The Reef

Yesterday was my first time in Newport, and the Reef was my first stop. I heard some great things about it so a friend and I decided to go. We sat outside with a view of the water and the boats, with lovely live music. We had the most amazing server, shout out to Oliva (with the bangs)! She was fantastic and kind and very helpful/patient when we’re asked her so many questions about the menu. She gave great recommendations on what food and drinks were the best and she was RIGHT. This was 10/10 some other best best food I’ve had and it was a great first time in Newport! I will definitely be back again, Thank you Liv!!

This was a stop on the Newport Foodies Stroll. We had a bowl of their clam chowder. Apparently, Rhode Island Clam Chowder is very brothy whereas New England Clam Chowder is very creamy. This was described as a hybrid - more of a light cream. There is excellent flavor in every bite and I definitely recommend it. The view is quite wonderful as well.

Overall we had a decent time at the reef; we came for lunch. One thing that is a small pet peeve of mine is when a place will advertise indoor and outdoor seating, but there will be no barrier to the outside so the inside seating is basically outside anyway. It was a hot day and we had been out in the sun and asked to sit inside, but they had one of the walls open to the outdoors so the indoor seating really wasn’t much relief from the elements. Still, our server was very nice. It took a little while to get our food but it was very flavorful. I got the calamari and lobster bisque, my husband got the swordfish. We both enjoyed our dishes. We both drank water as our beverage however they didn’t put any ice in either of our drinks, and there was debris in my water- additionally because there was no barrier to the outdoors a gnat died in my soup and there was one in my water as well. The decor of the place feels a bit run down/dated for the menu price. While we were eating some guy was walking his dog through the area between the indoor and outdoor seating, and his dog urinated into one of the potted plants. No one (dog owner or staff) attempted to stop this from happening.

We made reservations for a waterside brunch. Farmers omelet was delicious and cooked perfectly. It was paired with simple spring greens with a light vinaigrette that was equally delicious. Avocado toast was very well done a tasty. Egg was perfectly cooked to a soft boil. Highly recommend both brunch items.

Food was just above average. Although the Greek Ceviche was odd IMO. Cheap plastic like Feta and raw fish was a weird combo. Most loved dishes of the night were the Watermelon Salad, Asian noodles and the Crispy tuna appetizer. Service was very friendly and the place is nice, right on the dock. Good gluten free knowledge and options.

Everything was just right. We almost did not get in though. They seat the last table at 8:45. Our server was wonderful. They were able to accommodate a food sensitivity to gluten, dairy and soy. She had the hamburger and truffle fries. They have a separate gluten free fryer.

I frequent Newport often, and I never heard of the reef until the night we went. It’s a restaurant set back along a pier and marina in the center of the tourist area. The place inside and out is pretty nice, and they have plenty of seating for both. In the off season, they offer themed igloos that you can rent out for special occasions like the one we had. The staff were nice, and somewhat attentive. Our server was training someone so some things lacked attention. We had cocktails, appetizers and picked at some entrees between the 6 of us. They didn’t have a huge menu, but they had something for everyone to enjoy. Items like tacos, burgers and lobster rolls were amongst the list. The food I had today wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great to me either. I’d say it was average. The drinks seemed to follow suit. The atmosphere was great. A private themed, self heated, sunset igloo at the end of a pier, was pretty awesome and unique. I think if some minor changes are made with in the menu, this could be a solid spot. Or maybe we just caught an off night. But we will be back soon to give it another shot.

