The Oar
221 Jobs Hill Rd, Block Island, RI, 02807
The Oar Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Block Island for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Block Island for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
221 Jobs Hill Rd
Block Island, RI, 02807 - Phone (401) 466-8820
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Kenneth H.
Ate there 5/16/13. Very disappointing. First, when I checked Yelp using "open now" filter The Oar did not show up. I called them and they were, indeed open. We decided to go, and clicked on "Directions" which led us to a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. I then called the restaurant for directions, and they seemed irritated and said "Dude, it's a small island, just keep making lefts!". We almost changed our plans, but since we had received recommendations from friends we decided to give it a chance. We were seated near the window, which had a nice view, however after we placed our order the sun started to get in our eyes. We asked if we could switch tables and they told us no. One of us ordered a mixed drink, which was $8.50 and very disappointing; it was basically a glass of ice, very little to drink, and it tasted alcohol free. The food was decent, which is why I'm willing to give 2 stars instead of one. I don't think I'd go back.
(2)Robert P.
For the summer of 2010 no change. My previous review still is good. A very nice place, especially for the afternoon cocktail hour!
(3)James M.
Spectacular view at the bar at lunch. Best mudslide on the island due to bartender's ratio of ingredients. Ask for top shelf.
(5)Meg M.
Great wings and cheap drinks. Awesome service and super convenient to the sailors and boaters who frequent the island. Great place to watch the game. Go in, belly up to the bar and ask for Seth.. he was our Block Island welcome committee. My friend Liz and I had the time of our lives partying on the beach til 4 am. Cant wait to get back down there!
(4)Linda S.
My husband and I always have lunch at the Oar when we spend the day biking on BI. Great view from the deck, good service, and reasonable prices. My black bean burger with mango salsa was delish, and only $6. Side of sweet potato fries was also yummy.
(4)Mike M.
Great service! The place is the real deal. Family owned an operated! Same manager for 10 years. Plenty of parking. The kitchen is clean and all the food is fresh. Great for kids. Best prices on Island!
(5)Rob B.
Good food, leaning toward fried. Don't miss the mudslides, order top-shelf!
(3)Patrick H.
The lady in the Block Island Visitors Center gave us a suggested bicycle route around the island and said to stop at The Oar for lunch. The restaurant deck and outdoor bar has a great view of the new harbor. Inside, there are dozens of decorated oars hanging from the ceiling. I ordered a cold lobster roll (~$17) and the amount of lobster in it was a little more than I was expecting. The slaw that comes with it was not great but make sure to order up some tasty sweet potato fries! Service was good.
(4)Irina P.
Located at the beautiful New Harbor, The Oar offers gorgeous views and plenty of fun for all ages. Come on Saturday for lunch and you are likely to have to wait for 75-90minutes. However, the restaurant's awesome check in system provides accurate wait times and txt u when your table is ready which is pretty convenient. If you are starving, head to the back of the patio where you can probably score great wood chairs and tables in the shade. The menu is "limited" but there's still plenty to chose from. For lunch we opted for lemonade and The Oar pilsner, both equally priced and tasty. The mudslides were not the best- too vanilla ice creamy and sort of one dimensional in flavor. We started our meal with the peel and eat shrimp which was plump, super fresh and sweet. We also had the lobster roll which had 0 mayo and generous chunks of fresh lobster. The slaw it comes with was also pretty tasty, not too sweet or too mayoie. The beer batter fries are a MUST and I really don't even like fried food. We also had the chicken Mediterranean wrap which was OK but unmemorable compared to the other treats we got. Sort of regretting not trying the sushi because it definitely looked good but felt a bit odd ordering sushi at so not a Japanese restaurant. Oh, well, there's always a next time!
(4)Kasey B.
I was on Block Island for Labor Day weekend, so everything was packed! The restaurant was full and most of the tables outside as well. There are a set of tables with green umbrellas that get service and there is another set of outdoor tables that do not. There are also lots of pairs of wooden chairs along the outside overlooking the water. Those also seemed to be getting drink orders taken. There were several sets of corn hole for everyone to play as well. I very extended backyard BBQ feel. Very laid back, if you were able to grab a table that was. We were not able to stay long enough to get some food. However, we were able to down a mud slide before we left after snatching a non-service table to hang out at. The mud slides were extremely thick but very good. The best one I had on the island. I was only able to taste at one other place though.
(3)Ali E.
The Oar is always our consistent go-to place on island. There are a few menu items we don't stray from, and as a result it's always excellent - don't get too interesting or fancy here. Peel-and-eat shrimp, clam chowder, fried chicken (whether the 4 piece or sweet sriracha wings), blackened mahi sandwich, or lobster roll/club. Onion rings and fries. The salads are massive. Service can be hit-and-miss as with any restaurant, and if you're coming on a weekend in August, it's going to be busy so get there early (though by that adage we showed up between 5:30 and 6pm for dinner expecting to wait for a while and were seated almost immediately outside on the deck, by the rail). Also, of course, top shelf mudslide all the way.
(4)Carol H.
You cannot beat this place for ambience. It is simple, amazing views, good food and great service. The bean bag toss adds. special bonus for families. It is a special place for our family. We are making an oar to hang next year (we say that every year!)
(5)Agnes A.
The place is really nice excellent sushi the only problem I had was that when I order drink (was sitting outside ) the waitress told me after 15 min waiting that I will get faster drink if I go to the bar by myself I could not believe it my ears she should be fired
(3)Arthur C.
It's ok, the food is average, but the view is great and the lawn can be a lot of fun if you have kids. I was disappointed because I ordered a top shelf mudslide and it was horrible. That should not happen on block, making a mudslide is block's main thing. I also don't understand why the upper deck bar has those things blocking the breeze, it was hot and muggy up there.
(2)Robert M.
Great Lobster roll and chowder. A must try when on BI.
(5)Rebecca L.
Come for the mudslide with a view, stay for...not much else. The service is not good and apparently there are no substitutions (which is no where on the menu, by the way). I'm not talking crazy substitutions, either. I tried to add avocado to a sushi roll and get a side salad for my meal. Apparently they can't half the meal portion. Definitely not impressed. There are many better options on the island.
(2)Hilary B.
One of the best views and places for sushi while dining on Block Island. We loved the won ton tuna and fresh crab appetizer it was delicious as usual! Good service as a casual place and great environment with water views both indoor and outdoor seating and a lawn of games too.
(5)vahlen e.
If I can give no stars i would. We went here with my service dog. We were sent to eat on the lawn "with all the other dogs" Even though it was quite chilly, we sat and waited... and waited... and waited... Never got served. Just felt bad about the whole experience. How unfortunate.
(1)Matthew W.
Fresh sushi. Dog friendly. Oceanside seating. Amazing mudslides
(4)Dave B.
Had lunch here w/my whole family and from 7 to 70 we all enjoyed it. Burger, pulled pork, blackened mahi & lobster roll were very good but Bloody Mary was the big winner. Play some corn hole while you're there.
(4)Willy G.
Good service, even in the outside tables in the rain! The sushi is excellent! We didn't try any of the drinks but they sounded good.
(5)Scott H.
Perfect location and a great menu. The southwestern salad was awesome and my 9 yr-old loved the fish & chips. Can't wait to come back to try the sushi.
(5)Leanna P.
My family went to The Oar while visiting Block Island and had a great experience. The view of the marina was spectacular and my godson enjoyed walking down to see the boats while waiting for our food to come. The service was friendly and timely as well. I got crab cakes and my husband got mahi mahi. We both enjoyed our meals and left content, although it wasn't the best crab cake I've ever had or the best mahi mahi he'd had. My mom loved her scallops and my sister loved her salmon. My dad loved his black ended mahi mahi, and my brother in law said the lobster roll was good but not the best he's had. Overall, we had a nice night and liked the fact that we could hang and play cornhole on the lawn overlooking the marina afterwards.
(4)Catherine M.
Great view, good service. Avoid the sunonmo salad. On the menu it says it has cucumber, wakame seaweed, carrot, and Apple. etc. It was nearly all cucumber, a tablespoon of carrot, 2T of Apple, and a piece of seaweed the size of my fingernail. $6? Items should be 86'd if key ingredients aren't available.
(3)Sherri T.
Love this place! We come here every year after a long day on the beach to play corn hole and drink some mudslides (the ones that ARE NOT top shelf are better, they put ice cream in them). Beautiful views and great atmosphere. The food is pretty good. I got clam chowder (very good) and a lobster roll (good). Service was pretty good. There is often a long line to wait for a table (obviously-it's summer on Block Island) but it is worth checking out.
(4)Kim S.
Hands down best mudslide I've ever had! Went there over July 4th weekend and had excellent service despite how busy it was. Their food is great too! Had an excellent view of the fireworks. Will definitely be going back.
(5)Laura R.
You must try the mudslide with a vanilla vodka floated. I could drink them all day! I also tried to sushi nachos which were excellent. It had fresh tuna on wontons.
(4)James S.
Food is ok, service needs to be improved. We sat outside 2 adults, 2 kids. We ordered 2 adult beverages and 2 virgin drinks. When I reordered the adult beverages I asked for 2 waters and was directed to a water cooler similar to the one I use at little league games. We had already ordered 4 appetizers that took over 40 minutes to arrive. When I asked the waitress for napkins her response was that she would send her busser, he never arrived. We were far from a table not consuming, can one served a glass of water and have a napkin to clean my hands after eating your peel and eat shrimp?
(2)Mike K.
Their lobster club sandwich is without question the greatest sandwich I've ever eaten in my life and likely past lives. Get it with their mudslide which is vodka/kahlua/baileys ice blended drink. Wow that's a great sandwich.
(5)Joe C.
When selecting a restaurant in unfamiliar territory, I'll sometimes use the lemmings approach. Chances are you've used the lemmings approach. It's where you choose a restaurant based on its number of customers and just assume everybody knows better than you. Now that might be both good and bad, because sometimes the other lemmings consist of all tourists and they're all just as clueless as yourself. Well, for a restaurant that's kinda off the beaten path, it was jumping with lots of customers one particular Sunday afternoon. So I went with my lemmings instinct. I had to eat outside on the lawn because the inside was crowded and there was a half hour wait. I actually sat at a picnic table. That didn't bother me because I actually enjoy eating outdoors. Although be warned, eating on the lawn does have a limited menu. OK, yes the restaurant does have very nice views but actually lots of restaurants on Block Island have very nice views. This is far from the only one. And the restaurant is hardly anything fancy. It's not. In fact it kinda looks like big run-down shack. So don't take your date there, because it's not that type of restaurant. I mean, c'mon they have showers in their restrooms. The showers are meant for the "smelly" boaters that dock their boats at the nearby marina on the New Harbor. My food was OK. Bah, I take that back, it was actually sub-par. My calamari was super greasy, although the two cats lingering around the lawn didn't seem to mind it when I fed them a couple calamari rings. Boy, they inhaled those things up really fast. And my clam chowder wasn't anything to write home about either. It was New England style clam chowder and perhaps a tad too thick (or old?). I sort of prefer Rhode Island clam chowder and they didn't offer that type of clam chowder. Maybe I have to go to Rhode Island for that type of chowder. ...Oh, wait. Overall I'd return again, but only after sampling a mix of the island's other offerings first.
(3)Sheilamarie H.
