Newport Chowder Company — Restaurant in Newport

Claws Down, One of the Best! — A 5-Star Splash at Newport Chowder Company

If you’re ever blessed enough to find yourself at the Newport Oyster & Chowder Festival, do yourself a salty, buttery favor and beeline straight to Newport Chowder Company — preferably before the crowd starts moving like a tide of hungry seagulls. Yes, the line was long, but the staff moved like a well-oiled (but buttered) machine — slinging bowls and lobster rolls with speed and genuine smiles. Service? Top-tier. Like, “someone’s-mom-who-actually-likes-you” kind of warm.

Now, let’s talk lobster rolls — we had three (because restraint is overrated). These 4oz beauties were loaded with luscious, claw-heavy meat, nestled in a golden, toasty bun that could moonlight as a pillow. A squeeze of lemon and a crisp lettuce leaf completed the picture like a still life from a coastal Renaissance painting.

Then came the clam chowder — creamy, briny, and rich, with chunks of clam that whispered sweet nothings to our taste buds. It wasn’t trying too hard with gimmicks, just a straight-up classic done very right. Bonus points for not skimping on the seafood.

The shrimp cocktail rounded out our oceanic binge with jumbo shrimp that had just enough snap and a zingy, homemade cocktail sauce that said, “I didn’t come from a bottle, thank you very much.”

With harbor views, cheerful staff, and seafood that actually tastes like it came from the sea (imagine that!), Newport Chowder Company made waves — the delicious kind. Would I elbow my way through a festival crowd again for another bite? In a heartbeat.

Catch them if you can — and...

I live in Newport RI so I like to believe that I know good seafood chowder. There is an abundance of better-than-average chowder around here (a few with big reputations) so I don't know how I missed trying Newport Chowder Co.'s until now. Yes, you've got to cook it yourself and while it takes a little time, it's not very difficult. Now the secret to the best chowder I (or my foodie relatives) have ever tasted has now been revealed -- it's the packet of 'secret herbs and spices' from Newport Chowder Company's award-winning family recipe. I"m not saying it's good ... I"m not saying it's VERY good... I'm saying it's WHAM! A chowder game changer. Incredibly, creamily, tantalizingly delicious. And because the recipe makes a generous number of servings, you'll be gleefully enjoying the leftovers for quite a few...

Go for: Insanely delicious chowder and fairly priced seafood without all of the waiting in a typical restaurant.

Avoid if: The weather is really unpleasant.

Something surprising: Their chowder is widely recognized in Newport as being among the very best around.

Reservation needed? No, counter service only.

Overall Experience: 4/5. Stopped by during an all-day rainstorm, and it was even better under those conditions - it just felt right. The chowder was truly delicious (especially with the provided oyster crackers) and the price on the lobster rolls was hard to beat. Will definitely be back.

Value for Price: 4 Sanitation: 5 Food Quality: 4 Menu Precision: 5 Service Quality: 3 Timing: 5 Decor: 4 Access: 4 — 5 among the best 4 strong 3 not too bad 2...