4. Restaurants

Champlin’s Seafood

256 Great Island Rd, Narragansett, RI, 02882
  • (401) 783-3152
  • Store is closed

Champlin’s Seafood Menu

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  • Nathan S.

    I have been going to this restaurant for over 25 years after two visits within a month this is by far the worst year to go to champlins for food! As I sit and write this review I am finishing a warm pint of white chowder from champlins and besides the issue of temperature the flavor is not what it used to be, maybe a change of recipe? However what is most upsetting is that for the first time since I've been going here during the months of June, July and August they will not take phone pick up orders! They claimed it is because "they are just to busy" this is very bad for business and can only be explained as laziness they never had a problem in the past and no other restaurants in the area that take to go orders will refuse a phone order! I post this in the hopes that someone will make the proper corrections before they lose the bulk of locals that refer friends, family and tourists. I will be checking back to see and will let helpers know!

    (2)

  • Mary R.

    Lunch with the family. Fried shrimp, clam strips & calamari. All super fresh and yummy! The sangria was fantastic. Mid May so there was no wait and the food came fast. Can't wait to come again.

    (5)

  • Tina P.

    Well, here is some tips for ordering....the steam founder is so good, hot and juicy, very fresh. Add the sweet potato fries for extra $1.50, its worth it. Huh..the fried stuff, scallop seems to be really expensive lately, so skip it. and when we ordered the fried one, they served it half warm ...not sure why. The fried smelts is really worth it, big portion and very fresh. Its crowded in the summer time but not horrible, its seafood fast food, not a fancy place. Wish the price would be more fair though. ($20.99 for fried scallop is a bit steep). Very nice sunset view from the outdoor seating. Recommend to sit outside.

    (4)

  • Bruce M.

    Good place. It's a little on the pricey side, in my opinion. But the food quality is very good and the view from the table is outstanding. Started off my meal with a cup of New England Clam Chowder. Gooooddd chowda. Very impressed. For dinner, I chose the steamed clams with a side of onion rings while my traveling companion had a tuna roll. All food was fresh, hot and tasty. However, my friend's corn on the cob had some sort of a film on it that made it distasteful. When pointed out to staff, it was immediately replaced. Small bar near the counter. Friendly service all around. We could see just why this place is an institution in RI. Parking is a little ugly here. But once parked, they'll let you stay for two hours. Go for dessert downstairs at the ice cream shop and you'll be thrilled. We'd go back. It's a nice little place. If you fail to notice the menu at the bottom of the steps, you'll see a huge menu at the order station. Lots of t-shirts and hats for sale, too. Nice joint. Check it out.

    (4)

  • Greg S.

    Just finished eating my lunch enjoying the beautiful view of the harbor from the deck seating that's available and recommended if the weather permits. The smell of the ocean in the breeze perfectly compliments the dining experience. The food is ordered at the counter and then picked up when your number is called. I ordered the lobster salad roll with an added side of onion rings which did include an additional cost. The lobster salad roll was served on a buttered toasted/grilled roll, the lobster was very fresh and well portioned (although let's be honest there could never be enough lobster). I washed everything down with an orange soda because they serve Pepsi product. The onion rings were good but not necessary to order again. I would definitely come back here and dine again.

    (4)

  • Joao Pedro L.

    I drove all niiiiiight... No, it's not the Roy Orbison song. I really wanted to try Champlin's Seafood while driving through New England. In a cold night in December it seems to take forever to dry along the coast of Connecticut and Rhode Island, but it was worth it. I was almost the only client in this place, has all the looks of being pretty crowded during beach season, so I had all the dining area to enjoy my delicious lobster roll. Go prepared to eat a lot of lobster, because they serve a mountain of lobster on the roll (then again, there's no such thing as too much lobster).

    (4)

  • Nancy F.

    Well we had a seafood combo platter, clam strips, oysters, a piece of fish, shrimp and scallops. Pretty large platter, but not for one person. It's good! Had lobster bisque. But did not like the watery broth clam chowder. Not good. Enjoyed the wonderful idea of ordering and sitting down family style! Great place!

    (3)

  • P E.

    Local beer, seafront view that was *spectacular*, and seafood by the pound--literally. I was showing family members around and this was the perfect place to go. We loved the huge oysters that came with our fairly priced raw bar, and we tried their lobster special, where we went downstairs to pick out the live lobster we wanted, which ended up being a steal, as well! They have everything here. Love everything about this wonderful spot. 10/10, would come again (and again).

    (5)

  • Amanda C.

    I love the lobster bisque!!!!

    (5)

  • Steve V.

    Not a bad spot for seafood if your in the Narragansett, Galilee area. Basic fare, clamp ckaes, chowder, steamers, etc.. The lines can get long, and the prices are high, but a nice place to finish the day after being on the beach. Tha atmosphere is nice, overlooking the docks, and beach. The dining room has recently been expanded, and renovated, as well as adding a larger bar, and raw bar. Bring your appetite, cash, and tums!

    (3)

  • Giorgi O.

    We are here on a Sunday in mid-September. We had no wait, choice of anyplace to sit, and enjoyed our meal. They forgot one part of our order so we were not charged for it but because we had to wait for that food to be made everyone else's food got a little cold sitting there so that's why we took a star away. Otherwise, lovely experience!

    (4)

  • Samantha R.

    Went here over Memorial Day weekend with a group of friends - we showed up around 8:30 and everything seems to close at 9 around here so we nearly had the place to ourselves. They have a small bar you can sit at and some outdoor seating, but it was chilly so we grabbed an indoor booth. The food was ready really quickly - three of us got whole lobsters which were perfect. The accompanying slaw was really good and light on the mayo, and fries were good. My boyfriend loved the tuna steak. We shared a pitcher of white sangria which was not good, pretty watery and weak, but clearly this wasn't the place to order sangria... poor group decision-making. But the food was great, I'd definitely come back.

    (4)

  • Madelaine G.

    Really nice views of the fishing boats coming in. And nice for me to entertain the kids while other people finished eating by walking around outside, going down by the water... Walking to the beach after dinner. This might be a 4, but just something lacking. We got some lobsters and a heaping mound of fried seafood (a "platter"). Fried stuff was good, just not as good as fried stuff can be, if you know what I mean. For the lowbrow process of waiting in line, ordering, ordering drinks separately, etc, it's all just kind of expensive.

    (3)

  • Dorothy T.

    Interesting establishment: restaurant, seafood market, ice cream parlor...talk about one stop shopping. I think there was a bakery also..... The views from the upstairs restaurant were amazing. Right on the canal to watch the tugboats and other small boats come in and out. Very casual. Reasonably prices. Good food. Be careful of the oyster shucker....he left a little bit extra sand and water in the oysters, but still pretty good. Would come again.

    (4)

  • Yvette P.

    Went to the market portion and picked out live lobsters. Was a fun experience. Staff was helpful and friendly. He even noted that one was damaged and had me pick another. Tried the homemade ice cream and it was definitely fresh. Yum. Didn't try the restaurant but seems like the food would be good and view nice. Spent some time afterwards watching the boats come in.

    (4)

  • Jennifer E.

    Hands down the best place to get authentic New England seafood. Steamers are always perfect, lobsters cooked perfectly, great whole belly clams, great crab cakes. I could go on and on! I come to RI every year and grew up with New England type food. This place tastes like home! Friendly service and amazing views.

    (5)

  • Jenna C.

    Champlin's is a southern RI institution when it comes to clamcakes and chowder. You can order it, and then eat it on the rocks, waving to passing fishing boats. Their fried fare, clam strips and bellies, and the stuffies, are good too. I really, really like their snail salad, found in the fish market below. It's not too pricey, it's about standard for everywhere in the area. Parking is rough, but if you can find it, it's well worth it. There's a candy/ice cream place below (don't know what it's called), and Champlin's has an fish market in case you want to buy fresh seafood, right off the boats.

    (4)

  • Katie W.