We stopped by The Reef around 7 PM on the 4th of July—it was moderately busy, but we were seated right away at their beautiful waterside patio, even without a reservation. That was already a great start! Our waitress was super friendly and attentive, which made the evening even better. We tried a few of their cocktails, and they were fantastic—especially the strawberry ones, which were perfectly balanced and refreshing. We started off with the rock shrimp appetizer ($25), which I’d give a solid 8/10. It was flavorful and cooked well, though I wish the portion had been just a bit larger for the price. For entrées, we had a few different dishes: • The lobster pasta ($37) was easily the star of the night. Honestly, probably the best lobster pasta I’ve ever had—rich, buttery, and full of lobster meat. A very easy 9.5/10 and highly recommended. • The grilled salmon was part of their 4th of July specials. It was good, but not particularly memorable for me—I’d rate it 7/10. I just found it a bit underwhelming in terms of flavor. • The warm lobster roll ($35) was also a hit. It had just the right texture—not too dry, not too moist. Another solid 8/10. There was live music playing while we dined, which added a lovely, festive vibe to the evening. The ambiance overall was great—I’d say a 7/10, mostly due to the great view and atmosphere. Only downsides: portion sizes were on the smaller side for the price point, and I’d recommend the staff check in on the ladies’ restroom more frequently—the sink counter was quite wet and messy, likely from guests being careless while washing up. All in all, I would absolutely return—especially for that lobster pasta. It’s definitely worth the trip if you’re in Newport and looking for a casual but quality seafood spot with good vibes and great drinks.

Atmosphere absolutely beautiful! Service beyond awesome. General Manager was a delight. Had the Shortrib dish was fabulous! Tender and favorable. Ordered dessert to go. Tarimisu was so good. Would recommend this place first and foremost for dinner. Had a wonderful conversation with waitress and GM. Definitely 5 star in my book.

I made Igloo lunch reservations here to surprise my family and it was amazing! You can't select the igloo ahead of time but once there I chose Tropical Paradise and it was absolutely beautiful!! We loved the colors, decorations, the fireplace was perfect for the cold weather, we had a speaker to play our own music it was a great experience! The food was good but I think what makes this place memorable is the gorgeous views and the igloos. They have different themes for them. The server was very attentive and accommodating. We didn't like the strawberry shortcake or the black coffee everything else was delicious. I will go back on my next Newport visit!

Went for a birthday with an igloo rental. About ten different igloos, all with their own theme. Each has heater and electric fireplace. $108 (including taxes) for two hours and twenty mins. Time starts when your reservation starts so don't be late! Gratuity is included. Ryan, our server was great. Caramel espresso martinis were so unique and yummy 9/10 Calamari was the best I've had, garlic dipping sauce SO good 10/10 Lobster pasta 10/10 Bolognese gnocchi 10/10 Great experience. 5 stars

Solid. Excellent service. And their "seasonal cocktails" were swell. Large menu. Round of appetizers including oysters; entrees were 3 short ribs and fish and chips (latter especially large portion and well done). All happy campers. Note one of their 2 rooms had live music (a guitarist) so you might consider the other room if you want to converse.

We came to celebrate a my daughter's birthday in October. Great place, if you love seafood. The oysters are so fresh each one tasting so different. I had clam chowder, it wasn't hot enough for me, so I send it back to be made hotter. They were very accommodating. It must be beautiful during the sunset. The place is beautiful and service is impeccable, great place to celebrate with a great meal.

Absolutely beautiful restaurant with the most amazing sunset. We were seated immediately since we went for a very early dinner and the entire staff was top-notch. My husband ordered the warm lobster roll, and I ordered the fish and chips... Both absolutely amazing, the best cod I've ever had . Cannot wait to visit Newport again, reef will definitely be my first spot to have a romantic dinner again .