We had a beautiful view of New Harbor from our table. The fried calamari and lobster rolls at the Oar were delicious. The mudslide went down nicely too. Thank you, Alex, our server for your friendliness and attentiveness. We would definitely come back.
(5)Ryan S.
Started with the sweet siracha wings which were undoubtedly the best wings I have ever had. Moved on to the lobster grilled cheese which had way more lobster than expected. Overall a great experience with an awesome view and even better pub food.
(5)Kelly K.
Update: they listened and updated the portion sizes. Now if only they'd go back to the chopped tomatoes and pesto and mozzarella it would be perfect! Thanks guys!!
(4)Ashley G.
Stopped at the Oar for lunch during a moped ride. Stunning view with a great outdoor bar. The peel and eat shrimp were tasty and seasoned the "old bay" way! The lobster roll left something to be desired but was full of lobster. Not a bad place to stop in for the view alone!
(3)Rachael H.
We stopped here for drinks and sushi, I had a mudslide and wasn't really a fan...it was like a slurpee(no syrup or whipped cream)...not your usual mudslide. The sushi was OK but very overpriced.
(3)amanda r.
Just another update. We decided to take my mother to the Oar at the beginning of May 2015 because it is the one place with a nice view that we could think on Block Island without being inside. This place is still absolutely ridiculous in terms of their lawn/restaurant policy. We were told that we could order "to go" in order to sit on the lawn with our dog. The place was empty with 5 servers standing around, and we still had to go get our drinks our selves and go up to the counter to place our order. Do they want tips?? We were semi-scolded for ordering something off the menu rather than the lawn menu (which wasn't available yet). For future reference, we were told, we would not be able to eat the mediocre that we ordered as take-out that day on the lawn; you can only eat "lawn food" (whatever the hell that is) on the lawn. I am utterly appalled that a recent reviewer who went with a service dog was not served. Shame on the Oar! It seems like that asshole manager George is still there. Or if it's not him, they replaced him with a similar looking, similarly obnoxious manager. That was seriously the last time we will go to the Oar. It's a pity that a place which occupies one of the most beautiful vistas on Block Island is so poorly run.
(1)Chris L.
They have a mudslide machine. If this isn't heaven, then I don't know what is! Rode our bikes, refreshed ourselves with some mudslide, and journeyed on!
(5)Sarah G.
Plastic chairs set a poor first impression. If you order sushi and entrees, there is no way to time them to receive the sushi first. We had some sushi and dinner salads arrive at the same time as a couple entrees and one of our guests never did receive an entree. The scallops were full of grit. The fries they claim to be famous for suck. I don't understand why this restaurant is so popular. The mudslide was tasty.
(2)Joanne T.
Lunch time at the Oar. Worth any kind of wait time you might have. Stay, wait it's awesome. Food was amazing. Guacamole & Salsa with chips to start and excellent Mediterranean salad- excellent ice tea and you can't beat the view and the general atmosphere- always lively, boats coming and going- greSt people watching ace to hang - inside or out.
(5)Stephen S.
Perhaps the most disappointing experience my wife and I ever had on Block Island. The food was mediocre at best but the most off putting part of the experience was the service, Inconsiderate ,to downright nasty. The only thing worse than the server was the management staff. Never again Steve S
(1)Zane S.
Went here this past Thursday as part of a day trip on the island. It was recommended to me for its mudslides. On arrival we went up to the deck/outdoor bar area and asked to be seated. We wanted to sit outside since it was so nice. We were told it was first come first serve for both the tables and Adirondacks and that someone would be around to take our order. We picked the Adirondacks because they have a nice view. We waited 20 minutes and when no one came to serve us my friend went to ask someone about it. A server at what looked like a break station told her someone would be around shortly. She said we'd been waiting for a bit with no help even though the tables behind us had been serviced. His response was "well I guess if you're in a rush you can go order at the bar" I'm sorry but no. That's not the correct response. We did end up ordering our mudslides at the bar which were $9 each for a small portion and while they were fine they were not out of this world. We also wanted food and figures we would wait to see if we got served. No one came to give us a menu, and after another 20 minutes of servers attending to the tables but not us in the chairs several other patrons sat around us in Adirondacks. Finally a server made her way down the line of chairs and took drink orders but she skipped us completely even though our beverages were getting low! She did not even check to see how we were doing. Safe to say we left without eating and made our way to another place for lunch extremely agitated. I will never return here or suggest this "island establishment" to anyone I know.
(1)Dave L.
Best Bloodies on the Block! Food is good and reasonable. Good beer selection too and you can hang out on the lawn overlooking Great Salt Pond!
(4)Greg F.
Fantastic sushi, best restaurant view of new harbor, and taps/mudslides/booze....games on the lawn. A must stop while you are on the island.
(5)Nicole P.
I always come back here and always regret it. I don't get why it's popular. The food is not good and I am mainly writing this to remind myself of that in the future. We've tried the cooked fish, shellfish, salad, sushi, appetizers. It's just not good. Nice view and pleasant atmosphere but that's it. Even the notorious mudslides are yuck.
(2)Jitin K.
Am giving 2 stars only for the view. The waitress was pushy and wanted to do away with us as early as possible. Not the best food that I have tasted.
(2)Jennifer M.
Beautiful location overlooking the marina in New Harbor. We didn't mind waiting for our table because you can grab a drink, sit on the lawn with the beautiful view, and play beanbag while you wait. Prices are very reasonable compared with other restaurants on this pricey island. The food was very good as well. My husband loved the house made sushi (and he is picky about his sushi); kids were happy with grilled cheese, fish & chips, etc.; grilled chicken tacos were really tasty. The drink specials were delicious! We liked it so much that we came here twice during our vacation. The first night, our server was super friendly, accommodating, and wonderful. The next time, a different server was not so great. But the view, food, prices, and atmosphere were all great.
(5)Christopher D.
Great waterfront pub located at the tip of the pond on Block Island, RI. Casual place with indoor and outdoor seating, a great beer selection and a decent menu, including hand rolled sushi. Inside the ceiling is decorated with hand painted oars (get it) from throughout the years. There is a comfortable bar area with 12 or so seats. Rustic New England, nautical theme, dive bar (in a good way). We were driving around the island hiking and stopped in for a mid-afternoon snack. We had a huge breakfast and didn't want to spoil dinner, so we decided to split the Caprese Marinated Grill Chicken Sandwich. We also opted for sweet potato fries to go with is. Both were very good and a perfect snack until dinner. 12 New England loca beers (and beyond) on tap including Newport Storm, Narragansette Lager, Shipyard, Harpoon and others. The bottled beer list is also extensive and they have a full bar. Service was ok, nothing great. The bartender seemed like she didn't want to be there. Having been in the hospitality industry for 20+ years, I am aware that not everyday is perfect, but she didn't even try. Just no spark for a bartender. Maybe she was looking forward to being unemployed for the winter now that the tourist season was over. Grabbed a few t-shirts to add to my collection. I love the conversation pieces when I wear my New England themed T's in Hawaii...I always strike up a conversation down in Waikiki with someone who has been, lives near there or who's sister worked there. Your welcome for the free advertising. Overall, a good place to stop when on Block Island. I recommend going (to the island) before Memorial Day or after Labour Day to avoid the crowds. I went once in the summer and there were way too many people.
(4)Liisa H.
Have been going to the Oar for years . The atmosphere is great the food ok, but the two times we were there this week the service was the poorest we have ever experienced. After waiting 20 minutes we went over 2 times to the front desk for help . After 35 minutes the manager took our order. Second time it wasn't any better. We really loved this place and we even have a oar hanging there. I hope they can get back on track.
(3)Jane H.
Ohhhhh, The Oar! I feel happy and relaxed just thinking about this place. I'll admit my review might have more to do with the feeling the place gives me rather than a specific rating for food or service (although the fish tacos and mudslides ain't half bad). Sitting on the deck looking out over the Great Salt Pond makes one very aware of how fleeting a perfect summer day is....you do your best to soak it all up.
(5)Holly G.
Oh the oar- you are my happy place. Started off with a very healthy pour of ketel and soda, and hubby had a draft. We loved the casual ambiance and views. Decided to go with the sushi menu: seared sesame tuna was A+++ and miso soup, wakame salad, and rolls also very very good. Service was laid back but attentive, so basically perfect.
(5)Neil H.
Smoked fish dip was delish!
(4)Carly C.
Where else can you go to get the absolute best mudslide you've ever had, combined with some of the best sushi ever? THE OAR. Spectacular views and food. Service can sometimes be a little slow. But I keep going back!
(4)Keith B.
Situated at the southern end of the great salt pond, the view is amazing here! We dropped in after renting some scooters and motoring around the southern portion of the island and heading towards the north lighthouse. What better than some seafood and libations to hold us over for the rest of the day? The mahi-mahi soft tacos were good, as were the crabcakes! The portions were just about right for a light lunch. The beer battered French fries were nice and crispy, and could become an addiction if you let them. We also tried the jumbo buffalo shrimp. They were properly cooked, but I think the seasoning might have been a little strong if you are looking to relish the taste of shrimp. I would definitely come back.
(4)Brian C.
Great atmosphere and location. Lousy food. Indifferent service. We went here 2 years ago and thought the same, but thought it might have been a one-off bad service. We were wrong. So, grab a beer, play some baggo... but if you get hungry, I'd go elsewhere.
(2)Kel S.
Well, the atmosphere and the mudslides make this place great! The sushi was decent, but not the best I've ever had. It is a beautiful setting with a large patio and lawn to overlook the water and boats.... making any gorgeous Block Island summer weekend -- well, perfect!
(4)Clara H.
This place is terrible - food and service! I had the lobster roll and it was by far the worst lobster roll I've ever had - dried up lobster in a cold hot dog bun. I was here with one of my friends who had a headache, we asked for Advil and the waitress was so obnoxious letting us know that "we dont have advil but either way even if we had a bandaid we wouldn't give it to you, it's against the law". First I've ever heard of this "law" and an incredibly rude way to treat a customer. Won't be coming back
(1)Jim W.
Sailed in to Block during the recent tropical storm with a full crew and our Husky. We had to leave the dog outside even though it was blowing like a hurricane health dept.rules.The manager I think his name is George was obviously over hyped on coffee or something called animal control instead of paging us on the loud speaker .When animal control arrived we moved down the street right away but not with out George berating us in front of a crowd.We will cross paths again my friend.
(1)Kris F.
Food and drinks were ok and not overpriced. Service was a little on the slow side (but we did go pre-season, which is probably why). I got a cocktail and a salad, both were ok, but nothing special. What is cool about The Oar is the neat decor (about a gazillion oars) and the awesome view of New Harbor.
(3)Garron M.
If you like poorly fried, thoughtless seafood dishes that have the bonus feature of being very small portioned, then the Oar is the place for you. If you think Joe's Crab Shack is the cat's meow then you might, maybe, approve of this place. Other than the fact that the food on Block is mediocre in general, I don't know how this place does a business. The only thing it has going for it is that it is on this wonderful island and is able to piggyback on the energy that exists here. Honestly, the only thing I liked about this place was that you could see outside.
(2)Ali F.
