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Feb 14, 2024

2023 Best of Rhode Island Editors' Picks

Clementine The smallest state covers more than 1,200 square miles and we scoured every square inch (trust us, we know all forty-eight miles from north to south, and thirty-seven miles from east to

Clementine

The smallest state covers more than 1,200 square miles and we scoured every square inch (trust us, we know all forty-eight miles from north to south, and thirty-seven miles from east to west like the back of our hand). Throughout this whole area, we’ve zeroed-in on our editors’ picks for this year’s Best of Rhode Island issue, highlighting a variety of deserving eateries, shops, entertainment venues and health and wellness spots throughout the state. Check out the Readers’ Poll featuring the many favorites that you, our dear readers, voted for in nearly 300 categories.

Contributors: Edelinda Baptista, Lauren Clem, Jamie Coelho, Karen Deutsch, Dana Laverty, Kaitlyn Murray, Casey Nilsson, Annie Sherman and Kerri Tallman

Photography by Alex Gagne, Wolf Matthewson and Angel Tucker

Le Bec Sucré

French baker Belinda Quinn has fully manifested Europe in Middletown and it smells like a baguette. An amalgam of flaky, crunchy and delicate dough, Le Bec Sucré is meticulous in its renditions of pastries and bread, with Quinn paying homage to century-old traditions that prove French techniques are immortal. Croissants are sublime, but don’t overlook the savories: onion tarts, Kalamata bread and charcoal baguettes are what dreams are made of. 696 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown, 662-0448, instagram.com/lebecsucre_ri

Navad Bakers

Twelve layers of laminated, butter-flecked dough are dusted with cinnamon and brown sugar, or swirled with waves of dark chocolate or lemon ricotta, and rolled into logs of dough. Babka is created mostly by hand; each section sliced in half then weaved into a braid and baked in the oven. Biting into the Israeli-inspired pastry is like a cross between a light and airy croissant and a sticky cinnamon bun, but even more memorable. instagram.com/navadbakers

Whisk Me Away

Whether you need a small cake for a birthday or a giant tiered masterpiece for a wedding, baker Morgan Gray can make your layered fantasy come true. From fudgy dripwork on a s’mores cake to the naked beauty of the Funfetti Dream, each creation is the life of the party in frosting form. 400 Harris Ave., Unit G., Providence, whiskmeawayri.com

Syroya’s Bakery

One bite of this cake and you’ll be back in those lazy summer days when your biggest worry was eating the ice cream bar in your hand before it melted. Syroya Eugene, the first Black, female bakery owner in North Providence, opened her store on Mineral Spring Avenue last year to much acclaim for her simple-yet-delectable takes on childhood classics. If a strawberry crunch cupcake or a slice of sweet potato pie doesn’t make your stomach grumble with nostalgia, we don’t know what will. 1860 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence, 516-0716, syroyasbakery.com

Oak Bakeshop

Comfort is at the core of Oak Bakeshop, a cinnamon-scented enclave that rolls out rugelach, babka, challah, coffee cake, scones, rainbow cookies and plenty of steaming coffee. There’s a retro feel to the shiplap-style building, one that promises to unite humanity with warm, sweet dough. If your grandma’s hug took a bricks and mortar form, this would be it. 130 Cypress St., Providence, oakbakeshop.com

Shish Kabob

Those in the know come to Shish Kabob for authentic, subtly spiced chicken, beef and lamb kabobs, grilled on skewers over an open flame and served with heaps of aromatic barberry saffron rice and roasted tomatoes. Iranian native Ali Joneidi is the driving force behind the state’s only Persian restaurant, where you can sip lovely cardamom-scented tea while nibbling on flaky baklava — try the chocolate; it’s sublime. 555 Smithfield Ave., Pawtucket, 725-9505, instagram.com/shishkabobri

Hawt Chocolate

Peering into a box of Hawt Chocolate’s bon bons is like opening up a box of treasures: Swaths of copper and peacock shimmer like gems atop the dark chocolate delicacies, while blonde and lime-colored shells only hint at the decadence inside (think: luscious fillings like Butterbang croissants, smoky mezcal and tried-and-true coffee milk.) Buy these for someone you love — or, even better — someone who will share. hawtchocolatepvd.com

All Favorites Cafe

Owner and chef Berke Marye churns out good old breakfast and lunch favorites (in true Rhode Island style, where JP Spoonem’s used to be). We love the copious use of sourdough, tomatillo-avocado salsa and housemade pork sausage, and the tasty pimento cheese that goes with just about anything (treat yo’ self and take home an eight- or twelve-ounce jar). 1678 Broad St., Cranston, 941-3550, allfavoritescafe.com

