White Horse Tavern — Attraction in Newport

I’ve been coming to White Horse Tavern for years. Any time I have out of town visitors, as part of the RI/New England circuit, we visit Newport. White Horse Tavern was my favorite restaurant in Newport; the atmosphere, history, and food is hard to beat.

Until tonight I had only had wonderful experiences here with both the greeting staff and servers.

My nearly-80 year old grandfather came to visit my family (myself, spouse, and older children) for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. He lives internationally and has never made it over to visit us until now and likely never will again. Of all of the things I had planned, our day and evening in Newport was what I was most looking forward to…and of course, ending the day with a meal at one of my favorite spots with my loved ones seemed like the perfect visit finale. My grandfather leaves tomorrow.

When I had made the reservation weeks ago, I noticed that I was unable to make a reservation for my party of 8 (which ended up being 7 due to a sick family member). I didn’t think anything of it, knowing the setup of the restaurant from my many visits there I figured it’s just as easy to book two tables for four. We were all completely fine with not being seated at the same table. I’ve encountered similar situations many times when booking accommodations for my family for special dinners, on vacation, etc.

So I booked our two tables. Figuring we can request to simply be near each other. Because that’s never been a problem before ever in my experience.

Apparently the man who was working the reception, who I suppose is the King of the White Horse Tavern (whom I later discovered on the website is the general manager) didn’t feel the same way.

Immediately at check in, this man was hostile toward me. I greeted him and stated my name and that we had two tables for four, then explained one family member was sick when he asked if my entire party was present. He then said he would take four of us to our table and return for the rest. I thought this was odd, and asked if we would not be near the rest of our party. He coldly said no. I assumed the restaurant must already be full and it had to be a space issue, so I separated our group and we followed him.

However, walking into the dining area, I discovered that most of the tables were completely empty and had not been seated. When we reached the top of the stairs, I asked him, not unkindly “oh, are you sure there is no way we can have a table near each other?” I was genuinely confused.

He stopped, while some tables who had been seated looked on, and loudly scolded me about how they don’t seat large groups because “it diminishes service excellence”. A bit taken back, I mumble something like “oh ok” and he turns and continues to walk and then us at our table. He did not smile, he did not say anything kind or welcoming whatsoever. He turned and walked away to seat the rest of my party. Which, apparently he felt the need to make a point and seat them as far away as possible from us. Not only separated by a floor but on completely sides of the restaurant..lest he risk us communicating through a series of taps on the floors or walls of the building I guess.

I noticed that this same man, when bringing every other party to their table, was making small chat and smiling, and wishing them a great meal. After my entire party finished and regrouped outside, they stated that he was also cold and unkind to them as well.

I honestly don’t know what I did to offend this man so much by making the mistake of booking two tables. Perhaps he thought everybody knows this silly rule about not seating families larger than four together and that I was being openly rebellious by having the nerve to book two tables.

I was never unkind to him, I didn’t demand anything. I simply showed up at my reservation time and requested the tables I booked weeks ago and for that myself and my loved ones were treated with such disrespect.

Over the years I have spent a lot of time, made a lot of good memories, and spent a lot of money here. I won’t be returning or...

A Disappointing Anniversary at America’s Oldest Tavern

I was genuinely excited to celebrate my 3rd wedding anniversary with my wife at The White Horse Tavern. The history and charm of this establishment—the oldest tavern in America—seemed like the perfect setting for such a meaningful occasion. Unfortunately, our excitement quickly faded due to an unsettling experience that left us deeply disappointed.

We were seated quickly, and at first glance, the tavern felt like a beautiful and cozy spot to spend our evening. However, the mood shifted as soon as we interacted with our assigned waiter. When he asked whether we preferred tap or sparkling water, my wife politely responded by requesting a glass of wine. Instead of acknowledging her, he repeated, “Would you like water—tap, bottled, or sparkling?” in a dismissive tone, completely ignoring her request. Trying not to let it ruin the evening, we moved on, hoping it was just a misunderstanding.

But as he walked away, I overheard him mock my wife to a colleague, saying something along the lines of, “I asked her if she wanted water and she said she wanted wine,” with a tone that felt condescending and belittling. I chose not to say anything in the moment, not wanting to escalate things, but I could already tell my wife was quietly bothered too.

We continued with our dinner order, but as I opened up to my wife about what I had heard, she admitted she too had heard the remark and felt hurt by how it was said. It was upsetting to watch her try to keep her composure, only for her to end up in tears on what was supposed to be a joyous night for us.

While the other waitstaff and the manager were polite and seemed genuinely apologetic, the damage had already been done. I asked that the waiter who brought our water no longer return to our table. The manager offered to remove my wife’s meal from the bill, but I made it clear that we didn’t want compensation—we simply no longer felt comfortable staying. She encouraged us to take the food to go, and we did, though the meal remained untouched.

What made the experience even more painful was the feeling that the waiter’s behavior may have been rooted in bias. As a Latino couple, we sadly could not help but feel that his treatment of us was influenced by our ethnicity.

The manager did apologize and seemed genuinely concerned, which we appreciated, but the evening was already marred. For a place with such a rich history and esteemed reputation, we expected far more professionalism and respect.

It’s unfortunate that such a special night turned into a hurtful experience. I hope this feedback encourages The White Horse Tavern to reflect on the kind of service and inclusivity they aim to provide—not just in words, but in action. PS Came back to our hotel and considered eating the food however we completely lost...

Review of White Horse Tavern: A Culinary Journey Through History

Nestled in the heart of Newport, Rhode Island, the White Horse Tavern stands as a testament to culinary tradition and rich history. As America's oldest operating restaurant, dating back 351 years, this iconic establishment offers not just a meal, but an experience that connects diners to the past while delighting their taste buds.

Upon entering the tavern, you're immediately enveloped in a warm, inviting atmosphere. The rustic charm of the wooden beams and historical decor sets the stage for a memorable dining experience. The ambiance is both elegant and cozy, making it perfect for a romantic dinner or a gathering with friends.

The menu is a celebration of classic American cuisine, and I was particularly excited to try their renowned Beef Wellington. This dish truly lives up to its reputation as the best in the area. The beef was cooked to perfection, and each bite melted in my mouth like butter. The flaky pastry enveloping the tender meat added a delightful crunch, elevating the dish to a level of culinary artistry that is rarely found.

Equally impressive were the scallops, seared to perfection. They were beautifully golden on the outside, with a delicate, buttery texture inside. Each scallop was seasoned impeccably, allowing the natural flavors to shine through. Paired with a light sauce that complemented rather than overwhelmed, it was a dish that showcased the chef's skill and attention to detail.

To finish off the meal on a sweet note, I indulged in the seasonal pumpkin bread pudding. This dessert was a delightful surprise, warm and comforting, with rich flavors that perfectly encapsulated the essence of fall. The bread pudding was moist and infused with spices, and the addition of a creamy sauce made it an irresistible finale to a fantastic meal.

In conclusion, dining at the White Horse Tavern is not just about the food—it's about indulging in a piece of history while enjoying some of the best dishes America has to offer. From the melt-in-your-mouth Beef Wellington to the perfectly seared scallops and comforting pumpkin bread pudding, every bite is a reminder of why this restaurant has stood the test of time. Whether you're a history buff or a food lover, the White Horse Tavern is an experience that should...