4. Restaurants

Cafe Nuovo

1 Citizens Plz,Ste 1000, Providence, RI, 02903
  • (401) 421-2525
  • Store is closed

Cafe Nuovo Menu

  • Main Menu

Healthy Meal suggestions for Cafe Nuovo

  • Main Menu

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  • Ken G.

    Table of five for a post business meeting dinner. This refined yet not overbearing atmosphere is perfectly conducive for fine dining. Each table is waited upon by a team of two; each offering suggestions and answering questions on the menu. A fair wine list paired entrées well. The eclectic menu offers more of a fish centric theme, beautiful views of the city and outside dining. Good place for both a romantic setting and business casual. Each course outstanding, each course timed perfectly, a memorable dining experience.

    (5)

  • Bob D.

    Great night dining al fresco on the terrace. Food was awesome. Service was spectacular. Thanks Dimitri, you are a fantastic host!!

    (5)

  • Pcamom W.

    We were looking for a place to celebrate our anniversary and our friend's anniversary. We live in RI and have our favorites in Providence, but our friends aren't big on seafood so we were trying to find a restaurant that had something for everyone. I haven't been to Cafe Nuovo for years. I have no idea why. It was perfect. Nice ambiance, food was delicious and our waiter Ted made the evening. I love waitstaff who aren't afraid to make recommendations when asked, and who have actually eaten what they are recommending. I had the tenderloin risotto (I was considering the scallop risotto) and my husband had the braised short ribs on his recommendation and they were perfect! The creme brûlée was also unbelievably good. If you go for dinner ask for Ted, you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Stella S.

    I dined at Cafe Nuovo for the first time over the weekend and I would certainly return! The waiter was very knowledgeable, the staff was friendly, the ambiance is gorgeous (open kitchen) and the food is to die for. My boyfriend got the famous stuffed rigatoni and absolutely loved it. I got the grilled salmon and it was cooked to perfection. We started off with a prosciutto pizza that I would highly recommend. They have free valet and are centrally located. 5 stars in my book!

    (5)

  • Pat K.

    Cozy atmosphere and good food and service! Hub forgot his doggy bag and female server noticed! So cool! We were already out in the hallway when she saw us.

    (4)

  • Holly G.

    Food was amazing! The service wasn't too great. I had one bad experience that has turned me off about coming back. I understand accidents happen but having glass from a dropped plate in my leg and bleeding during my gathering with friends is not what I was hoping for. As soon as it happened, I had waitstaff come over and pull the glass out and put a nice neon bandaid on me. Not only was I bleeding I had whatever the dish was he dropped between my feet and heels and my aunt had it down her white dress. We spent most of the night cleaning up in a bathroom away from our table. No apologies just our meals free.

    (3)

  • Linda A.

    I've been here a few times for both lunch and dinner, during restaurant week and not. Each time, I've always had great service. The food is prepared with precision and creativity. The pot of mousse dessert is gorgeous and delicious (and I don't even like chocolate that much)! Anyone can be satisfied -- from the trendy, adventurous eater to the person looking for a classic fine dining experience.

    (5)

  • Victoria D.

    I had previously been to this restaurant for a baby and bridal shower event and loved the food/location. When I took my friend from out of town last Saturday, I was less than impressed. The wait was not long, so we had some champagne at the bar and waited. When the hostess asked us if we would like to sit at the bar, we agreed. The bartenders were both rude and inattentive. They barely came over to ask if we wanted another drink, let alone take our food order. When we finally placed our order, we waited another 40 minutes! When no one came over to even check on us, we called one of the bartenders over to ask about the food. She was EXTREMELY rude like it was our fault for having waited so long. We immediately got up, paid for our prosecco and began to walk out. When the hostess asked us how our meal was, we replied that we never got it! The manager was of little help either simply saying "he assures us that's not how we operate". Although the crowd was older, we are two twenty - something pharmacists who were looking for a nice meal in providence. It is safe to say we will never go back and do not recommend it!

    (1)

  • Sungeeta A.

    Cafe Nuovo has become a new favorite! I came here for lunch the other day and was thoroughly impressed with everything. The waiter set the tone with his enthusiasm for the food and he definitely did not oversell. I got the shrimp tacos and was very happy with my choice. Instead of the tiny, macerated pieces of shrimp I often get elsewhere these tacos were filled with giant, juicy pieces of awesomeness. The corn and bean salad that came with the dish was also quite good. My friend got the risotto with scallops - delicious! If my shrimp tacos weren't so amazing I would have been very jealous. For dessert we shared the chocolate peanut butter bar - dessert heaven! While you can't go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter Cafe Nuovo really took this dessert to the next level. Cafe Nuovo also has some pretty great views. We were seated by a window overlooking the canal - lovely! I can't wait to come back!

    (5)

  • Ryan D.

    Cafe Nuovo you are one fancy place! Kish and I headed to Nuovo during Restaurant Weeks and we are glad we did. I have never been to CN prior and honestly I think it is due to its location. The only time I see it is during the summer with Waterfire and I always say "oh man I always want to head there" but then never get around to it. Note, CN doesn't make it really easy to get to since it is inside the Citizens Bank HQ building. You have to walk in their entrance by their parking lot, the other entrance is locked unless you have a Citizens id. Also their lot will close off during most nights, so look to walking a little bit to get here. That being said, once you walk in, you get greeted with great customer service that you should expect from a restaurant of this caliber. And tell me you aren't thinking the decoration of this restaurant is just a fancy Cheesecake Factory. Now lets get to the food. For an appetizer I had Clams Casino with 8 Littleneck. Now I am used to larger clams being from New England but the stuffing they used was very tasty. Now the entree, the Atlantic Salmon is one of the best fish dishes I have ever had. That cider glaze makes a blah salmon taste like candy. And as a typical guy my dessert was a Peanut Butter Bar, now you might think it is a hard and cold dessert, but it has a nice peanut butter mousse with the hard chocolate. In the future, I would love to come back to Nuovo, especially when the weather warms up.

    (4)

  • Shannon B.

    Came here for a work gathering and the food was excellent! I definitely recommend the short rib ravioli. The service was good and she was always there when we needed something. I can't wait to go back here again!

    (5)

  • Frank F.

    This place is really good and worth a stop if you are even near the town and want a really good meal with great service. Did I say great service, yes Great Service, very helpful great descriptions........... just really good people. I was in town over the weekend with the Mrs. and some friends, we had duck, tuna short ribs and risotto. It seemed a little long in between courses but I calmed my NY attitude down and when the plates arrived it all made sense. Everything was fresh and flavorful and not over seasoned. Great food and good drinks, well worth it if you want to spend a little extra

    (4)

  • Bebe B.

    I think this place is Great! The prices, well, it isn't cheap, but you get what you pay for. The portions are super generous, the service is great, and presentation, SUPER! It is definitely not a bargain or a cheap night out. The vibe here is a bit older, not a hipster kind of place, however, I don't mind. I would like to see them refresh the chairs a bit, could use some new upholstery, or just a general re-fresh, and that's about all I can pick on. If you have never tried it, give it a whirl. If you are still unsure, wait until restaurant week to get an exceptional value, and a proper introduction to what could become one of your faves!

    (4)

  • Andrew R.

    Free valet, unreal view, great food, friendly staff. Had a perfect night here with the wife for our anniversary. I called ahead and said it was a special occasion and had a great window seat. This place must be insane for water fire, were definitely coming back. Four thumbs up from us for Cafe Nuovo!!!

    (5)

  • Jean F.

    An unexpected night out at the lovely Cafe Nuovo hit high on my list! We sat outside and enjoyed the wonderful ambiance over the river. It wasn't a waterfire night so there was not a ton of commotion. The service was wonderful too! To start the night off the waitress suggested a strawberry basil cosmo which I slightly altered (yup, that's my MO) and it was fantastic! In fact, I enjoyed a couple of them... Everyone enjoyed salads and we split the escargot to start. OMG it was delicious, not too garlicky or creamy and the little snailsies were already out of their shells - I love when I don't have to work for my food. Next, I got the seafood bouillabaisse which was enormous and seafood perfection. It was a wonderful shellfish mix with bites of a steaky fish in a light but flavorful red, slightly spicy sauce. I had enough for a whole 2nd meal to bring home and my next task was what to create with the tons of leftover sauce that was too wonderful to toss. We split pot de creme for desert and a perfect finish to a nice evening on the town.

    (5)

  • Jenica S.

    I just went out to dinner here with my partner for restaurant week and was thoroughly underwhelmed. While everything was palatable, well-prepared, and tasty, the dishes were uninventive and uninteresting. They tasted like something I could make at home as a reasonably competent home cook. Our waitress was also very unfriendly and abrupt. Although we are not particularly young, my partner and I sometimes get mistaken for teenagers, so I think she dismissed us immediately, assuming we wouldn't tip well. Overall, the restaurant reminded me of the kind of place I would have gone in the 90s with my grandparents. Decent, but for the prices and reputation, I was extremely unimpressed. I would much rather the spend the equivalent amount for a truly inventive and inspiring meal, like at Al Forno or Farmstead.

