Newport is Rhode Island’s culinary Voltron, assembling the state’s finest Italian flavors along its historic waterfront. This coastal gem blends Gilded Age mansions with salty sea air and cobblestone charm. Here, you’ll find a family-run trattoria where Nonna’s recipes rule, a modern enoteca with a wild creative streak, and a waterfront spot you’ll gladly wait in line for.
Mama Leone’s
$ | (401) 847-7272 | WEBSITE
Think of Mama Leone’s as the cozy, unpretentious cousin to those fancy Italian trattorias, the comfortable flannel shirt to their tailored suit. Their consistently solid, straightforward take on pizza classics makes it an easy choice for a quick lunch with coworkers grabbing that two-slice-and-soda deal or for families to share a hearty pepperoni pie.
The classic pizza parlor vibe doesn’t feel overly nostalgic or themed, but it still manages to make you feel like you’re in a welcoming neighborhood spot with its warm lighting and the familiar hum of a busy kitchen. You’ll find Brittany or David behind the counter, always ready with a smile and happy to customize your order, whether it’s that popular buffalo chicken pizza or a fresh salad piled high with grilled chicken.
It’s the kind of place where the food—dense, flavorful, and served hot—is always satisfying, and the service makes you want to come back, maybe even for their lively trivia night.
Pasta Beach Newport
$$ | (401) 847-2222 | WEBSITE
The standout feature at Pasta Beach Newport is its in-house dough. This family-friendly spot has quickly become a local go-to because pizzas like the savory sausage and broccolini are reliably satisfying. In the evenings, the cozy atmosphere glows with warm, inviting light, and your meal is accompanied by the gentle hum of conversation. Bring the family, and order the rich, creamy carbonara. And enjoy it while you relax at the rustic wooden tables and sip an Italian Amarone.
Antonio’s Pizza By The Slice Kitchen & Bar – Newport
$ | (401) 846-1124 | WEBSITE
Antonio’s Pizza By The Slice Kitchen & Bar isn’t just a pizza joint, it’s a neighborhood treasure. No other spot in Newport has as many crowd-pleasing options. Stop in for better-than-almost-anywhere-else pizza by the slice with a perfect chewy-crisp crust that demands return trips, surprisingly excellent burgers that rival dedicated burger joints, and truffle fries with that addictive dip that you’ll crave between visits.
Use this place as your regular when dining with family or friends who want something for everyone—whether it’s meat lovers pizza, Hawaiian slices, or wings that keep people coming back. The warm, welcoming atmosphere with its spacious layout and kid-friendly vibe makes it easy for everyone to feel at home, and the friendly team including Eden and Linda handles everything with genuine care. Even the charging delivery robot adds a fun, modern touch.
At around $4-6 per slice and $12-16 for burgers with sides, it’s a lunch spot that delivers quality without pretension. Just plan ahead for parking during peak hours—this place is worth the minor hassle.
IL Forno Italiano
$ | (401) 848-5555 | WEBSITE
There’s always a line out the door at IL Forno Italiano, unless you swing by right at opening for lunch. The crowds aren’t here for fancy ambiance (since the casual pizza joint looks like it’s been furnished with thrift shop charm). It’s packed because IL Forno consistently serves some of the best pizza in Newport.
Everything you’ll eat here is fantastic—thin crust pepperoni pizza with perfect char, generous lasagna pizza loaded with flavor, and their unexpected but tasty lobster roll that surprises with each bite. The eggplant pizza tastes fresh from the garden, and the divine meatballs with garlic bread are unbelievable. Despite the busy orders and walk-ins, the staff stays friendly and the portions remain generous, leaving everyone from kids to adults completely satisfied.
Mamma Luisa Ristorante Italiano
$$$ | (401) 848-5257 | WEBSITE
Mamma Luisa Ristorante Italiano is the heart of Newport’s Italian dining scene, and not just because of its cozy, old-school interior and quaint, always charming small dining room. The food is the real star here—from the delicious bolognese and the wonderful homemade pasta to the decadent stuffed veal special and delicious, zesty lemon cake dessert.
