When I moved to the Ocean State over 20 years ago, these Rhode Island foods were new to me and some of them took a little getting used to and others I loved from the start. Now I can’t imagine eating anything but Rhode Island-style calamari and I eagerly look forward to feasting on lobster rolls, stuffies, clamcakes, and doughboys in the summer, washed down with a Del’s Lemonade of course!
These are just a few of my picks for must try Rhode Island foods — from the quirky and unique, the street food and the home-cooked. This is certainly not a complete list of Rhode Island foods, but these are a few highlights that you just can’t miss.
10 Must Try Rhode Island Foods
If you are wondering what to eat in Rhode Island, start with these delicious Ocean State favorites.
Calamari
Unlike other parts of the country, Rhode Island calamari is very lightly battered, then fried or sautéed and served with a mix of garlic butter and hot cherry peppers; and it is delicious.
In fact, RI-style calamari is the official state appetizer. I rarely have a bad plate of calamari so you really can’t go wrong at any of the fine restaurants around Rhode Island; but if you want a stand out serving, try ordering it at Pane e Vino in Providence.
If you love seafood, head down to Matunuck Oyster Bar for both the calamari and the locally-farmed oysters — my favorite in the state!
Del’s Lemonade
Based on Italian lemon ices, Del’s offers frozen lemonade (like a lemon slushy) and is ubiquitous in Rhode Island during the summer from permanent stands to roadside carts at popular attractions. Del’s is now available in a variety of flavors including mango/peach and watermelon.
Lobster Ravioli
While many restaurants serve it, most of them source lobster ravioli from the masters – Venda Ravioli.
Located in Depasquale Square in Providence’s Federal Hill district, Venda Ravioli is a gourmet Italian market, complete with a sidewalk cafe. If you can’t get a table there, try their sister restaurant Constantino’s just across the square. You can even buy frozen versions in many local markets, such as Dave’s Market.
Clam Cakes
A clamcake is a egg-sized mixture of fried dough with small pieces of clams inside. I think of it like a fritter but clearly some disagree!
Clam cakes are one of those foods that people swear by one vendor’s versus another; but if you want to try two great examples, head down to Narragansett to try Iggy’s and Aunt Carrie’s.
However, I’ve recently been converted to think the best clam cakes in Rhode Island are at Dune Brothers Seafood food truck in Providence. Their secret? Cooking them in beef fat. It adds this extra layer of flavor that sets them apart.
I’m also a huge fan of the lobster rolls, fried clams, and clam cakes at Blount’s Clam Shack in Warren.
Doughboys
While you are down at Iggy’s, you should also pick up some doughboys. Every region seems to have its own version of fried dough (funnel cakes, NJ-style zeppolis…), and doughboys are Rhode Island’s.
Doughboys are flat, sometimes-plate sized pieces of fried dough. Others are smaller and you get them by the half-dozen. Served hot out of the fryer, you can get them plain, with sugar, cinnamon sugar, or powdered sugar.
Pizza Strips (aka Party Pizza)
When I first moved to Rhode Island, I didn’t understand these cheeseless pizza strips that turned up at every party. I often heard, “I’ll bring party pizza!” This oddity has since grown on me and now I’m sometimes the one bringing the party pizza.
Pizza strips are strips of focaccia-like dough topped with a thick tomato sauce. They are served at room temperature and are available at most local bakeries and markets.
Zeppole
When I was talking about doughboys, I mentioned NJ-style zeppolis, which are small balls of fried dough (strangely enough, about the size of a clamcake).
These are sold by the dozen or half-dozen, and topped with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. It was a favorite treat of mine when visiting the boardwalk at the Jersey shore.
So when I moved to RI, I heard about this holiday called St. Joseph’s Day, which was celebrated by eating zeppole. I was excited until I went to the bakery and found that the zeppole sold in RI are actually a creampuff-like pastry filled with a custard-type cream or other option, and topped with cream and usually a cherry.
Yummy, just not what I was expecting. Unfortunately, zeppole are mostly found around St. Joseph’s Day in March so if you are visiting at another time, you might miss out.
But if you are lucky enough to be in town at the right time, I’d recommend stopping by LaSalle Bakery in Providence (also pick up one of their amazing red velvet cupcakes while you are there.)
Coffee Cabinets and Coffee Milk
In Rhode Island, a cabinet is not just a place to store things, it is coffee beverage made of coffee ice cream, coffee syrup and milk. I’m not sure if it is the official state drink, but it should be. You don’t see them too often anymore, but it is something the long-time Rhode Island residents still know about and they are still served at Newport Creamery.
However, coffee milk is something you still see around, or at least you can buy coffee syrup in the market. Coffee milk is made by adding a sweetened coffee concentrate called coffee syrup to milk, the same way you make chocolate milk.