    (2)

  • John M.

    Ordered the watermelon carpaccio as an appetizer. Very refreshing for summer. Split the shellfish cannelloni and filet with my date. Cannelloni was outstanding. One of the best dishes I've ever had. The filet was unfortunately undercooked. I ordered it medium and I swear it still had a pulse. The sauce was good and the beef was a good cut, just undercooked. To finish off the meal, I got the Pot of Mousse - heavenly fluffy chocolate and white mousse served in a dark chocolate cup. Amaze-balls! Highly recommended overall, but skip the steak. Nice ambience and attentive staff. Valet parking and al fresco dining. Sangria es bueno!

    (4)

  • Kristi L.

    Cafe Nuovo combines all my favorite things: great atmosphere, amazing food, and a wine selection that knocks the socks off so many others. Located in Downtown Prov, this place transforms from an upscale lunch venue to a trendy hot spot at night. Though on the small side, I've always managed to get a seat with a reservation made in advance. However, just dropping in can be a bit more difficult if you're not willing to wait. The food...ah, the food! They have an appetizer of various Greek treats including stuffed grape leaves and tzatziki (my absolute fave), amongst other goodies that is absolutely to die for. I had their red snapper special which was very good, though a few others in my party got the same special and their fillets were simply better cuts than mine. It didn't take away from the flavor, but I think the consistency was a little drier as a result. Though I haven't tried their desserts, I have had a number of their specialty coffees with the liqueur of your choice. Always a hit! Be prepared for a hefty price tag. Lunch bills ran roughly $50/person. I was lucky enough to not have to cover dinner, but that leaves me clueless as to what it ran price wise. Either way, it's worth the trip!

    (4)

  • Daniel A.

    My Fiance and I went to Cafe Nuovo on Valentine's day this year. Everything was great. From the Valet service to the waitress, everyone we encountered was extremely professiona,l even though the house was packed that night. We had heard great things about Cafe Nuovo from our friends and we were expecting big things. The escargot appetizer did not disappoint. It was by far the best thing we ate that night. My fiance got the lamb chops, which were also fantastic. I got the rib eye steak, which was horrible. It was tough, tasteless and completely raw in the middle. I like steaks to be medium rare, more on the rare side, but what i received was not that. I would like to chalk this one instance up to the fact that it was Valentine's day and the place was completely booked up. I will definitely give Nuovo another chance based off everything else we ate that night.

    (3)

  • Ami G.

    Two Saturday nights ago, my husband suggested we go back to one of our favorite, sort of upscale, restaurants in the city that we hadn't been to in a few years. When I saw they had a 8:30 reservation on Opentable, I snagged it right away! To Cafe Nuovo we went! Cafe Nuovo holds a very special place in my heart. My husband and I went there quite frequently in our first year of dating, and we even spent one of our first New Year's Eve together there. Located right in downtown Providence, Cafe Nuovo is a Providence institution, and has been there for as long as I can remember. Serving what I would describe is contemporary Italian food, Cafe Nuovo is definitely a special occasion spot. Our special occasion was just being able to have a date night together! Though we had a reservation, we didn't sit until at least 9:15. It was pretty clear they had forgotten about us because we saw a few other couples with 8:30 reservations made on Opentable seated well before us. It wasn't until my husband revisited the host to remind him of our presence that we finally got seated, which was definitely annoying. Fortunately, the food made up for that snafu. We started with some delicious crusty bread and olive oil, which came complete with some olives submerged in the oil. The bread was almost too crusty, as my jaw really got a workout when I was chewing it, but it was tasty. We decided to order a whole bunch of apps to share because we were starving by this point and wanted all of our food at once. We ordered a grilled pizza with tomato, arugula, red onion, grano padano (a type of cheese) and garlic and olive oil. It was really great- the crust was thin and crispy but substantial enough to hold up the flavorful toppings. I ate two pieces no problem! I also had their bibb salad, with bibb lettuce of course, as well as spiced walnuts, apple, gorgonzola and apple cider dressing. I always order this salad at Nuovo and it definitely did not disappoint. I love how generous they are with all of the salad components! In fact, I couldn't even eat all of the cheese! Of course, fries were also had. Their fries were above average for sure- they came out nice and hot and tasted quite potato-y, as my husband proclaimed. I love pizza/salad/french fry meals, and Nuovo definitely does this combo right. Their food is outstanding, and while I didn't order a pasta dish that they are also famous for, perhaps next time I will because I remember from the past just how delicious their vegetarian pasta dish is! I can't wait to go back to Nuovo- I am glad we have added in back into our restaurant rotation. I really wanted to do dessert there, but my more practical side remembered I had another Crumbs cupcake at home to devour so I abstained from ordering anything at Nuovo. Still, their dessert menu is not to be missed!

    (5)

  • Kathleen E.

    I had heard this was a stuffy restaurant and was knocked out by how well the service was, excellent wine list very relaxing and our waiter Steven was fantastic. This is a restaurant you do not want to miss. The crab cakes are the best in Rhode Island!!

    (5)

  • Mark P.

    Dining at this restaurant was an awesome experience. We got a table right by the river on a Waterfire night. The steak tartare and escargot were amazing appetizers. The scallops were prepared perfectly. Drinks were great too.

    (5)

  • Annette H.

    We enjoyed a lovely dinner, outside by the river, with good wine, perfectly prepared steak and seafood by an accommodating chef and sweet waiter.

    (5)

  • Kel S.

    W.O.W. Decadence would be the word I use to describe this institution. We shared a calamari and fried shrimp appetizer as well as the creamiest potato soup I have ever had. I also had scallops with a super rich (and delicious) rissotto. For desert, we shared a chocolate pot de creme, O.M.G. For someone who doesn't really like chocolate, this was amazing. My friend had a fruit cup with raspberry sorbet. This did not sound intruiging to me, until I saw it. Capital WOW Squared! They need to do this desert justice by bringing out a tray of offerings. Complete with star fruit, kiwi, mango and a variety of other "exotic" fruits, it was served in a freshly made shell and was amazingly delicious. (See pics posted). The only thing I didn't like was the decor, It is a little on the cheesy 1990 art nuovo side, could use a little update.

    (4)

  • Dan G.

    This is a very classy establishment with a great location perched above the downtown Providence river. Many of the tables have nice views of the river and the city, and I cannot imagine a more romantic spot than this during the Waterfire river festival (although I've never dined there during it myself). The food, however, is just good. Certainly not bad or average, but not "OMG amazing." And at $30+ an entree, it should be, at least sometimes. My friend enjoyed his fish, and my steak was tender and well-seasoned. And the dessert was satisfying. But all-in-all, if I'm going to spend $40-60 a person for a meal, there are numerous other restaurants in Providence I would choose over Cafe Nuovo.

    (3)

  • Lisa D.

    I recently attended an event at Cafe Nuovo, and I was surprised that the layout made for a beautiful flow. The dining area was cleared for cocktails and silent auction tables, while the glass-walled lobby was set up for lunch and presentations. It was a beautiful, open and airy setting. The service was very good, and the menu offered traditional choices with creatives twists to make it special. Dessert was great, though be aware that they make the cracker crumb cheesecake crust and the waffle cone dish for berries with nuts, and do not have it marked on the menu. I can't see the benefit outweighing the risk to someone who's allergic to nuts. Overall, I can see using this venue for a business event or even a small wedding.

    (4)

  • Berta G.

    Definetly nice location. But service is rude. Was waiting for our drink for 45 min. Food came before alcohol. When asked for manager, two came with attitude. Errrrr, dont even try it.

    (1)

  • Jessica S.

    Went a couple years ago. Was very good overall

    (4)

  • Hilary H.

    I was totally blown away by the service, the food, the view and the wine list at Cafe Nuovo -seriously, kids. This place just went to the top of my list for dining out in PVD. This place is a gem in the heart of downtown! The location is magnificent - right on the river's edge, with a gorgeous view of the city and easy access to the canals. I can see why this is such a hot spot for WaterFire nights, but I went on a non-WaterFire evening and it was just as wonderful. We were seated within a few minutes arriving (we had time to peruse the extensive wine list at the bar), and then were seated in the outdoor area right next to the canal. The menu is extensive and they have great specials, so be prepared to weigh your options. We split the Boston bib salad which was perfectly dressed in a cider vinegar dressing that complimented the apples walnuts and gorgonzola - nothing overpowering, but all in complete balance. The portion was enormous, so I'm glad we split it. I went for the seared tuna, which was absolutely delectable in a sweet citrus and miso glaze, accompanied by lightly-cooked bok choy and a dreamy, soft coconut rice. My husband went with the pan-seared salmon, served with beets and a brown butter sauce that was delicious. We paired the food with an excellent bottle of pinot noir that complimented everything perfectly. The whole meal, including tip, set us back $150. Not cheap, but certainly worth it for the quality of the food and wine, the service and that glorious location. For a special, romantic and out-of-the-ordinary evening, I highly recommend Cafe Nuovo. I know I'll be back before the summers' end!

    (5)

  • Robert S.

    Great food, great ambiance. Everything we had was excellentL Lamb shank, duck, short ribs, scallops, apettizers, dessert.... Overall great dining experience.

