Guy Fieri has spent years rolling out across the country to find America’s greatest Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, but if he took another trip to Providence, it would be his final destination. We’re not rated #2 on Travel and Leisure’s America’s Best Cities for Foodies 2015 for nothing.
Guy has already crisscrossed the city on past episodes. He’s stopped by Federal Hill’s Italian staples Angelo’s Civita Farnese and Mediterraneo Caffe. On our very own College Hill, he hit up Louis Family Restaurant, too.
But there are plenty of good places Guy hasn’t been yet. Up north near Pawtucket, Three Sisters beckons with classic diner food. Along the Providence Harbor on Wickenden Street, you’ll find Abyssinia. And downtown, look to Ken’s Ramen for serious comfort food. Let’s dig in.
Guy’s picks
Angelo’s Civita Farnese
Photo courtesy of foodnetwork.com
Featured in the episode “East Coast Comfort” in Season 15, Angelo’s is a Providence namesake that has been around for what seems like forever. It’s located in Providence’s Federal Hill district, which is akin to a Little Italy.
Angelo’s opened its doors in the 1920s and its menu has changed very little ever since—which means its good, right? They serve up no-frills, traditional Italian dishes at low prices. And the delicious flavors come from farm-fresh ingredients.
If you’re looking for a delectable dish, try the Il Farnese. Angelo’s award-winning veal and peppers are stewed to perfection, then topped with melty fresh provolone and finished with the stew’s juices. It’s the perfect savory dinner.
All these things have turned Angelo’s into a beloved Providence landmark. If you haven’t been, you have to check out what all the fuss is about. And seeing as it’s only a short bus ride away from campus, you have no reason not to.
Mediterraneo Caffe
Photo courtesy of dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com
Also from the “East Coast Comfort” episode, Mediterraneo is a fellow Federal Hill establishment. Like Angelo’s, this pretty place has some of the best Italian food in Providence. They boast “creative, traditional, and contemporary cuisine with a Mediterranean flair.”
If you’re looking for some good New England seafood, this is the place to be. Locals love the oysters. Guy recommends the Baby Neck Clams, Spaghetti a la Vongole, and Chicken Picatta.
The Spaghetti a la Vongole is especially tempting. Topped with local littlenecks and baby clams, this perfectly-cooked spaghetti dish is finished with garlicky olive oil, white wine, and red pepper flakes. Red sauce or white? The choice is yours.
Mediterraneo has charcoal-grilled filets, steaks, chops, and seafood; cooked-to-order pasta; fresh salads; and Rhode Island’s only authentic antipasti bar. You’re sure to find something you’ll love.
Louis Family Restaurant
Photo by Matt Fulton
Guy’s last Providence pick is a Brown student favorite. Known for its early morning (or late night) opening at 5 am, Louis Family Restaurant is a family-owned establishment over 60 years old. The yummy eats they serve are a testament to all the hard work that they have put in.
Louis is best known for being fun for breakfast with friends. Come hungry and check out the Three, Three, Three, the Louis take on a big breakfast. It comes with three eggs, three pieces of either bacon, sausage, or ham, three pancakes or pieces of French toast, homefries, and toast.
If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, the menu has a whole host of different bites to satisfy any taste or appetite. And they serve lunch, too. Prices are low and restaurant character is high.
Our picks
Three Sisters
Photo by Michelle Zabat
Located north of Brown’s campus on Hope Street, Three Sisters is a Providence landmark that locals and tourists alike have loved for years. If you’re looking for a weekend breakfast, they have both satisfyingly savory and sinfully sweet options.
The shine combo is a student favorite. Two eggs perfectly cooked to your liking, and a hefty portion of homefries fried to crispy-yet-soft perfection are served alongside your meat of choice and favorite toast. For lunch, Three Sisters boasts a huge variety of sandwiches, burgers, and salads.
But save some room. Three Sisters is famous for their homemade ice cream, with a huge selection of unique flavors. If you’re looking for something refreshing, try the Dirty Garden Mint, which uses real, fresh mint leaves and high-quality dark chocolate.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try their signature flavor, Kulfi (winner of the people’s choice award and second in the Rhode Island Food Fights Ice Cream Throwdown). It’s an almond-based ice cream filled with cardamom, cinnamon, and pistachios that satisfies any sweet craving.
Abyssinia
Photo by Michelle Zabat
Let’s head south to Wickenden Street, where you’ll find a tiny little house that’s been converted into Abyssinia, a hole-in-the-wall gem that cooks up “Ethiopian and Eritrean comfort food.” Though it may be comfort food, it’s nothing short of an adventure.
With both meat and vegetarian options, they serve everything from vegetables and lentils to chicken and lamb. Each dish comes with its own signature, perfectly spiced sauce.
The real star of the show here is the injera, classic Ethiopian flatbread, that comes with every dish. It’s a spongy, sourdough-risen flatbread used not only to soak up the sauce, but as utensils, too. Yup, that’s right—there are no forks or knives to be found here.
Get ready for a messy, marvelous dining experience. Come with a friend and get a combination platter to try a bunch of different dishes. Trust me, you’ll want to check out all the flavors here. Bonus: you’re served complimentary salty-sweet popcorn when seated.
Ken’s Ramen
Photo by Christine Kim
Cross the river to Down City, where you’ll find Ken’s Ramen on Washington Street. If you’re looking for the perfect bowl of noodles, you’ve come to the right spot. Ken’s is a noodle bar that serves up steaming bowls of ramen, a satisfying Japanese comfort food.
Each bowl holds well-seasoned broth, perfectly pulled noodles, and piled-high toppings. There are tons to choose from, including extra noodles, soft-boiled eggs, vegetables, kimchi, avocado, pork belly, and chicken.
There’s nothing better than slurping up hot noodles with friends at Ken’s. But be prepared to wait in line or come during off-peak dining hours. The lines can get long and, although it’s a hassle, that’s how you know it’s good. It’s cash only, too.
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