Updated May 29, 2025
As a proud Brown grad, here are my tried-and-true best restaurants near Brown University!
Though Rhode Island is the smallest state in the US, the city of Providence has some of the most interesting and delicious concepts.
That’s a big part thanks to Johnson & Wales University (one of the best culinary schools!) calling this city home!
Over the years, I’ve come back to Providence for reunions and graduations. I also have dear friends who live in this dear city.
Here are my honest reccs for the best restaurants near Brown University!
Best Restaurants Near Brown University
Vibey & Cutesy Date Night Spots
1. Oberlin: Chic New American (By JWU Alum!)
Treat yourself to tasty New American in a light-filled, chic venue at Oberlin.
There’s tons of fresh seafood options (raw fish & oysters) and a delicious cacio e pepe ($20).
Chef-owner Benjamin Sukle is a JWU grad and was twice nominated for a James Beard award.
Address: 266 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903 (15 min walk down College Hill)
2. Palo Tapas Bar: Vibe Out with a Sangria & Tasty Tapas
There’s something shimmery and fluttering about the dazzling high of a good sangria & the intimacy of savouring Spanish tapas with your (soon-to-be?) boo.
With a seasonal menu leveraging local ingredients and an upbeat (but elevated!) vibe, Palo is the perfect place for a fun date without the pressures of a classic sit-down spot.
Start with the seasonal salad ($15). Then share the jamón serrano ($8), corn ribs ($13), tuna crudo ($16) and garlic shrimp ($17).
And wash it down with a sangria that calls you, between the classic red, pomegranate rosé and the elderflower cava ($12).
Pro Tip: Hit the RISD Museum before hitting Palo (it’s a stone’s throw away!). You’ll thank me later!
Address: 3 Steeple St, Providence, RI 02903 (6 min walk down College Hill)
3. New Rivers: Cozy American Bistro on College Hill (By JWU Alum!)
This cozy restaurant’s menu is updated daily and it’s right across the Rhode Island School of Design, on College Hill.
Expect tasty meat and seafood options, like grilled trout, a thick burger and local oysters.
Plus Chef-owner Beau Vestal is a JWU grad!
Address: 7 Steeple Street, Providence, RI 02903 (6 min down College Hill)
4. Dolores: Authentic & Tastefully Plated Mexican
James Beard finalist Chef Maria Meza and her son Joaquin share dishes from their hometown in Mixteca through Dolores.
The moles are a highlight here. The short rib in the costilla en mole pasilla ($35) so tenderly breaks apart.
The perched atop the flavorful and rich mole pistachio ($26) is octopus charred perfectly.
Mexican maíz is ground up to prepare fresh corn tortillas every day. The tacos are delightfully balanced and satiating.
Address: 100 Hope St, Providence, RI 02906 (5 min from Brown)
5. Red Stripe: Elevated French American Brasserie
I hadn’t (and haven’t) seen classic white tablecloths since Red Stripe! The round pendant lamps and tiled floor always catches my eye when I pass by.
The burgers are massive and juicy; try the bacon blue cheese burger ($15.50)!
The mussels are chewy and meaty, perfect with the crispy and savory thin fries ($22).
It’s both a great place for a nice dinner date or to bring visiting family.
Address: 465 Angell St, Providence, RI 02906 (13 min walk from Brown)
Hungover Sunday Brunch to Calm Your Midterm Scaries
6. Plant City: Escape College Hill At This Vibey Vegan Market
Need a little classy escape from the College Hill vibe?
Brunching at Plant City made me feel like I was in LA.
Aesthetically pleasing vegan options range from cute cafes to plant-based Mexican.
In good weather, I love their outdoor seating.
It’s perfect with friends (or a date!).
Address: 334 S Water St, Providence, RI 02903 (7 min walk down College Hill)
7. Louis Family Restaurant: Curing Hangovers Since 1946
Yes… the 6am I’m-still-awake breakfast at Louis is a rite of passage at Brown.
Whether you’re up from a begrudging all-nighter (or you went a little too hard last night), Louis has got your back.
The greasy blueberry pancakes. The home fries I can’t shovel down my throat fast enough.
Is the food mind-blowing? Well, that’s not why Louis occupies a tender spot in my heart.
It’s glancing through the old photographs messily plastered on the walls as I await my plate of comfort food.
The same waiter who was there all my years at Brown.
The outdoor tables where I perched my tired bum, with an ever-present anxiety lingering in my chest as I clung on to the hope that the food & company would console it.
And boy did it work, if partially and temporarily.
Address: 286 Brook St, Providence, RI 02906 (5 min walk from Brown)
8. Amy’s Place: Inhale Breakfast Sandwiches
Yes, there’s a wait during peak weekend hours.
Andddd Amy’s breakfast sandwiches live up to the hype.
The Vermonster has a little bit of everything; the egg is fluffy and the hash brown crispy. The maple aioli balances the salty and peppery sausage ($9.50).
The Hangover with fresh guac (on a bolo) is definitely worth a try, too ($8.50).
Address: 214 Wickenden Street, Providence, RI 02906 (6 min walk from Brown)
Classy & Tasty Venues for Visiting Family
9. Al Forno: Tasty Food in Intimate Setting (RISD Founders!)
There’s a reason Al Forno has been around since 1980: the incredible dishes!
They make their desserts from scratch (so order at the start!) – how could it not be good so fresh?
The grilled pizza is a must-try.
Talk about a PVD story: RISD grad husband-and-wife team Johanne Killeen and the late George Germon opened Al Forno to supplement their income.
Address: 577 South Water Street, Providence, RI 02903 (12 min walk from Brown)
10. Persimmon: Elevated New American
The menu is updated almost every day at Persimmon, a New American fine dining spot run by husband-and-wife team Lisa and Champe Spiedel.
