Oberlin is one of the best examples of Providence's fantastic dining scene—expect a wide range of excellent lesser-known, sustainably caught local fish like tautog, butterfish and bluefish, as well as a wide range of other regionally-inspired dishes like fresh pasta, homemade sourdough, and roasted local veg. The place has a real neighborhood vibe that makes you want to stay for hours, which is definitely helped by the exceptional wine list and desserts (specifically: the Basque cheesecake).
The Wedding Cake house was originally built in 1867 and served as the home of Anna and Laura Tirocchi, two Italian-American immigrant sisters who operated a dressmaking business before becoming vacant and settling into disrepair for decades. However, in the last 5 years it's been renovated and restored to its former glory by the long standing Providence feminist art collective The Dirt Palace. It now operates as a contemporary art installation, housing artists on short term residencies to engage with and work in the space. They also host regular shows, open houses, and, occasionally operate as a bed & breakfast. It's worth walking by to see the stunning architecture, especially on a night when you can go inside!
Yes, you can get the best baklava you've ever had here (the owner trained with "the Baklava master" of Aleppo, Syria as a child), but they have so much more, from stuffed dates to shawarma to falafel. Don't visit without trying one of their teas. Voted one of Bon Appetit's best new restaurants in 2019!
A fabulous little Antiques & Americana shop with a potpourri of interesting curios and vintage finds. New pleasing and peculiar finds land in the store every week, including fine, folk, and outsider art, objects of design, lighting, furnishings, signs and advertising, ephemera, antique toys, period clothing and textiles, curiosities, and more.
Part of the Old as Adam store is dedicated to the Found Object Gallery, which every few months reopens with a new collection of objects bound by a different conceptual thread. The thematic exhibits sift through the material past to explore the chance poetics, contemporary relevance, and unintentional wisdom of old things, whether trashed or treasured.
Julian's is a Providence staple. It has amazing brunch, is vegan friendly, serves sweet treats like apple & spice cocktails & cherry cinnamon buns, and has a cozy-stars wars-cheerful-rock & roll vibe. I feel happy every time I go there.