Rhode Island Eats | Are These Viral Seafood Restaurants Worth Visiting

These two spots were highly recommended when I was planning my Rhode Island itinerary—both are in the town of Newport, total "internet-famous" level, and booking in advance is a must. We reserved a week ahead, and there were already few tables left. But you can also try walking in—there should still be some availability. 🦪 Midtown Oyster Bar 📍 345 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840🧡 Ambience: 4/5The restaurant has two floors, with a patio on the second floor where you can sit outdoors. Overall, the atmosphere is above average. 🧡 Service: 3/5The food took way too long to come out—we waited half an hour after ordering, and by then we weren’t even hungry anymore. 🧡 Food: 4/5 The fried calamari (appetizer) was delicious—crispy and crunchy. It came with banana peppers, which had a tangy-spicy kick, making the flavor unique. Grilled oysters were also great, topped with melted cheese and spinach. The combination with the oysters 🦪 was fantastic, perfect for those who don’t like raw oysters. The seafood paella (main course) was flavorful but a bit too firm in texture. The scallops were good too, served with a sweet yellow garlic aioli. 🧡 Value for Money: 4/5Per person cost (including tip): ~$40–$50 (drinks not included). 🦞 The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar 📍 1 Sayers Wharf, Newport, RI 02840💛 Ambience: 4.5/5This spot has plenty of outdoor seating—you can enjoy your meal while taking in the sea view, and the gentle breeze makes it super comfortable. 💛 Service: 4/5Food came out at a normal speed, around 15 minutes—totally acceptable. 💛 Food: 4/5 We ordered octopus and gnocchi as appetizers, but they were just so-so, nothing memorable. For mains, the whole grilled fish was tender, served with rice 🍚 and roasted broccoli. The seafood pasta was average. Highly recommend their baked & stuffed lobster‼️—available in 1.25lb and 2lb sizes. The lobster’s belly is stuffed with shrimp 🦐 and scallops, topped with garlicky breadcrumbs—kids and adults alike love it. 💛 Value for Money: 4/5Per person cost (including tip): ~$50. Overall, the ambience of the two restaurants is quite similar. The Mooring has faster food service, and its lobster is definitely worth ordering. #RhodeIsland #RhodeIslandFood #RhodeIslandTravel #BostonArea #Seafood #RestaurantReview #ILoveSeafood #DailyEats #USATravel