Loretta was a charismatic and charming waitress that made our dinner special.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Linda Morse
We found Scales & Shells while meandering around Newport, it is convenient on Thames St. We were very pleasantly surprised to find some of the best lobster bisque we've had, with a rich creamy broth & big chunks of lobster. We also found the calimari to be crispy & delicious. The raw clams & oysters were top-notch. All with a cold local beer on tap and excellent service. We'll be back...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jim M
This was a truly amazing restaurant with delicious food, great staff, and did I say great food?! 100% a must try when visiting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jules S
Awesome! Really great food. Small but interesting menu.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Taylor
The best swordfish steak I’ve ever tasted 💯and the oysters were great - even better as we ordered before 7pm and got half a dozen super fresh oysters for $6 with the “buck a shuck” offer
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell, Fish
Kristen Statires
That spicy seafood pasta was my favorite meal in ages. The food was delicious, staff super friendly, and they were so accommodating with our human child and dog child. I’ll be going back next time I’m in Newport.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jamie Pop
I’ve lived in Boston and NYC and vacationed in Newport my entire life. Scales and shells is one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to, and is hands down my favorite in Newport, RI. I think about the shrimp piccata, the swordfish, the clams linguini and the Gibson martini all the time and pray they’re still there when I return. I don’t know what they’re doing at the bar but the Manhattan, martini and Gibson our family had were all the best we had ever had.
Emily Claire
After seeing reviews, we were nervous to give the place a chance. Turns out it is just trolls being trolls. The small menu is nice because you know the food is more apt to be fresh and inventive. Especially in such a touristy location with all of the usual seafood options on repeat in every single restaurant! They have a one-buck-shuck special (check for times) and offer some great oysters! We ended up going with the spicy seafood (house-made) linguine and pan seared scallops. Both were delicious! Highly recommend giving it a shot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell
Linda Nannini
The food is absolutely incredible. Compliments to the chef. So much fresh and delish seafood. Nothing boring.
We are in Newport, RI for our first New England exploration. Staying on Thames Street and stopped in for dinner.
Fresh made Sourdough for nibbles. Prawn, Sliced Scallops, Calamari and Crab Cake Starter to share
Tuatog ( similar to cod) main Shortrib Pasta main
Fresh made Pistatio Ice Cream, Chocolate base and whipped cream to finish.
Martinis: Harvest Fig and a Ginger Martini. Both very good.
We both thought every dish had some flavorsome appeal and we would stop here again. Highly recommend.
Our server Loretta was outstanding with suggestions and recommendations.
As an aside, while waiting for a table. a customer advised us he was in for a carry out of charcoal sourdough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish
Jason Friedberg
I’ve been going to Scales & Shell since 1990! I walked in today and it is NOT Scales & Shells. The signature chalkboard fresh fish and shellfish is GONE, replaced by a soulless, uninspired menu. They even ruined the wine section…WTH! After 35 years why have you gutted this Newport institution?!
For the love of God please fire the chef and bring back the owners. This is a travesty! Here is early 2024 vs today!!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Diane
I never write a negative review or complain to the server about a meal. But our experience at Scales and shells was not great. The service was very slow, although our server kept checking back. It was a busy Saturday night, so we understand. Our salad was very good, but the edges of the romaine were brown. My swordfish was very dry and overcooked and my husbands pasta dish had very little flavor in the sauce. We were very unhappy with our meals and won't be returning.
Larry
Improving. Second time dining since the restaurant re opened. It was a little better than the last time (which was decent). Short rib malfadine was the star! Incredible dish! Swordfish was slightly overcooked. Octopus a la plancha appetizer was very good also. I will come back again.
Sharon
Our dinner and experience was excellent. I had the grilled lobster, absolutely delicious ! My husband had the cod in pot which was so good. Don was very attentive and the service was excellent!
Loretta was a charismatic and charming waitress that made our dinner special.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We found Scales & Shells while meandering around Newport, it is convenient on Thames St. We were very pleasantly surprised to find some of the best lobster bisque we've had, with a rich creamy broth & big chunks of lobster. We also found the calimari to be crispy & delicious. The raw clams & oysters were top-notch. All with a cold local beer on tap and excellent service. We'll be back...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was a truly amazing restaurant with delicious food, great staff, and did I say great food?! 100% a must try when visiting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome! Really great food. Small but interesting menu.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best swordfish steak I’ve ever tasted 💯and the oysters were great - even better as we ordered before 7pm and got half a dozen super fresh oysters for $6 with the “buck a shuck” offer
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell, Fish
That spicy seafood pasta was my favorite meal in ages. The food was delicious, staff super friendly, and they were so accommodating with our human child and dog child. I’ll be going back next time I’m in Newport.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve lived in Boston and NYC and vacationed in Newport my entire life. Scales and shells is one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to, and is hands down my favorite in Newport, RI. I think about the shrimp piccata, the swordfish, the clams linguini and the Gibson martini all the time and pray they’re still there when I return. I don’t know what they’re doing at the bar but the Manhattan, martini and Gibson our family had were all the best we had ever had.
After seeing reviews, we were nervous to give the place a chance. Turns out it is just trolls being trolls.
The small menu is nice because you know the food is more apt to be fresh and inventive. Especially in such a touristy location with all of the usual seafood options on repeat in every single restaurant!
They have a one-buck-shuck special (check for times) and offer some great oysters!
We ended up going with the spicy seafood (house-made) linguine and pan seared scallops. Both were delicious!
Highly recommend giving it a shot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell
The food is absolutely incredible. Compliments to the chef. So much fresh and delish seafood. Nothing boring.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best seafood restaurant in Newport.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We are in Newport, RI for our first New England exploration. Staying on Thames Street and stopped in for dinner.
Fresh made Sourdough for nibbles.
Prawn, Sliced Scallops, Calamari and Crab Cake Starter to share
Tuatog ( similar to cod) main
Shortrib Pasta main
Fresh made Pistatio Ice Cream, Chocolate base and whipped cream to finish.
Martinis: Harvest Fig and a Ginger Martini. Both very good.
We both thought every dish had some flavorsome appeal and we would stop here again. Highly recommend.
Our server Loretta was outstanding with suggestions and recommendations.
As an aside, while waiting for a table. a customer advised us he was in for a carry out of charcoal sourdough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish
I’ve been going to Scales & Shell since 1990! I walked in today and it is NOT Scales & Shells. The signature chalkboard fresh fish and shellfish is GONE, replaced by a soulless, uninspired menu. They even ruined the wine section…WTH! After 35 years why have you gutted this Newport institution?!
For the love of God please fire the chef and bring back the owners. This is a travesty! Here is early 2024 vs today!!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
I never write a negative review or complain to the server about a meal. But our experience at Scales and shells was not great. The service was very slow, although our server kept checking back. It was a busy Saturday night, so we understand. Our salad was very good, but the edges of the romaine were brown. My swordfish was very dry and overcooked and my husbands pasta dish had very little flavor in the sauce. We were very unhappy with our meals and won't be returning.
Improving. Second time dining since the restaurant re opened. It was a little better than the last time (which was decent). Short rib malfadine was the star! Incredible dish! Swordfish was slightly overcooked. Octopus a la plancha appetizer was very good also. I will come back again.
Our dinner and experience was excellent. I had the grilled lobster, absolutely delicious ! My husband had the cod in pot which was so good. Don was very attentive and the service was excellent!
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