New Rivers
A historic warehouse bistro offering creative, locally sourced American cuisine and a unique selection of wines.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
New Rivers
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A historic warehouse bistro offering creative, locally sourced American cuisine and a unique selection of wines.
"Absolutely life-changing meal; the food was out of this world!"
Make Reservations
Book in advance, especially on weekends, to avoid long waits.
Try the Gnudi
This pasta dish is highly recommended and stands out as a must-try.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Exceptional Raw Oysters
Tastefully presented oysters with stellar mignonette and cocktail sauce with fresh horseradish.
Tender Gnudi and Bolognese
Incredibly tender gnudi, a delightful pasta dish with rich pork and beef bolognese.
Historic Warehouse Ambiance
Bistro located in a historic warehouse, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Make Reservations
Book in advance, especially on weekends, to avoid long waits.
Try the Gnudi
This pasta dish is highly recommended and stands out as a must-try.
Oyster Happy Hour
Check for their oyster happy hour deals, often promoted on Twitter.
Solo Diner Friendly
Appreciated for offering single portions, allowing solo diners to try more.
Tips
from all over the internet
Make Reservations
Book in advance, especially on weekends, to avoid long waits.
Try the Gnudi
This pasta dish is highly recommended and stands out as a must-try.
Oyster Happy Hour
Check for their oyster happy hour deals, often promoted on Twitter.
Solo Diner Friendly
Appreciated for offering single portions, allowing solo diners to try more.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
New Rivers is celebrated for its creative, locally sourced American cuisine and warm ambiance, especially notable for its raw bar and tender gnudi. While many praise the presentation and unique flavors, some reviews mention inconsistent execution in dishes and less-than-ideal service responses to complaints, particularly regarding salads.
"Really appreciate the restaurant accommodating me when I did not have a reservation.
The raw oysters were tastefully presented - with a stellar mignonette and cocktail sauce with fresh shaved horseradish. Is it rude to drink mignonette after finishing oysters? If so, New Rivers might tempt me to be rude.
The cornmeal fried squid - amazing. Crispy, chewy and not overpowering. Fried basil and radish were the perfect accompaniments.
My server advised me that I could order a single roll and I appreciated that non menu option. As a solo diner - I appreciate getting to try more of the menu.
Smoked duck tart was incredible. The pastry was perfect - but I thought the salad on the side was odd. Entire leaves of lettuce were hard to eat. The freshness helped but maybe a different presentation might be better.
I ordered the lemon curd tart and while good, it was the low point of the meal. The pastry was not as good as the earlier tart and the flavor seemed muted. I’d order something else.
Overall, great meal, well worth a special visit"
Shalin Shah
"Phenomenal pork chop tenderloin, full stop! Don't mess around, someone at the table should get this dish. We had the scallops and the sea Bass as well, the pork chop is a level above these dishes.
Smoky char, tender, juicy, and you must dip in the sauce on the plate to get the full experience. This is a must have entree at The New Rivers restaurant.
Baked Alaska was good and we enjoyed the Corn cake with corn ice cream."
Nicholas McElveen
"We went for dinner for a weeknight in early September. Reservations were available on short notice and missed the college parent crowds. First time here after hearing about it for a number of years.
We shared a couple of appetizers and really enjoyed the cheese/charcuterie board and calamari. Calamari was crispy and sauces were delicate. Cheese board was also delicious and we liked that we could mix and match. Not many places offer pate, so we enjoyed having that as an option.
The gnudi dish was the best of the evening. They’re something between a small dumpling and gnocchi, and were so incredibly tender! Sauce was very delicious and we highly recommend trying this dish.
Entrees were okay, but not amazing. They’re known for their burger but I found it lackluster. Saddest part was the French fries were soft and tasteless. Burger meat was drier than it should be; likely too much fat rendered off during cooking. Bun had no integrity and didn’t hold up to the burger.
Pork loin was good, but serving size was extremely small for an entree. There were only 3 slices of pork on the dish.
Desserts were simple and well-executed, but not a highlight.
Atmosphere can be very nice if not too loud. Great place for a date, grabbing light fare, or having a drink at the bar."
Allison F
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend evenings, as the restaurant can get busy.
The raw oysters and gnudi dish are frequently praised and highly recommended.
Yes, the restaurant offers an oyster happy hour, which is often promoted on their Twitter.
Yes, they are known to be accommodating and offer options, such as single rolls, that benefit solo diners.
The restaurant is located in a historic warehouse and offers a warm, inviting, and elegant atmosphere, ideal for dates.
The menu appears to be seasonal and can change daily, featuring creative dishes.
