Hemenway's Restaurant

Hemenways Restaurant in Providence offers a reliable and enjoyable dining experience, perfect for a pleasant evening out. The atmosphere is upscale yet comfortable, making it a good spot for both a special occasion or a nice dinner with friends. ​We started our meal with the RI calamari, a local classic, and it was a solid choice. The calamari was perfectly fried, not greasy, and the peppers added a nice bit of flavor. ​For our main courses, we tried the Paella and the salmon. The Paella was a generously portioned and flavorful dish, packed with a good mix of seafood. The salmon was also well-prepared, with a crispy skin and a tender, flaky interior. ​The service was attentive and friendly without being overbearing, and our server was helpful with recommendations. The waterfront location is a definite plus, offering a nice view that adds to the overall experience. ​Overall, Hemenways is a dependable and high-quality option in Providence. The food is well-executed, the service is great, and the ambiance is high scale romantic. It's a great choice if you're looking for a solid seafood meal in a nice setting.

On our way to T.F. Green International Airport, we decided to stop for lunch at Hemenway’s. Their website calls them an icon, and I couldn’t agree more. Our server, Mia, was outstanding—warm, attentive, and detailed in guiding us throughout the dining experience. I began with the Mixed Greens Salad—a refreshing combination of pickled onion, hazelnut, heirloom tomato, Banyuls vinaigrette, and boursin crème. My husband enjoyed a variety of fresh oysters, which he said were outstanding, along with the Caesar Salad featuring Seven Stars crumble and parmesan. For our main courses, I chose the Blackbird Farm Grass-Fed Burger—topped with maple aioli, bacon, crispy shoestrings, cheddar, and pickles, cooked perfectly medium. It was flavorful and satisfying. My husband went with the Yellowfin Tuna—sesame crusted and served with pickled cabbage slaw, sushi rice, sriracha aioli, avocado mousse, and ginger-soy. He described it as fresh, vibrant, and beautifully balanced. Once again, Mia was wonderful, and it’s clear that the entire team is led with excellence. Kudos to General Manager Christopher Watson and Assistant Manager Shelby Miro for running such a well-oiled machine.

We visited Hemenway’s as a friends reunion on a weeknight. Table overlooking the water and Brown campus was breathtaking. Service was beyond expectations. So many fine choices on the creative menu it was hard to decide. Caviar appetizer with all the expected side delicacies was special. But served with the innovative mini waffles, well now you’re talking! Those little pockets are perfect for holding the delicious house branded caviar and the fine egg, shallot and creme fraiche toppings. Picture of a good Chard we paired with the caviar.

Delicious fresh seafood. The appetizers were the best part, sashimi, crab sushi, amazing calamari. Impressive plating of lobster mac and cheese. They were able to accommodate dairy free, but only on dishes that weren't my first option. Dairy free dish (swordfish and green beans) wasnt seasoned well. Would recommend!

We celebrated my partner’s birthday at Hemingway’s in Providence, and it was an unforgettable experience! Every dish we tried was absolutely delicious, and the drinks were fantastic as well. The menu had plenty of options for our son, who loved his meal. The presentation of each plate was top-notch. The host was incredibly kind and gave us the freedom to choose our table, and we ended up with the perfect spot by the window with a lovely water view. Our son also wanted a booth, and they managed to give us a table that had both! Our server, Nikki was fantastic. We had to change tables a couple of times, and everyone was so patient and accommodating with our little one. The whole experience was just wonderful, and we’ll definitely be back. Highly recommend Hemingway’s to anyone looking for a great dining experience!

Came here for a light pre-birthday lunch. Quick Hostess seating with a nice view looking over the restaurant and outside. World-class waitress and supporting service. Order tuna tartar, Oysters Hemenway (like Oysters Rockefeller)...oysters were a bit tiny. For desert I ordered a Baked Alaska...one of my all time favorites. Hemenways is always amazing. I highly recommend you come here, regardless of your group size or even when alone.

Hemenway’s feels like the staple for a fine dining steak and seafood restaurant. With high quality food, fantastic creations, and superb service, they have everything you can ask for from a fancy dinner. Their appetizer game is strong, with every single option providing a unique and delicious experience. However, the main course is where the food starts to really speak for itself. The surf and turf was done to perfection, and while it might break the bank, it is exceptional and worth it. The sides all balanced perfectly and the portion sizes are immense. Amazing spot for a quality and fulfilling fancy dinner or celebration.

