Our Providence Foodie and Shopping Finds

Now that my daughter is in her second term of the RISD Pre-College Program and she’s commuting from Boston, thus eating lunch and snacks in restaurants around RISD, we’ve amassed a short list of foodie and shopping finds. I must make note that these are all carefully screened recommendations by Jenny Brown, a local artist in Providence, and a dear friend of ours.

If you are visiting Brown University or Rhode Island School of Design, check out our foodie and shopping finds. It might make you decide that you want to spend four years (at least!) here!

Afternoon Tea & Crepes

The Duck and Bunny

312 Wickenden St

Providence, RI 02903

We drive from RISD to this area but it’s walkable, though a twenty minute walk from RISD. We order the Afternoon Tea, but it also has great crepes. Housed in a historic house, this is a cozy setting with garden seating outside as well.

Asian Fusion

DENDEN Café Asiana

161 Benefit St

Providence, RI 02903

Walking distance from RISD, this Asian fusion cafe has Korean and Japanese food in a casual setting. Order from the counter and then sit inside or outside. We like the Bento boxes, fried rice, and the udon noodles.

Pick Me Up Snack while at RISD Museum

Bolt Coffee/Cafe Pearl at RISD Museum

20 North Main St (also enter on 224 Benefit Street)

Providence, RI 02903

This is a nice place for a quick snack or a place to rest and put your feet up. We like the avocado toast and the fresh-squeezed juices. Cafe Pearl which serves the food also has donuts from Knead.

Amazing Desserts

Pastiche Fine Desserts

92 Spruce St

Providence, RI 02903

It’s not unusual to find a line out the door for this cafe that has amazing house-made fruit tarts, cakes, chocolates & pastries. Everything is amazing. Try the house-made Passion Fruit Italian Soda and a tart. There is seating but it’s hard to come by. Don’t worry, just get it to go. This is on Federal Hill, so stop by for dessert if you are having dinner in the area.

Coffee Roasters

Coffee Connection RI

1744 Mineral Spring Ave

North Providence, RI 02904

They roast their own coffee beans! Stop by for hot or iced coffee or tea. There is seating inside and out for those looking for a place to study or hang out.

Old School Italian

Camille’s

71 Bradford St

Providence, RI 02903

I was wearing shorts and flip flops so I was nervous I would be turned away in this old school Italian restaurant with a stated dress code, but they were as nice as could be. Charming waiters and delicious old school Italian favorites. Walk to Pastiche around the corner if you have room for dessert.

Constantino’s Venda Bar and Ristorante

265 Atwells Ave

Providence, RI 02903

Italian comfort food at its delicious best. We were stuffed from Pastiche so we split a Caesar’s salad and the pasta bolognese. They were both superb.

Al Forno

577 S Water St

Providence, RI 02903

Best casual Italian ever!

Gift & Art Gallery

Lore Collection

144 Brook St.

Providence, RI 02906

My friend, the artist Jenny Brown, has her art at this gift and art gallery. We like the eclectic mix of clothing, jewelry, art, and gifts. We have amassed a collection of dinosaur t-shirts from here. The sizes are for kids and adults.

Vintage and New

Nava
197 Wickenden St.
Providence, RI 02903

New and vintage clothing finds include vintage flannel shirts, t-shirts, and cocktail dresses. There are also vintage rugs. New items include clothing, jewelry, and gifts. This is a treasure trove to go explore.

Walking Itinerary

If you are walking around, here’s what is near each other.

Wickenden area about 20 minutes walk from RISD: Coffee Collection RI, Duck and Bunny, Nava, Lore

RISD area: Bolt/Cafe Pearl, DENDEN Cafe Asiana

Federal Hill: Camille’s, Costantino’s Venda Bar & Ristorante, Pastiche

My books:

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

- - Junior Library Guild Gold selection
  - Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
  - Starred review from School Library Journal
  - Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
  - 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
  - Green Earth Book Award longlist
  - Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me