Providence beer/food/lodging recommendations?

The Dean Hotel is spitting distance from the convention center and looks like it has availability and Providence is a very walkable/uber-able city. I'd check them out. If you want to save a little cash, look towards booking something in Warwick. Must hit Federal Hill for good Italian. Trinity brewpub is close to the Dean as is Rogue Island in the Arcade and the Malted Barley. Quite a few breweries close by - Proclamation in Warwick, Buttonwoods in Cranston and Long Live should be in it's new home by then on the Providence/Cranston line. Feel free to PM with questions. Cheers.

 

Do we know exactly where the new space is yet? I thought it was still firmly in Providence proper

 

I probably wouldn't say on the Cranston line, maybe 3/4 mile south of the present location. What I saw was "Sprague Street between Dexter and Elmwood".

To the OPs question, if you aren't downtown in walking distance then probably Warwick area hotels will be best. And if you are staying down there Proclamation and Buttonwoods on the way into Providence are both nice breweries.

 

PVDonuts

 

As far as good neighborhoods surrounding downtown Providence, Federal Hill and the East Side are decent. I would recommend staying in Warwick near T.F. Green Airport. You could take commuter rail (The T) into Providence, the Prov. train station is a short walk to the Dunk and the Omni as well as Providence Place and Water Fire Park.

Trinity Brewhouse and Union Station Brewing are must stops.

Downtown has several excellent restaurants in a small area, Capitol Grill, Flemings, Capriccio’s etc.
Federal Hill has some old school Italian restaurants that rival Boston’s North End.
The Old Canteen and Cassarino’s are my old favorites. Caserta’s for pizza and the best spinach pies.

 

For a nice dinner out or just a fancy cocktail, check out the Dorrance. One of the prettiest restaurants around. Nearby, the Eddy is a really fun bar with great cocktails and a good taplist usually. Bayberry Beer Hall usually has an impressive, albeit expensive taplist. Same with Julian’s, but another very popular spot. If either of you is vegetarian, check out the Grange. Often overlooked, but New Harvest Spirits & Coffee in the arcade building is a good spot for both. And my favorite place to eat/drink is the Red Fez. A tiny dive with a good burger, cheap beers and great bartenders.

 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - no trip to PVD is complete without East Side Pockets. Chicken and falafel combo pocket 4life.

I find Federal Hill to be terribly overrated. I’ll take Al Forno over the Hill offerings. Siena is really good but can go to EG or Smithfield and avoid the hassle of Federal Hill.

Gracies is solid too if you need a “foodie” destination.

 

On the topic of restaurants, if you are around during brunch time and want a few options - other than PVDonuts which are outstanding by the way - Rogue Island and Duck & Bunny are on my rotation.

Rogue Island can be pricey but their chef is outstanding and draft selection always good. In the Arcade building. For example Rogue always has a chicken and waffles dish, but they deconstruct it in different ways each week. They also offer a Friday brunch in addition to Sat/Sun now.

Duck & Bunny is in a tiny house on Wickenden St. (they call the restaurant a "snuggery") and it is part of the atmosphere. Serve a number of different crepes savory and sweet and the mini cupcakes are excellent, we usually take some to go. My wife usually orders an over the top bloody mary with bacon, olives, hot sauce, hot salt, etc. I like they always have Young's Double Chocolate Stout available which is an old favorite of mine.

I agree with the above, not that Federal Hill is all overrated there are great spots, but I've seen a lot of turnover and it is tough for me to give a heartfelt recommendation. The 2 restaurants I visited most often there 10-15 years ago are closed.

 

Love Duck & Bunny, but I believe its closing soon for renovations.

 

Damn, good catch I wasn't aware. Closing March 10 for a more or less complete overhaul, so it seems doubtful they will be back open by June. I better look into some of their farewell events to get my fix then...

 

Not a great beer place, but incredible food - Los Andes. Parking is...ummm...interesting (kind of on street valet), and the place looks like a dump, but your taste buds will be pretty happy. Wallet too - not nearly what I expected to pay for food of that quality.

For Indian food, Rasoi is the best we've had, I think technically in Pawtucket. And you can eat like a king for very little cost. Right next door is a little vegetarian joint with excellent, albeit pricey, food and about an 8 beer tap list that is always top shelf.

We like Julian's for breakfast (always something interesting to try and they make a killer shakshuka), although you can't go wrong with La Grange or Nick's on Broadway. They "fill up" from Nick's, then Julian's, then LaGrange.

Duck and Bunny - never been because we didn't know what a snuggery was, but was on the list to try once we figured it out. We were loyal customers at the tropical fish store across Wickendon Street and the coffee shop at the bottom of the hill.

Thayer Street - you may hear about it, but it's not what it was. In my mind, Wickendon has replaced Thayer as the "funky cool Bohemian" spot. That and the "Down CIty" area near the Providence Performing Arts Center. But that's like my opinion, man.

Just a couple of options we've enjoyed.

 

Union Station is a must stop? Have the beers gotten better? I haven't been there in years due to poor quality.

 

I've never considered them to be high quality, better than average. It's a historical place, been there a very long time and it's close to the Omni/Dunk. It's the old train station.

 

^^^ I agree with this 100%.

It's been quite awhile since I lived in PVD but during a trip last year there were a few places that certainly held up to my memories of them:

Haruki East - if you're into sushi

Fellini's Pizzeria - really good buffalo chicken pizza

 

One more, though didn't get to go back on this past trip:

Olneyville New York System - not a good side of town (unless that's changed), but this is easily the best drunk food you will find.

 

Agreed. Just know how to order and don’t make eye contact with anyone sitting at the counter.

 

This is legitimately the truest statement I've ever read on Beer Advocate.

 

Haha, I used to order a cheeseburger deluxe and two all the way. Always hit the spot.