The Carriage House

The Carriage House is the Cafe for The Elms mansion. The food is classy French inspired food served on fine China. The cafe is located in the mansions separate ‘carriage house’. The service is table dining with indoor and outdoor seating. There is also a quick service cafe and small gift area. Every table gives a great view of the surrounding architecture. The food was delicious but nothing to travel far for! The price is appropriate for the location. You come here for the views and ambiance more than the food.

We were very pleasantly surprised by our dining experience at The Carriage House at The Elms. Despite it being a gorgeous Saturday in July, there was plenty of seating available. The host was very welcoming and charming and seated us at our choice of table. Despite it being a museum cafe, service felt very sophisticated, which helped us feel like we were back in time. The seasonal veggie appetizer was a good value, with freshly baked little flatbreads for dipping in a nice creamy hummus. My husband and I shared the roast beef club, which was also delicious, made from carved roast beef (not cold cuts). The setting was bright and romantic, the perfect ending to our visit to The Elms.

An extraordinary dining experience at the Elms Carriage House! From the moment we stepped through the door, the warm ambiance enveloped us, and we were greeted with genuine smiles from the staff. As someone who knows the Stoneacre Hospitality brand well, I can confidently say this establishment is exactly what our town needed—a delightful place to relish a leisurely lunch. We thoroughly enjoyed a sparkling wine that complemented the luxurious caviar dip beautifully. For our main courses, the seasonal quiche was a highlight—its rich flavors and fresh ingredients made each bite a true delight. We truly appreciated the attentive service and the impeccable hospitality, and we can’t wait to return for another memorable meal! Best, Srdan Dokovic

The Carriage House is a wonderful place to grab food and drinks after exploring the Elms. We made reservations beforehand which is not needed but recommenced. We mainly came for a drink but decided to share one of the brunch entrees which was delicious. The staff were great to chat with and the vibes were definitely on point - the garden area is absolutely beautiful. We will definitely be back and I’d highly recommend this place if you’re in the area and looking for a drink.

We are new members of the Preservation Society of Newport County and were visiting the Elms for the first time. The docent at the Elms recommended we eat at the new Carriage House and said that they had a lovely patio. We arrived at about 1:30 PM and asked for a table on the patio, there were about seven open tables. We were told that reservations were required and we would have to sit inside. Not wanting to waste any more time looking for an alternative place, we agreed. The food was delicious. We had the New England Chowder and the Chicken BLT. Richard, our server, was friendly and helpful. I am giving the restaurant four stars instead of five for two reasons - First, when we left there were still four open tables on the patio and RESY, the APP used to book reservations, indicated that there were reservations available on the patio at 2:30 PM. Also, RESY specifically states that “reservations are encouraged” but does not say that they are required. Second, we were charged a 2.96% surcharge (not disclosed until we paid our bill) for using a credit card. The restaurant said that it’s to offset their processing costs and is not more than what they pay in fees. When did this become a thing? Since most people pay by card, it would appear that accepting cards and paying the processing fee is the cost of doing business? In fact, restaurants benefit from accepting credit cards: 1) it allows merchants to easily and securely accept and process payments; 2) it improves customer experience by reducing wait times and makes the customer payment process more convenient; 3) it reduces merchant costs - no need to count and process money and coins, it saves time and effort to bundle and transport money and coins to the bank, it reduces possible theft, and it avoids bad checks and counterfeit money; 4) it is also more sanitary to use credit cards. Forcing people to carry cash to pay large bills at a restaurant can also be a safety risk for the customer.

The Carriage House at The Elms is a true gem in Newport. The atmosphere is refined yet welcoming, with thoughtful spacing that keeps the room lively without feeling crowded. The French-inspired cuisine is beautifully executed, and the service is exceptional—knowledgeable, attentive, and perfectly paced. A wonderful lunch experience from start to finish.

Charming Setting with Elegant Bites Dining at The Carriage House at The Elms was a lovely experience. Set in a beautifully restored French-style carriage house, the architecture and setting alone are worth the visit-graceful, historic, and perfectly nestled within the grounds of the Elms estate. It feels like a quiet escape into another time. For an early lunch, the menu offers some excellent light options-fresh salads, delicate sandwiches, and small plates that pair well with a coffee or sparkling water. Later in the afternoon, the menu shifts a bit, with rich and flavorful pasta dishes that feel indulgent yet still refined. Everything was well-prepared, thoughtfully plated, and served with a laid-back elegance that matched the space. Whether you're stopping by after a tour of The Elms or simply looking for a relaxing meal in a unique setting, The Carriage House delivers charm, taste, and ambiance. This is still new, and the staff is still learning to be patient and kind. i.e. Putting cold bear into warm glass and / or failing to pour it for you.

The Preservation Society offers so much for a visitor, great homes, app and tours but dining options are still a miss. This is a lovely venue but we were quite disappointed with the our experience. The food should have been better. Quiche was bland and chicken added to a salad was dried out. Definitely not worth the prices charged. Lunch was $85 for soup, an entree and non-alcoholic beverages for two people. They charge 3% surcharge if you use a credit card, not listed anywhere. Beverages are not refills, it cost $4.50 for each iced tea. Service was very disappointing. Our beverages and water were not filled and waiter seemed distracted. We had to flag him down to get the bill. He barely visited the table. We wanted some bread and he said there was none offered. Later, we saw that they have biscuits, which he never suggested.