As summer’s arrival is just around the corner, new and renovated businesses throughout Newport and its surrounding coastal communities stand ready to make a memorable first impression on visitors and residents alike. Here is a sampling of open or soon-to-be open neighbors:
FOOD & DRINK
1908 Public House: This neighborhood spot features seasonal foods and local craft beers. Experience the patio “dugout” which sits prominently in the right field of historic Cardines Field. 8 West Marlborough Street, Newport. 1908publichouse.com
Bar and Board: From Alex and Ani founder Carolyn Rafaelian comes this concept restaurant featuring a reconstructed interior, open kitchen, two floors for dining and an expansive covered patio. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Opening this summer. 282 Thames Street, Newport.
Diego’s Barrio Cantina: Fans of Diego’s in downtown Newport will love its newest addition in Middletown. Enjoy creative Mexican-inspired “street food classics” with a modern twist, plus weekly specials, cocktails, live music and a take-out section for diners on the go. 116 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown. diegosmiddletown.com
Empire Tea & Coffee at Seamen’s Church Institute: Marking its fifth local outpost, enjoy this café at the nearly century-old Seamen’s Church Institute which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 18 Market Square, Newport. empireteaandcoffee.com
Kaffeology: Known for their insanely creative milkshakes, this sweet spot also serves house-made pastries, parfaits, cakes, paninis and sandwiches. 359 Thames Street, Newport.
Karma Pizza Co.: Wood grilled pizza in the heart of downtown. 446 Thames Street., Newport. karmapizzaco.com
Liberty Donuts: Made to order fresh donuts that come with a variety of toppings including but not limited to crushed Oreos, chocolate chips, sprinkles and more, plus memorable flavors like Boston cream pie, chocolate glaze and maple bacon. Also serving breakfast and lunch sandwiches, ice cream, coffee (including Nitro Brew on tap) and espresso drinks. 22 Long Wharf Mall, Newport. facebook.com/LibertyDonutsNewport
New England Homemade Donuts: This family-owned donut shop in Portsmouth specializes in handcrafted donuts and pastries as well as breakfast sandwiches, coffee and tea. 3302 East Main Road, Portsmouth.
The Pavilion at Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co.: Enjoy the selection of house-made craft cocktails and a variety of seasonal beers on this extensive pavilion at the brewery and distillery. 293 JT Connell Highway, Newport. newportcraft.com (formerly Newport Storm)
Prica Farina Fresh Pasta Co.: Handcrafted fresh pasta and specialty food shop. Filled pastas are made daily using seasonal ingredients and other specialties include artisan cheese and salumi. 2 Market Street, Warren. pricafarina.com
Quench Juicery: Serving a variety of juices, smoothies and healthy eats including acai bowls. 436 Main Street, Warren. quench-juicery.com
Rustica Kitchen: From the owners of Newport’s popular Rosemary & Thyme Artisan Bakery & Café, this eatery serves breakfast and lunch featuring artisan-style chef-driven food. 404 Thames Street, Newport. rosemaryandthymecafe.com
Salsa’s Burrito Grille: Quick serve restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating offers made-to-order fresh Mexican favorites including burritos, tacos, carnitas, nachos and more. 108 Chase Road, Portsmouth. salsasburritosri.com
Surf Shack & Surf Club: Surf Club, located in a building dating back to 1835, specializes in Neapolitan brick oven pizza and comfort foods including burgers and mac & cheese along with salads and shared plates. The outdoor Surf Shack is anchored by a permeant mahogany bar at the intersection of America’s Cup Avenue, Memorial Blvd. and Thames Street and is surrounded by patio seating. Enjoy frozen rosé, specialty cocktails, comfort food and more. 337 Thames Street, Newport. surfclubnewportri.com
Taproot Brewing Co.: After 23 years of perfecting the art of winemaking, Newport Vineyards and the Nunes family have launched this exciting new brewing venture. With seven state-of-the-art barrels onsite, guests will see the focus here is on unfiltered hop-forward beers made in small batches meant to be enjoyed immediately for the ultimate freshness. 909 E. Main Road, Middletown.
