I'm going with my wife for four days to Newport in early August. Staying at the Vanderbilt Hall Hotel (which I understand to be downtown).

I'd appreciate any dining tips people may have for this town (good or to-be-avoided) - from high end through casual.

Thanks!

Just spent several days in Newport, and although all of my dinners were corporate catered events at the Hyatt, I can tell you that the dining in Newport is, for the most part, very casual. I'd be prepared for the white pants, sweater-over-the-shoulders type of dinner outfits.

Most of the restaurants I saw in the downtown area were either pub-types or seafood places, none of which looked formal. If you are eating in a more upscale hotel, you might dress up more, but from what I saw, everything was very casual.

Just FYI, the downtown area has a Panera Bread shop, Starbucks and a Subway for your casual eating pleasure ;)

(When I refer to downtown, I am referring to the waterfront/tourist area at the harbor/docks.....if you are staying more inland in Newport proper, you will have other food choices than those I mentioned.)

I used to, and my parents still do, live in newport. The Vanderbilt is right on the Wharf your really couldnt ask for a better location. As for eating, here are a few must hit places. The Black Pearl - I would do lunch here, food is above average, not excellent, but the Chowder is the best in the state. The Clarke Cooke House - Right next to the black pearl, nice causal dinner, probably will run you just shy of 100 for two with drinks. The Mooring - I have not eaten here in quite a few years, I have friends that love the food though. The Castle Inn - My parents just had their 25th Anniversary dinner here, Only 5 Star restaurant in Newport, so be prepared to pay for it. Views are out of this world. Panoramic views of the beaches etc. I would make it to Floes Clam Shack for lunch one day, great fried clams etc, not a place for the dieter, but best NE type food around. The # one thing to do while in Newport is to arrange to go out on one of the 12 meters, I was on Neffertiti (sp?) Amazing hour out ont he water in one of the old school Americas Cup boats, last time I did this it was 60 a person, well worth the $ includes cheese and wine. Have a great time, if you have any questions or need any other help, PM me.

P.S. A friend of mine works for the Architecture Firm that just redid, ohhh 5 years ago, the Hotel, I stayed there one everning, great place.

Newport, Rhode Island is my favorite city to visit. It is lovely there.

If you need a wonderful, little, quaint place for breakfast, don't miss "Annie's". It is on Belluvue Avenue. It is always my first stop when I get to Newport :)

The "Red Parrot" lobster chowder is great for lunch.

The "Black Pearl" is pretty much a "have to" for clam chowder. Sitting outside at least once is a must do :cool:

The "Mooring" is very nice.

If you want to do a picnic lunch for the Cliff Walk (climb down, sit on a perfect rock and have a great lunch viewing the spectacular ocean), stop by "The Market" for a carry out lunch. Quite a yummy selection there :)

~Enjoy, Newport is wonderful~ :)