Apothica

Settle into this greenery-filled space in Cumberland and feel relaxation coursing through your body — or maybe it’s the CBD you added to your cardamom-vanilla latte. Either way, the owners of this apothecary-inspired eatery and coffee shop are serious about plant-based fare that tastes as good as it looks, whether it’s the chipotle macaroni and cheese with cashew cheese sauce or a banana split latte with vegan whipped cream. Add-ons like ashwagandha and MCT oil keep you looking and feeling your best. 3 Dexter St., Cumberland, 205-2063, apothicaherbs.com

Rise ’N Shine Coffee Bar

Pull up a rose-colored cushion or sit like the queen you are atop the shoeshine bench in this adorable cafe on the first floor of the 1858 Christopher Dodge Carriage House. Pose for the ’Gram with a purple-hued Lavender Fields espresso drink and a Knead doughnut in hand while mingling with the other townies. 97 Holden St., Providence, 340-5112, risenshineri.com

Cafe Zoey

You can’t help but nurse a smile inside cheerful and cozy Cafe Zoey, where an exuberant mural shares space with diners nibbling on sweet (think: brie, fig jam and apples, or the Elenore with lemon curd, butter and powdered sugar) and savory (the Mount Hope with eggs, mushrooms, cheddar, tomato and spinach or Funghi with mushrooms, carrots, arugula and sesame dressing) crepes. Visit Frog & Toad next door when finished for a fun end to your repast. 791 Hope St., Providence, 854-5885, cafezoey.com

WeRoast Coffee Co.

For friendly service and sustainably sourced beans roasted in-house, head to WeRoast Coffee Co. in Lincoln, where the clean white interior and caffeine-heavy concoctions will perk you right up. Owner Teddy Sullivan can usually be found behind the counter slinging drinks like the coffee milk latte or caramel macchiato for locals and bean connoisseurs alike. Not up for a morning out? The wall of coffee supplies and packaged beans has everything you need to whip up your caffeine at home. 276 Front St., Lincoln, 642-6062, weroast.coffee

Cafe Ava

Cafe Ava

Andrea and Derek Cabrera named Cafe Ava — a cozy and vibrant coffee shop in Rolfe Square — after their daughter, Ava, in hopes of starting a legacy in her name. The cafe serves pastries and espresso bean-based lattes (like a horchata latte topped with a sweet bread roll called a concha) for your wakeup meal or afternoon refresher. In Latin cultures, many aspects of food and coffee styles overlap, so head to Cafe Ava and get a taste of the melting pot inside the shop. 48B Rolfe Sq., Cranston, 595-1249, instagram.com/cafeavari

Cafe Ava

Pickerel

Deciding whether the broth or the noodles are better at Pickerel is a chicken and egg question: impossible. Every bowl of ramen is a vehicle for artistic vision — a varied journey through the disparate textures of vegetables and soothing flavors of sesame, shiitake and miso. Cocktails are an amalgam of unlikely ingredients that form a strikingly cohesive whole. And if the soup is a meditative event, then dessert is a wake-up call. Ice creams go toe-to-toe with a carnival of jams, meringue, cookies and candy — each bite a revelation of sugar’s potential. Small restaurant, big flavor. 3 Luongo Sq., Providence, pckrl.com

Y Noodle Bar

Y Noodle Bar has one foot in tradition and the other firmly planted in the future. You can go old school with an array of soupy or fried dumplings, but the kitchen shines brightest when it’s pushing boundaries. Try the Far Eastern beef tartare or foie gras if you’re daring, or the sticky pork belly with cotton candy if you’re a kid at heart. Even the salmon en papillote proves that Europe can’t claim to be the leading culinary queen any longer. Truffle ramen is no longer just a dream, folks: It’s the only way to live. 425 W. Fountain St., Providence, 661-9666, ynoodlebar.com

Cakes By Eboni

Build a whole dessert table out of mini cupcakes and pops made by Eboni Silva. The small, scratch-made, Black-owned bakery serves Rhode Island and surrounding Massachusetts with custom-designed cakes and individual treats, using drip techniques, fresh flowers and berries to craft memorable designs. 560 Mineral Spring Ave., Unit 2-161, Pawtucket, 442-8084, cakesbyeboni.square.site

