The Reef
The Reef things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Send to someone who loves enjoying lobster with an ocean view 🌊 🦞 #thereef #thereefnewport #waterfrontdining #newengland #lobsterbisque
thereefnewportthereefnewport
190
What’s your favorite summertime seafood dish? 🦞 #TheReef #Newport #RhodeIsland
thereefnewportthereefnewport
90
We rented the igloo for dinner, it was 100.00 and when we arrived the two small space heaters that heat the igloo were not turned on. It was freezing in that igloo! Could not enjoy the experience at all because of the cold. (Maybe 50.00 for an ice cold igloo to sit in?)May I suggest you pick your igloo on line and they prepare the room by heating it for you before you arrive. We had the burrata and ceasar salad for apps. Salad was basic and boring, burrata was delicious but they don’t give you enough sourdough toast for the portion of burrata. I ordered the grilled lobster and there was zero lobster meat in the lobster. I ate French fries for my dinner. It was bad. Don’t order the grilled lobster. Overpriced and you will leave hungry. I told the server but they did nothing. I had the lava cake for dessert and it was clearly some type of box cake that had been microwaved. Not good at all. They microwaved it so high that the lava was exactly that…lava! Too hot! The only saving grace for the dessert was the side of ice cream but they only give you about 1/4 cup of it. Again…overpriced and Not good. The server was nice but she felt a bit too comfortable with us…she said the F WORD numerous times. Telling us a story of a previous table she had and it was F this and F that. I was shocked! It was so unprofessional. I would not expect this behavior from McDonald’s in Pawtucket never mind a fancy restaurant in Newport on the waterfront. So my biggest issue was the ice cold igloo, the overpriced but nonexistent lobster and the unprofessional staff. No, would not recommend and will never return. To spend close to 300.00 for dinner and additional 100.00 for the freezing igloo..and to leave hungry is not a good dining experience in my opinion…So much for a lovely birthday experience
Deena HammondDeena Hammond
00
Edit: 5/28 Kudos to Adrienne. She reached out to me to offer a second chance. She booked us a table for this evening and we had a MUCH better experience, even with expanded capacity. Again, the food was very good. And this time, the service was great. Katelyn (sp?) took wonderful care of us with personality to match. My wife and I had the coconut curry halibut special. Friends had the grown up lobster Mac n cheese and burger. Really good. Key lime trifle and warm cookies for dessert. A redeeming visit to 5 stars from 2. 4/24 Two stars for the food. Unfortunately, the service was deplorable. Out reservation for 4 was at 8 PM. We sat right away but our waitress took her time getting to us. She took a drink order and those took 10 minutes to get to us. She took our dinner order, and we didn't see her again. We ordered 4 entrees and 2 appetizers. When the bus boy came over to refill water glasses at 8:55, he told us the kitchen was backed up and apologized. No sign of waitress. 9:05, all of the food comes out with the exception of the salad. That came out after. One of the entrees was room temperature at best. One of the entrees was wrong. At the end of the meal, none of the plates were cleared from the table. Dessert was included with one of the entrees, but we weren't offered it. We had to ask for the dessert, which also came out wrong. Again, I want to be clear. The food was good. The service was incompetent. And given that no manager came to explain anything to us, so is the management. No explanation, no apology. Won't be going back.
Tom DuffyTom Duffy
00
I frequent Newport often, and I never heard of the reef until the night we went. It’s a restaurant set back along a pier and marina in the center of the tourist area. The place inside and out is pretty nice, and they have plenty of seating for both. In the off season, they offer themed igloos that you can rent out for special occasions like the one we had. The staff were nice, and somewhat attentive. Our server was training someone so some things lacked attention. We had cocktails, appetizers and picked at some entrees between the 6 of us. They didn’t have a huge menu, but they had something for everyone to enjoy. Items like tacos, burgers and lobster rolls were amongst the list. The food I had today wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great to me either. I’d say it was average. The drinks seemed to follow suit. The atmosphere was great. A private themed, self heated, sunset igloo at the end of a pier, was pretty awesome and unique. I think if some minor changes are made with in the menu, this could be a solid spot. Or maybe we just caught an off night. But we will be back soon to give it another shot.
Kyle PhillipsKyle Phillips
00
was my birthday (December, extremely cold and rainy) the weather was terrible, most of the town was pretty quiet this night (and as out of towners we quickly found out when the weather is that terrible there really isn’t too much going on) but the restaurant remained opened even for a slow night and was so accommodating! I desperately wanted to dine in one of their igloos, but was willing to also eat inside to spare our waiter/waitress from the horrible weather. They insisted we choose which igloo we wanted to dine in and served us with nothing but a smile! I cannot thank them enough for helping to make my birthday extra special! I will absolutely be back to dine here again! The service was outstanding and our food was amazing! 10 out of 10 recommend!
Nikki FestoNikki Festo
00
Nearby Attractions Of The Reef
The Elms
Bowen's Wharf
Audrain Auto Museum
King Park
International Tennis Hall of Fame
Discover Newport
The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection
Bellevue Gardens Shopping Center
Ryan Family Amusements
Newport Classic Cruises Bannister's Wharf
The Elms
4.7
(1.1K)Click for details
Bowen's Wharf
4.6
(918)Click for details
Audrain Auto Museum
4.6
(404)Click for details
King Park
4.6
(398)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of The Reef
The Red Parrot Restaurant
Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant
The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar
Midtown Oyster Bar
Benjamin's
The Lobster Bar
Diego's
Buskers Pub And Restaurant
Newport Lobster Shack (Kitchen)
O'Brien's Pub
The Red Parrot Restaurant
4.4
(2.1K)Click for details
Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant
4.6
(1.9K)Click for details
The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar
4.5
(1.7K)Click for details
Midtown Oyster Bar
4.4
(1K)$$$
Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
10 Howard Wharf, Newport, RI 02840
Map
Phone
(401) 324-5852
Call
Website
thereefnewport.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.1
(436 reviews)$$
Ratings & Description
Description
Casual waterside restaurant serving local fare including seafood & steak, plus creative cocktails.
attractions: The Elms, Bowen's Wharf, Audrain Auto Museum, King Park, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Discover Newport, The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection, Bellevue Gardens Shopping Center, Ryan Family Amusements, Newport Classic Cruises Bannister's Wharf, restaurants: The Red Parrot Restaurant, Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant, The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar, Midtown Oyster Bar, Benjamin's, The Lobster Bar, Diego's, Buskers Pub And Restaurant, Newport Lobster Shack (Kitchen), O'Brien's Pub
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