Eli's

As first time visitors to block island we didn’t have a good idea of where to eat but we stumbled on this place and loved it. The food and service was so good we came back the next day to try some of the other dinner items. We had the cod, salmon and shrimp pesto and all were so good. The salmon was the best and I am pretty picky when it come to salmon. Also had the margarita and it hit the spot.. we would definitely recommend!

We went here for dinner. This place is purely indoors and very nice. The waiters were very attentive and constantly filling waters and checking in. We got an assortment of appetizers, such as the BLT sliders, scallop seviche, Tuna nachos, deep fried avocado, and empanadas. We shared them all around. the portions were a bit smaller for sharing, but we made it work. Then for dinner we got a variety of the entres. 5 of us got the burger, and everyone deeply enjoyed it.

Really nice low-key restaurant in town. Ambiance was super chill. The tuna nachos were amazing and a must order in my opinion if you love tuna tartare. They make a really good cosmopolitan that I paired. For my main I got the 8oz bavette steak and it was great. The creamy onion and horseradish crema was a little overwhelming so I would have gotten it on the side had I known. Still really enjoyed though, the bacon & manchego loaded baked potato cake and roasted broccoli complimented really well. Their espresso martini was also really good so it seems all the drinks are on point. Would definitely return here

Wonderful little spot for fantastic food! We ate there this April in the shoulder season and had three absolutely wonderful entrees. The shrimp pesto pasta was a particular standout. Waitstaff were attentive and did a great job keeping everything moving on a busy evening. Highly recommend.

A group of friends and I had a wonderful dining experience at Eli’s in the early spring at the tail end of off season. It’s helpful to know that the space is small but full of character! It’s busy and at least in the end of off season they don’t take reservations, so show up early or plan to hang out a bit and enjoy a walk around town! The food was delicious and the server was very kind. I highly recommend!

High end restaurant with excellent dishes. It is centrally located. Tuna appetizer and the salmon main dish were both excellent. The staff were nice. It was a pleasant experience.

Horrible experience. Tuna app was a few cubes of tuna with a pile of seaweed and sauce. Cod loin was encrusted and overcooked. High price for horrible food. Left a bitter taste I won’t be back! Weak menu and on the low end menu was a $27 hamburger plate. Lol

Eli's restaurant is a gem on block island. Not a big selection but a lot of attention is paid to each appetizer, entree and each dessert. Top shelf kind of place to eat at. This place would be recommended if it was in any metropolitan area. Cramed dining area.

One of the best food places on island. Be aware that it's a small and you likely will have to wait, but it's worth it. Great service, yummy food, good drink menu, photos of cute dogs on the wall... what more could you want after a long day at the beach? The tuna nachos were to die for. They definitely had some kick! The bread basket with the garlic butter was a nice touch. I loved my salmon and the bite I took of my partner's burger was juicy and delicious. The thick seasoned fries with the burger were also great. Unfortunately we filled up on everything and didn't save room for dessert, but we will definitely have dessert next time.

Small but intimate little restaurant on Block Island. No reservations excepted. Eli's works on a first come first serve basis. There are about 10 seats their cozy bar area. The restaurant is warm and cozy with nice lighting. It can be loud when the restaurant is full. The service and the food were excellent! It's a must try on Block Island!

No reservations, so arrive early! Because you will not want to miss enjoying a meal at Eli's! Delicious food, great service and an intimate atmosphere make Eli's a consistent Block Island staple!

We have been going to Eli's for years! It's cozy and relaxing inside the staff is ok the owner is behind the bar. The food is out of this world. Probably in the top 5 on the island. Note: the bathroom there is definitely one of a kind! Go, you won't be disappointed.

This is by far one of the best dinner restaurants on the island. If you blink you'll miss it. The food is amazing and the service is friendly and helpful. The gentleman at the front is extremely helpful and if he isn't the owner, he should be. So great. He made our preseason anniversary a night to remember. I'm thinking this our new island go to.

This review is for the service staff: Came in with my mom for dinner and was told by the wait staff there would be a wait which was no problem until two people who came in without reservations after us were sat. Would not give my money to a place that lacks professionalism.