    I've been coming to Champlin's since I was a little kid and have many fond memories of enjoying delicious seafood here. I've also gotten to see how it has changed over the years as they have made upgrades to the restaurant and added features that I am sure bring in more cash such as a full bar, raw bar and more recently apparel stuff. On summer nights there is usually a line down the stairs and most of the time it is worth the wait - what sells it is the view from the upstairs deck, not the food necessarily. There aren't any waitstaff, you place your order at the window and they will call you when it is ready (and they do bang out food pretty quickly, even when they are busy). The seafood is always pretty fresh as it is located right on the docks and they have a wholesale retail seafood store downstairs. You can even purchase your own lobster downstairs and they will cook it for you upstairs for a $3 charge....I usually get a lobster dinner when I'm here as well as some chowder. The chowder is real New England clam chowder - nice and brothy, not thick and creamy like many people envision chowder being. There are generally nice chunks of clams in here. Although I wouldn't say it is amazing the food is always consistent and it's hard to mess up steamers, so I always leave satisfied. I am an ol'G when it comes to eating lobster so I never use nutcrackers but if you do there is a $2 deposit fee. Over the years, the food has become pretty pricey but that is what is to be expected of a seafood joint in a touristy locale, although $8 for a pint of chowder is pushing it. The portions with the dinners aren't huge so I wouldn't expect to share (although if you get a fried platter there is only so much fried stuff you can eat). The non-alcoholic drinks come in one size. Alcoholic beverages are definitely pricey but not outrageous. They have expanded the indoor portion of the deck and I was disappointed to see that there is no more outdoor seating around the side that faces south because of the expansion. They also changed the booths and they slant upward which is weird and they are less spacious. Nonetheless if you get the right seat the views are lovely, you can watch the BI Ferry and fishing boats come in and out of the harbor. For me that is why I come here summer after summer. Come in early June or September and it's still beautiful but less crowded. Enjoy a stroll down the dock or on Salty Brine beach after dinner.

    (4)

  • J T L.

    Great atmosphere, that's for sure. I'm not sure why this place makes lists for the best lobster roll. It was small for the money we paid, and very bland. Drive out of the way to get there, so overall, it was disappointing.

    (3)

  • Kristen L.

    Great food and great view! Right on the water! My boyfriend and I went on the weekend and the wait wasn't that bad at all! You order your food first at the window and grab a table till they call your number! We got some clam cakes and clear chowder. So good!! Fried clams and fried squid! Fried fried fried!! Everything seems reasonably priced. Location and getting fresh seafood is worth what you pay!

    (3)

  • Glen J.

    Spent $75 on me my wife and son. I have been coming there since a kid. My son ate only one of his chicken fingers and said he was full. Well we took them home as they are $9.00 for chicken fingers with a few French fries. I heated them up when I got home and spit it in my plate! So did my wife they were pieced ground up chicken. These are the cheapest chicken fingers you can buy. Then my son said they tasted funny! I buy chicken fingers for my Bar at $32 a case for quality whole chicken breast HOW INSULTING! to serve that swill to my kid! Our seafood was ok but if they are willing to buy the bottom of the barrel chicken fingers at $9.00 for kids what else are they serving us. I am never going back again. For the money they charge you can eat anywhere down there and see boats. Large portions I never see that!

    (1)

  • Den z.

    Incredible stuffed clams (quahogs!) and the nicest people you'll meet to serve you. Gets very crowded on the weekends and holidays so arrive early or eat at the bar like a social person should :)

    (4)

  • Wendy S.

    I've been coming here for years - it is my "go to" place when I came back to visit in RI. Warm or cold, they always serve. It's not fancy or even really that comfortable. You have to climb a huge flight of stairs (not fun when it's freezing out) and all the booths are wood- no cushions. If it's nice you can sit outside and be on the water- that's when it's fun! They have a full bar as well. Typical NE seafood menu. Best: Steamers, fried scallops, lobster roll, steamed lobster ok: fried shrimp (small- not gulf shrimp), clam chowder and clam cakes You can even bring in your own lobster and they'll cook them for you for a charge per lobster! When I just want to eat good seafood, get it quickly and move on, this is the place. Georges can take forever and I don't like their food as well as I like it here. I never go on weekends during the summer- way too crazy for me, but all the other times,. I really like it here.

    (3)

  • Tim D.

    The best fish and chip I have ever had. The batter is very light, not heavy like a lot of other day places. This place is your best bet for seafood in the area. Very casual but very fresh and good!

    (5)

  • Jenn S.

    Great portions, prices were not bad and service was very nice. Seafood totally fresh and tons of seating inside and out on their terrace area overlooking the water.

    (5)

  • Jocelyn K.

    This is the 4th time I have visited Champlin's this summer for steamed lobster. Today, I felt that the twin 1 1/4 lb. lobsters were not worth the $. These lobsters chosen had molted VERY recently, and the amount of meat in them was very disappointing. I know that you pretty much have no control over what you get when you order a lobster, but I have never eaten a lobster that was this close to molting. For a cost of nearly $40, I feel that nicer lobsters should have been selected. I understand that this place is a popular destination for tourists, but for the locals that enjoyed steamed lobster, it was not a value on this visit.

    (3)

  • Kerry R.

    Here's my disclaimer: Fried food makes me sick. Violently ill really. I knew this going in so I'm not going to fault Champlins for those repercussions. Bottom line: it was worth it. Stood in line Saturday night for about a half hour. Even though we started at the bottom of the stairs, the line moved quickly enough. We were smart to send the guys to the bar for drinks while we waited in line. No whipped cream vodka, but I digress. We ordered the seafood platter, clam strip dinner and pint of lobster bisque. BEST DECISION EVER. The platter was scallops, fish, clam strips, whole belly clams and shrimp over a mound of fries. I wanted to try the scallops and both clams but I don't eat shrimp or random fish so I deferred those to the boyfriend. Scallops were perfect. I mean so tender, moist, perfectly fried. I should have gotten the scallop dinner. The clams were both awesome. It didn't hurt that this was a pile of food. We probably could have lived with just the platter but no worries, we dominated the clam strip dinner too. The lobster bisque was smooth, creamy, full of lobster. Absolutely phenomenal. I'd go back just to get that. Other people we were with got some of the raw bar oysters and shrimp. They were unimpressed and just based on the looks of it, the oysters had been sitting in ice for a while because they drowning in water. Not worth the $30 they spent at that bar. Their chowder was very thin and not very good. I'm a fan of thick New England clam chowder but I'm finding a lot of places on the coast do not have that but instead a thin, broth like "chowder." Up to you and your preference but I'll stick with my bisque.

    (4)

  • Chadwick S.

    Went here after the 4 star Yelp reviews, what a cruel joke. I get better bisque and chowder in Austin. Little lobster in the bisque, white chowder is just the clear with non-dairy creamer. Do yourself a favor and go to the better and more reasonably priced Shuckin Truck walking distance West.

    (1)

  • Joe C.

    Champlins is in the category of summer clam shack, but they serve all seafood. Pros: Outdoor Eating Simple Feel (Picnic Tables) Quality Seafood Bar Available Cons: Long Waits in Line Unorganized Small Portions Champlins is a RI institution and the food is very good because they use quality products. Fresh seafood is fresh here. My favorite dish here is simple Fish and Chips because they use flounder which is rare and they don't batter the fish, the coating is very lite. Tried a wonderful stuffed scallop last week (stuffie using scallops instead of clams) If your going down to South County and want to hit the beach and eat at a beach side restaurant this place is for you. Be careful trying to eat right around 6pm, the place is packed all summer. Long waits in line. Enjoy, thanks

    (4)

  • Rik M.

    The seafood was very fresh, even the shrimp from the gulf. It was pricey, but not terrible. I was particularly impressed with the scallops, tender and meaty, not chewy at all. I'm giving them four stars because the crab cake they sell was worse than the crab cakes I could get in Colorado Springs, CO. They should be ashamed to sell that crab flavored ball of breadcrumbs and celery.

    (4)

  • S Nicole M.

    Seafood in the rough at its best. Champlin's seafood has a winning combo of superior seafood and gorgeous views overlooking the channel into Galilee fishing village. Flip flops, bathing suits, summer casual, dinner attire - you see all kinds here. You do have to work a bit for your meal a bit, starting with a very steep flight of stairs. This location is not a ideal destination for disabled / elderly or wheelchair/stroller bound. To the best of my knowledge, there is no alternative access to the ordering and dining area. A good way around that? Find some seating at the picnic benches near the boardwalk and bring the food down. Line up, look at the menu board and come up with your order before getting to the window so that you can spread joy and happiness to those in line behind you who know exactly what they want to order. Food only at the first window. Drinks? Separate order. Step over to the left with your number tickie and get yourself a nice cocktail , beer, wine or soft drink with full bar service. Find your seat and wait patiently for your number to be called as the kitchen prepares your goodly treasures from the sea. A recent renovation features freshly finished tables and benches inside the sheltered dining hall. We always choose a booth outside so we can watch the ferry and the fishing boats while enjoying the salty breezes. Bring a sweat shirt or jacket as the outdoor seating makes the complete experience here. Favorite menu items: the classic over-filled lobster roll on the buttered hot dog bun, fish and chips and the RI chowder (clear broth base filled with huge piece of quoahog, taters, and onions - yum). Also veered off the fave list and ordered stuffed flounder and it was really, really fantastic. Could have easily split the order of two servings in the order with the steamed and buttered red potatoes. Lobster roll, stuffed flounder dinner, order of fries, chowder, clam cakes soda and a Sam Summer totalled about $50. Not a cheap date, but so worth it...and a must visit stop of summer.

