As Newport’s harbor glistens under the summer sun, seafood lovers face a delicious dilemma: where to find the freshest catch. From tucked-away oyster bars locals guard fiercely to elegant waterfront dining worthy of a special occasion, we’ve navigated the docks and dining rooms to bring you the definitive list. Here are Newport’s 18 best seafood restaurants for 2025.
Smugglers Waterfront Bar
$ | (401) 684-1664 | WEBSITE
A lively waterfront spot that’s casual, affordable, and consistently fun is rare in Newport. But Smugglers is exactly that kind of bar, which is probably why you will absolutely have to grab a seat early at this classic harbor location. It will, however, be very worth it. If you’re here with a friend, get the fish tacos for two. It’s a platter of crispy fish with fresh toppings and sides for about $28. It always makes us glad we decided to snag those Adirondack chairs by the rail.
Midtown Oyster Bar
$$ | (401) 619-4100 | WEBSITE
If you are in Newport and in the mood for seafood in any form, get in the car and drive to Midtown Oyster Bar. There isn’t necessarily a specialty here. It’s one of those restaurants that just does everything deliciously, and you should leave with at least three things you didn’t plan on ordering. Those things could include a dozen fresh oysters, a hot and dirty martini, or a seat on the beautiful upper outdoor patio with its cool cross breeze.
Annie’s
$ | (401) 849-6731 | WEBSITE
Annie’s is a classic American diner and the kind of cozy breakfast spot you go to when you have zero intentions of rushing through your morning. The menu has everything from mushroom omelets and a simple eggs & bacon to huge pancakes you can make a meal out of. We’re not totally sure how to categorize this place, so we’ll just call it what it is: a pleasure. Service is quick and friendly too.
The Black Pearl
$$ | (401) 846-5264 | WEBSITE
The Black Pearl in Newport serves big bowls of steamy chowder, buttery lemon-garlic mussels, and crispy-bottomed crab cakes. Our favorite dish here is the lobster stew. It’s a rich broth that comes with your choice of seafood and sides. The stew also comes with fresh herbs, tender potatoes, sweet corn, carrots, a splash of cream, and a buttery roll. Slurp it all up with their wooden spoons and pretend you’re a pirate movie character.
Newport Sportsman Club
$ | (401) 619-1280 | WEBSITE
Newport Sportsman Club is a friendly locals’ bar with a casual vibe, offering great service and plenty of seating inside and out. They have live music, a pool table, and a touch tunes jukebox. Although food options vary, they sometimes have BBQ and can arrange for pizza delivery. We really like their BBQ platter—a generous portion of smoky pulled pork, tangy coleslaw, and crispy fries. Just don’t eat one before hitting the pool table (or do and chase it with a $12 bourbon flight).
Their occasional live music nights are great. The most popular is Saturday: local bands playing classic rock with your choice of drinks from the wide bourbon selection. Newport Sportsman Club is incredibly welcoming and busy all evening. So if you’re looking for a relaxed spot, grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the atmosphere.
Wharf Southern Kitchen & Whiskey Bar
$$ | (401) 619-5672 | WEBSITE
It’s a Southern kitchen, a whiskey bar, a bourbon haven, and a waterfront destination. If it was on a pirate ship, it’d be the perfect place to toast during a storm. Order a couple Cajun Hush Puppies to-go for a quick snack. Or dine in and get the BBQ Bourbon Burger and Smoked Wings for dinner. It’s also not a bad place to unwind, as long as you’re not distracted by the breathtaking views of the historic Newport wharf.
Wharf Southern Kitchen & Whiskey Bar really has something for everyone, minus teetotalers. We still recommend the library for that.
Salt Water Harborside Dining
$$ | (401) 848-3303 | WEBSITE
Salt Water Harborside Dining is pretty much the most perfect casual breakfast spot that a hungry person in Newport could ask for. The relaxing spot feels more like a very cool waterfront retreat than your average claustrophobic diner. The view is great and so is the food, which includes spinach and kale salad with chicken and super creamy goat cheese—which is what you want to get here. The buy one get one free breakfast deal is a safe choice and comes with all the morning essentials.
Just know that dinner service is limited to drinks and appetizers, so don’t come here for a full evening meal.
Clarke Cooke House
$$$ | (401) 849-2900 | WEBSITE
You’ll find Clarke Cooke House in the heart of Newport, where the classic seafood restaurant operates with the timeless elegance of traditional Newport dining. It looks exactly like the sophisticated destination it is, but override any thoughts of casual dining and you’ll discover a refined establishment serving a variety of stellar seafood dishes. Our favorite is the seasonal scallop special, a perfect showcase of fresh seafood.
It features plump, sweet scallops—but what really makes this dish are the fresh, flavorful accompaniments that complement the delicate seafood so well.
Scales & Shells
$$$ | (401) 846-3474 | WEBSITE
We’re not surprised this seafood restaurant is a hit. Scales & Shells has a cozy and relaxing atmosphere—and we love everything about it. This one in Newport has wonderful wait staff, a welcoming vibe for all customers, and incredibly fresh fish. Our favorite dishes here are the fried calamari, shrimp piccata with linguine, and the rich lobster bisque.