This was my first time visiting, and I was truly amazed from the moment I walked in. My friend had a birthday reservation, and we were greeted so warmly right away. Our waiter, Michael P., was fantastic—attentive, friendly, and made the experience even better. The food was absolutely amazing: fresh, hot, and full of flavor. 10 out of 10! Everything was delicious, and I would definitely go back.

My husband and I came to Hemenway's to celebrate our 19th anniversary. We first came here years ago and had a wonderful experience, so we decided to come back. From the moment we walked in the door, we were treated warm and friendly. We had a reservation, and when we arrived we were told to wait just a moment. When we arrived at our table, they had put down some rose petals. I asked my husband if he requested this, and he said no. This was very thoughtful of them! Our table was by the window, and even though it was night, the view was still nice. The ambiance romantic. I need to take a moment to speak about our waiter Mason. He was absolutely wonderful. My husband asked Mason for recommendations on drinks and food, and Mason delivered on everything. He was incredibly kind, attentive and went above and beyond as a waiter. We would come back just for him! Thank you! For food, we got scallops wrapped in bacon and crab cakes for appetizers. Both were delicious but the scallops were superb. For meals, my husband got the lobster tortellini and I got the Yellowfin Tuna. My husband devoured his food, and I ate every bite. Everything was incredible! Mason kindly brought us a crème brûlée on the house as a happy anniversary. It was to die for! I also got some mango sorbet to finish off the night. Overall, we had a wonderful experience at Hemenway's! It's expensive, yes, but worth it in my opinion. We already want to come back soon.

3 stars. Absolutely beautiful restaurant located at the School of Public Health. Service was good. Very personable staff. The lobster roll and truffle fries were a miss for me. The warm lobster roll had zero flavor and was served room temperature. Not tasty. I was served two orders of lukewarm French fries. Fresh fries are a must for me and neither were, so that was disappointing. I switched my side to the garlic spinach since hot fries isn't their thing. It was garlic and spinach and oil. Very bland. Not inedible but certainly not delicious. I could have taken it home and turned it into a spin dip or layered it on a pizza. It's just not a standalone side IMO. NE clam chowder was decent but not as flavorful as I'd like. The lobster bisque was decent and is served with a few pieces of fresh lobster. The bread and butter was very enjoyable. The chocolate cake was a total hit! The mousse was creamy and light. The cake had a deep chocolate flavor with a tender crumb. So delicious! Kinda pricey, but isn't everything around here?

Due to the wind, it was too chilly to eat outside, so we opted to dine inside at the beautiful Hemenway's restaurant. It was a blustery clam chowder day. Derek was our waiter, and we ordered: * Bowl New England Chowder $12 * Cup New England Chowder $10 * Side Order of Calamari $19 The chowders arrived quickly, Derek made sure the Calamari arrived shortly after we finished. Hemenway's chowder is one of our favorites, a close second to Legal Seafood chowder which we like best. Hemenway's cup is a smaller portion, a good choice if you're also going to have a salad or Calamari. My bowl of chowder was huge, a meal in itself. The Calamari was tasty and nicely cooked. It has a little zing to it, in case you don't want spicey, this may not be your best choice. Overall, a nice ambiance, great service and tasty hot food. Another five-star dining experience at Hemenway's. Yelper Tip: They have a great rewards program, sign up!

Another 5 star happy hour at a signature PVD locale. A worthy martini, that was. A proper pour. And we split a lobster pasta dish to die for. Best to Uber there...service is world class. Enjoy!

Came here for lunch with my old neighbor friend from L.A. and his mom (he went to RISD and was visiting). We ordered the bacon wrapped scallops and some cocktails to start- all were delicious! I had the Fade Into You cocktail and it reminded me of an old fashioned. My friend's mom had a cocktail with mezcal, passion fruit and pineapple (Pride and Passion) and my friend had some rum drink that reminded me of a piña colada on ice (I think it was the Slow Sipper)- both were very pretty and tasty! I wanted something light so I had the fluke crudo as my main entree- it was very vibrant and full of flavor- I would definitely get it again! My friend had the chicken sandwich with mashed potatoes and ate the whole thing and this mom had the lobster bisque (she said it was good but very heavy and filling)- I did not taste either. The service was fast, attentive and fantastic. We sat by the canal with nice views on a chilly and rainy day. We were greeted and sent off with warm smiles and friendly words- very lovely place! I want to try the new sushi items next time!