    (5)

  • Sarah E.

    Held a business dinner here last night and I was every bit as impressed as I hoped to be. Food. The portions were huge and the food looked and tasted amazing! Grilled pizza appetizer was delicious. The salad was very very good. Perfectly dressed. I ordered the salmon, a ton of flavor and cooked to perfection with sticky rice, bok choy and asparagus tempura. The staff was very friendly and attentive. Drinks were prompt. Ambiance is perfect for a social gathering (quiet), a romantic evening (by the river in the outdoor patio) or a social dinner I would highly recommend Cafe Nuovo!

    (4)

  • Kris D.

    A beautiful evening. The food, service & location was fantastic! It's my favorite upscale restaurant in the city. My experience was a 10 out of 10. On a waterfire night we arrived with only a few minutes to spare for a drink at the bar which was elbow to elbow but I expected that, (waterfire night) My usual, cape cod was made perfect & before the 3rd sip we were being shown to our table. We had a table outside over looking the canal for a night of breathtaking views of the city & waterfire. I enjoyed chilled oysters for an app & the lobster special for my entree was delish. The wine list is vast & truly a delight. The lemon chiffon cheesecake was decadent!

    (5)

  • Ornella P.

    Great atmosphere and excellent food. Service was also great.

    (5)

  • Bridget L.

    I went a couple of years ago for my anniversary dinner, I wasn't a yelper at the time. I loved the ambiance, the food, the view, the attentiveness of the wait staff, everything was wonderful. I just went again Saturday night for our high school reunion, again, the staff was on top of things, we had waiters walking around with trays of food, while there was a cash bar to get drinks the waiters also walked around and asked if anyone needed anything. The trays of food were delicious, from the goat cheese to the shrimp to the margherita pizza, not your usual appetizers, and they were placed on the plate in a very appetizing way. We had a very good anniversary dinner and now a very successful high school reunion, I highly recommend you consider going to Café Nuovo for a special occasion or a function.

    (5)

  • Chacha G.

    I just went to Cafe Nuovo to celebrate my birthday and I had a wonderful dinner, the bartender Chris is awesome and will do anything to make a drink that you love! Our waiter was extra attentive and even gave me a complimentary piece of dessert with a camdle:) it was a great evening and it made my birthday extra special!

    (5)

  • John G.

    Jenica S below nails it. This is a place for men with blue blazers and women in blue hair. For people that think dressing for church and dressing for a night out are the same thing. Our food was excellent. However, at $50 per entre after tax and tip that is to be expected in Providence. The place has a great location in some ways. Perfect for Water Fire. However, even if you call months in advance they will not guarantee you a spot outside, so why bother? A short walk (3-5 blocks) from here are 10 Steak and Sushi, Circe, and Jackie's. All places where the vibe of the place and people is as good as the food. Just up the hill and to the right is Wickendon with its fantastic food scene. The only thing keeping me from making this a 1 star review is the food.

    (2)

  • Emily P.

    First date with my boyfriend, it was perfect. The atmosphere, the food, the service and especially wine selection. Desserts are absolutely beautiful and tastes just as lovely as it looks. After dinner went to Waterfire. Just a perfect romantic evening!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth B.

    Went there during Water Fire in July. WOW - This restaurant is incredible. We still are savoring the tomato corn soup. The pasta entries are not to be missed and the nightly fish specials were delicious.

    (5)

  • Ken R.

    Most unique menu anywhere. Food is fantastic. Service is fantastic. When you see the same staff there for years it tells you something about management. The six hour lamb is wow. The cobb salads are even very good. Pastas and steaks are always perfect. They really get it. They make it an experience of full service fine dining. You will walk away wanting to come back soon.

    (5)

  • Eric M.

    The tuna carpaccio is the best thing I've eaten in Providence

    (5)

  • David D.

    Amazing. Food was unbelievably good.

    (5)

  • Marcy L.

    Oooh, Cafe Nuovo. I keep wanting to LOVE you! After an evening at the theater, my date and I sought out a seasonal treat. We had heard of the wonderment of the Nuovo dessert selection and decided, "What the holly!" and headed in the general direction! *I had apparently forgotten that (though the building has two entrances) there is only ONE way into the building (cue the wintery gusts of wind blowing my skirt around). It's odd because the entrance to the restaurant is actually closer to the OTHER door. *There was a law firm conducting their holiday party when we arrived for our own merriment. It - looked - so - classy! Surely this would be a great option for a catered affair. *Decor: low lighting and with CLASS! If you show up here in jeans and a t-shirt you're going to feel uncomfortable (cocktail attire, please). *Arriving at 10pm on Saturday, we got the last two seats at the bar and settled in, ready for cocktails and dessert. ......werrwerrrrrrr: I forgot: they DON'T HAVE A DRINK LIST! Yup, full bar, no suggestions. They have a teeeeeny after-dinner drink list on their dessert menu, but we weren't made aware of this until after we had already placed our order. The beau ordered a 7&7 while I ordered an Orgasm (but had to give mixology instruction to the bartender sans suggested drink menu...). They were priced around 8$ea, but were TASTY and lasted us our hour of bar time. *Dessert time! We put our order for the seasonal Cranberry Crisp with Maple Ice Cream in asap (last time our food took forEVER!). Lo and behold: 20 minutes later we were presented with our order. Personally, I wouldn't have priced it at 10$ (there was more crisp than berry and the glace was more vanilla than maple), but it was a nice late-night treat for sure. *sigh*....after another attempt at the Cafe N, we walked away pleased but not astounded. The setting and service were great, but I wasn't impressed with the plated dessert. It was a nice evening (be it a pricy one), next time we'll probably try another place for 10pm dessert and cocktails.

    (3)

  • Andre V.

    this review is way over due, part of the trouble is when I think about this place I start drooling like Homer Simpson. Let's just get this out of the way, the food...the food...is awesome! The entire course we had was undeniably good. The apps, the main course and especially the dessert were fantastic. The place does get very busy on the weekend but it's totally worth it. The staff's pretty great as well. They are very knowledgeable (yeah not everywhere is funny enough) about the cuisine and are very courteous and friendly. This was a great dining experience and definitely among my favs.

    (5)

  • Joe C.

    Excellent.... Very creative menu. Service is as good as it gets. This is no Cafe it is fine dinning at it's best. You want to eat everything on the menu and wait till you taste the homemade Foccacia Bread it is amazing. This will be my go to restaurant in Providence. Bravo!

    (5)

  • Andrew R.

    I have been to Cafe Nuovo numerous times. In fact, my wedding party is having our rehearsal dinner there two weeks from Friday. The setting is very relaxing and picturesque along the canal, particularly during Waterfire. Such nights can get very crowded, though. As for the restaurant, the menu is not huge but does include offerings from various food groups and styles. Portions are modest, but ingredient quality is superb. Prices are not cheap, but such is the norm for higher-end restaurants such as this. The waiting staff are all professional, conversational, and attentive. For a special night out, Cafe Nuovo is a worthy choice!

    (4)

  • Christine P.

    I have eaten at Cafe Nuovo many times and have never been disapointed. I went yesterday for a business lunch and had the tuna tartar, which was fantastic! My fellow diners had the soup special and the bib salad for starters, and it was commented that it was probably the best bowl of soup they have ever eaten. For my entree I had the chopped salad with grilled chicken (trying to be good) and it was excellent. The chicken was warm, which I love, and cooked perfectly. Other favorites here include the tomato soup (OMG!), risotto with sea scallops, and any fish dish on the menu. Service is always fantastic, the food is always delicious, and the presentation is always impeccable. Really, this is one of my favorite spots in Providence. If you haven't been, it's worth a visit!

    (5)

  • Raymond S.

    Came here to celebrate an anniversary with my girlfriend as I have been here before and it was amazing. Food: 4/5 -- Oysters 3/5 - The oysters were extremely disappointing. They seemed to be taken out of the water for quite a while and so there was very little meat inside (as compared to the shell). It tasted fine but not worth the 16 dollars for half a dozen. Steak Tartare 3.5/5 - Good sized portions, but the lentils overwhelmed the taste of steak. -- Dover Sole 5/5 - Cooked to perfection with a citrus-based sauce on the side. They bring the whole fish up and filet it next to the table. Works well for the ladies, especially on Valentine's (tried that before). Also a good sized portion. Rack of Lamb 4/5 - Nothing spectacular. Slightly overcooked. Good portion (around 7-8 bone pieces) -- Pear Cranberry Crisp 4/5 - Nice and warm. Tiny portion and not enough to share! -- Total: ~125 not including tip and drinks Service: 3/5 -- Service was disappointing compared to last time I was here. Waiter gave us a weird vinegar for the bread; it was definitely not balsamic vinegar. It was really funny (but not professional) when the waiter's hand was shaking like mad when serving the sole. He gave us the dessert menu without asking if we would like dessert, which was okay until he rudely interrupted us in the middle of dessert to give us the check without us having to ask for it too! Ambience: 5/5 -- Definitely a dim romantic place to bring your special one and OK for close family friends too. Enjoyed the music which was playing at a perfect volume. Restroom: 2/5 -- Was a horrendous bathroom for such a great restaurant! Overall: 4/5 -- Enjoyed the experience but did not live up to the last time I was at Cafe Nuovo, including food and service.