On our first night in Newport we chose The Reef on the wharf for dinner. It's a surprisingly large restaurant with a bar with live music and plenty of outdoor seating. Unfortunately, the rain was coming down so we had to sit in the dining room. Our servers were Mattie and Sam, who were very friendly and provided very good service. My husband and I started out with cocktails, a salty dog for me and an old-fashioned for him. The first time I had a salty dog was in Kennebunkport, so that had to be my first cocktail on my first night back in New England. My drink was not good - at all. I couldn't even taste the grapefruit juice since it had a medicinal taste somehow. I added ice, then water, no help. I then left half the drink. The old fashioned was great. We started with the oysters Rockefeller and they were the best we've ever had. We commented we should just stick with those for the rest of the meal because they were so damn good. Next I had the Newport clam chowder and hubby had the lobster bisque. The lobster bisque was the winner, full of flavor with large lobster pieces and creamy. My clam chowder was watery and not thick and creamy. Too much broth. For my entree, I had the hamachi poke. The hostess noted right away from my reservation that I can't have nuts or seeds so that was great that she was on top of it and told the servers. I reiterated that with our servers when ordering. However, the poke came out with seeds, and I needed to send it back. The kitchen corrected it and the hamachi was so fresh and the bowl was tasty. Very good. My husband had the swordfish with couscous and haricot verts. He really enjoyed the fish and said it was grilled perfectly, not overdone or dry. The Reef wasn't my first choice of restaurants, but all the highly-rated restaurants on my list were totally booked until late in the evening on a Saturday and I just can't eat that late so we ended up at this place. Not highly rated but decent food. Hits and misses. Get the oysters Rockefeller, though. It's the best thing we had.

Came here and reserved one of the winter igloos and it was great!! Clean, well kept, and done well. Service was pretty good Bloody marys (4/5) Sangria (3/5) Fish tacos (4/5) Shrimp and grits (5/5) Smoked old fashioned (3.5/5) Its great you could have your own music in the igloo too.

We LOVED the Crispy Tuna and Shrimp Tacos, but the service was the best part. Our server Siyan, was amazing. She was attentive and fun and made us feel so welcome. We also thought the igloo seating was so neat!!!

2 stars because I would come back for the cocktails and nothing else. Food was okay. Service was either slow or rude. Everyone was on their phones. The place was FREEZING. Wore a scarf inside and was warming my hands with my breath. Cocktails was very good and a nice Christmas desert cocktail. Lobster Roll was really okay 5/10.

Recently visited on a Saturday midday to enjoy their brunch in an igloo! Experience and ambiance was a 5. Food was a 4. Service was a 5. Must Try - Bacon Cheddar Fritters. Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Gelato. Breakfast bruger (it's served on a crossaint with a super runny egg! Next time, we'd skip - Veggie wrap was very dry (it said it came with dressing but not sure it had enough!). French dip lacked a bit of flavor.

New chef - new menu, new owners, many new improvements and updates to the property. Two very large new bars, white linen table cloths in the main dining room, outdoor bar in the summer months with live music winter months, outdoor dining in igloos for a private setting.

The food and service were amazing! Our server Mary went above and beyond to make our anniversary special. The igloos were incredible, we got to curate a playlist, watch the sunset, and cozy up in the "under the sea" themed igloo (best view of the sunset and bridge). Highly recommend!!!

Thoroughly disappointed in tonight's dinner at The Reef. The execution was abysmal in many regards. I ordered a Negroni and it was not made correctly. I asked if the bartender has ever made a Negroni before and instead of trying to correct it. I was asked if I wanted something else to drink. Our meal consisted of a dozen oysters, clam fritters, and a mixed greens salad for our appetizers. Our entrées were a filet mignon, hot buttered lobster roll, and the Norwegian salmon. My friend enjoyed his filet mignon. The lobster roll was also fine, but the truffle fries that came with it were cold. The waitress was nice enough to have them make some fresh fries. The salmon, which was recommended to be prepared medium, came out well done. It was overcooked and dry. The risotto was OK and the bok choy was a very limp piece of vegetable. The execution of this dish was poor. Our server was nice and relatively inexperienced. A more experienced waitress probably would've handled some things differently. The aesthetic of the restaurant was nice, and the vibe was quiet as there was almost no one else in there. The temperature was extremely uncomfortable. Note that this place has an open wall which leads to the outdoors. The humidity made indoor dining very uncomfortable, and they did not have the air conditioning on. I've eaten here before, and had a better experience. My guess is that the B team was on the schedule tonight. I did not have a good experience. Would I give it another shot? Maybe. If it's better, then I'll update this review.

There are many seating options indoors and on the deck. The outdoor bar is by the water with great views. The service was fantastic. A manager explained our server was unable to get to us promptly so he would start serving us. He filled the water, took drink orders, explained the specials and took our food order. Our waiter then took over. We had exceptional service from both. The pan seared halibut was the manager's recommendation and was delicious.

