Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Rhode Island

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Rhode Island? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Igloos at The Coast Guard House

4.9

4.9 (33)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Narragansett

About the restaurant

Dine in one of our custom designed Igloos By the Sea at The Coast Guard House. There is an igloo rental fee for $100 for three hours. Each igloo is outfitted with a Bluetooth speaker, fireplace and heater. However, we do recommend dressing warmly and/or in layers. Our full menu is available for your enjoyment. We can not guarantee any specific igloo. Igloo reservations can be cancelled in inclement weather. There is a credit hold for $20 per person to complete your reservation. Your card will only be charged if you cancel a week or less or do not honor your reservation.

Top review

Richard

Dined 5 days ago

Great for a private dining experience. The igloo was beautifully decorated. Our waiter Matt was very attentive. If you want a cozy private afternoon or evening dining event for a small group, this is the place to have it.

Cara

4.8

4.8 (277)

$50 and over

Contemporary French / American

Newport

About the restaurant

Embark on an extraordinary dining journey at Cara, where European-inspired techniques merge with New England’s finest ingredients. Situated at the beginning of Newport’s iconic Cliff Walk, our Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond restaurant offers panoramic ocean views and a carefully curated chef’s choice tasting menu by Executive Chef Jacob Jasinski. With a limited number of guests welcomed each evening, we provide an intimate and exclusive setting. Our culinary team introduces each course, highlighting the distinctive qualities of every dish, with select ingredients sourced from The Chanler’s own garden beds.

Discover why People Magazine has named us one of the "50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America" and Yankee Magazine recognized us as "The Best Hotel Restaurant in Rhode Island." We are open Wednesday through Sunday, with advanced reservations and a full deposit required. Please note that our tastings feature meat and seafood, and we are unable to accommodate severe allergies.

Top review

DaveVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Chef Jacob and his team, particularly Andrew, did a wonderful job.Great evening, in a great hotel and great location and a great dinner and wine pairing.

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Experience

Christmas Eve: 6-Course Blind Tasting Menu (5:00)

Experience

Christmas Eve: 7-Course Blind Tasting Menu (8:30)

Aurelia at Castle Hill

4.9

4.9 (2701)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Newport

About the restaurant

Residing inside the historic Agassiz Mansion at Castle Hill Inn, Aurelia is the next evolution in Castle Hill’s culinary journey – one that has been lauded as one of the best dining experiences in New England. Nestled on forty magical acres, the property has been the backdrop of memorable occasions for more than a century.

The Forbes and Relais & Chateaux restaurant, known in its original incarnation as The Dining Room at Castle Hill, offers a six-course prix fixe menu with imaginative dishes utilizing the local bounty of produce, seafood, and artisanal producers.

Aurelia’s dining rooms overlook Narragansett Bay in all its raw beauty. As the bay’s seascape and surrounding landscape change subtly with the seasons, so does Aurelia’s menu, culminating in a truly memorable experience.

Top review

Kevin

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

Just an amazing evening. Excellent service. Great food and wine pairings. A truly magical evening. Thanks again!!

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Experience

Chef's Tasting Menu

Events at Castle Hill Inn

4.7

4.7 (49)

$50 and over

American

Newport

About the restaurant

With our classic New England style and natural backdrop, Newport, RI events are simply magical. From our historic lighthouse with its guiding light to our vast green lawns rolling down to the water, Castle Hill Inn boasts magical experiences on property. You and your guests can expect our serene 40 acres in making memories for years to come.

Our events require significant preparation, cancellation must be made more than 72 hours in advance to receive a full refund for all of our prepaid events.

Please advise we only offer experiences on this opentable.
For the Lawn restaurant at Castle Hill Inn please visit:
https://www.opentable.com/r/the-lawn-at-castle-hill-inn-newport
For Aurelia please visit: https://www.opentable.com/r/aurelia-at-castle-hill-newport
https://www.opentable.com/castle-hill-inn

Top review

Karen

Dined on Sep 6, 2024

You can't beat the amazing view. Very peaceful and beautiful. We really enjoyed celebrating our 20 year girls week-end there.

Dolce & Salato

4.9

4.9 (20)

$30 and under

Italian

Providence

About the restaurant

Dolce & Salato is more than just a restaurant; it’s our home. Our kitchen is our heart, where time-honored recipes blend seamlessly with fresh, local ingredients.