    (4)

  • Jonny C.

    Ehhhh. Great location for Waterfire, impeccable service, decent menu. The place looks like Georgia O'Keefe, a bunch of blow and Izod Lacoste circa 1988 had a party. By that I mean pastels, loud, dated cliche art and small plates. It is very pricey, and serves its purpose as a chic restaurant downtown. It also keeps tables empty in better, less fancy and less pricey restaurants. I had a salmon which was dry, over paid for a bottle of Pinot Noir and was un impressed with the lady's dish. It does seem like a nice long, martini lunch spot, especially during warm months. I'll probably be back, just not soon.

    (3)

  • Tex B.

    Very nice place to dine, great bar and always fresh and new. Fish is amazing here, try the tuna it is fantastic. Service is great, wine list is large and good quality. Can get a little loud next to the bar so if you like quite ask for a spot away from the bar. Outside dining is also nice if the weather is good.

    (5)

  • Jennifer W.

    Most suitable for : business lunches Location : awesome. Take 22C downtown exit, bang your first left and you've got the easiest restaurant location in Providence, with a $6 parking lot fee if you're lazy and want to be parked right next to the front entrance. Don't forget to give the parking lot guy a big smile : he'll remember you for life .. (trust me from experience!) Service : Decent but slow. They're trained to give you the specials and make sure your drinks are filled, but the kitchen takes longer than you would hope for. Took 30 mins to get our appetizers on 2/17/11 Food : tasty, fresh, and good selection of meat, fish and vegetarian meals. I had the special tunafish sandwich yesterday, and loved the addition of capers & onions, with a nice crusted bread to go with it. Served with either regular fries or sweet potato fries. The table ordered Greek appetizers and calamari. The sauces they are both served with are delectable and prep your appetite for the main course. Best time to go : summer when you can take advantage of the outdoor patio alongside the river. I also have alot of friends who need accessible restaurants : they won't be able to make it outside, but a table near the entrance works perfectly. There are plenty of handicapped spots in the front of the building as well.

    (3)

  • Jessica M.

    Great atmosphere and service! Get the cassoulet - it is to die for!

    (5)

  • Lucy G.

    Went here for Restaurant week. My bestie and I went for a late dinner. Walking in it was very dim, quiet, and our table had a view of the water which would have been really nice during waterfire. I was very pleased with the enitire meal. To start i had the grilled pizza with bacon, pecorino, arugula, celery root and white truffle oil seriously delish def had a different taste to it..but i liked it. My main dish was The Kurobuta Pork Chop with baked polenta cake, sautéed spinach, cippolini, pancetta, honey-mustard jus. Let me say.... that polenta cake was soo FREAKING good..never had it before it tasted like mac and cheese i wanted to order extra to go. The porkchop was tender and cooked just right and went great with the spinach. My friend had the calamari and shrimp to start..both were excellent i kept stealing her shrimp. This plate came with 3 dipping sauces, a tarter type sauce then a spicier version of the 1st one and lastly a relish sauce. Her main course was Bolognese pasta not bad..she enjoyed it. For dessert we had the Pot O mousse and the carrotcake. Loved the mousse it was cool that the whole thing was edible (see pic) Not a fan of carrot cake b/c of the nuts but the frosting was good :) We both washed it down with some strong glasses of Sangrias and we were on our way. I would definitely come here again esp for that grilled pizza and polenta :)

    (4)

  • Christina M.

    My absolute favorite restaurant! My BF & I always have date night here. He loves the lamb shank, and I always get seafood and it never, ever disappoints! Check it out!

    (5)

  • Sabina T.

    The menu at Cafe Nuovo was delicious! My friends and I had a difficult time deciding what to order, so we ended up ordering a bunch of different items to share, and loved almost everything! Our favorite items were the desserts (pot of mousse, creme brule, and the bread pudding)! The food stayed on our mind, so we went back a week later to have more! If you're ever in Providence, I definitely recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Andrea M.

    AMAZING WEDDING We had our wedding reception there and it was to DIE for and everyone is still RAVING about the food a month later! My Italian family is tough to please, so we knew food was paramount to making everyone happy for this event. I even live in Michigan now (even though I am from Rhode Island) and Sean at Cafe Nuovo addressed all our concerns and did everything imaginable to make our day awesome. CUSTOMIZABLE Just about everything at Cafe Nuovo is customizable, from menu to seating to dance floor, so it was wonderful choosing them. INSANELY AWESOME MENU We were able to have things on our menu that no other wedding we went to has had and people are still raving about the food a month later. These are people who have eaten all up the Eastern seaboard and back, so they know good food. We had: rabbit, duck, lamb, steak, sea bass, and a host of other amazing food. Everyone was blown away, especially by the Nuovo Cocktail- a yummy concoction of lobster, crap, watermelon, avocado, a cocktail shrimp and their special aurora sauce. Everything was done to perfection and no one had a bad plate. Service was excellent and Sean attended to our every need. AN AMAZING TIME WAS HAD BY ALL! *** P.S. Yes, the artwork is quite garish and should be removed/replaced. For amazing atmosphere, go to "Local 121" downtown- that is Art Deco heaven. The reviews below that say that $75 is pricey for a dinner for two- I wonder where on earth they've eaten to compare? Dinner for two for my husband and I at a moderately nice place is usually around $120 because we like to eat and are willing to pay. Also, the rabbit dish is NOT small. Perhaps they were expecting a whole rabbit on top of the pasta??? I suggest people pay attention to review of those who have eaten all over the U.S. and know what is pricey and what is not. you'll throw down $75 at any other Providence upscale restaurant too, so don't be fooled. Cafe Nuovo is worth it. Instead of waiting at the bar, order an appetizer and start eating well ahead of 50 minutes. For large events, service was no problem at all and everything was served with timed PRECISION. That's all I can say. I love them!

    (5)

  • CeeCee R.

    The ambiance is kind of cute, kind of theatrical with the red curtains and their interior. However, not so sure if the food are that good. First Course: Organic Field Greens Greens with Goat Cheese Croutons was just alright. It was average. Main Course: Halibut in Papillote Took the server's recommendation, big mistake! Halibut was kind of fishy, the dish wasn't that great in general. The Bok Choy was a great touch, however the Stone Fruit Chutney did not really add much to the dish. The flavors didn't really go together, in my opinion. Dessert: Nuovo Sundae Shared this dessert with the group. How could a brownie sundae ever go wrong? So it was a safe choice. Service was good. Overall, the menu sounded so good and I probably had high expectations going there. Everything was not as great as I thought it would be in terms of food.

    (3)

  • Adrianna G.

    Excellent food, great atmosphere, friendly service! I have been there to dine numerous times and also for a wedding, and all have been excellent experiences! I love that they also have outdoor seating

    (5)

  • Bob L.

    Been here a few times, always a positive experience. Always appreciate a staff that is well trained, can memorize a few specials, and a few orders without having to whip out the old order pad. Recently ordered the calamari and shrimp app. Super fresh, super tender, only criticism was that the batter could have been better, a bit more delicate maybe? Its calamari, fully expect it to be fried, this just tasted very fried. I had the short ribs. Some of the best I've had. Fall off the bone, sauce was rich and developed. Wife had the beef tenderloin risotto. The risotto was unbelievably good. Tenderloin was not however, I'm sure it's typically top notch, ours however on this night was very well done and way beyond it's prime. Normally wouldn't mention this, but being a 5* kind of place seems as though they're due for some TLC. Peeling - dinged up wallpaper, outdated paint job and textured wall, light fixtures visibly damaged and out in the open kitchen. A surprise is you would expect smaller a la carte type entrees here. Couldn't be more wrong. Portions are huge! Go prepared with an appetite or look forward to tomorrows leftovers. .

    (4)

  • Girldrinkdrunk S.

    They sat my guest and me at a teeny table for two right against a door to the outside, even though the restaurant was empty. I understand saving tables for other reservations, but we went on a Monday night and there were only two other tables who came after us (literally). We had excellent service, except for the waiter completely forgetting our to-go dessert. Our dinner was excecuted well. The wine prices made me laugh aloud. The experience was okay. I'm not sure I'd return, even though we both enjoyed our meals. The shitty table really bothered us. We dropped over $400 for the two of us at the worst table in the joint.

    (3)

  • Michael R.

    Cafe Nuovo was good, but definitely could have been better. I would give it a 8 out of 10. The only bad thing I can say is that my steak was under cooked. I ordered medium rare and the steak came out extra rare. The middle was cold and raw. It was good, but when you pay almost $40 for a steak you should get it how you order it.

    (4)

  • Christopher F.

    Great spot for Waterfire nights. Good food and drink and always wonderful service. Wouldn't hesitate to bring friends from out of town or have a family lunch, it's a versatile place...

    (4)

  • Beverly S.