Even in the off season, the place was busy, at least early on. It's a small place on a side street, so no water views but the food (and drink) is what you come for. The food was really good. The crust on the empanadas was crunchy and the filling was tasty. Our party of three had three different seafood dishes - cod, salmon, tuna. All were very good, with the salmon perhaps slightly overcooked. The tuna was nice - seared well on the outside, but rare inside. As nice surprise, the drinks were really good. Margarita used fresh lime and the bourbon old fashioned had the right balance with the muddled fruit and just enough sugar. This was our first time here, but we would definitely come back the next time we return to Block Island.

Eli's restaurant on Block Island is worth the ferry ride and more!!! The food is excellent, the service was friendly, fast, and warm. We were lucky enough to be there for the grand opening for 2023, and we became so charmed with the place that we went there two nights in a row!! The Tuna Nachos are a cannot miss item, and the limoncello shrimp are delicious!!! But I must say, what tops it all off is the water service provided by the host. He was always on top of things and my glass was never empty. I am certain that we will visit Eli's again the next time we are on the island, and the next, and the next.... Until then, thank you for two wonderful meals, and thanks for being part of our 19th anniversary weekend celebration!!

Came here over the 4th of July weekend. Place typically difficult to get into but for some reason was not crowded. Lucky us. My sister raved about the tuna nachos - so we got 2 of them. My oh my was she correct. The seaweed salad combo with the tuna and sesame flavor was awesome. Two orders of the lamb ragu out of the 5 of us and it was good but I think the lemon thyme had a slight tang that took it in the wrong direction. My sister hesitantly got the surf & turf saying the steaks haven't been great here lately - but she hit the jackpot because hers was the best of the dinners. The salads, sausage gnocchi and Salmon were all excellent (so said those not sharing :) ). I look forward to exploring the menu further and would put this place in the top 5, if not top 3 restaurants on Block.

Always excellent. Delicious well prepared food, attentive service. Comfy, no reservations which explains the line of people happily waiting outside for the doors to open at 6:00. Excellent!

Probably the Best restaurant on Block Island. My wife and I dined here on a Sunday night. Atmosphere - Excellent. Small but very homey. There is about 12 tables and a bar that seats about 10. Lighting makes it romantic and also intimate but not too fancy which is perfect for the island. It was busy. Food - Excellent. We started off with a Summer salad. It actually was perfect starter. Light and not filling. My wife got the Halibut with fennel. Im not a halibut person but she raved about it and said it was one of the best seafood dishes she has had. I ordered the filet Mignon. It was excellent as well. I had my reservations about ordering a steak on the island but it did not disappoint. Its a little small and they do slice it which is weird. But the taste outweighed the presentation. Drinks - had a nice wine list but i stuck to titos Service - the best part. We didnt have reservations so when we walked in services was top notch from our hostess to the bartender to the waitress at our table. Overall, i gave this a 5 star because honestly its tough to find a great restaurant on block island but we finally did. Elis is it

This is my absolute favorite restaurant in the entire world. We've been coming here annually for the last 5 or 6 years and have never had anything less than an amazing experience every time. The lighting feels incredibly comfortable! This spot is a Block island treasure.

Had a lovely experience at Eli's. Service was top notch. Perfectly mixed Old Fashion, delicious appetizers and entrees. Would highly recommend and will make it a point to come back when we return.

I'm reluctant to write this review because Eli's is my favorite spot on the island and selfishly, I'd rather the secret not get out. Many restaurants on the island are focused on views, and while that can be important, it's often at the expense of food quality and service. In fact, most places along Water Street are mediocre at best. Eli's, on the other hand, is consistently amazing. Every meal I've had has been incredible -- cooked perfectly and always well seasoned. I highly recommend the tuna nachos -- although, "nachos" is a misnomer. It's like poke-style tuna with wasabi dressing and sesame oil, served with crispy wontons. I most recently visited Eli's after they opened post-COVID, and the glass dividers in-between the booths and at the bar are beautiful. Who knew CDC regulations could be so lovely? Seriously, don't miss this place if you're looking for an incredible meal on the island and you aren't fooled by the white tablecloths elsewhere.