Cakes By Eboni

Wedge

As if Warren wasn’t already the center of the East Bay’s burgeoning food scene, now cheese aficionados can find that special slice right on Water Street. Founded bytwo moms with a passion for cheese, Wedge sources artisan varieties from small, family-owned farms throughout New England, Europe and the Midwest. Stop in to sample the latest stock or call ahead for a drool-worthy cheese board for a special occasion. Don’t sleep on the desserts — the shop sources chocolate, honey and other sweet treats from members of nearby Hope & Main and other local makers. 279 Water St., Warren, 252-4189, wedgeri.com

Wedge Cheese Shop

Honeybird

It’s not just that fried chicken doesn’t have to be fancy; it’s that it shouldn’t be. Whether it’s wedged between a bun, eaten off the bone or dunked in sauces, fried chicken has to be eaten with your hands and taste like a day in the South with the sun warming your face. Nick Rabar’s ode to all things Southern succeeds because every version of his breaded chicken hits a home run. It’s crunchy, it’s juicy, it loves pickles, and each bite feels like the world wants nothing from you other than to have a good time. 230 Massasoit Ave., East Providence, 919-5885, honeybirdri.com

Bonanno Vinicola

One of the best things about Bonanno Vinicola is that it allows you to meander through Italy, one small plate at a time. Mini panini, oven-baked gnocchi, toast with ’nduja and fig syrup and marinated seafood are all eager for a glass of red wine, which is in ample supply. You can also make a meal out of sliced salami and wedges of cheese that sing a song of the Italian countryside with every perfect bite. 256 Atwells Ave., Providence, 575-6047, bonannopvd.com

Hotline Pizza

It’s called Hotline even though there’s no phone and orders are taken via Instagram. It’s all part of the fun at this semi-secret takeout pizza spot specializing in “thicc,” Detroit-style crispy pies stacked with unusual toppings. Nashville hot chicken and pepperoni cups arealways available, while specials highlight the most seasonal produce from asparagus in early spring to macerated figs and truffle honey in colder months. 211 Broadway, Providence, instagram.com/hotline_pizza

Union Bar and Burrito

More than a Mexican-inspired restaurant, Union Bar and Burrito is all about building community and honoring inclusivity and diversity. The Taco Tuesday special (three tacos for $6, and $6 margaritas) brings in the crowds, while live music and fun events like drag trivia, paint nights and pet adoption socials prove that this place is a pillar of Riverside. 326 Bullocks Point Ave., Riverside, 808-6940, unionburrito.co

O Dinis

When locals pine for a taste of Portugal and the Azores, O Dinis makes them feel at home. Maybe it’s the food and atmosphere, but definitely the prominent Portuguese personalities. Owner Dinis Paiva is a renowned fado singer who welcomes the community for live Music Mondays. The homey restaurant hosts Portuguese celebs from soccer teams and music stars to political dignitaries, who all rave about the menu developed by Dinis’s daughter, Natalia Paiva-Neves, who’s a “Top Chef”-worthy cook. Food Network, are you listening? 579 Warren Ave., East Providence, 438-3769, odinisrestaurant.com

Double Barrel Steak by David Burke

For lovers of Key lime pie, celebrity chef David Burke validates your obsession with the first bite of this epic and irresistible pie. For those who haven’t yet discovered the grandeur of this classic tart dessert, start here and nothing else will ever measure up. It’s a mile high and the perfect balance between sharp and soothing. Novelty has value, but this is the best bite of nostalgia in the state. The Preserve Sporting Club & Residences, 53 Kingstown Rd., Richmond, 327-8325, doublebarrelsteakbydb.com

Tizzy K’s Cereal Ice Cream

If flavors like Cocoa Puffs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Oops! All Berries bring you back to your childhood, why not blend them into ice cream? Tizzy K’s is where two worlds collide if you can’t decide which sweet treat to eat. Bonus: It gives you an excuse to eat dessert for breakfast. Stop by the former-cargo-container-turned-pop-up-ice-cream shop on the eastern side of the Providence River Pedestrian Bridge. 365 S. Water St., Providence, tizzyks.com

Greenwich Cove Kitchen

There are plenty of things to love about Greenwich Cove Kitchen (bloody mary brunches and an array of local fish for dinner), but it’s the seafood sandwiches that make it the quintessential New England restaurant. Fried scallops and shrimp are served with pepper relish on brioche buns while the catch of the day is paired with tartar sauce on a Hawaiian roll. But it’s the hot and cold lobster rolls (with sweet butter or dill dressing) that define summer on the coast and we can’t get enough. 3880 Post Rd., Warwick, 471-7500, greenwichcovekitchen.com

