Our favorite Rhode Island foods are quirky and delicious. Some dishes you just can’t find anywhere else in the world, and some you can but they just aren’t made the Rhode Island way. Whether you lean towards sweet or savory, if you haven’t tried these iconic foods, then you probably haven’t lived in the Ocean State for very long.
- Calamari
Flickr/Hideya HAMANO Calamari fried golden brown is a delicious treat we love. Some of the freshest squid arrives on the docks in Galilee and ends up on the plates of surrounding restaurants.
- Donut Cake
Facebook/Allie’s Donuts Inc Colorfully decorated, light, airy, and delicious donut cakes are seen at parties all over the Ocean State. This sweet confection takes family celebrations to a whole new level.
- Hot Weiners
TripAdvisor/management Hot weiners first emerged on the Rhode Island dining scene in the 1940s. This sloppy dish is a one-of-a-kind treat that we look forward to after long trips away from home.
- Stuffies
Wikipedia/Jon Sullivan Giant quahog clams stuffed with bread, spices, and onions to compliment the sweet meat of the clam. Most of us can chow on stuffies until we are absolutely stuffed.
- Johnnycakes
TripAdvisor/Xpuha1 Johnnycakes have been served up for breakfast for hundreds of years. These are no ordinary pancakes, but we love them just the same. Pass the maple syrup, please.
- Clams Casino
Flickr/Ted Murphy Littleneck clams are the stars of the ever popular clams casino. Add some bacon, onions, and peppers and this dish becomes the perfect bite to enjoy at a shoreline restaurant.
- Del’s Lemonade
Facebook/Del’s Lemonade & Refreshments, Inc. This frozen treat is an Ocean State staple. The sweet yet tart taste is a coveted beverage whether you’re at the beach or lounging lakeside in the summertime.
- Pizza Strips
Flickr/Matt You’ll find these bakery specialties at most backyard parties in Rhode Island. The cheese-less pizza strips are a delicious side note to any picnic spread.
- Rhode Island Clam Chowder
TripAdvisor/J E True clam lovers won’t eat clam chowder any other way except Rhode Island style. The clear broth uses natural juice to let the seafood flavor shine through. Lay off the cream and tomato bases and devour a bowl of clam chowder the way it should be.
- Clam Cakes
TripAdvisor/westie2 There is nothing quite like a perfectly cooked clam cake and plenty of Rhode Island restaurants have got the recipe just right. Cross the border into Connecticut and these scrumptious bites don’t even exist.
- Doughboys
TripAdvisor/pitterpat000 Dusted with sugar and cinnamon, this light confection is like a donut but better. Some people dip them in marinara, some like them plain. Whichever your style, doughboys are a food we just can’t live without.
- Coffee Milk
Wikipedia/Dtrap Coffee Milk became the official state drink in 1993. Why add milk to your coffee when you can add coffee syrup to your milk?
- Irish Brown Bread
Flickr/Tobias Barz This hearty bread at its freshest is eaten lightly buttered and slightly warm.
Which of these favorite Rhode Island foods do you refuse to live without? Did we miss an iconic Rhody dish that should be added to this list? If you are craving clam cakes and chowder after reading this, here are some great spots to find them.
Flickr/Hideya HAMANO
Calamari fried golden brown is a delicious treat we love. Some of the freshest squid arrives on the docks in Galilee and ends up on the plates of surrounding restaurants.
Facebook/Allie’s Donuts Inc
Colorfully decorated, light, airy, and delicious donut cakes are seen at parties all over the Ocean State. This sweet confection takes family celebrations to a whole new level.
TripAdvisor/management
Hot weiners first emerged on the Rhode Island dining scene in the 1940s. This sloppy dish is a one-of-a-kind treat that we look forward to after long trips away from home.
Wikipedia/Jon Sullivan
Giant quahog clams stuffed with bread, spices, and onions to compliment the sweet meat of the clam. Most of us can chow on stuffies until we are absolutely stuffed.
TripAdvisor/Xpuha1
Johnnycakes have been served up for breakfast for hundreds of years. These are no ordinary pancakes, but we love them just the same. Pass the maple syrup, please.
Flickr/Ted Murphy
Littleneck clams are the stars of the ever popular clams casino. Add some bacon, onions, and peppers and this dish becomes the perfect bite to enjoy at a shoreline restaurant.
Facebook/Del’s Lemonade & Refreshments, Inc.
This frozen treat is an Ocean State staple. The sweet yet tart taste is a coveted beverage whether you’re at the beach or lounging lakeside in the summertime.
Flickr/Matt
You’ll find these bakery specialties at most backyard parties in Rhode Island. The cheese-less pizza strips are a delicious side note to any picnic spread.
TripAdvisor/J E
True clam lovers won’t eat clam chowder any other way except Rhode Island style. The clear broth uses natural juice to let the seafood flavor shine through. Lay off the cream and tomato bases and devour a bowl of clam chowder the way it should be.
TripAdvisor/westie2
There is nothing quite like a perfectly cooked clam cake and plenty of Rhode Island restaurants have got the recipe just right. Cross the border into Connecticut and these scrumptious bites don’t even exist.
TripAdvisor/pitterpat000
Dusted with sugar and cinnamon, this light confection is like a donut but better. Some people dip them in marinara, some like them plain. Whichever your style, doughboys are a food we just can’t live without.
Wikipedia/Dtrap
Coffee Milk became the official state drink in 1993. Why add milk to your coffee when you can add coffee syrup to your milk?
Flickr/Tobias Barz
This hearty bread at its freshest is eaten lightly buttered and slightly warm.
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