    I had been waiting for four years to get to Cafe Nuovo. (I have only been living in RI for four years and had heard lots of wonderful things about CN, however, things always happened and the best laid plans of mice and men.......). SO, hubby and I finally got there for my birthday dinner a few months ago. We were the teensiest bit early so sat at the bar and had some very lovely, generously poured, drinks and some delicious bar munchies. The clientele did resemble middle-aged glitterati and Neiman Marcus clad women (to repeat what another Yelper wrote) and just some plain old folks, appropriately dressed and appearing as if they could afford to dine at this expensive place. We did have to wait past the time of our reservation, but when we got to our table, the waitress was very friendly and certainly made up for the wait. I wish I could remember everything we had for dinner. We shared an appetizer (which was sort of small); had a couple of very nicely and creatively prepared salads; I had an absolutely fabulous, perfectly cooked salmon dish and I don't remember what my husband had but he liked it. We then shared a fabulous dessert - how I wish I could tell you what it was - it really WAS impressive, but this was three months ago and I have had many desserts since then!! Our overall recollection of CN is that the food was beyond good, the service was very friendly, we weren't thrilled about the wait for the table, but I do enjoy a pre-dinner drink at a bar, where I can chat up other friendly folks - which I did. So, I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who can afford the tab, and we plan to go back this summer with friends on a Waterfire night.

    (5)

  • Ed T.

    Best pizza (as an appetizer) ever! Rest of the menu was clever and nicely presented. Had a late seating during Waterfire. Expected them to be a little behind, but not 40 minutes. Note: Not all seats have a view of the river. Staff was very friendly and decor is really nice.

    (4)

  • Mrs. D.

    We had reservations for dinner last night (1-29-11). When we arrived there was no host at the host stand, and we were not greeted in any way. After 5 minutes passed, someone came to the stand to put menus away. He knew we were standing there and didn't even acknowledge us. I was starting to get VERY angry. The restaurant was very busy but just a simple "hi, let me see if I can find the host" would have been acceptable and appreciated. The host finally appeared, he was moving tables and chairs through the sea of people who were waiting and he hit my husband in the head with a chair!!!! He apologized and STILL did not acknowledge the fact we were waiting for a table. We were about to leave but a waiter finally took the initiative after noticing we had been waiting 15 minutes at this point and he said he would help us right away. He tracked down the host and apologized. If it wasn't for him-his name was Ramon, we would have been gone. Ramon deserves a raise. The host was very disorganized and unprofessional from that point on. When our table was finally ready (another 20 minutes!) he took my wine glass and mumbled "this way". He didn't even offer to take my glass he just grabbed it and started walking. Gesh! What was this guy's issue? The rest of our meal was great. Our food was great, the ambiance was great and our waitress was great. They did run out of Riesling though which was a major bummer (we wanted to order a bottle). I wish I could give more than 3 stars but the host really ruined half the experience. If it were up to me I'd put Ramon in charge of everything. Oh and on a final note, the valet was amazing.

    (3)

  • L.M D.

    Another wonderful night out at my favoriate place on a beautiful waterfire night! This place is always great and a beautfiul but trendy/casual atmosphere, however when you dine on the veranda, that is the beauty of the dining experience. We once again sat outside with a perfect view of the waterfires. We were not rushed at all as we started our night with appetizers to dessert. We had the Baby Lettuces salad which was bursting with flavor, and big enough for just about 3 people to share. I have my personal favorite, scallops and shrimp composed plate, which is so light and savory at the same time, the perfect sauce to compliment delicate seafood over summer vege's. And my guest had the Beef Short Rib plate which they raved about. We finished with a dessert that was suggested by our waiter as the best one they offered, Chocolate Butterscotch Parfait, and well he was right. We never save room for dessert but made ourselves this time and were not dissapointed! Service was top notch, food, atmosphere, but it has been everytime and I never expect less!

    (5)

  • Prachie J.

    Wow, we went here on waterfire night and it was perfect. The food and wine were amazing (esp the tuna carpaccio), the service was really pleasant and mellow, and I really want to go back...

    (5)

  • Brian C.

    My wife and have been to about 80% of the restaurants in Providence, and this is our favorite by far! The staff is aways warm and knowledgable. The menu has a bit of everything and it very unique. It is extremely hard but make sure you try and leave room for dessert. I know a couple of years back, they were voted best desserts in Providence 3 or 4 years in a row. Bottom line, if you want to have a great dining experience, Cafe Nuovo should be you #1 choice! It is ours, hands down,

    (5)

  • lily q.

    We went for our anniversary on a Friday night. The place was pretty dead for a weekend in Providence. The service was not good, and I'm a very forgiving customer who tips well. The crabcakes were delicious, the bartender knew what he was doing, but the rest of the meal left a lot to be desired. Not flavorful enough. Again, very slow and almost impolite service, which just doesn't cut it when you're dropping $100 each on mediocre food. I wouldn't recommend it unless you really want to go sit and watch Waterfire and the gondolas go by (I don't know why you would, but so many people do!)

    (2)

  • Vito G.

    My wife and I had a wonderful dinner at Cafe Nuovo. We valet parked (very convenient) and were greeted by 2 Gentlemen that welcomed us to the restaurant and offered to hang up our coats. There was no wait and our table was ready for our Friday night 6:00 reservation. Our waiter was very pleasant and knowledgeable, and informed us that we could use our printed Living Social Coupon just like cash (no restrictions). We ordered a bottle of wine from Sakonnett Vineyards (located in RI). Our waiter made sure my glass was never dry! The complimentary bread and olives, along with the wine was a good start. We split a tasty organic salad with candied walnuts and pear slices. For entrees, my wife had the Lamb Shank. The expertly prepared meat was so tender it fell off the bone. I had the Beef Tenderloin Risotto, which was also very good. The portions were big and satisfying. For dessert we shared the Cinnamon Bread Pudding with Bailey's Ice Cream on top, along with coffee and tea. A Limoncello after dinner drink was the perfect ending to a great meal. 2 hours well spent. Our total bill was $110, which was fair considering we enjoyed everything we ate. We both want to return during Waterfire this summer.

    (5)

  • Bryan K.

    Stuffed Rigatoni. Never seen such a thing before, had to order it. Amazing.

    (3)

  • Jen L.

    Went here for a party.. the service was great, the place is nice (see fancy shmancy), but I was a little disappointed by the food. Could be bc it was mass made for a party, or maybe the party host made poor food choices, but after looking forward to trying it I wasn't very impressed. They started with a chopped vegetable salad, my table was perplexed to say the least at what was presented. It's a creative salad I guess, more of a side dish if you ask me. No lettuce.. just chopped asparagus, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, couple other veggies. One person at the table asked for more dressing, another asked for a completely different salad all together and still didn't like it. I thought it was ok, I was pretty hungry. Next came some kind of chicken with mashed potatoes. I thought it all tasted like butter so two bites in I stopped eating. They serve colored sugar crystals in a cute dish with the hot tea, I thought that was super cute. I would definitely try this place again, just not the same dishes.

    (3)

  • Wendy H.

    Had lunch there during the week. I had the Bibb lettuce & apple salad with gorgonzola cheese and the wild mushroom risotto, both of which were amazing. My lunch companion had the Fried Calamari, which was perfect, cooked crispy but not rubbery, with three sauces, each of which was my favorite, followed by the Grilled cheese sandwich and cream of tomato soup. Again, amazing. We split a bottle of the Marc Bredif Vouvray, which was perfect for lunch on a warm day. Can't recommend this place enough.

    (4)

  • Kroter V.

    What more could you ask for-excellent food presented beautiful by very helpful, attentive and very professional servers. The interior is beautiful and in nice weather it's really romantic to sit at a table on the terrace overlooking the water.

    (5)

  • Allison B.

    Great wine list. Very friendly.

    (4)

  • Greg S.

    Caveat: I'm living in New York so my perspective may be skewed in terms of quality and price. This restaurant sits near the gondola landing on the waterfront right downtown. I went in for lunch on a sunny autumn afternoon. Great view, friendly service. The food was "pretty good" - the menu read impressively, but I think it's not executed on as well as it could be. I had portobello fries with red pepper ketchup and gorgonzola dressing. They were tasty and crisp, though I wish the dressing had a little more bite. I also tried the grilled scallops with spinach, grapefruit, and grilled onion. The scallops were grilled just right and the combination of ingredients was good, but the dressing on the spinach salad was just way too sweet. Especially considering you get sweetness from all the other ingredients, it hardly seems necessary to drown the salad so. I didn't opt for dessert but I checked out the menu and there were some great-looking seasonal items on there. I was a little wary of things not living up to expectations, but if I had room they definitely looked worth trying. I probably got a good deal since I was there for lunch, but I found the prices to be quite fair. Desserts were $9 apiece which seemed steep - perhaps someone else can verify if they're worth it. Most of the patrons were dressy but I was casual and it wasn't a problem.

    (4)

  • Caitlin B.

