South County, RI, is full of excellent restaurants to check out while on vacation. However, there will be scenarios where you aren’t looking for an entire meal but want to head out for some drinks and snacks.
Finding an establishment serving tapas is recommended in this situation because you can sample some lighter fare while still experiencing the best coastal Rhode Island has to offer. These eateries have a wide range of food items in various styles, so no matter what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it here.
You can’t go wrong with any of the tapas spots on this list. Here’s a look at five of the top places for tapas in South County, Rhode Island.
1) The Shallows
Downtown Westerly is known for its dining scene, and The Shallows Bar is right in the heart of it. Despite its central location near the corner of High Street and Canal Street, The Shallows is a little challenging to find because it’s in a small building behind Perks & Corks. However, once you locate it, you’ll love the small plates menu, which rotates on a regular basis.
Every item served at The Shallows is hand-made from scratch. There are usually seven to ten items on the menu at any given time, and options could include things like sweet potato soup, cheese and crackers, fries, swordfish, and salad. You can check the restaurant’s social media pages before you arrive to see what they’re serving on any particular day. There’s also a full bar if you want to enjoy a drink or two with your food.
2) Plum Pt. Bistro
The Plum Pt. Bistro sits in a residential area in North Kingstown near the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge. It isn’t a place you’re likely to stumble upon during your vacation, but if you’re searching for some wonderful tapas, it might be worth seeking out.
While not exclusively a tapas bar, the Plum Pt. Bistro has a small plate menu featuring items like mussels, shrimp, calamari, octopus, eggplant, smelt, burrata, and escargot. These items are meant to be shared in a group setting, so if you’re looking to graze with a few drinks, this small spot might be an option for you.
3) Besos Tapas & Wine Bar
Although Besos isn’t located in South County, it’s only about 15 minutes north of Wickford and offers an outstanding tapas menu that makes it worth a visit. In fact, if you can visit between 4:00 and 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, you can take advantage of their tapas tasting menu featuring your choice of three small plates for $25.
They also have a chef’s tapas selection, which offers you seven mini tapas for $35. This option is continually rotating, so you won’t know what you’ll receive until you get there.
Other specials at Besos include wine-tasting flights, buck-a-shuck oysters, and paella night, depending on when you visit and what you’re in the mood to eat.
4) Spain of Narragansett
Narragansett has a wonderful dining scene, although most of it is found in Galilee or Narragansett Pier. Spain of Narragansett is in a residential neighborhood near Scarborough State Beach, so it’s hidden away from the town’s busiest spots and the perfect place for some wine and tapas.
The small plate menu at Spain of Narragansett features items like chorizo, mushroom caps, artichoke hearts, clams, shrimp, mussels, and calamari, giving you more than enough selection. Of course, if you realize you’re a little hungrier than you thought upon arrival, you can order a full meal from their Spanish-inspired menu.
Stepping through the doors of this restaurant takes you directly to Spain, thanks to its interior decor, creating a first-class dining experience for all who visit.
5) Duck Press
Downtown Wakefield-Peacedale has perhaps South County’s best dining scene, so it makes sense to visit if you’re looking for tapas. Duck Press has bar snacks like spring rolls, squid, and potato chips on the menu, in addition to small plate items like oysters, duck legs, and goat cheese salad.
Duck Press has a welcoming atmosphere and isn’t overly formal, so you can head there with friends for some wine and snacks or make it the first stop for your night on the town. You’ll probably want reservations, though, because they tend to get busy in the summer, especially on weekends.
Get Some Tapas in South County
You’ll have plenty of dining options as you explore South County, with many restaurants focusing on seafood. If you’ve already had dinner and are looking for some light fare to accompany your drinks, these restaurants have you covered.
All that’s left after arriving at one of these spots is choosing your wine and the small plates you want to sample during your visit.