These three Rhode Island restaurants make 'best' of Yelp and OpenTable

Gail Ciampa, The Providence Journal
·4 min read

Three Rhode Island restaurants have made two national lists heralding the best in dining.

Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants 2022 includes eateries in Warren and Tiverton while OpenTable featured a Newport destination on its Top 100 Restaurants in America for 2021.

Bywater in Warren and The Red Dory in Tiverton are on Yelp's 9th annual Top 100. Yelp, which publishes crowd-sourced reviews, released their list on Jan. 19. Only four other New England restaurants on the list and all are in the Boston area.

Bouchard Restaurant is one of only five New England spots on the OpenTable list, released earlier this month. It's the only one outside of Boston.

Yelp's Top 100 Restaurants

Bywater was No. 39 on the Yelp list.

Katie Dickson's oyster bar and restaurant at 54 State St. in Warren, went for a pandemic pivot. She added Bywater Bakeshop to extend her hours and lineup. The Bakeshop offers patrons coffee, espresso and a selection of croissants and pastries that can be enjoyed while sitting on the patio.

Some of the sweets and bread at Bakeshop at Bywater in Warren. Bywater and its Bakeshop are on Yelp's Top 100 Restaurants in America for 2021.
Some of the sweets and bread at Bakeshop at Bywater in Warren. Bywater and its Bakeshop are on Yelp's Top 100 Restaurants in America for 2021.

"This restaurant and bakeshop in New England is everything you expect from a beachfront seafood spot," the Yelp write-up said. "Since 2015, Bywater has been serving up interpretations of Old World flavors, such as Squid Cacio e Pepe and grilled fluke, plus whatever they feel like throwing in a pot. The menu changes seasonally, so there’s always something new and exciting to try. The raw bar, loaded with local oysters and littleneck clams, is popular with locals and vacationers alike."

Reviewers rave the legendary Spice Bun—a cinnamon bun on steroids—is “not to be missed.” Bywater also has a monthly wine club, with 3-4 bottles of “wines we’re obsessed with,” Yelp wrote.

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The Red Dory is No. 77 on the Yelp list. Chef/owner Aaron DeRego, bought the restaurant in 2019 and serves Mediterranean-style seafood dishes, made with locally sourced ingredients.

"Diners come to enjoy gorgeous sunsets on the Sakonnet River while relishing such specialties as Smoked Haddock and Clam Chowder, Smoked Maine Mussels, Seared Scallops with root vegetable hash," the Yelp write-up said. "Even landlubbers will love the menu—Mediterranean Style Roast Chicken is a popular dish."

Yelpers cite the Fried Oysters with pineapple slaw and Grilled Spanish Octopus served with Romesco sauce as two of the restaurant’s most reviewed dishes.

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To create Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants list, they ranked yelpers favorite dining spots each by total number of submissions, ratings, reviews, and geographic representation, among other factors.

The OpenTable Top 100

The OpenTable list, which is not numbered, was created by the reservation platform using diner reviews. Reviews can only be made by those who have eaten at a restaurant.

OpenTable analyzed more than 10.5 million reviews from restaurants across America. The result is a selection of spots across the country that constantly serve up creative dishes, unparalleled hospitality, and one-of-a-kind dining experiences for all occasions.

Bouchard Restaurant: Romantic Newport Restaurants for Celebrating Valentine’s Day – or Any Special Occasion

There were 3721 reviews for Newport's Bouchard which is at 505 Thames St. It's run by the Bouchard family including chef Albert, wife Sarah and now second generation restaurateur, daughter Brittany.

It rated 4.9 out of a overall rating of 5. Bouchard is noted for being rated Best Overall, Best Food and Best Service in New England.

The elegant Bouchard Restaurant, on Thames Street in Newport, is on the list of OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants in America for 2021.
The elegant Bouchard Restaurant, on Thames Street in Newport, is on the list of OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants in America for 2021.

Bouchard it also at the top for those categories in Rhode Island as well, plus being cited for its ambiance, romantic setting and notable wine list.

With classic dishes and elegant service, Bouchard's is the place to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. But it doesn't have to be just for a special day. You can enjoy a glass of their fine wine, a bite of escargot or a Grand Marnier souffle and feel as if you are in a Parisian restaurant.

How does New England rate?

The only other restaurants on the OpenTable list in New England are Capo Restaurant, Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant and Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar, all in South Boston, and Mamma Mia in Boston's North End.

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Four Massachusetts restaurants were on the Yelp 100, the only other New England eateries to make the list. The are Sarma in Somerville, Red Lentil Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant in Watertown and Fox & The Knife and Prezza, both in Boston.

Last year, two Providence restaurants, Los Andes and Bacco Vino & Contorni were on the Top 100 Yelp list.

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI restaurants make 'best' of Yelp and OpenTable national lists