Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Providence County

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Providence County? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Cafe Nuovo

4.7

4.7 (3311)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Providence

About the restaurant

Casually elegant Cafe Nuovo, at the Gondola Landing on Providence's famed Riverwalk, has been hailed by the New York Times and singled out by the Providence Journal as "RI's contribution to world class dining." The scenic waterside setting is matched only by the "fresh, seasonal flavor of Cafe Nuovo's contemporary American cuisine and heavenly dessert creations." Through glass curtain walls or while dining al fresco on the piazza, patrons enjoy attentive service and commanding city views while the river and gondolas roll by. Free valet parking evenings. **Sunday Open for Waterfire, Graduations, some Holidays or private functions

Top review

TahirVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Nuevo has consistently provided us with excellent experiences

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Circe Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (2310)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Providence

About the restaurant

Carlo Carlozzi, the popular bartender from Ten Prime Steak and Sushi for the past decade opened Circe, his first restaurant.
The menu consists of American-infused, Mediterranean dishes and drinks that are "exotic and special."

Top review

danVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Food was wonderful. Have not been here in a bit. Service was attentive. The table were maybe too close to others. If your going to go ask for one of the tables on second floor by window.

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Popular dish

Lobster Ravioli

Popular dish

Maine Lobster Risotto

Popular dish

Smoked Salmon

Mill's Tavern

4.8

4.8 (2647)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Providence

About the restaurant

Our goal here at Mills is to create as elevated an experience- in food, service and atmosphere- as you will find anywhere in New England. Our menus are created with relentless intention and amended seasonally to take advantage of the wealth of the region around us. Recognized by Yelp as Rhode Island's Steakhouse of the Year in 2023, we offer more than just premium, aged steaks from filet mignon and ribeye to our one-of-a-kind flight of Wagyu cuts. Our Executive Chef Ed Bolus and Chef de Cuisine Mert Sunnetcioglu take great pride in the seafood dishes we offer as well as local favorites and vegetarian offerings.
Recognized by Wine Spectator for the twelfth year in a row in 2024, our beverage program is also a source of great pride; both our wine and cocktail menus are changed seasonally as well. Our historic property provides a warm, classic environment, and the care that we take in each detail of your dining experience speaks to the pride we take in what we do. Please, enjoy!

Top review

RichVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Samantha and the girls at the reception desk were fantastic

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Popular dish

Oysters Caviar

Popular dish

14oz Prime New York Strip

Popular dish

Portuguese Bread Pudding

Parkside Rotisserie & Bar

4.7

4.7 (2267)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Providence

About the restaurant

The Parkside Rotisserie and Bar is a Manhattan-style bistro centrally located in the heart of Rhode Island"s capital city, Providence. One of the best restaurants in Providence since 1994. Serving lunch and dinner daily, the Parkside is surely a fantastic choice anytime. The Parkside offers a wide array of upbeat foods ranging from spicy crab cakes to grilled tenderloin and portobello salad. There are also several innovative pasta dishes as well as the Parkside's signature rotisserie meat items and daily specials. The Parkside's unique atmosphere is accented by an open kitchen where guests can enjoy watching our talented culinary staff prepare all of the enticing entrees found on the menu. Join us at the Parkside for a relaxing dining experience that is "casual elegance."

Top review

jairoVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Joe was fantastic and was on top of everything . Great meal selection as well

Red Stripe

4.7

4.7 (2677)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Providence

About the restaurant

Red Stripe is an American brasserie, a modern take on the traditional French café. True brasseries are lively spots to enjoy quality lunch, dinner and brunch entrées or cocktails at affordable prices. We take great pride in the breadth of our menu and are passionate about providing fresh, high quality, and affordable offerings for each and every guest. There is something for everyone at Red Stripe.

Established in 2005, Red Stripe was designed by award-winning architect Judd Brown. The restaurant was expanded in 2018 and offers private rooms for catering and events for any occasion.

