After arriving at Brown last August, I have slowly become acquainted with the surrounding Providence area. The city has charmed me with its tree-lined neighborhoods, downtown area dotted with shops and restaurants and weekend markets, dispersed parks with their outlooks and benches and fleeting greenery, and how the seasons have made everything anew again and again as the months have progressed. I have started to regularly explore Providence with intention, trying to soak up as many places and experiences as possible. Although I still have much to find, I’ve covered decent ground, visiting bookstores, parks, libraries, stores, restaurants, and so many cafes. Here are some of the places that shine:

1. Small Point Café 

Tucked into Westminster Street of downtown Providence, Small Point Café provides an artsy atmosphere and delicious drinks. I spend time here when I’m up early or need to do a quick assignment, as Small Point’s only drawback is that it closes at a sharp 3 p.m. on weekdays. With its spherical hanging lights, a large red decorative rug under black tables, and bright green plants lining the floor-to-ceiling windows, it is earthy, homey. I recommend sitting in one of the teal velvet chairs closest to the windows and plants. When ordering, try the drunken mermaid latte, made with housemade caramel bourbon sauce, or the roasted turkey sandwich with cheddar, cranberry, chipotle mayo, and greens.

If this place was a person, it would be: a hippie grandma with long silver hair and bangles on her wrists.

2. Maruichi Japanese Food and Deli 

At Maruichi, you’ll find a deli, packaged snacks and tea, frozen treats, and a station for hot, fresh food. There’s also a small area filled with stationery and skincare. In addition to the overflowing aisles of treats and snacks, there’s a small sit-down area with wooden benches and tables to satisfy an eager appetite. If you buy one thing from the store, buy the Propitious Mango ice cream—which has gone viral on TikTok for its cute packaging and delicious taste. The 3D fruit ice cream comes in the shape of a small, perfect mango with a gradient of flushed yellow skin. The thin white chocolate exterior folds perfectly into the firm but creamy center, and the mango flavor is gently sweet and refreshing. Other items I recommend: the large packaged red bean mochis (starchy, chewy, and sweet), teriyaki rice sticks, and a frozen bar with sweet potato ice cream waiting inside a crispy monaka wafer.

If this place was a person, it would be: that girl in elementary school who always shared the treats from her superior lunch with you.

3. Riffraff Bookstore and Bar

Riffraff is located at The Plant, a former mill and business center in Olneyville, about 2.8 miles from College Hill—an hour-long trek. For fellow walking enthusiasts, I would gently suggest relinquishing your pride and ordering an Uber, especially during the winter. Here, you can browse for books, enjoy a cup of coffee, or chatter with friends over cocktails. It houses colorful wooden bookshelves and display tables, as well as a cafe and bar area with warm, dim lighting. The bar lines one side of the wall and the remaining space holds small tables occupied by figures sitting and reading, cocktails or coffee mugs nestled beside their books’ pages. The more socialized patrons sit in a line at the bar, chattering and laughing. Soft but lively jazz music plays as the coffee machine whirs, and the barista vigorously shakes a cocktail. Browsing, reading, and drinking (coffee or something stronger) are all options, and it’s lovely. Try the lavender latte, which is delicately perfumed, and the salted chocolate chip cookie, which is perfectly chewy and filling.

If this place was a person, it would be: a seemingly performative man who is actually really cool and genuine (if only).

4. Avon Cinema 

This one doesn’t require as much exploring, as it is located right on our beloved Thayer Street. When you venture into the Avon, you’re not just paying for a movie—you’re paying for an experience. Get buttered popcorn, a glass-bottled Coca-Cola, and a ticket to a foreign movie you’ve never heard of. Its singular showing room is old-fashioned and charming. A red curtain dangles over the screen before gliding open. Warm lights curve into swirled lines on either side of the room. At the Avon, you feel connected with the people beside you also watching the film unfold, unlike in those large movie theaters with reclining seats and bottomless popcorn buckets. It offers a smoother gateway to the escape that movies provide; as you enter past the ticket booth, it’s almost as if you’re already in another time and place. 

If this place was a person, it would be: your elderly, eccentric professor who always wears suits and spectacles. You never understand what exactly he is saying, but his class is still your favorite.