I first stumbled into Cafe Nuovo over 11 years ago—college Gregory might not remember the details, but my taste buds definitely knew what was up back then. Fast-forward to now, and this place still delivers in all the right ways.
The vibe is a perfect mix of cozy and upscale: great for a chill dinner or a special date night. The service remains top-notch—friendly, attentive, and never pushy. The food… chef’s kiss. Start with the Caesar salad: crisp, flavorful, and a fresh kick-off. The salmon (if you’re going that route) is a standout—expertly cooked, subtly sweet, and bursting with balanced flavor.
Now, on to the real starpower: dessert. If you’re missing the lemon cheesecake, don’t worry—this place has leveled up. Try the Caramelized Banana Cheesecake: rich, Southern-style NY cheesecake with pecan-graham crust, spiced chantilly, crème fraîche ice cream, and a bourbon-caramel swirl. Trust me, it’s a showstopper.
Whether you’re a Providence local or just passing through, Cafe Nuovo is the kind of place you’ll keep returning to—nostalgia hits different when the plate still performs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Barbara Morton
The lamb shank is a must !!!! The sushi was phenomenal! 5 star service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
CA Heef
What an incredibly special dining experience. Staff is excellent, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere is very upscale.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul Brown
Cafe Nuovo: Fine Dining at the End of an Epic Quest
Our journey to Cafe Nuovo was not your typical “find a parking spot, walk inside” type of story. It was a full-blown cinematic adventure. My wife Ashleigh, my son Benjamin, and I set out with one goal: meet our friend David for dinner. Somehow our GPS must have been possessed by a mischievous Rhode Island spirit because we ended up navigating a series of increasingly ridiculous obstacles.
First we had to cross a suspiciously rickety bridge guarded by a flock of overly confident geese. They stared us down like they were bouncers at a nightclub, but Benjamin distracted them with interpretive dance long enough for us to pass. Then we entered a cobblestone alley where we were challenged to a spontaneous air guitar contest by a man dressed as a colonial soldier. Ashleigh took the win with a solo that could have made a guitar cry.
Finally, after what felt like the last level of a video game, we stepped into Cafe Nuovo. Instantly the chaos outside melted away. The place was a culinary oasis, elegant and warm, with a view of the river so beautiful it made me want to apologize to every sandwich I have ever eaten for not being this good. Everything from the service to the food was flawless.
After dinner we began Phase Two of the adventure, filming the legendary Providence WaterFire. The city was alive with glowing braziers on the river, music drifting through the night, and a crowd that looked like they had all stepped out of a travel magazine. It felt less like an event and more like a dream sequence. Benjamin swears he saw a dragon in the flames. Honestly, I believe him.
Cafe Nuovo is not just dinner. It is the reward at the end of an epic quest. Go for the food, stay for the magic, and if you meet a goose on the way, bring backup.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Shank
Steve Hsieh
We had escargot for an appetizer. They were cooked in the Pernod and garlic butter sauce with some pine nuts. We loved the sauce so much that we almost licked the whole dish. My wife had sea bass and I had tuna. They were cooked perfectly and again the sauces were delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elimelec Cruz
Food was delicious! The atmosphere and views outside Amazing! Our server Sara she was on point! I highly recommend this restaurant
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ken Edgely
Absolutely amazing...great food and the staff are very attentive
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Heather Matthews
We sat outside both time we are here, watching the gondola punting up and down the river next to our table. Service is outstanding and the food delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe Klink
The chef’s tasting menu was sublime! Wines paired well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jessica Guzman
I went on Monday for restaurant week first time there our server was amazing I think her name was Ava (she just moved up to a server) she was the sweetest very kind answered questions we had I wouldn’t know she just started serving. The food was amazing we had wine sat by the water i will be returning thank you again for a great night
What a fantastic spot! If you’re in Rhode Island and looking for a classy restaurant, Cafe Nuovo’s for you. I highly recommend the Chilean sea bass, the duck and, of course, the pot of mousse! Can’t say enough good things about this place. Worth a visit to the state just for this!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gregg Melfi DDS
Cafe Nuovo, in my opinion, offers Rhode Island’s finest food and service. From the owner Dmitri, to the host Shaun, and the entire service team, they are highly trained, engaging and most attentive. The food is amazing, with the chef specials being especially creative. The Crispy Sushi app is so different, so unique, and is a personal favorite. Of course, you have to save for their awesome dessert choices too. Top it off, with their “new high end wines by the glass” options. Where else can you get Silver Oak Cabernet by the glass at a very reasonable price? Most highly recommended. Even the Valet service is first rate, professional and always most caring with your car. Just go. You will not regret it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ken Leach
Never had a bad meal here. Works for business meetings and date nights. Prices have creeped up as all have. Decent wine selection to choose from but not too massive. Even has outdoor seating on river in summer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Trace Cooke
Had the pleasure of having a multiple course tasting menu here. It was delicious! Service was great and the food tasted amazing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cafe Nuovo – Providence, RI
I first stumbled into Cafe Nuovo over 11 years ago—college Gregory might not remember the details, but my taste buds definitely knew what was up back then. Fast-forward to now, and this place still delivers in all the right ways.