Thrive Coffee House: Enjoy ethical coffee drinks with beans roasted by local Coastal Roasters as well as breakfast burritos, lunch wraps and locally made muffins, pastry and treats. Also serving Nitro Coffee. 706 Park Avenue, Portsmouth. thrivecoffeehouse.net
TSK at The Revolving Door: Known to locals and longtime patrons simply as TSK, this restaurant has newly opened following a three-year hiatus. In a new location, the revamped TSK also has a full liquor license and a menu featuring field-to-fork, locally sourced dishes. 509 Thames Street, Newport. tsknpt.com
Stoneacre Brasserie: Featuring a small and ever changing seasonal menu, the team at Stoneacre sources meats and produce from local farmers, butchers and fisherman who follow the same environmental guidelines as they do. The wine list is cultivated to highlight boutique French wine producers and they take pride in house-made cocktail trimmings. Café open 7am to 4pm; restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night snacks and weekend brunch. 28 Washington Square, Newport. stoneacrebrasserie.com
ACCOMMODATIONS
Cole’s Court Newport: This all-suite property features oversized guestrooms and one or two- bedroom accommodations and full kitchens tastefully appointed in a classic style. 636 Thames Street, Newport. colescourtnewport.com
The Firehouse Inn: A former firehouse dating back to 1892, this new BnB is steps away from the harbor, shops and restaurants. Known for gourmet breakfasts, the five rooms and studio suite are designed with a contemporary flair and are well suited for a property buyout. 595 Thames Street, Newport. firehouseinnri.com
NEW RETAIL & GALLERIES
Abundance Coastal Designs: This mosaic studio, store and “coloring lounge” is a creative, fun place to create with family, friends and co-workers. 220 High Street., Ste. 207, Bristol. abundancecoastaldesigns.com
Coastal Contemporary Gallery: This gallery’s mission is to show a range of artwork from traditional to contemporary, with emphasis on the contemporary. The gallery will represent a variety of interests, media and subject matter and will exhibit group and solo exhibitions by highly skilled regional and national artists with monthly receptions. 491 Thames Street, Newport. coastalcontemporarygallery.com
Groove Newport: Fun, fashionable clothing for women and tweens from unique and whimsical collections. 474 Thames Street, Newport. facebook.com/groovenewportri
Island Outfitters: This longtime Newport retailer has opened a second local location at the famed Brick Market Place stocking a variety of favorite brands including Vineyards Vines, Holebrook, Southern Tide, Johnnie-O, Rayban, The North Face and more. 138 Swinburne Row, Newport. islandoutfitters.com
Matt’s Local Pharmacy: Owners Matt and Erika Olivier opened Aquidneck Island’s only independently owned pharmacy because they saw the need for a better connection and care between pharmacist and patient. Also find natural, environmentally-friendly (mostly locally sourced) products here. 88 East Main Road, Middletown. mattslocalpharmacy.com
Newport Contemporary Fine Arts: This gallery located in Brick Market Place exhibits new contemporary art from diverse artistic styles and media featuring both local and international art. 219 Goddard Row, Newport. newportcontemporaryart.com
Newport Sock Exchange: This shop carries sassy socks sporting everything from Star Wars characters to unicorns, presidents and emojis. Every sock purchase provides funding for the Newport Coffee Cup Project Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides free transportation for local seniors. 468 Thames Street, Newport. newportsockexchange.com
Paw Addict: Clothing designed with pets in mind. Lovable shirts, hats, sweatpants, sweatshirts and accessories. 397 Thames Street, Newport. pawaddict.com
Port of Paws: Find everything you need and love for your four-legged friends. Premium pet food, treats, clothing, accessories and other pet-related gifts for dogs and cats. 429 Thames Street, Newport.