This was a little fancier than I expected; Hemenway's is an old-school steakhouse that has much of the formality you would expect at that type of restaurant. There are huge floor-to-ceiling windows that let in lots of light even if you don't get a view of the river. My friend and I popped in for lunch as I was hoping to get a view of the river, but there are limited seats facing that direction. I got the lobster roll which was all the things you would hope and expect for in a lobster roll - big chunks of lobster and a soft, pillowy bun. Service was both quick and very friendly.

Visited Hemenway's after the remodel and the inside is absolutely beautiful! We went on a weeknight and by the time we left the restaurant was totally packed, but that never slowed down service. We ordered the tuna crudo, muscles with extra bread, and the 2lb stuffed lobster. The tuna crudo I could have skipped - it was okay, but I've had better. The muscles were delicious and we loved the sauce, but as we looked around we noticed that we received the same bread portion as everyone else even after asking for extra bread for dipping. The lobster was great and we would order it again.

Hemenway's lived up to the hype ! I had dinner after my brother's graduation (Brown University Medical School - Go Bears!) and the food and service were impeccable. We were a table of four, and after having dipped into everyone's plate, I can confirm that everything was great. The view of the river was the icing on the cake. I was so impressed that I came back a few days later to try the Rhode Island clam chowder (made with clear broth, rather than cream). It was so good that I'm hoping I can find it back on the West Coast somewhere when I go home. I was fine with it, but out of courtesy, they should inform diners that they add bacon.

Fantastic experience at this institution! Came with a friend from out of town. The space and beautiful with lofted ceilings and a classy ambience. Service was very professional and friendly. Drinks were strong and delicious, and the food was very fresh and classic, yet unique. The salmon with beet sauce and Thai basil was one of the best pieces of fish I have had in some time.

Came here for a business dinner. The good: Danny the server was personable and helpful (but he did forget a round of drinks). The oysters were fresh and delicious. The space was clean and modern. The bad: the halibut was dry and the clam chowder was bland. Disappointing considering the price tag. Often regarded as top notch, I didn't find that. Pretty run of the mill food.

I went to Hemenway's as a group of four for a girl's dinner. We had a reservation for an early dinner and the restaurant was quiet despite it being a Waterfire night. We all ordered cocktails and had a few oysters and calamari for an appetizer. The oysters were delicious! They gave a mix of what they had that day from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. I ordered the seafood casserole for my meal. One other person at my table did as well and then the half chicken was ordered as well as the paella. The seafood casserole was very tasty, but not what I expected. I felt it was very light of seafood. I had one piece of lobster, one piece of fish, and then a couple shrimp and a couple scallops. it was mostly the sauce. The sauce was delicious, but it just felt like it was missing something. They do give you a side of asparagus which I dipped into the sauce and enjoyed. We decided to forego dessert, but they did have a good looking menu and some of their dessert cocktails looked amazing! The interior of the restaurant was really lovely. Everything was clean and sleek. The waitstaff was very nice and accommodating. I would definitely go back again, but I may stick to the smaller plates and raw items like oysters, tartare, etc. because I feel like the specialty is fresh, fresh seafood.

What an amazing meal and setting. Shout out to our server Brandi. A definite must try when in RI.

Hemenways is our go to spot in Providence to celebrate something truly special! I added a note to our reservation that it was our anniversary and we were brought to a table adorned with rose petals and the staff and other guests were wishing us a happy anniversary! We started with the fresh local oysters which are a must! My husband enjoyed the whole fish served bones and all! No one does a whole fish like hemenways! Our server went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and celebrated! The room was stunning and the vibe was upscale but approachable! Hemenways guarantees a delicious meal with top notch service every time and we can't wait to celebrate there again!

I was very pleased to have been able to get a reservation for Thanksgiving dinner. My party chose this restaurant because we like it, and they also offered a special Thanksgiving menu. When we arrived, the host greeted us and kindly offered to take our coats. We were quickly sat at a gorgeous table opposite the bar, which allowed us to look over the restaurant. Beyond, there are large glass windows that provide sweeping views of the Providence skyline and riverfront. We promptly met our server Ethan who was more than helpful. He was attentive, knowledgeable, and able to answer any question we had about the restaurant or menu. We began our meal with a bottle of white wine. While the bottle itself was nothing special, it accompanied our meal very well. We ordered local oysters to start. They were from Westerly and Narragansett, RI; and then more from another place. They were delicious as oysters always are. I was very pleased that they were served with two oyster forks (there are still places that struggle with this... haha!). We continued with the Yellowfin Tartare. It was delicious and very refreshing. For our meals we had the Karen Elizabeth Sea Scallops and the Local Monkfish. The scallops were soft and buttery, and paired perfectly with the cauliflower and beet in the dish. The Monkfish was flakey and flavorful. Overall this was a wonderful meal. I was not the most thrilled about going out on the holiday, and Hemenway's completely turned it around. Ethan was fabulous, the food satisfied, and it all added up for another great night at Hemenway's!