Needle & Thread

The menu may say comfort food (short ribs, chicken Parm, tuna poke and s’mores tarts for dessert), but the setting says we’re getting dressed up. Clad in leather, wood and mood lighting, this former haberdashery is still all about looking good well into the night. Cocktails run from light and fruity to fully brooding, so sidle up for the night because everyone looks good lounging in a burgundy club chair with a DOF in hand. 45 Peck St., Providence, 437-8725, needlenthreadpvd.com

Kimi’s Bar

Named after owner and sassiest bartenderin the city, Kimi Rich, this bar is like going to a house party where you actually like the guests (most of them anyway). Theme nights run the gamut from soul-spinning and “Psychedelic Dreams” deejay sets to Queer Trivia and “Hot Mom” dance parties, plus they have the coolest Brimfield-gathered decor and cheeky bartenders to banter with over shotskis and inappropriate board games. A pretty powder room selfie is a must! 373 Washington St., Providence, kimis.bar

Marcelino’s Boutique Bar

This jewel box of a cocktail bar boasts Bohemian-style nooks perfect for cuddling up over cocktails. Whether it’s the private party lounge or a tiny table in the back, you’re sure to find a sweet escape for carrying on a conversation. The Mediterranean menu is built for sharing, including the hummus trio with pita and savory flatbreads. Creative concoctions mixed by beverage director Refaat Ghostine are the draw that make dating a little easier to go down. But if all else fails, call in your girlfriends. 1 W. Exchange St., Providence, 666-0088, marcelinosboutiquebar.com

Glou

Whether it’s catching up with old friends or discovering a hidden gem together, this is a place where people and conversation can shine. The intimate, quiet spot features simplistic decor, small bites and carefully made craft cocktails (and mocktails), and it’s the ideal gathering environment for friendly banter with a backyard patio vibe. 134 Ives St., Providence, instagram.com/glou.pvd

Bevi e Vivi

This Italian-inspired mobile cocktail cart was inspired by Alessandra Pallozzi and Lucio Andreozzi’s childhood summers exploring the Italian coastline with their parents. Their custom 1991 three-wheel Piaggio Ape was transformed into a mobile beverage bar serving bubbles, beer and everything in between for your special event. You may even catch little Viviana at the car, the next generation and the inspiration behind the name. bevievivi.com

Kimochi

Looking for a new take on caffeinated drinks? Enter boba tea with custom flavors layered with chewy tapioca pearls. The first sip after punching the straw into the top of the cup is the most refreshing “ahhhh.” Check back for seasonal flavors and mochi doughnuts from its sister business, Pinku Donuts. 100 Washington St., Providence, 854-5845, instagram.com/kimochi.pvd (Additional locations in Woonsocket and Attleboro, Mass.)

BAR COMEBACK

Deadbeats

Deadbeats

The former E&O Tap sat decrepit and graffitied for years until owners Jeff Angell and Courtney Tallerico rose it from the dead as Deadbeats. They stayed true to the original layout while freshening up the bar and brought in quirky attractions like a fiberglass Ronald McDonald statue — now the luckiest guy in town (check Instagram for proof). There are free pinball games, a digital jukebox and a neon sign featuring an expletive that explains exactly how we feel when we walk through the door. 289 Knight St., Providence, 383-1489, instagram.com/deadbeats_pvd

Deadbeats

Deadbeats

The former E&O Tap sat decrepit and graffitied for years until owners Jeff Angell and Courtney Tallerico rose it from the dead as Deadbeats. They stayed true to the original layout while freshening up the bar and brought in quirky attractions like a fiberglass Ronald McDonald statue — now the luckiest guy in town (check Instagram for proof). There are free pinball games, a digital jukebox and a neon sign featuring an expletive that explains exactly how we feel when we walk through the door. 289 Knight St., Providence, 383-1489, instagram.com/deadbeats_pvd

Clementine

This U-shaped bar offers a rainbow of over-twenty-one libations that are as beautiful as they are gratifying. This is a science lab of hedonism, in which booze is the least interesting component of the varied glasses, each one a blend of juices, bitters, garnishes and smoke. In an age when doughnuts and cupcakes have become hyper-ornamented, Clementine proves that nothing will impress someone fresh off a long workday more than a cocktail made with care. 200 Washington St., Providence, 533-1000, clementinecocktailbar.com

