Home to two famous universities, Brown and the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence is the city capital of Rhode Island. It is known for being the birthplace of George M. Cohan, a well-known American entertainer, lyricist, actor, and singer. One of the must-visit attractions here is the RISD Museum, which houses a collection of American art, as well as silver. Don’t forget to drop by College Hill and see the beautiful 18th and 19th-century homes. And, when you get hungry or looking for some quick bites, check out our list of the top cafes you must try in Providence, Rhode Island, as your guide to the food scene of the city.
1. Panera Bread
Panera Bread is a chain of bakeries and cafes in Rhode Island that is known for its bread and complimentary Wi-Fi. Apart from the bread, they also offer other baked goodies, like cookies and quick bites, such as a variety of sandwiches, soups, and salads.
You’ll love hanging out in their space, for it exudes warmth and a cozy ambiance. It’s also where you can study, have coffee with friends, or just surf the internet. Additionally, the cafe is proud of the food that they serve here, which is of quality – the same food that they’d happily serve their family.
Panera Bread
Address: 43 Providence Pl, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Opening hours: 7am - 9pm (daily)
2. Meeting Street Cafe
A quaint looking cafe with a 1950s vibe, Meeting Street Cafe is located on the east side of Providence. Its menu will remind you of your mother’s home-cooked meals that will surely warm your heart. They have here bread, sandwiches, salads, a large selection of American breakfast favorites, and desserts.
One of its bestsellers is its enormous french toast, served with plenty of syrup. Moreover, the cafe also has BYOB, to-go, and delivery service, which may come in handy if you’re too lazy to go out.
Meeting Street Cafe
Address: 220 Meeting St #1335, Providence, RI 02906, United States
Website: Meeting Street CafeName of food establishment
Opening hours: 8am - 11pm (daily)
3. Cafe La France
Located in the heart of downtown Providence, in the same building as the Brown School of Public Health, Cafe La France is a local food establishment that serves good food and coffee. They are known for their large selection of sandwiches and different flavored coffees. You can also find here products from Boar’s Head and New England Coffee, as well as Iggy’s bagels & pastries.
Other treats you may find here include their chai, soups, salads, croissants, and breakfast favorites. Moreover, everything on their menu is made only of quality, fresh ingredients.
Cafe La France
Address: 121 S Main St, Providence, RI 02902, United States
Website: Cafe La France
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7:30am - 4pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
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4. Sydney Providence
Based on its name, you may already guess that this cafe is influenced by Australia. Sydney Providence is one of the most charming cafes in Rhode Island, which you can see in its open and airy space. It has a modern-rustic atmosphere with a minimalist style and features light wood flooring, lovely light fixtures, and white marble walls. It also has ample seating at the counter, a communal table, and more tables and chairs.
As for their food, they have a variety of sandwiches, salads, soups, and home-baked goodies, as well as a breakfast and lunch menu. You can also order from their selection of coffee, tea, and espresso to go with your meal. Another great thing about this food establishment is they have gluten-free and vegan choices.
Sydney Providence
Address: 400 Exchange St, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Website: Sydney Providence
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 8am - 5pm
5. Knead Doughnuts
Are you craving donuts, but don’t know where to go in Providence? Then, you should head down to the city’s financial district to Knead Doughnuts. It is one of the local’s favorite cafes, which serves gourmet-flavored donuts that go best with their coffee and tea.
Another highlight of this cafe is its open, airy space that features many seating options and an open kitchen, where you can see the donuts being prepared. Everything here is made daily from scratch, with quality ingredients.
Knead Doughnuts
Address: 32 Custom House St, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Website: Knead Doughnuts
Opening hours: 8am - 3pm (daily)
6. Cafe Choklad
Established in 2004, Cafe Choklad is a Swedish food establishment that features a vibrant space and outdoor seating – perfect for hanging out with friends and people watching. It offers a large selection of pastries, soups, salads, sandwiches, and Belgian chocolates.
One of the best things about this restaurant is their great service, which is evident in their friendly staff, affordable pricing, and cozy space. A few of their bestsellers and must-orders are their cinnamon rolls, turkey and brie sandwich, swiss apple cake, and much more.
Cafe Choklad
Address: 2 Thomas St, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Website: Cafe Choklad
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7:30am - 5pm; Sat: 8am - 3pm (closed on Sun)
7. Rebelle Artisan Bagels
If you’re looking for an excellent bagel place in Providence, you can’t go wrong with Rebelle Artisan Bagels. It is a cafe with a hip ambiance, counter service, nitro coffee, and lots of seating options. Upon entering, you’ll be welcomed by a spread of pastries and the aroma of freshly baked goodies.
The bagels here are made from scratch, by hand, and from delicately picked ingredients. You can also order your bagel with cream cheese, butter, jam, vegan spread, and more. Other things you can have here include salads, sandwiches, coffee, iced tea, breakfast dishes, and more.
Rebelle Artisan Bagels
Address: 110 Doyle Ave, Providence, RI 02906, United States
Website: Rebelle Artisan Bagels
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 6:30am - 3pm; Sat - Sun: 7:30am - 2pm
8. Carr Haus Cafe
A college student-run cafe that has a renaissance vibe because of its setting, Carr Haus Cafe is an ideal place if you’re looking for a great breakfast spot or someplace you can hang out with your friends without the noise. It’s menu ranges from breakfast favorites to sandwiches and cookies. They also have baked goodies, like bread, calzones, and muffins, as well as beverages that include coffee, teas, chai, and lattes.
Moreover, the price range of the food here is quite cheap and the service is fast, which is good if you’re in a hurry or just out on a lunch break.
Carr Haus Cafe
Address: 210 Benefit St, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 8:30am - 12am; Fri: 8:30am - 5pm; Sat: 12pm - 5pm (closed Sun)
9. Mazaj Cafe
Featuring a friendly vibe and a casual atmosphere, Mazaj Cafe is a must-try hangout place in Providence, which doesn’t only serve good food, but quality hookah. It features red walls and cushioned sofas for a more homey and intimate mood. Also, besides the different flavored hookahs, they serve salads, wraps, desserts, and espresso drinks. Additionally, it is known to play good music, which adds up to the charm of the place.
Mazaj Cafe
Address: 190 Atwells Ave, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Website: Mazaj Cafe
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 6pm - 1am; Fri - Sat: 6pm - 2am
10. Cafe Pazzo
If you want to have coffee somewhere, but your friends want cocktails, Cafe Pazzo is a must-try cafe for you. It features large glass windows, comfortable leather seats, and a full bar with stools. Another unique thing about this cafe is it is open until 2 am on a good day. It doesn’t only offer the usual things you’ll find in a cafe, like sandwiches and salads, but also cigars, spirits, and coffee infused with liqueurs. Additionally, they offer a variety of desserts and a small dinner menu.
Cafe Pazzo
Address: 150 Acorn St, Providence, RI 02903, United States
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 1am; Fri - Sat: 11am - 2am
Eat until your heart's content in Providence
Providence is a small city, known for its universities and stunning collection of silver. Another great thing to do here besides sightseeing is to try out their local food scene. In case you’re up for the challenge, take this guide to the best cafes in Providence, Rhode Island. Make sure to try two to three of them when you visit.
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