Stuffies (aka Stuffed Quahogs)
Stuffies are another famous Rhode Island food that I never heard of before I moved here but now order or serve often. Stuffies are a form of a stuffed clam that is exclusive to Rhode Island.
They are stuffed with a breading that includes chopped quahogs (the RI state mollusc), herbs, and bits of peppers and chourico sausage.
Stuffies are another thing that you can get just about anywhere and my favorites are actually from my local Dave’s Market; but if you would rather eat them out, try Finn’s Harbourside in East Greenwich.
New York System Hot Weiners
I had to put this one last because after 21 years in RI, I still don’t understand why locals tout a food that was named after another state. I also lived in NY and I don’t get the connection. My guess is it goes back to Coney Island style hot dogs although I’ve seen similar offerings on the Upstate Eats Trail in New York on the way to Buffalo.
But, that said, these hot dogs are a classic RI food so if you want to try it, head over to one of Olneyville N.Y. System’s locations.
The traditional wiener is made with a small, thin frankfurter made of veal and pork, giving it a different taste from a traditional beef hot dog. It is served in a steamed bun, and topped with celery salt, yellow mustard, chopped onions, and a seasoned meat sauce.
Bonuses
Rhode Island is a foodie state and Providence is a foodie city. So while I can list all of the best food in Rhode Island, there are a few honorable mentions that I simply can’t leave out.
- Donut Cake. Yup, that is a must try food that I’ve only seen in RI and you can only get them at Allie’s Donuts in North Kingstown, but you better order in advance.
- Gregg’s Chocolate Cake. Yes, you can get chocolate cake anywhere. But can you get this thick, rich, moist, extra chocolatey cake like you can at Gregg’s restaurant.
- Johnnycakes. These cornmeal pancakes are found around, but not as prevalent anymore.
- RI-style clam chowder. Unlike New England clam chowder, RI has a clear broth.
- Dynamites. Hamburger meat with peppers, onions and tomato sauce – sort of like a sloppy joe.
Wondering Where to Eat in Rhode Island?
Try these:
- Best brunch in Providence
- Best Italian restaurants in Providence
- Best date night restaurants in Rhode Island
- Things to do in Rhode Island
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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW, NATJA, IFWTWA, and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.
Fatti Mac’s in Westerly! Whatever you order, get Boom sauce for your fries! *dies*
That is a new one for me. What is in boom sauce?
Black Pearl in Newport had awesome NE clam chowder
Quito’s in Bristol has great RI (broth) chowder.
I grew up in RI and live in NY now, and what I miss most, and have to get whenever I visit, is the Southeast Asian Food. The Thai/Chinese/Cambodian/Vietnamese restaurants like Apsara and 4 Seasons are wonderful and you can’t find food like that in NYC.
There is JUST the Olneyville NY System; they are not the ONLY NY Stsyem hot weenie joint in the state. There are others and some are actually better than the Olneyville NY System.You want a real experience….get them at Haven Brothers at 2 AM!!!!! Do not give in to the Olneyville marketing.
Try Rod’s Grill in Warren for Hot Wiener’s. Outstanding! Then cross the street to Delekta’s Pharmacy where you can get a delicious “Cabinet”. All flavors available but my favorite is coffee.
You forgot the pork pies!! Hartley’s Pork Pies in Lincoln. Nearly top of the “no one else has ever even heard of it” list.
Also, point of technicality, the RI chowder is not in a clear broth, it’s in a tomato based broth. That’s why you get asked at restaurants if you want the red or the white.
I need to try those meat pies. I hear they sell out early in the day. But I have to disagree on the chowder. Tomato based is Manhattan style, white New England.
Have to agree with you on the ‘chowdah’ issue. Red chowder is ‘Manhattan’ chowder, White is New England, made with the broth & cream and the clear broth is R.I. – I don’t like seafood but even I know the difference !!
RI chowder is clear. The red chowder made with tomato instead of milk is called Manhattan style and the white is New England style. The RI clam chowder is neither red or white. If you are not truly from RI, you will not know about it. It is the chowder that Georges of Galillee is famous for and Rocky Point.
RI chowder is not made with tomatoes—-been eating it for 68 years and if you get close to it with a tomato you might just drown in the bowl—-quahogs ,potatoes, salt pork, onions ,broth from the hogs and some water are the only things that should be in there…keep the herbs, and cream and the rest of the junk that some people try to pass off as RI chowder and use them in other things
Hartley’s will be at Smiths Castle in NK on May 3 and 4th for our opening day celebration which we call Bridges to the Past 12-4
RI chowder is *not* red! Our chowder is clear (or, more accurately, the color of dishwater). Many restaurants add milk or cream and thickeners to their chowder in an effort to appeal to the Massachusetts crowd, but the real deal is made with quahogs (and their juice), potatoes, onions, and rendered pork fat (or butter – no meat on Fridays, after all).