Chef-owner Champe is a six-time James Beard finalist (and also a JWU grad!).
The sophisticated dishes leverage local ingredients and are plated beautifully. The service is attentive and professional.
Experience the likes of foie gras ($24), Maine sea urchins with caviar ($7 ea) and black spaghetti ($16) at Persimmon.
Address: 99 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906 (5 min walk from Brown)
11. Pot au Feu: Charming & Cozy French Bistro (Since 1972!)
This charming French bistro is the perfect place to unplug and recharge from the graduation frenzy.
Start with the foie gras ($24) and warm your soul with the onion soup ($9). The namesake pot au feu is hearty, with tender beef and chicken ($29.95).
Bob, the owner, and the staff are warm and welcoming. It’s no wonder Pot au Feu has been a Providence mainstay since the 70s.
Address: 44 Custom House Street, Providence, RI 02903 (10 min walk down College Hill)
12. Waterman Grille: New England Vibes Right On The River
Right along the Seekonk, Waterman Grille is the place to celebrate with hearty food and amazing scenic river views.
Catch an earlier dinner before sunset for the best experience (the outdoor seating is right by/on the river!).
The French onion burger ($20) and scallops ($40) hit the spot here.
Address: 4 Richmond Square, Providence, RI 02906 (5 min short drive to Seekonk)
Time To Kick Back with Friends
13. Heng Thai & Rotisserie: Cozy Venue with a Punch of Flavor & Textures
There’s a reason why so many of us had to make a pit stop at Heng during reunion!
The seasoning and flavors of the Thai food is on point. The warmly lit half-basement venue exudes a cozy hole-in-the-wall charm, perfect for intimate convos and a break from campus life (though it’s a short walk from the Sci Li!).
The papaya salad ($15) is super flavorful. I’ve enjoyed the pad thai ($18) and pad kee mow ($18). The khao soi ($19) and tom yum noodle soup ($19) has comforted me on many cold Providence days.
The Thai iced tea is really good, too ($6).
Address: 165 Angell St, Providence, RI 02906 (1 min walk from Brown, it’s at the foot of Thayer)
14. Den Den Café Asiana: Satisfying Korean in Upbeat Venue
I’m Korean, and I always appreciated the cool and delicious Korean concepts around College Hill, including this Den Den on Benefit!
The Den Den KFC on Thayer St is the perfect pick-me-up.
But this Asiana location is a great sit-down restaurant with dishes that consistently hit + a moodier ambience suited for a casual date.
I usually get the hot stone bibimbap with Korean beef (the OG Korean way!), which is $12.95.
The starters are also a delicious delight, from the gyoza ($5.95), chicken karaage ($6.95) to the Korean pancakes ($7.95).
Address: 161 Benefit St, Providence, RI 02903 (5 min walk from Brown)
Quick Bites That Hit Hard
15. Haven Bros: Light Night Burgers & Shakes (Since 1893)
With 200+ milkshake flavors and an unforgettable steel food truck facade, Haven Bros is a late-night PVD rite of passage from 1893.
A huge part of the experience is the cool retro vibe inside the food truck, parked right by City Hall.
It’s so hard to pick from the milkshake flavors, ranging from butterscotch caramel and cheesecake eggnog, to passionfruit & lemon meringue pie.
Address: 12 Dorrance St, Providence, RI 02903 (11 min walk down College Hill)
Hours: Fri-Sat until 3:30am, Sun-Thu until 2:30am
16. Tallulah’s Taqueria: Really Good Mexican with Outdoor Seating
At my 5th reunion, I swear almost everyone made a stop at Tallulah’s.
So did we! And we were not disappointed.
The tortilla is thin but chewy. The veggies are fresh and the carnitas was plentiful.
Did I mention the service was friendly and accommodating overall?
The indoor space is small. But in good weather, there’s a sizable outdoor patio.
Address: 146 Ives St, Providence, RI 02906 (10 min walk from Brown)
17. Fellini Pizzeria: Quick Slice But Quality Ingredients
Though Fellini’s is a casual pick-up spot, there’s a memorable care and quality in the ingredients and toppings.
The classic cheese or pepperoni pizza is satisfying with a thin, crispy crust.
I love the tomato pesto, both ingredients which are distinctly flavorful and fresh.
When it comes to the specialty slices, the veggies are distinctly flavorful and fresh, like the plum tomatoes and mushrooms. The sweet caramlized onions, feta and pesto are in their full form.
And Fellini doesn’t skimp on meat toppings, either, making 2 slices a pretty solid meal.
It’s the best drunchies, pick-me-up during midterm season or quick sit-down with a friend (their limited sidewalk seating is a vibe!).
Address: 166 Wickenden Street, Providence, RI 02903 (7 min walk from Brown)
Hours: Thu-Sat until 2am; Sun-Wed until 12am
18. East Side Pockets: Hefty Portions Full of Meat And Veg
The chicken wraps are heavy, the falafel crispy and the hummus authentic at this Thayer Street restaurant.
I ate East Side Pockets probably 3 times a week while I was at Brown, making the rounds between the chicken kabob, chicken caesar, gyro ($14.25) and falafel wrap ($11.25).
Address: 278 Thayer St, Providence, RI 02906 (2 min walk from Brown)
Best Restaurants Near Brown University (Conclusion)
In this guide, we went over the best restaurants near Brown University.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere to kick back with friends (Den Den!) or want a vibrant restaurant downtown for a cute date (Oberlin!), this guide has you covered for any dining occasion.
Thanks for checking out my article about the best restaurants near Brown University!
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