    (5)

  • Mike G.

    I believe, it's impossible for anyone to complain about this place! But, really, I also only made one visit while I was in town visiting family so maybe after another 15 to 20 more dish tastings I MIGHT find something to complain about. But, I highly doubt it! This was really really good food! My fiancé and I couldn't make up our minds looking over their menu, so we decided to mix it up and share some dishes. We went with the steamed and fried shrimp dinners... both with MORE than a healthy portion of food for us to have alone, much less share each plate. The fried shrimp were not as big as I've had from other places in the New England area (see my Seafood Etc review) but Champlin's makes up for it by just piling on more shrimp. They had a nice little batter/crust to them that was actually seasoned so had a great taste, and were cooked to perfection so not chewy or too soft. Meanwhile, the steamed shrimp were a bit bigger. They were peeled already for us, but tail still on, and were also good. Not overly strong on the seasoning/flavor, but in a good way. So they were not overpowering. Fries, typical but good. Not over/under cooked and not over seasoned either. Slaw, I personally wasn't impressed, but she seemed to like it so I'll call that one fair. :-) All in all, this is a place I'm GLAD she has family near because I will be coming back for more if/when I can! Highly recommended. The service is great, food is delicious, and it's got a great view of the beach/harbor. A parking spot/short walk from the beach, so I can imagine it being crowded in the summer... but worth it!

    (5)

  • Steve L.

    Champlin's RESTAURANT is closed for the winter! Lunch at Champlin's has been a staple of every Narragansett trip, with its no-nonsense seafood counter serving up the freshest fried seafood anywhere in the state. Coupled with a fully stocked bar, the rest of your day on Point Judith is bound to be a stuffed, food-comatose delirium. Imagine my surprise on a February visit when I found the restaurant closed. Not deterred, stopped in the downstairs fish market and purchased some (hot) honey-smoked salmon for some walking-around food. Outrageously good, with firm but moist salmon bites complemented by heavy-duty smoking, much more substantial than that possible on nova (cold smoked) salmon. Note to summer self, stop downstairs on your way out!

    (4)

  • Jenny M.

    I absolutely love this place. They have local oysters at the raw and which are bar none. We have tried the burgers, linguine and clam sauce, lobster ad fried clams and scallops. Everything is perfectly cooked.

    (5)

  • Jack D.

    Lobster bisque and lobster salad roll were great, don't get the white clam chowder because it's not as good--they did warn us that it wasn't creamy and seemed watered down..clam cakes were also good

    (4)

  • Sharon S.

    I will say the view is great. They have good sangria but I've been disappointed by their food too many times. Twice we've gotten their clam cakes and the insides were uncooked and the seafood platter was WAY too greasy - it wasn't even busy. I feel bad leaving a so/so review - the staff is always friendly and the area is nice to bring out of town visitors but if you want good clam cakes my vote is Iggies or Aunt Carries.

    (3)

  • Allison T.

    Been coming here for years and it's gone slightly downhill, but is still comparable to the other casual seafood places in the area. Good drinks and the bartender is a hoot. This time our party of three had fish and chips, lobster bisque , a 1-1/4 pound lobster dinner and one vegetarian hodgepodge meal of cole slaw, corn on the cob, green salad and onion rings. Everything was acceptable to good, except for the bisque (outstanding) and the corn (overcooked and flavorless).

    (3)

  • Emmy G.

    Anyone who says this place is a tourist trap must be a tourist. Champlin's has been a family favorite since as long as I can remember. I grew up in RI and drive down from Boston whenever I get a chance to get the freshest seafood at the best prices possible. My boyfriend is now totally hooked and all winter he talks about what he's going to get next time we head down. You cannot get seafood like Champlin's in Boston! It's double the price and not nearly as great. Fried whole belly clam dinner for like $18? And way more clams than you can possibly eat?? Yes, please!! The baked stuffed flounder is amazing but not for someone on a diet. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the clam cakes and clear chowder. The white chowder is not thick - it's watery and perfect for dipping your clam cakes! My favorite part about Champlin's - the ambiance. It's the beach, baby! You order your food at a window, pick out a picnic table on the deck overlooking the water and wait for your number to be called on a loud speaker. Nothing is better than watching a boat deliver fresh clams or fish to the restaurant downstairs while you sip on a drink made by the wonderful bartenders with heavy hands.

    (5)

  • Lauren L.

    If you aren't so familiar with New England, let me just start by saying some summer time, the seafood is extremely fresh. I was counting down the minute to head home and have some lobster, to be specific, a lobstah roll. So while at work on Friday, even though it was the end of the month, I still found myself Googling: 'best lobster roll in RI." This is when Serious Eats came up with a listing of the best lobster rolls, in RI, Maine and Massachusetts. I'm immediately targeted the RI locations and started to educate myself. After reading the through the three locations, I decided Champlins was the winner. Now disclaimer for anyone who just spent three and half hours on a train and wants to be waited on, this is not the restaurant to head to. Yes, there is a fabulous view and nothing screams New England like this joint, but it's very similar to McDonalds in the sense, that you head to the window, place your order and they call your number over the loud speaker. Which is all well in good but make sure you have someone park the car while you go wait in line, which is exactly what we did. We had arrived around 7:45 and the line was around the corner and out the door. But since this was my pick for dinner we were waitin' it out. The line did move quickly, and after a quick scan of the menu it was finally time to place our order. Three lobster rolls, one clam roll, one order of chicken fingers and of course some cole slaw. 15 minutes waiting in line, 2 minutes at the window, 5 minutes of wait time then it was grub time. Champlin's has outdoor seating where you can see the Block Island Ferry coming in but they also have indoor seating. It's super casual, booth like seating and then a barn like room full of picnic tables. After my grandmother and I picked a table, we soon saw the boys bringing over the cafeteria style trays full of food. I had been waiting for this all day and whenever I saw the size, my eyes lit up like I just saw the gifts under the tree on Christmas morning! However, pictures were in order before diving in. The lobstah rolls are tail and knuckle meat. And they don't skimp either. For $15.99, they really hook it up and that's nicely priced too for the amount of meat you get. Light on the mayo, the way it should be done and served in a hot dog bun that has been buttered and toasted lightly on each side, it seemed like things were aligned for the perfect roll. However, the whole thing was just mediocre. I'm not sure if it's because I've been spoiled by Luke's Lobster or what but it just wasn't an out of the park win for me. Also, I believe a roll should at least be served with a pickle ... I know asking for Cape Cod chips would really be out of line, but serve something with it, just not the roll, it looked so lonely regardless of size. The rest of the lobstah roll crowd felt the same way. I can't comment too much on the service, but I certainly wouldn't be running back here anytime soon nor would I recommend anyone else heads there if they are looking for a true New England lobstah roll. And yes you've gotta say lobster with an ah, it's the icing on the cake for a true trip to RI.

    (3)

  • Jane H.

    Champlin's is my favorite clam-shack type place in all of RI. My perfect visit there means ordering the embarrassingly large seafood platter, and while I wait for my number to be called I sit at the teeny 3-stool outdoor bar "around back" and have a margarita on the rocks. I've even done that barefoot with beach sand still on my feet. Not sure if that's allowed or if it just went unnoticed.

    (4)

  • Jacqui L.

    Great place to sit and look at the harbor while you munch on a lobster roll. There is a bar, and a new raw bar, which is good, but takes a while. The food is great, and well priced, and i love to go downstairs and get fresh seafood to take home.

    (4)

  • Dan L.

    The food was good. The service is quick! The prices are fair. Decent beer selection. Nice venue by the water. Wasn't a nice day so the view sucked but I'm sure with fair weather its a great view.

    (4)

  • Brian C.

    Whenever I go to Rhode Island I MUST find crab cakes. If you are not from RI then you have never experienced a proper crab cake. I was here a couple weeks ago and took my grandmother. She's a little old Italian woman and she loves the food there too. Champlin's makes amazing clam cakes. Crispy and crusty on the outside light and doughy on the inside with plenty of fresh clams. You really can't beat it. I ordered 8, even though I knew grandma would only have 2 or 3 - I definitely won in this scenario. They nearly had to roll me out of the door. We also ordered some clam chowder (chowd'ah) and it was awesome. As good as I redmeber it being when I was a kid. Great place, simply atmosphere, right on the water. Living the life. They are open late into the season too!