Located at the bottom of Providence's College Hill, Hemenway's is a Rhode Island institution serving up quality seafood with stunning river views. The interior of the restaurant is expansive and bright, with natural light streaming in from floor-to-ceiling windows. There's plenty of seating with a complete bar in the middle of the restaurant, but as it was reunion weekend, I was definitely glad that we made a reservation a couple days in advance! Our party of five was immediately seated at around 12:30pm on a Saturday, although walk-in parties had to wait about 30-40 minutes for a table. The weekend lunchtime ambiance was buzzy but not overwhelming - just quiet enough to enjoy a conversation! The menu is extensive, featuring the freshest selections from local fishmongers and purveyors. and a great wine list. There's plenty of raw bar options, as well as seafood-focused appetizers and sushi, or soups/salads/sandwiches (your typical lunch fare). Additionally, if you're feeling particularly peckish, there's larger-format entrees, and of course, whole lobsters. As a note, it took about twenty minutes for bread service to arrive, and an additional 45 minutes for our entrees to come out. While I understand it was a busy weekend, it was often difficult to flag our server down, which is just something to note in case you're short on time. The meal begins with their complimentary bread service, which includes fresh-baked, warm rolls with butter. The bread is well-baked, with a nice crust on the outside and a pillowy-soft interior. Four members of my table opted for the New England Clam Chowder ($10 for a cup, $12 for a bowl), which comes with rich, indulgent cream-based broth chock full of toothsome clams. It's incredibly salty, so I could only have a few bites of one of my friends' bowls, but if you're looking to maximize value, I would certainly opt for a bowl, as it's only $2 more than a cup, and double the portion. The package of oyster crackers on the side adds a lovely crunch! For entrees, one member of my party ordered the Crab Cakes ($23), which are crispy fried patties of decadent crab meat served with a tangy horseradish remoulade, and a bright, acidic apple-frisee salad. It was a bit of a small portion for the price, but this was classified as an appetizer on the menu. Another member of our party opted for the Yellowfin Tuna ($37), which is a sesame-crusted tuna filet atop sushi rice, pickled cabbage slaw, and avocado mousse, finished with sriracha aioli and a ginger-soy dressing. He really enjoyed his dish, which reminded us of an upscale poke bowl, with a nice sear on the tuna, and thoughtful accoutrements that really dressed up the flavors and textures of the dish. A third member chose the Flounder Milanese ($34), which is a deep-fried filet of tender flounder served with artichoke, tomato, pearl onion, beurre blanc, red watercress, and capers. The brininess of the artichoke and capers served to contrast the oiliness of the fried fish, with the beurre blanc providing a rich canvas of sauce. The tomato, pearl onion, and red watercress were great foils of freshness for the entire dish, and it was quite a large portion of food. A friend also opted for the grilled Lobster ($50 for a 1.25lb lobster, you can choose steamed, boiled, or grilled), which also comes with your choice of side - she chose the roasted asparagus. This wasn't a particularly large portion of lobster, but the meat inside was juicy and succulent, and already removed from the shell, making it easy to eat. The asparagus was nicely roasted, with a good bite and a lovely char. Lastly, I opted for the Wedge Salad ($16), which is two huge quarter-heads of iceberg lettuce topped with fresh tomatoes, pickled red onions, crispy bacon, bleu cheese crumbles, and a bleu cheese dressing (which I asked for on the side). The iceberg lettuce is delightfully crunchy and fun to cut open, and the tomatoes and onions were fresh-tasting. The bacon was just toasty enough with a good smoky flavor, and the bleu cheese had that tangy, earthy flavor that really topped off the dish. The dressing was rich and flavorful, although I would have preferred something that wasn't bleu cheese-based, as there was already a large amount of bleu cheese in the dish. Overall, we really enjoyed our meal at Hemenway's - although it's quite pricey, the food is reliably fresh and high-quality, the menu has options for everyone, and service is friendly, if a bit slow. This is a great stop for an upscale lunch/celebratory dinner if you're in the Providence area!

I've visited here twice in the past two months - both visits were an excellent experience. Great service, delicious and creative food, and a beautiful restaurant environment. We ordered from different parts of the menu , apps, sushi, salads and main dishes -all outstanding. Both times we also ordered the very special Baked Alaska dessert that is flamed at the table - see picture.