    I came here with my husband about a week and a half ago on a weekend night. We had reservation, but we still waited about fifteen minutes for a table. Not a huge deal, but when I went to the maitre d' to see how much longer it would be, he did not apologize about the wait After we say down, we ordered an appetizer that included an assortment of Mediterranean mezze as well as our entress. The food was very good, although I was hoping to see a few more unique things on the menu. There was a good assortment of entrees to choose from. Our server was great. He made great recommendations to us for our entrees, was very knowledgeable, pleasant, and professional in my opinion. I was ready to give this restaurant 3 or 4 stars before it came time to use our Groupon. Actually I think it was an Open Table coupon, that works basically the same way as a Groupon. I have used these coupons in the past by displaying them on my iphone without issue. I believe it says right on the Groupon that displaying it on a smart phone is acceptable, while I believe a similar statement is located in the fine print on the Open Table and Living Social coupons. Anyways, we were told by our server it needed to be printed out and he offered that we speak to the maitre d' about this policy. The maitre d' came over to our table and the first thing he said was "is there going to be a problem here?" My husband calmly explained that we thought we wanted to use the coupon. We asked him why he had a policy of only accepting printed coupons when he could just write the coupon number down. He accused us of starting a fight, and could not give us any explanation other than that he "did not feel comfortable doing that." He then made it very clear that he was done talking about the issue and that there was no one else we could talk to about the policy. This completely ruined our evening. The worst part was not even the fact that we couldn't use the coupon but the horrible attitude of the maitre d'. I plan on contacting Open Table to get a refund- there's no way I want to patronize this restaurant again. Beware of restaurants making up their own coupon policies when the policies that govern the contract are clearly written on the coupon or the Open Table website.

    (2)

  • Matt L.

    I visited this spot based on many recommendations from friends about how great it is. It sits in one of the better spots in Providence along the river and during the suimmer has outdoor patio seating. The building it sits in seems like an odd location and the parking lot is a bit funky, but its okay since there is valet parking. The interor is trendy and intimate, a bit cozy and looks pretty upscale. The service is good and very friendly and helpful. The wine list is very good and the drinks are inventive. The menu offers pretty unique and creative selections with a French flair. When the food came I expected ot be Wowed, only to be disappointed, hearing such great things. The food is just avverage. It is not worth the prices that are extreme. The setting is the allure here, but I wouldn't pay these types of prices unless I was in Boston or NY. For Providence look elsewhere. With so many restaurants around, your bucks can go further for better food.

    (2)

  • Stephanie H.

    Excellent food, beautiful view, great service! Cafe' Nuovo is much to rave about. Seating is a bit cramped but worth the small discomfort. The menu is top of the line, but if your not looking to drop $30+ a plate, this isn't the place for you.

    (5)

  • Ren H.

    This is a great place with a great atmosphere... its right in the center of the city with great views all around. The food is great here and its a nice relaxing place for a meal. We had a baby shower there once and it was beautiful!

    (5)

  • Erin M.

    A classy contemporary restaurant that I can't get enough of. Every time we've gone over the past 4 or 5 years has been a memorable food event. Last night I had the angus steak and I believe it was Parmesan risotto. They put some kind of mushroomy gravy on the steak. I'd like to take a bath in it. We had the beet salad to start, which was a simple dish they made out of this world. My husband had the lamb shank, and enjoyed it immensely. Oh and bring your appetite, they have great portion sizes. The waitstaff has always been flawless too as well as the hostess who deals with throngs of people asking for the outside deck seating overlooking the river during waterfires at the last minute with poise and grace. She never seems frustrated by the question despite the fact that she must get asked that question 1000x a night. Speaking of that if you can swing a reservation sitting outside on the deck in general and especially during waterfires it is a very special experience not to be missed. Plan early if you want to do this. Reserve seats months in advance. Enjoy your meal!

    (5)

  • David S.

    After hearing good things we went here for our 33rd anniversary I ordered the ribeye steak medium rare It arrived well done and I mean well done During the long wait my wife finished her risotto which was excellent Normally I would been offered a glass of wine at the least Nothing was offered and finally after another 1/2 hour I gave up and asked for check I would have a hard time recommending a place where the cook can't get a steak correct

    (2)

  • Alana L.

    My boyfriend and I are moving to Providence soon, and decided we wanted to check out some of the restaurants in the area. We are so happy we found Cafe Nuovo! It's located in a beautiful spot of Providence! They have outside seating right along the water. I imagine it would be beautiful whenever there's a Waterfire event. Our server, Edward, was pleasant, funny, professional, and very knowledgeable. My boyfriend and I were looking for a quick bite to eat, and so we shared an entree. Not once did he make us feel awkward about it, or that we were lesser than any of his other tables. He also asked the bartender to make me the most delicious sangria, after we had mentioned that we had terrible sangria elsewhere. It was super delicious! The calamari was okay. Nothing special, a little bland. Definitely needs the remoulade dipping sauce. The shrimps were barely noticeable. They were the tiny baby shrimps. The jumbo lump crab risotto was tasty! There was a generous portion of crabmeat, and the littlenecks that garnished it were delicious! An excellent dish. The risotto was also very well cooked. We finished it off with a banana bread pudding. Super yummy! Came with brulee-d bananas and chocolate! We devoured the whole thing. We left feeling like it was money well spent! We were full, and had a delightful experience. Wished the cocktail menu offered more crafty martinis. But we can't wait to come back to try other dishes they have to offer!

    (4)

  • Patrick M.

    Great food, service was good as well. Been in RI a long time and hard for a restaurant to stay relevant... And we'll they do it. Super modern twist on classics. Restaurant is tight in a NYC kinda way but not too loud as the ceiling height is good. Thinking about it... GO! And get dessert.... OHHH get dessert.

    (4)

  • Christine D.

    Dining at Cafe Nuovo for my husband and me is a prince and princess experience. The warmth of the owner, manager, and assistants as well as the entire waitstaff is so very heartwarming. This past Saturday, we were fortunate that our wedding anniversary fell on a Waterfire evening so our experience with our Nuovo family was even more special. Food is always prepared to perfection from appetizer through dessert. Thank you, once again, dear Nuovo family for your countless efforts and superb service, and for making this anniversary a remarkable one.

    (5)

  • Neil B.

    We (15 of us) took mom to Cafe Nuovo on Mother's Day to celebrate Mother's Day and her 85th birthday two weeks early. We chose Nuovo because it is where she wanted to be taken and you don't argue with mom on her 85th birthday (even when it is two weeks early)! Cafe Nuovo is a very nice venue overlooking the Providence River with excellent food. Portions are average in size but above average in quality (though one of our party felt they use too much salt - but you will never get 16 of us to totally agree!). I had the tuna that I very much enjoyed Another hit as the scallop and shrimp combo. It was a bit strange that the featured "Special" was a item straight off the menu. On the other hand it caught my eye and I ordered it! Service was a bit slow (it was a busy day) and some of the food arrived late but the servers were very pleasant. Also the bathroom was very nice! The only downers were that there was no lunch menu (we were there at noon) and one other thing which may or may not have been the valet parker's fault was that they returned our car with a flat tire (that we discovered less than a block out of the parking lot). Finally I think Cafe Nuovo is fairly priced for a high end restaurant.

    (4)

  • Paul M.

    Had a great meal right up until the experience was ruined by the rude parking attendant. The restaurant is fabulous but unfortunately they don't have their own parking during the daytime. There were plenty of parking spaces available and I had to send out a contract before leaving the lot. The parking attendant rudely pushed me out! Unless they get their own parking, I won't be back. I don't need to be hassled after what I spent on lunch and then the $6.00 to park for an hour. P.S. The steak tips Risotto is to die for but you'll have to find a place on the street to park...

    (3)

  • robert m.

    We've heard so many good things about Cafe Nuovo but, for some unknown reason, we've never been there. Yesterday we were running a bunch of errands in Providence and decided to have a late lunch there. It was spectacular. Now I know why everyone raves about it. We'll definitely be going back.

    (5)

  • Rob B.

    Pretty solid choice here! Some of the best service I have had in a long time. And while my Jumbo Crab Risotto was IMO, too runny there was no shortage of seafood in the dish. Local fresh Oysters and Clams on the half shell made for a wonderful start as was the RI style Fried Calamari. We shared 3 desserts that were artfully plated. Not usually my choice but the Caramel Bread Pudding was Rock'n!

    (4)

  • James R.

    Excellent ambiance and service. Above that-- the food was absolutely spectacular-- I feel most food does not rise to that level. The ribeye steak was one of the best I've ever had and the other foods were excellent too-- just an all around great restaurant-- I highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Nobel X.

    Its an amazing place. Delicious food. Pleasant ambience and very courteous hosting. A must visit if you come down to providence

    (4)

  • Aimee Z.

    I've only been once and can not wait to return. I sat outside on a beautiful day and enjoyed the atmosphere. The food was better than I could have imagined. We stopped for lunch and I can't wait to have a dinner entree there. I had a nice white sangria! We shared some pizza which is the best I've ever had. We also had some sushi which was very good. I've tried to return on Saturdays & SUNDAYS but I'm always too early and end up elsewhere. I think they open at 4 and I always arrive between 1 & 3pm and cant get thru when we call ahead to see if their open

    (5)

  • Samantha W.

