4. Restaurants

Midtown Oyster Bar

345 Thames St, Newport, RI, 02840
  • (401) 619-4100
  • Store is closed

Midtown Oyster Bar Menu

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  • Basil D.

    Midtown is a great place to enjoy delicious food. We enjoyed or food so much we joined midtown for dinner and then again for lunch the very next day. The Cod Chowder and Lobster Roll are above and beyond.

    (4)

  • Martha L.

    Fabulous!!!! Went on the recommendation a friend and was not disappointed! Huge rehearsal dinner going on and we were about to be seated near it. We asked if we could take a table a bit away and they were more than happy to accommodate. But enough about me- the mussels frites are AMAZING!!!!!! So delish, tuna tartar taco- spicy and fresh! And good wines at a reasonable price! I will be back!!!

    (4)

  • Elisabete T.

    My husband and I came to this place on July 4th for lunch and was amazing!! If I could give more than 5 stars I'll do it. Food was very taste, delicious !! Service fantastic ( Stephanie was the server, she was incredible friendly and helpful) . We got a table outside to enjoy the nice fresh air and we couldnt ask for more!! Great food! Awesome service! Best chef in town ! Nice ambience ! Friendly people!! Delicious drinks!! Highly recommended !!

    (5)

  • Laura S.

    I came here a few weekends ago for lunch during my sister's bachelorette party. I called ahead because we had a group of 25 coming! They were very helpful and said they could make a reservation for the large group no problem. We sat on the second floor in a room (all to ourselves!) and we had two waitresses who were great. All of our drinks were delicious and the bread to start was so yummy. Everyone ordered different things and our food arrived promptly. I split the fish and chips and lobster roll with my sister and both were awesome! All of the food was fantastic!

    (5)

  • Nancy S.

    Drove to Newport RI on a whim to see the kite festival and then walk around town for the day. Walking down the middle of town we decided to stop in to Midtown Oyster Bar for some oysters and drinks. We decided to eat outside which was very nice, it was a beautiful day and being above the traffic was great. Our waitress was adorable! Tiffany/Bridgette made sure we had a nice experience. We each got a delicious cocktail ( forgot what it was called but it had cucumbers and gin). We ordered a dozen oysters..they were so delicious we really could have ordered 2 dozen more(lol). But we ordered the lobster rolls. They were buttery and delicious on a nice bun. My husband thought they could have been stuffed some more but I disagree, I thought they were well filled. The fries were so yummy too! All in all it was a lovely early dinner. If we didn't have to drive home to CT we would have had more drinks. Our waitress was so fun, she checked in on us and made us feel welcomed. Thanks!

    (5)

  • Lauretta L.

    Before heading to Federal Hill for a heavy Italian dinner, my bf and I warmed up with some oysters, cod chowder and ceviche at Midtown Oyster Bar. I highly recommend sitting in the back prep area where the guys shuck oysters. They're super friendly too! We tried 3 oysters...the Duxbury and can't remember the other names to save my life. I think one had Blonde in it and the other started with a P. Our favorites were the latter, especially the P. Super meaty and delicious; totally worth the $3.5 each price tag. The cod chowder was tasty and similar to a clam chowder. Our least favorite was the trio of ceviche (salmon, tuna and maybe yellowtail?). The dish wasn't bad but I felt that the fresh fish flavors were overall overwhelmed.

    (4)

  • G D.

    Yes, yes, yes- love it here. At first I didn't give this place a chance because at first glance it seemed intimidating, dark, noisy, and crowded. Also touristy location and low expectations for food quality. Wrong- I'm glad I decided to give it a shot (for Easter Brunch a few years ago) because I've been coming back ever since! it is so open and airy- the decks and views are great, I always bring friends and family from out of town here, and they're always impressed. food is delicious and consistent.... and I've never had a better fried oyster in all my life. staff are friendly, accommodating, and I like that because I'm a local and even if they don't know me from a tourist, I feel really welcome here.

    (5)

  • Zachary H.

    I enjoyed the lunch menu, stuffies were really quite good. The chowder is good too. Never had a chowder with neither cream or tomato, I would have preferred a bit of red stuff here, but you have to go with it...and their clear style is plenty good. The little lady had a chicken sandwich which, she said it was perfectly underwhelming. Not a bad place at all, not a standout at least for us. Could do a whole lot worse around here I'm assured.

    (3)

  • Perry V.

    Amazing. Some of the best true New England seafood joints in town. Great prices on amazing dishes full of local, fresh, and filling sea critters. Highly suggest sitting at the upstairs bar and ordering a custom drink from Tyler... The best bartender in Newport. I'm not one to give a 5 star review.... But this place earned it.

    (5)

  • Shaved I.

    Was told all about this place by multiple people and how good it was. And it was good. Lobster rolls were awesome. Here's the issue. When we went in we were a party of six and four of us were wearing tank tops (it was about 85 out). The hostess informed us that men need to have sleeved shirts. She was kind and let us actually borrow some t-shirts. But the females in our group wearing tank tops didn't need to. And some girl at the bar wearing a tank top that was cut high to expose her entire stomach and back was allowed in as well. A bit sexist toward men! How dare they! We got over that quickly. We ordered some salmon ceviche. It was supposed to have jalapeños so you think you're in for a nice kick. Barely any jalapeños, not spicy at all. No tortillas included or any kind of vessel eat with a crunch. Some of the drinks made were terribly strong and disgusting tasting. Two people ordered a vodka specialty and it came out almost all vodka. When they asked for lemonade to simply dilute it they were literally given water that had lemon squeezed through it. Lobster rolls came out and someone ordered fish tacos. And they were delicious. The issue with that is one person got salmonella poisoning from theirs. Great setting upstairs outside on the balcony but, there are better places to eat.

    (2)

  • Myles S.

    Was denied service because I was wearing a sleeveless shirt while there was someone at the bar being take care of while wearing a tank top. Not right.

    (1)

  • Gabriel L.

    Went in for and early dinner. Started with the gazpacho which was the highlight of the meal. Fresh, flavorful and a perfect starter for a summer day. We then had the signature Lobster Roll and Salmon BLT. The Roll was awesome but they missed with the BLT. Salmon was dry and not well seasoned. Both came with a side of fries which were cooked well. Overall a solid restaurant but nothing to write home about.

    (3)

  • Katherine E.

    What an amazing place! 3 old establishments purchased and turned into one outstanding restaurant. Owners wanted to keep the ambiance and character of the building by exposing the beams in the ceiling. Wood floors are all original. 3 floors of dining are available, with the 3rd used for private functions. 2nd floor also has a full bar and outside patio dining, which is where we sat. We did have to wait an hour, but it was worth it. That's why they have bars. Started out with oysters on the half shell. Our oyster shucker, Harry, recommended the Poppasquash (local from Bristol, RI) and South Bay Blonde (from Onset, MA) both were meaty and high salinity, two things I look for in oysters. In the background were the chef's busy preparing meals....one was making their oyster stew. (Now ya know I gotta try that) On to dinner! We both started with...that's right oyster stew. Let me tell you that it was fantastic! Hot with just the right amount of sherry, and the oysters were many and cooked perfect. ...still soft not rubberized. Main course, my husband had the Grilled Swordfish with edamame sambal chili sauce, mint lime & cucumber, (spicy) Our waitress, Nordia, who by the way was very happy to help with suggestions and extremely pleasant, steered me to the Seared Tuna with cracked pepper, Wasabi vinaigrette with grapefruit, black sesame, avocado & arugula! Wow! What a mouth full. Seared perfectly. No desert....we were off to the Cookie Jar in town for some of the best cookies ever! (Our opinion) Seriously......when in Newport, give this place a try!

    (5)

  • Karen F.

    Looking for lunch after the Cliff Walk we decided on the Midtown Oyster Bar. What a disappointment. The little neck clams are usually small and sweet. Out of the dozen we ordered 6 were small enough to be little necks. The others looked like they ran out of little necks and opted for cherries. Now to the main meal. When I saw tuna burger on the menu, I thought delicious tuna steak. The waiter told me it was ground tuna formed into a patty. Then I chose of the main menu of a tuna salad wrap. When I inquire about the tuna I asked if it was tuna steak cut into strips into a wrap with salad. The waiter clarified and said it was "chunks". Here in thinking this will actually be a tuna steak wrap. It comes and it's nothing more than Bumblebee tuna from a can for $15. The clearly clueless waiter also said that everything under the "sandwiches" section except the fish tacos comes with fries. I didn't know my fries were going to morph into potato salad from the time they left the kitchen and arrived at my table. It was a bad note to leave Newport on. For a much better meal head to The Moorings.

    (2)

  • Chris M.

    Came here for lunch on a Monday and got to sit up on the patio with the sun out. I did not eat the oysters but had a home brew, and a blackened mahi mahi sandwich. Staff was very friendly; highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Tino T.

    I don't understand the hype or the amount of positive reviews. This is pedestrian cuisine with 4 star pricing. There are much better restaurants in this town with better execution and it's a shame that this one is busier, but I guess location is everything. I wouldn't have even written a review if it wasn't for the shame of a dish called Octopus Bolognese. The octopus was canned, the fried calamari garnish was rubber, but the sauce was the kicker...someone must have spilled a load of oregano in it and decided to leave it as is. Two hours later and all I can taste is oregano. The server hovered at the beginning every 30 seconds to take our order, yet was MIA after the dishes arrived. She finally comes by, sees my dish to the side while I eat bread. She asks if there was something wrong, so I told her that it's inedible with oregano. She says "oh" and we don't see her until the rest of the table is finished. No manager ever came by, no apologies or any discussion of the Octopus Bolognese...and of course it was still on the bill. 10% gratuity was well earned by her. I've never tipped less than 15% for bad service and I feel no guilt. Next time don't uncomfortably hover, and take care of problems at your tables promptly.

    (2)

  • Frank N.

    Dropped in for lunch and it had a decent size crowd for the dead of winter. Very rustic homey feeling place. We had various oysters: Wellfleet, Umami, Naked Cowboy, James River, and Matunuck. All were very good but my favorites were Wellfleet and the Naked Cowboy. We also ordered the pork cracklings, nice and meeting fatty pork mmmmm. It came in the little paper lined bucket and a nice dip. Very good! I ordered a steak sandwich that hit the spot, perfect. As a side note, my wife asked about a drink and wasn't sure if she would like it. Paul our waiter said order it and if you don't like it, he would get her a different one. That was a first and very cool! Paul also suggested trying the Naked Cowboy oysters which are now up there as a favorite and just as good as a a Wellfleet oyster! Very good place, could be my new go to place in Newport.

    (5)

  • Alexandra S.

    After a nice lunch and an afternoon of fun shopping in Newport, it was time to relax with a beverage and some bivalves. Oysters to be exact. Midtown Oyster Bar is a large multi-level establishment on a main thoroughfare in town. We love the architecture in Newport and the building this restaurant/bar is housed in is no exception. It has classic old New England "bones". There's a full menu here but I've only been here for drinks and apps. I find it to be a friendly welcoming place to just belly up to one of the two bars; one on the first floor and another upstairs. Every seat was taken at the downstairs bar with people watching a football game so we headed upstairs where things were quieter but still abuzz with conversation. As usually happens with us, we start chatting with folks on neighboring bar stools. It's that kind of cheerful place. Our bartender was welcoming and helpful. I saw red and white sangria on the menu and since I am often disappointed with overly sweet or overly spicy bar versions, I looked to our bartender for assistance. She assured me the red sangria was delicious and perfectly fruity without being cloying and with no spices added. Many places will offer you a taste of a beverage before you commit and that would have been nice here. But this bartender was right, the red sangria was well made and delicious. . My husband went for a Bloody Mary which I tasted. It was really good and quite spicy which is how we both love them to be made. Plenty of olives were added along with a stalk of celery. A virtual meal. ;-)) The selection of oysters is fairly wide with prices running in the $2.50 and up range, per oyster. This seems to be par for the course in New England. They were fresh and delicious. Loads of other things on the menu and you can certainly opt for a full seated dinner or to have your meal right at the bar. But sometimes, a drink and an oyster slurp is all that's desired. Unfortunately my phone, ergo, my camera died midstream so there are a few photos I didn't get to take of the cool interior. You'll just have to stop in here and see it all for yourself.

    (4)

  • Trevor L.

    First things first. Buy more high chairs. 2 ain't enough. They are cheap, and you have 3 stories of dining space. I had to have my son on my lap for 45 minutes while i scouted and reconed other parents exits. The food was very good. Best food I've had in Newport thus far. Great beer selection as well. Would highly recommend. Try the Asian meatballs and seared tuna with avocado and grapefruit.

    (4)

  • Rob W.

    Great food, great modern vibe. Oysters are awesome. All the food around us looked good. We got the tuna tartare tacos and sea scallops, solid choices.

    (5)

  • Karen L.

    Stopped in for lunch today and we were very impressed with the food here! The ambiance is great and the restaurant felt nice and cozy. I had the lobster salad sandwich and it was to die for. The pickles and beets mixed with the lobster added an additional texture element I would have never thought would be so amazing. My husband had the Oyster sandwich and loved it as well. For a starter I recommend the steamed shrimp - it came out perfectly cooked, piping hot and perfectly seasoned. We would definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Kenzie H.

    The oysters are amazing and the rest of the menu is pretty solid. The ambiance is fun and modern and the outdoor patio is great.

    (4)

  • Lyd M.

    I had a great time here! I was part of a party of 6 and our table was ready when we arrived. The space was exceptional...simple, interesting, and very clean. I think this menu is great...I could order more daring dishes like ceviche and tartare, whereas my friends' grandmother was able to order fried oysters. All the food was delicious. Not overly complicated and all done well. Great views from the decks. Service was good, food came out promptly, and there was a candle for the birthday-girl. Server forgot a few things, though (wrong drink delivered, cocktail arrived with plain olives when Gorgonzola-stuffed were in the description, and some oysters never showed up). I'd go back.

    (3)

  • Taj K.

    Gorgeous venue! My huband and I were meandering along the streets of downtown Newport, and randomly walked into this place. It is huge with a great layout, and a fun scene. We only had drinks, but they had a nice selection of beers. Leffe on tap! I love that belgian beer. There is a decent wine list, which included one of my favorite whites, Oyster Bay sauvignon blanc. Tucked away in one corner is the oyster bar. It looks like it can only sit about 8 people. Didn't get to try the upstairs roofdeck. The hostess told us it was table service only. We are bar people, so it was a bummer. I should of just gone upstairs to check it out for myself. We were there on the very first nice day since the polar vortex, but I could tell from the phones ringing at the host stand that this place is gonna be packed at all times this summer!

    (4)

  • James B.

    Andres, our server, made the experience all that much better...he was a delight! He offer tidbits of information, made recommendations, and such, without being too intrusive. He offered a great balance of information and privacy. Our food was delicious! We also had two of their signature cocktails...both delightful! The hot pastrami sandwich was delicious and the fried egg on top was definitely the way to go! And the good burger was more than that...it was delicious, although cooked more than was was requested (asked for medium rare and it came out medium). The best part, though, was the raw oysters! We had Wellfleet oysters, but they had a substantial selection. So fresh, and so delicious! Overall, a great place for lunch!!

    (5)

  • Allison K.

    Tuna tacos were a little too fishy for me, my husband enjoyed them. Little necks in wine broth were excellent. Caesar salad was bland and could use a little something in the dressing. Ambiance was very nice. Clean with kind of a cool modern country twist. Hostesses and serving staff went out of their way to be warm and helpful .The kids pasta was very good. I'd go back and would recommend to friends.

    (4)

  • Joe M.

    Went here on 4th of July weekend for a drink. Ended up getting seats at the bar and staying for appetizers (oysters and shrimp cocktail). Our bartender Valerie was very nice and super attentive. The shrimp cocktail was enormous and delicious. I'd also recommend the house stout- perfect with some oysters. No complaints but didn't have a full dinner, so we'll have to come back before granting that fifth star.

    (4)

  • Steve P.

    Spacious bar seating with high tables. Great knowledgable service, oysters were fresh and served perfectly. Dinner tables also available. Good service.

    (4)

  • Heather H.

    why is all the food always cold? I didn't order a salad but I'm probably going to just to see if that comes out warm. I actually love the lobster tacos. Those are ridiculous. I wish they'd bring back the lobster mac. I feel like they did an awful thing removing that dish from the menu similar to telling a class of kindergarteners that Santa isn't real and all their family pets died an awful death.

    (3)

  • Chad P.

    I really wanted to give this place a higher review but after being told the wait for the upstairs outdoor patio would be 45 minutes - and ultimately being seated an hour and a half later - a higher review was simply not possible. More on that later since I know the review of the food and atmosphere is what people really want on Yelp. :) We had a couple of cocktails at the bar and had the Asian meatballs and the fried oyster apps and they were great. For dinner I had the Good Burger and my wife had linguini with clams and she loved it. The atmosphere was great - especially on their upstairs outdoor patio. But beware... When it's busy... ... Now back to our wait. We checked several times with the hostesses and they never chose to keep us updated that patrons were staying longer than anticipated. We had so much time that we went to their bar, had some drinks and very good appetizers, watched the entire third quarter of a college football game, and still waited 45 minutes to be seated. Each time we asked they said "you're next". If they would've kept us updated, our attitude would've been far different!

    (3)

  • Dave Y.

    The tuna tartar taco is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Lobster rolls on butter sans the mayo. Cute interior. Service was a little slow but the poor waitress had a busy section to herself.

    (4)

  • Russell S.

    The food, atmosphere and beer selection were very good but the service was poor. I ordered off the restaurant week menu and was impressed by the options. The oysters were excellent and our entrees were above average. After we placed our order we were asked by three other servers if we had been helped yet. The waitress brought my wife the wrong soup and never brought us the coffee we requested. Luckily the food was good enough to not let the service screw ups bother us.

    (3)

  • Chris C.

    Woodwork, view... Great. But they're getting 2 stars based on food and service. We expected so much more when we walked in. The kitchen just couldn't get the timing right. We were 1/4 way through with our appetizer, our entree came out and sat. Raw clams were so very salty. Crab legs were chewy. Raw oysters were good. For entree, I had the scallops and was extremely salty. My husband had linguine with clam sauce and it was not seasoned at all and pasta was overdone. Suggested wine was awful. Fresh berries weren't fresh, looked like it sat a long time, mushy. Cappuccino tasted like it was from instant mix. We picked this place because it was very similar to our NYC favorite but it wasn't similar in the least. If they're going to charge the type of price, then they need to deliver the top notch food and service. It was ok, I wouldn't go back and I wouldn't suggest this place who's looking for good food. It was subpar for our liking.

    (2)

  • Vicell M.

    I was dining with my boyfriend on a mini trip and midtown oyster bar is highly recommended as one foodie stop. The food is delicious! The grilled octopus is one of the best we ever had. We also tried the pork crackling and my boyfriend devoured it. The lobster risotto is really delicious. The best is their mussels. If you are a true foodie, salt is our friend. The the sweetness of the mussels is truly accentuated. As for the decor, its very cute. It seems like an old courtroom changed into a romantic dining room. Highly recommended for a date or even a big party. Their restrooms are clean and nicely designed if you are scared like me when it comes to funny smelling restrooms. Lastly, our waitress Kit was amazing. She made us feel welcomed and was attentive to our needs such as drink refills. We would definitely go back when we take another trip to newport.

    (5)

  • Danielle F.

    Went here for a birthday dinner. Good food and atmosphere. We received text that our reserved table was waiting for us. As we paid for parking behind the restaurant, we were informed we could stay til 2, which we didn't take them up on. I had the spring roll for appetizer and the midtown cod for entrée. It was all easy to eat. :) The decor is classy nautical saltbox with attention to detail. The high ceilings make it hard to hear, but it isn't terrible. Dressy casual. Would go again.

    (5)

  • Danica F.

    The place was really cute inside. The portion sizes are pretty good. I got the clam chowder. It was good and had chunks but it was not hot. If you like your soup warm it's good. Overall good though!

    (4)

  • Matt T.

    Don't go there. So there's room for me. Amazing food and great set up. 3 bars and 3 floors.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    Atmosphere was friendly, good for intimate or large friendly gatherings. Hostesses were courteous, our waiter seemed distracted but was pleasant otherwise Food was delicious!! The seafood really tasted fresh! Everything had flavor!

    (4)

  • michele m.

    Great drinks and amazing oysters. Husband loved the octopus, which seemed to be in a dry smokey spicy rub. Our entrees however - a salmon special and scallops (standard) while fish was well prepared were a little bit off - scallops were in a sauce that was soy based but w kalmata olives and grapefruit so weird to the palate; husband's salmon on wasabi noodles were just bland, not too much kick. My mistake for not picking what the helpers suggested - will have to give it a try again next time.

    (3)

  • Heather B.

    We had a fantastic meal here on a busy cold Saturday night. The building has been beautifully renovated and the first floor is rustic but gorgeous with a bar on one side and dining on the other. Booths and exposed beams. Second floor, exposed beams in dining area with tall ceiling and in white. Another lively bar. Food was delicious. Great portions on the smoked bluefish which 4 of us shared. I had swordfish with squash risotto and it was perfect! Blackened mahi mahi was soo good too. Prices are reasonable for a high end restaurant. Waitress was attentive. Would go back in a heartbeat.

    (5)

  • Vincent D.

    Excellent raw clam bar - good selection of clams to choose from. Try the asian style pork meatballs, sweet and spicy. If you want really spicy, go for tge wicked shrimp. It's good but burns you to. To cool you down, go with the beets and goat cheese salad, very refreshing. Good atmosphere in the bar area but loud. Restaurant section us less busy. Definitely worth coming back.

    (4)

  • Michelle R.

    Over our weekend in Newport, we spent much of our two nights hanging out here at Midtown Oyster Bar, mostly due to the fact that they have live music on Friday and Saturday nights. I found ordering drinks to be a very time consuming process as they only have 1 (sometimes 2) bartender(s) for the entire first floor of the bar. For the amount of people drinking on their lower level, that's just ridiculous. My friends and I went up to the second floor and were able to get drinks much more quickly and sit on their outdoor patio.

    (3)

  • Domenique B.

    We had two waitresses the first one she was ok. At first I asked can we have some bread when she put it down she swiped her hands together and got flour all ovwe the table and didnt clean it up. The second lady was nice and kept a tab on us. My overall experince including the food wasnt that great. Won't be coming back any time soon.

    (2)

  • Steven A.

    The midtown is consistently excellent in both food and service. In particular we enjoyed the grilled octopus that was and has been on subsequent visits the best I have ever had anywhere. This establishment is literally the perfect restaurant by which I would judge all others

    (5)

  • Julie G.

    Midtown Oyster Bar is totally Newport. It is becoming my go to spot for drinks when I have a visitor to show around town. All three floors of Midtown have a chic nautical theme going on, and the high ceilings with re-purposed wood work are beautiful. The first floor boasts some of the best people watching spots in town. The bar down here is huge, but usually busy. Fear not! There is another full size bar on the second floor. The best seats in the house are on the second floor patio. Make reservations for the patio if you're wanting to make lunch or dinner extra special.. its always busy in the summer. There is yet another small bar, patio, and dining area on the third floor that opens for events or in the summer when its really packed. Service has been good, though also I have never found any of the bartenders to be very engaging. Prices here are a bit high, but on par for the area. Its not necessarily the absolute best food and drinks in town.. but I think the ambiance and location make it a perfect stop in Newport.

    (4)

  • Ben R.

    Crowded in the evening but they will make an effort to serve you as best they can. The variety of oysters offered is good, although your opinion of the value may vary. I had a mixed dozen with some of everything that was available and it was a good sampling. Would do again and would go here first for oysters in this part of Newport. Good tap beer selection. Live music on nights in the bar area downstairs is nice, but gets very loud. Not the place to go if you want to have a conversation. Upstairs bar is much more cozy.

    (4)

  • Jason W.

    Excellent raw bar... and the price is ok for the location. The selection just can't be beaten though.

    (4)

  • Terry B.

    Great food!! There were three of us. We had a cheese plate, oyster stew, salmon ceviche, beet salad, scallops and chicken, all were excellent! I'd highly recommend it! Drinks were great too! Had a cucumber spice cocktail, a winner with Hendricks and Elderflower liquor! Dessert was bread pudding and mixed seasonal berries, excellent to the end! Ginger ice cream didn't get our vote but everything else did!

    (5)

  • Mary J.

    Nearly inedible food and zombie like service with NYC prices, stay away. Poor lighting, items difficult for those with food restrictions, hard to hear conversation with co anion across table.

    (1)

  • Rebecca R.

    Favorite downtown spot for lunch or an afternoon drink. Their outdoor seating options are fantastic (don't worry, they have plenty of gas heaters for the transition seasons). Sandwiches & burgers are delicious and reasonably priced. In particular, we like the pastrami sandwich (comes with the best fried pickle I've ever had), the "good burger" (it is), and the oyster burger. In winter, get the hot spiced cider. I wish they would put it on the fall menu! So so good.

    (4)

  • DailyDeal M.

    Will be one of the first places I return to when I get back to Newport! Went twice; once for drinks and once for food. This place is beautiful and everything I wanted it to be. Classy but not snobby. Fun with a good crowd but no sloppy drunks yelling at the top of their lungs. Food was outstanding. Get the tuna tacos and the pork belly. Unbelievable. Mussels were good but they were the big kind and I'm not a huge fan of that. Lobster roll was huge and to die for. Like I said-- can't wait to go back. Hub can we go this weekend?

    (5)

  • Traci V.

    Very busy spot, head upstairs for a quieter dinner. Food is fantastic, its our new favorite spot in Newport.

    (4)

  • Brittany S.

    Ambiance was nice.. Staff was very friendly.. Beet and arugula salad was amazing.. My entree was just ok.. I would definitely come back to try something new.

    (3)

  • Andrew B.

    Came in for late lunch/early dinner on New Year's Eve. Hostess was friendly and attentive. Seated our group of 7 (including 2 children) immediately and took all of our coats (nice touch!) Server offered to take drink orders at the appropriate time, explained the menu and specials and gave us our space. Did not feel rushed at all. Octopus app. and Pork Cracklings' (which are really thick sliced pork belly - not fatty at all, and seasoned perfectly) were awesome. Oyster stew could use a bit more salt, but was adjusted at the table and ultimately delicious. Everyone enjoyed their mains, especially the fritto misto which wound up being shared by the table. Great deserts, and actual good cup of fresh coffee. I highly recommend the Midtown Oyster Bar.

    (5)

  • Michael P.

    We sat at the bar and had an awesome time here. Oyster selection was great and just an overall nice place. Great service from the bartenders too!

    (4)

  • Christine P.

    Try the tuna tartar tacos. Outrageous!! We stopped in one late afternoon in Winter for some cocktails and a late lunch. Service was great, atmosphere was great, and food was very good. We had some raw oysters, sandwiches, salads, and the tuna tartar tacos. Those were the highlight of the day! Absolutely delicious, with home made shells even. A must get if you like tuna. Overall we throughly enjoyed our time and will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Sarah G.

    Absolutely amazing! Great appetizer of Scallops and entre of Blackened Mahi Mahi. Espresso martini for dessert was spot on. Great service and atmosphere. Will come back again!!

    (5)

  • Steven C.

    This is a New restaurant in Newport, we walked and and had some drinks at the bar. They had a nice selection of micro brews and the bartenders were nice and knowledgeable. We had reservations for a party of 6 and we were seated on the 2 level. The place was packed, both bars were super busy, as well as restaurant ! The food was good as well as the cocktails and wine . The main issue of the night was someone in my party order sea bass and receive the wrong dish, something that he could not eat. Then when the Sea bass came out it was under cooked, I guess because they rushed it out. This would have been fine, only if the manager of the Restaurant would have came over and explained the situation and maybe apologized. The manager was some kid managing probably 1 of 17 managers that they had working that night ! He could careless or was never trained to handled situations like this. Probably a little of both. The food I ordered I was happy with , but because of what happened at the table I will never be back to this restaurant. Classic case bad service can't save good food !

    (3)

  • Elysabeth R.

    I went for lunch yesterday with my 11-year-old daughter, and she could not have had a better introduction to oysters! We loved them! Paired with a hard cider (for me only, fear not judgy parents!) that our waitress recommended, we worked our way through 8 varieties, each one delicious! Our waitress was helpful and charming; and my daughter couldn't believe how quickly the food came! The signature burger (with fried oysters and remoulade sauce) was equally awesome, and the smoked fish platter and wedge salad were delightful as well. It's rare for me to find nothing wrong with a restaurant... but truly, everything was impeccable. Make this is a must-stop next time you're in Newport! I know that I will!

    (5)

  • Philip R.

    The tuna tacos were the best I have ever had! The Wellfleet oysters were also delicious.

    (5)

  • Kerry R.

    Midtown Oyster Bar Is a wonderful! It is only about 3 blocks from the Newport Harbor Hotel and very close to Barrington Marina. The raw oyster selection is great. I ordered Chatham and Duxbury oysters on the half shell. These are served with a seasoned vinegar that the restaurant makes. There is a cocktail sauce and horseradish blend also served with it. I had the steamed mussels appetizer. Incredible! There is a great white wine broth and great french fries. Service is very good, Jenn was my hostess. Excellent for happy hour or dinner, loved it!

    (4)

  • Ian S.

    GOOD: friendly service, good food. Our waitress was training another girl and was very friendly and helpful. Attentive to us and our dining experience. They have an awesome selection of oysters and a gorgeous raw bar, which tasted even better than expected. BAD: hostesses were not at the door and we had to seat ourselves, they then proceeded to pout by the front door for the entirety of our visit. OVERALL: good experience and would come back again. It's a younger crowd and an establishment where the owners care about your experience and not just their paycheck.

    (4)

  • Stephen V.

    Sat at Bar on a Sat nite . Valerie our barmaid was incredible. Very accommodating and pleasant. Let us try beer samples along with wine to decide what suited us best. Tuna and lobster tacos were ok. The shrimp scampi was good. But octopus was blah. Could only taste the seasoning. Band was a local group and were ok.

    (3)

  • Melissa B.

    I went on a snowy evening and it wasn't very busy. The waitress was slow and seemed overwhelmed with the couple of tables she had. I had the $27 lobster roll and was very disappointed. It was dry, absolutely no mayo, on a huge hoagie style roll. It was literally dry lobster on a dry roll. I had to ask for some sort of sauce just to make it edible. I had the $9 cup of French onion soup too and it was great, maybe the best I've had. But it was very expensive for a cup of soup! My friend had the tuna tacos as an app and the mahi entree and he said those were fantastic. With that, I wasn't impressed and don't think I'll go back.

    (2)

  • Leo S.

    This review is for the bar portion only we did not eat dinner. Went to the Jazz festival on 8/2/14 and ended up here for drinks afterwards. The crowd was a mix of all ages. The music wasn't so loud that people couldn't talk. In fact it was at the perfect level which is a rarity. Bar service was exceptional. We never waited for drinks despite sometimes ordering for a party of 15. They were quick and pretty courteous. This didn't feel like the tired old Newport I remember that is more like a college bar. This felt upscale and was a lot of fun.