My husband and I come to Block every year for a week or two if we're lucky as my in-laws summer here. We got engaged at the Spring House a decade ago, and the island has changed a lot in 10 years, but one thing that remains a constant is the absolute perfection of Eli's. Having a limited time, we compose a "BI bucket list" upon arrival and date night at Eli's is always at the top. From the quaint ambiance to the wonderful service to the extensive wine list and most importantly, the divine food, Eli's always delivers. Don't let the long wait time deter you - put your name in at Eli's first, then grab a dirty martini on the deck at the Spring House to watch the sunset. Remember, you're on island time, right? Patience is a virtue (I'm talking to you, RI and New Jersey vacationers...) The menu is always changing, and is a fresh departure from the standard island fare you find elsewhere. I'm a vegetarian and absolutely love the fact that they have a full vegetarian menu - a rare treat. Order the arugula salad - there is a reason why it never leaves the menu. You're welcome.

Excellent dinner on the night before Hurricane Henri hit Block Island. Wonderful service and even better halibut and tuna entree's. Having eaten at several restaurants on the island, this is THE BEST.

Amazing little restaurant! Inquired with the hostess to place reservations but it is a first come, first server basis. We went in later that week on a Wednesday around 7:00pm and the wait was an hour. We hopped around for a drink and got a phone call that our table was ready. Eli's is intimate, dim, and lively. A birthday was being celebrated and the whole restaurant sung. It's a special place! The food is just as exciting as the environment. We ordered the Lobster Bao Buns: if you're not an adventurous eater, don't focus on the ingredients, just order them! So delicious! We also ordered wine, the skirt steak, and the chicken dish-both were ornate and spectacular. Would visit again and again!

A true gem. A small, intimate, friendly restaurant with an eclectic fine dining menu. The Tuna Nachos are out of this world!

Very small quaint restaurant with exceptional service and food. The restaurant is a gem. Off the beat and path tucked away and worth the discovery. Very nice and well balanced menu. I went with the arugula salad which was served with warm goat cheese. My main entree was the Roasted Halibut, which was served with tomato, chick peas, and summer squash ragout, caper berries, mint pistachio falafel, foraged samphire and coriander vinaigrette. It was absolutely amazingly delicious. My palate was overjoyed! All staff members were very friendly and professional. Made all customers including myself feel very comfortable. I will certainly make this my go to Block Island restaurant.

Highly recommend this restaurant. My husband and I were referred here by the BI ghost hunt staff. We had an hour wait but Rick, the Host, took our number and called allowing time for us to return. The meal was fabulous, get the Burger or Ahi Tuna. It does not disappoint. Go here instead of Winfields.... ;)

I can't help but compare this restaurant to Kimberly's restaurant which is also located on Block Island. They're similar in look and price, but the two have several differences. Eli's is smaller in size. Kimberly's interior is larger/airy (it's great for letting in an ocean breeze). Also, Kimberly's menu is a tad more creative than Eli's menu. Now don't get me wrong, Eli's is not bad. I definitely did enjoy my visit. Service was top notch and my burger was one of the best burgers I've had in my life. By the way, you'll likely have to wait for a table. Because of its small size the inside gets crowded really quickly. My advice is to get there at exactly 6:00 PM when the door opens. At that time you're likely to find a table.

This place was our best stop on Block island. Fantastic food all around cooked perfectly. It has a great ambiance very clean, whimsical and classy. It's definitely a local favorite, the staff was very friendly and seams to have great relations with their clientele. It was a pleasure to enjoy their food and we will definitely be back!

Terrible service - we waited 1.5 hrs for our food. The explanation was "we have a small kitchen and it's the best we can do". Vegetarian food was awful. Halibut was good.

Excellent food, amazing drinks and an even better atmosphere!! The ros'arita was perfect and the tuna nachos are to die for. The atmosphere is cozy, friendly and inviting. I felt like I was a regular and it was my first time here!! Any time I visit block island, Eli's is a must.

An intimate, rustick restaurant where the menu rotates regularly and has an Asian flair. The service was great and the ahi tuna nachos and arugla salad's are must try dishes. Will be back!

This place is Amazing!!!! The Duck confit is to die for. Rosemary was awesome behind the bar. This weekend is off to a great start!!!!

Just enjoyed a great meal here. The menu was creative and interesting, the service was outrageous and the atmosphere was comfortable and inviting. Being, as my dinner companions eloquently stated, a food snob, I was impressed with the quality of the food and presentation. Shortly after dinner, the chef came to our table to introduce himself. I picked his brain about the food scene here in the island. He was friendly, gregarious and happy to share. I highly recommend Eli's if you're looking for a great all around dining experience!!

The total block island experience. Low key but excellent food and service! 10/10! Just make sure to be in line for the opening seating and save room for dessert!

