Oberlin

If you’re a local, Oberlin is the place to take your artsy friends from New York for dinner when you want to show them that Providence is chic and has good food, too. It’s tucked away in the heart of downtown with an attentive waitstaff that’s happy to help if you’re stuck between dishes or don’t know which sake to order.

Sit at the bar if dining solo, or grab a table outside when it’s nice out and order a little bit of everything, including some rotating crudos or any other seafood plates. Don’t miss the creamy salt cod brandade with herbs and grilled housemade country bread. If you like what you eat at Oberlin, the folks here are opening a raw bar called Gift Horse, complete with seafood towers, that we’re excited about.

photo credit: Grace Kelly