    (5)

  • Julia K.

    First off, you need to understand Champlin's for what it is: self-serve. you carry your food on a tray and bus your own table when you're finished. Hear me on this, people: it is not fancy. My mother-in-law was horrified when I told her that my husband and I took my parents here. (they loved it, by the way) But for a carry-your-food-on-a-tray kind of place, oh. MY. GOD. Fresh off-the-boat goodness. The Husband loves, loves, loves the chowder here, and I have to agree - we've only had the Rhode Island Clear, chowder, though. But it's delicious and we love it. The Clam strips are little fried strips of greasy heaven -- crunchy, hot, well-seasoned greasy goodness. And the lobster - on my Goodness, the lobster! The steamed lobster dinner is the best ever. Dirt cheap (like, under $20) and always perfectly done. When we decided to come to Narragansett for vacation, my first words were, "Can we go to Champlin's every day for lunch?" The lobster roll is also excellent -- the bun is grilled to perfection, and the lobster is (again) super fresh. my only hint to Champlin's is to maybe add a little more meat to your lobster roll and throw in a shake or two of onion powder when you're mixing up that lobster - mayo - celery salad. The Clam cakes are good (again, hot, greasy, crunchy goodness), but a little heavy for my taste. Delicious, but they're heavy, so I can't eat more than 2 (possibly because we also get the chowder and clam strips along with, and that's a lot of fried goodness). It's also sort of cool to be able to walk around on the upper outside deck and look down at some of the fishing boats docked out on the water. You can't beat the view, either. I've also heard the wait can get ridiculously long in the summers, so be warned.

    (5)

  • Daniel P.

    Good seafood and location, worth an annual visit. Having a dinner seat directly above the port is another treat for kids to enjoy when the ferries return from block island. I get the swordfish every year, it's typically fantastic. This isn't a waitered restaurant, but rather a counter from which you pick up your food and you carry it yourself to your choice of indoor or outdoor seating. Mind the gulls, though. After dinner wraps up there is a nearby beach on which to stroll, too.

    (4)

  • Tashina B.

    The good: The fried seafood platter was wonderful as were the steamers. The chicken fingers were gobbled down buy my 2 year old and so were the fries. I liked that you could sit on the deck to eat. The sad: The business is not wheelchair accessible. I was VERY disappointed in the chowder.. Maybe it is just how they do it in RI but I am use to the thick chowders of Massachusetts. It was bland

    (4)

  • Marina C.

    This is an awesome seafood place with very reasonable prices at least by my skewed Pacific Northwest standards. They serve up good fish and excellent clam strips, their other dishes (like the coconut prawns) are of a more realistic style and price to the usual overpriced dishes in restaurants of what is basically Tiki bar food in reality. Portions are filling; service is prompt. The wood and all the pictures on the walls make a nice atmosphere, and I hope they're open at least some of the times in winter to hang out with hot coffee and watch the storms roll in, as the food really is great and worthy of appreciation for this kind of coastal deep fried seafood restaurant. They appear to also have a small bar.

    (4)

  • Stan S.

    This is the archetype for the R.I. seafood place. The deep fat fryer is king here. The Big Platter is far too much food for one mortal to eat alone. I make it a point to visit here every trip east to R.I., and my favorite is the lobster roll. The bisque is also very good. Any a terrific view!

    (4)

  • Joseph H.

    I love this place and have been coming back for years. the view and the atmosphere are great for a casual summer time meal, their clams are the best around.

    (5)

  • Dallas W.

    Great clear clam chowder and clam cakes. They have three kinds of clam chowder and lots of variety of seafood

    (4)

  • Ernest L.

    I love it. I've been here 5 times this summer. It's great for lunch on the way back after a weekend of camping at Burlingame. It's great for a lazy dinner at dusk . No frills, self-serve, good prices, good food. You can use the 10+ dollars you saved by not eating lobster at George's across the way on your drinks.

    (4)

  • David H.

    Went for lunch with my wife after a beach outing. Had a great meal of fried scallop sandwich (huge tasty sea scallops on a hot dog bun), fried fish, sweet potato fries, slaw and an quart of steamed clams. All were very tasty, fresh and hot. Place was not very crowded (Friday afternoon), but it was great to soak up the sun and sit and watch the ferries returning from Block Island. Problem - we stopped at their market under the restaurant after lunch and bought a pound of local shrimp - large size (sales staff mentioned they were Gulf Shrimp). Brought them home to cook and while peeling noticed that some were quite mealy and bad looking. This pound of shrimp was some of the worst we have ever bought at a local market - the bad shrimp looked like they suffered from over-freezing, fell apart in our hands as we shelled. We ate only about half - even my 10 yr old said they had no taste and we tossed the rest out - what a shame. I hope this is an unusual occurrence at Champlin's as we have always had great meals there.

    (3)

  • Stephanie S.

    My husband and I come here every time we are in town. The prices are great. If you want fancy, go elsewhere, but I think most ppl coming here understand its a casual seaside restaurant. We always get the "Child's Fish & Chips" because it's a Large, filling portion. Being from Mass, I must say all Champlin's chowders are watered down and tasteless. Even the lobster bisque is mediocre. Love the clam cakes. They also have a bar on the left where you can get a drink while waiting for your order. Get there before 5:30pm or the line will be out the door!!!

    (4)

  • Joe F.

    Finally a seafood place that takes the tails off of shrimp so I don't have to. Am I lazy? No because I don't have to take the skin off a steak. Steamed shrimp and mussels were good. The fish and chips my wife had we're not that good.

    (3)

  • Krysia K.

    It's just what you think of for fisherman fresh, dockside seafood joint. This is not a fancy place. Big, simple dining room and there's an outdoor dining deck that looks like it could be hopping on a weekend. There's a bar for beverage. This place is your basic seaside seafood shack. The prices are very reasonable and the food is a very good. My husband and I love the atmosphere because you can eat outside and watch the boats and ferries pass by. Though it's open year round, worth the drive, worth looking into.

    (4)

  • Joe P.

    What you will get from this place is a good portion of food for good value. You won't pay $20.00 for a clam plate, it will be around $15, which is good value. You won't get huge clam belly clams, you will get much smaller clams, but are still good. Good portions, decent bang for the buck, and you will leave full. Nice location overlooking the water.

    (3)

  • Sarah W.

    Super lobster, great view, and nice service--i'll come back to Champlin's! Be prepared to wait for your order. Also cross your fingers to discover a parking spot in their lot.

    (4)

  • Karen B.

    Don't waste your time if you're looking for good food. Yes the location is great, but that's about all you'll enjoy. We've been stopping here yearly for at least the past 15 years...and each year it gets worse. This had to be an all time low. The lobster bisque was too thick and had absolutely no lobster in it, not one chunk. The fried shrimp were a fraction bigger than what you would get in a CAN of shrimp and just as mushy and disgustingly greasy. The fried scallops that we were told were sea scallops were the size of most bay scallops and had no coating at all on them They were simply thrown in grease and then thrown onto the plate. Last year, I ordered a baked scrod dinner and the fish was raw in the middle and tasted sour. I had to ask for a manager because the girl at the window said "what do you want me to do about it?"... Um how about giving me an edible meal? I decided, reluctantly, to give them a try again this year but it is definitely the last time I would ever eat there. It's sad to see they don't care whatsoever about the quality of the food they serve. The 1 star is merely for the nice view.

    (1)

  • Lucy Z.

    We've been to a couple of seafood shacks around here and so far, this is definitely the best! Great fried clams (no grit!), chunky lobster roll and a nice Narragansett summer lager. What could be better? Oh ya, and an amazing sunset view! Lines can be long, but it moved pretty fast. Go get a beer from the bar while you wait in the line. The ice cream at the shop below is yum! I had chocolate peanut butter that was killer, kids had vanilla with Twix candy bar mashed in it along with a few other things. Decadent!

    (4)

  • Brian K.

    Self service. Good hot dog. Don't bother with the clam chowder thin and skimpy. Great view. Quick service. Sparse furnishings. Wife liked stuffed shrimp.

    (2)

  • Ryan C.

    I over looked Champlins many time on my Summers trips to Narragansett this time i did not, and this place is great watch to boats coming in to harbor . The fried sea food platter was the best i had ever had Tons of sea food not just a pound of Fry's with a little sea food on top!! 27$ I would pay it all day for want you get.Will come back at least once next year ! TIP get there early the line gets long real fast and can be very very long.