    Get the short rib!!!!! So delicious, I would get that again. And again. Had the pancetta lentil soup to start, my boyfriend had the pulled pork tacos and both were very good. Finished with the key lime cheesecake and it was amazing!! Everything about this place was awesome. We had a nice table next to the window overlooking the river and it was great as it seemed super windy outside. Not sure if you have to request a table outside to sit out there... And the service was excellent as well. Great place to go for a fancier night out!

    (5)

  • Eve S.

    It is located in the Citizens Bank Building-if you can overcome this initial confusion or possible confusion locating the restaurant you are in for a very nice meal. My mom and I came here on Easter Sunday (I know, I know I am always behind of Yelp reviews) When we sat down and I said to Mom "I think I'm going to have some prosecco" our waiter interjected we have some vanilla (and something else I forget) infused prosecco as a matter of fact. We were pretty much putty in their hands. We both had delicious appetizer salads. I had a fish special that had a rhubarb component when I heard that described I would have to try. The plating and presentation is really nice. My Mom had veal and even though we were approaching quite full we had dessert. I am sorry that the tardiness of my yelping doesn't recall all the details but suffice to say we will be back.

    (4)

  • Aurelie T.

    I am rating it with a 1 star because of every aspect in the food and hospitality business standards. The very , very first aspect in restaurant business is to treat your guest with respect and hospitality. Unfortunately they did not meet this criteria AT ALL. I called 2 weeks in advance to book a table on the patio. The person I had first told me it was closed. Which wasn't true and I knew it because of water fire night event. When I told him , he changed his version and told me that everything was already booked. Really ? 2 weeks in advance ? It was a special night , my husband's birthday. I shared that as well and I asked him to take my name. I sent an e-mail to the GM and nobody took even the trouble to reply. Overrated and absolute guest denial brought me to this review. Quite unfortunate but it is what it is.

    (1)

  • Mckenzie G.

    I wanted to love Cafe Nuovo. I've heard good things about the place, and I would assume that the price point would warrant a better experience than I had. We checked out the restaurant during Restaurant week, and I do have to say that we got our money's worth with the portions - something that can't always be said at other places during Restaurant week. Although we made a reservation ahead of time, we were treated as if we were just walking off the street. We had to wait about 20 minutes at the bar for our table, and when we were finally seated I saw there were at least 2 other tables available outside that we could've been sat at earlier. Instead we were led to the last table in the tent - in the corner with no overhead light. It's like they wanted to us to disappear. Our waiter was fairly friendly, although he forgot things like the fresh ground pepper that we asked for and the service took a really long time. I started with the caesar salad, which I found a little too bitter. My entree and dessert left me with a much better taste in my mouth. Actually, I loved the chocolate cake, with it's cookie crunch in the middle. My friend enjoyed his appetizer and dessert, but really didn't like the flavor of his fish entree. When he talked to the waiter about it, the waiter said he would go talk to the manager, but then did nothing about it. In the end, while I liked the ambiance of being along the river, and there were some highlights to the food, the service turned me off.

    (3)

  • Robin P.

    Pretty good. There is a lot of competition in Providence with so many great restaurants and this one would be 5 star in any other city.

    (4)

  • R. B.

    I had the lump crab risotto, it was excellent . two dinner mates had Filet Mignon, which they said were OK but would have been better if not overcooked. the dining room had very few tables occupied due to a snowy evening, no excuse for not getting everything perfectly prepared. service was excellent. .apps and dessert were sufficient. its my 3rd time dining here over the past 5 years. never been overly impressed but it's good.

    (4)

  • Michelle B.

    Food here was really good. Ate outside when waterfire was happening so that was a nice atmosphere except random people (i.e., people not eating at the restaurant but were watching the waterfire) kept running through the outside part of the restaurant. That was annoying but the restaurant staff didn't seem to care although they should. It also started to rain at one point and non-customers started crowding around our table to be under the shade, constantly bumping against our chairs/back. The staff should have asked them to go elsewhere, but no, they ignored it. Five stars for the food but minus one for the staff's acting oblivious to the customer's environment. Ordered: Crab risotto (very good, clams tasted as if they were first poached in butter, large chunks of crab, the lemon zest was a nice refreshing touch) Angus steak (good although the presentation of the mashed potatoes was curious...) Duck breast (I didn't have enough to really judge but seemed good) Crab cakes (delightfully crunchy and tasty, could be a little less salty) Calamari and shrimp (good but nothing spectacular)

    (4)

  • Robert M.

    my girlfriend and I went on a fri date night (a very rare no children fri night) we wanted to go somewhere new and exciting. she was dressed up a bit, i was in jeans and a button down, i felt a little under dressed. the gf told me i was being crazy. we are both late 20s early 30s, we were the youngest ones there. the place wasnt "old" but you could tell it was classy and had a good demographic. excellent place for a special date night or promotion or something along those lines. first of all the place is BEAUTIFUL!!! the service was incredible I still wait tables and bartend a few nights a week to pick up some quick cash, so as anyone who has served before knows we as servers are super over critical of service and we always pick out things that should have or shouldn't have happened during our dining experience. we had a female server who was very professional and still had an awesome personality. you could tell she loved working there. the gf ordered wine, I ordered a specialty drink. it was so good I actually asked for the drink recipe. the server grabbed it from the bartender, I was surprised because a lot of places will not give out specialty drink details. so right away that made me love the place. the gf ordered duck, was so tender and not at all gamey (sp?) also a nice huge portion! I ordered the Bouillabaisse.....I thought it wouldn't be all that big and they would kind of skimp on the portions of seafood.......wow I was WRONG. it was plated beautifully and was sooo delicious!!! I have a pretty awesome appetite, I was unable to finish the pasta but I ate all the seafood lol. as I mentioned earlier, we never ever have a child free Fri night, so we have to indulge in some dessert. we ordered the Pot of mousse. it looked like a work of art and the taste matched the look! we will be back, hopefully this summer and overlook the water fires!

    (5)

  • R. R.

    Cafe Nuovo has been around for so long. I cannot believe that we have never been. The food had layers of flavors and textures, which was very fulfilling and exceeded our expectations. The risotto that came with the beef tenderloin tips was very rich. The beef was cooked to perfection and also had a fantastic flavor. The vegetarian fettuccine was surprisingly delicious. The sweet potato, tomato and peas tied in well together. Dessert was also delicious. The food at Cafe Nuovo deserves 5 stars, but seeing that we have only been here once, we will wait to see if the consistency merits 5 stars.

    (4)

  • Sidney C.

    Cafe Nuevo is extremely fancy and out of my league. I threw on a nice dress and got treated just like everyone else, though. They didn't have too many choices that I enjoyed as a majority of it was fancy. We looked out on water fire and made reservations to get this seat. Our waiters were a tad awkward, yet the valet men were handsome! It is right on Waterfire so it provides a perfect stroll to digest after. The dessert was delicious and although I feel as if it is overrated, I do not regret going here.

    (4)

  • Dana V.

    Came here as the dessert part of Dine Around Providence. Great seating outside on the boardwalk-would've only been better if Waterfire was going on! I had the Peanut Butter Bar: rice krispies, peanut butter mousse, butter crunch popcorn great flavor. Inside is an upscale, classy restaurant. I'd love to go back and try dinner.

    (4)

  • Lisa Y.

    Five star good and give star service. I had a perfect night here. Went on a water fire night, I didn't have reservations but by luck and it was 10 pm, there was no wait and I got a table right by the water. Service was impeccable. All of the food options looked mouth watering. I went with the vegetarian fettuccine which was creamy and perfect. The only con is they are very price. For dinner and a bottle if champagne, with tip, we spent around $250.

    (5)

  • Kate M.

    We came here for a special event with a large group of 20. The service and food were excellent, I would highly recommend for someone looking to host a dinner. I got the pizza that was on special and really enjoyed it. The wine list had some good selections

    (5)

  • Emek K.

    Severs are straight-up rude. I would've given them zero stars if I could. Our sever was offensive and very arrogant.

    (1)

  • Sam S.

    Just had our Annual Christmas here and had a fabulous time. The waiters were spot on with food and wine recommendations. They truly made our holiday party a huge success. We will certainly be back!

    (5)

  • Kathryn M.

    Food: I found the restaurant to be on par with Davio's. Several seafood and steak dishes with a slight italian undertone. The dining experience was made special by the way the food was presented on the plate. The food was very simple, but prepared artistically. The menu doesn't even begin to describe how beautiful the food will look when it comes to your table. We both had tiny crab cakes for an appetizer and steak for dinner. I opted for the lemon cheesecake for dessert which was very nice. My son ordered this chocolate and banana bread pudding ordeal that was decorated with chocolate straws and was unbelievably beautiful. Location: The restaurant is located in a professional building (Citizen's Bank) with free valet parking. Ambience: Inside and outside dining. Good for all occasions: business dinner, date night, or special event like a graduation, birthday or anniversary. Service: top notch. Our server was gracious, helpful and completely on point all night. Value: Our bill was $180 for appetizers, main courses, desserts and wine for 2 people. Felt it was a solid value- would gladly return.

    (5)

  • Jason Z.