Lobster bisque was Dan and away the best I've ever tasted and Gluten free to boot.....drinks were good, creative and the outdoor space was very nice. Limited parking in front was "free" and the service was good from start to finish

Had been wanting to try the menu under Chef Carmine Mottola and even in a festive winter wonderland igloo on a windy cold evening the food was sinfully fabulous. Chef surprised with an incredible tuna starter that was lit on fire - amazing. The clam chowder was full of clam and potato but not too thick (in other words, perfection). I had the most insanely yummy short rib with truffled mash potatoes and my friend had the mushroom risotto which was equally bananas delicious. Strawberry shortcake and molten chocolate cake? Yes please! We rolled our full bellies home.

We had the best meal at The Reef. The Korean BBQ Noodles are amazing. We rented an igloo, The Gilded Age. Definite must in Newport!

Romantic ambiance, beautiful views along the water, great outdoor seating area with fire pits. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The raw-bar is delicious but the calamari was only mediocre. The kale Caesar salad is also very good. My husband ordered a burger and he said it was very nicely cooked.

We had a good experience here! They have a lot of different wine and food options. I like French wine and they have both Sancerre and Bordeaux by the glass. We ate inside because we had a large party but the patio was nice and I would have liked to eat there. Our waitress was nice and attentive. They also have several gluten free pastas. This Lobster Penne Alla Vodka subbed with gluten free pasta was so delicious I'm still thinking about it! My husband had seared tuna and enjoyed that as well.

Stumbled upon this restaurant while visiting Newport for the first time. We were drawn to the outdoor seating right on the water. We ordered the shrimp po' boy and the cheeseburger with the truffle fries. Everything was delicious. Our server was pleasant and friendly and they had live music playing in the background. It was very enjoyable.

Lovely, warm, understated elegance, yet casual. The service was attentive, but not intrusive. We went for dinner and both had the short rib entree. The meal was a gastric delight. The flavors were what you hear on television cooking shows. It was phenomenal!

The Reef is one of my favorite venues in New Port. Good music, a nice ocean view. The food is delicious and the service is excellent . If you decide to visit, just remember there's not much space for parking . My favorite drink there was the White Sangria, delicious. It is a perfect place for a romantic evening by the ocean. Far enough from the noise and craziness of the main street. Remember if you visit New Port, it's not complicated if you don't visit THE REEF...

The igloo experience was very cool. I got the short rib which is a new menu item and it was a large portion. Dress warm if you plan on dining in the igloo.

The view is great, but the food was subpar. The chicken in the fried chicken sandwich was tough. The spicy tuna crispy rice had delicious, fresh tuna but the rice was dry and flavorless.

Upscale restaurant with a GORGEOUS view! Loved how quiet it was for lunch. Our server knew the menu well and was able to provide great recommendations. I started with the Brussel sprouts and then had the fish tacos with a side salad instead of fries. All was good, however the fish tacos tasted a little fishier than it should have been. Looked like there was a nice alcoholic beverage selection. We were too full for dessert but I bet it's also delicious- next time!

I've had a few meals here before posting. The location is really nice with water views, great summer spot and in the winter they have pop up igloos to rent. If I could give a 3.5 star rating, I would. Service has always been great and therefore I went up in rating versus down. The food is good, but not quite 4-star for a $$$ rated restaurant depending on what you order. I do recommend the shrimp scampi and the sangria is very good.

Mediocre service mediocre food and insanely expensive Got the vegetable curry with feta and it was not good - for 30 dollars. The appetizers were ok. Dessert was ok. It's a tourist trap

The food was really tasty minus the mussels. Definitely a good place for a large party! Our table of 8 ordered SPICY TUNA CRISPY RICE, VINHO VERDE MUSSELS (pass if you are here as we had to send it back), POINT JUDITH CALAMARI and TRUFFLED BURRATA. The team really enjoyed the food as did I minus the mussels that were over cooked. The mussels were also really there in the dish. My entree of NORWEGIAN SALMON was very flavorful and cooked correctly- not overdone. I really enjoyed the risotto a great deal. Our server was a bit rude which was why this is a 3 star and not a 4 star rating. He did have a bit of a problem when we asked if we could split the bill two ways. And his mannerism appeared as though he was having a rough day and taking out on our table.

