When you head out for a nice meal on your South County vacation, having a glass or bottle of wine with your food is always a nice touch. However, you should know that not all wine lists are the same, as different restaurants prioritize different things.
Fortunately, some spots in South County have outstanding wine selections, many of which will pair your libations with your food to maximize the flavor. The result is the perfect meal to complement your vacation in this beautiful part of the world.
The great wine lists all over South County give you plenty of options. Here are some restaurants with the best wine offerings in coastal Rhode Island.
The Bisto at Ocean House
When you think of a great meal and a night on the town in South County, RI, Ocean House is the first spot that comes to mind. This establishment in Watch Hill has multiple on-site restaurants, including its fine-dining restaurant, The Bistro.
The Bisto has an ever-changing menu and often features multi-course prix fixe meals. They also have a sommelier on-site to make wine recommendations or suggest pairings for your food. The wine list features a wide selection of reds, whites, roses, and sparkling options from Italy, France, New Zealand, California, Portugal, Argentina, and Australia, in addition to local wine from Stonington, Connecticut.
One thing for sure is that if The Bistro is serving it, you know it’s a high-end wine you’re sure to enjoy.
Ella’s Food and Drink
Downtown Westerly is home to Ella’s Food and Drink, another fine-dining eatery that focuses on fresh ingredients and has a continually changing menu. Chef Jeanie Roland spends a significant amount of time creating these menus, but it’s worth it because of the quality dishes she’s able to serve her customers.
Ella’s Food and Drink also has a carefully curated wine list featuring wines by the glass and bottle from places like France, Italy, California, and Herzegovina. You’ll even find some extremely rare bottles of wine at Ella’s Food and Drink, so if you’re celebrating a special occasion and want the perfect wine to go along with it, this might be the place for you.
Purslane
Purslane is a casual restaurant and cocktail bar in Wakefield that doesn’t take itself too seriously. However, it also has a wonderful menu with delicious items and one of the region’s best cocktail lists. There’s a decent beer menu, too, if you’re more into that sort of thing.
As for the wine, Purslane doesn’t have a massive list, but everything is solid, and you’re sure to find something you like. There are reds, whites, and sparkling wines from around the globe, including a cute pinot noir in a can from nearby Rumford, Rhode Island.
The Charlestown Rathskeller
The Charlestown Rathskeller is a trendy gastropub set in a restored speakeasy from the 1930s. Once you walk through its doors, you’ll immediately see why locals visit this place, and one taste of the food is enough to show you why they continually return.
As for the wine, The Charlestown Rathskeller has some house wines from California that offer a budget-friendly option. Or, you can choose from the red, white, rose, and sparkling lists that include glasses and bottles from New Zealand, Italy, Washington State, California, and France. It’s a really nice selection of wines, and none of them are overly expensive, either.
The Mariner Grille
In Narragansett, The Mariner Grille has a great menu filled with seafood options. If you love tuna, mussels, oysters, salmon, cod, or lobster, it’s worth heading here for dinner at least once. They also have chicken, steak, burgers, pasta, and other non-seafood items, depending on your preferences.
The wine here is outstanding, too, as The Mariner Grille has a full list of reds and whites for every preference. Most of their wines are available by the glass and bottle, so you don’t have to commit to a full bottle if you only want a little wine with your meal. There’s also a great beer and cocktail list at this restaurant.
The Perfect Wine For Your Meal
All of these eateries have excellent menus and are wonderful locations for a meal out during your vacation. Their wine lists take these meals to the next level, too, because you’re sure to find the right pairing for your food any time you visit.
Book your table early to ensure there’s space at these South County gems during your next holiday.