Thayer Street and the Blue Room have some good offerings, and you may feel overwhelmed by everything going on at Brown, but there’s a whole world beyond campus to explore. The Herald put together a starting list of just some of the many places to eat, drink and explore during your time in Providence.
Restaurants
Tallulah’s Taqueria: Tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas, nachos, bowls and more, all counter-served.
Jahunger: Noodles, dumplings and stir-fry with the spice you’ll probably miss eating dining hall food.
Chomp Kitchen and Drinks: Burgers. Sandwiches. Beverages. Come prepared with an empty stomach and ready to chomp!
Amy’s Place: One of the only places — if not the only place — where waiting 45 minutes for a sandwich is totally worth it.
Flatbread Company: Delicious pizza cut into slices with approximately 90° corners. Also the sponsor of 9-spot, The Herald’s weekly staff social :)
Plant City: 100% vegan. Waterfront view. Enough said.
Louis Family Restaurant: Family-owned and operated since 1946 with a classic diner feel — Guy Fieri even featured the place on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
Heng Thai & Rotisserie: A cozy underground space with great food and even better vibes.
Tribos Peri Peri: Another spot full of spice and flavor — and inspirations from Portugal, Mozambique and Southern Asia
“The Original” Haven Brothers Diner: Family-owned and one of the oldest restaurants on wheels in the United States — check out Kennedy Plaza to find this classic food truck.
Pane e Vino: Combine traditions of Southern Italian cooking with fresh local products. Also, a great chance to explore Federal Hill which is, famously, a relatively flat area compared to our lovely College Hill.
Pizza Marvin: A “modern House of Pizza” offering a variety of toppings and pizza-making classes a short walk from campus.
Dune Brothers Seafood: Local seafood served out of a walk-up window right on the Providence River — in other words, fresh catch with a view.
Dolores: Contemporary and regional Mexican cuisine from Puebla and Oaxaca and a strong beverage menu.
Los Andes: Peruvian and Bolivian cuisine in a relaxing space (with a fish tank)!
Trader Joe’s: Not a restaurant, but you love it. We love it. Our wallets love it. Our limited cooking abilities love it. Enough said.
Coffee shops and sweet treats
Small Format: A queer cafe, art gallery and servery of small plates all in one cozy spot.
The Shop: An industrial chic-style cafe serving single-origin coffees, pastries and other lighter fare.
Bolt Coffee: A specialty coffee roasting company with four locations in Providence — try all four for the full experience.
The Coffee Exchange: Serving Fair-Trade Organic coffees and herbal teas with a delightfully Providence energy.
Dave’s Coffee: A Rhode Island staple serving java drinks, snacks and upscale coffee milk. They also give out stickers with their logo for free.
Small Point Café: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Fair-Trade Organic coffee, tea and espresso, all in an eclectic and eco-friendly shop
La Creperie: Paris has met Providence just off Thayer, since 1996.
Seven Stars Bakery: Artisan bread, pastries and locally-roasted coffee, made fresh daily.
PVDonuts: You “donut” have to worry about a thing with these elaborate donuts.
Aleppo Sweets: Baklava and other sweet treats inspired by the owner’s hometown of Aleppo, Syria.
Like No Udder: 100% vegan soft serve and vegan options featured in a rotating selection.
Ceremony: Unique tea and coffee drinks in a peaceful space off Thayer. It’s a Brown student favorite, so be prepared to be aggressive to secure a table.
Ten One Tea House: Brown sugar boba is a Ten One specialty in addition to artisanal healthy drinks for tea lovers.
Madrid Bakery: Madrid brought to Providence in pastries, baked goods, coffees and more.
The great outdoors
- East Bay Bike Path: 14.5 miles of mostly scenic views and opportunities to let off steam!
- Blackstone Boulevard: Ever wanted to run in the middle of the road? On Blackstone Boulevard, you can, while also enjoying some shade, greenery and all the neighborhood dogs.
- Barrington Beach: Just a quick ride away with the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (free to all Brown students), this beach is also known as “RISD beach” for our neighbors down the hill at the Rhode Island School of Design.
- The Cliff Walk: Another (slightly longer) RIPTA ride away is the quaint city center of Newport and the Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile public walking trail along the coast that takes you past famous mansions and panoramic views.
- Pedestrian Bridge: Formally known as the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge, and informally known as a city landmark, this bridge connects two riverfront parks and Brown’s campuses as well.
Rhea Rasquinha is a Metro Section Editor covering Development and Infrastructure and also serves as Co-Chief of Illustrations. She previously covered the College Hill, Fox Point & the Jewelry District and Brown & Beyond beats. Rhea is a junior from New York studying Biomedical Engineering and loves dark chocolate and penguins.