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When Al Forno moved in 1990 to more spacious digs in the revived Main Street warehouse district (where there's still a wait for tables, such is Al Forno's popularity), Killeen and Germon helped Bruce Tillinghast open New Rivers (7 Steeple St.; tel. 401/751-0350; www.newriversrestaurant.com) in Al Forno's old site, serving a bold and inventive multicultural cuisine in that intimate 40-seat space. The name references the global mix-and-match of Tillinghast's menu, as well as the uncovering of Providence's long-buried rivers in the late 1980s, set off in 1994 by the stunning downtown Riverwalk development. Right on Riverwalk, Café Nuovo (One Citizens Plaza; tel. 401/421-2525; www.cafenuovo.com/cafenuovo) offers white-linen fine dining; chef Tim Kelly turns out exquisitely presented plates of creative fusion cuisine using top-dollar ingredients sourced from all over the globe.
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New Rivers also has incredible food, and added lunch service this summer (right after we left, unfortunately). If you're a fan of oysters, they have a great oyster happy hour deal (I forget which night, but they always talk it up on Twitter). For more casual fare, there is a great food truck scene, which started with Chez Pascal's Hewtin's Dogs Mobile truck (the inspiration for my f52 pork burger), but which now includes Mama Kim's Korean BBQ, Mijos Tacos (do not miss the lengua), Rocket Fine Street Foods, and so many others.
Free Providence Festival
Friday, September 6, 5:15-8:30 PM, Burnside Park Band StageSPREAD LOVE FUNCTION will take place at the Burnside Park Stage on Friday, September 6 from 5:15 – 8:30 pm with exciting live music performances, DJs, and dancing. A full bar will be available, and food trucks will be in Kennedy Plaza serving a variety of exciting international and local cuisine. Attendees of all ages are welcome and encouraged to bring a chair or blanket for hours of fun and dancing at PVDFest on Friday evening.
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Nestled within a beautifully restored mill building on the charming Steeple Street, New Rivers beckons guests with its timeless allure. This upscale American bistro dazzles with its warm ambiance adorned with enchanting twinkling lights and snug seating arrangements. Chef Beau Vestal’s unwavering commitment to utilizing local and sustainable ingredients shines through in a delightful array of made-from-scratch pastas and seasonal culinary artistry.
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Continue walking along the river and head to Steeple Street to discover New Rivers, a restaurant whose name was inspired by the river rerouting project that spearheaded the city’s renaissance. Owner/Executive Chef Beau Vestal has been delighting diners with his modern bistro cuisine for many years. Utilizing the highest quality local produce and meats available, the chef prepares an extensive charcuterie menu, in addition to his dining offerings.
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The name says new, but the location—the Congdon and Carpenter Mill—is a historic one. Located on the banks of the Moshassuck River, New Rivers features locally sourced ingredients prepared in new and exciting ways. Essentially, we are talking about upscale bistro fares with an unexpected twist, like fresh local oysters, Duck Ham, Thick Belly Bacon, and fresh local ingredients.
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A great choice for the serious foodie, New Rivers has a relaxed, yet elegant vibe and absolutely delightful bistro fare. Owned by a couple that is truly dedicated to historical preservation, New Rivers is a gorgeously preserved piece of old Providence. Come to dinner here, and the servers will give you the time you need to get deep and really enjoy the experience.
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That restaurant we're sure will always be there, for instance, until it isn't and the handwringing begins. We've seen this plenty in Boston in recent years, as many of our best restaurants have closed. But Providence seems to be able to maintain a tier of stalwart occasion spots — Gracie's, Mill's Tavern — even in the face of constant next-new-things.
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New Rivers is solid, as is Mills Tavern (as long as you get decent wait staff), and Neath's (fusion-y cuisine, but not so fusion that Vo Dihlundahs would leave in droves). And for a city with a huge Italian (and Italian restaurant) population, the Italian food is largely unremarkable save for homey joints like Angelos Civita Farnese on Atwells.
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Gift Horse, 272 Westminster St., is among the most heralded of the new restaurants, making national best lists from both Esquire and Bon Appetit. Gift Horse brought a raw bar and seafood specialties to downtown from James Beard nominated chef Ben Sukle who offers it as a "gift" of the best catches in Rhode Island waters.
Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Providence, according to Tripadvisor
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (162 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)– Type of cuisine: American– Price: $$$$– Address: 7 Steeple St, Providence, RI 02903-1329– Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like: Highest paying jobs in Providence that require a graduate degree
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This New American restaurant’s small plates don’t pull any punches with big, bold flavors. New Rivers doesn’t hold back on presentation, either: The seasonal New England eats, such as a squash “carpaccio” to a basil-roasted half chicken with fresh veggies, are almost too beautiful to eat.
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Fancy, but not pretentious, New Rivers is very small but offers American style food in one of Providence’s oldest buildings. The bar is rarely accessible, but when it is, make sure you sit there for amazing attention you will receive. Have a question about a drink or wine?.
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This cozy restaurant is right on College Hill / across RISD and has a menu that’s updated daily. You can expect tasty meat and seafood options, like grilled trout, a thick burger and local oysters. A post shared by New Rivers Beau Vestal (@newriversbeau)
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7 Steeple St, Providence, RI 02903Phone: 401-751-0350 Visit Website. A post shared by New Rivers Beau Vestal (@newriversbeau). Next to the Providence Art Club, New Rivers is on Steeple Street.
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