Every dish is a testament to our heritage, prepared with the same passion and dedication that has been passed down through our family.

Come experience the warmth of our hospitality as we invite you to savor the flavors of Italy in every bite.

Top review

HollieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Armando was amazing from the moment we walked in. He is personable and gives great recommendations on both wine and main meals for us! He was interactive with our teens and gave them options in desserts and espresso drinks. Can’t wait to go back, my son is dying to try the Armando experience!

The Lawn Terrace at Castle Hill

4.9

4.9 (3266)

$31 to $50

American

Newport

About the restaurant

Lunch and dinner are served daily in the restaurant, as well as at the Terrace Bar. By booking online, you have the option to reserve an indoor or an outdoor table. We accept reservations of up to 12 guests 30 days in advance. Private events and overnight guests of the hotel can book further as well.

Top review

RitaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Four of us had lobster, 3 as protein for salads, 1 a lobster roll. We were all very happy with the quality of the food. Our server, Nicole L, was extremely helpful.

Sweet Marie's Tea

4.9

4.9 (253)

$31 to $50

Afternoon Tea

North Kingstown

About the restaurant

Join us for afternoon tea at Sweet Marie’s in historic Wickford Village! Nestled behind Main St is our cozy cottage where tea is served Thursday through Sunday at 12pm and 2pm. Our prix fixe menu includes bottomless tea, four sandwiches, three petit fours, and two scones. Celebrate with friends and family over a cup of tea and perhaps a mocktail, cocktail, or a glass of bubbles!

Top review

Julie

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Our high tea service was wonderful! Lindsay, the owner, and her team were so attentive and kind! The food was delicious and the tea itself was steeped to perfection.

Verandah Raw Bar at Ocean House

4.6

4.6 (384)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Westerly

About the restaurant

A favorite area for visiting guests during the summer, The Verandah sweeps across the south façade of Ocean House. The outdoor terrace overlooks the pristine croquet court, which offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Little Narragansett Bay. Fresh shellfish from nearby waters — succulent oysters, clams and lobster — are shucked to order at our traditional New England raw bar. The menu also includes savory light items such as a daily salads and an assortment of delicious sandwiches. With oversized chairs and low tables, The Verandah beckons you to relax and enjoy a brisk cocktail paired with a heavenly bite as you watch the waves crash along the shoreline.
Cancellations within 24 hours and no-shows will be charged $5 per guest.
All parties larger than 6 guests will be seated at multiple tables.

Top review

Diane

Dined on Oct 1, 2024

Lived in New England all my life, driven by the Ocean House so many times, didn’t know what I was missing. Eat at The Veranda restaurant …you won’t regret it food, service and views all spectacular

Pot au Feu Bistro

4.8

4.8 (1335)

$31 to $50

French

Providence

About the restaurant

A favorite of Julia Child - Pot au Feu Bistro is so much more than a restaurant... Established in 1972, our cozy Bistro is the oldest French Bistro in America. Pot au Feu Bistro kicked off the Providence Restaurant Renaissance being the first to offer something other than “steak, spaghetti and chow mien”.
Located in the Historic Downtown we are just minutes from all the hotels and convention center.

Top review

Jack

Dined 1 day ago

Honestly one of the best dinners I have ever had. The food, service, and ambience were all incredible.

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Popular dish

Boeuf a la Bourguignon

Gracie's

4.9

4.9 (4284)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Providence

About the restaurant

Gracie’s is committed to providing an unforgettable dining experience. Great lengths are taken to ensure each dish highlights local seasonal ingredients. Our team works closely with local farmers, fishermen, brewers, winemakers, and distillers to bring you the freshest ingredients available. Gracie’s team is trained to accommodate food allergies and a wide range of dietary restrictions.

We are conveniently located in downtown Providence’s theater district (across from Trinity Rep and a short walk from PPAC). We are also close to the Dunkin Donuts Center, the RI Convention Center, Brown University, RISD, Johnson and Wales University, and Providence College.

We believe in full transparency; a 22% service fee (Teamshare) is added to each check to compensate our team of trained professionals with a consistent and reliable salary. Additional gratuity is optional and will be dispersed to the Hospitality Team.

Thank you for choosing Gracie’s and supporting our passion.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 2 days ago

A tremendous holiday meal! Festive, creative, artful - absloutely first-rate!

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Experience

Seven Course Chef's Menu Tasting

Experience

Five Course Chef's Menu Tasting

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