For a more formal experience, explore our sister restaurant Mill's Tavern, recognized by
Yelp as Rhode Island’s Best Steakhouse for 2023.

Top review

BrianVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Another great meal, service was exceptional , great time again

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4.5

4.5 (1479)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Providence

About the restaurant

The George is Providence's newest piano bar and upscale casual dining restaurant featuring American fare, elevated comfort food, delightfully crafted cocktails, and live piano every Tuesday - Sunday.

Enjoy Brunch with Live Piano every Sunday from 10am to 1:30pm and dinner from 2pm to 5pm.

Our Speakeasy Lounge opens every Friday and Saturday evening at 7pm. Seating is available on a first come, first seated basis. Live music starts at 9:30pm.

*Please Note* We will do our best to seat your party at your requested table upon confirming your reservation, but it is not guaranteed due to covid restrictions.

Top review

JosephVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great specials, excellent meals, friendly and attentive wait staff!

Public Kitchen and Bar

4.5

4.5 (612)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Providence

About the restaurant

Throughout the space of Public, a modernist sensibility is blended with a classic American, Newport mansion drawing room theme. It's design is inspired by the existing architecture of the Masonic Temple and it's Rhode Island Capital Statehouse neighbor. Public's masculine and warm setting will be a meeting place for hipsters and Senators alike.
Please keep in mind that we are next to a theatre and it greatly affects reservations and seating times.
If you have requests for dining please reach out to the restaurant for specific requests...

Top review

Erin

Dined 5 days ago

We decided to eat here because we were going to a show at the VETS. So happy we did! Delicious food and pleasing atmosphere. We never felt rushed nor did we wait for anything. They have a smaller menu…but we appreciate that, I feel it allows the chefs to focus on primary entrees which leads to more flavorful and enjoyable meals. Definitely will return.

Providence G Pub

4.4

4.4 (572)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Providence

About the restaurant

G Pub has something for everyone to enjoy and welcomes those looking for a unique experience to come dine, hang, and party with us.

Located in the heart of Providence, G Pub has been the go-to spot for the best food, drink, entertainment, and game day fun since 2014. The space boasts an expansive bar where guests can catch all the game day action on the 17+ TVs located throughout the venue, and an expansive arcade area. G Pub also offers several comfortable tables and banquettes creating the ultimate setting that is perfect for any occasion.

Top review

Kayla

Dined on Apr 4, 2025

I cannot say enough good things about this place! *and I’m a restaurant manager so you know it’s good. We came from out of town and I left a note on our reservation that we wanted to watch the caps game. We walked in and told the host we would head to the bar. Before we even got to the bar, the manager (gentleman with glasses) approached us and let us know that he saw our note and he would have the game on for us. Already impeccable service. The bartenders were great and food was awesome. We had the steak nachos. Around 9pm a dj set up at the end of the bar right next to us, the same manager came over and offered for us to move wherever we wanted to finish the game with less noise. He constantly checked in on us and was engaged the whole time. At one point we asked where the bathroom was and the other manager a women, overheard. She waited until I headed that way and led me to the bathroom. We were truly treated like vips. The whole place was clean and had such a fun vibe. 10/10 recommend.

Blu Violet Roofbar

4.4

4.4 (204)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Providence

About the restaurant

Blue Violet is a hidden gem located in the Aloft Hotel with spectacular views of Providence Jewelry District, Providence River, Water Place Park, and the Point Street Bridge.
Serving Tapas and Craft cocktails.
New Hours Starting May 1st we will be open for lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday at noon.
Reservations strongly encouraged.
OUTDOOR seating available on a first come first serve basis.

Reservations will be held for 15 minutes unless we are notified of late arrival. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/pvdal-aloft-providence-downtown/

Top review

Paula

Dined on Mar 29, 2025

Great service and a wonderful view of Providence. I recommend going on a day with nice weather so you can sit on their terrace. Good food at a reasonable price. FYI, the hotel bills a service charge to park your vehicle.

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