Note to RenDiggy: There are 3 types of Clam Chowder in Rhode Island – Red Chowder(Tomato Base) is called Manhattan Chowder, RI Chowder is Clear Broth Chowder and New England is with Cream/Milk Chowder. This has been a great site to read about RI foods, I’ve lived here all my life, and would miss all the foods listed if I ever moved. Someone mentioned Zeppole, and they had never heard of them!! They are usual sold in almost all Rhode Island bakeries during St. Joseph’s Day celebration. Try Federal Hill for great Italian food and I’m sure you will also find them there.
There is one you left out. After living in just about every region in this country, I still go home for all of these plus a true italian grinder. Moved to Maine quite long ago and still can’t find a good grinder up here. The only thing about Maine that competes with RI is the clam cake. Here it is a round patty filled with clams and held together with a batter. They are flat and remind me of a crab cake but less batter. Good yes for not having RI style up here.
Yup, I was just going to say that an Italian grinder needs to be on this list.
Loved the list! Had no clue the lobster ravioli was so famous! I moved to Georgia from RI and one thing you should also try that no one mentioned was WILLOW TREE CHICKEN SALAD!!!! only sold in RI!!!
http://www.willowtreefarm.com
Out of Attleboro, MA. Close enough I suppose, but not actually a native to RI. Great chicken salad though.
Willow Tree is in Seekonk, MA…not Attleboro and not R.I. I love in Pawtucket and it is about an 8 minute drive from me.
BTW…the list was ‘so-so’. A lot is missing….
Del’s is good but the best frozen lemonade in RI will always be Mr. Lemon on Hawkins Street in Providence! They offer more flavors, the owners are the nicest people and it is a unique RI hidden treasure (there’s only that one location). This place is one of the best things about spring/summer in RI and they made my childhood even more memorable!!
C’mon! Nobody has EVER called pizza strips “party pizza,” unless perhaps they are dumb visitors. Please do not lump real pizza strips together with market crap. Cabinets have NOTHING to do with coffee. A cabinet is an ice cream shake. A frappe. Separate it from coffee milk, please, and perhaps put them and Awful Awfuls together. Yeahhh… you missed Awful Awfuls.. and MOST real RI “must try” foods. For the others you just you’ve just typed nonsense. And no spinach pies? Vinegar fries? And clam cakes and clam fritters are entirely different animals.
You had me at lobster ravioli.
You need to go opposite of the coasts of RI to try George’s Pizza & Pub stuffies.
His are loaded with tons of seafood then the breadcrumbs! Never, ever had a bad one there. Located in Pascoag.
Thanks! I will have to try!
You compiled a great list, but I have to agree with Cheryl, You should try places outside of the coast and Providence. Head up to the northern Rural restaurants such as Georges, Wrights, The Pines, Tavern on the Main (aka Stage Coach Tavern)So many great Restaurants I promise you won’t be disappointed!
great article, though i’m disappointed that you mistakenly classed oysters as crustaceans….they’re molluscs. a very different group.
True, thanks for the correction!
What about Gregg’s cakes! Every visit, we make at least one trip to Gregg’s in North Kingstown for Chocolate Layer or Lemon Burst ….. damn, now I want Gregg’s cake!
Oh yeah, that chocolate layer cake is ridiculous!
This is more of a must-try “meal” than a specific food item, but I think the family-style chicken dinner spread at Wright’s Farm is a Rhode Island institution. The sides seem fairly basic (garden salad, thick natural-cut French fries, pasta shells with tomato sauce, and rolls with butter), but pair them with an amazing roast chicken and a pitcher of soda and you’re set for the night.
Key points:
1) The Italian salad dressing and the tomato sauce are made with Wright’s Farm’s own recipes, and they are to die for (especially the tomato sauce: super-smooth with the perfect balance of sweetness and tang).
2) ENDLESS PORTIONS. You pay a basic set price for the meal and then you can get second (or third, or fourth) helpings of every single food item at no additional cost. (That includes the chicken.)
The Wright’s Farm restaurant complex (and it really is a complex, it’s just that big) is out in the middle of nowhere in northern Rhode Island, but the trip is so worth it.
(I’m sorry for the length of this. I just get really excited about Wright’s Farm.)
I have heard about that for so long but never actually went, I need to try it!
No, you don’t. Wright’s Chicken Farm is the worst that RI has to offer. It’s beyond horrible. Wright’s Dairy Farm (no affiliation) however, is outstanding and certainly worth a visit.
TOTALLY agree on the Wright’s vs Wright’s!!!!
Don’t forget spinach pie! I’ve never found RI style s pie anywhere else. I miss it.
So true, who has the best, Casserta?