So, my 5 stars might have something to do with my absolute LOVE for Block Island and visiting each summer on our sailboat with my husband. I'm always dying to drop anchor, take in the salt pond and then go into shore for a sunset dinner at The Oar. I'd say my review is colored by my nostalgia, but I don't think that is entirely true. You cannot get a better view of the salt pond while having dinner. There is wifi and there are lovely chairs overlooking the pond, marina and dinghy dock. We use these chairs almost every time we go into shore and I can't count the number of Block Island sunsets I've watched from The Oar. Oh, and us anchorage boaters really dig the access we have to the bathrooms. I mean really. Besides all of the accommodations for us boaters and the lovely view, the food is pretty darn good! I've had just about the best crab cakes EVER from The Oar and we enjoy the regular foods like chicken fingers, burgers, and fried fish too. We don't do the raw bar thing so we can't comment on that. Servers have always been fine, the wait can be long at times, but who cares, you have a lovely view while waiting! As boaters who have an oar to contribute ourselves, we love the decor! Bottom line is, The Oar has a good atmosphere, good food, and a GREAT view. Couldn't ask for more after a sail from Watch Hill or Cuttyhunk.
(5)Peter Z.
Nice setting and fun decor but food is average to bad. We thought the glazed salmon was Ok but the fish tacos were bad. Our waitress was great though!
(2)Maureen R.
Mediocre bloody marys-their homemade mix was a disappointment. Excellent sushi rolls! Amazing view from outside bar :) We were there on the last Sunday of the 2012 season-forgot to finish review earlier!
(3)Steve L.
Working-class seafood in the less-traveled part of Block Island. Cheap eats are hard to come by on the island, where the difficulties of shipping lead to $6 packages of Oreos at the local grocery. Excellent seafood is available (Spring House Hotel, Manissees), but requires an assault on the checkbook. For moderately priced, moderate quality food, that's where the Oar comes in. The Applebee's of Block Island, the Oar features hundreds of, yes, oars decorating the walls and ceilings of the facility. Not too subtle, but visually interesting, especially during the light of day. I got the fish tacos with whitefish. Options include type of fish (including mahi mahi - hard for me to understand why an island restaurant would serve imported fish), as well as grilled vs fried. I picked the grilled grouper - to better taste the fish. Too bad then that the tacos came loaded so heavily with cheese and sour cream that basically any fish would have tasted the same. Fortunately, $10 wasn't bad for dinner, given the location. Parking is plentiful, as is a large grassy lawn for outdoor eats. Dress code is super casual.
(3)Chris M.
A cool favorite place to come eat when flying to Block for lunch.
(3)Maria G.
.
(4)Cathy M.
Our annual sailing trips have to include dinner at the Oar. It is a family tradition. And I am happy to say that our "family oar" is not hung up on the ceiling !! We always find the staff attentive. The variety of food is great, our company loves the ambience and its fun to be outdoors. It does get very busy. And you have to be creative to get dinghy space. We have been outside, sitting in the Adirondack chairs, -- eaten inside and brought out dog and sat outside. Great to meet our sailing friends. Long Live the OAR.
(5)Sandy F.
Only had drinks here one evening. Very good mudslides and reasonably priced. Didn't have anything to eat but the sushi I saw go by looked great!!! | heard from another in our party that it is good. Will come here again.
(4)Jennifer F.
In BI for the week so had to stop by the oar for my customary Narragansett and a blue cheese burger at the bar. Service was great, burger was cooked well. However the angus meat did not seem as flavorful as I remember it. People watching was excellent, love to watch people struggle with the dingy dock so early in the season. I know I'm bad, sorry but true. One question, why can you not get a burger on the lawn??... my brother had the new sushi addition and said it was pretty good considering we were at the oar. As far a I know its the only place to get it on island so far, they get points for that. I must also give kudos for the decorations inside, especially because I have had an oar there for the past 15 years :-)
(4)Job M.
I go to Block Island 2-3x in the summer each year. I am a pilot and fly into the Block Island Airport. It's $10 landing fee at BID. Then I take a taxi to town $11.71 for 2 people for a 5 minute ride. I then rent a bicycle at island moped for $20 for the day( coupon on line $5 off ). I then ride from the old harbor to the new harbor for lunch at the Oar. The Oar is usually crowded for lunch . But I have never had to wait more than 20 minutes and usually a lot less. I go to the Oar for the unbeatable view of the harbor. The food is good but not excellent . But the beer batter fries are to die for. And the fries get better as the batter gets better as the season wears on. The oar offers salads hamburgers and fish sandwiches . It's not fancy but I had the mahi mahi and it was tasty. I do wish that the Oar had fresh caught fish. But the Oar has great views, good food , good service at reasonable prices.
(4)Mary J.
This place was recommended to me by people I met sitting at a bar the previous night. I think they recommended it because of the view, because the food was disappointing. The deck was cold even with the plastic shades down, and they had gas heaters out that weren't turned on. However it did end up being my cheapest dinner during two weeks of working on the island.
(3)Arlynn B.
I'll give 1 star to this place because of its view. Service and drinks were terrible! I work in hospitality and understand that when it gets busy, it GETS BUSY, however, the art of it is not to let the customer feel like they are interrupting what you are doing or how stressed you are. I will never go back nor I'll recommend it to anyone. Tip: take your bike, car or simply walk over to The Champlins, now that is a great hospitable place!
(1)Caitlin M.
A great place to stop by after the beach for some late afternoon snacks and cocktails. Be sure to get their Mudslides!!!
(5)S M.
Food was good but the beanbags made it great!
(4)Maelina F.
Go for the view if that's all you're looking for. I'll give it that. However, between myself and my friend, we spent $100. You'd think they'd give you actual, non-plastic plates for the price you pay. I'm not one for pretention, but I found that slightly ridiculous. The sushi was decent, but not out of this world. My portion of Mahi-Mahi was very small for the price. It was good, but didn't blow my mind. Neither did the salad, also served in a plastic plate with the dressing in a plastic container. I wouldn't return there. It's a good thing another local recommended Winfield's the following evening; that place blew this place out of the water (pun intended).
(2)Winifred X.
The decoration of this place is certain interesting enough, GORGEOUS view of the new harbor, and thousands of oars hanging overhead... They also have an outdoor patio area, which can be very scenic in the warm summer days... food: - crab cake (~$10) - alright - $2 Narragansett beer -- excellent - sweet potato fries -- good - $17 cold lobster roll -- bun is toasted nicely, the lobster meat is plenty, but they could use a bit more sauce or add some more taste to it.. to be honest, I don't see why anyone would say it's the "BEST" lobster roll they've ever had, that's misleading.... this place is Avg food, avg price, AWESOME view and GREAT spirit. the food here is solid and decently priced for a tourist location such as BI... it's the VIEW that gets you here... =) Oh, be aware that recommendations on BI is always "good", they are all neighbors, why would they say something is not good to any tourists? When our inn keeper recommends something, basically you just have to evaluate their opening hours, location, view, and the food + price around here are all avg at best...
(4)Thommee H.
After having sampled other places on the island, I'm happy to upgrade my rating and say that this is one of our favorites. The setting is beautiful, the service was much better this time, and while the presentation isn't much, the execution of the dishes (moderate priced New American) was very good. The clam chowder and salsa/chips/guacamole were only average, but the kids meals were good quality, and my wife's scallop roll and my blackened mahi mahi were excellent. I was surprised at how good the sweet sriracha and kiwi sauces that came with my dish were.
(4)Barack O.
My favorite restaurant during the summer. Best food.
(5)Scotty C.
I am definitely a fan. The atmosphere is very laid back and cool. It is set on the water in front of a marina. Our server Liz was super friendly and on top of everything. The chowder is very good. I ordered a Lobster Roll. Got a good amount for the price but tasted a little plain. Probably should've requested a little mayo. The Gansett's were flowing and tasted great and for only $2. Expect a little wait even on a Thursday afternoon but feel free to grab a drink and play a little bean bag toss out on the lawn. I would recommend and definitely go back.
(4)Brian S.
Oars and seafood I love this place. If you ever wonder why it is called The Oar", look up. You we see zillions of painted oars hanging from the ceiling. Just hope one doesn't come down and bonk you on the head. The place has much more than just a lot of strangely painted oars waiting to kill you. You can eat inside or out and get plastered while watching fantastic sunsets is a Block Island tradition. They serve breakfast but I have to admit I have never been here that early but the rest of the menu is quite eclectic. Items like the ubiquitous lobster roll, jumbo scallops and friend fish to burgers, dogs, tacos and even a great veggie burger. Last time I was there they even had buckets of fried chicken. If you can't find something you like here you are in trouble. Some places have great decor and location but lousy food, others have good food but no atmosphere. The oar is one of the few places that has both. A great place just as long as one of those funky oars doesn't come down and crack you on the head.
(5)Angela C.
A solid open deck, lazy evening location watching the boats come in and out of the marina. The service is friendly, immediate and quite nice. We went in to sit at the bar, enjoy the local flavors and dine on appetizers and a lobster roll. Will we return, absolutely! I believe this may be one of the best places on the island to dine, mix, mingle and take it all in. The menu is quite diverse with choices for all food types, meat lover to vegetarian. The value is all relative to the prices of the island and the opportunity for outstanding views. The lobster roll was jam packed with fresh lobsta' and the red hummus dip, plentiful. The only disappointing aspect of the meal was the octopus salad which should have been called cucumber salad with octopus rather than the other way around. It was tasty and light - perfect for a lunch snack.
(4)Jason D.
Food is pretty good...I wouldn't get too ambitious with the ordering, but the product is just fine. Apps were good, I had a sushi roll as well that did the trick. Beer and cocktail list was quite robust. Atmosphere is perfect for Block Island and the views can't be beat.
(4)Judy L.
Good new England clam chowder. So-so Mahi Mahi crab cake platter, lobster roll. Great view of harbor. Bustling restaurant.
(3)KJ L.
Arrived on a Saturday afternoon, just after a rainy morning so it was busy but not crazy. We first sat at an outdoor table labelled cocktails only and after about 10 minutes two of the adirondack chairs overlooking the harbor opened up. After about 10 more minutes, I walked inside to the bar to get two of their "famous" mudslides. They are premade in a slurpee machine and the tab was $17! If you haven't gathered yet, we got NO service at all. Not one bit of acknowledgment that we were even there. Not a hello or goodbye or we'll be right with you.....nothing. Another place that has a great spot and thinks it can do whatever it wants.......I won't go back.
(1)Kiran L.
The view of New Harbor/Great Salt Pond from the restaurant was really nice (esp because we got there right at sunset), as was the whole oar concept, with tons of colorful wooden oars covering the ceilings and walls in the main dining room. It was jam packed when we got there, so we waited at the bar and ordered a couple apps which were so-so. We sat on the large covered porch near the outdoor bar and the seating was OK. We ate/drank out of plastic plates/cups which was a little tacky. The regular menu was rather inexpensive but the sushi menu was pretty pricey. The food wasn't impressive at all. Soggy and tasteless, my veggies were so overcooked that they fell apart on the fork. The "jumbo scallops" I ordered were small and bland. My boyfriend ordered their fried chicken (something they're known for), and it was gross- the fried batter fell right off the chicken; needless to say he didn't eat it. We did however order sushi which was DELICIOUS, so I recommend trying the sushi more than anything because it saved the meal! I might come back here for a super casual lunch, but for a nice quality dinner without plastic ware I'd look elsewhere on the island!
(2)Jeffrey B.