    (5)

  • Gabriel C.

    One of the the best place i ever eat in usa (i went 4 Times) the kitchen is very good and the people too!

    (5)

  • Ashley C.

    Second time around was just as good as the first. This time Hubby had mahi mahi, and I had the salmon tartare and beet salad. Oysters are always a must! Can't wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Grace F.

    Came here three times, love it. We came twice for restaurant week and sat down on the first floor. Yesterday we had Holly as a server and she was so sweet. They were crazy busy and she kept apologizing for being a bit slow but it was totally fine, and the wait wasn't even bad. The seafood is incredibly fresh, and the salad was crispy and big for a starter salad. My mini key lime pies were yummy and fancy! The berries and cream looked a little boring but my friend liked it. Last week the husband and I ordered a manhattan a piece, and they were strong and perfect. Glad we found another cool place in NewPort

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    Arrived without reservations asking for a rooftop table, was told about 30 minute wait - which ended up being 10 minutes. The oysters here were so amazing! Six different kinds to choose from. Can't recall exactly which ones, but they were fresh, flavorful, and popped in your mouth! I also ordered the swordfish which is usually a tougher fish, but literally melted in my mouth. Very large portion of fish for the price. Gluten free friendly!

    (5)

  • Chelsea S.

    The pros: Great service, fantastic oysters, very good food, nice drink selection. The cons: my god, the people. Not the staff, they were wonderful- but the diner- holy hell. Horrendously poor-mannered, grown-up man children, frat boys, sorority girls with spray tans and tight white jeans. Loud, obnoxious crowds who felt it was ok to play lewd drinking games at a nice restaurant. Reminds me of Alumni weekend but with better food and more people I hate. My advice - go early and on a weekday if you want to avoid the pre-gaming crowd. Get plenty of oysters, because they just might make the awful crowd worth it.

    (4)

  • Laura D.

    Came on a busy Friday night with no reservations. Luckily got a spot at the oyster bar - which was great considering the guys shucking the oysters were extremely friendly and funny. Drinks - I had the watermelon cucumber cooler? not sure if I got that name correct - it was the perfect balance of strong, sweet and refreshing. Oysters - I haven't really ever had a bad oyster experience - so maybe I'm not the one to review this - but I found them all to be delicious! The guys working the oyster bar gave some great suggestions and didn't find our dumb questions annoying! Tuna tacos - delicious!!! scallop dinner - melted in your mouth - highly suggest Mussels - seriously the worst mussels I have ever had. EVER. I don't even understand what happened. They tasted almost burnt. Is that even possible? They completely overcooked them - they were also a different color. The sauce LITERALLY tasted like you poured a glass of white wine on the bottom of the pot. A few of them were so sandy, I had to gargle my mouth with water. I would never complain about those kind of things to a server - but I came close to it! STAY AWAY. I gave the restaurant 4 stars because everything was so great - including the service - it was just those horrible mussels. My girlfriend agreed that it was the worst we have ever had. Maybe it was just a bad batch?

    (4)

  • Sonia N.

    Do stop by if you're craving raw bar! I highly suggest the cherrystones, crab cocktail, Ahi Tuna tacos and Ahi Tuna Poke special if they have it. Lots of oyster options if you're a fan as well. That day I believe there were at least 8 different kinds. The only dish we ordered that was "meh" was the cooked fish tacos lunch entree. Again, I think the overall thing here is to stick with their raw bar. They have 2 separate outside decks if you'd like to be seated outside. Very nice pastime and I highly recommend.

    (4)

  • Cathy Y.

    Had such a great time here for slate lunch one Monday afternoon while we were visiting Newport. First off the decor is great and the food was wonderful! Paul was our server and he was definitely just a friendly welcome to the town! Things that you must try is the smoked fish spread with crackers. I'm usually hesitant to get things like that because they're typically salty but what we had was near perfection! I also got the taco combo with the tuna and lobster taco which was delicious! A little on the spicy side for those that don't really like spicy but I found them to be perfect. In addition their lobster rolls and oysters are super fresh. We would definitely love to come back when we head to Newport again. Wish we could check out how it is on the weekend because they had a live band when we walked by Monday night and I think it's probably quite busy and a fun place to be during a Friday or Saturday night. We had a wonderful meal and time on the rooftop seating area!!

    (5)

  • Don M.

    Great food with only a few flaws during our time here. Service was attentive and helpful. There are 3 floors of seating so reservations are only needed foe the busiest days. Oysters - the oysters are phenomenal and the waiter gave good recommendations. They were smooth and not too salty or grainy. Cod chowder - tasted like cream based calm chowder. There were chunks of fish in this bowl and came with oyster crackers. Swordfish - grilled tasting and soft juicy. It came with a buttery risotto and veggies. It was a good chunk as well. Soft shell crab - disappointing in quantity and quality. There weren't much meat inside and felt like I could get a better deal elsewhere. Overall, I'll come back for the fish and soup and of course oysters.

    (4)

  • Leslie B.

    Great spot for seafood! The server was very friendly and recommended an oyster for us to try--by far the best oyster either of us had ever had! The tuna poke, truffle fries, and salmon ceviche were also very good and you have to try the lime aoli. However, we also got the 1/2 chilled lobster and it was very disappointing, quite tough and rubbery. The oysters, though, wow!!! I want to go back just for that!

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    The best meal I had while in Newport. The appetizers were great - awesome oysters and crab cakes. I loved my cocktail (a fancy margarita), and my tuna was amazing (I ordered the version off the menu, which arrived on a bed of arugula and cooked perfectly- but there were some additional tuna specials as well). My group was a party of 6, and we all enjoyed our meals. The restaurant is gorgeous (lots of wood paneling, high ceilings, and windows), and the service was pretty good.

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    We've been in Newport 3 days now and this was the best service so far; it was nice to be in the heart of the tourist district but not have to endure another tourist meal. Drinks were strong and legit and the Rye Heat is highly recommended. We went with a dozen oysters getting 3 from VA, 6 from MA, and 3 from RI and all were amazing; Midtown's take on the traditional vinegar sauce is pretty damn good too. My wife had the blackened ahi which was good but nothing compared to the Halibut special; perfectly cooked with chard, roasted tomato, and sweet corn risotto. There are many seating choices: bar area seems to free up pretty quickly but if you want an outdoor spot make sure you have reservations.

    (5)

  • Anna G.

    Overall, a more disappointing experience than I was expecting (especially since I was really looking forward to this dinner at Midtown!). We arrived on time for our 8pm Thursday reservation and the hostess promptly walked us over to what I can easily describe as one of the worst tables in the restaurant. It was a 4 top on the main floor, right next to a door. Um, no thank you. We decided to ask if we can just put our name down for one of the outdoor tables upstairs (they don't take reservations for the outdoor seating). We were told it would be about 30-40 minutes, which was fine with us. Headed upstairs to the 2nd floor bar and were immediately much more wowed by the restaurant. The 2nd and 3rd floor have a much different look and feel than the first. We got our drinks on the 2nd floor and decided to go up some more to sit down at the 3rd floor bar. When we got there, we saw so many open tables (indoor) on this level, which confused and annoyed me: why would you try to seat someone with reservations downstairs at such a crappy table when all of this was readily available? We did end up getting an outdoor table after the 30-40 min wait. We decided to order a couple of items to share: 1/2 dozen oysters: good size and flavor of the local ones we chose Combo taco plate: one taco was tuna tartare, the other lobster salad. I preferred the tuna, but my husband loved the lobster so go figure. Both were served on crispy corn tortillas. Pasta special of lump crab and mushroom pappardelle: I really liked this, especially thanks to the garlic parmesan truffle butter sauce. Our server was friendly. The pacing of the food was a bit off though: oysters came right away and then there was a bit of a lull until we received both of the other items at the same time.

    (3)

  • Christine T.

    Came here for lunch during memorial weekend. Wow, this place is huge! 3 Floors and lots of outdoor space. Weather was nice out so we opted for the outdoor seating. All the oysters we ordered was awesome! So fresh and tasty. I did get the special soft shell crab sandwich and that was not a winner in my eyes. Too fried and oily in my opinion.

    (3)

  • Jaimee A.

    This is a really fun restaurant. The food and service are good, the mixed drinks - not so much. We had: Fried oysters- delicious and creamy inside Lobster roll - very good, made with butter and a lot of lobster Hamburger - very tasty Mojito - flat, tasted like minty lemon water Blueberry beer - it was okay but I probably wouldn't order it again The bathrooms are very clean.

    (3)

  • Kate D.

    Upon first walking in, I noticed the decor was flawless. No one was there on a weekday when I wandered in after a long walk, so I was able to check out the place in all of its glory. The oyster bar itself looks like something off of Pinterest. The beautiful white chairs, countertops and the wall hangings are divine.I spoke to someone at the bar and he mentioned the owners mostly used reclaimed items for the decor and that much of it came from old industrial buildings from New Jersey (how cool!). All in all, if I could design my ideal restaurant, it would be this one. When I sat at the bar, Tim the bartender immediately made me feel at home. He was so friendly and made delicious recommendations for oysters and an app (since I wasn't super hungry). He said that the Tuna Tartare Tacos were delicious and boy they were! The mangos and the sauce were tasty, along with the tuna. The one star off is only for the second time I went when the food was mediocre at best. I ordered the fish tacos and something was amiss with the fish itself (tasted cold and dry) and what you got for the price. I believe it was $14 or $16 and these tacos were small (which I don't mind) but came with no sides. I will not let that one dish ruin my view however as the service was superb. I will definitely be back here!

    (4)

  • Wesley M.

    This was the first restaurant that we went to on our first visit ever to Newport. We had a late lunch (230pm) and sat upstairs on the mid level and had the whole room to ourselves. It was great. The oysters were fresh and shucked well. I liked how they labeled the ones you ordered so that you could keep track and compare the taste to its description. We both had a lobster roll with shoe string fries. The rolls were packed with claw meat and the fries were light and crisp. They do a great job here and the ambiance is really nice. Stop by if you're in the area.

    (5)

  • Kel S.

    This is a truly beautiful space. It's hard to imagine what was there, previously. The bar is grand and seems to always be hopping. There is a lovely patio upstairs with great views around. Each of us enjoyed our meals very much. The service was decent. I'll look forward to going back soon!

    (4)

  • gwynnie p.

    Midtown is nice and we had some great oysters. Not so crazy about the chowder, which was heavy on potato light on clam. My husband had fish and chips and the fish was DIVINE. Perfectly cooked and breaded and super super fresh. The atmo is really special - well appointed and no expense spared on finishings. If we had arrived a bit earlier for lunch, we might have been able to sit outside on the upper deck, which would have been lovely I imagine. No complaints about our comfy booth though, and the service was really gracious and kind.

    (4)

  • Gavin R.

    I wasn't expecting a decent raw seafood experience on a recent trip to the Newport area, but I was wrong. I put our name on the waiting list, and went looking for another place to have lunch but struck out. They texted me and held a table for us! Really good raw oysters, fried oysters. oyster stew, ceviche, chowdah, and fish and chips for the kids. I'm going back....

    (4)

  • M M.

    To start, very nice decor and helpful staff. Had Bermuda fish chowder. It was amazing. Spiced rum served with it. Had raw oyster, east beach blonde, so good. Salad, beets and goat cheese with blackened salmon. Delicious. If in Newport, you must stop in.

    (5)

  • Dwayne B.

    The best chowder I've ever had. The oysters were amazing and great service. 100% recommend.

    (5)

  • HyunJoo K.

    Definitely will come back again! Can't believe we have not stopped in here yet til today! We got the asian meatballs to start with and they were yummy! Bbb loved them! Then I got the salmon with rice and spinach which was very delicious; seasoning was just right! The hub got the lobster mac n cheese which he loved! To top it all off, we got the dark n stormy bread pudding! Literally, nothing was left behind! The hub got a couple margaritas which he said were delish! This is a solid 5 star! Oh, and the raw bar looked awesome! Place was packed!

    (5)

  • Asonya R.

    Highly recommend this spot for Newport seafood. The staff knowledgeable and the oysters fresh. The Mussel frites are a must try. The outside deck is great for viewing the city.

    (4)

  • Nelly N.

    This place is really touristy, but we wanted oysters. This review is only for the oyster!! Nice selection and very fresh, didn't get to try anything else.

    (4)

  • Ree S.

    I came here for lunch with my boyfriend after a day exploring the ocean drive, Cliff Walk, and the mansions. We were really hungry, but trying to save our appetites for dinner later. My boyfriend ordered the oyster stew for us to share, and I really liked the broth -- it was very flavorful! There were generous chunks of oyster in there as well, which made my boyfriend happy because he loves them. For his entree, he ordered the blackened mahi sandwhich, which he enjoyed. I ordered the fish tacos, although I was very unsure because I've had some elsewhere which were good, and some which weren't so good. I was very happy with these, though -- actually, I loved them. They had plenty of blackened mahi, and the aioli and mango was a really nice touch. The flavors went together really well! I wish I could have them again, in fact...

    (5)

  • Rich S.

    Stumbled onto this place. Walked in and it's a great New England bar look. Cozy and very clean. Had a couple oyster ( east beach blonde). Very fresh and very good. The the Bermuda fish chowder. Wow. It was good. Finished with a nice salad.

    (5)

  • Diane K.

    Nice spot for lunch.. Outdoor deck very nice, but high deck chairs are difficult to maneuver for us older folks!! Food was very good.. Interesting menu. Lots of options from burgers to lobster rolls to raw tuna!

    (4)

  • Rachel L.

    This place has a great Newport New Englandy atmosphere. We ate on 4th of July weekend at an outside table with a 20 minute wait for 4 people around 8pm. Dad got the mussels app which was enough for his meal and he said very good. We got steamed shrimp w/old bay seasoning and cod chowder also for apps. Basic, but cooked perfectly and nice flavor. My boyfriend wanted fish and chips but with Halibut instead of Haddock. Although the waitress didn't think the kitchen would do it, she asked and they accommodated him! The fish was wonderful - moist and very fresh. I had the lobster roll. I'm partial to lobster rolls made with butter and not mayo, as this was, but I like my roll to be more wet, this was quite dry. All fish was fresh and the service was friendly, we'd recommend and would go again.

    (4)

  • Holly K.

    Went here for my bachelorette party dinner and had a great time! I wish they had a cocktail list because all I saw was a beer and wine list. I love a creative cocktail list, so this was a bit of a let down. It was restaurant week when we went so the place was packed. They were about 15 minutes behind on our reservation. I ended up going with restaurant week, but I so wish I went with the lobster roll after I saw it, That thing looked ridiculously delicious. The clam chowder was okay, this is going to sound weird but it was a bit too clammy for me. I like other flavors to come through as well like tomato or spices. The surf and turf was super tasty. It was rib eye steak with fried crab macaroni and cheese. The chocolate mousse was the perfect mini treat to end the meal. Everyone at the table was happy with their meals. Some girls split a dozen oysters and those things disappeared in a flash. For a table of 10 we were handled perfectly! No one had to wait on things and water and drinks remained filled the whole night.

    (4)

  • Lauren C.

    Went with a 13 person bachlorette party for dinner with a reservation and the staff and food could not have been better. Our waitress was so patience and smiled the whole time as she took all our separate orders with separate checks. The food and specials was reasonably priced for the amazing quality of everything, everyone enjoyed the atmosphere, staff and food. Couldn't recommend more highly! Thanks!

    (5)

  • Leonard O.

    Great service and great meal. Good selection of fresh oysters and wonderful daily specials. Lauren our waitress was very professional and courteous. View from third floor deck was amazing. Will recommend to everyone looking for a great experience. Prices are not as crazy as some other comparable restaurants.

    (5)

  • Starr V.

    Mediocre food and service. We visited the Sat of Labor Day weekend and when we got there a couple mins after Noon it was like they were unaware they were likely to be busy. Their staff seemed to have just rolled in at Noon as opposed to having been there to prepare prior to the rush. The third floor patio has a nice view of the water so that was positive.

    (2)

  • Alex L.

    The Midtown Oyster Bar bucks most of the trends set by restaurants in an area that caters to tourists. Located right in the heart of Newport's tourist area, they could have easily fallen into the trap of overpriced meals, flashy signs and gimmickry to pull in whoever walks by. Instead, they decided to let their handsome establishment and creative menu speak for itself. Sitting at a hight top on the first level proved to be the perfect way to observe the activity outside while enjoying our lunch. My meal exceeded my expectations, beginning with the cod chowder (complete with crispy bites of bacon and generous fish chunks) and ending with two tacos piled high with generous portions of blackened mahi mahi. It all worked well with a house-made cocktail. Don't be lured in by the other tourist traps. Let the Midtown Oyster Bar be your guide toward a delicious, authentic Newport meal at a good price!

    (5)

  • Marlene R.

    Been wanting to eat here when we've been in town and finally got to! The oysters and cherry stones were super fresh and briny and delicious! Also had the lobster pie/quiche which was served with a side salad. Not too crusty and the right amount of cheese and lobster; ate the whole thing and licked the plate! Also tried the blackened swordfish salad which was seasoned perfectly. Great wine list and tons of beers. We'll definitely be back. Love the casual but classy vibe. Ally our server took great care of us and was super friendly.

    (5)

  • A H.

    Great place in the heart of Newport! Be sure to ask for seating on the roof top. Tuna tartar taco and crab cocktails are must haves. We also tried smoked fish platter which was great too. I personally wouldn't get the oyster chowder again. Overall everyone had a great experience, including our kids' choices of their food. The best part for our kids - they have four different coloring paper to choose from.

    (5)

  • Greg B.

    Haven't tried the food yet. Or the water. Or anything. Sitting here waiting for someone to acknowledge my presence. Four hostess who seated us keeps walking by and can see we're not being served. Kind of in keeping with our experience in Newport, which has been less than stellar.

    (2)

  • J C.

    I had a lobster roll. Lobster is always good and I enjoyed it here too. The waitress was very nice and helpful. The only reason I didn't give five star is the buns. The butter soaked bun was a little too greasy for my taste.

    (4)

  • Chris W.

    Outstanding place incredible raw bar incredible dining room incredible bar area the staff was extremely friendly. All I enjoyed was the oysters on the half shell they were phenomenal incredible choice selection

    (5)

  • Lisa H.

    For starters we got a dozen of steamed little neck clams. It was served in a broth but it was on the salty side. We also had some oysters and our favorite ones were the naked cowboys from NY. They were big, sweet and very fresh. For entrees, I had the Chilean sea bass and it was jaw dropping good. It was cooked to perfection and it melted in my mouth. My friend got the salmon and lobster special. The salmon was overcooked and the overall dish had too many beans. Food was delicious, service was great, atmosphere was chill I would definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Jesse C.

    The decor of the restaurant is bright and welcoming, unfortunately the service was sub par. They forgot our drinks which took 20 min to get. However the food made up for that. The fish and chips were crispy and tender and the cod chowder was delicious. The food was seasoned perfectly. I would definitely come back again

    (4)

  • Jon W.

    Great restaurant with a good ambiance. I went on a Wednesday night so I had no wait and there was a cover band which was very good I might add. In regards to the food my friend an I both ordered the steak frites medium rare which was cooked perfectly and full of flavor I would highly recommend it... The fries on the other hand weren't anything special just your typical fries but good. I would highly recommend this restaurant on a non weekend summer night and on a weekend summer night in Newport you would be happy to eat anywhere.

    (5)

  • Cricket H.

    We LOVE this place! have been there so many times and is always consistently great! Bar area is fun with lots of seating, can sit at oyster bar and watch shucking. All seafood we have had has been excellent (both raw and cooked) and in our opinion the BEST lobster roll and fries around! The lobster roll is very generous amount of lobster and warmed with butter - no may on this baby! and toasted buttered bun. There are many levels of seating and in the summer there is an outdoor terrace to enjoy. We have never had a bad experience and have been here in the summer, spring, fall and winter.

    (5)

  • Kelly F.

    The ambiance, seafood, and service here are outstanding. The oysters are delicious. The smoked fish dip is to die for. The drinks and bartenders are awesome and won't hesitate to cook up something unique for you. Everything about this place screams New England and spectacular. Worth a visit no matter where you're from.

    (5)

  • Joe S.

    I like that place ! Starting with great Bloody Mary, while having the oysters! They have great quality of oysters, fresh and well presented.... Than I order the tuna ceviche ! But it's a tuna tartare ! Was good and tasty. Fish and chips as a main course! Very good and the fish is not full of oil! It was cooked as it should be with a great crunchy texture. Will try it next time while visiting !

    (5)

  • Brittany T.

    Fantastic food and atmosphere! My drink wasn't that great but the staff and fish were fantastic!

    (4)

  • Alanna B.

    Oysters were awesome. Grilled octupus was awesome. There are 3 floors of dining to enjoy with an rooftop bar. Highly recommend making reservations through OpenTable.com . This place gets packed quick. Lunch specials are different from dinner specials so you may need to go twice. Next time I visit Newport I will definitely be back. Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Michelle D.

    Excellent food. We started with oysters which were delicious! For entrees the bouillabaisse was excellent. The scallops were fresh and the service was top notch! I'd highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Katie C.

    Bar is always busy and food is tasty but a bit overpriced. Impressive drink menu though.

    (3)

  • Nick H.

    Great seafood. Have been to Newport a number of times and never seen this until last night. Atmosphere is great. Space is intimate and classy. Went on a date with my wife and we had a great time. Our server was fantastic. Attentive but not in a rush to get us out of there. Food was excellent. I love seafood and there were at least ten dishes on the menu Id like to try. Had the crabmeat cocktail and oysters for appetizers. And the the salmon with jasmine rice and sautéed spinach for dinner. Everything was delicious. Prices are reasonable for newport. Hope to go back.

    (5)

  • Nikki I.

    I have been here for dinner and lunch and have been slightly disappointed with the food both times. I really want to love this place because the inside is charming and the atmosphere is great but the food has not left me wanting to return anytime soon. It's a great place to grab a drink and enjoy the raw bar though.

    (3)

  • Erin N.

    My boyfriend and I had lunch on a Wednesday at 3. Great shady roof deck. I have a dairy allergy. Wait staff and manager were very attentive. Wait staff was very friendly. I ordered; Fried oysters - perfectly fried and seasoned. No need for tartar sauce that they came with. Slaw was great on its own. Scallop Crudo - 2 scallops thinly sliced and plenty for 2-4 people as an app. delicious! Buttery and well balanced by micro greens and finely diced veggies. Light and refreshing. Salmon ceviche - large portion for 2 as an app. Very citrus/lime heavy with out a sweet or salt to balance. Id pass in the future. Smoked fish variety - we LOVE anything smoked. There were 3 kinds of fish; salmon, a white fish, small scallops and a peppered larger white fish. All delicious! Good light app for 2. He ordered the Mahi Fish Tacos and cleaned his plate. Had room to finish off the oysters. Enough said.

    (4)

  • Amanda M.

    Loved this place!! The service was fantastic and everything we ordered was delicious. The atmosphere was really fun. They had live music and there were a ton of people. It was a little loud but that's because we sat in the bar area. There is other seating where it's quieter. Would definitely come back again!

    (5)

  • Linda R.

    Stopped in for dinner on a Sunday evening. Pros: they can accommodate large parties and have a basic menu where everyone can find something they like, great decor Cons: There service was slow and multiple people were waiting on our table which caused a lot of confusion because wait staff would take away plates that were used as sharing plates. One waitress poured our beer and it spilled over the table so she gave it to us on the house. However, when we got our bill the bottle of beer was still on there. We had to ask for it get it removed from the bill which is fine but it added to the slow service. Overall, the service wasn't the best but regardless they were friendly and had good intentions.

    (2)

  • Timothy M.

    Restaurant week lunch menu. So glad we gave this place a try. My wife started with the clam chowder in a clear broth. This was delicious and the clear broth was a nice break from the traditional clam chowder. I had the mini raw bar platter which included 2 little neck clams, 2 oysters and 2 shrimp. So fresh and yummy! For meals my wife tried the Seared yellowfin tuna with noodles done in a soy broth (picture). She absolutely loved this. I had the Oyster Bar burger. Great idea putting fried oysters on a burger. This was good except for the burger was undercooked. I guess I could have sent it back to get cooked a little more, but I was too hungry! We both ordered a Bloody Mary. My wife being a Bloody Mary aficionado, thought Midtown's was way better then The Moorings, which we had the day before. The Restaurant Week Lunch menu includes a dessert so we got one of each (key lime pie and a chocolate mousse). I am not a dessert person, especially after being filled up from all the food I consumed. Overall my wife and I enjoyed our experience at Midtown Oyster Bar and would highly recommend it!

    (4)

  • Robert L.

    Great beer selection, great oyster selection, decent live music. Food has not let me down for the few times I have been. Has a great location during the summer to watch the crowds walk bye. Parking can be tricky during the summer. So think ahead.

    (4)

  • Haiku D.

    First time there, ate with kids on the 3rd floor deck. I really liked how every room and area on each floor had a different vibe. Deck was cute, you really need to want to see the view though! Smoked fish was really good, oysters were great. The beet salad was, well, as they always are. We had lobster cocktail and lobster roll, both were good. The menu seemed more varied and interesting than most of the area restaurant and I was very upset I wasnt in the mood for pork cracklings. Sigh, another time. We will definitely go back!

    (4)

  • George K.

    After the wretched experience we'd had nearby at Forty One North (we left without eating), this was like an oasis in the desert by comparison. Though it was sometime after 8:00 and we had no reservations, we were seated quickly upstairs. Our waitress (another Sarah) was friendly and helpful. Cocktails were served quickly as was the food - we were hungry. The surf & turf ($35) was very good as was the chowder ($7). I had the gazpacho soup ($12) - I really enjoyed it. My blackened mahi ($23) was fantastic! FYI the glass of Chardonnay was $11 and the Absolut vodka on the rocks was $8.50

    (5)

  • Sara V.

    Great experience. Walked in with a stroller and was seated right away. I'm not a lobster fan, but has to try the Lobster Cocktail - amazing. Also had the Halibut special - delicious. I would definitely come back and recommend.

    (5)

  • Chris R.

    Wow. Deliciousness abounds. Seriously. Great bartender - Julie(?). Exellent appetizers - Bibb Lettuce Wedge and teh Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad. Dinners of Grilled Swordfish and Blackened Tuna. I was really surprised as I did not expect the quality, flavors, plating and overall experience to be as fantastic as it was. Sure, I expected good, but this was beyind good, venturing into the realm of greatness. I. AM. A. FAN. (and will definitely be back).

    (4)

  • Melissa M.

    Thank God for restaurant week! Had dinner here last night with my coworkers and my oh my. We started with the clam casino. 5 little necks in a garlic butter sauce and bacon on top. the sauce was so delicious we requested bread to dip into it once the clams were gone. my coworkers both for the steak Frites and loved it. I wanted to try something else so i went with the lobster mac and cheese. Every single bite had lobster in it. I found 4 claws. Everything was delicious including the service but I definitely need the clam casino back in my life SOON.

    (5)

  • Lauren L.

    Came here for drinks after dinner and to watch the MLB baseball game. The bartender was great with our service but this place gets one star due to the huge roach that I saw scatter across the bathroom floor. Based upon that observation I would not recommend this place to eat.

    (1)

  • Kristin O.

    I had a nice lunch at the bar. The service was prompt and friendly. The gazpacho was unique and very tasty. I finished off with a nice Bibb salad

    (4)

  • Alice K.

    We went here for lunch. The wait for inside was short, and the staff was really nice. We ordered some oysters and cocktails first: the peach sangria was a disappointment but the cucumber gin cocktail was delicious. Oysters were super fresh and good as well. For main dish we ordered mahi mahi sandwich which is an absolute must - it was more than amazing; and the oyster Burger was very good and tasty.

    (4)

  • John M.

    Not a bad little spot. Do yourself a favor and don't go with the intention of sitting on the deck. We started with the wicked shrimp which seemed to be six shrimp in a broth of indeterminate ingredients. Salty and bland. My fiancée had grilled scallops and shrimp which were very good. The lobster roll I had might be one of the best I've ever had. Not a bad spot but a bit pricey. Our waitress, Kim, was super helpful and friendly.

    (3)

  • Catia E.

    I always make it a point to stop in here... the location is perfect and the atmosphere is usually great! I tend to get the raw bar and and drinks while I'm there!

    (4)

  • Nic Y.

    After a long day at Newport this place has great selection of fresh oysters and other seafood. We had the crab cake, fish and chips, and the raw oysters. My wife could eat a thousand oysters here. Great food and atmosphere, we would come back for sure.

    (4)

  • Guillermo M.

    The oysters are great in this place and also some other appetizers like the crab meat and the fried oysters. Avoid the crab cake, expensive and not a good flavor (too salty). The place overall is expensive so be careful with what you order, you may end up with a big check.

    (4)

  • Chris C.

    Superb selection of oysters. If you like calamari, definitely try the grilled octopus appetizer - you won't be disappointed! Service at the bar was great. It was starting to really fill up when I finished eating so that may not always be the case. Oh yeah, ask for the bread while waiting for your food.

    (4)

  • Nancy R.

    Not impressed. I sat upstairs at the bar. It was incredibly hot up there. Uncomfortably hot. I ordered the fried oysters and they were soggy. They came out so quickly after I ordered them that I wonder if they hadn't been sitting back there for awhile, perhaps as a result of a mistake or something. I also had a special asparagus dish with an olive tapenade. The asparagus was cooked perfectly but the tapenade wasn't the best and really didn't go well with the asparagus. Asparagus so good it is a travesty to bury it in a tapenade. This is an expensive place and I expected much better food.

    (2)

  • Julia C.

    I came here for lunch with my fiancé while visiting Newport, and the food was fantastic! We started with a bowl of chowder and an order of stuffies, which had a spicy chorizo filling. Really tasty. I ordered the mussels as a main course, and they were absolutely superb - large, cooked to perfection, amazing. I would recommend asking them to leave the aioli off - it's not very good and I thought it detracted from the dish. We came to this place on a recommendation from a local, and we weren't disappointed. Probably one of the better meals we had in Newport and at a more reasonable price point too.

    (4)

  • Arthur C.

    Have not eaten here, my review is based purely on the staff and management. Bartenders were great, manager said Hi and was great, drinks were great, fast and loved the atmosphere EDIT: Ate here, the stuffies, burger, and fish tacos were all very good.

    (5)

  • Amanda M.

    I went back to Midtown for a few reasons. 1) they host the Bike Newport event--points for supporting Bike Newport! and 2) they had an awesome looking lunch restaurant week menu this time around. I have to say, I am now a fan. The servers this time around were lovely. The restaurant itself is really pretty inside and has a fair amount of seating (They have an upstairs and a few bars). The food was good. I enjoyed it. My hope is the waiter we had last time that was so bad was just having a bad day and took it out on us by treating us like we didn't exist...or, if not, has gotten a bit more training on how to actually be a server (and pleasant).

    (4)

  • Greg H.

    Loved the selection of raw oysters. Food was fresh, perfectly cooked. Excellent location right on Thames for people watching.

    (4)

  • Joe N.

    Not the best burger ! Service was just ok ..