A staple restaurant for our family. Tuna Tartare had flavors of citrus and pear, so refreshing + clean. We have had the surf + turf, salmon, scallops + desserts here. 10/10 the view is also very positive addition to the experience

We dined at Hemmenway's in mid December for an early holiday celebration. Overall everything was excellent and we had amazing service, as one would expect here. We started off with an order of calamari and a selection from the raw bar. The raw bar was insanely fresh, very tasty, although we didn't love the fact that it was served on this incredibly tall metal platform. Most of the oysters had bits of shells in them, signaling an inexperienced shucker. We could barely see the seafood and couldn't see the sauces. All that said, the freshness and quality totally made up for any slight inconveniences. The calamari was very tasty and tender. For entrees our table ordered 2 tunas and a scallop. The sides are very generous. My tuna was cooked very nicely and the scallops looked amazing also. We got checked in on a good amount. Our server was clearly a seasoned professional and, combined with delicious food, the experience was a great one. Restaurant was very noisy as has been the case in the past. Noise level was about a 4.5/5, but still able to hear the conversation at our table and hear our server. It was totally crowded on a weeknight showing just how popular this staple is! Although we save Hemmenway's for very special occasions and don't get here too often, we will certainly be back.

Girls weekend in Rhode Island got off to an excellent start in Providence. Our hotel recommended we try Hemenway's for dinner, and we were not disappointed. The restaurant is beautiful-dark wood, big windows, with an elegant feeling. We were warmly welcomed and received excellent, attentive service. RI oysters are small, fresh and sweet. Surf n Turf was completely customizable and our server was patient enough to explain all options. We chose filet and scallops prepared Oscar style with house made hollandaise sauce and roast asparagus. We also enjoyed a half bottle of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc. Wish we'd made a reservation to sit in the main dining room but our server was attentive and patient, and that made up for our bar area (no reservation) table.

Upscale restaurant right along the river. Good food. Lobster mac n' cheese was delicious.

Spectacular setting, elegant, welcoming service, delicious food! We each had the lobster roll (off the menu at 3 pm). Perfectly butter poached lobster meat, buttery grilled split top roll, french fries. Excellent service from Derek! Made our awesome Saturday afternoon even more special!'

This place is romantic. The service is just wonderful. And we had a warm New England clam chowder !! Lobster with warm lemony butter... the best. Will be back !!

Simple and delicious meals with excellent service to match. We stopped here for a late night dinner while in town and it was worth every penny. The restaurant gets so busy so I was glad I made a reservation beforehand. Even then, there was a wait before we got seated. It is very loud because of the crowd though. We enjoyed every single dish we ordered and would absolutely return for more.

Hemenway's was delicious! We split a few dishes - the yellowfin tuna and the lobster mac 'n cheese were definitely the highlights! Before ordering, someone made a comment that they always want more lobster in their Mac 'n cheese. Well, Hemenway's lets you choose how big of a lobster you want, which is amazing! We had great service the whole night, too. Our party chose to sit outside because it was nice out, but we wished we got the ambiance of sitting inside. An excuse to go back (not that I need one)!

From the moment you step inside Hemingway's restaurant Right now at 7:00 in until your first delicious bite and your eventual departure, the food, service, and atmosphere are truly top-notch. We started with the hot fish platter, which arrived quickly and was incredibly fresh. For my main course, I chose the sesame seed crusted tuna, while my wife opted for the filet mignon. Both dishes were cooked to absolute perfection. The tuna was fresh and paired beautifully with a variety of vegetables, rice, and an exceptional ginger soy sauce. My wife enjoyed her filet mignon alongside some creamy mashed potatoes that were simply divine. For dessert, I indulged in a generous serving of crème brûlée accompanied by a nice cup of coffee. I'm already looking forward to our next visit to enjoy the quality and service this restaurant has to offer!

Probably the best restaurant in Rhode Island. Amazing service, so friendly and accommodating; and Recently renovated inside to have a beautiful bar, this is an iconic establishment in Providence with valet parking and out of this world seafood. Highly recommend the tuna crudo, crab sushi, and surf and turf with the lobster - baked and stuffed with tons of seafood. ICONIC!

