Newport’s autumn food scene hits a sweet spot: peak local seafood, chef-driven menus built around squash, brassicas, and apples, and the 10-day Newport Restaurant Week that lets you try more for less. Add in castle-by-the-sea fine dining, harbor-view comfort food, and historic taverns made for sweater weather, and you’ve got the makings of a delicious fall getaway.
Newport Restaurant Week (Nov 7–16, 2025)
The fall edition runs November 7–16, 2025 with prix-fixe lunch at $20 or $30 and dinner at $30, $45, or $60 across Newport and Bristol Counties. It’s outstanding value at in-demand rooms and a low-risk way to sample new spots. The official hub also notes that many participants offer family-friendly options. To land the tables you want, book early for weekend waterfront rooms and consider mid-week or off-peak times; menus post on the event site as restaurants finalize them, so start there and click through to each restaurant to reserve.
Visiting for Restaurant Week? Compare hotel deals near the wharves & Thames Street. Staying central makes it easy to stack multiple reservations in one night.
Castle Hill Inn: Tasting Menus & Themed Supper Club Nights
Inside the historic Agassiz Mansion, Aurelia serves a six-course tasting menu that changes with the season—polished, sense-of-place cooking with bay views. For a festive, great-value series, the Agassiz Supper Club returns this fall with three-course themed menus at $50 per person (plus tax/gratuity) and two seatings (typically 5:30 & 7:30 PM). Published fall dates include Porchetta Dinners (Oct 28–29) and Paella Dinners (Nov 11–12), followed by Veal Osso Bucco (Dec 2–3) and Beef Wellington (Dec 9–10). These nights sell out—reserve early.
1639 at Newport Harbor Island Resort: Harbor Views & Coastal Comforts
Across the causeway on Goat Island, 1639 pairs skyline-and-sail views with coastal American staples and seasonal sides. Resort listings highlight a Naked Lobster Dinner special on Wednesdays at Torpedo Bar & Lounge and periodic Prime Rib nights, alongside seasonal brunch/dinner service windows. It’s a scenic, straightforward choice before or after a harbor stroll—and a reliable Restaurant Week participant (check the RW hub for its 2025 menu when posted).
TSK (Thames St Kitchen): Chef-Driven, Seasonal, Modern Steakhouse
TSK bills itself as a modern steakhouse with a strong seasonal lean. Menus change frequently to reflect the harvest, backed by a serious cocktail program. If you’re chasing creative plates and a buzzy room rather than a bay view, put it on your short list and check the week-of menu before you go.
Historic & Cozy: The White Horse Tavern
If autumn calls for candlelight and colonial beams, book The White Horse Tavern—often cited as America’s oldest tavern (est. 1673) and a National Historic Landmark. The kitchen cooks contemporary New England (local seafood, chops, root-veg sides) in one of the country’s most storied dining rooms—a quintessential Newport setting when the air turns crisp.
Waterfront Staples After the Summer Rush
The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar (1 Sayers Wharf) keeps a steady raw bar and “top-of-the-catch” fish program, with posted fall hours typically Sun–Thu 11:30–9 and Fri–Sat 11:30–10 (outdoor seating weather-dependent). The Black Pearl (30 Bannister’s Wharf) is first-come, first-served (no reservations) and famous for its chowder—an easy go-to when you’re flexible on timing. Eat Your Way Through Newport This Fall: Restaurant Week Deals, Tasting Menus & Cozy Waterfront Classics
Where to Mix Scene & Seafood
Clarke Cooke House (24 Bannister’s Wharf) threads several vibes under one roof—from the casual Candy Store/Bistro to the more formal Porch Dining Room above the docks. A dress code applies on the Porch (jackets required for gentlemen), and seasonal sushi appears in select rooms—always confirm current hours and offerings on the site. Nearby, Diego’s (11 Bowen’s Wharf) brings from-scratch, Mexican-influenced plates and strong cocktails with year-round service and frequent brunch (see posted hours). Both are excellent before or after a waterfront stroll.
Low-Key Comfort, Soups & Daytime Stops
CRU Cafe (1 Casino Terrace) is a reliable daytime choice daily 8:00 AM–3:00 PM, covering breakfast through late lunch with seasonal rotations; seating is first-come, first-served. Over on Broadway, Pour Judgement (32 Broadway) stays pub-cozy with a from-scratch menu and a long beer list—great for a relaxed night when you want hearty plates without the harbor markup.
How to Plan (and Actually Get the Tables You Want)
Start with the Restaurant Week hub to confirm dates, price tiers, and the live roster of participating restaurants as it updates, then click through to menus to reserve. Book Castle Hill experiences early—Aurelia’s six-course format and the themed Supper Club nights (Porchetta Oct 28–29; Paella Nov 11–12) have limited capacity. Finally, mind fall hours: waterfront patios and some hotel venues adjust service as temps drop; recheck hours the week of your visit.