A great place for breakfast and Lunch. Been going here since I was a kid. I haven't been disappointed yet.
(5)Elizabeth D.
Love this place. My husband and I were married on the Island go back every chance we get. Our trips are never complete without a stop at The Oar. Great food, fantastic view and cold beer. Perfection!
(5)Clancy C.
Love the Oar! Fabulous view, especially sunset! Great drinks, casual food, good sushi! Mudslides! It's not fancy, so don't be surprised by the plastic cups and plates, but prices are very reasonable, at least for Block Island. Staff is usually attentive and smiling. Can't beat the location on New Harbor! Come by car, moped or boat! We make a point to go every time we're on the island during the season!
(4)Todd O.
The food here is ho-hum. You are in for quality on par with an average street vendor. My blackened fish sandwich was drenched in spices in, what I assume is, an attempt to mask bad tastes. My wife's lobster roll was middle of the road. However, the mudslide is off the hook! It alone merits 5 stars. I'm sure it's 1000 calories, but well worth it! There are a couple other tasty drinks. Overall, avoid the food, enjoy the drinks.
(3)K. G.
On Block Island, where one's better restaurants are severely limited, The Oar is a winner. Super casual. Great views of the New Harbor. On the long weekend we were there, BF and I went twice for lunch and both times we were not disappointed. Clam chowder is DE-LISH. Lobster Roll (ordered twice) was awesome; big chunks of lobster throughout. Lobster BLT - equally good. I ordered the mahi mahi fish tacos once and they were good... not the best I've had, but def good. It's gonna sound strange coming from a cheese lover but there was almost too much cheese in the tacos... it kind of masked everything else. I think it would have been perfect had they had a slightly lighter hand with the cheese... but again, as a cheese lover... I can forgive them. Place is busy and bustling but service never lacked. Great spot.
(4)Susan K.
The food has become quite pricey, especially the sushi. Best part of the Oar is drinking top shelf mudslides on adirondack chairs overlooking the harbor-
(3)Enday G.
Lovely view of New harbor and good beer (go for the local Narragansett Summer) what else do you need? :) I had a nice sandwich with salmon. Affordable prices (probably closer to the $ sign rather than $$). Service vary, I had been there a few times sometimes it was better than other times.
(5)Doug T.
This was our first stop upon visiting the Block. They had Loose Cannon (one of my favorites) on tap, so I had to order one. I forgot all about the fact that they are known for their mudslides. I would later learn that several bars on the island have Loose Cannon on tap and make a mean mudslide. 3 days later, I found myself 34 pounds heavier and pondering how many bottles of Kahlua the island consumes each day. Back to The Oar. They have a great bar that overlooks the marina, as well as a lawn area with quite a few covered picnic tables and a boatload of cornhole sets (the game where you throw the bean bag filled with corn into the hole...what did you think I was referring to?). We visited The Oar 3 times during our trip (lunch, dinner, afternoon drinks), and I am confident in saying that this place is worth checking out. I'm still wondering how many row boats you have to build before they let you hang your oar above the bar.
(4)Michelle R.
Fresh fish, great flavors, healthy... Amazing view of the water over the deck. By far the best place we ate at over the whole weekend in BI
(4)Lisa M.
Fantastic view, very good food. You'll do best if you go at an offtime, as the lines can get quite long.
(4)John C.
We came for lunch and the food was excellent. The blackened Mahi was just spicy enough and very moist and tender. Interior is very interesting with Oars from around the world hanging in the ceiling. The place was jammed but the service was good. I will definitely come back on my next trip to Block Island.
(4)Erik S.
The Oar is fine. My burger was well-done instead of medium-well. It also was a bit bland, but it was fine. The iced tea was pretty unremarkable as too. Nothing here is bad, but I wouldn't say anything is particularly special either.
(3)sakae i.
Had a drink pre-dinner hour. Block was deserted post-hurricane Irene so we thought they would be happy to have some business. Sullen bartenders. Ok drinks. This was our second trip to Block. Both times we came in August. They either are tired of tourists or just dislike them in general it seems. The menu did look fairly wide ranging and appealing but I doubt we'll go back.
(1)Milo J.
Disappointing! The yellowfin tuna was gristly and the blackened mahi was way overcooked. The view is pretty but don't come here for the food or you'll be disappointed. The saving grace was a very nice waitress! Too bad the kitchen doesn't give her much to work with.
(2)susan n.
We had lunch here in a big group (8 adults, 2 babies). We were surprised to be seated quickly (within 10 minutes). It was off season (last weekend in Sep)...but still! The weather was beautiful, and what a great place to enjoy a beautiful day. I love this place. Grab a delicious Bloody Mary and sit down on a huge Adirondack chair on the lawn, overlooking the water. Life is good. They are known for their Mudslides. I tasted one, and it was good...kinda like a dessert in a glass. Not my kind of drink though. I have to say the Bloody Mary was absolutely delicious - one of the best I have had. There was some sort of herb in there, I couldn't place it. My Bloody Mary expert friend thinks they use Clamato. Whatever they use, whatever is in there, I don't care...just get it. I also noticed $2 Naragansett beer and $4 other beers on the menu. WOW! I nice place on the water that serves reasonably priced drinks. Nice! The menu was average. I enjoyed the clam chowder...nice and chunky, although a little bland. I am a clam chowder fanatic, and I enjoyed it. The crab cakes with Sriracha are fantastic. I don't normally like crab cakes, but I loved these. I ordered the lobster club, because I am a lobster roll fanatic. FANATIC. The club was not good, unfortunately. Too much stale bread. The lobster was chunky. However, it was also dried out. Needed more mayo. Very disappointing. Fish tacos were good too. The service was less than stellar. You could tell it was off season, and they had a "don't care, it is after the storm" attitude. My friend and I both ordered our lobster clubs without bacon (my friend being Muslim, and me not preferring bacon). When they came out with bacon, we pointed it out and the waitress scooped up my friend's club and promised to get another. When I pointed out I asked for no bacon too, she gave me a hard time. I didn't want to argue, so I just picked off my bacon and gave it to my hubbie. No big deal, but I was surprised she would question me the way she did. I was more forgiving, but this and some other minor things annoyed my husband and really ruined his lunch. The manager was full of attitude as well. When I asked for a business card, he gave me an attitude. I am so sorry I am inconveniencing you, man. He was snapping at waitresses. He was unnecessarily rude to a little old lady that pointed out a problem in his parking lot. So the food is nothing to write home about, but not bad. The service needs a lot of work. But the location, the drinks, the experience can not be beat!
(4)Heather K.
There was nothing better than after a BEAUTIFUL day riding the moped around Block Island stopping at The Oar for a Frozen Mudslide and some delicious calamari before you catch the ferry home. We sat at the bar on the porch that faces out onto the water and marina and were greeted by friendly and funny bar matrons and felt like we were in Paradise. Great time!
(5)K H.
My husband and I stopped in for a cocktail June 12,2013. We had peel and eat shrimp and oysters from the salt water pond on BI. The food was great and so was the service. Beautiful view of harbor!
(5)Harley M.
The service is great! The food is really good to. We go there almost every day. The reason you should go there, is the unbeatable view of new harbor. That is what makes it spectacular. Their salads are great and so is their sushi. Also they have incredible burgers and fries. I hope you check it out.
(5)Elizabeth P.
As I forgot my ID at the house (idiotically stupid of me, I know) and consider it a good day when I pass for a college-age student, my lunch at the Oar was limited to the food. Overall, the quality left much to be desired. There were a couple of hits, but quite a few misses. The Oar has a fun, chaotic feel. It's right next to the water (which means nice views) and offers two choices of outdoor seating: the lawn next to the docks and a semi-outdoor raised porch, which has a roof. After waiting about twenty minutes for a table, we sat on the raised porch, which was quite crowded and noisy. In testament to the name of the place, there are decorated oars hung around the restaurant. It's a bit kitschy, maybe, but it works. The servers were all very friendly--they seemed to be mostly college students working on the Island for the summer, which is typical. The menu is rather large with a focus on traditional American food and seaside fare: numerous fried options, burgers, salads, wraps, tacos/burritos, sandwiches, and some entrees. The Oar also serves sushi, which was quite the surprise; however, it's priced quite highly compared to the casual Japanese restaurants I've been to. My table started with an order of the fried calamari to share which went over quite well. The calamari was well-fried and tasted nice and fresh. Successful entrees to hit my table were the grouper tacos and the Asian salad topped with sesame-crusted Ahi tuna. The fish in the tacos was very much enjoyed and worked well with the other components (salsa fresca, shredded cheese) in the shell. The Asian salad had a lot going on, but everything worked nicely together and the tuna was left nice and rare. The side of fries that we ordered for the table was also very tasty: they were beer-battered and had a great crunch to them. On the other hand, the other three-fifths of our entrees were less successful. The cheeseburger tasted okay, but was way overcooked: it arrived at a barely pink medium to medium-well instead of the medium-rare at which it had been ordered. My chicken tacos were also quite disappointing: the baja sauce listed on the menu was absent from the tacos, which meant that they were quite bland. The proportions of the ingredients with the taco also seemed off: there was way too much of the garlicky salsa fresca, and not enough meat or cheese. Finally the blackened mahi-mahi entree was a total flop: the fish was overcooked, the mango salsa wasn't very good, and the rice and beans side was bland. Based on our mixed experience, I would recommend sticking with things from the sea (preferably fried) when you visit the Oar. And if you need it to get a drink, don't forget your ID!
(2)Desiree P.
Good Margarita! App $8 for 16oz. It tasted as close to a Margarita as I could find on Block. GREAT sushi. Spicy Tuna Roll was terrific. Caprese chicken salad was delicious; very juicy, thick, and the roll wasn't overbearing.
(4)pamy g.
Good stuff Great place to great plastered on those warm summer nights. Great views of New Harbor. Some interesting people. Pretty good grub Weird stuff hanging overhead Bad stuff Some nasty drunks on occasion Weird stuff hanging above your head
(5)Cassandra W.
The mudslides at the OAR are all the rave, so I had to have one.. or two. A friend suggested vanilla vodka and that made it all the more delicious. I say come here, grab a bite, a mudslide or your beverage of choice.. sit with a great view. When you're done, rent a bike at the shop right across the way. That's the way to go!
(4)Chris P.
Great spot to scooter to. I had grilled mahi mahi tacos and my man had the fried chicken. Both very good. Attentive service. Beautiful view cold brews Simple patio style dining
(4)J T.
Get a $2 Naragansett here and some onion rings or sweet potato fries! I was disappointed that the self-described "best lobster roll on the island" was pretty plain - good, fresh lobster but not much else (i.e., lacking in additional flavor) and on a bulky roll (I'm partial to the New England style hot dog buns). Waitress was fun and on top of it. Great view, of course, as the only place to go in New Harbor.
(3)Mandy S.
all I have to say is BEST.MUDSLIDES.EVER.
(5)Dottie N.
I'm a boater who has eaten at The Oar many times over the years, but not in the last few years. I was disappointed when in mid-September we took friends from St. Louis who were with us on the island. The food was OK but nothing special. The worst thing was that there were fruit flies bothering us constantly at the table. Not dangerous I know but very annoying. Message to the Oar: you can get rid of fruit flies by pouring a little white wine (I use vermouth) in a small dish; cover with plastic wrap and take a large skewer and poke four or five holes in the top. The flies fly in but can get out. You could put a bunch of these "traps" out at night and bring them in when you start serving again. I'll bet you'll get rid of all your fruit flies in less than a week.