    (2)

  • Joulie S.

    I am not a big seafood person but since I was in the east coast, I had to see what all the hype was about. I'll be honest I never tried lobster anything, maybe in sushi? Anyways, I ordered the Lobster Taco and I was expecting it in a soft taco shell, that went right out the window by the time it was served to me. It looked weird and I was hesitant to try it, I hate hard shell (I saw my taco destroyed after one bite) I wasn't going to become a complainer, I was hungry and I wanted to enjoy it. To my surprise it was pleasantly orgasmic, I think I ate it too fast without even enjoying it (my #1 rule while eating was broken) lol....what a girl to do when she's hungry, it did not fill me up though, I was hungry 2 hours later :-/ (it was only 2 healthy tacos, I'm no pig) So if your ever making a trip to Newport, Rhode Island, that whole Thames street is filled with restaurants and stores, must check this place out. I am pretty sure the other restaurants are good too but don't take my word for it :-D

    (5)

  • Johnny S.

    My boyfriend and I stopped by for dinner here a few nights ago during a trip to Newport. We waited about 30 minutes but they did a good job of taking down our number and sent us a text when the table was ready. I ordered the seared tuna which was prepared with guacamole and a delicious wasabi vinaigrette. The meal was excellent. My boyfriend ordered the lobster roll. He is not a big fan of mayo and was very delighted to find the sandwich was made with butter instead it mayo. We also ordered several drinks, all of which were quite strong.

    (4)

  • Nora R.

    Had a blueberry pomegranate margarita that was spot on. Perfect amount of alcohol and an arugula salad which was perfectly dressed, good size portion and good service. My only critique would be to have a more wide range of entree options, but it's an oyster bar, I get it.

    (4)

  • Jennah A.

    Food was delicious, service was good and friendly, and the ambience, decor of the restaurant was modern yet fit the town vibes!

    (5)

  • P I.

    We ended up walking here after trying to go to black pearl, but the line was incredibly long. Glad we stumbled to this place. Seated promptly and very friendly and fast service. Tuna tacos were fantastic and refreshing Raw oysters were fresh Fried Oyster Burger was the first I've ever had and was really good Mussel frites were also great.

    (4)

  • Laura B.

    I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this restaurant! If you're in downtown Newport, check this place out for dinner! The tuna tartare tacos (app) were fresh and flavorful and my boyfriend was pleased with his cod chowder. I got the swordfish entree and it was cooked perfectly and presented over a magnificent bed of butternut risotto. Perfect portion sizes! The boyfriend got the lobster roll (made with butter, sorry mayo-seeking crowd) and was happy with it. The ambience was neat- a bit dark (the dimmed the lights pretty significantly while we were there, a couple near us had to use their cellphone flashlights to read the menu), but a modern nautical feel that seemed very fitting. Grab a bite here- I think you'll be pleased and will want to come back!

    (5)

  • Krys g.

    The best thing about this place is the Decour. It goes downhill sharply from there. The service was poor, the waitstaff was unenthusiastic, insensitive, and uncaring. If you have a food allergy beware, The server was uninformed about ingredients, and belittled our request for gluten-free options. He indicated that gluten-free was a fad and this restaurant was uninterested in supporting fads, essentially he suggested that people with gluten intolerance have something wrong with their heads. My steak was sinewy, The order was mixed up, and the length of time to get our food was long. The drinks were good, so if you can overlook what I've just described above, then this is the place for you.

    (1)

  • S H.

    Good food, service slow. We were there at 9:30 pm on a Sunday. While there were probably 10 tables in various phases of their meals, there were also three wait staff. It still took over 10 min for us to get waters, 15 min to get the waitress's attention to get the check. Food was pretty good. Ranged from a good medium rare burger to perfectly cooked scallops.

    (4)

  • G H.

    Wonderful meal, service - just great. Went on Sunday, April 19th. We loved the octopus, tuna and lobster tacos, and the lobster roll. We also had oysters from Chatham, Massachusetts. Very attentive service too (Paul I think). We travel a lot, eating all over. I think the appetizers do seem stronger, and we were a bit disappointed with the fish and chips. Perhaps a too ordinary dish for a place specializing in fresh seafood.... Also, seemed to have a lively bar scene with live music. Skip the places along the water...

    (5)

  • Caroline M.

    A very solid 4 stars. Went once for lunch mid-day, pre summer. Hosted an event there mid-week during the summer. Expect creative, though standard fare. Excellent service. Very classy decor. And way too many out of towners in khakis and polos. Midtown Oyster Bar excels at classy but low key - and the views/breeze from the multiple outdoor patio areas are unparallelled. VERY easy to plan an event there - we were well taken care of, but it wasn't cheap. Why not 5? Parking is a pain in the rear. It's definitely not a locals bar. And it's a 3 floor monstrosity. Assuming you like a smaller, cozier experience head to Broadway, Pasta Beach, etc. GREAT for groups.

    (4)

  • Jaclyn P.

    Good food, OK drinks, PERFECT decor. I've been meaning to try Midtown Oyster for a while now and finally stopped in for lunch on a Saturday. I was disappointed that the upper level was closed for the season since I have a hunch, that's where the best seats in the house are. Right off the bat, the decor is perfect. Ship lap walls, dark woods, industrial pendant lights, brass fixtures, a marble raw bar counter, subway tile in the bathrooms and overall, class and nautical details for days. I think the decor was my favorite part. The oysters were fresh and presented properly on a metal ice tray and labeled as well. My fish tacos were pretty good. The flavors were a little on the sweet side for my palette, but still very tasty. My husband's Tuna Nicoise was also very good but his tuna steak was not cooked the way he requested. One pet peeve of mine is an improperly prepared margarita. My blood orange margarita was served in a pint class with a straw and a bare rim. Too big of a portion means it must be "watered down" with a filler like soda or too much juice. I felt like I was at Chili's or Applebee's. They should really change that, pronto! The takeaway is that, I will definitely be back to Midtown Oyster Bar but will probably wait until it get's a smidge busier in Newport and the deck is open. Also, next time, I'll order a beer. Can't mess that up, right?

    (4)

  • Robert K.

    For a new building, they really did a great job on the interior. The reclaimed wood gives it a warmth that's in line with the charm of Newport. Food wise, standouts were the salmon ceviche and oysters. Best oysters we sampled in Newport by far. So, so good - and I'm not usually crazy about oysters. Cooked food was a bit mixed. Asian pork meatballs had great flavor, but were a bit dry around the edges, and the scallops entree was excellent, if not a little odd mix of flavors with kalamata olives. But I give them credit for the creativity, and it might just be a personal preference to not have those flavors mix. Service was average. Our waiter actually forgot one of our items, but we were so stuffed by the end of the meal that we didn't bother correcting him. Happy accident. Anywhere else, this would have been a 4 star review - but I'm giving them a kick up to 5 because there's just so many underwhelming tourist traps surrounding it (with perplexingly high ratings). There's something more honest about this place. It's appropriately priced, the food is creative even if it doesn't always succeed, and it's a great atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Kristin I.

    Service was great and so was the ambiance. Giving 2 stars for the food. My pasta with octopus bolognese was one big, clumpy mess and the sauce was incredibly bland. Clams, soups, lobster rolls, salads also just blah. The roast chicken, however, was decent. The location is great but not worth paying for bad food!

    (2)

  • Nick R.

    Absolutely amazing! From the Oysters fresh full and delicious!!!! Rhode Island clam chowder was the best full of clams the broth had a little spice it was the best! Our main dish we had SEARED scallops perfectly seared and cooked just right not rubbery or hard the broth they were in was delicious, it had grapefruit slices, onions and micro greens with a touch of sesame oil! WOW! And our cocktails BLOOD ORANGE MARGARITAS!

    (5)

  • Jake M.

    New place in town so I had to try. Interior decor is really Great. But I think where great stops. Service was ok. No one was overly friendly or nice but not rude. I was ignored by the bartender for a bit. The drink menu seemed limited. The entire atmosphere Was pretentious. And for no good reason. The food was fine. The clams were chewy. I just don't get all the hype I guess.

    (2)

  • Kristin B.

    Excellent dinner at Midtown last night! Good vibe overall. Oysters were fresh and on point. I had a shrimp appetizer that was really delicious as well. Good wine and beer selection and the service was great. We'll definitely be back when in Newport!

    (5)

  • Luckie D.

    Why 4 Stars......It's the food, service and ambiance. This is just the kind of place you want to drop by for a few cold beers, cocktails or better than average bar food. The oysters were fresh and tasty with a buttery briny finish. The fish and chips were fine too although I'm not much of a fan. Drinks arrived quickly and were potent. A good time was had all on the deck with friendly service.

    (4)

  • Kim B.

    I have lived in Portsmouth my entire life, and have therefore grown up eating in Newport for every occasion. I am lucky now that I am 23, to have Newport to bring my college and high school friends together, to a fun and unique town with so much to do. This past fourth of July, I had 20 or so friends from college visiting, and wanted them to experience Newport. I had heard amazing things about Midtown and was so excited to see it, experience it, and hopefully get reservations so that my friends could get true Newport seafood, at a fun new spot that by rumor, was the place to be. My friend (who asked not to be named) and I dropped off the 10 frat boys at O'briens, and they would meet us at midtown later. We ventured down Thames, in excitement to sit on the new roofdeck, enjoy some summer drinks, and catch up since we hadn't seen each other for a few months. When walking into Midtown, we were in awe. You would never know it used to be the same place as Salas', (a delicious, but dirty Italian place) with beautiful new wooden floors, wooden beams, and the most romantic setting of candles and decor. It could be in a magazine. With it expanding over 3 floors, you really felt like you were in a barn, but still right on the water. So you may ask.. okay, why give this place a 1? And I will say, I am shocked. I have NEVER had such a humiliating, degrading, surprising... and honestly rude experience as I did at Midtown. We claimed a spot outside on the roofdeck, and went in to the bar to get Sam Summers. The bartender asked for our ID's and considering we are 23, we handed them over without thinking twice. She took my ID over to the black light, brought it back, and asked for a 2nd form of ID. Now, I am 23, but this surprisingly has never happened to me. However, I happily gave her my College ID (with a picture), 3 credit cards, my AAA card, my health insurance card, and my Work ID (with a picture). She then took a closer look at my friends ID and said that "she couldn't accept them, as they see so many fake CT licences". We assured her these were real, and she obviously did not look at them closely, since they are RI. She then said she could not accept them, but brought them back to her manager for verification. At this point, everyone at the bar (about 30-40 people) had noticed what was going on, and were whispering about my friend and I. I would be humiliated about this anywhere, but considering I am from Portsmouth, and go out in Newport 2-3 times a week, I was beyond humiliated. It was a feeling like I have never had before... and made me feel like I was doing something wrong... We saw the bartender, the manager, and 2-3 other employees looking at our ID's out back. After about 10 minutes, the bartender came back, and rudely told us that these ID's were fake, and that they would not accept them here. We fired back commenting that this was ridiculous, and that maybe they didn't know what to look for in RI ID's...maybe something changed that they weren't aware of. She insultingly replied something like, "all bartenders meet with the cops monthly and have an ID class on what is real or not. These are not real ID's.". We were flabbergasted. Completely in awe to a.) be rejected at a place that we call home and b.) that we were treated as if we were bar scum. Now I understand, a new bar, they want to make sure that they are only serving those of age. However, when I show them 9 different forms of ID, our licenses say we are from the town over, and there are 2 GIRLS who you are saying they are fake.. I am sorry but that is just completely unacceptable. To finish the story, we went to the police station and asked if anything was wrong with our ID's. They said nope, they are the same ID's issued by the state of RI for eternity. I then called back Midtown and asked to speak to the manager, in which I was only hoping to inform her that perhaps her bartenders/other managers needed clarification on real RI ID's. I kindly told her about our experience, how much it upset and humiliated us, and how we really were looking forward to experiencing Midtown. At this point, they could have redeemed themselves, and I would have a whole new impression of Midtown. But it gets worse!! The manager could have cared less, and honestly just wanted me to shut up and hang up the phone. She acted as if I wanted sympathy, when in fact I was just informing her that she may have more angry bar-goers if their bartender is rejecting real ID's. I will say that I will never refer friends or families to this establishment, nor will ever want to consider going back. I am disgusted, appalled, and frankly expect way way more from a brand new restaurant. I sincerely hope that the manager who reads this takes this into consideration and not only informs their staff about ID'ing, but also about respect and proper communication skills.

    (1)

  • Blanche N.

    We ate upstairs at the bar which had an intimate and relaxed atmosphere. We liked the fried oysters better than the raw oysters. My shrimp salad was just ok. My husband out ordered me with his lobster roll choice.

    (4)

  • Justin K.

    When my girlfriend and I arrived, the place was packed. We opted to take an immediate seat in the raw bar area. It was great. Nice marble counter tops, a bit more quiet then the big bar area and lots of entertainment from the chefs shucking oysters. We began with their "wee" raw plate: 3 oysters, 3 little necks and 3 shrimp. These were wonderful. The raw bar chef came over to speak with us and made wonderful recommendations. This was easily the highlight of the meal. At first look, the main menu was great. Lots of interesting choices... of course, tons of seafood. I ended up choosing a swordfish special with risotto and swisschard. My girlfriend chose the Salmon on the menu, which is asian themed. Her fish was brutally overcooked and we sent it back. The second try was cooked correctly, but was SO overwhelmed by soy sauce that it was nearly inedible. Having waited nearly 40 minutes, total, she ended up just eating it. My swordfish was mediocre. It was slightly overcooked. The risotto was overcooked as well. in the end, we would return for the raw bar experience, but would leave the "normal" menu alone.

    (2)

  • Justin L.

    Was there last week. As always great food, drinks, and company especially from Houston.

    (5)

  • Di B.

    We ate here again this year. The service was great and the food delicious. We had a bib lettuce wedge salad and oysters for appetizers and the twin lobster tails and the steak. Each came with asparagus, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts AND beans. I wouldn't think mashed potatoes would be good with lobster, but it was. Had a little bit of a butter sauce on the plate, not too much. It is pricey, but the best meal we had all week.

    (5)

  • Mel P.

    Atmosphere was interesting. Seemed to be three different restaurants in one. Loud bachelor party on the top floor with sporadic organized cheers was a little off putting. Server was a little scattered with recommendations and over explaining of some dishes. Recommendations were hit or miss. This was our anniversary dinner and although I had told the restaurant, not so much as a happy anniversary was said to us. The vibe was pretty young and hip. Drinks were decent. The oysters were just delicious. Wish we had gotten more. Ordered 8 (4 kinds). Ordered two appetizers on the recommendation of server, grilled octopus with chickpeas and pork belly. Octopus was phenomenal but pork belly was a little overdone and way too large a portion for two people. Wish we had known the portion or that he had mentioned (or not recommneded for two). Continued dinner by getting the oyster stew. This was great, was worried about the quality of oysters in a stew but oysters were plentiful and tasty. Shared a lobster roll that was disappointing, dry, lacked flavor. Tried to order half a chilled lobster from raw bar but was informed they were sold out (around 7pm). Ordered the two lobster tails instead. One was overcooked and the other almost too. Vegetables were delicious. Husband ordered the skate wing with black forbidden rice and wheatberries. Neither of us could finish the sides because portions were large. Might go back for some of the better items but probably can find better places to go.

    (3)

  • Lesley M.

    My hunny and I just stopped there for a drink. For Nutmeggers, the ambience reminded me of the Wood-n-Tap in Rocky Hill; a spacious bar that can accommodate all of your friends and their friends. Bathroom was clean and I even saw a raw bar...fancy schmacy!

    (3)

  • Nicole S.

    My fiancé and I ate here for our engagement weekend. We did go all out with what we ordered. The serves were absolutely exceptional. I never say that often about service. The food was amazing and the outdoor upstairs bar space was actually a relaxing spot to hang out later on in the night. We ended up coming back the 2 nights after our dinner to just hang out and have a drink. I would highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • James H.

    Tuna tartare tacos are by far the best tacos I've ever had. We had to order a 2nd plate. The oyster stew and warm lobster roll are also really good!

    (5)

  • Anthony J.

    Great seafood spot in Rhode Island, being from California, I don't often eat at legit oyster bars so it was refreshing to find this place. Had the fried oysters and fish tacos, they were excellent

    (5)

  • Lori G.

    The Midtown Oyster Bar is my new favorite restaurant in Newport. What a fabulous menu!! There were so many interesting choices that it took me 20+ minutes to make my selections. The oysters I ordered for my appetizer were superb. My friend had the grilled octopus and that was perfectly cooked - not too chewy, which is often a problem. We also had the lobster risotto ... creamy and topped with half a small lobster tail. Prices are fair, ambiance casual and not too noisy, service was very good. Oh, and my blood orange margarita was delicious. Can't wait to return!

    (4)

  • Meghan M.

    I was just in here the other night for their first week of being opened. I've long known this place to be the dive that was Salas. I was definitely impressed with all of the work they did on this restaurant. I got there at about 10PM, it was definitely packed with people. Most was standing room only, probably people out for drinks after dinner. I didn't see too many people eating, but I'm sure they'll get into their groove as soon as the waitstaff/bartenders become more acclimated. Opening a restaurant in Newport in June has to be tough, but obviously they wanted to open to not miss out on all the money they'd be brining in. A glass of wine is going to run you about $14, unless you ask for Chardonnay-- the house is $7. I'd definitely come back here to check out the food menu, but will most likely wait until tourist season has winded down in September.

    (2)

  • Michele S.

    Fresh local seafood, very good service, great beer selection & my favorite tea = perfect luncheon with my daughter. We shared the Sea Scallop Crudo Sicilian style to start, and it was exceptional - refreshing, perfect light touch of olive oil, lemon and garnish. We chose a salad with swordfish and fish tacos as second courses, both perfectly cooked and delicious. Highly unusual - they had my favorite lunch tea - Bigelow's decaf green. My daughter appreciated the selection of beers, and found one to nicely complement her meal. Paul's service was attentive to details and never intrusive. I would absolutely go again!

    (5)

  • Ioannis K.

    Very nice place and the food just amazing! I had a salmon the best i 've ever had. The biggest surprise was the desert the cheesecake was delicious! In general it is obvious that the chef is using the best ingredients he can get at the market. No matter how good the cooking is, the best taste cannot come without using the best ingredients and in this case that was obvious! Nothing more to add apart from the service which was quite friendly. A definately must go if u ever come around in Newport!

    (5)

  • John G.

    Would def return when in the area, vibe, service, and food quality was very good. We both had fish dinners that were fresh and very good, pricing was also very fair. Had a reservation via open table, sat right down as soon as we checked in.

    (4)

  • Chris W.

    OUTSTANDING! Visited here last night with my wife for our 1st year wedding anniversary and could not have been happier with our meal! From walking in and being greeted to our waitress taking so much of her time to explain the menu it was down right amazing. Their oyster selection is huge and they even give a short explanation of what those types taste like and what their texture is. Their beer and wine selection is great. Prices are not outrageous and is on par with most seafood restaurants in Newport. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Samantha P.

    I dropped by Newport in January for a little trip away from home and ate an early dinner here. There were a couple hits and misses. First of all, we sat at the bar and the bartender was awesome! Extremely friendly and welcoming. For dinner I ordered three things : Oysters Rockefeller, clam chowder, and beet and goat cheese salad. The oysters Rockefeller were a little bland and lacked flavor/seasoning. I also think the sauce could have been reduced a little bit longer, with more parm cheese. The chowder was good, but so heavily seasoned with pepper that it made my mouth and throat burn. I did really enjoy the beet salad, as it had red and golden beets and plenty of them. My boyfriend ordered one of the specials, which was a pulled pork cuban panini. His sandwich was probably the most disappointing item, as it was very thin and small, and cost $14. We ordered some dessert, and the bar tender recommended the ginger bread pudding (It wasn't until later that I realized he did throw in food recommendations too while we were looking at the menu. I wish I listened!) We thought about getting the chocolate cake but he said it wasn't chocolaty enough so we went with what he said and it was delicious. I'd go back just for the bread pudding. All in all the food wasn't terrible, just a little pricey for what it was and had a couple of flops. The restaurant itself is very nice and in a nice location. I'd probably go back for a drink and that bread pudding (it was seriously delicious).

    (3)

  • Meg S.

    So...my sweet 65 year old parents are Newport residents and used to come here frequently. We actually considered this place when looking for a spot to host my brothers rehearsal dinner in September - good thing we didn't. Thursday before the wedding (8/25/14) my parents walked in to have lunch. The place was pretty empty aside from another table or two. No one was there to seat them, and the guy behind the bar messed with the TV remote for 10 minutes and ignored them, so they sat themselves. Their waitress was nice enough (I think her name was Nikki?), but was extremely slow when they asked for the check. They had to call for her across the restaurant and ask several times, and still no check. Finally, my dad couldn't find Nikki, so he approached the hostess and asked if she could check in back and ask our waitress for the check. He didn't get her name, but said she had a bunch of tattoos. She rolled her eyes at him and said - "You know, this really isn't my job." After the hostess had taken on the monumental task of asking Nikki for the check, my dad gave her the card to pay. Then she chatted with another table for another 15 minutes with card in hand. My dad was standing up at the table at this point with his jacket on and my mom had already walked home to let our dog out. This place has usually been fine when I've been before, and my parents used to really enjoy going. I feel bad they had this experience and extremely disappointed as someone who's worked in the restaurant industry.

    (1)

  • Lorraine B.

    It was a delightful pleasure finding the Midtown Oyster Bar in Newport after a long day of sightseeing. We sat at a high top table in the barroom surrounded by lots of windows that let in beautiful natural sunlight. It was an adventure for my daughter and I to sample all the different varieties of oysters. The oysters were absolutely delicious. We now appreciate and understand how a freshly shucked oyster can taste. Fantastic! We also tried the codfish chowder. It was also very good. The steamed shrimp appetizer could have been skipped. It was over the top salty. I will definitely return to this delightful find in Newport.

    (4)

  • Stacie G.

    The tuna tacos are amazing!! A must have. Great atmosphere. Lobster and corn risotto was delicious as well.

    (5)

  • May B.

    Really nice bar and everyone was so friendly. The food was really good. I ordered the mussels and it was simply delicious :) The burger and fries was also very good when wash down with their local beer.

    (4)

  • Lucy B.

    We came to Newport for our 27th anniversary & knew we wanted to dine outdoors. Our first challenge always is finding someplace that we can both find menu items that appeal to both of us. He doesn't eat seafood & I adore it. We strolled through town & looked at a lot of menus. This one looked like it would fit the bill so we made a reservation. When we arrived at 8pm we were told that they don't take reservations for the outdoor dining. No problem. We grabbed a seat at the bar & had a drink while we waited. The wait was shorter than we expected & we were shown upstairs. I already knew that the fisherman's stew was going to be my meal tonight. Hubby had seen a chicken curry soup that appealed to him. My stew was delicious! There must have been 7-8 different kinds of fish/shellfish in there. Yum! Hubby's soup was served in a tiny bowl ... but he's a good sport. He also got the meatball appetizer & some green beans. No complaints from him really, it just wasn't much of a *meal* (yes, it consisted of appetizers). Our server was great, the food was delicious, wine was yummy & the atmosphere was perfect. We will definitely come back.

    (4)

  • Lozzy W.

    We had our company retreat dinner on the upstairs outside deck. The margaritas were good. The spicy shrimp appetizer was outstanding. I also enjoyed the grilled octopus and Mahi Mahi dinner. It was a great place for a group to enjoy beautiful views of the harbor, good service and yummy cocktails and food.

    (4)

  • Allyson H.

    Best Truffle Fries...worth going back just for those!

    (5)

  • Nela D.

    Great venue. Love the roof deck, inside is renovated and looks great. We had a great lunch - very good oysters, seared tuna salad, and monkfish soft tacos. All delicious and good sized portions. I like to go back for dinner next trip.

    (4)

  • Kerry B.

    Went here for the first time (for dinner) on New Years Eve. Had reservations for 7:30 and we were seated on time. The waitress had good intentions, but was horrible. We already had drinks, so she took our appetizer and main entree orders and disappeared. The appetizer came out quickly, delivered by someone else who was shocked that our water glasses were still empty and no bread had been delivered. So that got taken care of, still no sight of waitress. Food dishes came out and waitress was right behind the folks serving our food... My boyfriend ordered a fish dish and out came a burger! They gave me my dish and the person delivering our food (not the waitress) apologized and said they'd be right back. Mind you, we had empty wine glasses sitting on the edge of the table begging to be refilled - it's New Year's for chris sake! The waitress went to leave and I had to get her attention and say we'd like drinks please. She looked frazzled. She took our drink order and ten minutes later returned with my boyfriend's correct dish and our wine. The food was good, so I'll give 3 stars for food and ambiance but the service is horrendous. I think there was maybe a language barrier, but stil with so many options in Newport and all of them competitive with similar food, ambiance, and price I will certainly not look to return here. The food didn't "wow" me that much. Thought I'd have a new favorite, thought incorrectly. C'est la vie. Time for this place to step up their service game.

    (3)

  • Jill D.

    This is my new favorite restaurant! We have been many times and never an issue with food or service. Tried it for Newport Restaurant Week and loved it. Love the smoked fish dip. Everything from the apps, to the sandwiches to main entrees are amazing. Cant go wrong here.

    (5)

  • Lauren S.

    The best oysters I have had all summer! I ate here several times this year. Excellent service all summer (non-summer staff could use an upgrade, service not as good). Great menu, all food I have had has been excellent.

    (5)

  • Rach C.

    Absolutely love this restaurant, the atmosphere, the food and the service! Everything was on point! I ordered the tuna tartare tacos for an app which tasted amazing! For my meal I got the blackened mahi mahi, it comes with a great tomato corn salsa that made the entree so tasty! My husband ordered the steak frites and said he would get it again and again every time he comes back! I'm telling you this food is amazing! And to top it off our waitress, Lauren was super helpful! We were unsure of which oysters to start with and she gave a great recommendation! I'm always asking questions (which can be super annoying) but she was really friendly and happy to give her opinion. Definitely coming back every time I travel to Newport!

    (5)

  • Judy G.

    Took a break from the Newport Boat show and found this place within walking distance. Downstairs was filling up fast - so we were directed to the upstairs bar. Checked over the menu and ordered the Fish Tacos and the Mussels Frites. These meals did not disappoint us at all!! Fish Tacos were made with Ahi Tuna and were very yummy. But the Mussels Frites were outstanding!! Huge mussels covered with thin cut fries topped with an aioli sauce!! And the broth at the bottom of the bowl was the best part of this meal!! Just needed bread to soak it all up!! Will definitely come here again next time we are in town!

    (5)

  • cheri t.

    Came here yesterday for a late lunch and was very impressed! Service was outstanding, we sat on the 2nd level and I wish I could remember the servers's name, she was top notch. As an appetizer I had the oyster stew, and it was excellent, maybe 4-5 large oysters in it and the taste was amazing, I want some right now. Our meals were wonderful as well. Only thing I had issue with was the unfriendly hostess, she barely looked at us as she led us to the 2nd floor, and she appeared as if she was too good to to lower herself to conversing with us. She started us out on the wrong foot, but thankfully our server more than made up for her unpleasant manner. We will be back for sure!

    (4)

  • Barbara O.

    Eck! terrible crab cakes! Bar is fun.

    (2)

  • Brenna M.

    Such a beautiful restaurant! The food was excellent, as was the service. For an appetizer, we shared a platter of oysters along with the wicked shrimp. Both were fabulous. I had the tuna tartare and lobster tacos for my entree. I still can't decide which one was better. I will definitely be returning.

    (5)

  • A Z.

    Had a decent lunch here on the roof. The menu options are pretty basic, but the food was solid enough.

    (3)

  • Brian J.

    I'm from Indiana, so I rarely have the opportunity to eat fresh seafood such as this. Oysters you get here come in a sealed can that you get at Kroger. I've always found these to be disgusting. What a delight it was find to find how delicious these creatures are fresh out of the water. I had a raw sample platter featuring lobster, crab, shrimp, oysters, and clams. I was in seafood heaven. I'm docking a star because of the clueless hostess at the front door. We asked how long the wait was for dinner, and she told us 2 hours, but the bar was just first come first serve so she recommended finding an open seat. There weren't any open seats, so we asked if we could just put our name in, and we would just hang around the area until they were ready for us. She then says the wait is an hour and that she'll check with someone who would put our name in. She comes back saying that she couldn't find the other person, but we were welcome to go look for her. So! We go back into where the dining is and ask if we can put our name in for a wait. The woman there says "Oh we're not on a wait, we can seat you now." Whaat? So that was a pleasant surprise. The rest of the service was fantastic. And the food was ridiculously good.

    (4)

  • Kelsey F.

    I was really excited to try this new restaurant when I came across it this summer in Newport. We got some suggestions to come here an when we heard there was an outdoor roof top section we were sold. It has a really nice nautical theme with high ceilings downstairs and a lofted upstairs. When we first got there they told us it would be over an hour wait for the roof deck but we sat in about 20 minutes! We ordered the pork belly appetizer which was amazing...it literally melts in your mouth. For dinner I opted for the pork chop and the boyfriend ordered the twin lobster tails - both were delicious. Our waitress convinced us to get dessert (wasn't too hard to do that). The bread pudding was absolute heaven on a plate. I left Midtown hardly able to walk because I was so full...but it was well worth it!

    (4)

  • Thomas S.

    Multiple flavors of oysters to try, and you can taste the difference between every one. The best oysters I've ever had.

    (5)

  • R. F. B.

    I stopped by this place for lunch with my wife and another couple. The last time we were at this location it was another restaurant and completely run down. Fast forward a couple of years and new ownership and we were absolutely amazed at the transformation. The new owners created a stunning interior with both new and reclaimed materials in a nautical theme fitting of its location. I can't say enough about how great looking this restaurant is. They also added 2 rooftop patios which I can imagine are packed during the warmer months. We started with a dozen oysters from the New England area which were fresh and delicious. Most of the table ordered the chicken sandwich and I ordered the steak sandwich. My steak sandwich was tender and flavorful and I was told that the chicken sandwich was the best chicken sandwich all of them have had. We loved the restaurant and the food. I am looking forward to going back for dinner when the weather warms up!

    (5)

  • Joseph H.

    Great atmosphere and fantastic presentation! We stopped in here for oysters and they were very good but the shells were still a bit dirty and there was shell in the oyster which did not make for a good experience. The highlight was their soy marinated Tuna. This was truly one of the best dishes I have ever had in Newport. The flavor was complex but not overwhelming you could taste every flavor. I will be back just for this.

    (3)

  • Jennifer C.

    While walking our dog we met a local woman and she recommended we try the 'Oyster Stew' at Midtown. What she didn't tell us was that the entire menu was AMAZING! We came back the very next day to have the stew again, we also sampled quite a few more items from the menu. We spend a good deal of time in Newport each summer and enjoy eating out and this spot has become one of our new favorites!

    (4)

  • Katie Bear P.

    Good food. Mediocre service. Placed our order and the waitress, Jen chatted with another (non) customer for 10 minutes before putting our order in, so we just waited...