I have been going to Block Island every year since 2005. Eli's has been one of the two restaurants that has continuously been amazing from the start. Tuna Nachos are a classic and unique dish that I get every time, the service is great, and Eli's has a special place in my heart.

Appetizer fish dip was great. Ordered scallops and they tasted like ammonia. By the time they brought out another batch of scallops my party had already finished eating. The second batch smelled and tasted like ammonia as well. They should have just told me they didn't have any more scallops instead of bringing out a second try. Googled ammonia+scallops and is a result of decomposition.

We had lobster gnudi....it was outstanding with a glass of baby sancerre....sauvignon blanc. Highly recommend!

This is a small place, sits about 30 with the tables close together. It was packed when we visited and I guess it's packed all summer long. We started with a salad with bread and a leaves and an anchovy rich dressing, like a semi-caesar and that was good. Then for mains some perfect scallops, they were by far the best thing we tried. And the fried chicken, which was the by far worst. The chicken was bland, the broccoli served alongside cold, and the overdone potato dish had a burnt swiss cheese flavor to go with the slightly charred potato. We were initially sat at the bar, where the service was kinda distracted/overwhelmed, the woman serving our table was much better

The cast iron crusted filet is astounding. It's perfectly cooked. The vegetables are perfectly charred. The menu is very good. It took me a while to get to the steak. So glad I did Don't miss it.

Food and service were excellent. The place it's a bit on the dark side. I had the halibut was delicious and for desert we had the flan

Food is okay. Used to be a favorite but every thing is now overthought and heavily sauced. Cleaner fresh food was better. Waitress was a lovely woman and a pro but that bartender is super nasty for no good reason. That will surely drive customers out.

Interesting menu, unusual dishes. Intimate but relaxed atmosphere with small bar with dinner seating. Very friendly service. Recommended by a friend, this did not disappoint. Tuna nachos and scallops were excellent!!

This is a really cozy spot with excellent food and attentive service. I'm glad we stumbled upon it.

I really wanted to try this restaurant while in BI based on the fact that it was featured in a novel I had just finished. I have been to BI many times but have never even heard of this place. We gave our name and number and was told it would be a 30-40 minute wait so we decided to walk around a bit. She would call us. We went back after 40 minutes and the hostess told us it would be another 45 as other people were just getting their entrees. She didn't even seem apologetic. Was it unforgivable? No. Was it annoying? Yes. They should learn how to better estimate times when quoting to hungry customers. How about an apologetic call to tell us there would be a delay? We won't be back.

I have never been rushing to write a positive review until this meal. Amazing service, great selection, and delicious food. The special French onion soup was perfect, and the steak was impeccably cooked. Honestly though, my favorite thing all night was the fresh bread and sun-dried tomato/garlic spread that started the night. Had high expectations and they were exceeded.

Really good interesting food. Decent bottles of wine. There is a loud boisterous clientele with not a lot of extra space, but overall a nice dining experience. Tuna nachos, tomato soup, Rioja.

Eli's is full of hype, and not worth it. It's a roller coaster that ends below where it began. When we arrived there was a small line forming (always a good sign). We were seated at 6 pm promptly and ordered the tuna nachos and Korean Buns. Let's talk apps. They were excellent. Fresh bread with sun-dried tomato spread was tasty and warm. Tuna nachos were unique, flavorful and plentiful; tuna qualify was top notch. The buns were delicious. I would give 5 stars based alone on the buns (we have reached the top of the roller coast). Then entrees came. I had the steak. The rice was destroyed and overpowered by the Gorgonzola cheese. As was the steak, which came overcooked, was chewy and not flavorful. The girlfriend had the burger without lobster. She picked at it for a few minutes and then gave up, overcooked and unpalatable. The onion rings were above average, but that's the side. Not the main course. We are descending. We had 2 g&t's. Points for allowing the girlfriend to have one when she forgot her ID (she's well above the age limit but still nice) but they were small and over priced. The roller coaster is now at sea level. So what takes it below? The price. $95 before tip was more than I would pay in Manhattan for a meal of this quality. It wasn't bad but go for the appetizers and avoid the entrees. We skipped dessert. Perhaps our loss. Who knows.