(2)Mike M.
Great food, cheapest prices. Pretty good service too.
(4)Dave B.
Had lunch here w/my whole family and from 7 to 70 we all enjoyed it. Burger, pulled pork, blackened mahi & lobster roll were very good but Bloody Mary was the big winner. Play some corn hole while you're there.
(4)Willy G.
Good service, even in the outside tables in the rain! The sushi is excellent! We didn't try any of the drinks but they sounded good.
(5)Scott H.
Perfect location and a great menu. The southwestern salad was awesome and my 9 yr-old loved the fish & chips. Can't wait to come back to try the sushi.
(5)Irina P.
Located at the beautiful New Harbor, The Oar offers gorgeous views and plenty of fun for all ages. Come on Saturday for lunch and you are likely to have to wait for 75-90minutes. However, the restaurant's awesome check in system provides accurate wait times and txt u when your table is ready which is pretty convenient. If you are starving, head to the back of the patio where you can probably score great wood chairs and tables in the shade. The menu is "limited" but there's still plenty to chose from. For lunch we opted for lemonade and The Oar pilsner, both equally priced and tasty. The mudslides were not the best- too vanilla ice creamy and sort of one dimensional in flavor. We started our meal with the peel and eat shrimp which was plump, super fresh and sweet. We also had the lobster roll which had 0 mayo and generous chunks of fresh lobster. The slaw it comes with was also pretty tasty, not too sweet or too mayoie. The beer batter fries are a MUST and I really don't even like fried food. We also had the chicken Mediterranean wrap which was OK but unmemorable compared to the other treats we got. Sort of regretting not trying the sushi because it definitely looked good but felt a bit odd ordering sushi at so not a Japanese restaurant. Oh, well, there's always a next time!
(4)Kasey B.
I was on Block Island for Labor Day weekend, so everything was packed! The restaurant was full and most of the tables outside as well. There are a set of tables with green umbrellas that get service and there is another set of outdoor tables that do not. There are also lots of pairs of wooden chairs along the outside overlooking the water. Those also seemed to be getting drink orders taken. There were several sets of corn hole for everyone to play as well. I very extended backyard BBQ feel. Very laid back, if you were able to grab a table that was. We were not able to stay long enough to get some food. However, we were able to down a mud slide before we left after snatching a non-service table to hang out at. The mud slides were extremely thick but very good. The best one I had on the island. I was only able to taste at one other place though.
(3)Ali E.
The Oar is always our consistent go-to place on island. There are a few menu items we don't stray from, and as a result it's always excellent - don't get too interesting or fancy here. Peel-and-eat shrimp, clam chowder, fried chicken (whether the 4 piece or sweet sriracha wings), blackened mahi sandwich, or lobster roll/club. Onion rings and fries. The salads are massive. Service can be hit-and-miss as with any restaurant, and if you're coming on a weekend in August, it's going to be busy so get there early (though by that adage we showed up between 5:30 and 6pm for dinner expecting to wait for a while and were seated almost immediately outside on the deck, by the rail). Also, of course, top shelf mudslide all the way.
(4)Carol H.
You cannot beat this place for ambience. It is simple, amazing views, good food and great service. The bean bag toss adds. special bonus for families. It is a special place for our family. We are making an oar to hang next year (we say that every year!)
(5)Agnes A.
The place is really nice excellent sushi the only problem I had was that when I order drink (was sitting outside ) the waitress told me after 15 min waiting that I will get faster drink if I go to the bar by myself I could not believe it my ears she should be fired
(3)Rebecca L.
Come for the mudslide with a view, stay for...not much else. The service is not good and apparently there are no substitutions (which is no where on the menu, by the way). I'm not talking crazy substitutions, either. I tried to add avocado to a sushi roll and get a side salad for my meal. Apparently they can't half the meal portion. Definitely not impressed. There are many better options on the island.
(2)Hilary B.
One of the best views and places for sushi while dining on Block Island. We loved the won ton tuna and fresh crab appetizer it was delicious as usual! Good service as a casual place and great environment with water views both indoor and outdoor seating and a lawn of games too.
(5)vahlen e.
If I can give no stars i would. We went here with my service dog. We were sent to eat on the lawn "with all the other dogs" Even though it was quite chilly, we sat and waited... and waited... and waited... Never got served. Just felt bad about the whole experience. How unfortunate.
(1)Leanna P.
My family went to The Oar while visiting Block Island and had a great experience. The view of the marina was spectacular and my godson enjoyed walking down to see the boats while waiting for our food to come. The service was friendly and timely as well. I got crab cakes and my husband got mahi mahi. We both enjoyed our meals and left content, although it wasn't the best crab cake I've ever had or the best mahi mahi he'd had. My mom loved her scallops and my sister loved her salmon. My dad loved his black ended mahi mahi, and my brother in law said the lobster roll was good but not the best he's had. Overall, we had a nice night and liked the fact that we could hang and play cornhole on the lawn overlooking the marina afterwards.
(4)Catherine M.
Great view, good service. Avoid the sunonmo salad. On the menu it says it has cucumber, wakame seaweed, carrot, and Apple. etc. It was nearly all cucumber, a tablespoon of carrot, 2T of Apple, and a piece of seaweed the size of my fingernail. $6? Items should be 86'd if key ingredients aren't available.
(3)Sherri T.
Love this place! We come here every year after a long day on the beach to play corn hole and drink some mudslides (the ones that ARE NOT top shelf are better, they put ice cream in them). Beautiful views and great atmosphere. The food is pretty good. I got clam chowder (very good) and a lobster roll (good). Service was pretty good. There is often a long line to wait for a table (obviously-it's summer on Block Island) but it is worth checking out.
(4)Kim S.
Hands down best mudslide I've ever had! Went there over July 4th weekend and had excellent service despite how busy it was. Their food is great too! Had an excellent view of the fireworks. Will definitely be going back.
(5)Laura R.
You must try the mudslide with a vanilla vodka floated. I could drink them all day! I also tried to sushi nachos which were excellent. It had fresh tuna on wontons.
(4)Mike K.
Their lobster club sandwich is without question the greatest sandwich I've ever eaten in my life and likely past lives. Get it with their mudslide which is vodka/kahlua/baileys ice blended drink. Wow that's a great sandwich.
(5)James S.
Food is ok, service needs to be improved. We sat outside 2 adults, 2 kids. We ordered 2 adult beverages and 2 virgin drinks. When I reordered the adult beverages I asked for 2 waters and was directed to a water cooler similar to the one I use at little league games. We had already ordered 4 appetizers that took over 40 minutes to arrive. When I asked the waitress for napkins her response was that she would send her busser, he never arrived. We were far from a table not consuming, can one served a glass of water and have a napkin to clean my hands after eating your peel and eat shrimp?
(2)Joe C.
When selecting a restaurant in unfamiliar territory, I'll sometimes use the lemmings approach. Chances are you've used the lemmings approach. It's where you choose a restaurant based on its number of customers and just assume everybody knows better than you. Now that might be both good and bad, because sometimes the other lemmings consist of all tourists and they're all just as clueless as yourself. Well, for a restaurant that's kinda off the beaten path, it was jumping with lots of customers one particular Sunday afternoon. So I went with my lemmings instinct. I had to eat outside on the lawn because the inside was crowded and there was a half hour wait. I actually sat at a picnic table. That didn't bother me because I actually enjoy eating outdoors. Although be warned, eating on the lawn does have a limited menu. OK, yes the restaurant does have very nice views but actually lots of restaurants on Block Island have very nice views. This is far from the only one. And the restaurant is hardly anything fancy. It's not. In fact it kinda looks like big run-down shack. So don't take your date there, because it's not that type of restaurant. I mean, c'mon they have showers in their restrooms. The showers are meant for the "smelly" boaters that dock their boats at the nearby marina on the New Harbor. My food was OK. Bah, I take that back, it was actually sub-par. My calamari was super greasy, although the two cats lingering around the lawn didn't seem to mind it when I fed them a couple calamari rings. Boy, they inhaled those things up really fast. And my clam chowder wasn't anything to write home about either. It was New England style clam chowder and perhaps a tad too thick (or old?). I sort of prefer Rhode Island clam chowder and they didn't offer that type of clam chowder. Maybe I have to go to Rhode Island for that type of chowder. ...Oh, wait. Overall I'd return again, but only after sampling a mix of the island's other offerings first.
(3)Sheilamarie H.
We had a beautiful view of New Harbor from our table. The fried calamari and lobster rolls at the Oar were delicious. The mudslide went down nicely too. Thank you, Alex, our server for your friendliness and attentiveness. We would definitely come back.
(5)Ryan S.
Started with the sweet siracha wings which were undoubtedly the best wings I have ever had. Moved on to the lobster grilled cheese which had way more lobster than expected. Overall a great experience with an awesome view and even better pub food.
(5)Kelly K.
Update: they listened and updated the portion sizes. Now if only they'd go back to the chopped tomatoes and pesto and mozzarella it would be perfect! Thanks guys!!
(4)Ashley G.
Stopped at the Oar for lunch during a moped ride. Stunning view with a great outdoor bar. The peel and eat shrimp were tasty and seasoned the "old bay" way! The lobster roll left something to be desired but was full of lobster. Not a bad place to stop in for the view alone!
(3)Rachael H.
We stopped here for drinks and sushi, I had a mudslide and wasn't really a fan...it was like a slurpee(no syrup or whipped cream)...not your usual mudslide. The sushi was OK but very overpriced.
(3)amanda r.
Just another update. We decided to take my mother to the Oar at the beginning of May 2015 because it is the one place with a nice view that we could think on Block Island without being inside. This place is still absolutely ridiculous in terms of their lawn/restaurant policy. We were told that we could order "to go" in order to sit on the lawn with our dog. The place was empty with 5 servers standing around, and we still had to go get our drinks our selves and go up to the counter to place our order. Do they want tips?? We were semi-scolded for ordering something off the menu rather than the lawn menu (which wasn't available yet). For future reference, we were told, we would not be able to eat the mediocre that we ordered as take-out that day on the lawn; you can only eat "lawn food" (whatever the hell that is) on the lawn. I am utterly appalled that a recent reviewer who went with a service dog was not served. Shame on the Oar! It seems like that asshole manager George is still there. Or if it's not him, they replaced him with a similar looking, similarly obnoxious manager. That was seriously the last time we will go to the Oar. It's a pity that a place which occupies one of the most beautiful vistas on Block Island is so poorly run.
(1)Chris L.
They have a mudslide machine. If this isn't heaven, then I don't know what is! Rode our bikes, refreshed ourselves with some mudslide, and journeyed on!
(5)Sarah G.
Plastic chairs set a poor first impression. If you order sushi and entrees, there is no way to time them to receive the sushi first. We had some sushi and dinner salads arrive at the same time as a couple entrees and one of our guests never did receive an entree. The scallops were full of grit. The fries they claim to be famous for suck. I don't understand why this restaurant is so popular. The mudslide was tasty.
(2)Zane S.