    (2)

  • Kathryn L.

    Stopped here last night for a drink with my friends and couldn't believe a bud light was $7.50! I had the "Secret" Red Sangria which looked beautiful yet tasted like lime soda water, not a hint of sweetness or complex flavors just flat and disappointing. So the "Secrets" out, and it sucks. The decor was lovely but the bottom line: way too overpriced and subpar cocktails.

    (2)

  • David J.

    I live in Newport and I've tried this place 5 times. It's sucks for entrees and service. Great for oysters and atmosphere. Go to dinner somewhere else.

    (2)

  • Mike M.

    First off, let me state that the decor of this place is magnificent. First floor looks like an oyster bar you would find in Manhattan. The rest of the place is also spectacular. The GF and I went for dinner on Sunday evening. Reservations were recommended, and we made them for 7pm. We arrived early by 45 minutes thanks to our hotel's quick shuttle, and had no issues getting a table on the second floor. It wasn't very crowded - maybe 3 or 4 tables seated. I'm usually not a clock watcher, but it took at least 20 minutes for our waitress, Lauren, to introduce herself and take our drink order. I ordered the Tito's Midtown Martini with Gorgonzola stuffed olives. GF ordered the Cosmo. I received mine, but hers was made incorrectly, and was served a few minutes later. My martini was excellent, and hers was well made too. When Lauren came back with her drink, we didn't want her to get away! As we've been staring at the menu for almost 30 minutes now, we just placed our orders. Our single app was the Fried Oysters. VERY tasty. We originally wanted the Oysters Rockefeller we saw on the on-line menu, but they weren't making them and they are now off the regular dinner menu. Oh well. We each ordered one of the specials on the daily menu. I had the mixed Chourico and seafood (shrimp, scallops, clams) over rice. GF had the Lobster Mac -n- Cheese. Both were excellent! Now, Lauren was very nice and sweet, but really kept apologizing for everything... Sorry for the wait, Sorry about your drink order, Sorry for not bringing the bread out... Ugh... We were originally going to have some wine with dinner, but decided against it since we were already 3/4's of the way through our meal and really, what's the point of grabbing a glass of wine with dinner now... Dessert and aperitifs were also out. So, bottom-line: The meals were good, service was spotty. I would definitely go back again and give it a second chance. To the management: Staff training and service goes a LONG way...

    (2)

  • Katelyn F.

    This is quite a delicious spot. We asked one of the locals where a good Lobster Roll was to be eaten. The man replied this place, and said it's terrific. And I couldn't agree more. For beverage we got a Mojito, bloody mimosa, white wine, and fuzzy rita. The Fuzzy Rita was my favorite, it had crushed kiwi in it, and it was so tasty. Not incredibly sweet, but well enough. Mojito comes second. As for the Bloody Mimosa I understand my friend really enjoyed it. Large glasses for reasonable price. Although the wine seemed to be a little less than usual. The lobster roll was quite delicious. We actually all got this. It was doused in butter and not mayo, which I love. Although I think the bread is a little thick to my liking, I ate my lobster/butter/lettuce by itself. Still amazing. We also had the Charbroiled clams on the half shell, and they weren't half bad. I am not a clammy person, so I took a chance. They have a lovely layer of spinach and parmesan cheese. It was tasty, and if it weren't for the pieces of shell that got into the clam, I probably would have eaten them without the help of the other people at my table. Our server was very nice, and knew his menus. The place was cute, and mildly dark which was nice for a change. The noise level, I think was above average but worked because it also was a bar (on the other side of the restaurant.) I believe there are also two other levels - and from outside both looked like they were hoppin'. We will come back when we are in town. :)

    (4)

  • Samantha L.

    After recently moving to Newport I was excited to try Midtown. I've been twice now and have had pretty solid experiences both times, but there are a few items that deterred this new "hot spot" from getting a higher rating. I went there first with my friend who was visiting from Boston and we were looking for some relief from the heat and a few good drinks as well as a bite to eat. We sat in the downstairs tavern which was a great, breezy room that allowed us to cool down but not be shocked into AC right from the 90 degree weather outside. The server took a few minutes to come over even though it wasn't busy, but that was not a big deal since we were chatting and looking over the menu. My friend ordered her beer and I got a red sangria ($9) and was happy with the flavor, which admittedly was not strong, but was disappointed when the stemless wine glass it was served in was only half full, including the ice. It took maybe 4 sips for it to be gone, but it was refreshing in the hot weather so I ordered another. This one came full to the brim, a much more appropriate portion, but the inconsistency was troubling. I ordered a half dozen oysters, which were delicious, but they weren't fully shucked and we had to detach them ourselves. Although seemingly trivial, I'd expect properly shucked oysters from an "Oyster Bar". Tasty mignonette, though. After we finished the oysters a young woman, not our server, came over and presented us with the exact same ones we had just eaten and had cleared, not knowing that we'd already been served them. As I said before, it wasn't very busy and we were sitting directly in front of the raw bar so this mistake should have been easily avoided. The Mahi Mahi sandwich was properly seasoned and very delicious, as were the Tuna Tartare Tacos. My qualm with the food is the fresh approach they've taken seems to only extend halfway. Fantastically prepared tartare served in store-bought taco shells was neither aesthetically pleasing or appropriate, but we broke off the top and ate it scooped on the cracked shells to mimic a wonton crisp, which was a much more approachable method. The second time I went I met a group of friends at a much busier time of the evening. I ordered a Hot & Dirty martini, which was neither hot nor dirty. They used Stoli Jalapeno vodka which was enticing, but I'd be lying if I said there was more than a splash of dirt, nevermind any pepperoncini juice at all. I ordered a second in hopes that they could put more pepperoncini juice in it (the first drink was visibly crystal clear) only for the server to come back and say they put extra olive juice since they were out of pepper juice. Deceiving and something I wish I knew before I ordered the cocktail the first time since the ingredients to make it were obviously unavailable. I ordered a dozen oysters, which although tasted fantastic, were again not fully shucked. On both occasions our servers were very friendly and relatively attentive. I'm sure I'll visit this place again since they had intriguing menu items but I hope they can work out the kinks.

    (3)

  • Jack W.

    This place was pretty good. After getting there around 7:00 p.m., they told us it was a 2 hour wait but we were able to speak with the server and get seated outside in about 30 minutes. We all split little neck clams on a half shell and they were good. I also got the Rocky Point RI clam chowder and that was OK. I had the Fisherman's Stew for dinner and that was really good. My friends also got the mussel frites as an appetizer and that was delicious. I would recommend the mussel frites appetizer. The drinks were OK. If you want bigger mixed drinks, I would get them from the bar. The mixed drinks they served at the table used smaller glasses.

    (3)

  • Regina F.

    Since I refuse to judge a restaurant its opening week, I'll accentuate the positives and downplay the negatives (essentially start-up woes including a terribly untrained waitstaff with limited knowledge of the limited menu and the kitchen running out of a popular dish for its soft opening). With a great upstairs open air bar, Midtown oyster will likely become a great hangout for barhopping on Thames, especially when it gets too ungodly cold by the water. The vibe is somewhere between sexy speakeasy (not the Speakeasy) and dimly lit tavern. The food was pretty alright. Though the complimentary ciabatta rolls came out in a paper bag, they were not warm. Food ought to only be served in-bag-o if it is pipping. The olive oil provided alongside the butter balls was fantastic, though there was no zartar accompanying it. The fries - according to my dining companions - were "boring." I can attest that they appeared to lack a certain ZING factor, though the burger, topped with bacon, fine cheese, and a smooth, albeit slightly mayonnaise-y aioli was cooked exactly as ordered. (Hooray for proper meat temperatures on the steak as well!) The tuna tartare tacos were pretty delicious, and the same aioli served with fries and the burger, worked better with the raw fish. The limes added a certain acidity, while the cilantro added a bit of green flare.

    (4)

  • Julia S.

    Great seafood meal with my husband, beautiful building, buzzing atmosphere. The wait was 45 minutes so we ate at the bar on the second floor. Our bartender comped us two drinks because he forgot to put in our appetizers first and our entire meal came out at once. That struck me as pretty generous. Most people would just apologize. The food was very yummy, and certainly not cheap. The mussels frites was my favorite and came in a thin cream sauce that we dipped the fries into. So tasty! My husband had linguini and clams and cleaned his plate. I had steak frites and it was very good. We also had a salad that was good. The building is amazing. Completely rebuilt and very nautical - stylish. The third floor has a private party area that seats maybe 20-30 and an outdoor deck. Small raw bar on the first floor in the back. We'll be back when we feel like splurging again.

    (4)

  • Helen L.

    Jennifer the waitress was great in personality. Service was painfully slow. Food was ok. The serving size was small. I won't be back. I could make a better meal.

    (2)

  • Mike D.

    We went on Friday evening on a recommendation. We'll worth the trip. Fried oysters were very good and their bib lettuce wedge salad was also very we'll prepared. Swordfish special was exceptional and should be on the menu. Would return for that any time. Sat at the bar and watched the Bruins game on 2 large screens. Bartender Valerie was awesome. Very friendly and responsive. The live band they had was great and we were told they are there every other week. Will return to see them. Only downer was the B's lost to Detroit.

    (5)

  • Kristi K.

    Delicious food. Booth barely big enough for 4 adults to sit in-- a very tight squeeze and awkward getting in and out of, especially for women with big purses and lots of winter layers on. Service was pleasant yet not exquisite. They did pump up the heat for us, though, which showed they paid attention to the comments we made (to each other, not to staff) about needing to keep our jackets on. It was very cozy after that. But there was only one or maybe two other tables at the time we were there, and I thought our waitperson or maybe the maître d could have offered to hang up our coats, especially since there were two disabled people in our party. (I may be spoiled though from some time spent outside of the US. I think this kind of no-frills approach is probably standard here nowadays....) There was another small disappointment regarding our waitperson but I can see that it was a grey area. Her response was fine but not really impressive. The food and drinks we ordered however were perfect and quite memorable. Overall we enjoyed ourselves. Nice bathroom, handicapped accessible.

    (3)

  • John W.

    Came here for a special dinner with my wife while on a short stay in Newport. Happened to be there during Restaurant Week but we were in early and got a table right away near the bar. Filled up quickly after that but our service and server were great. Had a few nice beers, the oyster stew (with big oysters, great flavor) and a beet salad. Then shared the $58 cold seafood plate. About half a dozen delicious raw oysters (with vinegar), about the same raw clams, 4 shrimp cocktail, some nice simple crabmeat over Japanese type sweet seaweed, and half a cold steamed lobster. Was quite nice, not too filling but delicious. $125 with tip but worth it. Would like to sit in the restaurant proper if we have the chance to go again.

    (4)

  • Geneva C.

    The food to me is not the best at all.The crab cakes was gross yes gross.The lobster was cooked perfect Thats still not a reason to come back for me.I also had the clam linguini and the sauce taste Like Lipton soup packs gross as well .The oysters was good but u can get oysters anywhere in Rhode Island.If u want great food please go to either castle hill hotel Restraunt or mama luisa northern Italian with alot of love.Our bill was 160..And so not worth it.

    (2)

  • Mai L.

    Haven't tried too many of their entrees but love their apps: salmon avocado "cocktail" and their tuna tartare tacos!

    (4)

  • George S.

    My wife and I went there last night and had a very nice meal. The building which has been recently renovated looks great and has a lot of room. The upstairs bar is great and if you can get a seat on the deck even better. We had mussels, salad and fried smelts and they were great. Our waitress was very good and we asked for a side dish of broccoli rabe that was not on the menu and she brought it to us. The other thing is that its very reasonable priced. For the two of us with two Stella's the bill was $52 with tax no tips. Can only get better very good for their first season.

    (4)

  • Lorraine T.

    Really love the bar area. Crab cakes are so so good.

    (4)

  • Anabela S.

    What a great friendly place and delicious food. Three floors with a rooftop area, loved the decor/ambiance. I had their local oysters, octopus appetizer, octopus bolognese for dinner and coconut panecata for dessert. Best meal we had in Newport and we have been to most of the top restaurants. A must go to if you are in the area.

    (5)

  • Erik A.

    Pricey but very good food. Portions are on the ok side, reat rooftop spot but not very big. Overall i love the atmosphere and the people here if high end is what you are looking for without over doing it.

    (5)

  • Simon S.

    Amazing food. Oysters selection and clams where fresh and incredible. The arugula salad was also perfect. On a busy Sunday morning they turned us around in 40 min. Service was great and Jenn knew what she was doing. Recommendations and vibe and service where great.

    (5)

  • Amber H.

    The oyster list is extensive and diverse. The oysters themselves were super fresh and cold and tasted like the sea. We came in the late afternoon on a Saturday after doing the cliff walk and didn't have trouble getting a seat. Cold beers at the raw bar hit the spot. The Bloody Mary, on the other hand, was heavy-handed, pink and chunky with too much horseradish.

    (4)

  • Sophia B.

    So glad they're open! Have never failed to have a great time there

    (5)

  • Brianna S.

    We had an amazing time here. The food and ambiance were fantastic. We did a sort of tapas evening of various appetizers. Nothing disappointed. We had the grilled octopus, steamed clams, raw oysters & clams, RI chowder, oyster stew, and tuna tacos. Everything was great. (The octopus is life changing!) For dessert we had the dark and stormy bread pudding and the ricotta cheese cake. Both were phenomenal. This was a brilliant dining experience. We will be back when in Newport again. A note on ambience. We loved how Midtown has created 4 very unique atmospheres in one restaurant. Down stairs is kind of dark and cozy: good if you are with friends and family . Upstairs is brighter and more farmhouse chic: lovely if you are on a date or celebrating a special occasion. The bar upstairs is dark and welcoming: good place to eat and watch the game. Finally, the patio upstairs has a great view of the street and can be fun and boitstorous or romantic and tucked away (depending on who's out and about).

    (5)

  • Erika R.

    This restaurant is in a great multi-story building and the interior is really very lovely. We were seated on the second floor, along a steel and wood open staircase. The room had white walls and a dark floor, the kind with the wide planks of wood, and was incredibly cool, airy and light. It made for a very lovely setting for a meal. Our waitress was fantastic. We found her to be very friendly, very engaging. She took the time to answer any menu questions very thoroughly and offer a careful opinion, and also told us a bit about Newport and asked about our trip there. The service was good as well. She was very attentive. In fact, every member of the service staff who walked by our table was smiling. My husband had the blackened mahi-mahi and said it was delicious. I just had a salad, which was beautifully presented and had just the right amount of dressing. I think we would definitely recommend Midtown and would visit again if in the area.

    (4)

  • Bob C.

    Raw dishes were very good, Shrimp cocktail was excellent. I had the lobster roll but the other dishes for my group looked very good too

    (4)

  • Karen B.

    Lobster salad was wonderful. Perfectly paired with a sangria, while basking in the sun on the upper deck. Very nice.

    (4)

  • Lori B.

    We were so happy to find this restaurant, food is fresh, simply prepared and delicious. Restaurants tend to overdo food these days, this restaurant gets it. Sit at the oyster bar and enjoy you cant go wrong with this place. Wait staff is also fantastic. Thanks for a great dining experience.

    (4)

  • Nancy B.

    Wonderful seafood. Scallops on grapefruit sauce was excellent. Upstairs room pleasant very good service.

    (5)

  • Carol F.

    This place will be packed this summer. The place was packed to the gills on a Friday night in April. Oysters, fabulously presented and prepared: served icy cold and with super fresh horseradish. We discovered the Myagi Oyster from the Pacific (we know our East Coast Oysters) and it was fabulous. Ordered a few more of those. Had the Blacked Mahi so perfect with the avocado garnish and an interestingly presented Cod Fry. Our "landlubber" friend just had the cheeseburger, just ok. They were out of raw littlenecks so I got the Clams Casino instead. It was good but I missed the green pepper, parmesan and garlic hit of other versions. Great food, great service (even when very busy) a bit noisy but I think that's part of the atmosphere here. Definitely make reservations.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    We were really looking forward to some fresh seafood! We arrived to a very crowded and extremely loud bar area (Duke and Michigan State basketball game). We did not have a reservation, so opted for a table in the bar area. I guess if I was in my 20s I would have fit in and joined in the excitement of the game. We ordered a couple drinks right away. When the waitress brought the drinks we ordered 2 bowls of soup and 2 entrees. After about 30 minutes, and empty drinks, we kept on trying to get our waitress. No luck. We watched tables around us get served and even cash out. We told another waitress that we are waiting for our soup and it's been 30 minutes. Well after 10 more minutes, we were fed up, hungry, ears were blown out so we got up and left. Can't rate the food because they must not care about their customers as I never was served what we ordered, the ambiance was like any other loud bar (loud) and the service was, well you know.

    (1)

  • Nate.Ali W.

    Great service, atmosphere, drinks. While we were visiting Newport we knew that we wanted to hit up at least one oyster bar and this was the first one we passed. We sat at the bar and ordered a few types, they were brought out fast and you could defiantly tell that they were fresh. Every staff member there seemed very friendly and the menu was very well put together, I'd go there again in a heartbeat.

    (5)

  • Julie R.

    Really enjoy this place for hanging out on a nice day. Love the outdoor patios and the drinks are really great. They also have a good selection of beers on tap so my boyfriend was happy. I usually just go there for drinks but i went with a group of friends to dinner and we ended up getting sucked into their apps and raw bar. We got oysters, fried oysters, and a bunch of others that werent as memorable. The portions were a bit small, but the fried oysters were to die for! And raw oysters were fresh, delicious, and labeled with their location which was exactly what we wanted! Would definitely recommend for apps and a drink with a group of friends.

    (4)

  • Alison S.

    Great spot! Great atmosphere! Smoked fish dip and lump crab cocktail were excellent! Made a perfect DoubleCross Vodka dirty martini and had a ton of draught beer selections. Highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Karl P.

    Awesome location in a historic building. Oysters are superb, ambiance in the bars (there are 3) is also top notch. I had the oysters to start (3 PEI and 3 Rhode Island) and bison burger. Bison burger was cooked to order medium rare and not gamey at all. They have 2 patios, one which is on the top level looking over the harbor - awesome view! Highly recommend if you are looking for a cool spot for drinks, or food in Newport.

    (4)

  • Caz F.

    Great space, cool bar, very nicely appointed. Blah food and terrible service. EXPENSIVE!! There are far better places to eat, we might go back for drinks only.

    (2)

  • Maggie P.

    Extremely large, warm & inviting restaurant on the lot where Salas used to be. Open floor plan with 30 foot atrium on the 2nd floor - amazing refurbished wood, colonial style decor and fantastic food. Our server greeted us promptly, smiling and cheery. Open for Newport Restaurant week Nov.1 to 10th! Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Meg L.

    We went to Midtown Oyster Bar for our 29th wedding anniversary. We live nearby and had enjoyed going to the Matunuck Oyster Bar in the past which we believe is owned by the same people. The place is beautiful and the drinks are reasonable for Newport. The oysters could not have been fresher and I liked that the mignonette sauce was clear but still tasted of shallots. The grilled octopus was really stellar- extremely tender and very well seasoned. We had a really nice server who offered us a taste of the wine we were contemplating and was attentive throughout our meal. As to the main meal, my husband had the blackened mahi-mahi which was nuanced while still spicy and I had the "special" Fruitti di Mare, supposedly mussels, clams and shrimp in a tomato-saffron nage which I understand to be a broth. I didn't ask our waitress for a definition since I was pretty sure I knew what I was getting. I did hear the other waitress explain the dish as having a broth. All good until it came. For $27.00 I got 8 mussels 4 each of shrimp and clams, angel hair pasta (not homemade) and red sauce out of a can. No salt or pepper to be seen . Really- I could have had a better meal at Olive Garden for half the price. The reason I'm writing this is because understanding that restaurant owners would rather hear from us in person instead of through Yelp, I actually made these comments in the restaurant.. The answer: NADA, ZIP, NOTHING. Clearly they don't care what we think which will be fine this summer with the passing tourist trade but if they feel that the locals will be back for food like that next winter and spring they'll need to rethink, Next time, if we come, it'll be for oysters and a beer.

    (2)

  • Danielle M.

    The tuna tartar tacos are out of this world!!! Deelish, I get them every time we go there. Love it. We went the 1st week it was open in June & the service was not good. The waitress had a terrible attitude. The food was mediocre. But then we went back to give it a 2nd try bc we liked the atmosphere, especially in the downstairs bar, & the food was much better & our server was polite & friendly. We have been back several times now & it has been great. I think they just needed to work out the kinks that first month & hopefully fired that rude, immature waitress, lol. I would definitely recommend Midtown!!!

    (5)

  • Mark T.

    Awesome atmosphere but menu limited to only seafood They should add a no seafood app for people like us otherwise it's great recommend checking it out

    (3)

  • Michael F.

    Stopped in for dinner with a group of 8 co-workers. One side of the place is a bar and the other side is a restaurant. Very trendy looking place. We were seated promptly for a weeknight. The bread was very fresh and we were able to dip it in dipping oil. I started with the Strawberry and Apple Arugula salad with pecans. It was very tasty and the portion was a very good size for the price we paid. My entree was the sesame crusted salmon with bok choi. The portion was tiny for the price we paid. However, it was delicious. My co-worker ordered the Grilled Swordfish and thought it was to dry. Another co-worker really liked the Lobster Risotto. Overall, the service was very good and clean.

    (4)

  • Norah V.

    Loved this place! Went during a snow storm because it was near our hotel, but now we have another place to add to our favorite places in Newport. Salads were great; loved our dinners; shared a mud pie for dessert that was just terrific and they had a great drink list. Our server was great too.

    (4)

  • Lyssa P.

    .

    (3)

  • Iva G.

    Good beer selection. Had the ceviche and lobster tacos, both excellent.

    (5)

  • Jason B.

    adds Hoffa hgfyg funds hffggv gritted hudycgv

    (3)

  • Keif M.

    Within walking distance from our hotel.Had a really enjoyable evening at Midtown.My wife had the twin lobsters with mashed potatoes.Delicious. I had the chop. Equally delicious. Service attentive and friendly.Really great addition to the many great restaurants in Newport.Will be back.

    (4)

  • Thomas R.

    4 adults + 2 yo at noon on outdoor deck. Oyster mix, gravlax, and shrimp cocktail apps were good. Two of us got the Sazerac cocktail; got one thumbs up, one down. It started to rain and the wait staff seamlessly moved us inside just as our entrees came out. The Lobster roll is Newport priced but fat with meat. Will return again.

    (4)

  • Lisa T.

    The food; the service; and the prices were great! This was our first time to this new spot and my bfd and sister (who is a foodie from CA) really enjoyed ourselves. We were not rushed through our meal (which typically you are on a busy Sat. night in this popular town) and the waiter was spot on with his recommendations. Dine here. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Brad M.

    Some locals that we talked to on the street recommended this place. So glad they did. Thank you old, cute New England couple. You were charming. We had the lobster roll and the blackened mahi mahi. Both were excellent. They have a nice list of beer and wine and we had outstanding service. The prices are reasonable for the quality. The bar area looks like a great place to hang out and if we had gotten there earlier we would have gone on the roofdeck. Overall, a really great dining experience. Perfect end to a day in Newport.

    (4)

  • Ann S.

    Gorgeous gorgeous! Great drink selection and the food is delicious. Perfect place to stop for a rest while walking around town. Can't wait to get back for fancier dinner!

    (5)

  • Holly S.

    I couldn't believe this clean, airy, open space with massive wooden tables and sky-high ceilings was the old Salas'! The place was packed and was turning away diners (as all tables were reserved) but we made our way to the third flood deck with a view of Newport Harbor. The propane heaters made it relatively comfortable on this cool October evening. Our server was very friendly and attentive and apologized that we could only order appetizers, oysters and soups on the deck. That was fine with us as we had a great view and no crowd. The three-cheese appetizer was good but a little lean on the cheese. The date jam was especially good. The (2) crab cakes were hot and tasty and the corn relish worked really well with this app. Shrimp appetizer in a seafood place is hard to mess up - but really, four not five shrimp? It's not cheap so come on! All in all, a nice place and I'd like to come back and try dinner next time.

    (4)

  • Teley Q.

    Made reservations there yesterday afternoon. A hour before I received a text message to confirm or deny. We arrived and the place wasn't busy. we got a nice booth. Started off with fried oysters. My first time every having them and I can't complain they were kinda tasteless but I liked that. Made myself a lil homemade po-boy with the bread and tartar and cole slaw which was also my first time having and Ill say it was kinda tasteless but nice n crunchy. Despite the lack of taste I really liked it. For dinner I had the twin lobster tail. DELICIOUS! I had to ask fOr butter but other than that everything was perfect! Yet again I had Brussel sprouts for the first time and they were amazing. I gobbles up my food. My mother had the fish and chips and I tried some. Really good!!! My picky eating daughter got the Mac and cheese and she nearly ate all of it! I even ate some bites of hers with my lobster and was very much satisfied. I won't comment on service because I am an server and don't want to critique someone's work, I was there for the food. Overall I really likes the place and recommend it. Your in Newport, might as well stop in!!

    (4)

  • Royce K.

    My review is based entirely on the dress code of the Midtown Oyster Bar, which is ridiculous. To allow tattooed women in sleeveless tops, with visible bra straps no less, and not allow men in stylish tank tops, is insulting. If you want to have a dress code, that's fine - but apply it equally to both sexes or don't bother. I won't be dining with you until this policy is rethought.

    (1)

  • Kay P.

    I've gone to Midtown for dinner and just for drinks. Service has been very good both times. The food/drinks are a little pricey but the atmosphere, service and quality of food makes it worth the price. Loved the crab cake and my boyfriend loves their lobster roll (made without mayo!!)

    (4)

  • Eugene D.

    Don't bother. We ate there last night, a Monday. Arrived at 8 pm and were seated at 8.15. The restaurant was crowded at the bar area but there were several empty tables. Couldn't find our waiter and we were served our dinners at 9.45. That's an hour and a half! The waiter apologized for the wait, but did nothing else. The food was good but that wait is unacceptable. There are too many better choices in Newport. Drinks are insanely expensive.

    (1)

  • Christina J.

    To start off the service was disappointing. We were one of the two tables occupied in the dinning room and we still waited for drink orders or any kind of service for at least 10 minutes. We ordered the clam chowder (clear), the sesame salmon, and a scallop dish and all were over salted. The sauces on the seafood dishes were over-powering to the seafood. We were not asked how our meal was or if they could get us anything else. Over-all, for our first night of vacation it was mediocre at very best. Would not go back or recommend.

    (2)

  • David G.

    In my 47 years of eating in restaurants this one wins the award for the loudest. I actually had to leave mid meal my ears hurt so much. The food is at best average so i can't see why I'd go there anyway, but with that said if it was 5 star food it was still so uncomfortable to be in there that I couldn't recommend it. Newport has tons of great dining choices, do yourself a favor go elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Amanda S.

    Midtown opened a few months ago, and since then I've been meaning to stop by for dinner. Finally I chose a night and made reservations for two people at 5:30pm. I had heard that it got really busy and to snag a table you had to have reservations or get there early. When we walked in they weren't busy, but by the time we left there was a wait. We were seated on the 2nd floor indoors and promptly greeted by our waitress. The appetizers looked so delicious that we decided to order a bunch to split as our dinner. We ordered a dozen oysters and 1/2 of a chilled lobster. Both were divine. Then we moved on to the warm apps: Mussels Frittes and a spicy shrimp dish served with bread. I thought that the mussels were amazing, but the shrimp was lacking. We finished with salads, I had the house salad which was awesome and my sister had the grilled romaine which she said was really good too. I will definitely be back soon. Great new spot in Newport.

    (4)

  • Meagan L.

    Great place to go for drinks and an app before you go out. Note with the 3 levels, and the outside decks, it can be pretty noisy when it's packed, with all the echoing, so it may not be the best first date location. I would come here for another date though. Sitting at the bar, my friend and I didn't have a problem hearing each other. But I know if we were sitting in the restaurant, I wouldn't have been able to hear her from across the table. GET THE FRIED OYSTERS! I had never had fried oysters before, so I was nervous, not knowing what to expect. I left pleasantly surprised. And the mojito comes with a rock candy stick, which is cute. The bartenders are friendly. Great to see they took the old Salas restaurant and made it into something even better.

    (4)

  • Krista H.

    Cannot wait to get back down to Newport for those fish tacos! My friend had the tuna tartare tacos and I had the regular fish tacos. Both were absolutely delicious. The crust they use on th fish provides the perfect crunch and is complimented by the creamy avocado and sweetness of the slaw. I also had the Rocky Point clam chowder, which is a clear broth chowder, and my friend had the Steak & Grilled Romaine. Couldn't have had a better lunch. We also went back for drinks one night and they have multiple levels which is really cool. Great job with the renovations, service, food, and cocktails! Love!

    (5)

  • Ashley B.

    I absolutely love this place. The space is awesome- 3 bars, two rooftop sitting areas, ample space throughout. The craftsmanship is also very well done, the decor is outstanding. The food is also very, very good. Oysters are obviously a must here. I also had the lobster roll- amazing. For only being open for a little over a month, this place is doing a great job. I will definitely be a frequent diner!

    (5)

  • Greg S.

    Fun place, yummy food, great service. Fun night!!

    (4)

  • Elle W.

    First, the decor of this place is amazing. It has a nautical vibe, and feels very open and airy. Perfect for a Newport location. We at here twice this weekend. The first time was on Saturday afternoon. We sat on the 3rd floor outside patio. Our waitress was great, she even went on a mission to find a phone charger and plug it in for us. We had the cucumber cocktails, which were delicious. The hummus plate was the best hummus plate I have ever had. I also had the fish tacos, which were great. It was a gorgeous day so that patio was the perfect spot to sit outside and have lunch. We went back again last night. This time we sat at a long high-top table near the first floor bar. I had the beet salad which was good but then they forgot to bring out my tuna carpaccio and my friend's raw bar order. Our waitress was not very attentive, we waited a while before we could find her to get her attention, by that time the rest of the group was done with their meals and ready for the check. We asked about our missing food, mainly to tell her to forget about it at that point. She ended up "finding our food" in the upstairs refridgerator. The raw bar and our seats were both on the first floor, so that didn't make any sense to us. All in all, we would go back. I think their service could be improved but we liked the feel of the place and the food was good.

    (3)

  • David F.

    Been here 5 times now. Great every time. The food has been terrific, great imagination on combinations and presentation, and they care to make it right. Charlie Holder, manager, really knows his job and cares about the customer experience. My hats off to him on particular.

    (5)

  • Kenjandtomeatout E.

    Pleasantly surprised! Nice atmosphere, great food, and awesome service. I went to dinner here with a large group- maybe 10 or 12 of us. My friend and I split two apps- a shrimp and a fried oyster app- both very good. For dinner I had the mahi and loved it. Our waiter was very attentive and pleasant, and everyone left happy. Since my visit I've recommended this place to friends and family who were also pleased with this new restaurant.

    (5)

  • Steve F.