But if you’re craving something truly special, order the swordfish steak or the spicy seafood pasta—they’re the best we’ve ever tasted, and you’ll be talking about them for days. Or come for a casual meal and enjoy the raw clams and oysters with a cold local beer on tap.
The Café at The Chanler
$$$ | (401) 847-2244 | WEBSITE
The Café at The Chanler is a charming seafood spot that—despite its elegant reputation—is technically on the harborfront. But if they’re going to terrace their way into Newport, we’ll allow this view. They’re open for lunch and dinner from 11am-10pm every day. It’s normally pretty popular (especially on the weekends) with visitors looking for a canestri with scallops or the Chitarra ‘Fait Maison.’ But during the week, it’s a solid option for an easy patio-style dinner.
Zelda’s Newport
$$ | (401) 849-4002 | WEBSITE
This cozy seafood spot in Newport is a pleasant place to grab a drink or a meal downtown. Their central bar is spacious and set up with booths and high tops, so you can feel like you’re having a casual night out. This place is equal parts restaurant and bar, and you can certainly come just for a drink. But if you did that, you’d be missing out on one of the better Korean-influenced salmon dishes in town.
1/2 Shell
$$$ | (401) 846-3474 | WEBSITE
Yes, it’s a seafood spot. But boy is it satisfying. 1/2 Shell in Newport is a warm, relaxing restaurant that’s as reliable as the day it opened—and with good reason. It consistently delivers quality every damn time. We love the fried calamari and the shrimp piccata. The calamari is crispy, tender, and the breading-to-squid-to-lemon-ratio was probably determined with a graphing calculator.
There’s truly something for everyone on the menu: mussels, lobster fra diavolo, crab cakes, or generous portions of whatever’s fresh that day. It’s perfect for dinner with family or picky seafood lovers who want to enjoy a satisfying meal.
The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar
$$ | (401) 846-2260 | WEBSITE
The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar is a waterfront restaurant where the menu reads like a love letter to the ocean. Between courses, your table will tell the story of a perfect meal—with buttery trails from those standout fritters, a scattering of fresh herbs from the seafood pasta, and drops of that rich chowder. You’re coming here for a relaxed, indulgent, and casual experience—which you’ll get whether you order the perfectly cooked mussels or the amazing scallops.
Finish your memorable dinner with a cold beer as you watch the sunset paint the water in golden hues. As any true seafood spot would, they fill your glass before it’s empty and offer a thoughtful gluten-free menu, so don’t forget to make reservations for that fabulous view.
Lobster Roll Heaven
$$ | (401) 848-5555 | WEBSITE
This casual seafood spot keeps it simple, straightforward, and makes the best lobster roll in Newport (fighting words, we know). You’re going to want to come here on a sunny afternoon for their outdoor patio, where you can enjoy harbor views while digging into that lobster roll. Another thing worth getting on the table: the excellent lobster bisque served with a side of those praised French fries.
The Lobster Bar
$$ | (401) 619-2890 | WEBSITE
At this point, most of Newport knows the joy of eating a lobster roll from The Lobster Bar. But their waterfront location doubles down on everything: the view’s twice as scenic, and the portions should exclude the “generous” because they’re massive. The restaurant is a bit more upscale, with nautical décor, comfortable wooden booths, and large picture windows overlooking the water. Nothing on this menu has changed, but the lobster tastes even fresher here.
You’re seated by the host, order from the attentive staff, and they’ll bring your meal quickly. Much like its reputation suggests, the place is perennially popular and rightfully so. We declared The Lobster Bar the best seafood spot in Newport, and that’s still very true for this location.
The Reef
$$ | (401) 324-5852 | WEBSITE
One of our favorite spots to enjoy seafood and watch the sunset in Newport is The Reef. You can sit outside on the waterfront with beautiful sunset views or inside the Caribbean-inspired space decorated with steel drums, tropical accents, and warm lighting that makes it feel like a tropical retreat. You can order creative cocktails like the chai martini all evening, but the halibut is why we come here.
It’s perfectly cooked halibut with seasonal vegetables, a light lemon butter sauce, and fresh herbs on a bed of creamy polenta. It comes with a side of warm focaccia that we like to dip into the gazpacho appetizer for extra flavor.
The Pineapple Club
$$ | (401) 849-2600 | WEBSITE
The Pineapple Club is a good seafood restaurant in Newport, perfect for a casual lunch or easy dinner. Seafood takes up most of the menu, and the $28 seafood combo is a great deal. It comes with soy chili calamari, a prime smash burger, and hot shoestring fries. But we also love their lighter salmon wrap, their pizzas, and their virgin daiquiri.
Benjamin’s
$$ | (401) 846-8768 | WEBSITE
Benjamin’s is very much its own character. It hums with energy when the happy hour crowd arrives, and the wooden bar stools creak when the regulars settle in. It’s alive—with laughter and conversation. And also seafood. Their very solid menu serves calamari, frog legs, and oysters with both downstairs and upstairs seating. It’s a lively spot to eat, drink, or celebrate while you soak up the fun through sheer atmosphere.
Also, check out their specials for Tuesday’s half-off raw oysters, clams casino, and oyster Rockefeller.