Went here this past Thursday as part of a day trip on the island. It was recommended to me for its mudslides. On arrival we went up to the deck/outdoor bar area and asked to be seated. We wanted to sit outside since it was so nice. We were told it was first come first serve for both the tables and Adirondacks and that someone would be around to take our order. We picked the Adirondacks because they have a nice view. We waited 20 minutes and when no one came to serve us my friend went to ask someone about it. A server at what looked like a break station told her someone would be around shortly. She said we'd been waiting for a bit with no help even though the tables behind us had been serviced. His response was "well I guess if you're in a rush you can go order at the bar" I'm sorry but no. That's not the correct response. We did end up ordering our mudslides at the bar which were $9 each for a small portion and while they were fine they were not out of this world. We also wanted food and figures we would wait to see if we got served. No one came to give us a menu, and after another 20 minutes of servers attending to the tables but not us in the chairs several other patrons sat around us in Adirondacks. Finally a server made her way down the line of chairs and took drink orders but she skipped us completely even though our beverages were getting low! She did not even check to see how we were doing. Safe to say we left without eating and made our way to another place for lunch extremely agitated. I will never return here or suggest this "island establishment" to anyone I know.
(1)Joanne T.
Lunch time at the Oar. Worth any kind of wait time you might have. Stay, wait it's awesome. Food was amazing. Guacamole & Salsa with chips to start and excellent Mediterranean salad- excellent ice tea and you can't beat the view and the general atmosphere- always lively, boats coming and going- greSt people watching ace to hang - inside or out.
(5)Dave L.
Best Bloodies on the Block! Food is good and reasonable. Good beer selection too and you can hang out on the lawn overlooking Great Salt Pond!
(4)Greg F.
Fantastic sushi, best restaurant view of new harbor, and taps/mudslides/booze....games on the lawn. A must stop while you are on the island.
(5)Nicole P.
I always come back here and always regret it. I don't get why it's popular. The food is not good and I am mainly writing this to remind myself of that in the future. We've tried the cooked fish, shellfish, salad, sushi, appetizers. It's just not good. Nice view and pleasant atmosphere but that's it. Even the notorious mudslides are yuck.
(2)Jitin K.
Am giving 2 stars only for the view. The waitress was pushy and wanted to do away with us as early as possible. Not the best food that I have tasted.
(2)Jennifer M.
Beautiful location overlooking the marina in New Harbor. We didn't mind waiting for our table because you can grab a drink, sit on the lawn with the beautiful view, and play beanbag while you wait. Prices are very reasonable compared with other restaurants on this pricey island. The food was very good as well. My husband loved the house made sushi (and he is picky about his sushi); kids were happy with grilled cheese, fish & chips, etc.; grilled chicken tacos were really tasty. The drink specials were delicious! We liked it so much that we came here twice during our vacation. The first night, our server was super friendly, accommodating, and wonderful. The next time, a different server was not so great. But the view, food, prices, and atmosphere were all great.
(5)Stephen S.
Perhaps the most disappointing experience my wife and I ever had on Block Island. The food was mediocre at best but the most off putting part of the experience was the service, Inconsiderate ,to downright nasty. The only thing worse than the server was the management staff. Never again Steve S
(1)Cathy M.
Our annual sailing trips have to include dinner at the Oar. It is a family tradition. And I am happy to say that our "family oar" is not hung up on the ceiling !! We always find the staff attentive. The variety of food is great, our company loves the ambience and its fun to be outdoors. It does get very busy. And you have to be creative to get dinghy space. We have been outside, sitting in the Adirondack chairs, -- eaten inside and brought out dog and sat outside. Great to meet our sailing friends. Long Live the OAR.
(5)Sandy F.
Only had drinks here one evening. Very good mudslides and reasonably priced. Didn't have anything to eat but the sushi I saw go by looked great!!! | heard from another in our party that it is good. Will come here again.
(4)Christopher D.
Great waterfront pub located at the tip of the pond on Block Island, RI. Casual place with indoor and outdoor seating, a great beer selection and a decent menu, including hand rolled sushi. Inside the ceiling is decorated with hand painted oars (get it) from throughout the years. There is a comfortable bar area with 12 or so seats. Rustic New England, nautical theme, dive bar (in a good way). We were driving around the island hiking and stopped in for a mid-afternoon snack. We had a huge breakfast and didn't want to spoil dinner, so we decided to split the Caprese Marinated Grill Chicken Sandwich. We also opted for sweet potato fries to go with is. Both were very good and a perfect snack until dinner. 12 New England loca beers (and beyond) on tap including Newport Storm, Narragansette Lager, Shipyard, Harpoon and others. The bottled beer list is also extensive and they have a full bar. Service was ok, nothing great. The bartender seemed like she didn't want to be there. Having been in the hospitality industry for 20+ years, I am aware that not everyday is perfect, but she didn't even try. Just no spark for a bartender. Maybe she was looking forward to being unemployed for the winter now that the tourist season was over. Grabbed a few t-shirts to add to my collection. I love the conversation pieces when I wear my New England themed T's in Hawaii...I always strike up a conversation down in Waikiki with someone who has been, lives near there or who's sister worked there. Your welcome for the free advertising. Overall, a good place to stop when on Block Island. I recommend going (to the island) before Memorial Day or after Labour Day to avoid the crowds. I went once in the summer and there were way too many people.
(4)Liisa H.
Have been going to the Oar for years . The atmosphere is great the food ok, but the two times we were there this week the service was the poorest we have ever experienced. After waiting 20 minutes we went over 2 times to the front desk for help . After 35 minutes the manager took our order. Second time it wasn't any better. We really loved this place and we even have a oar hanging there. I hope they can get back on track.
(3)Jane H.
Ohhhhh, The Oar! I feel happy and relaxed just thinking about this place. I'll admit my review might have more to do with the feeling the place gives me rather than a specific rating for food or service (although the fish tacos and mudslides ain't half bad). Sitting on the deck looking out over the Great Salt Pond makes one very aware of how fleeting a perfect summer day is....you do your best to soak it all up.
(5)Holly G.
Oh the oar- you are my happy place. Started off with a very healthy pour of ketel and soda, and hubby had a draft. We loved the casual ambiance and views. Decided to go with the sushi menu: seared sesame tuna was A+++ and miso soup, wakame salad, and rolls also very very good. Service was laid back but attentive, so basically perfect.
(5)Neil H.
Smoked fish dip was delish!
(4)Carly C.
Where else can you go to get the absolute best mudslide you've ever had, combined with some of the best sushi ever? THE OAR. Spectacular views and food. Service can sometimes be a little slow. But I keep going back!
(4)Keith B.
Situated at the southern end of the great salt pond, the view is amazing here! We dropped in after renting some scooters and motoring around the southern portion of the island and heading towards the north lighthouse. What better than some seafood and libations to hold us over for the rest of the day? The mahi-mahi soft tacos were good, as were the crabcakes! The portions were just about right for a light lunch. The beer battered French fries were nice and crispy, and could become an addiction if you let them. We also tried the jumbo buffalo shrimp. They were properly cooked, but I think the seasoning might have been a little strong if you are looking to relish the taste of shrimp. I would definitely come back.
(4)Brian C.
Great atmosphere and location. Lousy food. Indifferent service. We went here 2 years ago and thought the same, but thought it might have been a one-off bad service. We were wrong. So, grab a beer, play some baggo... but if you get hungry, I'd go elsewhere.
(2)Kel S.
Well, the atmosphere and the mudslides make this place great! The sushi was decent, but not the best I've ever had. It is a beautiful setting with a large patio and lawn to overlook the water and boats.... making any gorgeous Block Island summer weekend -- well, perfect!
(4)Clara H.
This place is terrible - food and service! I had the lobster roll and it was by far the worst lobster roll I've ever had - dried up lobster in a cold hot dog bun. I was here with one of my friends who had a headache, we asked for Advil and the waitress was so obnoxious letting us know that "we dont have advil but either way even if we had a bandaid we wouldn't give it to you, it's against the law". First I've ever heard of this "law" and an incredibly rude way to treat a customer. Won't be coming back
(1)Jim W.
Sailed in to Block during the recent tropical storm with a full crew and our Husky. We had to leave the dog outside even though it was blowing like a hurricane health dept.rules.The manager I think his name is George was obviously over hyped on coffee or something called animal control instead of paging us on the loud speaker .When animal control arrived we moved down the street right away but not with out George berating us in front of a crowd.We will cross paths again my friend.
(1)Kris F.
Food and drinks were ok and not overpriced. Service was a little on the slow side (but we did go pre-season, which is probably why). I got a cocktail and a salad, both were ok, but nothing special. What is cool about The Oar is the neat decor (about a gazillion oars) and the awesome view of New Harbor.
(3)Garron M.
If you like poorly fried, thoughtless seafood dishes that have the bonus feature of being very small portioned, then the Oar is the place for you. If you think Joe's Crab Shack is the cat's meow then you might, maybe, approve of this place. Other than the fact that the food on Block is mediocre in general, I don't know how this place does a business. The only thing it has going for it is that it is on this wonderful island and is able to piggyback on the energy that exists here. Honestly, the only thing I liked about this place was that you could see outside.
(2)Ali F.
So, my 5 stars might have something to do with my absolute LOVE for Block Island and visiting each summer on our sailboat with my husband. I'm always dying to drop anchor, take in the salt pond and then go into shore for a sunset dinner at The Oar. I'd say my review is colored by my nostalgia, but I don't think that is entirely true. You cannot get a better view of the salt pond while having dinner. There is wifi and there are lovely chairs overlooking the pond, marina and dinghy dock. We use these chairs almost every time we go into shore and I can't count the number of Block Island sunsets I've watched from The Oar. Oh, and us anchorage boaters really dig the access we have to the bathrooms. I mean really. Besides all of the accommodations for us boaters and the lovely view, the food is pretty darn good! I've had just about the best crab cakes EVER from The Oar and we enjoy the regular foods like chicken fingers, burgers, and fried fish too. We don't do the raw bar thing so we can't comment on that. Servers have always been fine, the wait can be long at times, but who cares, you have a lovely view while waiting! As boaters who have an oar to contribute ourselves, we love the decor! Bottom line is, The Oar has a good atmosphere, good food, and a GREAT view. Couldn't ask for more after a sail from Watch Hill or Cuttyhunk.
(5)Peter Z.
Nice setting and fun decor but food is average to bad. We thought the glazed salmon was Ok but the fish tacos were bad. Our waitress was great though!
(2)Maureen R.
Mediocre bloody marys-their homemade mix was a disappointment. Excellent sushi rolls! Amazing view from outside bar :) We were there on the last Sunday of the 2012 season-forgot to finish review earlier!
(3)Steve L.
Working-class seafood in the less-traveled part of Block Island. Cheap eats are hard to come by on the island, where the difficulties of shipping lead to $6 packages of Oreos at the local grocery. Excellent seafood is available (Spring House Hotel, Manissees), but requires an assault on the checkbook. For moderately priced, moderate quality food, that's where the Oar comes in. The Applebee's of Block Island, the Oar features hundreds of, yes, oars decorating the walls and ceilings of the facility. Not too subtle, but visually interesting, especially during the light of day. I got the fish tacos with whitefish. Options include type of fish (including mahi mahi - hard for me to understand why an island restaurant would serve imported fish), as well as grilled vs fried. I picked the grilled grouper - to better taste the fish. Too bad then that the tacos came loaded so heavily with cheese and sour cream that basically any fish would have tasted the same. Fortunately, $10 wasn't bad for dinner, given the location. Parking is plentiful, as is a large grassy lawn for outdoor eats. Dress code is super casual.