    We were just visiting Portland for the weekend and we thought we'd try this place out. The staff was incredibly kind and saw to our every need. Our waiter was also very patient and gave us some excellent recommendations. The oysters there were great! Not the best I've had, but good nonetheless. The lobster bisque, however, was much better than I anticipated. We will definitely come back for another visit when we pass through Providence.

    (5)

  • Yana R.

    Went here for an anniversary, and everything was amazing. I had the duck and my husband had seafood risotto. Both were delicious. Escargots were also good, but that was the first time I had them so I am not really an expert on escargots. My husband had bread pudding for dessert and it was so good! Service was excellent.

    (5)

  • Jenny H.

    I went to Café Nuovo last month with a friend for the first time. It was Thursday night and wasn't very busy. It was very classy and had upscale atmosphere and most of other guests were mostly businessmen. We are in our 30s and probably youngest ones there. We got a table right next to window with great river view. I ordered beef risotto and my friend ordered the Braised Rabbit Pappardelle. Both of us weren't that hungry, so we just ordered entrees. The risotto was very delicious and beef was cooked nicely. I was surprised the server didn't ask me how I wanted my beef to be cooked but it came out very tender and juicy. My friend liked his pasta too, but the portion looked a bit small for a guy to have as a meal unless we had appetizers. Because it is around $30 and could used more pasta. During the meal, he ordered a cocktail that took surprisingly longer than we expected since it wasn't busy night. Also it took a while to get attention from servers to refill our water. Also my friend kept finding pieces of rabbit bones in his dish. So that was little disappointing considering that it's fine dining restaurant and missed out that kind of details. Other then that the food tasted great and overall service was smooth and nice. However, both of us look younger than our age and I got the feeling that the server wasn't giving too much attention compare to other tables with older men with business suit. And when we were leaving the server thanked us, but seemed didn't really care much. I've been to many fine dining restaurants in Providence and it was odd and funny how the staff made you feel like unwelcomed in some way or we didn't seem fancy enough for the place, just because how you looked or dressed. But the food was awesome.

    (3)

  • H M.

    Went early on Waterfire night and scored a nice window seat. Restaurant ambiance was nice - perfect for a nice date. Servers were welcoming and attentive. Had amazing crab cakes with corn relish and tiny diced bits of pickled watermelon. Best crab cakes ever. Husband had clam and mussel chowder which was yummy. My cocktail was tasty but his choice of beers was disappointing. The beer list was all mass produced beers aside from one local offering. My dinner was scollops with preserved lemon risotto and a glass of pinot Grigio. They have an extensive wine list. Husbands lamb shank had been braised 6 hrs and was amazing. Dessert was a delish creme brûlée with fresh fruit. All in all nice setting, nice staff, amazing food. Only complaint was the beer list.

    (5)

  • Dee B.

    Dined here after our Gondola ride....we had a pasta dish and duck... duck was a bit gamey but good... service was excellent. Wine was great, appetizer was great... so... food was excellent, flavorful (except the gamey duck). Good for a date or a business dinner.

    (4)

  • Kay P.

    Just got home from the studio 54 gala for home and hospice care of ri. It is a fund raiser event for a great cause. I work for an awsome company that helped sponsor some of the events festivities and I had a blasty blast. The theme was great so was the food and music and decorations. Absolutely a great night out. The service is amazing as always and the outdoor bar was so cozy but classy at the same time. You forgot you were downtown for a min. If you ever get a chance to go to an event here or even just for dinner and dessert you will not be dissappointed. They go big and I like it. They even had arial dancers on ribbons! I cant wait for next years event already.

    (5)

  • Lizz W.

    Yummm! Had my work's Christmas party here last night and I was so impressed by the food and service. My favorite had to be this grilled pizza that had duck on it. It was so amazing! Also, they had the biggest shrimp cocktail I've ever seen and everyone was raving about the oysters. The servers was so nice and accomindating. I will definitely be back for dinner soon!

    (4)

  • Queenie L.

    I love to take the window seats, river view is beautiful and romantic. However I wouldn't recommend to go during weekdays if you want a romantic dinner. We arrived at 7pm on a weekday and the restaurants are super packed, i can clearly hear the conversations from the next tables, because tables are very close to each others. Food is ok, not good enough to impress thou.

    (3)

  • Scottie M.

    This place is the definition of up scale in Providence. Cafe Nuovo and sister restaurant Capriccio bring elegant charm to the downtown area around the Providence river. Cafe Nuovo is an elegant experience that is intimate and alluring. I've heard people mention that the prices are too high, but I think that is hogwash. This is fine dining - try going to a restaurant of this quality in New York City! That being said, this isn't a local burger joint - so don't expect to paying with your singles. The waiters serve you a glass of water from the glass bottled Voss water from Norway, it's not from the classic tap. Reservations are suggested here. I've been here a few times and all but one time had a reservation; this is the reason they are only receiving 4 stars from me. The one time that I arrived without a reservation, I was on a date and was asked where I wanted to go. We were dressed up nicely and I thought it would be the perfect atmosphere to sit back and get to know one another. The host however, was a bit uncouth and acted as though it would be very difficult to accommodate us without a reservation on this slamming Tuesday night. Once again, this is Providence.. the rich aren't exactly lining up around here. After a whole 4 minutes, we were seated in the dining area. The meals are prepared beautifully. This is one of the few places that I haven't had to complain about how my meal was cooked. You want steak? They will cook it to your liking and not require a second try to get it right. Back to the presentation, each plate is usually presented as if it were ready to be photographed. Beautiful. Dessert. Yum. I don't usually have room for dessert, but that's the reason why upscale restaurants portion their meals so perfectly - so you can enjoy each course without being stuffed. Once again, prepared ready to serve the queen. I ordered the pear crisp and received a plate with colorful spun sugars in the shape of snowflakes - just can't express the satisfaction I get when a chef enjoys his work and it shows!

    (4)

  • Scott P.

    Based on the 4 stars I see for this establishment, I would think it a no brainer...Wrong! My wife and I tried the Sole and Tuna and both were terrible. The Sole was a mushy, buttery mess that tasted like a mushy, buttery mess. The Tuna was laced with fat throughout that made it tough to cut with a knife let alone a simple fork. I was told by the waitress that they've never had a complaint about the Tuna? Maybe they haven't, but it doesn't matter because my tuna steak was really, really bad. The waitress was great and the manager came over and apologized. I truly appreciated the gesture. It was because of that gesture that we went with 2 stars and not 1. As I write this my stomach is growling because I didn't have dinner. Sucks BAD!

    (2)

  • Becky M.

    I'm not kidding. Get the risotto. Don't bother to look at the other menu items. Just trust me...try the seafood risotto. I have never eaten so slowly....because I didn't want it to ever end. Yes, that good. The rest of our meal was delicious too. Snails to start (thank you for the brie), risotto for me and the fish special for my best friend, and then a corn cake dessert with peaches and honey for dessert. Delectable from start to finish. It is a little awkward trying to figure how how to get into the restaurant. (Word to the wise, go through the Citizen's Building). The rest rooms is SMALL and it got crowded quick. Oddly there was a line for the men's room, which shares an outer "reception" space with the women's room. Awkward. We did sit outside on a late summer evening and watched the Waterfire torches be lit. A nice touch. The service was perfect. Our server made EXCELLENT recommendations from wine to main course to the dessert that we treated ourselves to. He was attentive without hovering. He was charming and funny. Nicely done. Yes, a bit on the expensive side. But worth it as a treat.

    (5)

  • Yelp R.

    Everything from service to food is the best this well traveled lady has ever had in her life

    (5)

  • Greg E.

    What an amazing restaurant. Went out there for the first time. The atmosphere was so nice and the service was wonderful. I had the Cesar salad and it was so tasty. And for the entree I has a yummy sweetish salmon and the flavors were an explosion in my mouth. And the finish it off the lemon cheesecake was to die for. What a great place to go and I highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Laura T.

    Noticed that my review of this place is pretty old, so after a recent visit wanted to reiterate the fact that this place is awesome. Since my last visit, they got rid of the loud 80s art in favor of some nice landscapes, changing the vibe to totally cool and classy. The food was superb as always. My crab cake was deliciously crispy, perfectly seasoned, and full of crab, and my beloved risotto left nothing to be desired. My husband loved his food too, a mushroom appetizer with prosciutto that smelled amazing and a strip steak for dinner. My only small criticism is that our entrees came out extremely quickly after our appetizers, so if you're dining at a slow time and want to linger a bit over diner, I would suggest waiting until you're done with apps to order entrees. However, I was really impressed with the staff's reaction to learning I had a dairy allergy. They were happy to talk to the chef about how I could be accommodated, and even rushed over after the bread basket was dropped off to make sure I knew the focaccia had cheese on it. The allergy is new for me and I've had some good and not so good experiences speaking to waitstaff at various places about it - this was the best so far. They didn't make me feel like it was a bother at all, which makes me much more likely to return than to a place that makes me feel like I'm putting someone out by asking about ingredients in the food. For now, Cafe Nuovo stands as my top pick for a celebratory dinner in Providence!

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 10

Specialities

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

Cafe Nuovo

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