My colleagues and I ate at Hemenway's while in Providence for a law conference. It was suggested to one of them during a tour. We made a reservation, which I recommend because they were very busy. The restaurant was very nice. I understand it's been remodeled recently. It looks great. It was easy to talk to each other during dinner. It wasn't loud. The server was pretty good. He forgot to bring us appetizer plates and also didn't seem to like all the questions I had about the menu. He seemed annoyed. We were told by the tour guide we had to get the calamari. I'm not a big fan of that in general, but both my friends loved it. If you like calamari you'll love theirs. One friend had the scallops and said they were excellent. The other had the seafood casserole. I tried it and it was very good. I highly recommend that. It had great flavor. I wish I had ordered that. I had the 2 lb butter poached lobster. I was told it would come fluffed on the lobster shell. But it was served sitting in a bowl of butter. It was $80 ($40 a lb). I was very unimpressed with the lobster. I don't want it drenched in butter. I would never order it again. The lobster tasted fine once you got past all the butter. Also the plate presentation was poorly done. For an $80 entree I expected it to be better. If you took my meal out of this review it would probably get 4.5 stars. But my meal was the most expensive and very underwhelming. I do not recommend the lobster here. If I came back I'd try lunch instead.

My family had a great time having lunch. Our waitress, Katie was very nice and attentive. We chose to sit outside. The park was nice to watch and all of our food was delicious!

I haven't been in a long time but this is one of Providence's best, without a doubt. Fish chowder is thick and flavorful. Oysters!!

hands down the best restaurant experience we had during our trip to providence -- the food was incredible, the staff was attentive and knowledgeable, and the ambience really chill. highly recommend stopping by here

Our fave restaurant continues to excel! Great service, wonderful ambience, all spiffed up in holiday garb - and excellent food. We've been going at least annually for years now to celebrate our anniversary and Helemenways has never failed to please us. Better yet - their delicious Oysters Hemenways is back on the regular menu!

I think five star review will do. Hotel sent us here. Excellent high end seafood restaurant. Had raw oysters then catch of the day - sword fish. My companion had yellow fin tuna. Great choices. I will entertain Maine lobster next time. Staff very accommodating and professional. It is a white tablecloth place yet we wore shirts which I felt silly about. I should have been denied entrance.

Great restaurant that has been the top restaurant in the area for years. Really nice inside and the lobster is to die for! We had a great dinner there, we shared a steamed lobster and our friends had a stuffed lobster. Both were excellent! Cocktails were spot on and their wine list was excellent. We were too full to have dessert. If you are in Providence, don't miss this restaurant right next to Brown University with so much history! Service was excellent, although our waiter seemed disappointed we did not order dessert.

Our dinner at Hemenway was very good! We had a lovely waitress and our food came out quickly even with a busy Friday night crowd. Tuna tartare: The tuna tartare was paired with delicious crispy seaweed chips and a great wasabi cream. However, we found the other sauce to be too sweet. Whole fish: The whole baked fish was sea bass and was very fresh and tender. However, we think it would have benefited from being offered off the bone. We also think it needed a lemon butter sauce on the side. Scallops: The scallops were delicious and seared to perfection! The hollandaise sauce was a great topper and the crab was succulent.

We had dinner here tonight. A Saturday night. Pros: Great waitress. Hostess and ambiance were good. Cons: The food. -We had the lobster bisque. It tasted like mayonnaise with a strange after taste. Sent it back. -Calamari was marginal. -Crab cakes weren't good. -The mussels were tiny and sandy. The sauce on the mussels was good. -The salad we had included lettuce, tomatoes, pickled onions and Boursin cheese. The Boursin cheese mix tasted bad. -The rolls were good. Unfortunately, we wouldn't return.

Hemenway's was on the list of restaurant recommendations during my visit to Providence. I went there specifically because they had Rhode Island style clam chowder -- think of clam chowder without any cream or milk, but more in a briny broth. Upon entering the restaurant, the ambiance felt upscale, similarly like a steakhouse, but seafood based. It would be perfect for a lunch date or perhaps a romantic/special celebration dinner, but really it does not matter. Initially I thought I wasn't dressed appropriately because I strolled in with running shoes (can't be walking all day in heels!), but it was ok, and I was directed to my table immediately. Siobhan, my server, was friendly, and I had to ask for her recommendation on the Rhode Island clam chowder. What she said was unlike the New England version, the Rhode Island version is more on the lighter side, but still flavorful from the broth. I ordered a bowl --- not a cup. I found that I could taste the quality of the clams easily than the ones in heavy cream. It was absolutely delicious! I also ordered steamed mussels from the appetizer list in case the bowl of soup was not substantial. The wine sauce in the mussels veered more towards the sweet side, but that's because they used onions. The mussels were cooked just right -- soft, yet very fresh. Both the mussels and clam chowder did fill me up. The bill, including tax and tip came out close to $40. It was not too bad given the fact I did order seafood. I do want to give Siobhan my huge gratitude. Apparently I must have been in a hurry to go to my next destination I left my credit card behind! Fortunately I had not walked far and ran back. After coming back into the restaurant, I explained the situation to the front desk and Siobhan came out with my credit card expressing her concern of me forgetting my card while traveling. Anyway I learned I should pay attention where my card is at all times, and I am so thankful for the overall service I received. Above and Beyond! Highly recommended.