The vibe is a perfect mix of cozy and upscale: great for a chill dinner or a special date night. The service remains top-notch—friendly, attentive, and never pushy. The food… chef’s kiss. Start with the Caesar salad: crisp, flavorful, and a fresh kick-off. The salmon (if you’re going that route) is a standout—expertly cooked, subtly sweet, and bursting with balanced flavor.
Now, on to the real starpower: dessert. If you’re missing the lemon cheesecake, don’t worry—this place has leveled up. Try the Caramelized Banana Cheesecake: rich, Southern-style NY cheesecake with pecan-graham crust, spiced chantilly, crème fraîche ice cream, and a bourbon-caramel swirl. Trust me, it’s a showstopper.
Whether you’re a Providence local or just passing through, Cafe Nuovo is the kind of place you’ll keep returning to—nostalgia hits different when the plate still performs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The lamb shank is a must !!!!
The sushi was phenomenal!
5 star service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What an incredibly special dining experience. Staff is excellent, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere is very upscale.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cafe Nuovo: Fine Dining at the End of an Epic Quest
Our journey to Cafe Nuovo was not your typical “find a parking spot, walk inside” type of story. It was a full-blown cinematic adventure. My wife Ashleigh, my son Benjamin, and I set out with one goal: meet our friend David for dinner. Somehow our GPS must have been possessed by a mischievous Rhode Island spirit because we ended up navigating a series of increasingly ridiculous obstacles.
First we had to cross a suspiciously rickety bridge guarded by a flock of overly confident geese. They stared us down like they were bouncers at a nightclub, but Benjamin distracted them with interpretive dance long enough for us to pass. Then we entered a cobblestone alley where we were challenged to a spontaneous air guitar contest by a man dressed as a colonial soldier. Ashleigh took the win with a solo that could have made a guitar cry.
Finally, after what felt like the last level of a video game, we stepped into Cafe Nuovo. Instantly the chaos outside melted away. The place was a culinary oasis, elegant and warm, with a view of the river so beautiful it made me want to apologize to every sandwich I have ever eaten for not being this good. Everything from the service to the food was flawless.
After dinner we began Phase Two of the adventure, filming the legendary Providence WaterFire. The city was alive with glowing braziers on the river, music drifting through the night, and a crowd that looked like they had all stepped out of a travel magazine. It felt less like an event and more like a dream sequence. Benjamin swears he saw a dragon in the flames. Honestly, I believe him.
Cafe Nuovo is not just dinner. It is the reward at the end of an epic quest. Go for the food, stay for the magic, and if you meet a goose on the way, bring backup.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Shank
We had escargot for an appetizer. They were cooked in the Pernod and garlic butter sauce with some pine nuts. We loved the sauce so much that we almost licked the whole dish. My wife had sea bass and I had tuna. They were cooked perfectly and again the sauces were delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was delicious! The atmosphere and views outside Amazing! Our server Sara she was on point! I highly recommend this restaurant
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely amazing...great food and the staff are very attentive
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We sat outside both time we are here, watching the gondola punting up and down the river next to our table. Service is outstanding and the food delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The chef’s tasting menu was sublime! Wines paired well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went on Monday for restaurant week first time there our server was amazing I think her name was Ava (she just moved up to a server) she was the sweetest very kind answered questions we had I wouldn’t know she just started serving. The food was amazing we had wine sat by the water i will be returning thank you again for a great night
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
What a fantastic spot! If you’re in Rhode Island and looking for a classy restaurant, Cafe Nuovo’s for you. I highly recommend the Chilean sea bass, the duck and, of course, the pot of mousse! Can’t say enough good things about this place. Worth a visit to the state just for this!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cafe Nuovo, in my opinion, offers Rhode Island’s finest food and service. From the owner Dmitri, to the host Shaun, and the entire service team, they are highly trained, engaging and most attentive. The food is amazing, with the chef specials being especially creative. The Crispy Sushi app is so different, so unique, and is a personal favorite.
Of course, you have to save for their awesome dessert choices too. Top it off, with their
“new high end wines by the glass” options. Where else can you get Silver Oak Cabernet by the glass at a very reasonable price?
Most highly recommended. Even the Valet service is first rate, professional and always most caring with your car.
Just go. You will not regret it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Never had a bad meal here. Works for business meetings and date nights. Prices have creeped up as all have. Decent wine selection to choose from but not too massive. Even has outdoor seating on river in summer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had the pleasure of having a multiple course tasting menu here. It was delicious! Service was great and the food tasted amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best in PVD
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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