    Ate at this place last night, party of three. Overall, it was a very enjoyable meal. Pros - food was simply outstanding. I had the smoked bluefish pate, then the blackened mahi-mahi. Both were excellent. It was nice to see an old-school simple appetizer like that bluefish on the menu. My friends were very pleased with their meals as well, one having steak and the other a couple of courses of appetizers. Our waitress was very nice and professional, and might I add refreshingly non-corporate in her approach (no obvious selling i.e. "Would you like to try our Super Snazzy Deep-Fried Combo Garbage Meal?" I hate that. Cons - This place has growing pains. I was in the restaurant business for a few years, in both the front and back of the house, and the dining room showed all the telltale signs of going off the rails at any moment. The hostesses, while pleasant, were clearly unprepared and disorganized. Service in the bar area was haphazard at best (the appetizer we ordered in the bar came out before we got our drinks). I was also a little disappointed in the glass of wine I ordered. Just a very ordinary Pinot Grigio I've had many times before - but the portion was maybe two ounces. Had I been the one paying the bill I would have objected to this, but I didn't want to upset the otherwise very nice meal. Overall I highly recommend this place. Just be ready for a little good-natured confusion. I understand that this is their first year open and I'm betting by next season they will have a lot of these kinks ironed out.

    (4)

  • Heather C.

    First time here and loved the atmosphere! We went for drinks but looked at the menu and didn't see anything that would make us come back for dinner. I am allergic to shellfish and my husband doesn't like seafood and we didn't see many options for us. While I understand it is predominantly a seafood place, I feel like there should also be more non-seafood options available to order.

    (2)

  • Ben W.

    The Pork Medallions was one of the best meals I've had in years. I hope they don't take it off the menu! 14oz. NY strip is also excellent with Gorgonzola mashed potatoes.

    (5)

  • cynthia c.

    I agree with the first reviewer of one of the newest restaurants in town. I try to give the restaurant the benefit of the doubt, having only been open ten days....... gotta be honest though...... we will not be rushing back. We were anxious to try it, and this will be a home run regardless of the food; the location and the multiple bars will be bringing them in. All the bars were packed on a sunday night. The rooftop areas are great, and had we known we could have eaten on a high top outside, we would have! (take note folks: great outdoor eating second level, and third floor seating for drinks as well) The service was as green as grass. If you are a high maintenance, fine dining persona, this place is NOT for you. The staff was polite, friendly, young, and inexperienced, but they were trying so hard that I cannot find fault in their results. The bottle of wine took 20 minutes to arrive. The food was marginal. My husband had both the raw oysters and some type of cooked oyster. He said they were not good. Our dinner companions had fish and chips, and grilled swordfish, both of which were average. I had the lobster roll, and that was tasteless. Sorry folks, I could sugarcoat this and inflate my review, but I cannot. The food will not bring us back in. They did a great job on the decor, and this will fit in nicely with the newport scene. Here's hoping they get things a bit more streamlined, and they work on the food and service. Good Luck!

    (3)

  • Sam L.

    Definitely shows signs of being a new establishment. Food was delicious, but service was erratic at best, massively delayed at worst. Took some of our party almost 2 hours to finally get their entrees. The staff was nice and polite, but definitely didn't have their act together. I think the place has a lot of potential if they can keep making such good food, but give them a few months to get their waitstaff properly trained and efficient.

    (3)

  • Jenny C.

    Been going to Newport for years. Walking down Thames st. I see this awesome new restaurant. So I go there the nxt night to eat. 1st the host says it will be 45 mins to be seated, I don't like to wait that long but I really wanted to eat here. Plus it wasn't that busy, we sat in 20 mins. A little advice tell people tell them 20 mins and have them wait 30, it's a lot better than 45 !!!! The food was delicious, the octopus nice and fresh. Even my salad was good , i hate salads. Service was good, we sat on the 2nd floor deck and ppl watch. If I could own a restaurant I would want it to look like Midtown. Can't wait to come back again!!!!!!!

    (5)

  • robert m.

    Went there on two occasions over the July 4th weekend. First for lunch on Wednesday the 3rd and then for dinner on Sunday the 7th. We sat at the downstairs bar for lunch and the food and service was fabulous. We sat on the second floor for dinner. The food was terrific, our server was very great, but the hostesses need to get their act together. This is will be one of our go to places in Newport.

    (5)

  • Lisa P.

    A-1 everything! Great location, awesome second floor outdoor porch and delicious food. Des not get better than this!

    (5)

  • james d.

    Just wrapped up lunch at Midtown with my girlfriend. We started with a scallop sashimi as an appetizer that was fabulous. The scallops were super fresh and the dressings (diced onion, capers, cilantro) complimented the dish very nicely. (Note: going to take an opportunity to trash Tallulah on Thames here: this appetizer was better than anything was served to me at the five coarse chef selection menu i had there the other night and was a fraction of the cost... Just saying...) We dont typically go for fried fare BUT we decided to splurge and split the fried oyster sandwich and the burger with fried oysters on top. Both were good; however we ordered the burger medium and it was cooked to well done - oh well. There is a impressive cocktail list, a adequate wine/beer selection and they are one of the few places in Newport that still HAND STUFFS olives with blue cheese - huge plus in my book (being an avid martini drinker - I loathe the mass produced blue cheese stuffed olives) The interior of this restaurant is really cool and the two outside eating areas can make dinner really fun as they both have cool views of either Thames street or the docks and harbor.. This isn't a Michelin Star rated restaurant by any means, but if you're looking for a really good meal with quality, fresh ingredients with a great/fun atmosphere then this is a great option. All things considered, will give it 3 stars aka it was good!

    (3)

  • Kayla Q.

    I really enjoy the ambiance of this place. Midtown offers a warm and friendly atmosphere with nice sized booths for bigger parties. My boyfriend and I went there for dinner. Both being adventurous, non- picky eaters, we enjoyed the menu. I would not recommend this place for the picky, meat and potatoes kind as it is heavy on the seafood. I ordered the $9 arugula salad to start... as with most newport restaurants, i expected an overpriced small plate of salad, however I was pleasantly surprised, as it would have sufficed as my meal. The waitstaff was friendly and we were checked on regularly. I will return.

    (4)

  • steve r.

    Opening weeks behind them they really are getting it right... have eaten there many times so far (about half a dozen) and every time has been great....The renovation is really amazing, attention to detail, open and spacious yet still comfortable warm and inviting... A great addition to Lower Thames and city of Newport... great spot to watch a sporting event also at downstairs bar. I would highly recommend to any local or visitor. I have been there with adults for drinks and diner also with my son (7 years old) and plenty to choose from on the menu for any occasion. I consider myself a foodie and can be critical...For the price point, the vibe, food options, flavors etc for such a big+new place really got to give it 5 stars...has to be one of the best places in Newport. Back deck 3rd floor shows a great sunset.... Best of luck getting settled in....

    (5)

  • Natalia T.

    if you want attitude and disrespect as side dishes, that's your place. there were 6 of us, 5 adults and a 2 year old child. This place had the nerve to add an automatic gratuity of 20% to our bill because our party was 6 ppl. Really? The service was horrific. The place looked packed around 8pm on a Sunday. We asked the hostess if there is a wait, she said we need to wait a couple of minutes for them to set up our table. So we wait, ... and wait ... That's fine, they seem busy, maybe they are looking for a highchair that we asked for. About 10 minutes later she tells us to go upstairs and see the hostess there will seat us. We get upstairs. The place is HALF EMPTY!!! The hostess points to our table in the back corner of the room, and walks away. She didn't walk us to the table, no menus were given ... and there was no highchair at the table. They just took a table of 6 and moved one chair to the side - this is what they did for 10 minutes ... Mmmm ok, we're starting to get annoyed. We are sitting around, staring at each other, while one of our friends is standing up, waiting for the chair ... Great, the waitress comes by with menus. Says they are short of menus and only gives us 4!!! WHAT?! you're freakin' half empty, how are you short of menus. Meanwhile, we're still waiting for the highchair.... Finally, the chair arrives, the beer arrives, tension starts to melt away a bit ... then the soups arrive ... or don't ... we ordered 2 clam chowders and a fish soup. for 2 ppl who ordered clam chowders, 2 different soups arrived... about 10 minutes apart. One looked like a regular New England clam chowder, another one had clear broth. Hmmm... we asked to exchange one of them. Fish soup never came. Once our main course was there, I asked about it ... the waitress acted as if I was such a bother, adding an additional item ... Really wish I didn't :(( Everything else tasted pretty good, that fish soup was nasty. It got to me when I was almost done with my dish and was a complete disappointment. The bill comes, there are 4 soups on the bill. The waitress says "oh, they must've still added it" ... who are 'they'? and why are they adding things to our bill? Aren't you our waitress?? At least look over a bill before you bring it over ... But i get it, you're getting a hefty 20% tip for a half a$$ed job you did ... And for all of this, they want 20% gratuity?! really?!? Never again. (Found the receipt, waitress's name was Cailin)

    (1)

  • Elizabeth S.

    Amazing transformation from Salas! Delish food and drink in a fun, nautically-modern atmosphere, with great street level people watching and 2nd and 3rd floor harbor views! Huge amount of seating so the wait isn't too bad. Def a great new addition to the downtown lineup!

    (5)

  • Robert N.

    Horrible service. They do not know how to handle a large party. Over an hour and a half to recieve our meal, I had to walk over to a waitress (ours could not be found) to get a drink order in, and handling more than one credit card took over an hour to process. I'm sorry to say but never again

    (1)

  • Chris L.

    My husband and I came here for dinner and it was one of the most pleasant experiences I've ever had in Newport. The decor is simple and elegant and the space is very nicely lit and bright. We were seated quickly and our drinks also came quickly. They had a great list of speciality drinks, I would return just for that drink list alone. I ordered the lobster roll and my husband ordered the chicken. We also ordered some oysters which were brought out promptly and were delicious and fresh. The lobster roll was the best lobster roll I have ever had - it was served warm with butter on a toasted roll - it featured the lobster and the lobster was cooked perfectly. My husband's chicken was extremely overcooked, so he said something to our waitress who immediately brought out the manager. He re-ordered the steak which was brought out in a very timely matter and it was cooked perfectly - my husband says it's one of the best steaks he's ever had in a restaurant. I had a bite and was also very pleased. In addition to being able to switch out my husband's entree we were also served a free round of beverages and offered dessert. It was a wonderful experience - service was amazing, the food and drink were fantastic (once the chicken was resolved), and the atmosphere was very classic Newport.

    (4)

  • Big B.

    Went to Midtown Oyster Bar on Thursday evening as this restaurant was highly recommended. We were not disappointed. The staff was excellent and they offer a great variety of fresh seafood and other items. The Thai mussels and RI clam chowder were both outstanding. Highly recommended and we planned on dining here next time we return to the Newport area.

    (5)

  • Karen P.

    We had a great lunch today at Midtown Oyster Bar in Newport. This town has many overpriced and over-rated restaurants, but this is not one of them! After touring Ocean Drive and ogling mansions from the gilded age, we really wanted a drink and to relax with some nice seafood. Les had a Guinness - correctly pored - and I had a Red Grapefruit Refresher, perfect for a very warm summer day out on the second floor deck. We started with Duxbury MA oysters from the raw bar, they had more than six varieties from PEI to two RI, and the waiter was knowledgeable about the flavors. Next was the Oyster Bar burger with gruyere cheese and fried oysters, with really good fries for Les. I had a sea bass special, that came with a green curry rice and asparagus with flavorful sprouts. All were perfectly cooked and delicious. I never eat restaurant rice, but this actually had delicious but not overwhelming flavor. The flavors on the plate including the sprouts and sauce on the fish were so well balanced as a whole that you could not remove something or add something, it was great as it was. We spent about 1.5 hours relishing our late lunch and enjoying the music mix from inside. A lucky find on a summer Tuesday.

    (5)

  • L P.

    Great evening there. Very attentive and friendly bartender (Ally). Excellent beer selection, and very nice atmosphere!

    (5)

  • Mark P.

    Great historic renovated building with an awesome raw bar! Fresh oysters daily! Had a lobster roll that was packed and lightly dressed with butter. Yummy! Worth a try if you like fresh seafood!

    (5)

  • Bryan M.

    Bar review only (haven't eaten there yet). Great crowd - not too young - late 20s/30s. Bartenders very attentive - and drink menu is extensive. VERY REASONABLE prices too. $4.25 for a beer? Fantastic! CHS 1994 quaterback legend "Coop" mans the bar on the weekends - enough said.

    (5)

  • T.M. K.

    This place is a must for a Newport visit. Sit outside if you can and order the oysters. They're labeled and are of the highest quality. Fun place, great ambiance but that's reflected in the prices.

    (4)

  • Jessica O.

    The food was mediocre. Nothing really great about this place. But the service was terrible. Our waitress seemed like she was too rushed to just get everyone's orders first and then she didn't really care about us for the rest part. I got really annoyed at one point and had to literally raise my hand to get her attention so many times. Ew. No. Definitely not coming back because of this shitty service.

    (1)

  • Shuang Z.

    My boyfriend and me actually just order something to take out. I had some raw oysters while we're waiting for our order. IT WAS AWSOME! Honestly I was not a big fan of oysters, but now I AM. The oysters were so fresh and tasty! Also have to say people who are working there, are VERY friendly They take time to explain the menu and make sure you get what you ordered. The reason why I only give out 4 stars, it's because the take out food was not that great as I expected. Maybe it will taste much better if we were able to eat in the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Ryan K.

    I went here with a group of friends after a Storm tasting and a Newport Vineyards tasting. I had absolutely no idea that we were coming to this place. At first glance, the menu is overwhelming because of the prices. It was restaurant week and the complete dinner was $45. I wasn't in a position to spend this type of money on this visit. The beer selection was nice. They had many different ones to choose from. I went with a Sierra Torpedo. Being the cheap person that I was today, I decided to order one of the burgers. Make no mistake, this burger was very good! Cooked very nicely, it was juicy and the fries that came along with it were memorable. I had a few bites of my friend's food and all the dishes were great. I was jealous. I think one day I'll be back to spend a little more to try something else. As for the restaurant itself, the service was spot on and the building was really nicely put together.

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    The lobster roll was not exactly what I expected-although it was my first lobster roll ever. I was expecting more like a tuna salad-with mayo,etc. Instead the lobster had no mayo, lots of meat, which I really enjoyed. The New England style bun was delicious as well. No butter was served alongside the roll though which is how I hear they are typically served. I still enjoyed the actual lobster though. My mother had fish tacos and did not enjoy them. She thought they were bland. My brother had a burger and said it was tasty. My dad also got a lobster roll and enjoyed it. The fries were really yummy as well. The price point is rather high in my opinion. Another thing to note is after a keg kicked it took quite some time for me to get another beer (I'm talking nearly 20 minutes) so they gave it to me on the house which was great customer service. I would come back if I'm ever in Newport again. The location is near the waterfront and has spectacular views.

    (3)

  • Shan M.

    Service was pretty good but the food is ok. The first time I came I ordered the Mahi Mahi and it was ok, though it was seriously a piece of fish on a plate. No sides or anything and it cost like $24. This second time I ordered the oyster stew and arugula salad. The salad was good but the oyster stew was terrible. No flavor and super greasy. It was like sipping crisco, it was so greasy. I've never asked to have something taken back, but that soup was so awful that I had to have it sent back. On a lighter note, our waitress was super friendly and kind.

    (3)

  • Christine W.

    Loved this place! Food, atmosphere, drinks, everything was excellent! Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Justin P.

    Easy 5 stars! Atmosphere, service, menu selection all great! Food was delicious! Went for lunch. Try the fried oysters to start! Mixed drinks were perfect and refreshing as we sat outside on the roof deck. Service was prompt, attentive, friendly. We ordered the fish tacos and the lobster roll. The lobster roll was glorious! One of the best ive had! Overall value was decent. Priced a bit high, but then again, this is Newport. And with the great service, the roof deck, the delicious food, the prices were quite acceptable. Do yourself a favor and give this place a try!

    (5)

  • Dee Dee Y.

    Oyster is very fresh and tasty. Fried oyster is great but on the greasy side. Lobster roll is a disappointment. Oyster chowder with the very very good oyster but soup itself is lacking flavor. Overall it is good but not four star good.

    (3)

  • Tara P.

    This place is great! I've tried oysters at other places before and thought I didn't like them but after coming here and eating fresh oysters, I realize I love them! Good selection of oysters as well. I had the lobster mac and cheese which was delicious (too bad I was too stuffed to finish it). My boyfriend had the lobster tacos, such he said were decent. The one complaint I have is that they could have had a wider selection of entrees. They have a weird asian theme which i personally, am not a huge fan of. But everything I ordered and ate was delicious. They have an extremely wide variety of beer, liquor, and wine as well. I would definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Kate L.

    NEW FAVE BAR IN NEWPORT! Ok this place is the perfect mix of a pick up bar, classy spot for wine, and a raging good time. We came here Fri and Sat night and both times were great. The 3rd floor has heat lamps and large tables for big groups - service a little slow but great spot overall. We had the tuna tartare tacos which were really tasty. Asked them to hold the mango/pineapple. First floor had great live music and tons of energy. Managers were SUPER nice helping part of our party come up and join us on the roof even though they were @ capacity. AND no lines no cover which is always amazing! LOVE

    (5)

  • L G.

    I love this place as a drinking spot but their dinner made me sick!

    (1)

  • William S.

    Ya know when you go to a place that just works in every way? This place is one of em. The food is fantastic, the service is just as good and the bartenders pour heavy. Location is perfect for tourist or local alike and the outdoor seating on the second floor is a nice touch. If you haven't been to this place, make it your next stop!

    (5)

  • Ashley B.

    I would give it 4.5 but..I took my friend here during her visit from New Orleans. The lady knows her seafood. We sat at the raw bar and had the half lobster with aioli, and about a dozen local oysters which wasn't nearly enough. The oysters were very flavorful and really didn't need condiments. Yum! I also had the sesame noodle salad which was sub par. The bar service was pretty good; our waitress might have been waiting on half of the restaurant, but she managed to take good care of us. Will definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Mario Francesco C.

    Place is nice, food is terrible. My gf had lobster rolls, tiny portions bad taste. I got fish with a salad, horrible. Only fries and Sam Adams were good.

    (2)

  • Lynn D.

    Ye ol yummy! Amazing food. Highly suggest the oysters (obviously) and the mahi mahi sandwich.

    (5)

  • Fatima M.

    Amazing food for a reasonable price!! The ambiance was great and the service was perfect. We were there during the Volvo ocean race so it was very busy but they still managed to get us our food within good time. The location is perfect too! The tuna taco's were amazing!

    (5)

  • Josh F.

    Fresh oysters. Great beer selection! Impeccable service. The atmosphere was awesome. We took our 4 year old during lunch time. We will definitely be going back.

    (5)

  • Shaved I.

    Was told all about this place by multiple people and how good it was. And it was good. Lobster rolls were awesome. Here's the issue. When we went in we were a party of six and four of us were wearing tank tops (it was about 85 out). The hostess informed us that men need to have sleeved shirts. She was kind and let us actually borrow some t-shirts. But the females in our group wearing tank tops didn't need to. And some girl at the bar wearing a tank top that was cut high to expose her entire stomach and back was allowed in as well. A bit sexist toward men! How dare they! We got over that quickly. We ordered some salmon ceviche. It was supposed to have jalapeños so you think you're in for a nice kick. Barely any jalapeños, not spicy at all. No tortillas included or any kind of vessel eat with a crunch. Some of the drinks made were terribly strong and disgusting tasting. Two people ordered a vodka specialty and it came out almost all vodka. When they asked for lemonade to simply dilute it they were literally given water that had lemon squeezed through it. Lobster rolls came out and someone ordered fish tacos. And they were delicious. The issue with that is one person got salmonella poisoning from theirs. Great setting upstairs outside on the balcony but, there are better places to eat.

    (2)

  • Myles S.

    Was denied service because I was wearing a sleeveless shirt while there was someone at the bar being take care of while wearing a tank top. Not right.

    (1)

  • Gabriel L.

    Went in for and early dinner. Started with the gazpacho which was the highlight of the meal. Fresh, flavorful and a perfect starter for a summer day. We then had the signature Lobster Roll and Salmon BLT. The Roll was awesome but they missed with the BLT. Salmon was dry and not well seasoned. Both came with a side of fries which were cooked well. Overall a solid restaurant but nothing to write home about.

    (3)

  • Katherine E.

    What an amazing place! 3 old establishments purchased and turned into one outstanding restaurant. Owners wanted to keep the ambiance and character of the building by exposing the beams in the ceiling. Wood floors are all original. 3 floors of dining are available, with the 3rd used for private functions. 2nd floor also has a full bar and outside patio dining, which is where we sat. We did have to wait an hour, but it was worth it. That's why they have bars. Started out with oysters on the half shell. Our oyster shucker, Harry, recommended the Poppasquash (local from Bristol, RI) and South Bay Blonde (from Onset, MA) both were meaty and high salinity, two things I look for in oysters. In the background were the chef's busy preparing meals....one was making their oyster stew. (Now ya know I gotta try that) On to dinner! We both started with...that's right oyster stew. Let me tell you that it was fantastic! Hot with just the right amount of sherry, and the oysters were many and cooked perfect. ...still soft not rubberized. Main course, my husband had the Grilled Swordfish with edamame sambal chili sauce, mint lime & cucumber, (spicy) Our waitress, Nordia, who by the way was very happy to help with suggestions and extremely pleasant, steered me to the Seared Tuna with cracked pepper, Wasabi vinaigrette with grapefruit, black sesame, avocado & arugula! Wow! What a mouth full. Seared perfectly. No desert....we were off to the Cookie Jar in town for some of the best cookies ever! (Our opinion) Seriously......when in Newport, give this place a try!

    (5)

  • Karen F.

    Looking for lunch after the Cliff Walk we decided on the Midtown Oyster Bar. What a disappointment. The little neck clams are usually small and sweet. Out of the dozen we ordered 6 were small enough to be little necks. The others looked like they ran out of little necks and opted for cherries. Now to the main meal. When I saw tuna burger on the menu, I thought delicious tuna steak. The waiter told me it was ground tuna formed into a patty. Then I chose of the main menu of a tuna salad wrap. When I inquire about the tuna I asked if it was tuna steak cut into strips into a wrap with salad. The waiter clarified and said it was "chunks". Here in thinking this will actually be a tuna steak wrap. It comes and it's nothing more than Bumblebee tuna from a can for $15. The clearly clueless waiter also said that everything under the "sandwiches" section except the fish tacos comes with fries. I didn't know my fries were going to morph into potato salad from the time they left the kitchen and arrived at my table. It was a bad note to leave Newport on. For a much better meal head to The Moorings.

    (2)

  • Chris M.

    Came here for lunch on a Monday and got to sit up on the patio with the sun out. I did not eat the oysters but had a home brew, and a blackened mahi mahi sandwich. Staff was very friendly; highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Tino T.

    I don't understand the hype or the amount of positive reviews. This is pedestrian cuisine with 4 star pricing. There are much better restaurants in this town with better execution and it's a shame that this one is busier, but I guess location is everything. I wouldn't have even written a review if it wasn't for the shame of a dish called Octopus Bolognese. The octopus was canned, the fried calamari garnish was rubber, but the sauce was the kicker...someone must have spilled a load of oregano in it and decided to leave it as is. Two hours later and all I can taste is oregano. The server hovered at the beginning every 30 seconds to take our order, yet was MIA after the dishes arrived. She finally comes by, sees my dish to the side while I eat bread. She asks if there was something wrong, so I told her that it's inedible with oregano. She says "oh" and we don't see her until the rest of the table is finished. No manager ever came by, no apologies or any discussion of the Octopus Bolognese...and of course it was still on the bill. 10% gratuity was well earned by her. I've never tipped less than 15% for bad service and I feel no guilt. Next time don't uncomfortably hover, and take care of problems at your tables promptly.

    (2)

  • Frank N.

    Dropped in for lunch and it had a decent size crowd for the dead of winter. Very rustic homey feeling place. We had various oysters: Wellfleet, Umami, Naked Cowboy, James River, and Matunuck. All were very good but my favorites were Wellfleet and the Naked Cowboy. We also ordered the pork cracklings, nice and meeting fatty pork mmmmm. It came in the little paper lined bucket and a nice dip. Very good! I ordered a steak sandwich that hit the spot, perfect. As a side note, my wife asked about a drink and wasn't sure if she would like it. Paul our waiter said order it and if you don't like it, he would get her a different one. That was a first and very cool! Paul also suggested trying the Naked Cowboy oysters which are now up there as a favorite and just as good as a a Wellfleet oyster! Very good place, could be my new go to place in Newport.

    (5)

  • Alexandra S.

    After a nice lunch and an afternoon of fun shopping in Newport, it was time to relax with a beverage and some bivalves. Oysters to be exact. Midtown Oyster Bar is a large multi-level establishment on a main thoroughfare in town. We love the architecture in Newport and the building this restaurant/bar is housed in is no exception. It has classic old New England "bones". There's a full menu here but I've only been here for drinks and apps. I find it to be a friendly welcoming place to just belly up to one of the two bars; one on the first floor and another upstairs. Every seat was taken at the downstairs bar with people watching a football game so we headed upstairs where things were quieter but still abuzz with conversation. As usually happens with us, we start chatting with folks on neighboring bar stools. It's that kind of cheerful place. Our bartender was welcoming and helpful. I saw red and white sangria on the menu and since I am often disappointed with overly sweet or overly spicy bar versions, I looked to our bartender for assistance. She assured me the red sangria was delicious and perfectly fruity without being cloying and with no spices added. Many places will offer you a taste of a beverage before you commit and that would have been nice here. But this bartender was right, the red sangria was well made and delicious. . My husband went for a Bloody Mary which I tasted. It was really good and quite spicy which is how we both love them to be made. Plenty of olives were added along with a stalk of celery. A virtual meal. ;-)) The selection of oysters is fairly wide with prices running in the $2.50 and up range, per oyster. This seems to be par for the course in New England. They were fresh and delicious. Loads of other things on the menu and you can certainly opt for a full seated dinner or to have your meal right at the bar. But sometimes, a drink and an oyster slurp is all that's desired. Unfortunately my phone, ergo, my camera died midstream so there are a few photos I didn't get to take of the cool interior. You'll just have to stop in here and see it all for yourself.

    (4)

  • Trevor L.

    First things first. Buy more high chairs. 2 ain't enough. They are cheap, and you have 3 stories of dining space. I had to have my son on my lap for 45 minutes while i scouted and reconed other parents exits. The food was very good. Best food I've had in Newport thus far. Great beer selection as well. Would highly recommend. Try the Asian meatballs and seared tuna with avocado and grapefruit.

    (4)

  • Rob W.

    Great food, great modern vibe. Oysters are awesome. All the food around us looked good. We got the tuna tartare tacos and sea scallops, solid choices.

    (5)

  • Karen L.

    Stopped in for lunch today and we were very impressed with the food here! The ambiance is great and the restaurant felt nice and cozy. I had the lobster salad sandwich and it was to die for. The pickles and beets mixed with the lobster added an additional texture element I would have never thought would be so amazing. My husband had the Oyster sandwich and loved it as well. For a starter I recommend the steamed shrimp - it came out perfectly cooked, piping hot and perfectly seasoned. We would definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Kenzie H.

    The oysters are amazing and the rest of the menu is pretty solid. The ambiance is fun and modern and the outdoor patio is great.

    (4)

  • Jessica O.

    The food was mediocre. Nothing really great about this place. But the service was terrible. Our waitress seemed like she was too rushed to just get everyone's orders first and then she didn't really care about us for the rest part. I got really annoyed at one point and had to literally raise my hand to get her attention so many times. Ew. No. Definitely not coming back because of this shitty service.

    (1)

  • Basil D.

    Midtown is a great place to enjoy delicious food. We enjoyed or food so much we joined midtown for dinner and then again for lunch the very next day. The Cod Chowder and Lobster Roll are above and beyond.

    (4)

  • Martha L.

    Fabulous!!!! Went on the recommendation a friend and was not disappointed! Huge rehearsal dinner going on and we were about to be seated near it. We asked if we could take a table a bit away and they were more than happy to accommodate. But enough about me- the mussels frites are AMAZING!!!!!! So delish, tuna tartar taco- spicy and fresh! And good wines at a reasonable price! I will be back!!!

    (4)

  • Elisabete T.

    My husband and I came to this place on July 4th for lunch and was amazing!! If I could give more than 5 stars I'll do it. Food was very taste, delicious !! Service fantastic ( Stephanie was the server, she was incredible friendly and helpful) . We got a table outside to enjoy the nice fresh air and we couldnt ask for more!! Great food! Awesome service! Best chef in town ! Nice ambience ! Friendly people!! Delicious drinks!! Highly recommended !!

    (5)

  • Laura S.

    I came here a few weekends ago for lunch during my sister's bachelorette party. I called ahead because we had a group of 25 coming! They were very helpful and said they could make a reservation for the large group no problem. We sat on the second floor in a room (all to ourselves!) and we had two waitresses who were great. All of our drinks were delicious and the bread to start was so yummy. Everyone ordered different things and our food arrived promptly. I split the fish and chips and lobster roll with my sister and both were awesome! All of the food was fantastic!

    (5)

  • Shuang Z.

    My boyfriend and me actually just order something to take out. I had some raw oysters while we're waiting for our order. IT WAS AWSOME! Honestly I was not a big fan of oysters, but now I AM. The oysters were so fresh and tasty! Also have to say people who are working there, are VERY friendly They take time to explain the menu and make sure you get what you ordered. The reason why I only give out 4 stars, it's because the take out food was not that great as I expected. Maybe it will taste much better if we were able to eat in the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Tara P.

    This place is great! I've tried oysters at other places before and thought I didn't like them but after coming here and eating fresh oysters, I realize I love them! Good selection of oysters as well. I had the lobster mac and cheese which was delicious (too bad I was too stuffed to finish it). My boyfriend had the lobster tacos, such he said were decent. The one complaint I have is that they could have had a wider selection of entrees. They have a weird asian theme which i personally, am not a huge fan of. But everything I ordered and ate was delicious. They have an extremely wide variety of beer, liquor, and wine as well. I would definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Kate L.

    NEW FAVE BAR IN NEWPORT! Ok this place is the perfect mix of a pick up bar, classy spot for wine, and a raging good time. We came here Fri and Sat night and both times were great. The 3rd floor has heat lamps and large tables for big groups - service a little slow but great spot overall. We had the tuna tartare tacos which were really tasty. Asked them to hold the mango/pineapple. First floor had great live music and tons of energy. Managers were SUPER nice helping part of our party come up and join us on the roof even though they were @ capacity. AND no lines no cover which is always amazing! LOVE

    (5)

  • William S.

    Ya know when you go to a place that just works in every way? This place is one of em. The food is fantastic, the service is just as good and the bartenders pour heavy. Location is perfect for tourist or local alike and the outdoor seating on the second floor is a nice touch. If you haven't been to this place, make it your next stop!

    (5)

  • Ashley B.

