When the air starts to turn crisp in Little Rhody (mornings, anyway), yours truly goes in search of hot coffee drinks, heartier comfort foods, and even some decadent sweets. Luckily, I take notes the whole time so that I can share all the juicy details here. This month, there are some newbies and some new classics for your local dining pleasure.
Have you heard about Rhode Island’s first specialty cinnamon rolls? Owner and baker Samantha Turnbull’s pop-ups had folks lining up for cinnamon buns topped with strawberry cheesecake and ooey-gooey cookie butter frosting. By the time you read this, she will have opened her storefront in the Knightsville neighborhood, and you’ll be able to pick up everything from The OG (buns with icing) to gourmet versions like Nutella banana and coffee mocha. Cranston
They had me at hello with their mission statement: Made With Love, Served Like Family. This darling cafe on Armistice Boulevard owned and operated by Heather Gwynn, has everything from fresh juices, specialty lattes, and omelets to stuffed waffles, breakfast burritos, and churro crunch French toast. It’s a destination for a delicious breakfast, brunch, or lunch and community, which was Gwynn’s dream when she opened the cafe in 2025. Pawtucket
Open since August and already causing Rhode Islanders to “travel” all the way to Little Compton, Adam and Kaitlin Donahue named their new restaurant after their daughter Elsie (also a play on the town name – “LC”). Housed in the former Commons Restaurant and open for breakfast and lunch, I highly recommend the pancakes, johnnycakes, and grilled muffins – baked fresh on-site.
Little Compton
This new-ish cafe and market, founded by Chelsea Berry and Jill Page in Ashaway, truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re in dire need of a pumpkin spice latte, a breakfast sandwich, or lunch and an autumnal treat, or authentic Portuguese olive oil, pasta from Italy, and an Ashaway sweatshirt, they have you covered. Don’t sleep on this village jewel. Ashaway
For cider-aficionados, Labor Day has meant a trek to Jamestown, but Rob and Jaclyn Swanson announced that they have moved to a permanent location in West Greenwich. So, if you’re craving their hot mulled apple cider, sweet cider, cold cider slushies or those melt-in-your-mouth cider donuts, head to their farm at 930 Hopkins Hill Road. (I hear they’re coming out with a hard cider soon, too!) West Greenwich
Fall is the ideal time to tuck into some comfort food at this Southern-inspired eatery in Rumford. In another lifetime it was a service station, but now people motor over for outstanding crispy fried chicken, and scrumptious sides like cornbread with honey butter, pimento mac and cheese, and sweet potato tots, courtesy of Chef Nick Rabar, a James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Northeast. East Providence
Folks in Narragansett now understand the buzz first-hand about In The Pink in Providence. Brianna and Chris Cancel have opened a second location of their acai and smoothie cafe, directly across from Celeste. It’s a modern paradise open year-round with plenty of style and an expanded menu that includes bagels, toasts, breakfast sandwiches, paninis, wraps, coffee drinks, and more. Narragansett
If you haven’t sampled the twice-baked potato with a side of caviar at this gorgeous, French-inspired eatery, then you are indeed missing out. We’re talking a warm baked potato with a butter-and-Gruyere cheese filling, topped with crème fraiche, and finished with a side of caviar. This Washington Square brasserie also boasts a wine list recognized by Wine Spectator magazine and a farm-to table menu of fabulous fare. Newport
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here