Clementine

Sly Fox Den Too

Mashpee Wampanoag tribe member Sherry Pocknett recently took home the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Northeast. Her Charlestown restaurant highlights Indigenous cuisine and culture through a menu of foraged, fished and hunted foods. Dishes include venison, rabbit, quahogs, local fish, foraged herbs and vegetables and more, accented by chef Sherry’s corn cakes and Indian fry bread, which nestle everything from eggs to hearty stews. 4349 S. County Trail, Charlestown, 642-7350, slyfoxdenrestaurant.com

Sly Fox Den Too

Rhode Island is home to various vineyards, but it’s high time we raise a glass to our local wine negociants and distributors, those local winemakers who bring in grapes from international and regional destinations and craft their own reds, whites and rosés right here in the Ocean State. The family behind Anchor & Hope wine (anchorhopewine.com) travels to small family farms in Germany, California, Oregon, Rhode Island and New York to make their wines, while globetrotters Gooseneck Vineyards (gooseneckvineyards.com) go around the world, bringing back remarkable wines they claim for their local brand. You can find bottles from both of these labels at local liquor stores and area restaurants. Meanwhile, the Brands of Portugal (brandsofportugal.com) husband-and-wife team builds excitement for Portuguese wines by discovering and distributing their favorite finds at local retail stores and restaurants. Viva Portugal! —J.C.

Anchor & Hope

—Karen Deutsch

PiANTA

PiANTA manages to translate your favorite comfort food — egg rolls, fritters, flatbreads, Italian grinders — into plant-based forms so good that even the toddlers at the table will eat with gusto. Brunch is loaded with sweets (icing-drizzled French toast) and savories (tostadas with salsa verde) and the cocktail list will make you want to extend every meal into the next day. 408 Atwells Ave., Providence, 499-5354, piantaveganrestaurant.com

Plant City

Providence’s plant-based mecca has a little bit of everything: a bake shop, a burger bar, a pizza oven, a Mexican cantina and a build-your-own-bowl counter. There’s even a bar across the street where you can sip cocktails in a velvet-covered lounge and enjoy some of the best urban seating in town. 334 South Water St., Providence, 429-2029, plantcitypvd.com

Foglia

Chef Peter Carvelli’s intimate Italian restaurant just happens to be plant-based. You might never know it eating his rustic chickpea fries and toothsome plates of housemade pasta and, once you find out, it will make no impression other than to realize that plant-based food can compete with any meat-based menu. 31 State St., Bristol, 253-1195, fogliabristol.com

Basil & Bunny

Lyslie Medeiros takes on American drive-thrus with her versions of stacked burgers with special sauce and fried “chicken” sandwiches covered in Buffalo sauce. Every option is delicious as are the fries, on their own or covered in “cheeze” sauce. This sweet, foliage-rich spot may get you to rethink fast food entirely. 500 Wood St., Bristol, 490-1918, basilandbunny.com

Rory’s

Locally minded retail markets multiplied this year, starting with a second location for Fearless Fish Market on the East Side of Providence in the former Davis Dairy spot. The store offers local seafood, Rhode Island-harvested shellfish and cooking supplies and ingredients (but unfortunately, they recently closed their West End store). Rory’s Market and Kitchen launched in the heart of Providence, finally making grocery items, fresh fruit and vegetables and local goods accessible to downtown dwellers. Hope & Main also had the genius idea to create its Hope & Main Downtown Makers Marketplace, which allows shoppers to purchase local food products produced through its culinary incubator program, while picking up quick-service coffee, tea, breakfast and lunch items. Finally, Feast & Fettle local meal delivery service opened its first retail arm, the Feast & Fettle Neighborhood Fridge, selling heat-and-eat meals and grab-and-go items, plus wine, fresh bread, local food products and more. Meanwhile, over in Bristol, Andrade’s Catch has been reeling in shoppers with the freshest seafood and locally harvested quahogs since 1987, and we’re happy to finally award them for their net worth. —JAMIE COELHO

Fearless Fish Market, 721 Hope St., Providence, 537-7979, fearlessfishmarket.com. Rory’s Market and Kitchen, 113 Washington St., Providence, 429-0092, loverorys.com. Hope & Main Downtown Makers Marketplace, 100 Westminster St., Providence, 270-1279, hopeandmainpvd.org. Feast & Fettle Neighborhood Fridge, 727 East Ave, Pawtucket, 753-2572, feastandfettle.com/locations. Andrade’s Catch, 186 Wood St., Bristol, 253-4529, andradescatchri.com.

Rory’s