    I would give it 4.5 but..I took my friend here during her visit from New Orleans. The lady knows her seafood. We sat at the raw bar and had the half lobster with aioli, and about a dozen local oysters which wasn't nearly enough. The oysters were very flavorful and really didn't need condiments. Yum! I also had the sesame noodle salad which was sub par. The bar service was pretty good; our waitress might have been waiting on half of the restaurant, but she managed to take good care of us. Will definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Mario Francesco C.

    Place is nice, food is terrible. My gf had lobster rolls, tiny portions bad taste. I got fish with a salad, horrible. Only fries and Sam Adams were good.

    (2)

  • Justin P.

    Easy 5 stars! Atmosphere, service, menu selection all great! Food was delicious! Went for lunch. Try the fried oysters to start! Mixed drinks were perfect and refreshing as we sat outside on the roof deck. Service was prompt, attentive, friendly. We ordered the fish tacos and the lobster roll. The lobster roll was glorious! One of the best ive had! Overall value was decent. Priced a bit high, but then again, this is Newport. And with the great service, the roof deck, the delicious food, the prices were quite acceptable. Do yourself a favor and give this place a try!

    (5)

  • Dee Dee Y.

    Oyster is very fresh and tasty. Fried oyster is great but on the greasy side. Lobster roll is a disappointment. Oyster chowder with the very very good oyster but soup itself is lacking flavor. Overall it is good but not four star good.

    (3)

  • Lynn D.

    Ye ol yummy! Amazing food. Highly suggest the oysters (obviously) and the mahi mahi sandwich.

    (5)

  • Fatima M.

    Amazing food for a reasonable price!! The ambiance was great and the service was perfect. We were there during the Volvo ocean race so it was very busy but they still managed to get us our food within good time. The location is perfect too! The tuna taco's were amazing!

    (5)

  • Josh F.

    Fresh oysters. Great beer selection! Impeccable service. The atmosphere was awesome. We took our 4 year old during lunch time. We will definitely be going back.

    (5)

  • Ryan K.

    I went here with a group of friends after a Storm tasting and a Newport Vineyards tasting. I had absolutely no idea that we were coming to this place. At first glance, the menu is overwhelming because of the prices. It was restaurant week and the complete dinner was $45. I wasn't in a position to spend this type of money on this visit. The beer selection was nice. They had many different ones to choose from. I went with a Sierra Torpedo. Being the cheap person that I was today, I decided to order one of the burgers. Make no mistake, this burger was very good! Cooked very nicely, it was juicy and the fries that came along with it were memorable. I had a few bites of my friend's food and all the dishes were great. I was jealous. I think one day I'll be back to spend a little more to try something else. As for the restaurant itself, the service was spot on and the building was really nicely put together.

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    The lobster roll was not exactly what I expected-although it was my first lobster roll ever. I was expecting more like a tuna salad-with mayo,etc. Instead the lobster had no mayo, lots of meat, which I really enjoyed. The New England style bun was delicious as well. No butter was served alongside the roll though which is how I hear they are typically served. I still enjoyed the actual lobster though. My mother had fish tacos and did not enjoy them. She thought they were bland. My brother had a burger and said it was tasty. My dad also got a lobster roll and enjoyed it. The fries were really yummy as well. The price point is rather high in my opinion. Another thing to note is after a keg kicked it took quite some time for me to get another beer (I'm talking nearly 20 minutes) so they gave it to me on the house which was great customer service. I would come back if I'm ever in Newport again. The location is near the waterfront and has spectacular views.

    (3)

  • Amber H.

    The oyster list is extensive and diverse. The oysters themselves were super fresh and cold and tasted like the sea. We came in the late afternoon on a Saturday after doing the cliff walk and didn't have trouble getting a seat. Cold beers at the raw bar hit the spot. The Bloody Mary, on the other hand, was heavy-handed, pink and chunky with too much horseradish.

    (4)

  • Lyd M.

    I had a great time here! I was part of a party of 6 and our table was ready when we arrived. The space was exceptional...simple, interesting, and very clean. I think this menu is great...I could order more daring dishes like ceviche and tartare, whereas my friends' grandmother was able to order fried oysters. All the food was delicious. Not overly complicated and all done well. Great views from the decks. Service was good, food came out promptly, and there was a candle for the birthday-girl. Server forgot a few things, though (wrong drink delivered, cocktail arrived with plain olives when Gorgonzola-stuffed were in the description, and some oysters never showed up). I'd go back.

    (3)

  • Taj K.

    Gorgeous venue! My huband and I were meandering along the streets of downtown Newport, and randomly walked into this place. It is huge with a great layout, and a fun scene. We only had drinks, but they had a nice selection of beers. Leffe on tap! I love that belgian beer. There is a decent wine list, which included one of my favorite whites, Oyster Bay sauvignon blanc. Tucked away in one corner is the oyster bar. It looks like it can only sit about 8 people. Didn't get to try the upstairs roofdeck. The hostess told us it was table service only. We are bar people, so it was a bummer. I should of just gone upstairs to check it out for myself. We were there on the very first nice day since the polar vortex, but I could tell from the phones ringing at the host stand that this place is gonna be packed at all times this summer!

    (4)

  • James B.

    Andres, our server, made the experience all that much better...he was a delight! He offer tidbits of information, made recommendations, and such, without being too intrusive. He offered a great balance of information and privacy. Our food was delicious! We also had two of their signature cocktails...both delightful! The hot pastrami sandwich was delicious and the fried egg on top was definitely the way to go! And the good burger was more than that...it was delicious, although cooked more than was was requested (asked for medium rare and it came out medium). The best part, though, was the raw oysters! We had Wellfleet oysters, but they had a substantial selection. So fresh, and so delicious! Overall, a great place for lunch!!

    (5)

  • Allison K.

    Tuna tacos were a little too fishy for me, my husband enjoyed them. Little necks in wine broth were excellent. Caesar salad was bland and could use a little something in the dressing. Ambiance was very nice. Clean with kind of a cool modern country twist. Hostesses and serving staff went out of their way to be warm and helpful .The kids pasta was very good. I'd go back and would recommend to friends.

    (4)

  • Joe M.

    Went here on 4th of July weekend for a drink. Ended up getting seats at the bar and staying for appetizers (oysters and shrimp cocktail). Our bartender Valerie was very nice and super attentive. The shrimp cocktail was enormous and delicious. I'd also recommend the house stout- perfect with some oysters. No complaints but didn't have a full dinner, so we'll have to come back before granting that fifth star.

    (4)

  • Steve P.

    Spacious bar seating with high tables. Great knowledgable service, oysters were fresh and served perfectly. Dinner tables also available. Good service.

    (4)

  • Shan M.

    Service was pretty good but the food is ok. The first time I came I ordered the Mahi Mahi and it was ok, though it was seriously a piece of fish on a plate. No sides or anything and it cost like $24. This second time I ordered the oyster stew and arugula salad. The salad was good but the oyster stew was terrible. No flavor and super greasy. It was like sipping crisco, it was so greasy. I've never asked to have something taken back, but that soup was so awful that I had to have it sent back. On a lighter note, our waitress was super friendly and kind.

    (3)

  • Christine W.

    Loved this place! Food, atmosphere, drinks, everything was excellent! Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Heather H.

    why is all the food always cold? I didn't order a salad but I'm probably going to just to see if that comes out warm. I actually love the lobster tacos. Those are ridiculous. I wish they'd bring back the lobster mac. I feel like they did an awful thing removing that dish from the menu similar to telling a class of kindergarteners that Santa isn't real and all their family pets died an awful death.

    (3)

  • Chad P.

    I really wanted to give this place a higher review but after being told the wait for the upstairs outdoor patio would be 45 minutes - and ultimately being seated an hour and a half later - a higher review was simply not possible. More on that later since I know the review of the food and atmosphere is what people really want on Yelp. :) We had a couple of cocktails at the bar and had the Asian meatballs and the fried oyster apps and they were great. For dinner I had the Good Burger and my wife had linguini with clams and she loved it. The atmosphere was great - especially on their upstairs outdoor patio. But beware... When it's busy... ... Now back to our wait. We checked several times with the hostesses and they never chose to keep us updated that patrons were staying longer than anticipated. We had so much time that we went to their bar, had some drinks and very good appetizers, watched the entire third quarter of a college football game, and still waited 45 minutes to be seated. Each time we asked they said "you're next". If they would've kept us updated, our attitude would've been far different!

    (3)

  • Michael M.

    Arrived without reservations asking for a rooftop table, was told about 30 minute wait - which ended up being 10 minutes. The oysters here were so amazing! Six different kinds to choose from. Can't recall exactly which ones, but they were fresh, flavorful, and popped in your mouth! I also ordered the swordfish which is usually a tougher fish, but literally melted in my mouth. Very large portion of fish for the price. Gluten free friendly!

    (5)

  • Chelsea S.

    The pros: Great service, fantastic oysters, very good food, nice drink selection. The cons: my god, the people. Not the staff, they were wonderful- but the diner- holy hell. Horrendously poor-mannered, grown-up man children, frat boys, sorority girls with spray tans and tight white jeans. Loud, obnoxious crowds who felt it was ok to play lewd drinking games at a nice restaurant. Reminds me of Alumni weekend but with better food and more people I hate. My advice - go early and on a weekday if you want to avoid the pre-gaming crowd. Get plenty of oysters, because they just might make the awful crowd worth it.

    (4)

  • Laura D.

    Came on a busy Friday night with no reservations. Luckily got a spot at the oyster bar - which was great considering the guys shucking the oysters were extremely friendly and funny. Drinks - I had the watermelon cucumber cooler? not sure if I got that name correct - it was the perfect balance of strong, sweet and refreshing. Oysters - I haven't really ever had a bad oyster experience - so maybe I'm not the one to review this - but I found them all to be delicious! The guys working the oyster bar gave some great suggestions and didn't find our dumb questions annoying! Tuna tacos - delicious!!! scallop dinner - melted in your mouth - highly suggest Mussels - seriously the worst mussels I have ever had. EVER. I don't even understand what happened. They tasted almost burnt. Is that even possible? They completely overcooked them - they were also a different color. The sauce LITERALLY tasted like you poured a glass of white wine on the bottom of the pot. A few of them were so sandy, I had to gargle my mouth with water. I would never complain about those kind of things to a server - but I came close to it! STAY AWAY. I gave the restaurant 4 stars because everything was so great - including the service - it was just those horrible mussels. My girlfriend agreed that it was the worst we have ever had. Maybe it was just a bad batch?

    (4)

  • Sonia N.

    Do stop by if you're craving raw bar! I highly suggest the cherrystones, crab cocktail, Ahi Tuna tacos and Ahi Tuna Poke special if they have it. Lots of oyster options if you're a fan as well. That day I believe there were at least 8 different kinds. The only dish we ordered that was "meh" was the cooked fish tacos lunch entree. Again, I think the overall thing here is to stick with their raw bar. They have 2 separate outside decks if you'd like to be seated outside. Very nice pastime and I highly recommend.

    (4)

  • Cathy Y.

    Had such a great time here for slate lunch one Monday afternoon while we were visiting Newport. First off the decor is great and the food was wonderful! Paul was our server and he was definitely just a friendly welcome to the town! Things that you must try is the smoked fish spread with crackers. I'm usually hesitant to get things like that because they're typically salty but what we had was near perfection! I also got the taco combo with the tuna and lobster taco which was delicious! A little on the spicy side for those that don't really like spicy but I found them to be perfect. In addition their lobster rolls and oysters are super fresh. We would definitely love to come back when we head to Newport again. Wish we could check out how it is on the weekend because they had a live band when we walked by Monday night and I think it's probably quite busy and a fun place to be during a Friday or Saturday night. We had a wonderful meal and time on the rooftop seating area!!

    (5)

  • Don M.

    Great food with only a few flaws during our time here. Service was attentive and helpful. There are 3 floors of seating so reservations are only needed foe the busiest days. Oysters - the oysters are phenomenal and the waiter gave good recommendations. They were smooth and not too salty or grainy. Cod chowder - tasted like cream based calm chowder. There were chunks of fish in this bowl and came with oyster crackers. Swordfish - grilled tasting and soft juicy. It came with a buttery risotto and veggies. It was a good chunk as well. Soft shell crab - disappointing in quantity and quality. There weren't much meat inside and felt like I could get a better deal elsewhere. Overall, I'll come back for the fish and soup and of course oysters.

    (4)

  • Leslie B.

    Great spot for seafood! The server was very friendly and recommended an oyster for us to try--by far the best oyster either of us had ever had! The tuna poke, truffle fries, and salmon ceviche were also very good and you have to try the lime aoli. However, we also got the 1/2 chilled lobster and it was very disappointing, quite tough and rubbery. The oysters, though, wow!!! I want to go back just for that!

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    The best meal I had while in Newport. The appetizers were great - awesome oysters and crab cakes. I loved my cocktail (a fancy margarita), and my tuna was amazing (I ordered the version off the menu, which arrived on a bed of arugula and cooked perfectly- but there were some additional tuna specials as well). My group was a party of 6, and we all enjoyed our meals. The restaurant is gorgeous (lots of wood paneling, high ceilings, and windows), and the service was pretty good.

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    We've been in Newport 3 days now and this was the best service so far; it was nice to be in the heart of the tourist district but not have to endure another tourist meal. Drinks were strong and legit and the Rye Heat is highly recommended. We went with a dozen oysters getting 3 from VA, 6 from MA, and 3 from RI and all were amazing; Midtown's take on the traditional vinegar sauce is pretty damn good too. My wife had the blackened ahi which was good but nothing compared to the Halibut special; perfectly cooked with chard, roasted tomato, and sweet corn risotto. There are many seating choices: bar area seems to free up pretty quickly but if you want an outdoor spot make sure you have reservations.

    (5)

  • Wesley M.

    This was the first restaurant that we went to on our first visit ever to Newport. We had a late lunch (230pm) and sat upstairs on the mid level and had the whole room to ourselves. It was great. The oysters were fresh and shucked well. I liked how they labeled the ones you ordered so that you could keep track and compare the taste to its description. We both had a lobster roll with shoe string fries. The rolls were packed with claw meat and the fries were light and crisp. They do a great job here and the ambiance is really nice. Stop by if you're in the area.

    (5)

  • Kel S.

    This is a truly beautiful space. It's hard to imagine what was there, previously. The bar is grand and seems to always be hopping. There is a lovely patio upstairs with great views around. Each of us enjoyed our meals very much. The service was decent. I'll look forward to going back soon!

    (4)

  • Anna G.

    Overall, a more disappointing experience than I was expecting (especially since I was really looking forward to this dinner at Midtown!). We arrived on time for our 8pm Thursday reservation and the hostess promptly walked us over to what I can easily describe as one of the worst tables in the restaurant. It was a 4 top on the main floor, right next to a door. Um, no thank you. We decided to ask if we can just put our name down for one of the outdoor tables upstairs (they don't take reservations for the outdoor seating). We were told it would be about 30-40 minutes, which was fine with us. Headed upstairs to the 2nd floor bar and were immediately much more wowed by the restaurant. The 2nd and 3rd floor have a much different look and feel than the first. We got our drinks on the 2nd floor and decided to go up some more to sit down at the 3rd floor bar. When we got there, we saw so many open tables (indoor) on this level, which confused and annoyed me: why would you try to seat someone with reservations downstairs at such a crappy table when all of this was readily available? We did end up getting an outdoor table after the 30-40 min wait. We decided to order a couple of items to share: 1/2 dozen oysters: good size and flavor of the local ones we chose Combo taco plate: one taco was tuna tartare, the other lobster salad. I preferred the tuna, but my husband loved the lobster so go figure. Both were served on crispy corn tortillas. Pasta special of lump crab and mushroom pappardelle: I really liked this, especially thanks to the garlic parmesan truffle butter sauce. Our server was friendly. The pacing of the food was a bit off though: oysters came right away and then there was a bit of a lull until we received both of the other items at the same time.

    (3)

  • Kate D.

    Upon first walking in, I noticed the decor was flawless. No one was there on a weekday when I wandered in after a long walk, so I was able to check out the place in all of its glory. The oyster bar itself looks like something off of Pinterest. The beautiful white chairs, countertops and the wall hangings are divine.I spoke to someone at the bar and he mentioned the owners mostly used reclaimed items for the decor and that much of it came from old industrial buildings from New Jersey (how cool!). All in all, if I could design my ideal restaurant, it would be this one. When I sat at the bar, Tim the bartender immediately made me feel at home. He was so friendly and made delicious recommendations for oysters and an app (since I wasn't super hungry). He said that the Tuna Tartare Tacos were delicious and boy they were! The mangos and the sauce were tasty, along with the tuna. The one star off is only for the second time I went when the food was mediocre at best. I ordered the fish tacos and something was amiss with the fish itself (tasted cold and dry) and what you got for the price. I believe it was $14 or $16 and these tacos were small (which I don't mind) but came with no sides. I will not let that one dish ruin my view however as the service was superb. I will definitely be back here!

    (4)

  • gwynnie p.

    Midtown is nice and we had some great oysters. Not so crazy about the chowder, which was heavy on potato light on clam. My husband had fish and chips and the fish was DIVINE. Perfectly cooked and breaded and super super fresh. The atmo is really special - well appointed and no expense spared on finishings. If we had arrived a bit earlier for lunch, we might have been able to sit outside on the upper deck, which would have been lovely I imagine. No complaints about our comfy booth though, and the service was really gracious and kind.

    (4)

  • Gavin R.

    I wasn't expecting a decent raw seafood experience on a recent trip to the Newport area, but I was wrong. I put our name on the waiting list, and went looking for another place to have lunch but struck out. They texted me and held a table for us! Really good raw oysters, fried oysters. oyster stew, ceviche, chowdah, and fish and chips for the kids. I'm going back....

    (4)

  • Christine T.

    Came here for lunch during memorial weekend. Wow, this place is huge! 3 Floors and lots of outdoor space. Weather was nice out so we opted for the outdoor seating. All the oysters we ordered was awesome! So fresh and tasty. I did get the special soft shell crab sandwich and that was not a winner in my eyes. Too fried and oily in my opinion.

    (3)

  • Jaimee A.

    This is a really fun restaurant. The food and service are good, the mixed drinks - not so much. We had: Fried oysters- delicious and creamy inside Lobster roll - very good, made with butter and a lot of lobster Hamburger - very tasty Mojito - flat, tasted like minty lemon water Blueberry beer - it was okay but I probably wouldn't order it again The bathrooms are very clean.

    (3)

  • M M.

    To start, very nice decor and helpful staff. Had Bermuda fish chowder. It was amazing. Spiced rum served with it. Had raw oyster, east beach blonde, so good. Salad, beets and goat cheese with blackened salmon. Delicious. If in Newport, you must stop in.

    (5)

  • Dwayne B.

    The best chowder I've ever had. The oysters were amazing and great service. 100% recommend.

    (5)

  • HyunJoo K.

    Definitely will come back again! Can't believe we have not stopped in here yet til today! We got the asian meatballs to start with and they were yummy! Bbb loved them! Then I got the salmon with rice and spinach which was very delicious; seasoning was just right! The hub got the lobster mac n cheese which he loved! To top it all off, we got the dark n stormy bread pudding! Literally, nothing was left behind! The hub got a couple margaritas which he said were delish! This is a solid 5 star! Oh, and the raw bar looked awesome! Place was packed!

    (5)

  • Asonya R.

    Highly recommend this spot for Newport seafood. The staff knowledgeable and the oysters fresh. The Mussel frites are a must try. The outside deck is great for viewing the city.

    (4)

  • Nelly N.

    This place is really touristy, but we wanted oysters. This review is only for the oyster!! Nice selection and very fresh, didn't get to try anything else.

    (4)

  • Ree S.

    I came here for lunch with my boyfriend after a day exploring the ocean drive, Cliff Walk, and the mansions. We were really hungry, but trying to save our appetites for dinner later. My boyfriend ordered the oyster stew for us to share, and I really liked the broth -- it was very flavorful! There were generous chunks of oyster in there as well, which made my boyfriend happy because he loves them. For his entree, he ordered the blackened mahi sandwhich, which he enjoyed. I ordered the fish tacos, although I was very unsure because I've had some elsewhere which were good, and some which weren't so good. I was very happy with these, though -- actually, I loved them. They had plenty of blackened mahi, and the aioli and mango was a really nice touch. The flavors went together really well! I wish I could have them again, in fact...

    (5)

  • Rich S.

    Stumbled onto this place. Walked in and it's a great New England bar look. Cozy and very clean. Had a couple oyster ( east beach blonde). Very fresh and very good. The the Bermuda fish chowder. Wow. It was good. Finished with a nice salad.

    (5)

  • Diane K.

    Nice spot for lunch.. Outdoor deck very nice, but high deck chairs are difficult to maneuver for us older folks!! Food was very good.. Interesting menu. Lots of options from burgers to lobster rolls to raw tuna!

    (4)

  • Rachel L.

    This place has a great Newport New Englandy atmosphere. We ate on 4th of July weekend at an outside table with a 20 minute wait for 4 people around 8pm. Dad got the mussels app which was enough for his meal and he said very good. We got steamed shrimp w/old bay seasoning and cod chowder also for apps. Basic, but cooked perfectly and nice flavor. My boyfriend wanted fish and chips but with Halibut instead of Haddock. Although the waitress didn't think the kitchen would do it, she asked and they accommodated him! The fish was wonderful - moist and very fresh. I had the lobster roll. I'm partial to lobster rolls made with butter and not mayo, as this was, but I like my roll to be more wet, this was quite dry. All fish was fresh and the service was friendly, we'd recommend and would go again.

    (4)

  • Marlene R.

    Been wanting to eat here when we've been in town and finally got to! The oysters and cherry stones were super fresh and briny and delicious! Also had the lobster pie/quiche which was served with a side salad. Not too crusty and the right amount of cheese and lobster; ate the whole thing and licked the plate! Also tried the blackened swordfish salad which was seasoned perfectly. Great wine list and tons of beers. We'll definitely be back. Love the casual but classy vibe. Ally our server took great care of us and was super friendly.

    (5)

  • L G.

    I love this place as a drinking spot but their dinner made me sick!

    (1)

  • Holly K.

    Went here for my bachelorette party dinner and had a great time! I wish they had a cocktail list because all I saw was a beer and wine list. I love a creative cocktail list, so this was a bit of a let down. It was restaurant week when we went so the place was packed. They were about 15 minutes behind on our reservation. I ended up going with restaurant week, but I so wish I went with the lobster roll after I saw it, That thing looked ridiculously delicious. The clam chowder was okay, this is going to sound weird but it was a bit too clammy for me. I like other flavors to come through as well like tomato or spices. The surf and turf was super tasty. It was rib eye steak with fried crab macaroni and cheese. The chocolate mousse was the perfect mini treat to end the meal. Everyone at the table was happy with their meals. Some girls split a dozen oysters and those things disappeared in a flash. For a table of 10 we were handled perfectly! No one had to wait on things and water and drinks remained filled the whole night.

    (4)

  • Lauren C.

    Went with a 13 person bachlorette party for dinner with a reservation and the staff and food could not have been better. Our waitress was so patience and smiled the whole time as she took all our separate orders with separate checks. The food and specials was reasonably priced for the amazing quality of everything, everyone enjoyed the atmosphere, staff and food. Couldn't recommend more highly! Thanks!

    (5)

  • Leonard O.

    Great service and great meal. Good selection of fresh oysters and wonderful daily specials. Lauren our waitress was very professional and courteous. View from third floor deck was amazing. Will recommend to everyone looking for a great experience. Prices are not as crazy as some other comparable restaurants.

    (5)

  • Starr V.

    Mediocre food and service. We visited the Sat of Labor Day weekend and when we got there a couple mins after Noon it was like they were unaware they were likely to be busy. Their staff seemed to have just rolled in at Noon as opposed to having been there to prepare prior to the rush. The third floor patio has a nice view of the water so that was positive.

    (2)

  • Alex L.

    The Midtown Oyster Bar bucks most of the trends set by restaurants in an area that caters to tourists. Located right in the heart of Newport's tourist area, they could have easily fallen into the trap of overpriced meals, flashy signs and gimmickry to pull in whoever walks by. Instead, they decided to let their handsome establishment and creative menu speak for itself. Sitting at a hight top on the first level proved to be the perfect way to observe the activity outside while enjoying our lunch. My meal exceeded my expectations, beginning with the cod chowder (complete with crispy bites of bacon and generous fish chunks) and ending with two tacos piled high with generous portions of blackened mahi mahi. It all worked well with a house-made cocktail. Don't be lured in by the other tourist traps. Let the Midtown Oyster Bar be your guide toward a delicious, authentic Newport meal at a good price!

    (5)

  • A H.

    Great place in the heart of Newport! Be sure to ask for seating on the roof top. Tuna tartar taco and crab cocktails are must haves. We also tried smoked fish platter which was great too. I personally wouldn't get the oyster chowder again. Overall everyone had a great experience, including our kids' choices of their food. The best part for our kids - they have four different coloring paper to choose from.

    (5)

  • Greg B.

    Haven't tried the food yet. Or the water. Or anything. Sitting here waiting for someone to acknowledge my presence. Four hostess who seated us keeps walking by and can see we're not being served. Kind of in keeping with our experience in Newport, which has been less than stellar.

    (2)

  • J C.

    I had a lobster roll. Lobster is always good and I enjoyed it here too. The waitress was very nice and helpful. The only reason I didn't give five star is the buns. The butter soaked bun was a little too greasy for my taste.

    (4)

  • Chris W.

    Outstanding place incredible raw bar incredible dining room incredible bar area the staff was extremely friendly. All I enjoyed was the oysters on the half shell they were phenomenal incredible choice selection

    (5)

  • G H.

    Wonderful meal, service - just great. Went on Sunday, April 19th. We loved the octopus, tuna and lobster tacos, and the lobster roll. We also had oysters from Chatham, Massachusetts. Very attentive service too (Paul I think). We travel a lot, eating all over. I think the appetizers do seem stronger, and we were a bit disappointed with the fish and chips. Perhaps a too ordinary dish for a place specializing in fresh seafood.... Also, seemed to have a lively bar scene with live music. Skip the places along the water...

    (5)

  • Caroline M.

    A very solid 4 stars. Went once for lunch mid-day, pre summer. Hosted an event there mid-week during the summer. Expect creative, though standard fare. Excellent service. Very classy decor. And way too many out of towners in khakis and polos. Midtown Oyster Bar excels at classy but low key - and the views/breeze from the multiple outdoor patio areas are unparallelled. VERY easy to plan an event there - we were well taken care of, but it wasn't cheap. Why not 5? Parking is a pain in the rear. It's definitely not a locals bar. And it's a 3 floor monstrosity. Assuming you like a smaller, cozier experience head to Broadway, Pasta Beach, etc. GREAT for groups.

    (4)

  • Anabela S.

    What a great friendly place and delicious food. Three floors with a rooftop area, loved the decor/ambiance. I had their local oysters, octopus appetizer, octopus bolognese for dinner and coconut panecata for dessert. Best meal we had in Newport and we have been to most of the top restaurants. A must go to if you are in the area.

    (5)

  • Erik A.

    Pricey but very good food. Portions are on the ok side, reat rooftop spot but not very big. Overall i love the atmosphere and the people here if high end is what you are looking for without over doing it.

    (5)

  • Jaclyn P.

    Good food, OK drinks, PERFECT decor. I've been meaning to try Midtown Oyster for a while now and finally stopped in for lunch on a Saturday. I was disappointed that the upper level was closed for the season since I have a hunch, that's where the best seats in the house are. Right off the bat, the decor is perfect. Ship lap walls, dark woods, industrial pendant lights, brass fixtures, a marble raw bar counter, subway tile in the bathrooms and overall, class and nautical details for days. I think the decor was my favorite part. The oysters were fresh and presented properly on a metal ice tray and labeled as well. My fish tacos were pretty good. The flavors were a little on the sweet side for my palette, but still very tasty. My husband's Tuna Nicoise was also very good but his tuna steak was not cooked the way he requested. One pet peeve of mine is an improperly prepared margarita. My blood orange margarita was served in a pint class with a straw and a bare rim. Too big of a portion means it must be "watered down" with a filler like soda or too much juice. I felt like I was at Chili's or Applebee's. They should really change that, pronto! The takeaway is that, I will definitely be back to Midtown Oyster Bar but will probably wait until it get's a smidge busier in Newport and the deck is open. Also, next time, I'll order a beer. Can't mess that up, right?

    (4)

  • Robert K.

    For a new building, they really did a great job on the interior. The reclaimed wood gives it a warmth that's in line with the charm of Newport. Food wise, standouts were the salmon ceviche and oysters. Best oysters we sampled in Newport by far. So, so good - and I'm not usually crazy about oysters. Cooked food was a bit mixed. Asian pork meatballs had great flavor, but were a bit dry around the edges, and the scallops entree was excellent, if not a little odd mix of flavors with kalamata olives. But I give them credit for the creativity, and it might just be a personal preference to not have those flavors mix. Service was average. Our waiter actually forgot one of our items, but we were so stuffed by the end of the meal that we didn't bother correcting him. Happy accident. Anywhere else, this would have been a 4 star review - but I'm giving them a kick up to 5 because there's just so many underwhelming tourist traps surrounding it (with perplexingly high ratings). There's something more honest about this place. It's appropriately priced, the food is creative even if it doesn't always succeed, and it's a great atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Kristin I.

    Service was great and so was the ambiance. Giving 2 stars for the food. My pasta with octopus bolognese was one big, clumpy mess and the sauce was incredibly bland. Clams, soups, lobster rolls, salads also just blah. The roast chicken, however, was decent. The location is great but not worth paying for bad food!

    (2)

  • Simon S.

    Amazing food. Oysters selection and clams where fresh and incredible. The arugula salad was also perfect. On a busy Sunday morning they turned us around in 40 min. Service was great and Jenn knew what she was doing. Recommendations and vibe and service where great.

    (5)

  • T.M. K.

    This place is a must for a Newport visit. Sit outside if you can and order the oysters. They're labeled and are of the highest quality. Fun place, great ambiance but that's reflected in the prices.

    (4)

  • Nancy S.

    Drove to Newport RI on a whim to see the kite festival and then walk around town for the day. Walking down the middle of town we decided to stop in to Midtown Oyster Bar for some oysters and drinks. We decided to eat outside which was very nice, it was a beautiful day and being above the traffic was great. Our waitress was adorable! Tiffany/Bridgette made sure we had a nice experience. We each got a delicious cocktail ( forgot what it was called but it had cucumbers and gin). We ordered a dozen oysters..they were so delicious we really could have ordered 2 dozen more(lol). But we ordered the lobster rolls. They were buttery and delicious on a nice bun. My husband thought they could have been stuffed some more but I disagree, I thought they were well filled. The fries were so yummy too! All in all it was a lovely early dinner. If we didn't have to drive home to CT we would have had more drinks. Our waitress was so fun, she checked in on us and made us feel welcomed. Thanks!

    (5)

  • Lauretta L.