The beset spinach pie from our view is Jeanettes (on Branch Avenue in Providence). It is absolutely amazing and comes plain or with lots of other goodies.
Jeanettes is awesome…..try the Chicken parm calzone..
Wright’s Farm
I am a native of RI but transplanted to Maryland . I MUST go to Federal Hill every time I go home and MUST have:
pepper biscuits
sfoliatelle from Scialo’s Bakery
snail salad from Romas
pizza from Caserta’s or Bob and Timmys
and Saugey’s hot dogs!
Cool! More things for me to try.
Yes, Saugey’s are a must as well!
I have lived in Georgia for the last 30 years. I grew up in RI. What I miss the most are Saugeys. I work for a Transportation Company and one of our drivers is from RI. When he goes home he brings me back a 5 lb package of them. I freeze them. Mmmmmmmm…….
Dynamites in Woonsocket.
How could the Awful Awful at Newport Creamery be left off the list. Best milkshake in the world. As Rhode Island as Del’s. At least Newport Creamery got a shout-out but c’mon.
Isn’t the awful awful Newport Creamery’s version of a cabinet?
Sorry, but if I remember correctly, the Awful Awful was Friendly’s thick milkshake and not Newport Creamery! I remember when Friendly’s came to Westerly and we would go there for an Awful Awful. Stood for Awful big and awful good!!
Fribble was friendlys.
An Awful Awful is not a milk shake, it is iced milk and flavoring blended with milk. A milk shake is just that, milk…shaken(blended with flavor)any true Rhode Islander would know that 😉
Oh and no props to the original clam shack Flo’s in Portsmouth? Shame shame
Cabinets are made with real ice cream. The only place I know still making cabinets is Delekta’s Pharmacy on Main St. In Warren.
Awful Awful at Newport Creamery original were made with milk, double ice cream and syrup years ago. Now they have a mix and they are nowhere near as good as before !!
My husband and I worked for Newport Creamery……way back in the early sixties and Awful Awfuls have ALWAYS used an ice milk mix. Cabinets were made with ice cream and a milkshake was syrup and milk only. In those days they did not sell French fries but served potato chips with their limited sandwich menu. And they did not sell hot dogs either. But I do remember a great lobster roll in the summer.
You took the words out of my mouth!
Allies donuts, Exeter, RI!
Soon, “Boneheads Wing Bar” will be a Rhode Island staple. YUM!
What about Walts Roast Beef? George’s of Gallilee and Cap’n Jacks for seafood….
I grew up in RI, never heard of a zeppole!
Good suggestions, I’ll have to plan a follow up!
Sue, you need to get up on the hill!
Because the are a St Joseph’s Day Italian tradition and not native to RI
It’s an Italian thing.
Love Georges of Galilee and Buster Krabs right across from it. Also try Crazy Burger,they have great breakfasts and great burgers.
george s is horrible..
Great list here! I’m a travel agent and have been to RI many times! We love RI and this list is absolutely perfect! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Christina, and thanks for coming by. Feel free to share it!
thanks posting a great list, i grew up in RI and have lived in several other states, currently exiled in AZ and i miss RI for its food and the beaches, was fortunate enough to be back in town for a few weeks last month and managed to bring home a half gallon of coffee syrup and 10 lbs of linguica, 5 lbs chourico and 5 lbs morcela. i wonder what the southwest baggage handlers thought of that as my luggage had the distinct aroma of linguica
We are in AZ too. I have found a place in Vegas that makes Zeppoles (very yummy) as well as the best Italian this side of the Mississippi. So much closer than traveling back to RI. Also, you can order Portuguese meats from Michaels Provisions in Fall Riv. They will ship to you!!
AZ is way better and has much better food and places to eat at. Exiled to RI from AZ.
You must be kidding. Try getting any good ethnic food besides Mexican in Tucson. In RI you have great Portuguese or Italian restaurants wonderful restaurants in Providence. Terrific seafood restaurants. I don’t trust fish in AZ. Try getting some fresh fish! There is very little here besides franchises. I miss RI, my family and the Red Sox. I’m stuck in this dry dusty place. (and lately very windy, not to mention Valley fever!
I have done the same thing many times. I am a military wife and had to shop when in RI to see family and bring it back with me.
You go girl!
STANLEY BURGERS in Central Falls on Dexter street
Yeah, those are yummy! I was keeping it mostly foods you only or primarily see in RI but I like the addition of other RI institutions to try.
you forgot the clams and the clam chowda
Stanley burgers are exclusive to RI
So good, but long gone.
Oh, and don’t use a straw for your Del’s. Only out of towners ask for a straw.
I lived in R.I.for a few years and yes you cannot beat there food and pastries. should never have left. federal hill was my favorite. even just to walk to the square and listening to the italians speaking in my native tongue; everyone is so friendly out there. not like new hampshire wher I live now.