Providence, Rhode Island Eating and Drinking Guide (UPDATED 2/20/18)

Providence is rapidly developing as an excellent food and cocktail town, below are some of my recommendations while you are there.

Restaurants

North Favorite casual dinner place. Asian-inspired dishes to share, huge spices, herbs and heat.  Everything is great, easily my favorite place to eat in PVD.  Chef James Mark came from Momofuku in NYC.  I crave their food all the time.
Birch Incredible dinner only restaurant.  Tiny, 18 counter seats, service is from behind counter.  Local, farm to table ingredients, but clever execution excellent flavors and textures in every dish.  Tasting menu is cheap too ($49pp for food, choose each dish for 4 courses).  Serious dinner with exceptional wine list, but casual enough for any night. 
Julian's Funky, odd little diner-like restaurant serving brunch and dinner every day.  Great food, great obscure beer list.  Lunch was excellent, haven't been for dinner yet.
Nick's on Broadway Upscale-ish, brunch Wednesday through Sunday, dinner Wednesday through Saturday.  Excellent brunch, attentive, calculated service, not hectic like many brunch places.   Haven't been for dinner yet.
Geoff's Sandwiches Casual lunch spot. WOW. TONS of specialty unique sandwiches to choose from, fantastic Providence staple, 2 locations.
Haven Bros. Food Truck When you need food (like the monstrous Triple-Murder Burger) after the bar at 2:30am, this is the place.  Located downtown, near the Biltmore
Murphy's Bar and Deli  Giant deli sandwiches to go, from inside an Irish bar.  Sounds weird, but the sandwiches are no joke.  I chose the "Death By Reuben" and it almost killed me. Also awesome for keno and beers during the day.
Olga's Cup and Saucer Decent breakfast/brunch spot.  Great coffee and baked goods, plated meals were not as great- stick to simple stuff.
Rancho Grande (Olneyville) Great Mexican, better than most or all of Boston's Mexican offerings.  Definitely recommend the Shrimp Cocktail, anything in Salsa Verde and the Mariscos appetizer in Salsa de Arbol in particular. Great tequila and mezcal selection, great cocktails at night.
Providence Coal-Fired Pizza Excellent, chewy pies, can't wait to go back.
Persimmon Now in their new location in Providence- for a serious white-tablecloth dinner out. Excellent experiences here, great wine list too.
Oberlin From Birch owners Ben and Heidi- Fantastic small plates and incredible wine list/sommelier.


Bars

Fortnight Natural wine bar with small plates and great beers- cozy and great
Avery Great cocktail bar, dim, dark, asian decor.  Conveniently located across the street from North.
E&O Tap Also around the corner from North and Avery. Hipster dive bar, cheap Miller High Life, loud music, funky vibe.  Lots of fixies out front.
Lili Marlene's Young, very dark bar, great for later at night. Pool table, a few round booths, get some PBR and Fernet and chill out after working the dinner shift.
The Hot Club Daytime drinking on the water.  Funky old building, all glass to the water, outdoor waterside seating and outdoor bar on the deck as well.  Busy at night.
The Eddy Newly built, classy little cocktail bar.  Very small, slightly pretentious bartending, but good drinks.  They sometimes offer a bucket of High Life ponies and a half bottle of Fernet for $32.
The Dorrance Old-school, stunning dining room and bar, in an old bank building.  Haven't eaten here yet, but everyone who comes to Providence should come here for a drink before dinner and check out the room. Often closed for private events, maybe call first.
Red Fez Great mellow beer bar upstairs downtown, great place to hide from all the drunken college kids on the weekend.
Wild Colonial Tavern Nice old pub, lots of seating, play some cards and drink some pints.
Nick-A-Nees Spacious dive bar/music venue, cash only, live music regularly, awesome spot!
Justine's Speakeasy-style, beautiful small cozy room, good bar, but bartenders not necessarily up to par with Dorrance/Eddy caliber peeps. Go just to check it out and have a cocktail (many are $5!)
The Grange Vegetarian-focused restaurant, but they have a great cocktail bar, open during the day!
Rooftop at G Feels like Miami Beach up here on the roof on the 7th floor in downtown Providence.  Products available are basic, but worth a trip up on a sunny day just for the view and the scene.