    (4)

  • Chris D.

    Went there with the family, had a really good meal. My son had Lobster Ravioli which he loved and I had fried scallop dinner which was very good and a lot of scallops on there as well. Little one had red chowder which also was very good and the wife had grilled scallops.. Beautiful view, nice place.

    (4)

  • Lauren P.

    GREAT food and GREAT for kids!! It's sort of like a fast food place, but with no fast food.... you go up to the counter, place your order (all AMAZING seafood-- make sure to get steamers!!) and then wait for your number then grab an open picnic table and feel free to make a mess!!! Enjoy--- a MUST if you are in the area!! :-)

    (5)

  • no v.

    Champlins is the Real Deal Making the ride home from Newport to NYC and craving some Down East seafood. Recalled a place near the Block Island Ferry and decided to make a stop with the kids. Rolled up and good old Champlins was unchanged perched between commercial rough and tumble seafood operations near the sea. Walked up to the window and ordered up some soft shell lobsters, steamers, fried clam bellies and chowder then to the bar for some Naragansett lager while waiting at a picnic table overlooking the harbor. The feast arrived in about 10 mins and was equivalent if not better than the best lobster pounds up in Maine and the prices were amazingly reasonable. Big NYC foodie here to tell ya that Champlins is the real deal!

    (5)

  • Ronda J.

    Went to Champlins July 1st with my friend. Craving for a decent fried clam dinner with the bellies and white clam chowder. What I got was 10 fried clams that was overcooked and tasted burnt and bitter. They don't call it white chowder they call it Milk Chowder. It was soupy and watery. My friend and I was sick later on in the day in the bathroom. I use to go there alot. The portions were huge, but now.. I don't know if they have a new cook but It was disappointing and won't go back again.

    (1)

  • Kimberly S.

    My all time favorite seafood place in RI!! Can't wait for it to open this season! I go almost every weekend in the summer! Delicious fish and scallops!

    (5)

  • Katie S.

    My family and I went to visit my brother who is a head counselor at Camp Fuller in Rhode Island. My brother recommended we have lunch at Champlins after I wouldn't shut up about wanting to eat clams all day. What was supposed to be a casual family lunch turned into the best part of the weekend and our father's day celebration. My parents and brother ordered lobster rolls and fried clams, and boy were they all sooo yummy. The lobster roll wasn't doused in butter, had crunchy diced pieces of celery, nicely seasoned and was light on the mayo. Thelobster meat was fresh, clearly not frozen before hand, (a la, Lukes Lobster in NYC). It was Perfect. The fried clams were also great, good frying batter and they used the whole bellied clam, it was not cut into strips. My cousin Hanna ordered Fish and Chips which she enjoyed. I ordered the 1 1/4 pound lobster and steamed clams. So good. The steamers weren't the best, I'm not gunna lie, but my lobster was great. "So Cheap, and juicy" as Regina Spektor would say. My mom looked at me as I cracked open my lobster and said "honey, is this your first lobster?" It wasn't but I am always a messy eater, whatever mom. I highly recommend Champlins when in Rhode Island. We go to RI a lot and seafood there, while bountiful, is hit or miss. This was a hit. I seriously think I was dreaming about the sea from the perspective of a fish that night. Mmm.

    (4)

  • Louise W.

    All through my child hood and teenage years, this is where my mother took me to have lobster, in the summer. Out on the deck, looking out at the Galilee docks, this is where I feel most comfortable eating one.While watching the boats and the ferry sail back and forth and the seagulls circle over my head. Sitting at a Champlin's wooden table, I have little inhibitions and tear right into a lobster. As bits of juice spray every which way, when I execute each crack of the shell.Then scooping out the precious lobster milk with my fingers.Heaven. I like eating all the weird lobster odds and ends, that most find disturbing but I find incredibly delicious. In a NYC restaurant, I could never get away with this, Most NYC lobsters come cracked, cut and cleaned with just the tail and claw meat. It's pretty anti climatic and never as satisfying as a Champlin's lobster. A Champlin's lobster is always accompanied by 2 boiled red bliss potatoes. Forever creamy in texture, in all my memories, and every time I eat it. Nothing beats this experience for me. The only thing I've found comparable to this is a Maine Lobster Pound.

    (5)

  • Eva S.

    This is my husband's all time favorite seafood place ever! We go everytime we come back from block island and stuff our faces with the seafood platter for two...which is really more like for 3. The scallops are amazing, the clams and shrimp are good too. The flounder is what I usually leave to him. This is a must try when you are getting off the ferry and before you head home!

    (5)

  • D D.

    Always come here, and no matter what, the food is always great! I am one of those people that if someone is from out of town, this is where I'll take them to show them good Rhody food.

    (5)

  • Summer B.

    Great seafood hands down. Fish and chips, baked salmon, clam cakes, chowder, they are all great! The prices are good and the portions big. Views of the boats coming up and down the waterway. On busy weekends be prepared to wait in line and look for a parking spot. ALSO- don't feed the seagulls. You can watch them without inciting a feeding frenzy.

    (5)

  • Jade N.

    Now this is what New England is all about!!! The seafood here is super fresh (right off the boat fresh) and 10 times more affordable then going to some stuffy high end resturant in Newport. Its located in the heart of Gailee, and although its not the fanciest place to eat, it sure is delicious. They offer rooftop seating over the water, but its casual enough you can walk in with your bathing suit on. If you are looking for a traditional new england seafood dinner such as lobsters, little necks, clams etc at whole sale prices, this is the place to come!

    (5)

  • Nidal F.

    Pretty good clam shack, not amazing, but not terrible. Had the soft shell crabs and they were decent.

    (3)

  • Joe C.

    Lately I've been on a clam chowder bing and frankly Champlin's makes one of the best chowders I ever had. I'm talking about their "clear" broth clam chowder (AKA: the Rhode Island version). I never had their New England or Manhattan chowder. Their clear clam chowder is jamb packed with lots of clams and potatoes. Some places add too much water and too much salt, but Champlin's uses just the right amount of everything. Also, some places make their potatoes wedges too too large, whereas Champlin's slices their potatoes to resemble small sugar cubes. This big grand daddy of clam shacks is divided into three sections: seafood market, ice cream shop, and restaurant. It's almost too big to be considered a clam shack but it meets all the basic clam shack criteria: on the water, window service, and outdoor seating. The top level seating area provides nice views of the docks and all the hustle and bustle of Galilee, Rhode Island. Many fishing boats and the Block Island ferries call this area home. So good luck finding a parking space during the peak summer months.

    (4)

  • Yaocheng L.

    I am not a big fan of Amrican food. The only reason I gave 4 stars is that I could see the Ocean and Seagull from the window. Besides, the lobster roll is nice. I had stuffed flunder fish, pardon me I am really not used to it.

    (4)

  • Jim N.

    Had x2 clam chowder bowls without any clams at a pricey $7.50 each. Not impressed. My daughter had a semi burnt hot dog with greasy french fries. We went there out of season so working towards earning another potential comeback customer was not so important obviously. Save your money go somewhere else.

    (2)

  • Michelle W.

    Meh. Not impressed. It's right on the water which is nice, but that's about it. Being a lifelong New Englander, I've had chowder and clam cakes up and down the coast. I ordered the white chowder which was watery, unseasoned and unfulfilling. There were a few decent chunks of clam and tiny diced potato at the bottom. The clam cakes were decently salted but not a whole lot of clam in there either. I just wasn't impressed and would much rather pay 1/2 the price and go to Iggy's. Hell, even places like Applebee's have better chowder.

    (2)

  • Justin C.

    I read about Champlin's in Saveur Magazine. I'm glad I went specifically for the fried oysters. They were divine - there's no faking when seafood has been caught within hours of when you're eating it. My family liked their dishes, but everybody wished they'd ordered what I had - the clam strips. I'm posting a picture so you can see the beauty.

    (4)

  • Terri B.

    Champlin's is the best for galilee seafood. I always get the wonderful fried clams with the lobster bisque. The portions are massive and the bisque is THE best I have ever had. I have been coming here since I was about 3 years old. It is a family tradition for me and I have driven here in the middle of winter for some bisque. I love the outdoor seating with a nice view of galilee inlet. I enjoy almost all of the other seafood places in the area but there is a special place in my heart for Champlin's. You have to give it a try on you next beach vacation to RI.

    (5)

  • SooJin C.