    Before heading to Federal Hill for a heavy Italian dinner, my bf and I warmed up with some oysters, cod chowder and ceviche at Midtown Oyster Bar. I highly recommend sitting in the back prep area where the guys shuck oysters. They're super friendly too! We tried 3 oysters...the Duxbury and can't remember the other names to save my life. I think one had Blonde in it and the other started with a P. Our favorites were the latter, especially the P. Super meaty and delicious; totally worth the $3.5 each price tag. The cod chowder was tasty and similar to a clam chowder. Our least favorite was the trio of ceviche (salmon, tuna and maybe yellowtail?). The dish wasn't bad but I felt that the fresh fish flavors were overall overwhelmed.

    (4)

  • G D.

    Yes, yes, yes- love it here. At first I didn't give this place a chance because at first glance it seemed intimidating, dark, noisy, and crowded. Also touristy location and low expectations for food quality. Wrong- I'm glad I decided to give it a shot (for Easter Brunch a few years ago) because I've been coming back ever since! it is so open and airy- the decks and views are great, I always bring friends and family from out of town here, and they're always impressed. food is delicious and consistent.... and I've never had a better fried oyster in all my life. staff are friendly, accommodating, and I like that because I'm a local and even if they don't know me from a tourist, I feel really welcome here.

    (5)

  • Zachary H.

    I enjoyed the lunch menu, stuffies were really quite good. The chowder is good too. Never had a chowder with neither cream or tomato, I would have preferred a bit of red stuff here, but you have to go with it...and their clear style is plenty good. The little lady had a chicken sandwich which, she said it was perfectly underwhelming. Not a bad place at all, not a standout at least for us. Could do a whole lot worse around here I'm assured.

    (3)

  • Perry V.

    Amazing. Some of the best true New England seafood joints in town. Great prices on amazing dishes full of local, fresh, and filling sea critters. Highly suggest sitting at the upstairs bar and ordering a custom drink from Tyler... The best bartender in Newport. I'm not one to give a 5 star review.... But this place earned it.

    (5)

  • Kerry B.

    Went here for the first time (for dinner) on New Years Eve. Had reservations for 7:30 and we were seated on time. The waitress had good intentions, but was horrible. We already had drinks, so she took our appetizer and main entree orders and disappeared. The appetizer came out quickly, delivered by someone else who was shocked that our water glasses were still empty and no bread had been delivered. So that got taken care of, still no sight of waitress. Food dishes came out and waitress was right behind the folks serving our food... My boyfriend ordered a fish dish and out came a burger! They gave me my dish and the person delivering our food (not the waitress) apologized and said they'd be right back. Mind you, we had empty wine glasses sitting on the edge of the table begging to be refilled - it's New Year's for chris sake! The waitress went to leave and I had to get her attention and say we'd like drinks please. She looked frazzled. She took our drink order and ten minutes later returned with my boyfriend's correct dish and our wine. The food was good, so I'll give 3 stars for food and ambiance but the service is horrendous. I think there was maybe a language barrier, but stil with so many options in Newport and all of them competitive with similar food, ambiance, and price I will certainly not look to return here. The food didn't "wow" me that much. Thought I'd have a new favorite, thought incorrectly. C'est la vie. Time for this place to step up their service game.

    (3)

  • Jill D.

    This is my new favorite restaurant! We have been many times and never an issue with food or service. Tried it for Newport Restaurant Week and loved it. Love the smoked fish dip. Everything from the apps, to the sandwiches to main entrees are amazing. Cant go wrong here.

    (5)

  • Lauren S.

    The best oysters I have had all summer! I ate here several times this year. Excellent service all summer (non-summer staff could use an upgrade, service not as good). Great menu, all food I have had has been excellent.

    (5)

  • Rach C.

    Absolutely love this restaurant, the atmosphere, the food and the service! Everything was on point! I ordered the tuna tartare tacos for an app which tasted amazing! For my meal I got the blackened mahi mahi, it comes with a great tomato corn salsa that made the entree so tasty! My husband ordered the steak frites and said he would get it again and again every time he comes back! I'm telling you this food is amazing! And to top it off our waitress, Lauren was super helpful! We were unsure of which oysters to start with and she gave a great recommendation! I'm always asking questions (which can be super annoying) but she was really friendly and happy to give her opinion. Definitely coming back every time I travel to Newport!

    (5)

  • Judy G.

    Took a break from the Newport Boat show and found this place within walking distance. Downstairs was filling up fast - so we were directed to the upstairs bar. Checked over the menu and ordered the Fish Tacos and the Mussels Frites. These meals did not disappoint us at all!! Fish Tacos were made with Ahi Tuna and were very yummy. But the Mussels Frites were outstanding!! Huge mussels covered with thin cut fries topped with an aioli sauce!! And the broth at the bottom of the bowl was the best part of this meal!! Just needed bread to soak it all up!! Will definitely come here again next time we are in town!

    (5)

  • cheri t.

    Came here yesterday for a late lunch and was very impressed! Service was outstanding, we sat on the 2nd level and I wish I could remember the servers's name, she was top notch. As an appetizer I had the oyster stew, and it was excellent, maybe 4-5 large oysters in it and the taste was amazing, I want some right now. Our meals were wonderful as well. Only thing I had issue with was the unfriendly hostess, she barely looked at us as she led us to the 2nd floor, and she appeared as if she was too good to to lower herself to conversing with us. She started us out on the wrong foot, but thankfully our server more than made up for her unpleasant manner. We will be back for sure!

    (4)

  • Barbara O.

    Eck! terrible crab cakes! Bar is fun.

    (2)

  • Brenna M.

    Such a beautiful restaurant! The food was excellent, as was the service. For an appetizer, we shared a platter of oysters along with the wicked shrimp. Both were fabulous. I had the tuna tartare and lobster tacos for my entree. I still can't decide which one was better. I will definitely be returning.

    (5)

  • A Z.

    Had a decent lunch here on the roof. The menu options are pretty basic, but the food was solid enough.

    (3)

  • Brian J.

    I'm from Indiana, so I rarely have the opportunity to eat fresh seafood such as this. Oysters you get here come in a sealed can that you get at Kroger. I've always found these to be disgusting. What a delight it was find to find how delicious these creatures are fresh out of the water. I had a raw sample platter featuring lobster, crab, shrimp, oysters, and clams. I was in seafood heaven. I'm docking a star because of the clueless hostess at the front door. We asked how long the wait was for dinner, and she told us 2 hours, but the bar was just first come first serve so she recommended finding an open seat. There weren't any open seats, so we asked if we could just put our name in, and we would just hang around the area until they were ready for us. She then says the wait is an hour and that she'll check with someone who would put our name in. She comes back saying that she couldn't find the other person, but we were welcome to go look for her. So! We go back into where the dining is and ask if we can put our name in for a wait. The woman there says "Oh we're not on a wait, we can seat you now." Whaat? So that was a pleasant surprise. The rest of the service was fantastic. And the food was ridiculously good.

    (4)

  • Kelsey F.

    I was really excited to try this new restaurant when I came across it this summer in Newport. We got some suggestions to come here an when we heard there was an outdoor roof top section we were sold. It has a really nice nautical theme with high ceilings downstairs and a lofted upstairs. When we first got there they told us it would be over an hour wait for the roof deck but we sat in about 20 minutes! We ordered the pork belly appetizer which was amazing...it literally melts in your mouth. For dinner I opted for the pork chop and the boyfriend ordered the twin lobster tails - both were delicious. Our waitress convinced us to get dessert (wasn't too hard to do that). The bread pudding was absolute heaven on a plate. I left Midtown hardly able to walk because I was so full...but it was well worth it!

    (4)

  • Thomas S.

    Multiple flavors of oysters to try, and you can taste the difference between every one. The best oysters I've ever had.

    (5)

  • R. F. B.

    I stopped by this place for lunch with my wife and another couple. The last time we were at this location it was another restaurant and completely run down. Fast forward a couple of years and new ownership and we were absolutely amazed at the transformation. The new owners created a stunning interior with both new and reclaimed materials in a nautical theme fitting of its location. I can't say enough about how great looking this restaurant is. They also added 2 rooftop patios which I can imagine are packed during the warmer months. We started with a dozen oysters from the New England area which were fresh and delicious. Most of the table ordered the chicken sandwich and I ordered the steak sandwich. My steak sandwich was tender and flavorful and I was told that the chicken sandwich was the best chicken sandwich all of them have had. We loved the restaurant and the food. I am looking forward to going back for dinner when the weather warms up!

    (5)

  • Joseph H.

    Great atmosphere and fantastic presentation! We stopped in here for oysters and they were very good but the shells were still a bit dirty and there was shell in the oyster which did not make for a good experience. The highlight was their soy marinated Tuna. This was truly one of the best dishes I have ever had in Newport. The flavor was complex but not overwhelming you could taste every flavor. I will be back just for this.

    (3)

  • Jennifer C.

    While walking our dog we met a local woman and she recommended we try the 'Oyster Stew' at Midtown. What she didn't tell us was that the entire menu was AMAZING! We came back the very next day to have the stew again, we also sampled quite a few more items from the menu. We spend a good deal of time in Newport each summer and enjoy eating out and this spot has become one of our new favorites!

    (4)

  • Katie Bear P.

    Good food. Mediocre service. Placed our order and the waitress, Jen chatted with another (non) customer for 10 minutes before putting our order in, so we just waited...

    (2)

  • Kathryn L.

    Stopped here last night for a drink with my friends and couldn't believe a bud light was $7.50! I had the "Secret" Red Sangria which looked beautiful yet tasted like lime soda water, not a hint of sweetness or complex flavors just flat and disappointing. So the "Secrets" out, and it sucks. The decor was lovely but the bottom line: way too overpriced and subpar cocktails.

    (2)

  • David J.

    I live in Newport and I've tried this place 5 times. It's sucks for entrees and service. Great for oysters and atmosphere. Go to dinner somewhere else.

    (2)

  • Mike M.

    First off, let me state that the decor of this place is magnificent. First floor looks like an oyster bar you would find in Manhattan. The rest of the place is also spectacular. The GF and I went for dinner on Sunday evening. Reservations were recommended, and we made them for 7pm. We arrived early by 45 minutes thanks to our hotel's quick shuttle, and had no issues getting a table on the second floor. It wasn't very crowded - maybe 3 or 4 tables seated. I'm usually not a clock watcher, but it took at least 20 minutes for our waitress, Lauren, to introduce herself and take our drink order. I ordered the Tito's Midtown Martini with Gorgonzola stuffed olives. GF ordered the Cosmo. I received mine, but hers was made incorrectly, and was served a few minutes later. My martini was excellent, and hers was well made too. When Lauren came back with her drink, we didn't want her to get away! As we've been staring at the menu for almost 30 minutes now, we just placed our orders. Our single app was the Fried Oysters. VERY tasty. We originally wanted the Oysters Rockefeller we saw on the on-line menu, but they weren't making them and they are now off the regular dinner menu. Oh well. We each ordered one of the specials on the daily menu. I had the mixed Chourico and seafood (shrimp, scallops, clams) over rice. GF had the Lobster Mac -n- Cheese. Both were excellent! Now, Lauren was very nice and sweet, but really kept apologizing for everything... Sorry for the wait, Sorry about your drink order, Sorry for not bringing the bread out... Ugh... We were originally going to have some wine with dinner, but decided against it since we were already 3/4's of the way through our meal and really, what's the point of grabbing a glass of wine with dinner now... Dessert and aperitifs were also out. So, bottom-line: The meals were good, service was spotty. I would definitely go back again and give it a second chance. To the management: Staff training and service goes a LONG way...

    (2)

  • Katelyn F.

    This is quite a delicious spot. We asked one of the locals where a good Lobster Roll was to be eaten. The man replied this place, and said it's terrific. And I couldn't agree more. For beverage we got a Mojito, bloody mimosa, white wine, and fuzzy rita. The Fuzzy Rita was my favorite, it had crushed kiwi in it, and it was so tasty. Not incredibly sweet, but well enough. Mojito comes second. As for the Bloody Mimosa I understand my friend really enjoyed it. Large glasses for reasonable price. Although the wine seemed to be a little less than usual. The lobster roll was quite delicious. We actually all got this. It was doused in butter and not mayo, which I love. Although I think the bread is a little thick to my liking, I ate my lobster/butter/lettuce by itself. Still amazing. We also had the Charbroiled clams on the half shell, and they weren't half bad. I am not a clammy person, so I took a chance. They have a lovely layer of spinach and parmesan cheese. It was tasty, and if it weren't for the pieces of shell that got into the clam, I probably would have eaten them without the help of the other people at my table. Our server was very nice, and knew his menus. The place was cute, and mildly dark which was nice for a change. The noise level, I think was above average but worked because it also was a bar (on the other side of the restaurant.) I believe there are also two other levels - and from outside both looked like they were hoppin'. We will come back when we are in town. :)

    (4)

  • Samantha L.

    After recently moving to Newport I was excited to try Midtown. I've been twice now and have had pretty solid experiences both times, but there are a few items that deterred this new "hot spot" from getting a higher rating. I went there first with my friend who was visiting from Boston and we were looking for some relief from the heat and a few good drinks as well as a bite to eat. We sat in the downstairs tavern which was a great, breezy room that allowed us to cool down but not be shocked into AC right from the 90 degree weather outside. The server took a few minutes to come over even though it wasn't busy, but that was not a big deal since we were chatting and looking over the menu. My friend ordered her beer and I got a red sangria ($9) and was happy with the flavor, which admittedly was not strong, but was disappointed when the stemless wine glass it was served in was only half full, including the ice. It took maybe 4 sips for it to be gone, but it was refreshing in the hot weather so I ordered another. This one came full to the brim, a much more appropriate portion, but the inconsistency was troubling. I ordered a half dozen oysters, which were delicious, but they weren't fully shucked and we had to detach them ourselves. Although seemingly trivial, I'd expect properly shucked oysters from an "Oyster Bar". Tasty mignonette, though. After we finished the oysters a young woman, not our server, came over and presented us with the exact same ones we had just eaten and had cleared, not knowing that we'd already been served them. As I said before, it wasn't very busy and we were sitting directly in front of the raw bar so this mistake should have been easily avoided. The Mahi Mahi sandwich was properly seasoned and very delicious, as were the Tuna Tartare Tacos. My qualm with the food is the fresh approach they've taken seems to only extend halfway. Fantastically prepared tartare served in store-bought taco shells was neither aesthetically pleasing or appropriate, but we broke off the top and ate it scooped on the cracked shells to mimic a wonton crisp, which was a much more approachable method. The second time I went I met a group of friends at a much busier time of the evening. I ordered a Hot & Dirty martini, which was neither hot nor dirty. They used Stoli Jalapeno vodka which was enticing, but I'd be lying if I said there was more than a splash of dirt, nevermind any pepperoncini juice at all. I ordered a second in hopes that they could put more pepperoncini juice in it (the first drink was visibly crystal clear) only for the server to come back and say they put extra olive juice since they were out of pepper juice. Deceiving and something I wish I knew before I ordered the cocktail the first time since the ingredients to make it were obviously unavailable. I ordered a dozen oysters, which although tasted fantastic, were again not fully shucked. On both occasions our servers were very friendly and relatively attentive. I'm sure I'll visit this place again since they had intriguing menu items but I hope they can work out the kinks.

    (3)

  • Jack W.

    This place was pretty good. After getting there around 7:00 p.m., they told us it was a 2 hour wait but we were able to speak with the server and get seated outside in about 30 minutes. We all split little neck clams on a half shell and they were good. I also got the Rocky Point RI clam chowder and that was OK. I had the Fisherman's Stew for dinner and that was really good. My friends also got the mussel frites as an appetizer and that was delicious. I would recommend the mussel frites appetizer. The drinks were OK. If you want bigger mixed drinks, I would get them from the bar. The mixed drinks they served at the table used smaller glasses.

    (3)

  • Regina F.

    Since I refuse to judge a restaurant its opening week, I'll accentuate the positives and downplay the negatives (essentially start-up woes including a terribly untrained waitstaff with limited knowledge of the limited menu and the kitchen running out of a popular dish for its soft opening). With a great upstairs open air bar, Midtown oyster will likely become a great hangout for barhopping on Thames, especially when it gets too ungodly cold by the water. The vibe is somewhere between sexy speakeasy (not the Speakeasy) and dimly lit tavern. The food was pretty alright. Though the complimentary ciabatta rolls came out in a paper bag, they were not warm. Food ought to only be served in-bag-o if it is pipping. The olive oil provided alongside the butter balls was fantastic, though there was no zartar accompanying it. The fries - according to my dining companions - were "boring." I can attest that they appeared to lack a certain ZING factor, though the burger, topped with bacon, fine cheese, and a smooth, albeit slightly mayonnaise-y aioli was cooked exactly as ordered. (Hooray for proper meat temperatures on the steak as well!) The tuna tartare tacos were pretty delicious, and the same aioli served with fries and the burger, worked better with the raw fish. The limes added a certain acidity, while the cilantro added a bit of green flare.

    (4)

  • Julia S.

    Great seafood meal with my husband, beautiful building, buzzing atmosphere. The wait was 45 minutes so we ate at the bar on the second floor. Our bartender comped us two drinks because he forgot to put in our appetizers first and our entire meal came out at once. That struck me as pretty generous. Most people would just apologize. The food was very yummy, and certainly not cheap. The mussels frites was my favorite and came in a thin cream sauce that we dipped the fries into. So tasty! My husband had linguini and clams and cleaned his plate. I had steak frites and it was very good. We also had a salad that was good. The building is amazing. Completely rebuilt and very nautical - stylish. The third floor has a private party area that seats maybe 20-30 and an outdoor deck. Small raw bar on the first floor in the back. We'll be back when we feel like splurging again.

    (4)

  • Helen L.

    Jennifer the waitress was great in personality. Service was painfully slow. Food was ok. The serving size was small. I won't be back. I could make a better meal.

    (2)

  • Mike D.

    We went on Friday evening on a recommendation. We'll worth the trip. Fried oysters were very good and their bib lettuce wedge salad was also very we'll prepared. Swordfish special was exceptional and should be on the menu. Would return for that any time. Sat at the bar and watched the Bruins game on 2 large screens. Bartender Valerie was awesome. Very friendly and responsive. The live band they had was great and we were told they are there every other week. Will return to see them. Only downer was the B's lost to Detroit.

    (5)

  • Kristi K.

    Delicious food. Booth barely big enough for 4 adults to sit in-- a very tight squeeze and awkward getting in and out of, especially for women with big purses and lots of winter layers on. Service was pleasant yet not exquisite. They did pump up the heat for us, though, which showed they paid attention to the comments we made (to each other, not to staff) about needing to keep our jackets on. It was very cozy after that. But there was only one or maybe two other tables at the time we were there, and I thought our waitperson or maybe the maître d could have offered to hang up our coats, especially since there were two disabled people in our party. (I may be spoiled though from some time spent outside of the US. I think this kind of no-frills approach is probably standard here nowadays....) There was another small disappointment regarding our waitperson but I can see that it was a grey area. Her response was fine but not really impressive. The food and drinks we ordered however were perfect and quite memorable. Overall we enjoyed ourselves. Nice bathroom, handicapped accessible.

    (3)

  • John W.

    Came here for a special dinner with my wife while on a short stay in Newport. Happened to be there during Restaurant Week but we were in early and got a table right away near the bar. Filled up quickly after that but our service and server were great. Had a few nice beers, the oyster stew (with big oysters, great flavor) and a beet salad. Then shared the $58 cold seafood plate. About half a dozen delicious raw oysters (with vinegar), about the same raw clams, 4 shrimp cocktail, some nice simple crabmeat over Japanese type sweet seaweed, and half a cold steamed lobster. Was quite nice, not too filling but delicious. $125 with tip but worth it. Would like to sit in the restaurant proper if we have the chance to go again.

    (4)

  • Geneva C.

    The food to me is not the best at all.The crab cakes was gross yes gross.The lobster was cooked perfect Thats still not a reason to come back for me.I also had the clam linguini and the sauce taste Like Lipton soup packs gross as well .The oysters was good but u can get oysters anywhere in Rhode Island.If u want great food please go to either castle hill hotel Restraunt or mama luisa northern Italian with alot of love.Our bill was 160..And so not worth it.

    (2)

  • Mai L.

    Haven't tried too many of their entrees but love their apps: salmon avocado "cocktail" and their tuna tartare tacos!

    (4)

  • George S.

    My wife and I went there last night and had a very nice meal. The building which has been recently renovated looks great and has a lot of room. The upstairs bar is great and if you can get a seat on the deck even better. We had mussels, salad and fried smelts and they were great. Our waitress was very good and we asked for a side dish of broccoli rabe that was not on the menu and she brought it to us. The other thing is that its very reasonable priced. For the two of us with two Stella's the bill was $52 with tax no tips. Can only get better very good for their first season.

    (4)

  • Lorraine T.

    Really love the bar area. Crab cakes are so so good.

    (4)

  • Sophia B.

    So glad they're open! Have never failed to have a great time there

    (5)

  • Brianna S.

    We had an amazing time here. The food and ambiance were fantastic. We did a sort of tapas evening of various appetizers. Nothing disappointed. We had the grilled octopus, steamed clams, raw oysters & clams, RI chowder, oyster stew, and tuna tacos. Everything was great. (The octopus is life changing!) For dessert we had the dark and stormy bread pudding and the ricotta cheese cake. Both were phenomenal. This was a brilliant dining experience. We will be back when in Newport again. A note on ambience. We loved how Midtown has created 4 very unique atmospheres in one restaurant. Down stairs is kind of dark and cozy: good if you are with friends and family . Upstairs is brighter and more farmhouse chic: lovely if you are on a date or celebrating a special occasion. The bar upstairs is dark and welcoming: good place to eat and watch the game. Finally, the patio upstairs has a great view of the street and can be fun and boitstorous or romantic and tucked away (depending on who's out and about).

    (5)

  • Erika R.

    This restaurant is in a great multi-story building and the interior is really very lovely. We were seated on the second floor, along a steel and wood open staircase. The room had white walls and a dark floor, the kind with the wide planks of wood, and was incredibly cool, airy and light. It made for a very lovely setting for a meal. Our waitress was fantastic. We found her to be very friendly, very engaging. She took the time to answer any menu questions very thoroughly and offer a careful opinion, and also told us a bit about Newport and asked about our trip there. The service was good as well. She was very attentive. In fact, every member of the service staff who walked by our table was smiling. My husband had the blackened mahi-mahi and said it was delicious. I just had a salad, which was beautifully presented and had just the right amount of dressing. I think we would definitely recommend Midtown and would visit again if in the area.

    (4)

  • Bob C.

    Raw dishes were very good, Shrimp cocktail was excellent. I had the lobster roll but the other dishes for my group looked very good too

    (4)

  • Karen B.

    Lobster salad was wonderful. Perfectly paired with a sangria, while basking in the sun on the upper deck. Very nice.

    (4)

  • Lori B.

    We were so happy to find this restaurant, food is fresh, simply prepared and delicious. Restaurants tend to overdo food these days, this restaurant gets it. Sit at the oyster bar and enjoy you cant go wrong with this place. Wait staff is also fantastic. Thanks for a great dining experience.

    (4)

  • Nancy B.

    Wonderful seafood. Scallops on grapefruit sauce was excellent. Upstairs room pleasant very good service.

    (5)

  • Carol F.

    This place will be packed this summer. The place was packed to the gills on a Friday night in April. Oysters, fabulously presented and prepared: served icy cold and with super fresh horseradish. We discovered the Myagi Oyster from the Pacific (we know our East Coast Oysters) and it was fabulous. Ordered a few more of those. Had the Blacked Mahi so perfect with the avocado garnish and an interestingly presented Cod Fry. Our "landlubber" friend just had the cheeseburger, just ok. They were out of raw littlenecks so I got the Clams Casino instead. It was good but I missed the green pepper, parmesan and garlic hit of other versions. Great food, great service (even when very busy) a bit noisy but I think that's part of the atmosphere here. Definitely make reservations.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    We were really looking forward to some fresh seafood! We arrived to a very crowded and extremely loud bar area (Duke and Michigan State basketball game). We did not have a reservation, so opted for a table in the bar area. I guess if I was in my 20s I would have fit in and joined in the excitement of the game. We ordered a couple drinks right away. When the waitress brought the drinks we ordered 2 bowls of soup and 2 entrees. After about 30 minutes, and empty drinks, we kept on trying to get our waitress. No luck. We watched tables around us get served and even cash out. We told another waitress that we are waiting for our soup and it's been 30 minutes. Well after 10 more minutes, we were fed up, hungry, ears were blown out so we got up and left. Can't rate the food because they must not care about their customers as I never was served what we ordered, the ambiance was like any other loud bar (loud) and the service was, well you know.

    (1)

  • Nate.Ali W.

    Great service, atmosphere, drinks. While we were visiting Newport we knew that we wanted to hit up at least one oyster bar and this was the first one we passed. We sat at the bar and ordered a few types, they were brought out fast and you could defiantly tell that they were fresh. Every staff member there seemed very friendly and the menu was very well put together, I'd go there again in a heartbeat.

    (5)

  • Julie R.

    Really enjoy this place for hanging out on a nice day. Love the outdoor patios and the drinks are really great. They also have a good selection of beers on tap so my boyfriend was happy. I usually just go there for drinks but i went with a group of friends to dinner and we ended up getting sucked into their apps and raw bar. We got oysters, fried oysters, and a bunch of others that werent as memorable. The portions were a bit small, but the fried oysters were to die for! And raw oysters were fresh, delicious, and labeled with their location which was exactly what we wanted! Would definitely recommend for apps and a drink with a group of friends.

    (4)

  • Alison S.

    Great spot! Great atmosphere! Smoked fish dip and lump crab cocktail were excellent! Made a perfect DoubleCross Vodka dirty martini and had a ton of draught beer selections. Highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Karl P.

    Awesome location in a historic building. Oysters are superb, ambiance in the bars (there are 3) is also top notch. I had the oysters to start (3 PEI and 3 Rhode Island) and bison burger. Bison burger was cooked to order medium rare and not gamey at all. They have 2 patios, one which is on the top level looking over the harbor - awesome view! Highly recommend if you are looking for a cool spot for drinks, or food in Newport.

    (4)

  • Caz F.

    Great space, cool bar, very nicely appointed. Blah food and terrible service. EXPENSIVE!! There are far better places to eat, we might go back for drinks only.

    (2)

  • Maggie P.

    Extremely large, warm & inviting restaurant on the lot where Salas used to be. Open floor plan with 30 foot atrium on the 2nd floor - amazing refurbished wood, colonial style decor and fantastic food. Our server greeted us promptly, smiling and cheery. Open for Newport Restaurant week Nov.1 to 10th! Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Meg L.

    We went to Midtown Oyster Bar for our 29th wedding anniversary. We live nearby and had enjoyed going to the Matunuck Oyster Bar in the past which we believe is owned by the same people. The place is beautiful and the drinks are reasonable for Newport. The oysters could not have been fresher and I liked that the mignonette sauce was clear but still tasted of shallots. The grilled octopus was really stellar- extremely tender and very well seasoned. We had a really nice server who offered us a taste of the wine we were contemplating and was attentive throughout our meal. As to the main meal, my husband had the blackened mahi-mahi which was nuanced while still spicy and I had the "special" Fruitti di Mare, supposedly mussels, clams and shrimp in a tomato-saffron nage which I understand to be a broth. I didn't ask our waitress for a definition since I was pretty sure I knew what I was getting. I did hear the other waitress explain the dish as having a broth. All good until it came. For $27.00 I got 8 mussels 4 each of shrimp and clams, angel hair pasta (not homemade) and red sauce out of a can. No salt or pepper to be seen . Really- I could have had a better meal at Olive Garden for half the price. The reason I'm writing this is because understanding that restaurant owners would rather hear from us in person instead of through Yelp, I actually made these comments in the restaurant.. The answer: NADA, ZIP, NOTHING. Clearly they don't care what we think which will be fine this summer with the passing tourist trade but if they feel that the locals will be back for food like that next winter and spring they'll need to rethink, Next time, if we come, it'll be for oysters and a beer.

    (2)

  • Danielle M.

    The tuna tartar tacos are out of this world!!! Deelish, I get them every time we go there. Love it. We went the 1st week it was open in June & the service was not good. The waitress had a terrible attitude. The food was mediocre. But then we went back to give it a 2nd try bc we liked the atmosphere, especially in the downstairs bar, & the food was much better & our server was polite & friendly. We have been back several times now & it has been great. I think they just needed to work out the kinks that first month & hopefully fired that rude, immature waitress, lol. I would definitely recommend Midtown!!!

    (5)

  • Mark T.

    Awesome atmosphere but menu limited to only seafood They should add a no seafood app for people like us otherwise it's great recommend checking it out

    (3)

  • Michael F.

    Stopped in for dinner with a group of 8 co-workers. One side of the place is a bar and the other side is a restaurant. Very trendy looking place. We were seated promptly for a weeknight. The bread was very fresh and we were able to dip it in dipping oil. I started with the Strawberry and Apple Arugula salad with pecans. It was very tasty and the portion was a very good size for the price we paid. My entree was the sesame crusted salmon with bok choi. The portion was tiny for the price we paid. However, it was delicious. My co-worker ordered the Grilled Swordfish and thought it was to dry. Another co-worker really liked the Lobster Risotto. Overall, the service was very good and clean.

    (4)

  • Norah V.

    Loved this place! Went during a snow storm because it was near our hotel, but now we have another place to add to our favorite places in Newport. Salads were great; loved our dinners; shared a mud pie for dessert that was just terrific and they had a great drink list. Our server was great too.

    (4)

  • Lyssa P.

    .

    (3)

  • Iva G.

    Good beer selection. Had the ceviche and lobster tacos, both excellent.

    (5)

  • Jason B.

    adds Hoffa hgfyg funds hffggv gritted hudycgv

    (3)

  • Keif M.

    Within walking distance from our hotel.Had a really enjoyable evening at Midtown.My wife had the twin lobsters with mashed potatoes.Delicious. I had the chop. Equally delicious. Service attentive and friendly.Really great addition to the many great restaurants in Newport.Will be back.

    (4)

  • Thomas R.

    4 adults + 2 yo at noon on outdoor deck. Oyster mix, gravlax, and shrimp cocktail apps were good. Two of us got the Sazerac cocktail; got one thumbs up, one down. It started to rain and the wait staff seamlessly moved us inside just as our entrees came out. The Lobster roll is Newport priced but fat with meat. Will return again.

    (4)

  • Lisa T.

    The food; the service; and the prices were great! This was our first time to this new spot and my bfd and sister (who is a foodie from CA) really enjoyed ourselves. We were not rushed through our meal (which typically you are on a busy Sat. night in this popular town) and the waiter was spot on with his recommendations. Dine here. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Brad M.

    Some locals that we talked to on the street recommended this place. So glad they did. Thank you old, cute New England couple. You were charming. We had the lobster roll and the blackened mahi mahi. Both were excellent. They have a nice list of beer and wine and we had outstanding service. The prices are reasonable for the quality. The bar area looks like a great place to hang out and if we had gotten there earlier we would have gone on the roofdeck. Overall, a really great dining experience. Perfect end to a day in Newport.