I want to go back for little next, I'm gonna have shower. They know how to open them and they know how to keep them refrigerated so you don't get sick on raw shellfish it's good. I am not been since before COVID-19.

It's alright. Is not reinventing the wheel, but it's a good balance of feeling elegant but still has a casual feeling. Walking in, there was a sense that this place hasn't really changed its approach or decor since the 90s. I don't know if it's the neon signs, dated logo, the white cloth tables, or the servers attire that clearly is trying to appear fancy. They don't have much of an oyster selection, but what they have is good. They have usually at least 4 East Coast varieties. The bacon wrapped scallops were good, although some pieces were not as firmly cooked as others. The bacon wasn't as charred as it could have been. But when everything was done right, they were pretty good. Fantastic shrimp cocktail, with a good cocktail sauce. My family complained that it had a texture that didn't feel fresh, but I thought it packed plenty of seafood flavor. The streamed baby lobster is good, but it's not so special that you have to order it here. Texture wise, it was a little mushy. The asparagus they serve with it is nothing special. They steam it and dump it on the plate with special approach or consideration.

Visited Hemingway's for the first time yesterday. I won't be returning as I didn't feel the value proposition was there for the food. The service was good, although the wait for the entrées was quite long. The waiter stopped by twice to indicate we were near the end of the queue and our food was being plated and would be out soon The food was presented quite nicely. The cost was steep for each item, but all items seemed quite small for their cost, The taste was bland and mediocre to salty. The two-pound stuffed lobster was $92.00, the appearance was nice, and the fact they took the claw meat out and restuffed the body with additional seafood, plus the claw meat was nice to facilitate easy eating, but the lobster dish looked very small for $92.00 to me. The paella flavor was also not that appealing, and one of the tiniest I have been served in a restaurant. The chopped up sausage in the paella, again added a taste of salt, and the broth it was cooked in was not appealing to me, as well. As an appetizer, we had their assorted hot seafood platter. It was okay, stuffed clams were too salty, too many diced fried pickled pepper slices with the Calamari, the ratio was not right in my opinion. The dish was not bad, just not great. Let's frame this the entire meal, early dinner, cost for dinner was $186 with tax and not including tip. We had 3 dishes to eat, no dessert, no coffee, and no drinks, other than water. That just seems kind of stiff for what was served. I have read a number of good things about Hemmingways, but to me it seems overhyped. The place was crowded and had a very nice looking appearance, the customer-facing team were all pleasant, and we had no issues there.

I really wanted to love this place--we made reservations ahead of time for a graduation dinner and were excited to celebrate. But our large party got seated in the most awkward spot, squeezed between the front door and the kitchen. Not exactly the vibe we had in mind. The food didn't do much to turn things around. Everything tasted like it had been reheated, which was a bummer. The mussels were the worst, definitely not fresh. I ended up just picking them out of the shells and arranging them to make it look like I ate them because it was honestly kind of embarrassing. To be fair the Blue Monarch cocktail was honesty pretty good so I included a star for that. We were in town for a few nights and sadly, this was by far the worst meal of the trip. Just disappointing all around, especially for such a special occasion.

We had a positive experience at Hemenway's. Food was delicious and fresh. We had steak, salmon and fresh oysters. We felt like our food came out a little longer than expected but our server was lovely. She made sure that our drinks were filled. It was a busy night at the restaurant but my husband and I had a table that was cozy and felt private. Location of the restaurant was also conducive for taking a stroll after a nice dinner. We will be back!

My husband and I went here on a week night and wow the food did not disappoint. I felt a bit under dressed in jeans although others in the restaurant were wearing jeans. We were seated within one minute of arriving, greeted by our server within four minutes and had drinks at the table within five minutes. Highly recommend the scallop appetizer, the smoky bacon flavor was amazing! We will be back here to enjoy another meal soon.