    This place fulfills a fried seafood craving but that's about it. Pros: - Location is amazing. We were there during sunset and if was a little bit warmer we would have dined outside to watch the gorgeous sunset. The third star on this review is purely for the location. Otherwise it would be 2 stars. - Yummy stuff on the menu like fried soft shell crab and conch fritters. - Quick service despite the long lines. You stand in line to order your food then they call your number to pick up at the counter. No frills and no BS. - Attentive staff. We ordered oysters at the raw bar. A kid that looked no older than 16 was there to shuck our oysters for us. He was very polite and quick. Even checked each oyster to make sure that none of them had gone bad. Let us know that a few in our order of 18 weren't fresh so advised is to replace with another kind of oyster. - Fried soft shell crabs were delicious. We ordered it a la carte without the slaw and fries and the order comes with two crabs lightly battered and crispy. - We ordered the seafood platter. They pile it on, more than enough for our party of three gals to share. Fried scallops and shrimp were better than the fish and clam strips. Cons: - The indoors dining area is really loud. We were there at the peak of the dinner rush and couldn't sit in the main dining area. The noise from diners, crying kids and the staff calling out numbers echoed in the room and made it hard for us to hear one another. Instead we sat in the back dining area closer to the bathrooms but that wasn't ideal since there was no view and I hate sitting by the bathrooms. - Fried clam bellies were sandy. I had to spit most of it out. - Cole slaw is clearly bought premade. It was not tasty at all. - Whoopie pie was a big disappointment. I ordered the red velvet and it turns out they ran out of it so they gave us the regular. They clearly kept these in the fridge because the cookies were super cold and the cream was nearly solid. These things should be light and fluffy and instead it was crumbly and ice cold. Bad way to end a meal. - They seem to run out of things a lot. In addition to the red velvet Whoopie pie, I overheard the staff telling a customer that they ran out if hamburger buns so they are using white bread for their burgers. That's just sad. - Bathrooms are dark and stinky. They need to clean it more often since most of their customers walk in straight from the beach. Gross. - Tables were dirty. The entire time we were there, about 1.5 hrs I didn't see one staff go around to wipe down the tables or sweep up the floors. We bypassed a table that was covered with food bits and liquid. Gross. Dine at this spot with low expectations but with an empty stomach.

    (3)

  • Cabernet S.

    Go ahead, believe the hype. The line out the door and down the stairway isn't there for nothing. Champlin is everything a seafood restaurant should be. Fishing boats from where the restaurant claims to buy their produce are docked literally outside your window, the breeze is salty with the smell of the sea and freshly fried and steamed food. Although there is a variety of seafood available, my advice is to stick with the native caught stuff like clams, mussels and some lobster. Although most of the menu is taken up by the hardy fried stuff like fried clams and scallops, my favorite were the steamed shellfish. I got a boxfull of clams for a really great price that had a divine lemony scent to them. I loved the chunky chowder, which avoided the mistake of being overly rich and creamy like the other places. It still retained the traditional chowder taste. Although I broke my rule of native seafood by getting the spicy fried shrimp, I wasn't disappointed. Although lines are long, they move fast, with plenty of seating for all.

    (5)

  • Drew G.

    I hold every other seafood establishment up against Champlin's. There was the first stop on family vacations before boarding the ferry to Block Island. Each bite reminds me of those early trips. There are a lot of places to get fish and chips in Rhode Island and they are good here as well but I would recommend the fishermans platter. This is the platter that has everything from the sea fried; fish, clams, scallops, shrimp, and even potatoes. There is a mound of food on this plate and you should probably split it with another person but I challenge you to take it on yourself. My rule about eating seafodd is that you must be able to see the ocean and that rule is delivered. You can sit and watch the fishing vessels come back into port while you eat and the inside is decorated with adornments from the boats Champlin's buys its fish from. Eat outside in the summer or stay in during the winter and enjoy the dining room to yourself. Fun Fact: Champlins is located in Galilee and Jerusalem is across the channel.

    (5)

  • Deb M.

    Like another reviewer points out..location awesome, I didn't mind standing in line either. The food however was not great. I ordered a flounder sandwich and my husband ordered a bakers dozen of cherry stones. The fish sandwich was gritty like I was eating tiny bones. Not to mention impossible to get in the roll they provide. I returned it, in fairness they offered me something else but I was turned off completely. My husbands clams were a bit slimy. After all I hear about this place I expected more...

    (2)

  • Steve D.

    Very busy at night in-season, decent food but nothing fancy at all. Great home-made Bloody Marys, good Fish and Chips, great onion rings. Other options aren't that good- stick with the basics of fired fish, clams, etc.

    (3)

  • BigJohnS F.

    Tourist Trap. Snack bar ambiance (which I like) with linen tablecloth prices. Fresh catch, indifferently prepared. Overpriced. Definitely not a good value... but, what is the alternative? Very disappointed that a fishing port with the appearance of competition can't seem to do better than a oligopoly bent on shaking tourists down.

    (2)

  • Blair F.

    Champlins is the best place to get great seafood in RI. Summer times are better when all their fish is local. You won't find fresher flounder or Striped Bass anywhere. Winter months can be challenging because these fish are not around in the winter time... so timing is everything. Ask for the fish out the orange fish baskets= freshest!

    (4)

  • Sis Y.

    I can't believe I haven't written a review of Champlin's yet! Okay we haven't been here this year but this is the place I go to when I want fresh seafood. I grew up on fresh seafood and am not a big fan of it. I definitely do not eat seafood in a regular restaurant unless it's the generic "fish and chips". Typically an order of fish and chips means you will get a batter puffed filet of scrod or pollock or sometimes cod. You will be lucky if the restaurant you're visiting even knows what fish their serving you. Champlin's is an over sized fish shack. I think last year the canopy that covered the outside porch was blown off (maybe it was the year before,) it has not been replaced so I'm not sure if you can sit on the porch. The view is excellent, you can see the fishing boats that come in, the seagulls flying over and the jetty that is now covered by a board walk. You used to be able to see right over to the beach until they added that ridiculous hut and windmill. More importantly: the fish is not the typical fish you get in any restaurant. They tell you on their website that they use "Flounder or Yellow-Tail" for their fish and chips. "We use a dry batter for all of our fried foods." Also posted on their website. This restaurant is a traditional Rhode Island seafood establishment. And fresh comes first here. I was spoiled; Mom pretty much fed us seafood our whole lives. That's why I am not a big fan of it. I rarely order it in restaurants because I am used to fresh fish. (My Father rarely caught fish. Because of my Mom's job she got fish right from the boat and filleted it on the kitchen side board. She also baked, grilled, broiled, marinated and steamed it.) My Mom loves fish. And every year she and my brother come here for what they call their "grease-fest" which sounds derogatory but it's not. Mom doesn't fry fish. It's nasty to deal with frying in a kitchen. Plus it's not the healthiest way to serve an excellent low fat protein. So she comes here every year and splurges on Champlin's Seafood. Year round she also hits the retail market downstairs. She's been coming here for 35+ years. A note: this is New England fare. Clam chowder in Rhode Island is runny and not thick and creamy. It looks like dish water to me and I am not a fan of it. The food in Champlin's is real Rhode Island Seafood, not the stuff you get at Red Lobster. And again, this was a fish shack. It was much smaller when it started but has gotten bigger as demand has grown. Don't expect table service. You get your own napkins, straws, condiments (there are packets of vinegar for your fries,) and you can get your own booze at the little liquor bar. You used to be able to pick your own lobster downstairs and they'd steam it upstairs for you but I don't know if they still do that. A la Carte means you get no sides or extras. The parking lot has shrunk as Champlin's has grown so plan to pay for parking in the summer. There are tons of tourists in the Summer, expect them. In the off season they limit their hours in the restaurant but they are still open most of the Fall and Spring. Winter you should call. Also expect regular New England counter attitude: service without a smile. They're busy or preoccupied. This isn't the South; try not to take it personally. Below the restaurant and under the outside deck there is usually an ice cream counter. Many businesses have gone under and the quaint little shack that sold fudge and ice cream next to George's and the old Firehouse that sold gifts and beach essentials have been replaced by hideous and over large condominiums. The Dippin' Dots in the "Mall" is gone and replaced by a (I'm not kidding,) place that sells Popcorn. And I am amazed that whoever took over the Wheel House Tavern was able to rename it the CLAM JAMMER (!!!!). I'm sorry that had to be added. Anyway, there are fewer and fewer practical tourist places in the Port of Galilee anymore. Champlin's has most of what you want as far as beach food goes. Yup, it's expensive but every thing is. Most importantly it is fresh.

