food. read more

I use a scooter and getting into this hipster restaurant was a victory. Staff was kind and helpful. Sadly, there was nothing on the menu of small plates We could eat. All included either raw fish or a base of carbs, so we had to leave. Wound up at as220 with a bowl of cauliflower soup. Sad to find out how limited the menu is, as we had been wanting to try this place. Husband said we weren't hip enough. I think we're too old and picky! read more

Delish! Rated #7 in the nation in 2016 and definitely worth a visit!! We were lucky enough to walk in as a table of 4 on a Friday night at 8pm...don't test your luck with that because it was bustling. Everyone in our party was happy with their food! The plates are on the small side so order 3 to feel full. I had the roasted carrots, cheese & pepper pasta and cheese platter. Sooooo tasty!!! I'd order them all again! The wine is eclectic- no normal Pinot Grigio option but the server will help you select a similar yet different wine to try based on your preferences! Brings me to service and vibe. Service is impeccable or at least ours was. Attentive, knowledgeable and so polite and warm. Loved. The vibe is loud, full of life and casual. Very fun atmosphere!! Make time for this place!! read more

Wish they could have more vegetarian options! Their heirloom corn orecchiette was really amazing! The portion size of the cheese plate was a little small, even though the cheeses were delicious. For desert, we got the raspberry roll cake with grapefruit and woodruff and it was really delicious. Food quality is good although service is a little slow, portions are a bit small and its a bit overpriced. Make sure you bring your vaccine card as they check, even for outdoor seating. read more

This is the best restaurant in Providence and the only one that could genuinely be on bar with a great New York City restaurant. Very good and original food, a great atmosphere, staff that seem genuinely happy to be there. The whole experience is inspired and enjoyable. With the loss of North and Big King, than goodness Oberlin is still thriving. read more

If you are into raw fishes and looking for a swanky yet not obnoxious place, look no more. Friendly staff, delicious dishes. And also, saké.

I tried this last night with some friends and in a nutshell, I think it was tasty but overpriced. We ordered 8 plates for 6 people to start -- we would have ordered more, but once we saw that $12 only gets you a fistful of pasta, we figured we'd need to get like 10 more plates for everyone to be full. I give them points for a creative menu and the tasty food, but they should figure out how to offer better value to customers. I couldn't believe there was a "whole mackerel" on the menu for $24. A whole mackerel weighs maybe 3-4 oz, and I bought a few at Whole Foods the other day for $2/lb. I 100% believe in paying for the flawless execution but that is sick, sick margin on that dish. I'd be willing to check it out again if the menu was revisited. Otherwise, it's a pass for me. read more

Fantastic experience. Food was creative and delicious. Service was top notch. Definitely coming back.

I had only experienced kohlrabi once before in my life. This kohlrabi caesar salad with cured mackerel @ Oberlin was to die for. AMAZING! What was equally splendid was a piece of John Dory fish (whole), charred and cooked perfectly with corn squash and wilted kale. This was one of the best meals I have had in a while. This dinner kicked off the start of my birthday month. I'll return to Oberlin to delight in their wonderfully presented, delicious dishes, and if you haven't visited, you should. read more

Delicious dinner. We loved dining on all their small plates, and the service was excellent. We went on a Sunday evening, had no issues finding a parking spot on the street, and were seated right away. With recommendations from the waitress, we ordered the raw albacore tuna (with citrus, olive oil, and sea salt), brandade, potato gnocchi, kohlrabi caesar salad, and shelling beans (which was kind of like a soup). Everything tasted amazing, the meal was paced well, and they had very interesting wine selections to go with our meal. We finished with some dessert wines/aperitifs and the apple & quince tart. A perfect meal! We stayed until closing and would happily come back if we lived close! read more

Rhode Island is truly the foodie town. There are restaurants galore that are not only YELP 5 star deserving places but they are also affordable to the general public. Some are James Beard nominated, others are local favorites. There's always something new to try out and I'm always excited to venture out here. This is the sister restaurant to Birch so we already started out knowing how amazing it would be! I think the first time I came by here I stumbled upon it while walking to the Sound of Music. Since that time I have come here with the BF at least 3 times now. While they serve "tapas" they are in fact just small dishes of various new American/Italian/Seafood plates. Each of them well done and not a single one I would say meh. So the thing is that they always have a few large plates at the end of the menu that are constantly changing. They are generally a type of seafood dish and/or meat dish (2-3 to select from). These are the dishes that I have triend and would recommend! Bread and Roasted Garlic/Oil - Simple yet amazing Tempura Mushrooms - OMG you must Cavatelli - YESS Chitarra Cacio e Pepe - Um, yes! Skate Wing - So let me preface that if this is on the menu, you have to try it. You have to get over what it is because it really just tastes like fish and the way it is cooked it's awesome. Scup - Whatever way they prepare the scup you must have it. It is whole so for you guys who are less adventurous, get over yourself Dessert - I would get these desserts in this order: 1. Chocolate mousse (amazing!!!!) 2. Apple Tart (Also amazing!!!) 3. Toasted cereal (Interesting!!) All in all, a great restaurant and quickly became a favorite of mine. On the pricey side but not as pricey as Birch. So reasonable. Street parking is always going to be difficult. This is one of the few restaurants open on Sunday and Monday but closed on Tuesday/Wednesday. If you haven't been here you're REALLY missing out! read more

Finally made it in here and I am glad. Beautiful decor, good size bar with restaurant seating. Its not very big so it can fill up quick. The raw scup and perch appetizers were amazing. Thin sliced sashimi style with simple seasonings that were perfectly balanced, they just melt in your mouth. Mussels were great as well. Creamy and sweet with a little crunch from the mini sweet potato chip on top. Both the duck confit pasta and the little neck pasta were delicious too. They also surprised us with a few courses as well one being the fingerling potatoes that were to die for. The bar tender hooked up a few wine samples as well that paired with the dishes and he was spot on. Staff was great. Evan and Ben took great care of us. Drinks were great the conversation was good but not smothering, just the way I like it. Definitely gonna go back soon. Whole place is a class act read more