This restaurant had a BEAUTIFUL view when we sat outside of the water and all of the boats. The food was tasty and the waitress was really helpful in helping us decide on what to order. We ended up ordering the calamari appetizer, lobster roll, and shrimp scampi. The calamari was so different but really great!

Food was not that great. Food came out cold. Fries seemed to have been sitting for awhile. Was not fresh. Bartender was good though. It's more for the scenery tbh.

After reviewing their menu and reviews, I made a dinner reservation for The Reef in Newport, Rhode Island for New Year's Eve through Open Table as instructed on their website. My husband and I travelled from New York for this special dinner and we were informed 1 hour before our scheduled reservation that the restaurant will only be serving drinks, raw bar and a prefixed menu at a price of $120 per person. When I contacted the restsurant, they didn't apologize. Their only response was they have no control of Open Table. Really, then why do you instruct customers to use them to make a reservation with your establishment. Totally ruined our New Year's Eve dinner plans!

Pet friendly, beautiful view of boats and yachts.. food was good but the view was nicer. Service was very good as they always came by to check on us and the dog. Salad and the flat bread were just enough since I wanted room for dessert while in town.

Great place! Service and food are great!! Views were amazing! Drinks were special Had raw oysters and drinks

I recently took my sugar momma here, on our anniversary-- we wanted to try out their igloos and heard good things about the restaurant. While our server Sarah was amazing, and the food was good... the host that was crocheting a hat (it was awful by the way, wouldn't put it on a rabid raccoon) was unbelievably rude and condescending. From the moment we walked in, the host's attitude was dismissive and unwelcoming, making us feel like we were an inconvenience rather than valued customers. He chastised us for being late to our reservation, even though I called prior; letting them know I was running a little late and the woman on the phone said that's fine, no big deal. Obviously the simpleton at the hostess stand didn't get the memo, maybe he was too busy crocheting. It's a shame because the rest of the staff seemed to be doing their best, but the host's attitude made it hard to enjoy the meal. I hope management addresses this issue so that future guests can have a better experience.

We went to The Reef for our 22nd anniversary with friends. It was busy, and I heard the hosts turning away anyone who didn't have reservations for the night. The boat show was in town, so it made sense. Matt, our server, was very attentive. Between the four of us, we had the prime burger, short ribs, tuna with crispy rice, and the calamari. Everything was delicious. What we really admired about The Reef besides the great food and service was that no one rushed us out of there. Quick table turnover seems to be an ongoing trend with popular restaurants lately, and it's such a downer to the night. Although we didn't overstay our welcome, we were so happy that we didn't feel guilty about lingering for a few more minutes to watch the spectacular sunset. We will definitely return to The Reef soon, and will recommend it to anyone visiting Newport.

Came to this restaurant this past weekend and had a great time/meal! When I booked a reservation online, I saw there was going to be live music and it was awesome - the vibe is very summery and fun and this place has a unique menu. The food came out fast and was so good - started off with the Italian flatbread and brussels sprouts chips, and shared a steak entrée for dinner. Finished off with a lava cake (which was just ok - wouldn't get it again) and overall loved our meal. Lots of seating both inside and outside and can fit large/small groups of guests. The only reason I give it 4 stars is because we waited a while to check in to our reservation and there were 4-5 people working the check in booth but only one person with an iPad to check people in, so it was very awkward standing at the check in booth waiting for the workers to notice us and even made awkward eye contact before checking in.