Not sure how this restaurant isn't a 5 star average. It is quaint, cozy and the staff is very friendly and you feel at home. On top of that, it's the best dinner on the island in my opinion. Terrific food, staff and ambiance=5 stars IMO

This is one of the best restaurants for dinner on the island . If you are looking for a great date night and delicious food, I would recommend this spot. I brought my family of 5 to Eli's - we started out with homemade bread that was baked with egg plant and fresh olive oil. Then, our drinks and main course meals came out. We absolutely loved the steak dish , house burger , salmon and duck. 5 out of 4 loved their dishes- the reason I gave it a 4 and not a 5 star is because the grilled calamari steak was bland and lacked taste/seasoning. Looking forward to coming back and seeing new dishes and specials.

First time visiting Block Island. I looked up some restaurants before arriving and Eli's got great reviews. First night we ate at Winfield's, which also got great reviews, however we found it to be mediocre at best. We come from Manhattan, so maybe you could say we are food snobs. And maybe we are, however Eli's did not disappoint! My fiancé and I shared the Burrata and fresh tomato salad and the tuna nachos for appetizers. Both great, but the nachos are a stand out. He got the Scallops for a main dish, which he loved and I literally had the best hamburger I've ever eaten. Check it out. Delicious!

If I had to choose a last meal before my death I'd pull up a seat here. This place is the most alluring combination of intoxicating atmosphere, charming service and perfectly balanced food. The wine pours from the bar are more than generous. It's the perfect place for a date or family meal. The waitresses know their stuff and will impress you with their command of the menu. Insiders tip... Get the tuna nachos, you will thank me kindly later.

It's so sad to not give Eli's 5 stars since the food here was phenomenal and, by far, the best I've had on Block Island. I have to say, though, the seating situation was a disaster. A party of 3 walks in at 8pm on a Saturday night and we were told it would be a one hour wait. That was expected so we took a few seats at the bar and waited. It was close to 2 hours before we actually got to sit down due to a large party that came in after we did and the hostess holding a number of tables to eventually seat them vs seating us (there a good hour before them). In the end, the large party was seated, then moved to another location, and we were given a table that had vacated about 90 minutes prior. I mean...Come on guys...You've got to know your space and you've got to be able to make this kind of thing work without significantly impacting your customers. In the end, the very nice bartender had to intervene to figure out what the heck was going on. Maybe if we got an apology, a free drink, or the like, it wouldn't have seemed so bad but there was nothing. Moving on to the meal once we were actually seated...WOW. Good stuff. I had the ciopino which was incredible. The tomato soup topped with gruyere was amazing as well. The prices were reasonable and they had a limited but decent wine list. Service once we were seated was speedy and friendly. I would highly recommend Eli's but would also highly recommend you keep on top of what is happening with your wait time or just eat at the bar.

My friends and I picked this place because they had a vegetarian menu, which is always a draw. We went on a Friday night in June, and we walked right in. The service was great. - Bread: I have to mention the bread because it was absolutely delicious and comes with a tomato spread. - Vegetarian nachos: this is a misnomer because they are really wonton chips with seaweed salad with an aioli. We liked them a lot. - Fried mac and cheese croquettes: these were a special and our favorite thing we had. We wish they were on the regular menu! - Sardinian couscous with roasted tofu: The portion was a bit small. My friend liked the couscous flavor profile, but thought the tofu was a bit too buttery-tasting. - Crispy snapper: we loved everything on the plate except the snapper itself. The smoked potatoes and vegetables were amazing, as was the sauce. The fish was a little fishy and not as crispy as we were anticipating. I think I would give the food 3 stars, but because of the vegetarian menu and the great atmosphere and service, I'm giving 4 stars.

We came here in the slightly off season right before 4th of July. The menu was very basic and the waitress was honestly very rude. There is tons of amazing food on the island. There is no need to be treated badly. We visit Block Island often but will definitely take Eli's off our list. There is plenty of good food to be found, without an attitude.

The bathroom is the nicest I've ever encountered at a restaurant. The Italian and olive breads served warm with roasted garlic, basil, and sun-dried tomato were delicious. My Thai steamed mussels with coconut broth, pineapple, and black puffed rice were outstanding as was the arugula salad with toasted almonds, cranberries, red onion, and seared goat cheese. The salad tasted super fresh. I also loved the toasted coconut panna cotta. The portions were generous. Eli's is not to be missed! Be sure to arrive right at 6pm for a seat.