    (4)

  • Neil B.

    I have been to Champlin's many times but i can only review the lobster roll because that is what I go there for and it is top of the line!

    (5)

  • David P.

    Best Lobsters Any Where ! Go get some!

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    Awesome view and great clam cakes! I always make a point to come here whenever I'm visiting RI.

    (4)

  • Herb L.

    I'm very sad that I ever went to Maine. I have yet to find a better tasting steamed lobster. The steamed lobster, along with the steamed clams and mussels, were okay. The clams had a bit of sand in them. They gave you a cup of liquid to wash the sand off, but is it that hard to get rid of sand? I don't remember it being that difficult to get rid of the sand from the clams we got when we went clamming. The mussels were also a bit small compared to the ones we dug up at Assateague. Maybe they were a bit over steamed. The lobster roll was good. I liked the buttered and grilled bread. The fries and fried clams were also good. But don't think it's too hard to mess those up.

    (3)

  • Jessica C.

    I was in Rhode Island with my grandpa for a week and I told him before we leave, we HAVE to get a lobster. The only lobster you find in California is small and costs 30-40$. And it's not that great! So I looked on Yelp and found Champlin's. Parking was a pain, I managed to get a spot in the 2 hour free section. The downstairs market was amazing. I've never seen a lobster as big as my small dog. Upstairs is pretty plain and to the point, just what I wanted. A shack. You order, get your food, and sit down at the bench and table. Nothing fancy, but it doesn't need to be. It was delicious. Only down side was I didn't know you could get the lobster crackers for 2$ deposit until halfway through my lobster. But at least you get the entire 2$ back when you return them! Simple and delicious.

    (4)

  • Kris V.

    I have heard about Champlin's from various people in my boyfriend's family. Everyone seemed to love it, so last week on an impromptu trip to RI we stopped by for a late lunch. Two of us got the stuffed flounder ($13.50) and the other two got fish and chips ($12.50 i think). I got the stuffed flounder with the lobster stuffing ($1 extra) and it was pretty awesome! With it you get a small portion of cole slaw and I opted for the boiled potatoes instead of the usual fries. Compared to the other person who ordered the same plate as I did, mine was significantly smaller, but it was great! The lobster stuffing actually had pieces of lobster in it and way worth the extra dolla, even though I didn't pay. I was able to try a piece of the fish-n-chips and it tasted as if it was fried in grease that had been re-used over and over and over. It kinda left a nasty taste in your mouth. They did come in a bigger portion but I was satisfied with my 2 stuffed flounder. The fat chick that took our order at the window wasn't as pleasant/attentive as she probably could have been, but whatever! We came on a gorgeous day, so we were able to sit outside by the ocean and then afterward walk on their board walk to the beach. If your in the area I would for sure stop by for some good food but I would not suggest anything fried, hence the 4 stars.

    (4)

  • Brian C.

    Don't listen to the few negative reviews, this place is a gem and has some of the best fried seafood in Southern New England...Everything is fresh and prepared to perfection, and best views in a slightly more upscale "clam shack" location that you will ever see. Love seeing boats coming into Galilee harbour with the catch of the day!

    (5)

  • David W.

    I used to come here as a kid when I'd visit my cousins in Narragansett. I remember thinking it was amazing food, especially the clam cakes. Later on I moved to New England and got more accustomed to seafood. When I had my chance to try Champlin's again I figured I was going to be disappointed. After all, the food is still dirt cheap and this place is on the side of the road. But it was still some of the best seafood I've ever had, and you can't beat the price. It's definitely NOT a tourist trap. All my friends in this area frequent Champlin's and love it.

    (5)

  • Christine M.

    Sat on the deck watching the fishing boats - view was wonderful. Ordered the lobster roll - I only ate half, it tasted weird. I was here a month ago and ordered the stuffies to go from the seafood market. Would not reccomend those either. It's disappointing that a place in the heart of a fishing town cannot serve up a decent seafood meal. Two stars for the location and view.

    (2)

  • Lisa S.

    Champlin's used to be one of our favorites, and our go-to place in South County. We've been a few times this summer, and I must admit, I don't think we'll be going back. Some of our favorites were the fried oysters, lobster bisque and conch fritters, among other things. It seems that lately everything is somewhat tasteless and extremely disappointing. I have also noticed that there isn't nearly the crowd at the door like there used to be. Is this a sign of the times or a statement on the food? Maybe I'm not the only one who's been disappointed.

    (2)

  • gary g.

    I thought I ordered the chowder but I think they must have heard water. This was the worst chowder I have ever had. It was so watered down with hardly any clams or potatoes. I have lived in RI all my life and cannot remember tasting anything as bad. I won't be heading back--ever!!!

    (1)

  • Rick M.

    This was one of the worst places I've eaten. It's dirty and the food was awful. It's a tourist trap.

    (1)

  • Laura P.

    A few blocks away from the Block Island ferry. Disappointing stuffies. Decent fried oysters & clams, but great views of the fishing boats.

    (3)

  • Jaime L.

    My favorite is the Clam Bake w/ Lobster! Plenty of food for two. Seafood is always fresh and delicious! Raw bar available - little necks, cherry stones, oysters, shrimp... All the good stuff. I recommend sitting outside on the deck, but away from bar - it can get a little loud and crowded.

    (4)

  • Lori D.

    Meh. I have eaten my weight in New England clam chowder over the years, and this was far and away the worst I've had. It was basically warm milk with some potatoes in it. Rates a zero on the chowder thickness scale. Should have ordered the red. Clam cakes were huge and tasty, though - excellent crispy/tender ratio and adequately clammy. But the key is having good chowdah to dunk 'em in, and that was a big fail. Boooooo.

    (3)

  • James H.

    Ordered 6 lobsters and clams to be delivered to Oregon, paid for 6 got 5. Sent a nice email to them 10 days ago and they don't even have the common courtesy to reply. There are other stores in Narraganset, I suggest you use them if you don't want to be ripped off.

    (1)

  • Ralph A.

    I'm in between 3 and 4 stars for the following reasons. I only had the fish and chips, I've been before and would return again. The setting is nice if you can get a waterside table, expect to rough it a bit with paper plates and plastic cups but that's part of eating over a fish house in a harbor. The fried fish was good, but would have expected more from the fries and cole slaw. The margarita for $8 wasn't anything special either. Unique scene makes it worth the visit....

    (3)

  • Tawnya E.

    This was my first time here as well as my husband's. I ordered the fried sea scallops with onion rings which I paid an extra $1.50 to get instead of fries. Also came with cole slaw. My husband got the tuna steak with red potatoes and cole slaw. Everything we got was AMAZING! Even the cole slaw was great and we usually don't eat ours anywhere else we go. My sea scallops were cooked perfectly. There wasn't any sand in any of them like most restaurants I've been to. The batter on them was tasty but not too thick or greasy. Onion ring batter was also just the way I like it. (You can see in the picture I'm posting). The lady that rang us up was super friendly and helpful with our questions. I should point out that I'm usually a big critic when it comes to food and I did not have one complaint about this place.

    (5)

  • Steph P.

    When we first arrived the line to order stretched out the door and to the top of the steps. Despite the seemingly long line, it moved really quickly. Within 20 minutes we were up to the ordering counter making our delicious requests. While we waited, we visited the beer counter to order up a couple of tasty local brews. Boyfriend ordered the tuna steak special and I ordered the whole lobster dinner and the white chowder. This was the first time in my life embarking on the adventure of devouring a whole lobster, which was quite an experience. They didn't give me a set of shell crackers, so I had to go back up to the serving counter. They explained that I needed to give a $2 deposit, which had to be in cash, but I only had card. After two minute ordeal, they decided to allow me to use the crackers on good faith. Once I got down to business, the lobster was delicious. And this could be chalked up to a simple misunderstanding, but I ordered the white chowder thinking it was synonymous with New England clam chowder. Instead it was more of a brothy soup sans meat. Again I approached the counter, cringing that I had to go bug the staff again. They explained that they don't offer New England clam chowder and swapped the soup out for the lobster bisque, to which I was super thankful for their kindness. The atmosphere is a large window filled dining room with views of the sea that also extends to include outdoor porch seating on the water. The setup is self service focused, with table bussers that jump in as needed.

    (4)

  • Ralph P.

