Why My Home State of Rhode Island is My Favorite Foodie Destination

I grew up in Rhode Island but moved out west not long after my college graduation. While I miss its beauty and small-town feel (let's face it, as the nation's smallest state, Lil' Rhody is like a small town), I miss the food most. Now, I've never considered myself a foodie but when I'm back home visiting family, I certainly turn into one. In my opinion, the best Italian cuisine in the country can be found in the Ocean State. In addition to Italian, there's incredibly fresh seafood and a variety of international restaurants from Portuguese to Indian to Thai, and beyond. I grew up with the best of the best food, and oh how I crave it on almost a daily basis!

But is Rhode Island a foodie destination? It sure is!

Despite its culinary excellence, Rhode Island is an underrated foodie destination perhaps due to its proximity to large cities like Boston and NYC which are also known for their exceptional cuisine and dining establishments. But the Rhode Island food scene should not be overlooked, and here are some of the reasons why it's my favorite place to dine.

There are some interesting foods found here. So, what food is Rhode Island known for? Well, to start, Italian cuisine reigns supreme here, and pizza tops the list. While you can absolutely indulge in amazing mouthwatering pizza at Al Forno, arguably one of the best restaurants in Rhode Island, or Caserta Pizza in Providence, or Twin's Pizza in neighboring North Providence, there is "only in Rhode Island" variation called the pizza strip. Traditionally, a pizza strip is just dough and red sauce cut into rectangles but other variations have emerged at some bakeries, variations that include cheese, pepperoni, or vegetables. This is one of my favorite things to eat in my home state.

The Ocean State is also known for things like clam cakes which I always describe to people as a savory fried donut hole with clams (believe me, they are good!) as well as Del's frozen lemonade, Johnny Cake (corn meal pancakes), and coffee milk which is milk with coffee syrup.

In addition to pizza and foods that are unique to Rhode Island, the state is also known for its fresh seafood. Just about any restaurant along the coast is where you can find the freshest seafood including oysters, clams, mussels, sea bass, swordfish, lobster, etc. One of my favorite places for fresh seafood is George's of Galilee. Not only is the seafood amazing here but its lively ambiance by the beach makes it the place to be in the summer. The Mooring is another excellent seafood restaurant that's a must-visit when in Newport as it is upscale and offers guests views of Narragansett Bay.

Speaking of Newport, another must-visit restaurant located on the water is at the Castle Hill Inn. I dream about this place often. Why? Well, with its location on the water and its seclusion from Newport's incredibly busy downtown area, Castle Hill is an oasis of peace and tranquility with jaw-dropping views of the Newport Bridge and sailboats floating by.

While the inn has an on-site restaurant, Aurelia, with a dining room inside, you may choose to dine outdoors at The Lawn Terrace during the summer months. Ingredients for the restaurant's cuisine are seasonal and sourced locally, and a six-course chef's or vegetarian tasting menu is offered. At the outdoor restaurant, the menu includes a cheese place (I highly recommend it!), calamari, sandwiches, fresh salads, cornmeal-crusted cod, and more. You can't go wrong dining at either place at Castle Hill.

As for international cuisine, Providence is the city to go for Indian, Thai, Cambodian, Japanese, and Mediterranean. My favorite spots are India, Apsara, East Side Pockets, and Jacky's Waterplace and Sushi Bar.

Rhode Island is also home to some of the best bakeries in the country if you ask me. Head to Federal Hill in Providence to Pastiche for a cappuccino and a desert. I highly recommend the fruit tart but everything I've had here is utterly divine. Seven Stars Bakery is the place to go for bread, and everything I've tried here is fantastic as well! Even some of the farm stands have an excellent selection of baked goods. Jaswell's Farm, for example, has amazing apple cider donuts and pies.

And then there's Wright's Dairy Farm where you can pick up milk and a variety of baked goods from pizza strips and spinach pies to cookies, cakes, and their famous Hermits, soft rectangular-shaped spiced molasses cookies with raisins. Wright's has its own on-site cake shop for special occasion cakes. I have had quite a few birthday cakes from here throughout the years!

Simply put: the Rhode Island food scene is nothing short of exceptional. From the variety of American and international cuisine to its bakeries and pastry shops, you'll never get tired of the food here.

Want to explore the food scene in Rhode Island but don't know where to start? I suggest taking the Downcity Providence Food Tour on which you'll stop at local favorites like Gracie’s and Oberlin as well as a bakery, a food emporium, a Chinese bun shop, and a seafood shack on a delicious three hour adventure!