5 Newport Restaurants Off The Beaten Path

5 Newport Restaurants Off The Beaten Path

Newport's hitting its peak season, and while visitors from around the world fill its slips, streets, sidewalks, and yes, restaurant tables, we Rhode Islanders can still enjoy delicious fare at our beloved City By The Sea. How? By hitting these best-kept secrets--some of our very favorite spots any time of year. Check out these top 5 off-the-beaten-path Newport restaurants.

The Cliffwalk Terrace at the Chanler

A short stroll down Memorial Boulevard towards the Cliff Walk will lead you off the beaten path to the Chanler. A beautiful, boutique hotel, the Chanler touts incredible amenities, views and cuisine. And while we love the Spiced Pear restaurant, there's now even more to love at the Chanler: its redesigned Cliff Walk Terrace with a brand-new menu, launched this summer. Executive Chef Thomas Duffy has developed a specialty menu with ten small plate options focusing on local and upscale comfort food, including Grilled Jumbo Gulf Shrimp with lemon, feta, quinoa and olive tapenade and an Artisanal Seafood Charcuterie plate with pastrami-cured salmon, local smoked blue fish pate, and Asian-marinated calamari. Ten seasonal cocktails, including the Berry Ten Anniversary Drink, were created by the Spiced Pear’s acclaimed mixology staff. There will be $10 specials offered daily through August 29th. 117 Memorial Blvd. 847-1300, www.thechanler.com

Pour Judgement

One of the cool things about the hidden parts of Newport is finding a place like Pour Judgement. This is a townie bar with a twist. As you walk in you are hit by the sounds of local residents eating and drinking, the artwork on the walls from local artists, and the scents coming from the kitchen. The first time we wandered in we sat down and ordered one of the many delicious craft beers and almost fell off our barstools when we saw lobster nori on the special menu. The thing that keeps us coming back is the beer and burger special that starts at $9, but we're loving this summer's chicken and shrimp tacos. If you’re on the run, Pour Judgement has recently opened Pour Judgement 2 Go a little further up Broadway where you can grab the same well prepared food to take home. Make sure you check out the chocolate chip cookies. 32 Broadway, 619-2115, www.pourjudgement.com

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Pasta Beach

Although Pasta Beach sounds like an Italian version of Baywatch, don’t let the name fool you. This is really good Italian food... and it's in Newport! What Pasta Beach may not invest in ambience, it makes up for with Italian flavors. If you are craving pasta this is one of the best options in Newport. We started with the bruchetta which was really enough for one to eat as a meal. The bread was crisp and rubbed with garlic cloves before the marinated tomatoes are layered over the top. We followed with a margarita pizza and a pasta Carbonara. The fairer member of our duo has been to the restaurant in Rome where Carbonara was created, so it seemed like a good test. This version was really close to the original with bacon providing a slightly smoky flavor to the cream sauce. The pizza was one of the best we’ve ever had in Newport. It was crisp and smoky and the tomatoes were incredibly flavorful. Definitely worth the trip! 7 Memorial Blvd. 847-2222, www.pastabeachrestaurants.com

Perro Salado

Fans of fresh Mex know Perro’s reputation for tasty ingredients and authentic preparations of traditional south of the border cuisine. Newport locals love this spot, and so should you. Chef/owner Dan Hall works closely with local farmers and fishermen to source Rhode Island’s best ingredients for his menu that highlights taqueria selections such as chicken tinga enchiladas and ropa vieja quesadillas, fabulous fish tacos, tender grilled skirt steak, and a salad made with chili-dusted scallops. Locals come for the freshly-made margaritas (the cilantro-jalapeno is like nothing you have ever had) and the legendary sticky pork ribs. You might consider this as well. 19 Charles St, 619-4777, www.perrosalado.com

Canfield House

It doesn’t get much more classic Newport than this 19th century gem that was once a casino for the city’s wealthiest residents. Tucked in behind the Tennis Hall of Fame, Canfield is a find for folks who want fresh, expertly-prepared, classic American cuisine. Menu selections include herb-crusted rack of lamb, grilled filet mignon with béarnaise sauce (add a lobster tail for a delicious surf and turf), pan-seared scallops, baked haddock, seafood alfredo and prime rib. The food is a complement to the formal dining room, with its original mahogany paneling and 25-foot ceilings. Downstairs, the pub offers a more casual menu. 5 Memorial Blvd, 847-0416, www.canfieldhousenewport.com