    We read some reviews that stated this place was good .. we were disappointed we have ate many seafood meals and found this restaurant clean , nice location, food not so good we ordered on a Monday for lunch 9/14/15 . Whole belly fried clams, 1/2 doz. clam cakes, and their special plate fried platter,, All Whole belly were overcooked , platter had more strips than belly ( 29.99) fish small 3oz. scallops stuck together before cooking, shrimp size of a quarter, Clam cakes were better at the local fair,, Sorry will not return too many other good spots...

    (2)

  • Erin C.

    Love this place! The staff is great and the food could not be fresher ! The view from the outside bar is worth the trip! I like the fact that I can pick out my lobster downstairs and they'll deliver it to me upstairs with all the fixings!

    (5)

  • Elle C.

    bought 9 lbs lobster which was worth it. for 7.99$/lb.. love the fact it was huge n the ambiance, along the shore. fresh n great experience indeed!

    (5)

  • Steve H.

    Today my Dad and I had a fried clam dinner that rates up among the best we have ever eaten. And my Ma loved her lobster roll. The gulls, the fishing boats and the Block Island ferry going by made for a great afternoon at Point Judith.

    (5)

  • Jane C.

    My family came her for dinner after first going to Iggy's but the line was to long so we decided to come here since we had been her once before. The food was awful and over priced ... The bake stuffed clams came right of the microwave . The chowder looked like cloudy water with a few clams and potatoes , the clam cakes were so heavy they were not even edible they actually made a thud when dropped on the table. Two of us got lobster one would think how can you mess up a lobster well they did first it was not a pound and quarter and they serve it with what they call butter . The chicken fingers for the kids were so tough but the little ones did eat them they were hungry . We were so disappointed we just wanted to leave . My husband did decide to talk to the manager who really did not care that we were leaving unhappy . As we left two couples were making there way up the stairs we asked them have you ever been here before they replied yes once before, we said we would not recommend it we had a awful experience they turned around so fast and said George's of Galilee it is ... Felt good they were losing customers who may tell others as well as we will . Should of stayed at Iggy's not even a comparison to this place they call the best seafood restaurant .

    (1)

  • Jordan D.

    So New Years Day rolled around this year and the wife and I were looking for a solid food option to soak up all the "fun" from the night before. A quick drive down south and once we sat down, 2 trays jammed with food on our table, all I could think of was Uncle Jesse from Full House and his classic line "Haaaaaaaaaaave mercy...." ( youtube.com/watch?v=bLqA… ) I'm pretty sure we got everything and everything was out of this world. Rhody style chowder, lobster roll, clam cakes, coleslaw, steamers, etc. All wayyyyy above average. We got a good booth overlooking the pond and just had at it for a solid hour of seafood amazingness. Keeping this in perspective, this was the middle of the winter too, I'm sure it's even better in the middle of the summer! We even headed downstairs to the market, seafood belly in full glory and picked up some mackerel that just came off the boat that ended up being outstanding once we made it at home too. Really can't go wrong here (especially in the off season). Want to give a full 5 stars, but I felt like they are slightly pricey compared to other seafood shacks in the state.

    (4)

  • Tom A.

    My in-laws frequently insist on going here for nostalgic reasons. The last time I was here, I ordered oysters on the half shell. I watched as they pulled a tray of pre-opened oysters from the cooler and laid them out. Gross. One of them was bad. On previous visits I've gotten rotten coleslaw and learned that their "milk" chowder is made with non-dairy creamer, ick. Most of the batter on the fried foods slides off immediately. Prices are high and the quality is very poor. You're paying for the location.

    (1)

  • Bill D.

    Reminds me of the many seaside seafood places I visited as a kid in Maine, just busier by factors of 10 because it's right near Salty Brine Beach and Rhode Islanders just love them some beach. And, apparently, waiting in line for an hour just to get in and place your order, because the line was out the door, across the deck, down the stairs, and into the parking lot when we went. And we were picking up take-out for people who had specifically requested Champlin's, so we couldn't just give up and go somewhere else. Atmosphere is, well, what you'd expect from this sort of thing... picnic tables and (busy) dockside views. If you want to sit there and watch the boats (and the Block Island Ferry) go by, this is your place. There's a little bar in there, too, so there's that. It didn't do much for me, familiar as it seemed, but as I said, we were getting take-out so it didn't really matter. I will say that I did get what was probably the best lobster roll I've had here in Rhode Island. Actual recognizable chunks of lobster and just enough mayo and lettuce to help hold everything together, rather than the ground up lobster paste & mayo slurry some places try to pass off. Very tasty, would definitely consider getting one there again. Worth such a long wait, though? I'm not sure about that.

    (2)

  • Colleen M.

    Have you ever walked away from a meal with an awful feeling because you just spent way too much money on crappy food and horrible service? That's how I felt yesterday evening when I left the deck at Champlin's so I had to update my review. The last time we were at Champlin's a couple summers ago we had a great time and great food so we were really looking forward to it. My sons got an order of fish & chips and stuffies to split between them. I got the fried whole belly clams because I still remembered loving them the last time. Everything we ordered was awful. The clams were tasteless and cold. The stuffies were like glue and absolutely inedible. The fish was greasy and bland. The coleslaw was slimy and sweet. For $50 and a restaurant with the reputation of Champlin's I expected much better. The final straw for me is when a staff member (it happened to be the woman we had just ordered from at the window) strode down the deck and loudly announced that she wasn't looking forward to clearing "that table." Given the number of empty tables it was obvious she was referring to my children. I realize kids are messy but mine aren't any worse than others and I try my best to clean up after them as well as I can. The only thing this place has going for it is the view. It's absolutely gorgeous. As we were leaving the sunset was breathtaking. But I don't think we will ever be back. Next time I'll try the view from across the street.

    (1)

  • XB S.

    My second time here and I love the fresh lobsters! A great place and awesome seafood. I always get the twin lobster

    (5)

  • Don P.

    This is a quintessential seaside restaurant with a beautiful view of the harbor and the fishing boats as well as the Long Island Ferry that come and go almost all the time while you dine. It is a walk-up restaurant ,you go to the front, place your order and wait for your number to be called, there is no wait staff. The fried seafood is superb, a very lite breading and gigantic portions with a very modest amount of french fries, your dish will be 97% seafood 3% fries. There are other notable fried seafood stops in Galilee but none compare to Champlin's in my opinion.

    (4)

  • Trizia T.

    Went here for our last dinner on vacation. There wasn't much of a line to order, but it took forever since everyone in front of us didn't take two minutes to look at the menu posted up front. There was also only one person taking orders.. But I digress. My daughter had the shrimp scampi pasta and she was thrilled with it. My son had the grilled cheese but because it was white cheese he wouldn't eat it. My husband had the smelt dinner and I had the fish and chips. I was so excited to hear the fish and chips was flounder and not cod. The food was very good and not greasy at all. We hit up the ice cream shop downstairs and were disappointed. I ended up tossing mine. The flavor and texture were all wrong. Anyway... I suggest coming for the food but skipping ice cream.

    (4)

  • Eleni Z.

    Very disappointing experience -Memorial Day weekend 2015---busy .extra slow service--all of our food was cold, (fish, french fries, clam cakes) chowder wasn't even warm.Didn't enjoy our meal at all.We have been customers for years---won't go back.

    (2)

  • Andrew F.

    here is the back story. I have been coming here for several years. I always order fried sea scallops. They are always perfect. Plump, lightly fried and juicy. Today I went for the 1st time this summer. And of course, i ordered fried sea scallops as I always do. They were horrible.....just terrible. In my order there were 3 scallops that were perfect, plump,juicy and lightly fried. All the other scallops were small overcooked bits and pieces of scallops that were just about fit to eat. Tough like rubber. i can not understand what they did but really it was a huge rip off. I would say a scam. I am sure that a lot of good folks came there from various parts of the country and may think that is what they are . Anyone from RI or an ocean state would have been as ticked off as i was about this . The place was very busy....it was just about 12 noon and i did eat them all. I wanted to see a manager but way to busy for that today. I just want to know if this is what they do now or did some cook in the kitchen screw up. I really need to know this. As it stands now, I will not go back. If I can find that it was an honest mistake, I will live with it and then I will try again.

    (1)

  • d k.

    I am a resident of Narragansett and have always loved Champlin's. When company is in town, we always visit this restaurant with them. Last night we brought a family friend out to Champlin's. We were extremely disappointed. Our lobster rolls were small, soggy and more lettuce than lobster. The calamari was soggy, chewy and cold. The fries were cold and rubbery. Most of the food was thrown out. The bill for this meal was over $110 (for four people) which was outrageous for the quality of food. Needless to say, we were very disappointed and will we not be back.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 8:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : No
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Touristy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : No

Champlin’s Seafood

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