(3)Chris M.
A cool favorite place to come eat when flying to Block for lunch.
(3)Maria G.
.
(4)Jennifer F.
In BI for the week so had to stop by the oar for my customary Narragansett and a blue cheese burger at the bar. Service was great, burger was cooked well. However the angus meat did not seem as flavorful as I remember it. People watching was excellent, love to watch people struggle with the dingy dock so early in the season. I know I'm bad, sorry but true. One question, why can you not get a burger on the lawn??... my brother had the new sushi addition and said it was pretty good considering we were at the oar. As far a I know its the only place to get it on island so far, they get points for that. I must also give kudos for the decorations inside, especially because I have had an oar there for the past 15 years :-)
(4)Job M.
I go to Block Island 2-3x in the summer each year. I am a pilot and fly into the Block Island Airport. It's $10 landing fee at BID. Then I take a taxi to town $11.71 for 2 people for a 5 minute ride. I then rent a bicycle at island moped for $20 for the day( coupon on line $5 off ). I then ride from the old harbor to the new harbor for lunch at the Oar. The Oar is usually crowded for lunch . But I have never had to wait more than 20 minutes and usually a lot less. I go to the Oar for the unbeatable view of the harbor. The food is good but not excellent . But the beer batter fries are to die for. And the fries get better as the batter gets better as the season wears on. The oar offers salads hamburgers and fish sandwiches . It's not fancy but I had the mahi mahi and it was tasty. I do wish that the Oar had fresh caught fish. But the Oar has great views, good food , good service at reasonable prices.
(4)Mary J.
This place was recommended to me by people I met sitting at a bar the previous night. I think they recommended it because of the view, because the food was disappointing. The deck was cold even with the plastic shades down, and they had gas heaters out that weren't turned on. However it did end up being my cheapest dinner during two weeks of working on the island.
(3)Arlynn B.
I'll give 1 star to this place because of its view. Service and drinks were terrible! I work in hospitality and understand that when it gets busy, it GETS BUSY, however, the art of it is not to let the customer feel like they are interrupting what you are doing or how stressed you are. I will never go back nor I'll recommend it to anyone. Tip: take your bike, car or simply walk over to The Champlins, now that is a great hospitable place!
(1)Caitlin M.
A great place to stop by after the beach for some late afternoon snacks and cocktails. Be sure to get their Mudslides!!!
(5)S M.
Food was good but the beanbags made it great!
(4)Maelina F.
Go for the view if that's all you're looking for. I'll give it that. However, between myself and my friend, we spent $100. You'd think they'd give you actual, non-plastic plates for the price you pay. I'm not one for pretention, but I found that slightly ridiculous. The sushi was decent, but not out of this world. My portion of Mahi-Mahi was very small for the price. It was good, but didn't blow my mind. Neither did the salad, also served in a plastic plate with the dressing in a plastic container. I wouldn't return there. It's a good thing another local recommended Winfield's the following evening; that place blew this place out of the water (pun intended).
(2)Winifred X.
The decoration of this place is certain interesting enough, GORGEOUS view of the new harbor, and thousands of oars hanging overhead... They also have an outdoor patio area, which can be very scenic in the warm summer days... food: - crab cake (~$10) - alright - $2 Narragansett beer -- excellent - sweet potato fries -- good - $17 cold lobster roll -- bun is toasted nicely, the lobster meat is plenty, but they could use a bit more sauce or add some more taste to it.. to be honest, I don't see why anyone would say it's the "BEST" lobster roll they've ever had, that's misleading.... this place is Avg food, avg price, AWESOME view and GREAT spirit. the food here is solid and decently priced for a tourist location such as BI... it's the VIEW that gets you here... =) Oh, be aware that recommendations on BI is always "good", they are all neighbors, why would they say something is not good to any tourists? When our inn keeper recommends something, basically you just have to evaluate their opening hours, location, view, and the food + price around here are all avg at best...
(4)Thommee H.
After having sampled other places on the island, I'm happy to upgrade my rating and say that this is one of our favorites. The setting is beautiful, the service was much better this time, and while the presentation isn't much, the execution of the dishes (moderate priced New American) was very good. The clam chowder and salsa/chips/guacamole were only average, but the kids meals were good quality, and my wife's scallop roll and my blackened mahi mahi were excellent. I was surprised at how good the sweet sriracha and kiwi sauces that came with my dish were.
(4)Barack O.
My favorite restaurant during the summer. Best food.
(5)Scotty C.
I am definitely a fan. The atmosphere is very laid back and cool. It is set on the water in front of a marina. Our server Liz was super friendly and on top of everything. The chowder is very good. I ordered a Lobster Roll. Got a good amount for the price but tasted a little plain. Probably should've requested a little mayo. The Gansett's were flowing and tasted great and for only $2. Expect a little wait even on a Thursday afternoon but feel free to grab a drink and play a little bean bag toss out on the lawn. I would recommend and definitely go back.
(4)Brian S.
Oars and seafood I love this place. If you ever wonder why it is called The Oar", look up. You we see zillions of painted oars hanging from the ceiling. Just hope one doesn't come down and bonk you on the head. The place has much more than just a lot of strangely painted oars waiting to kill you. You can eat inside or out and get plastered while watching fantastic sunsets is a Block Island tradition. They serve breakfast but I have to admit I have never been here that early but the rest of the menu is quite eclectic. Items like the ubiquitous lobster roll, jumbo scallops and friend fish to burgers, dogs, tacos and even a great veggie burger. Last time I was there they even had buckets of fried chicken. If you can't find something you like here you are in trouble. Some places have great decor and location but lousy food, others have good food but no atmosphere. The oar is one of the few places that has both. A great place just as long as one of those funky oars doesn't come down and crack you on the head.
(5)Angela C.
A solid open deck, lazy evening location watching the boats come in and out of the marina. The service is friendly, immediate and quite nice. We went in to sit at the bar, enjoy the local flavors and dine on appetizers and a lobster roll. Will we return, absolutely! I believe this may be one of the best places on the island to dine, mix, mingle and take it all in. The menu is quite diverse with choices for all food types, meat lover to vegetarian. The value is all relative to the prices of the island and the opportunity for outstanding views. The lobster roll was jam packed with fresh lobsta' and the red hummus dip, plentiful. The only disappointing aspect of the meal was the octopus salad which should have been called cucumber salad with octopus rather than the other way around. It was tasty and light - perfect for a lunch snack.
(4)Jason D.
Food is pretty good...I wouldn't get too ambitious with the ordering, but the product is just fine. Apps were good, I had a sushi roll as well that did the trick. Beer and cocktail list was quite robust. Atmosphere is perfect for Block Island and the views can't be beat.
(4)Judy L.
Good new England clam chowder. So-so Mahi Mahi crab cake platter, lobster roll. Great view of harbor. Bustling restaurant.
(3)KJ L.
Arrived on a Saturday afternoon, just after a rainy morning so it was busy but not crazy. We first sat at an outdoor table labelled cocktails only and after about 10 minutes two of the adirondack chairs overlooking the harbor opened up. After about 10 more minutes, I walked inside to the bar to get two of their "famous" mudslides. They are premade in a slurpee machine and the tab was $17! If you haven't gathered yet, we got NO service at all. Not one bit of acknowledgment that we were even there. Not a hello or goodbye or we'll be right with you.....nothing. Another place that has a great spot and thinks it can do whatever it wants.......I won't go back.
(1)Kiran L.
The view of New Harbor/Great Salt Pond from the restaurant was really nice (esp because we got there right at sunset), as was the whole oar concept, with tons of colorful wooden oars covering the ceilings and walls in the main dining room. It was jam packed when we got there, so we waited at the bar and ordered a couple apps which were so-so. We sat on the large covered porch near the outdoor bar and the seating was OK. We ate/drank out of plastic plates/cups which was a little tacky. The regular menu was rather inexpensive but the sushi menu was pretty pricey. The food wasn't impressive at all. Soggy and tasteless, my veggies were so overcooked that they fell apart on the fork. The "jumbo scallops" I ordered were small and bland. My boyfriend ordered their fried chicken (something they're known for), and it was gross- the fried batter fell right off the chicken; needless to say he didn't eat it. We did however order sushi which was DELICIOUS, so I recommend trying the sushi more than anything because it saved the meal! I might come back here for a super casual lunch, but for a nice quality dinner without plastic ware I'd look elsewhere on the island!
(2)Jeffrey B.
A great place for breakfast and Lunch. Been going here since I was a kid. I haven't been disappointed yet.
(5)Elizabeth D.
Love this place. My husband and I were married on the Island go back every chance we get. Our trips are never complete without a stop at The Oar. Great food, fantastic view and cold beer. Perfection!
(5)Clancy C.
Love the Oar! Fabulous view, especially sunset! Great drinks, casual food, good sushi! Mudslides! It's not fancy, so don't be surprised by the plastic cups and plates, but prices are very reasonable, at least for Block Island. Staff is usually attentive and smiling. Can't beat the location on New Harbor! Come by car, moped or boat! We make a point to go every time we're on the island during the season!
(4)Todd O.
The food here is ho-hum. You are in for quality on par with an average street vendor. My blackened fish sandwich was drenched in spices in, what I assume is, an attempt to mask bad tastes. My wife's lobster roll was middle of the road. However, the mudslide is off the hook! It alone merits 5 stars. I'm sure it's 1000 calories, but well worth it! There are a couple other tasty drinks. Overall, avoid the food, enjoy the drinks.
(3)K. G.
On Block Island, where one's better restaurants are severely limited, The Oar is a winner. Super casual. Great views of the New Harbor. On the long weekend we were there, BF and I went twice for lunch and both times we were not disappointed. Clam chowder is DE-LISH. Lobster Roll (ordered twice) was awesome; big chunks of lobster throughout. Lobster BLT - equally good. I ordered the mahi mahi fish tacos once and they were good... not the best I've had, but def good. It's gonna sound strange coming from a cheese lover but there was almost too much cheese in the tacos... it kind of masked everything else. I think it would have been perfect had they had a slightly lighter hand with the cheese... but again, as a cheese lover... I can forgive them. Place is busy and bustling but service never lacked. Great spot.
(4)Susan K.
The food has become quite pricey, especially the sushi. Best part of the Oar is drinking top shelf mudslides on adirondack chairs overlooking the harbor-
(3)Doug T.
This was our first stop upon visiting the Block. They had Loose Cannon (one of my favorites) on tap, so I had to order one. I forgot all about the fact that they are known for their mudslides. I would later learn that several bars on the island have Loose Cannon on tap and make a mean mudslide. 3 days later, I found myself 34 pounds heavier and pondering how many bottles of Kahlua the island consumes each day. Back to The Oar. They have a great bar that overlooks the marina, as well as a lawn area with quite a few covered picnic tables and a boatload of cornhole sets (the game where you throw the bean bag filled with corn into the hole...what did you think I was referring to?). We visited The Oar 3 times during our trip (lunch, dinner, afternoon drinks), and I am confident in saying that this place is worth checking out. I'm still wondering how many row boats you have to build before they let you hang your oar above the bar.
(4)Enday G.