I really wanted to give 5 starts for this restaurant because the waitress was so great but the food .....not so much I ordered the flat iron steak with coconuts and chimichurri and I must say I was very bummed by how the flavor of this dish was so plain and not sophisticated. The music and the atmosphere was great and over all was a nice vibe. Definitely not more than 3 stars

2nd visit in 2 weeks. Booked again to do winter wonderland igloo 2 days b4 x mas w/fam. Reserved, paid, advised choices of theme. Reserved theme, only to end up in "fall theme" (worst one). So bummed out. So disappointed would never paid for that. Manager offered free dessert, which did not happen. Ended up paying $25 for 2 "slim" of cheesecake. Lesson learned. Go to The Mooring. Don't trust managers

Service was great. Waiter was attentive. Food was slow to come out of the kitchen. Ordered a side salad and it took forever. Food is OK not great but good. Would recommend but a little overpriced for the quality of the food. Location is great.

Mediocre at best. For a waterfront restaurant in Newport you would expect something more. The food was pretty bland with small portions for the prices. Service was okay, ambiance was nice. Not a bad experience but I wouldn't return to this restaurant if I had the choice.

A friend who used to vacation in Newport years ago recommended The Pier--however it was gone and replaced by The Reef. It was okay; nothing special. The Pier I am told was lively, all ages, great fun and very good food. The Reef does have a nice location on the water. Sunday brunch ambiance was lovely--steel drum band of two played perfect music. The food was okay-nothing special.

Food and dinner service not great but the bar and bartender were awesome. We will give another try soon.

Just ok. Wish the service was better and the bathrooms were clean! It's always disappointing when a bathroom smells of feces.

Out at Newport for the weekend, wanting to have a unique experience. Find this place on the water that has igloos and good food, so we went here. Server was very friendly, service was prompt and we really enjoyed the igloo experience. Food was really good! The Thai mussels had a strong curry flavor that compliments the briny mussels. The beef carpriccio was beefy, creamy, pickled and the bread was crisp. The shrimp cake was spicy and dense The dishes that were not as great. The stuffed French toast was seasoned well and the potatoes were crispy. The actual French toast wasn't as custardy as I like. Also the sweet cream cheese wasn't very sweet. The desserts were great when combined. The coconut Gelato and flourless cake lead to a creamy, coconut and dark chocolate bite which was rich and decadent. The desserts alone? The coconut Gelato was very much coconut, but the mango center was not. The flourless chocolate cake was very much like fudge, but needed something more than whipped cream to lighten it up. Price was very high, but we had to order as much due to the place putting a minimum on eating in the igloos. For the area, it's a little high but it's not unexpected. Its not a bad option for the area. It's pricy, but the quality is there. Great if you're looking for that picturesque view and good seafood.

Our server Rocko was terrific. Ambiance was great. Views terrific. Food, expensive, very good. Great selection of locally sourced oysters. They had 9 varieties of RI oysters so of course we had to try then all! We will likely return.

For lunch during the week we found this an enjoyable experience. Service acceptable, and friendly. Tuna appetizer generous and tasty. Turkey sandwich good but accompanying kale salad (instead of French fries) was pleasantly fresh and good. I'd recommend that! Price reasonable. Views of big ships to my liking. Would I go back? And recommend? Yes and yes.

We had a wonderful experience at the restaurant last night for my husband's birthday. Great service from Ashley, our waitress. Food came quick and everyone was filled. Karen, the hostess, arranged a special dessert for my husband and so sweet that it even came with a birthday card signed by the staff. They don't know us and we don't know them but I think it was a nice touch. The manager also came around to make sure everyone is okay. Overall, great service! And yes, beautiful water view.

I was created with a very friendly and efficient host, and seated at a pretty dark side table on their patio. My waiter, David, was extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and made sure he attended to every detail even though he was very busy. There was live music under the tent/patio Right it's close by, and tap in to be a very good decision with the guitars and Kusic songs. I got the fish and chips which was excellent, my boyfriend got the lobster roll but she also very much enjoyed. A very good selection of wine, beer, and also a full cocktail bar. Very pretty views I'll be it on the wharf area that is set back a tiny bit, but still very pretty at sunset. Not too expensive considering it is Newport.