It’s not only one of our highest-rated restaurants, it’s the ultimate place to bring your special occasion group and make a family-style feast with multiple classic dishes.
Lucia | Italian Restaurant
$$ | (401) 846-4477 | WEBSITE
Lucia is tucked away in Newport and the vibe is intimate, so groups of friends become cozy gatherings by the time entrees arrive. While it’s a perfect dinner destination in the area, we’d walk from any part of town to start our evening here since it serves our favorite Italian in the city. The menu isn’t huge but the dishes are so authentic that whatever you order here—delicate Sogliola All’Arancio, comforting Manicotti al pomadoro, creamy farfalle—is a delight.
Nikolas Pizza
$ | (401) 849-6611 | WEBSITE
Nikolas Pizza feels like a nostalgic mix of a classic New England pizza joint (complete with checkered tablecloths and worn wooden booths) and your neighbor’s cozy kitchen with hand-drawn pizza menu art on the walls. The restaurant has a super chill, ‘we know who we are’ vibe that’s pretty endearing—so even though they’re not making the absolute best pizza in Newport, it’s still one of our favorite places to eat a pie.
Come to hang out with your group, just make sure you show up around 5ish to avoid a long wait. And you really want to get here early for Thursday’s calzone night, where $24 gets you a generously stuffed calzone to share with your crew.
Sardella’s Italian Restaurant
$$ | (401) 849-6312 | WEBSITE
Sardella’s Italian Restaurant offers a cozy and rustic atmosphere, providing attentive service and generous portions. Order our favorite dish, the lasagna with rich meat sauce and creamy ricotta, or the white clams with delicate angel hair pasta. But the $85 four-course tasting menu is also a smart choice since it’s a perfect showcase of the kitchen’s hearty, traditional approach.
The restaurant’s unassuming storefront might not suggest it’s been among Newport’s top Italian spots for years—it’s a word-of-mouth kind of place, but the dining room is always full and lively, so don’t wait until the last minute to snag a table.
Imbriglio’s Pizzeria Napoletana
$$ | (401) 849-6312 | WEBSITE
A wood-fired pizzeria that serves both classic Neapolitan pies and hearty Italian pasta dishes not only makes a perfect pairing, it makes Imbriglio’s a place we’d want to spend our whole evening. The pizzeria itself is strategically reminiscent of a cozy Italian trattoria, with warm brick walls and simple wooden tables under soft lighting.
The menu features solid standards like Margherita and Pepperoni pizzas, and the kitchen offers a blend of dishes with a focus on homemade comfort (since the spot has built its reputation on friendly, low-key service). And nothing epitomizes this charming hidden gem better than the incredible homemade meatballs, arriving like savory, tender spheres of perfection on your plate.
1639 at Newport Harbor Island Resort
$$ | (401) 851-3325 | WEBSITE
1639 at Newport Harbor Island Resort offers a beautiful, sunset-facing patio that’s ideal for families, pets, and casual gatherings. The menu features a mix of decent Italian and American dishes—from shrimp cocktail and eggplant meals to NY strip steak and pumpkin cheesecake. If all those options feel overwhelming, here’s a tip: start with the savory, well-prepared shrimp cocktail. And the fun bar area with pool tables and darts pairs nicely with the harbor views.
Any decision after that will be a good one.
Giusto
$$$ | (401) 324-7400 | WEBSITE
For years, Giusto has been a Newport favorite for modern Italian cuisine and a charming harbor view. Diners who first enjoyed the cozy indoor space or beautiful outdoor deck now return with their own families to experience the same creative pasta dishes and friendly service. Sip a cocktail on the deck while choosing from well-thought-out appetizers and freshly made pasta. The squid ink calamari showcases Giusto’s creativity while the gluten-free options are a thoughtful choice for various diets.
Though portions are satisfying, order a few dishes to share and end with the berry sorbet from the new pastry chef.