Roughan McCarthy: A “good living” shop for one-of-a-kind vintage finds, curated beach lifestyle goods and luxury travel accessories. 135 Spring Street, Newport. roughanmccarthy.com
Sara Cooney Photography: Portrait and event photography and studio. 227 Spring Street, Newport. saracooneyphotography.com
Sea Bags: Nautically inspired totes, handbags and accessories made in Maine from recycled sails. 25 Bowen's Wharf, Newport. seabags.com
Breakers Welcome Center: The Welcome Center enhances visitors’ introduction to the Newport Mansions by providing visitor orientation, ticketing, accessible restrooms and refreshments all in a light-filled pavilion. The pavilion is surrounded by a revived peaceful landscape which is the first phase of a multimillion-dollar historic landscape master plan. 44 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport. newportmansions.org
NEW TOURS
Belcourt: Designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt and built in the early 1890s, today’s Belcourt is undergoing a multi-year, multimillion-dollar renovation as the mansion is being revived to its former glory. See the glamour of Newport's Gilded Age as it is preserved through thoughtful, precise restorations enabled by modern technology. 657 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. belcourt.com
Newport Foodie Stroll: Enjoy food and history while celebrating the fabulous local flavor of Newport. Experience five restaurants focusing on a variety of gourmet delights in addition to learning the history of the City by the Sea from 1639 to present. Tours are Wednesday through Saturday (one per day), April through November. newportfoodiesstroll.com
Newport Cocktail Tours: Enjoy this walking history tour with a twist! Experience seven locations in Newport that celebrate the flavor and history of Newport which was once the rum capital of the world.
Roam Around Rough Point: This pass gives you access to the house and grounds at Doris Duke’s Rough Point estate to explore at your own pace and provides another chance to see the 2018 exhibitions (details below under New Exhibits). Wednesdays from 5pm to 7 pm and Saturdays from 3pm to 5pm. $10 for adults (free for children under 12). newportrestoration.org
NEW WELLNESS
Newport Cryotherapy: Experience Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC), a treatment that exposes the body to subzero temperatures which stimulates skin sensors and releases endorphins, ultimately decreasing inflammation. 493 Broadway, Newport. newportcryotherapy.com
Stella Mare Lifestyles: This unique, holistic wellness lifestyle center includes yoga classes, evening lectures, weekend workshops and more. 91 Long Wharf, Newport. stellamarelifestyles.com
NEW MAJOR EXHIBITS
Bohemian Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement and Oscar Wilde's Newport, at the Galleries at Rosecliff: The Preservation Society of Newport County's 2018 exhibition celebrates the ideas embodied by the artists, poets and thinkers popular during the Aesthetic Movement (1870-1890), which championed pure beauty and "art for art's sake." The exhibition features more than 80 objects, including ceramics, metalwork, furniture, glass, jewelry, paintings and costumes. Irish poet Oscar Wilde was a leading proponent of the Aesthetic Movement in Britain and traveled to North America in 1882 to share his message of aestheticism. He gave 140 lectures across the country, including a lecture on “The Decorative Arts” at the Casino Theater in Newport, an event attended by Newport’s most “prominent cottagers.” Exhibit open through Nov. 4. newportmansions.org
At Doris Duke’s Rough Point: Designing for Doris: David Webb Jewelry and Newport’s Architectural Gems highlights the parallels between seemingly dissonant archival materials: hand-drawn architectural plans and painterly sketches of bespoke jewelry from David Webb New York, both which founder of the Newport Restoration Foundation, Doris Duke, had a part in designing. In To Preserve and Restore: Newport Restoration Foundation at 50, the NRF invites the community to celebrate its 50th anniversary through exploring a variety of archival documents, photographs and objects that tell the story of NRF from the perspective of the people who made the organization what it is today. Exhibits on display through Nov. 11. newportrestoration.org/visit/rough_point
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