    (4)

  • Ann S.

    Gorgeous gorgeous! Great drink selection and the food is delicious. Perfect place to stop for a rest while walking around town. Can't wait to get back for fancier dinner!

    (5)

  • Holly S.

    I couldn't believe this clean, airy, open space with massive wooden tables and sky-high ceilings was the old Salas'! The place was packed and was turning away diners (as all tables were reserved) but we made our way to the third flood deck with a view of Newport Harbor. The propane heaters made it relatively comfortable on this cool October evening. Our server was very friendly and attentive and apologized that we could only order appetizers, oysters and soups on the deck. That was fine with us as we had a great view and no crowd. The three-cheese appetizer was good but a little lean on the cheese. The date jam was especially good. The (2) crab cakes were hot and tasty and the corn relish worked really well with this app. Shrimp appetizer in a seafood place is hard to mess up - but really, four not five shrimp? It's not cheap so come on! All in all, a nice place and I'd like to come back and try dinner next time.

    (4)

  • Teley Q.

    Made reservations there yesterday afternoon. A hour before I received a text message to confirm or deny. We arrived and the place wasn't busy. we got a nice booth. Started off with fried oysters. My first time every having them and I can't complain they were kinda tasteless but I liked that. Made myself a lil homemade po-boy with the bread and tartar and cole slaw which was also my first time having and Ill say it was kinda tasteless but nice n crunchy. Despite the lack of taste I really liked it. For dinner I had the twin lobster tail. DELICIOUS! I had to ask fOr butter but other than that everything was perfect! Yet again I had Brussel sprouts for the first time and they were amazing. I gobbles up my food. My mother had the fish and chips and I tried some. Really good!!! My picky eating daughter got the Mac and cheese and she nearly ate all of it! I even ate some bites of hers with my lobster and was very much satisfied. I won't comment on service because I am an server and don't want to critique someone's work, I was there for the food. Overall I really likes the place and recommend it. Your in Newport, might as well stop in!!

    (4)

  • Royce K.

    My review is based entirely on the dress code of the Midtown Oyster Bar, which is ridiculous. To allow tattooed women in sleeveless tops, with visible bra straps no less, and not allow men in stylish tank tops, is insulting. If you want to have a dress code, that's fine - but apply it equally to both sexes or don't bother. I won't be dining with you until this policy is rethought.

    (1)

  • Kay P.

    I've gone to Midtown for dinner and just for drinks. Service has been very good both times. The food/drinks are a little pricey but the atmosphere, service and quality of food makes it worth the price. Loved the crab cake and my boyfriend loves their lobster roll (made without mayo!!)

    (4)

  • Eugene D.

    Don't bother. We ate there last night, a Monday. Arrived at 8 pm and were seated at 8.15. The restaurant was crowded at the bar area but there were several empty tables. Couldn't find our waiter and we were served our dinners at 9.45. That's an hour and a half! The waiter apologized for the wait, but did nothing else. The food was good but that wait is unacceptable. There are too many better choices in Newport. Drinks are insanely expensive.

    (1)

  • Christina J.

    To start off the service was disappointing. We were one of the two tables occupied in the dinning room and we still waited for drink orders or any kind of service for at least 10 minutes. We ordered the clam chowder (clear), the sesame salmon, and a scallop dish and all were over salted. The sauces on the seafood dishes were over-powering to the seafood. We were not asked how our meal was or if they could get us anything else. Over-all, for our first night of vacation it was mediocre at very best. Would not go back or recommend.

    (2)

  • David G.

    In my 47 years of eating in restaurants this one wins the award for the loudest. I actually had to leave mid meal my ears hurt so much. The food is at best average so i can't see why I'd go there anyway, but with that said if it was 5 star food it was still so uncomfortable to be in there that I couldn't recommend it. Newport has tons of great dining choices, do yourself a favor go elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Amanda S.

    Midtown opened a few months ago, and since then I've been meaning to stop by for dinner. Finally I chose a night and made reservations for two people at 5:30pm. I had heard that it got really busy and to snag a table you had to have reservations or get there early. When we walked in they weren't busy, but by the time we left there was a wait. We were seated on the 2nd floor indoors and promptly greeted by our waitress. The appetizers looked so delicious that we decided to order a bunch to split as our dinner. We ordered a dozen oysters and 1/2 of a chilled lobster. Both were divine. Then we moved on to the warm apps: Mussels Frittes and a spicy shrimp dish served with bread. I thought that the mussels were amazing, but the shrimp was lacking. We finished with salads, I had the house salad which was awesome and my sister had the grilled romaine which she said was really good too. I will definitely be back soon. Great new spot in Newport.

    (4)

  • Meagan L.

    Great place to go for drinks and an app before you go out. Note with the 3 levels, and the outside decks, it can be pretty noisy when it's packed, with all the echoing, so it may not be the best first date location. I would come here for another date though. Sitting at the bar, my friend and I didn't have a problem hearing each other. But I know if we were sitting in the restaurant, I wouldn't have been able to hear her from across the table. GET THE FRIED OYSTERS! I had never had fried oysters before, so I was nervous, not knowing what to expect. I left pleasantly surprised. And the mojito comes with a rock candy stick, which is cute. The bartenders are friendly. Great to see they took the old Salas restaurant and made it into something even better.

    (4)

  • Krista H.

    Cannot wait to get back down to Newport for those fish tacos! My friend had the tuna tartare tacos and I had the regular fish tacos. Both were absolutely delicious. The crust they use on th fish provides the perfect crunch and is complimented by the creamy avocado and sweetness of the slaw. I also had the Rocky Point clam chowder, which is a clear broth chowder, and my friend had the Steak & Grilled Romaine. Couldn't have had a better lunch. We also went back for drinks one night and they have multiple levels which is really cool. Great job with the renovations, service, food, and cocktails! Love!

    (5)

  • Ashley B.

    I absolutely love this place. The space is awesome- 3 bars, two rooftop sitting areas, ample space throughout. The craftsmanship is also very well done, the decor is outstanding. The food is also very, very good. Oysters are obviously a must here. I also had the lobster roll- amazing. For only being open for a little over a month, this place is doing a great job. I will definitely be a frequent diner!

    (5)

  • Greg S.

    Fun place, yummy food, great service. Fun night!!

    (4)

  • Elle W.

    First, the decor of this place is amazing. It has a nautical vibe, and feels very open and airy. Perfect for a Newport location. We at here twice this weekend. The first time was on Saturday afternoon. We sat on the 3rd floor outside patio. Our waitress was great, she even went on a mission to find a phone charger and plug it in for us. We had the cucumber cocktails, which were delicious. The hummus plate was the best hummus plate I have ever had. I also had the fish tacos, which were great. It was a gorgeous day so that patio was the perfect spot to sit outside and have lunch. We went back again last night. This time we sat at a long high-top table near the first floor bar. I had the beet salad which was good but then they forgot to bring out my tuna carpaccio and my friend's raw bar order. Our waitress was not very attentive, we waited a while before we could find her to get her attention, by that time the rest of the group was done with their meals and ready for the check. We asked about our missing food, mainly to tell her to forget about it at that point. She ended up "finding our food" in the upstairs refridgerator. The raw bar and our seats were both on the first floor, so that didn't make any sense to us. All in all, we would go back. I think their service could be improved but we liked the feel of the place and the food was good.

    (3)

  • David F.

    Been here 5 times now. Great every time. The food has been terrific, great imagination on combinations and presentation, and they care to make it right. Charlie Holder, manager, really knows his job and cares about the customer experience. My hats off to him on particular.

    (5)

  • Kenjandtomeatout E.

    Pleasantly surprised! Nice atmosphere, great food, and awesome service. I went to dinner here with a large group- maybe 10 or 12 of us. My friend and I split two apps- a shrimp and a fried oyster app- both very good. For dinner I had the mahi and loved it. Our waiter was very attentive and pleasant, and everyone left happy. Since my visit I've recommended this place to friends and family who were also pleased with this new restaurant.

    (5)

  • Steve F.

    Ate at this place last night, party of three. Overall, it was a very enjoyable meal. Pros - food was simply outstanding. I had the smoked bluefish pate, then the blackened mahi-mahi. Both were excellent. It was nice to see an old-school simple appetizer like that bluefish on the menu. My friends were very pleased with their meals as well, one having steak and the other a couple of courses of appetizers. Our waitress was very nice and professional, and might I add refreshingly non-corporate in her approach (no obvious selling i.e. "Would you like to try our Super Snazzy Deep-Fried Combo Garbage Meal?" I hate that. Cons - This place has growing pains. I was in the restaurant business for a few years, in both the front and back of the house, and the dining room showed all the telltale signs of going off the rails at any moment. The hostesses, while pleasant, were clearly unprepared and disorganized. Service in the bar area was haphazard at best (the appetizer we ordered in the bar came out before we got our drinks). I was also a little disappointed in the glass of wine I ordered. Just a very ordinary Pinot Grigio I've had many times before - but the portion was maybe two ounces. Had I been the one paying the bill I would have objected to this, but I didn't want to upset the otherwise very nice meal. Overall I highly recommend this place. Just be ready for a little good-natured confusion. I understand that this is their first year open and I'm betting by next season they will have a lot of these kinks ironed out.

    (4)

  • Heather C.

    First time here and loved the atmosphere! We went for drinks but looked at the menu and didn't see anything that would make us come back for dinner. I am allergic to shellfish and my husband doesn't like seafood and we didn't see many options for us. While I understand it is predominantly a seafood place, I feel like there should also be more non-seafood options available to order.

    (2)

  • Ben W.

    The Pork Medallions was one of the best meals I've had in years. I hope they don't take it off the menu! 14oz. NY strip is also excellent with Gorgonzola mashed potatoes.

    (5)

  • cynthia c.

    I agree with the first reviewer of one of the newest restaurants in town. I try to give the restaurant the benefit of the doubt, having only been open ten days....... gotta be honest though...... we will not be rushing back. We were anxious to try it, and this will be a home run regardless of the food; the location and the multiple bars will be bringing them in. All the bars were packed on a sunday night. The rooftop areas are great, and had we known we could have eaten on a high top outside, we would have! (take note folks: great outdoor eating second level, and third floor seating for drinks as well) The service was as green as grass. If you are a high maintenance, fine dining persona, this place is NOT for you. The staff was polite, friendly, young, and inexperienced, but they were trying so hard that I cannot find fault in their results. The bottle of wine took 20 minutes to arrive. The food was marginal. My husband had both the raw oysters and some type of cooked oyster. He said they were not good. Our dinner companions had fish and chips, and grilled swordfish, both of which were average. I had the lobster roll, and that was tasteless. Sorry folks, I could sugarcoat this and inflate my review, but I cannot. The food will not bring us back in. They did a great job on the decor, and this will fit in nicely with the newport scene. Here's hoping they get things a bit more streamlined, and they work on the food and service. Good Luck!

    (3)

  • Sam L.

    Definitely shows signs of being a new establishment. Food was delicious, but service was erratic at best, massively delayed at worst. Took some of our party almost 2 hours to finally get their entrees. The staff was nice and polite, but definitely didn't have their act together. I think the place has a lot of potential if they can keep making such good food, but give them a few months to get their waitstaff properly trained and efficient.

    (3)

  • Jenny C.

    Been going to Newport for years. Walking down Thames st. I see this awesome new restaurant. So I go there the nxt night to eat. 1st the host says it will be 45 mins to be seated, I don't like to wait that long but I really wanted to eat here. Plus it wasn't that busy, we sat in 20 mins. A little advice tell people tell them 20 mins and have them wait 30, it's a lot better than 45 !!!! The food was delicious, the octopus nice and fresh. Even my salad was good , i hate salads. Service was good, we sat on the 2nd floor deck and ppl watch. If I could own a restaurant I would want it to look like Midtown. Can't wait to come back again!!!!!!!

    (5)

  • robert m.

    Went there on two occasions over the July 4th weekend. First for lunch on Wednesday the 3rd and then for dinner on Sunday the 7th. We sat at the downstairs bar for lunch and the food and service was fabulous. We sat on the second floor for dinner. The food was terrific, our server was very great, but the hostesses need to get their act together. This is will be one of our go to places in Newport.

    (5)

  • Lisa P.

    A-1 everything! Great location, awesome second floor outdoor porch and delicious food. Des not get better than this!

    (5)

  • james d.

    Just wrapped up lunch at Midtown with my girlfriend. We started with a scallop sashimi as an appetizer that was fabulous. The scallops were super fresh and the dressings (diced onion, capers, cilantro) complimented the dish very nicely. (Note: going to take an opportunity to trash Tallulah on Thames here: this appetizer was better than anything was served to me at the five coarse chef selection menu i had there the other night and was a fraction of the cost... Just saying...) We dont typically go for fried fare BUT we decided to splurge and split the fried oyster sandwich and the burger with fried oysters on top. Both were good; however we ordered the burger medium and it was cooked to well done - oh well. There is a impressive cocktail list, a adequate wine/beer selection and they are one of the few places in Newport that still HAND STUFFS olives with blue cheese - huge plus in my book (being an avid martini drinker - I loathe the mass produced blue cheese stuffed olives) The interior of this restaurant is really cool and the two outside eating areas can make dinner really fun as they both have cool views of either Thames street or the docks and harbor.. This isn't a Michelin Star rated restaurant by any means, but if you're looking for a really good meal with quality, fresh ingredients with a great/fun atmosphere then this is a great option. All things considered, will give it 3 stars aka it was good!

    (3)

  • Kayla Q.

    I really enjoy the ambiance of this place. Midtown offers a warm and friendly atmosphere with nice sized booths for bigger parties. My boyfriend and I went there for dinner. Both being adventurous, non- picky eaters, we enjoyed the menu. I would not recommend this place for the picky, meat and potatoes kind as it is heavy on the seafood. I ordered the $9 arugula salad to start... as with most newport restaurants, i expected an overpriced small plate of salad, however I was pleasantly surprised, as it would have sufficed as my meal. The waitstaff was friendly and we were checked on regularly. I will return.

    (4)

  • steve r.

    Opening weeks behind them they really are getting it right... have eaten there many times so far (about half a dozen) and every time has been great....The renovation is really amazing, attention to detail, open and spacious yet still comfortable warm and inviting... A great addition to Lower Thames and city of Newport... great spot to watch a sporting event also at downstairs bar. I would highly recommend to any local or visitor. I have been there with adults for drinks and diner also with my son (7 years old) and plenty to choose from on the menu for any occasion. I consider myself a foodie and can be critical...For the price point, the vibe, food options, flavors etc for such a big+new place really got to give it 5 stars...has to be one of the best places in Newport. Back deck 3rd floor shows a great sunset.... Best of luck getting settled in....

    (5)

  • Natalia T.

    if you want attitude and disrespect as side dishes, that's your place. there were 6 of us, 5 adults and a 2 year old child. This place had the nerve to add an automatic gratuity of 20% to our bill because our party was 6 ppl. Really? The service was horrific. The place looked packed around 8pm on a Sunday. We asked the hostess if there is a wait, she said we need to wait a couple of minutes for them to set up our table. So we wait, ... and wait ... That's fine, they seem busy, maybe they are looking for a highchair that we asked for. About 10 minutes later she tells us to go upstairs and see the hostess there will seat us. We get upstairs. The place is HALF EMPTY!!! The hostess points to our table in the back corner of the room, and walks away. She didn't walk us to the table, no menus were given ... and there was no highchair at the table. They just took a table of 6 and moved one chair to the side - this is what they did for 10 minutes ... Mmmm ok, we're starting to get annoyed. We are sitting around, staring at each other, while one of our friends is standing up, waiting for the chair ... Great, the waitress comes by with menus. Says they are short of menus and only gives us 4!!! WHAT?! you're freakin' half empty, how are you short of menus. Meanwhile, we're still waiting for the highchair.... Finally, the chair arrives, the beer arrives, tension starts to melt away a bit ... then the soups arrive ... or don't ... we ordered 2 clam chowders and a fish soup. for 2 ppl who ordered clam chowders, 2 different soups arrived... about 10 minutes apart. One looked like a regular New England clam chowder, another one had clear broth. Hmmm... we asked to exchange one of them. Fish soup never came. Once our main course was there, I asked about it ... the waitress acted as if I was such a bother, adding an additional item ... Really wish I didn't :(( Everything else tasted pretty good, that fish soup was nasty. It got to me when I was almost done with my dish and was a complete disappointment. The bill comes, there are 4 soups on the bill. The waitress says "oh, they must've still added it" ... who are 'they'? and why are they adding things to our bill? Aren't you our waitress?? At least look over a bill before you bring it over ... But i get it, you're getting a hefty 20% tip for a half a$$ed job you did ... And for all of this, they want 20% gratuity?! really?!? Never again. (Found the receipt, waitress's name was Cailin)

    (1)

  • Elizabeth S.

    Amazing transformation from Salas! Delish food and drink in a fun, nautically-modern atmosphere, with great street level people watching and 2nd and 3rd floor harbor views! Huge amount of seating so the wait isn't too bad. Def a great new addition to the downtown lineup!

    (5)

  • Robert N.

    Horrible service. They do not know how to handle a large party. Over an hour and a half to recieve our meal, I had to walk over to a waitress (ours could not be found) to get a drink order in, and handling more than one credit card took over an hour to process. I'm sorry to say but never again

    (1)

  • Chris L.

    My husband and I came here for dinner and it was one of the most pleasant experiences I've ever had in Newport. The decor is simple and elegant and the space is very nicely lit and bright. We were seated quickly and our drinks also came quickly. They had a great list of speciality drinks, I would return just for that drink list alone. I ordered the lobster roll and my husband ordered the chicken. We also ordered some oysters which were brought out promptly and were delicious and fresh. The lobster roll was the best lobster roll I have ever had - it was served warm with butter on a toasted roll - it featured the lobster and the lobster was cooked perfectly. My husband's chicken was extremely overcooked, so he said something to our waitress who immediately brought out the manager. He re-ordered the steak which was brought out in a very timely matter and it was cooked perfectly - my husband says it's one of the best steaks he's ever had in a restaurant. I had a bite and was also very pleased. In addition to being able to switch out my husband's entree we were also served a free round of beverages and offered dessert. It was a wonderful experience - service was amazing, the food and drink were fantastic (once the chicken was resolved), and the atmosphere was very classic Newport.

    (4)

  • Big B.

    Went to Midtown Oyster Bar on Thursday evening as this restaurant was highly recommended. We were not disappointed. The staff was excellent and they offer a great variety of fresh seafood and other items. The Thai mussels and RI clam chowder were both outstanding. Highly recommended and we planned on dining here next time we return to the Newport area.

    (5)

  • Karen P.

    We had a great lunch today at Midtown Oyster Bar in Newport. This town has many overpriced and over-rated restaurants, but this is not one of them! After touring Ocean Drive and ogling mansions from the gilded age, we really wanted a drink and to relax with some nice seafood. Les had a Guinness - correctly pored - and I had a Red Grapefruit Refresher, perfect for a very warm summer day out on the second floor deck. We started with Duxbury MA oysters from the raw bar, they had more than six varieties from PEI to two RI, and the waiter was knowledgeable about the flavors. Next was the Oyster Bar burger with gruyere cheese and fried oysters, with really good fries for Les. I had a sea bass special, that came with a green curry rice and asparagus with flavorful sprouts. All were perfectly cooked and delicious. I never eat restaurant rice, but this actually had delicious but not overwhelming flavor. The flavors on the plate including the sprouts and sauce on the fish were so well balanced as a whole that you could not remove something or add something, it was great as it was. We spent about 1.5 hours relishing our late lunch and enjoying the music mix from inside. A lucky find on a summer Tuesday.

    (5)

  • L P.

    Great evening there. Very attentive and friendly bartender (Ally). Excellent beer selection, and very nice atmosphere!

    (5)

  • Mark P.

    Great historic renovated building with an awesome raw bar! Fresh oysters daily! Had a lobster roll that was packed and lightly dressed with butter. Yummy! Worth a try if you like fresh seafood!

    (5)

  • Bryan M.

    Bar review only (haven't eaten there yet). Great crowd - not too young - late 20s/30s. Bartenders very attentive - and drink menu is extensive. VERY REASONABLE prices too. $4.25 for a beer? Fantastic! CHS 1994 quaterback legend "Coop" mans the bar on the weekends - enough said.

    (5)

  • Lisa H.

    For starters we got a dozen of steamed little neck clams. It was served in a broth but it was on the salty side. We also had some oysters and our favorite ones were the naked cowboys from NY. They were big, sweet and very fresh. For entrees, I had the Chilean sea bass and it was jaw dropping good. It was cooked to perfection and it melted in my mouth. My friend got the salmon and lobster special. The salmon was overcooked and the overall dish had too many beans. Food was delicious, service was great, atmosphere was chill I would definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Jesse C.

    The decor of the restaurant is bright and welcoming, unfortunately the service was sub par. They forgot our drinks which took 20 min to get. However the food made up for that. The fish and chips were crispy and tender and the cod chowder was delicious. The food was seasoned perfectly. I would definitely come back again

    (4)

  • Jon W.

    Great restaurant with a good ambiance. I went on a Wednesday night so I had no wait and there was a cover band which was very good I might add. In regards to the food my friend an I both ordered the steak frites medium rare which was cooked perfectly and full of flavor I would highly recommend it... The fries on the other hand weren't anything special just your typical fries but good. I would highly recommend this restaurant on a non weekend summer night and on a weekend summer night in Newport you would be happy to eat anywhere.

    (5)

  • Cricket H.

    We LOVE this place! have been there so many times and is always consistently great! Bar area is fun with lots of seating, can sit at oyster bar and watch shucking. All seafood we have had has been excellent (both raw and cooked) and in our opinion the BEST lobster roll and fries around! The lobster roll is very generous amount of lobster and warmed with butter - no may on this baby! and toasted buttered bun. There are many levels of seating and in the summer there is an outdoor terrace to enjoy. We have never had a bad experience and have been here in the summer, spring, fall and winter.

    (5)

  • Kelly F.

    The ambiance, seafood, and service here are outstanding. The oysters are delicious. The smoked fish dip is to die for. The drinks and bartenders are awesome and won't hesitate to cook up something unique for you. Everything about this place screams New England and spectacular. Worth a visit no matter where you're from.

    (5)

  • Joe S.

    I like that place ! Starting with great Bloody Mary, while having the oysters! They have great quality of oysters, fresh and well presented.... Than I order the tuna ceviche ! But it's a tuna tartare ! Was good and tasty. Fish and chips as a main course! Very good and the fish is not full of oil! It was cooked as it should be with a great crunchy texture. Will try it next time while visiting !

    (5)

  • Brittany T.

    Fantastic food and atmosphere! My drink wasn't that great but the staff and fish were fantastic!

    (4)

  • Alanna B.

    Oysters were awesome. Grilled octupus was awesome. There are 3 floors of dining to enjoy with an rooftop bar. Highly recommend making reservations through OpenTable.com . This place gets packed quick. Lunch specials are different from dinner specials so you may need to go twice. Next time I visit Newport I will definitely be back. Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Michelle D.

    Excellent food. We started with oysters which were delicious! For entrees the bouillabaisse was excellent. The scallops were fresh and the service was top notch! I'd highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Katie C.

    Bar is always busy and food is tasty but a bit overpriced. Impressive drink menu though.

    (3)

  • Nick H.

    Great seafood. Have been to Newport a number of times and never seen this until last night. Atmosphere is great. Space is intimate and classy. Went on a date with my wife and we had a great time. Our server was fantastic. Attentive but not in a rush to get us out of there. Food was excellent. I love seafood and there were at least ten dishes on the menu Id like to try. Had the crabmeat cocktail and oysters for appetizers. And the the salmon with jasmine rice and sautéed spinach for dinner. Everything was delicious. Prices are reasonable for newport. Hope to go back.

    (5)

  • Nikki I.

    I have been here for dinner and lunch and have been slightly disappointed with the food both times. I really want to love this place because the inside is charming and the atmosphere is great but the food has not left me wanting to return anytime soon. It's a great place to grab a drink and enjoy the raw bar though.

    (3)

  • Erin N.

    My boyfriend and I had lunch on a Wednesday at 3. Great shady roof deck. I have a dairy allergy. Wait staff and manager were very attentive. Wait staff was very friendly. I ordered; Fried oysters - perfectly fried and seasoned. No need for tartar sauce that they came with. Slaw was great on its own. Scallop Crudo - 2 scallops thinly sliced and plenty for 2-4 people as an app. delicious! Buttery and well balanced by micro greens and finely diced veggies. Light and refreshing. Salmon ceviche - large portion for 2 as an app. Very citrus/lime heavy with out a sweet or salt to balance. Id pass in the future. Smoked fish variety - we LOVE anything smoked. There were 3 kinds of fish; salmon, a white fish, small scallops and a peppered larger white fish. All delicious! Good light app for 2. He ordered the Mahi Fish Tacos and cleaned his plate. Had room to finish off the oysters. Enough said.

    (4)

  • Amanda M.

    Loved this place!! The service was fantastic and everything we ordered was delicious. The atmosphere was really fun. They had live music and there were a ton of people. It was a little loud but that's because we sat in the bar area. There is other seating where it's quieter. Would definitely come back again!

    (5)

  • Linda R.

    Stopped in for dinner on a Sunday evening. Pros: they can accommodate large parties and have a basic menu where everyone can find something they like, great decor Cons: There service was slow and multiple people were waiting on our table which caused a lot of confusion because wait staff would take away plates that were used as sharing plates. One waitress poured our beer and it spilled over the table so she gave it to us on the house. However, when we got our bill the bottle of beer was still on there. We had to ask for it get it removed from the bill which is fine but it added to the slow service. Overall, the service wasn't the best but regardless they were friendly and had good intentions.

    (2)

  • Timothy M.

    Restaurant week lunch menu. So glad we gave this place a try. My wife started with the clam chowder in a clear broth. This was delicious and the clear broth was a nice break from the traditional clam chowder. I had the mini raw bar platter which included 2 little neck clams, 2 oysters and 2 shrimp. So fresh and yummy! For meals my wife tried the Seared yellowfin tuna with noodles done in a soy broth (picture). She absolutely loved this. I had the Oyster Bar burger. Great idea putting fried oysters on a burger. This was good except for the burger was undercooked. I guess I could have sent it back to get cooked a little more, but I was too hungry! We both ordered a Bloody Mary. My wife being a Bloody Mary aficionado, thought Midtown's was way better then The Moorings, which we had the day before. The Restaurant Week Lunch menu includes a dessert so we got one of each (key lime pie and a chocolate mousse). I am not a dessert person, especially after being filled up from all the food I consumed. Overall my wife and I enjoyed our experience at Midtown Oyster Bar and would highly recommend it!

    (4)

  • Robert L.

    Great beer selection, great oyster selection, decent live music. Food has not let me down for the few times I have been. Has a great location during the summer to watch the crowds walk bye. Parking can be tricky during the summer. So think ahead.

    (4)

  • Haiku D.

    First time there, ate with kids on the 3rd floor deck. I really liked how every room and area on each floor had a different vibe. Deck was cute, you really need to want to see the view though! Smoked fish was really good, oysters were great. The beet salad was, well, as they always are. We had lobster cocktail and lobster roll, both were good. The menu seemed more varied and interesting than most of the area restaurant and I was very upset I wasnt in the mood for pork cracklings. Sigh, another time. We will definitely go back!

    (4)

  • George K.

    After the wretched experience we'd had nearby at Forty One North (we left without eating), this was like an oasis in the desert by comparison. Though it was sometime after 8:00 and we had no reservations, we were seated quickly upstairs. Our waitress (another Sarah) was friendly and helpful. Cocktails were served quickly as was the food - we were hungry. The surf & turf ($35) was very good as was the chowder ($7). I had the gazpacho soup ($12) - I really enjoyed it. My blackened mahi ($23) was fantastic! FYI the glass of Chardonnay was $11 and the Absolut vodka on the rocks was $8.50

    (5)

  • Sara V.

    Great experience. Walked in with a stroller and was seated right away. I'm not a lobster fan, but has to try the Lobster Cocktail - amazing. Also had the Halibut special - delicious. I would definitely come back and recommend.

    (5)

  • Chris R.

    Wow. Deliciousness abounds. Seriously. Great bartender - Julie(?). Exellent appetizers - Bibb Lettuce Wedge and teh Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad. Dinners of Grilled Swordfish and Blackened Tuna. I was really surprised as I did not expect the quality, flavors, plating and overall experience to be as fantastic as it was. Sure, I expected good, but this was beyind good, venturing into the realm of greatness. I. AM. A. FAN. (and will definitely be back).

    (4)

  • Melissa M.

    Thank God for restaurant week! Had dinner here last night with my coworkers and my oh my. We started with the clam casino. 5 little necks in a garlic butter sauce and bacon on top. the sauce was so delicious we requested bread to dip into it once the clams were gone. my coworkers both for the steak Frites and loved it. I wanted to try something else so i went with the lobster mac and cheese. Every single bite had lobster in it. I found 4 claws. Everything was delicious including the service but I definitely need the clam casino back in my life SOON.

    (5)

  • Lauren L.

    Came here for drinks after dinner and to watch the MLB baseball game. The bartender was great with our service but this place gets one star due to the huge roach that I saw scatter across the bathroom floor. Based upon that observation I would not recommend this place to eat.

    (1)

  • Kristin O.

    I had a nice lunch at the bar. The service was prompt and friendly. The gazpacho was unique and very tasty. I finished off with a nice Bibb salad

    (4)

  • Alice K.

    We went here for lunch. The wait for inside was short, and the staff was really nice. We ordered some oysters and cocktails first: the peach sangria was a disappointment but the cucumber gin cocktail was delicious. Oysters were super fresh and good as well. For main dish we ordered mahi mahi sandwich which is an absolute must - it was more than amazing; and the oyster Burger was very good and tasty.

    (4)

  • John M.

    Not a bad little spot. Do yourself a favor and don't go with the intention of sitting on the deck. We started with the wicked shrimp which seemed to be six shrimp in a broth of indeterminate ingredients. Salty and bland. My fiancée had grilled scallops and shrimp which were very good. The lobster roll I had might be one of the best I've ever had. Not a bad spot but a bit pricey. Our waitress, Kim, was super helpful and friendly.

    (3)

  • Catia E.

    I always make it a point to stop in here... the location is perfect and the atmosphere is usually great! I tend to get the raw bar and and drinks while I'm there!

    (4)

  • Nic Y.

    After a long day at Newport this place has great selection of fresh oysters and other seafood. We had the crab cake, fish and chips, and the raw oysters. My wife could eat a thousand oysters here. Great food and atmosphere, we would come back for sure.

    (4)

  • Guillermo M.

    The oysters are great in this place and also some other appetizers like the crab meat and the fried oysters. Avoid the crab cake, expensive and not a good flavor (too salty). The place overall is expensive so be careful with what you order, you may end up with a big check.

    (4)

  • Chris C.

    Superb selection of oysters. If you like calamari, definitely try the grilled octopus appetizer - you won't be disappointed! Service at the bar was great. It was starting to really fill up when I finished eating so that may not always be the case. