Lively Libations
From the best G & T (gin & tonic) you have ever sipped to
the tastiest brunch you’ve gobbled up after a big night on the town, Newport,
Rhode Island knows how to serve it up, often within a superlative setting.
Fortunately good views often do accompany great food and drink in
this resort town that’s so much about historic architecture and the water. You
can start high and take in both city and harbor vistas at
Top of Newport Rooftop Bar + Kitchen at the Hotel Viking. Enjoy craft cocktails, tasty apps,
salads and sandwiches at this favorite local’s gathering spot. The Roof Deck at
Grace Vanderbilt hotel also ranks as a lovely place to watch the sunset in an
elegant setting.Down by the water, life churns up by the renowned Newport Yacht
Club in eating and drinking establishments that face Newport Harbor. Grab a
casual bite–to eat by the waterfront or to go–at
The Newport Lobster Shack, a
fisherman’s co-op where you can also purchase live, local seafood packed to travel.
For excellent seafood and fabulous views, go to The Lobster Bar, situated at
the very end of historic Bowen’s Wharf.
Looking for great views, food, drink and entertainment?
Check out The Landing at the other end (dockside) of Bowen’s Wharf where you
can groove to live music on the patio in a variety of forms from acoustic to
classic rock.
The Port Grill & Rawbar as well as The Pier Restaurant also
provide a great combination of good food and drink, stunning views and
entertainment.
Tuck yourself inside for an exceptional dining experience at
Bouchard or the Revolving Door, two neighboring restaurants under the same
ownership, clearly people of impeccable taste. For an extra special evening,
book a room at
Bouchard Inn or the Harbor House, two distinctive historic
properties that make up this sophisticated enclave of fine dining and lodging
in Newport.
Just a coin toss away, also on Thames Street, Zelda’s offers
memorable dining within a cozy historic setting as well. And sandwiched between
these fine restaurants, you can delight in the best Thai cuisine in Newport at
a restaurant called not surprisingly
Thai Cuisine.
Back at historic Bannister’s Wharf, a visit to The Black Pearl is
a must. Whether it’s for a celebratory meal within their Commodore’s Room
(perhaps after an America’s Cup win) or a classic bowl of chowder and
Chardonnay on The Patio, a lingering moment passed within this bastion of
tradition, this ode to the sailing history of Newport, is one worth living.
In the same league on Bannister’s Wharf, food and libations at
The Clarke Cooke House also provide a quintessential Newport experience. For a
truly decadent sweet, order the snowball in hell, their iconic dessert that has
been served here since the seventies. It’s a dazzling mixture of vanilla ice
cream coated in chocolate and coconut and topped with a sparkler. Yes, a
sparkler, even when it’s not the Fourth of July. They do a wonderful brunch
here, too.
The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar nearby on Sayer’s Wharf
also assures an elevated dining experience–there’s seemingly no end to them in
tony Newport, Rhode Island.
Fortunately down by the shipyard, Belle’s Café woos sailors and
landlubbers alike as a very pleasant, moderately-priced place for breakfast and
lunch all day long. They even have dockside dining, to boot!
Thankfully you don’t have to have a Great Gatsby-like billfold to
revel in good food and drink in tony Newport, RI. But, of course, it does help.