By The Blackstone Team
Good food is part of what makes a neighborhood feel like home. The East Side of Providence offers cafes, bistros, and Italian kitchens spread across several walkable streets. We put together a short guide to a few spots listed in local dining roundups. Here is where to start when you want a coffee, a casual meal, or a special night out.
Key Takeaways
- Coffee stop: Coffee Exchange is listed at 207 Wickenden Street.
- Special dinners: Al Forno is listed at 577 South Water Street for Italian cooking and pizza.
- Bistro fare: Persimmon is listed at 99 Hope Street as a French bistro.
- Check first: Hours and menus change, so confirm details before you go.
Start Your Day on Wickenden Street
Wickenden Street and South Water Street are known for small retailers and cafes, according to Wikipedia. Coffee Exchange sits at 207 Wickenden Street and is listed as a cafe.
Coffee and Browsing
- Coffee Exchange: The cafe is listed at 207 Wickenden Street.
- Small shops: Wikipedia notes small retailers along Wickenden Street and South Water Street, so you can browse before or after your coffee.
- Walkable setting: Cafes and shops sit close together in the Fox Point area, which makes it easy to wander from one stop to the next.
Hours vary, so call ahead if you have a tight schedule or a larger group. A slow morning on Wickenden Street is an easy way to meet the neighborhood and see how it feels.
Plan a Special Dinner in Fox Point
Al Forno is listed at 577 South Water Street and is described as an Italian restaurant known for pizza. Fodor's includes it among the restaurants it recommends on the East Side.
Dinner Planning Tips
- Reservations: Call or check online to see whether the restaurant takes them, especially for weekend evenings.
- Menu check: Review the current menu before you go, since dishes and prices can change from season to season.
- Hours: Confirm opening hours, since they can change with the season or for private events.
A special dinner is a good excuse to explore a new corner of the city. Leave time to walk along the waterfront afterward.
Try Bistro Fare on Hope Street
Persimmon is listed at 99 Hope Street and is described as a French bistro. Hope Street is one of the East Side's main commercial corridors.
What to Expect
- Cuisine: Fodor's lists Persimmon as a French bistro, which suits a relaxed dinner or a celebration.
- Location: The restaurant sits at 99 Hope Street in the Hope Street area.
- Reservation policy: Check OpenTable or call the restaurant to confirm how reservations work.
Menus and hours change, so verify them before you plan an evening. A neighborhood bistro can quickly become a regular stop.
Explore Thayer Street and Wayland Square
Thayer Street is known for independent shops and the historic Avon Cinema, according to Wikipedia. Wayland Square sits at the intersection of Wayland and Angell, and Red Stripe is listed at 465 Angell Street.
Where to Wander
- Thayer Street: Independent shops and the historic Avon Cinema create a lively stretch that is easy to explore on foot.
- Wayland Square: The district sits near the corner of Wayland and Angell.
- Red Stripe: The bistro is listed at 465 Angell Street, a short distance from the heart of Wayland Square.
Busy days can bring parking challenges and crowds, so plan ahead. Pair a meal with a stroll to see more of the area.
Find Comfort Food on Ives Street
Chomp Kitchen & Drinks is listed at 117 Ives Street and is described as American comfort food. It rounds out a list of casual choices for an easy weeknight meal.
Casual Choices
- Chomp: Fodor's lists comfort food at 117 Ives Street, a good fit for an easy weeknight meal.
- Coffee Exchange: A relaxed cafe stop sits on Wickenden Street, handy for a quick catch-up with a friend.
- Red Stripe: A bistro option sits on Angell Street, within reach of Wayland Square.
Restaurants open and close, so check recent reviews before you go. Local favorites often change with the seasons.
FAQs
Which East Side Providence restaurants are good for a casual meal?
Fodor's lists Chomp Kitchen & Drinks at 117 Ives Street for comfort food and Red Stripe at 465 Angell Street as a bistro. Coffee Exchange at 207 Wickenden Street is a cafe option. Confirm hours and menus before you go.
Where can I find coffee shops on the East Side?
Coffee Exchange is listed at 207 Wickenden Street, and Wikipedia notes cafes along Wickenden Street and South Water Street. Hours vary, so call ahead. Explore a few spots to find your favorite.
Are the East Side's restaurants close to where people live?
The restaurants in this guide sit along Wickenden, South Water, Hope, Angell, and Ives Streets in a mostly residential part of the city. Distances vary by address. Ask us for help finding homes near the streets you love.
Contact Us at The Blackstone Team
If you would like to live near the cafes and restaurants you enjoy, we would love to help. Contact us at The Blackstone Team to talk about your search. We are happy to share our favorite local spots.