Lovely view of New harbor and good beer (go for the local Narragansett Summer) what else do you need? :) I had a nice sandwich with salmon. Affordable prices (probably closer to the $ sign rather than $$). Service vary, I had been there a few times sometimes it was better than other times.
(5)Michelle R.
Fresh fish, great flavors, healthy... Amazing view of the water over the deck. By far the best place we ate at over the whole weekend in BI
(4)Lisa M.
Fantastic view, very good food. You'll do best if you go at an offtime, as the lines can get quite long.
(4)John C.
We came for lunch and the food was excellent. The blackened Mahi was just spicy enough and very moist and tender. Interior is very interesting with Oars from around the world hanging in the ceiling. The place was jammed but the service was good. I will definitely come back on my next trip to Block Island.
(4)Erik S.
The Oar is fine. My burger was well-done instead of medium-well. It also was a bit bland, but it was fine. The iced tea was pretty unremarkable as too. Nothing here is bad, but I wouldn't say anything is particularly special either.
(3)sakae i.
Had a drink pre-dinner hour. Block was deserted post-hurricane Irene so we thought they would be happy to have some business. Sullen bartenders. Ok drinks. This was our second trip to Block. Both times we came in August. They either are tired of tourists or just dislike them in general it seems. The menu did look fairly wide ranging and appealing but I doubt we'll go back.
(1)Milo J.
Disappointing! The yellowfin tuna was gristly and the blackened mahi was way overcooked. The view is pretty but don't come here for the food or you'll be disappointed. The saving grace was a very nice waitress! Too bad the kitchen doesn't give her much to work with.
(2)susan n.
We had lunch here in a big group (8 adults, 2 babies). We were surprised to be seated quickly (within 10 minutes). It was off season (last weekend in Sep)...but still! The weather was beautiful, and what a great place to enjoy a beautiful day. I love this place. Grab a delicious Bloody Mary and sit down on a huge Adirondack chair on the lawn, overlooking the water. Life is good. They are known for their Mudslides. I tasted one, and it was good...kinda like a dessert in a glass. Not my kind of drink though. I have to say the Bloody Mary was absolutely delicious - one of the best I have had. There was some sort of herb in there, I couldn't place it. My Bloody Mary expert friend thinks they use Clamato. Whatever they use, whatever is in there, I don't care...just get it. I also noticed $2 Naragansett beer and $4 other beers on the menu. WOW! I nice place on the water that serves reasonably priced drinks. Nice! The menu was average. I enjoyed the clam chowder...nice and chunky, although a little bland. I am a clam chowder fanatic, and I enjoyed it. The crab cakes with Sriracha are fantastic. I don't normally like crab cakes, but I loved these. I ordered the lobster club, because I am a lobster roll fanatic. FANATIC. The club was not good, unfortunately. Too much stale bread. The lobster was chunky. However, it was also dried out. Needed more mayo. Very disappointing. Fish tacos were good too. The service was less than stellar. You could tell it was off season, and they had a "don't care, it is after the storm" attitude. My friend and I both ordered our lobster clubs without bacon (my friend being Muslim, and me not preferring bacon). When they came out with bacon, we pointed it out and the waitress scooped up my friend's club and promised to get another. When I pointed out I asked for no bacon too, she gave me a hard time. I didn't want to argue, so I just picked off my bacon and gave it to my hubbie. No big deal, but I was surprised she would question me the way she did. I was more forgiving, but this and some other minor things annoyed my husband and really ruined his lunch. The manager was full of attitude as well. When I asked for a business card, he gave me an attitude. I am so sorry I am inconveniencing you, man. He was snapping at waitresses. He was unnecessarily rude to a little old lady that pointed out a problem in his parking lot. So the food is nothing to write home about, but not bad. The service needs a lot of work. But the location, the drinks, the experience can not be beat!
(4)Heather K.
There was nothing better than after a BEAUTIFUL day riding the moped around Block Island stopping at The Oar for a Frozen Mudslide and some delicious calamari before you catch the ferry home. We sat at the bar on the porch that faces out onto the water and marina and were greeted by friendly and funny bar matrons and felt like we were in Paradise. Great time!
(5)K H.
My husband and I stopped in for a cocktail June 12,2013. We had peel and eat shrimp and oysters from the salt water pond on BI. The food was great and so was the service. Beautiful view of harbor!
(5)Harley M.
The service is great! The food is really good to. We go there almost every day. The reason you should go there, is the unbeatable view of new harbor. That is what makes it spectacular. Their salads are great and so is their sushi. Also they have incredible burgers and fries. I hope you check it out.
(5)Elizabeth P.
As I forgot my ID at the house (idiotically stupid of me, I know) and consider it a good day when I pass for a college-age student, my lunch at the Oar was limited to the food. Overall, the quality left much to be desired. There were a couple of hits, but quite a few misses. The Oar has a fun, chaotic feel. It's right next to the water (which means nice views) and offers two choices of outdoor seating: the lawn next to the docks and a semi-outdoor raised porch, which has a roof. After waiting about twenty minutes for a table, we sat on the raised porch, which was quite crowded and noisy. In testament to the name of the place, there are decorated oars hung around the restaurant. It's a bit kitschy, maybe, but it works. The servers were all very friendly--they seemed to be mostly college students working on the Island for the summer, which is typical. The menu is rather large with a focus on traditional American food and seaside fare: numerous fried options, burgers, salads, wraps, tacos/burritos, sandwiches, and some entrees. The Oar also serves sushi, which was quite the surprise; however, it's priced quite highly compared to the casual Japanese restaurants I've been to. My table started with an order of the fried calamari to share which went over quite well. The calamari was well-fried and tasted nice and fresh. Successful entrees to hit my table were the grouper tacos and the Asian salad topped with sesame-crusted Ahi tuna. The fish in the tacos was very much enjoyed and worked well with the other components (salsa fresca, shredded cheese) in the shell. The Asian salad had a lot going on, but everything worked nicely together and the tuna was left nice and rare. The side of fries that we ordered for the table was also very tasty: they were beer-battered and had a great crunch to them. On the other hand, the other three-fifths of our entrees were less successful. The cheeseburger tasted okay, but was way overcooked: it arrived at a barely pink medium to medium-well instead of the medium-rare at which it had been ordered. My chicken tacos were also quite disappointing: the baja sauce listed on the menu was absent from the tacos, which meant that they were quite bland. The proportions of the ingredients with the taco also seemed off: there was way too much of the garlicky salsa fresca, and not enough meat or cheese. Finally the blackened mahi-mahi entree was a total flop: the fish was overcooked, the mango salsa wasn't very good, and the rice and beans side was bland. Based on our mixed experience, I would recommend sticking with things from the sea (preferably fried) when you visit the Oar. And if you need it to get a drink, don't forget your ID!
(2)Desiree P.
Good Margarita! App $8 for 16oz. It tasted as close to a Margarita as I could find on Block. GREAT sushi. Spicy Tuna Roll was terrific. Caprese chicken salad was delicious; very juicy, thick, and the roll wasn't overbearing.
(4)pamy g.
Good stuff Great place to great plastered on those warm summer nights. Great views of New Harbor. Some interesting people. Pretty good grub Weird stuff hanging overhead Bad stuff Some nasty drunks on occasion Weird stuff hanging above your head
(5)Cassandra W.
The mudslides at the OAR are all the rave, so I had to have one.. or two. A friend suggested vanilla vodka and that made it all the more delicious. I say come here, grab a bite, a mudslide or your beverage of choice.. sit with a great view. When you're done, rent a bike at the shop right across the way. That's the way to go!
(4)Chris P.
Great spot to scooter to. I had grilled mahi mahi tacos and my man had the fried chicken. Both very good. Attentive service. Beautiful view cold brews Simple patio style dining
(4)J T.
Get a $2 Naragansett here and some onion rings or sweet potato fries! I was disappointed that the self-described "best lobster roll on the island" was pretty plain - good, fresh lobster but not much else (i.e., lacking in additional flavor) and on a bulky roll (I'm partial to the New England style hot dog buns). Waitress was fun and on top of it. Great view, of course, as the only place to go in New Harbor.
(3)Mandy S.
all I have to say is BEST.MUDSLIDES.EVER.
(5)Dottie N.
I'm a boater who has eaten at The Oar many times over the years, but not in the last few years. I was disappointed when in mid-September we took friends from St. Louis who were with us on the island. The food was OK but nothing special. The worst thing was that there were fruit flies bothering us constantly at the table. Not dangerous I know but very annoying. Message to the Oar: you can get rid of fruit flies by pouring a little white wine (I use vermouth) in a small dish; cover with plastic wrap and take a large skewer and poke four or five holes in the top. The flies fly in but can get out. You could put a bunch of these "traps" out at night and bring them in when you start serving again. I'll bet you'll get rid of all your fruit flies in less than a week.
(2)Mike M.
Great food, cheapest prices. Pretty good service too.
(4)Kenneth H.
Ate there 5/16/13. Very disappointing. First, when I checked Yelp using "open now" filter The Oar did not show up. I called them and they were, indeed open. We decided to go, and clicked on "Directions" which led us to a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. I then called the restaurant for directions, and they seemed irritated and said "Dude, it's a small island, just keep making lefts!". We almost changed our plans, but since we had received recommendations from friends we decided to give it a chance. We were seated near the window, which had a nice view, however after we placed our order the sun started to get in our eyes. We asked if we could switch tables and they told us no. One of us ordered a mixed drink, which was $8.50 and very disappointing; it was basically a glass of ice, very little to drink, and it tasted alcohol free. The food was decent, which is why I'm willing to give 2 stars instead of one. I don't think I'd go back.
(2)Robert P.
For the summer of 2010 no change. My previous review still is good. A very nice place, especially for the afternoon cocktail hour!
(3)James M.
Spectacular view at the bar at lunch. Best mudslide on the island due to bartender's ratio of ingredients. Ask for top shelf.
(5)Meg M.
Great wings and cheap drinks. Awesome service and super convenient to the sailors and boaters who frequent the island. Great place to watch the game. Go in, belly up to the bar and ask for Seth.. he was our Block Island welcome committee. My friend Liz and I had the time of our lives partying on the beach til 4 am. Cant wait to get back down there!
(4)Linda S.
My husband and I always have lunch at the Oar when we spend the day biking on BI. Great view from the deck, good service, and reasonable prices. My black bean burger with mango salsa was delish, and only $6. Side of sweet potato fries was also yummy.
(4)Mike M.
Great service! The place is the real deal. Family owned an operated! Same manager for 10 years. Plenty of parking. The kitchen is clean and all the food is fresh. Great for kids. Best prices on Island!
(5)Rob B.
Good food, leaning toward fried. Don't miss the mudslides, order top-shelf!
(3)Patrick H.
The lady in the Block Island Visitors Center gave us a suggested bicycle route around the island and said to stop at The Oar for lunch. The restaurant deck and outdoor bar has a great view of the new harbor. Inside, there are dozens of decorated oars hanging from the ceiling. I ordered a cold lobster roll (~$17) and the amount of lobster in it was a little more than I was expecting. The slaw that comes with it was not great but make sure to order up some tasty sweet potato fries! Service was good.
(4)Robert M.
Great Lobster roll and chowder. A must try when on BI.
(5)Matthew W.
Fresh sushi. Dog friendly. Oceanside seating. Amazing mudslides
(4)