I came to this restaurant 5 years ago during my first trip to Providence and I had fond memories of trying the paella and the mushrooms. I was able to make a last-minute reservation, and I'm glad I did -- the restaurant was absolutely packed on a Saturday night. It's a really lively, bustling atmosphere. The highlight from Hemenway's was the complimentary bread rolls -- super fresh, hot, chewy, pillowy bread that pairs perfectly with a soft creamy butter with flaky sea salt. I would come back just for this. Other food item reviews - Seafood paella ($32): Tender seafood. Rice was a bit too al dente for me, but otherwise tasty. - RI Mushrooms ($8): Good flavor, good variety of mushrooms. Would have preferred more crisp. - Steamed mussels ($16): Well cooked but didn't like the flavor that much (sweet onion flavor) - Raw shellfish platter ($72): The oysters were the best part. The clams were a bit fishy and the shrimp was a bit tough. I would just get oysters next time. - Strawberry basil margarita ($17): Tasted pretty watered down, wouldn't get again. I think I would choose different menu items next time, but I would come back for the bread rolls alone!

Went for my anniversary dinner and everything from the food to service was amazing. I dont recall my waiters name but he was the best and made us feel comfortable. It can get a little louder due to the amount of people late night but nothing too bothersome. We started off with the calamari which I loved. Usually other places dredge their calamari in so much oil and you did not feel the oil from these being fried. Next for our entrees I got the 2 pound fisherman lobster while my husband had the paella. Both 100% recommended. My side was truffle fries and I loved them. If you are getting a side those are recommended. As for ending out night with dessert we had the crème brûlée to share as we were honestly so full from the appetizers and entree that shows they serve a good amount. It was honestly amazing not too sweet but just right. This is my second time visiting Hemenway's and I truly recommend. Especially for date nights Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Ambiance: 5/5 Recommended dishes Paella, 1 25 Baked Stuffed Lobster, Calamari Parking space Plenty of parking Parking options Valet

I sampled several things from the new menu. Lobster roll, caviar with waffles and bread pudding plus a mocktail. The lobater roll was delicious with a delicate but spicy aioli, the caviar with waffles was my favorite. The caviar is really perfect and the baby waffles (instead of customary pancakes) is so unique and delicious. I would have eaten a whole meal of just the waffles! The bread pudding was served with pistachio gelato and a caramel sauce and was fantastic.

We had a great experience at Hemenway's. The scallops wrapped in bacon along and the baked stuffed shrimp were amazing. Service was outstanding as well. I loved that they have a garage that leads directly to the restaurant. This was very convenient as it was raining. We had a great seat by the window overlooking the river.

Came here for a celebration dinner - the ambiance and food was on point. Very elegant vibe inside. Our server, unfortunately I do not remember his name, but he was from NY and gave exceptional service. He also suggested recommendations that we would enjoy and not end up ordering to much. It looks like the entrees sometimes change according to what's seasonal, so I don't know the exact name of the salmon dish. But I do recall it had a butternut squash purée and caramelized onions on top. It was delicious and fresh. I also LOVED the paella. I normally never eat mussels or clams, but in the dish it was well cooked and so flavorful. There was also no fishy/seafood smell. Personally, I believe the lobster Mac n cheese is a bit overrated taste wise although looks wise can be cool. It's just not the creamy, cheese Mac n cheese you'd go for. The Brussel sprouts and salad was a nice accompaniment, but nothing special. That being said, for the service, quality of food, and ambiance - I would come here again. Highly recommend visiting if you're around the area. They have a few sister restaurants as well that might be worth a shot.

Great seafood! One of the best in Rhode Island for seafood. And the atmosphere is wonderful.

Simply put Amazing; the food, service, ambiance, all of it. (100% recommend, attire is something to look out for dinner. Lunch business casual I recommend) First the FOOD phenomenal. The Calamari is delicious. It's not oily it's quite refreshing with various jalapeños with it. Spiciness is spot on, just the right amount of kick. The paella is harmonious, the seafood and a hint of spice and sweetness from the choriso. The Lobster tortellini is wonderful very filling. The Lobster roll has cabbage in it and the texture addition is great. The seasoning on it was great ! And the bread don't get me started The beautiful SERVICE. She was so kind and patient with us. Wonderful person. The AMBIANCE, its floor to ceiling windows give a great view outside. Natural light is always a best friend. The seats are booths or table and seats. I had the booth it was comfortable. The hight of the table was perfect for me (5'7). There's neon signs here and there but not too bright and it added a nice touch of color inside.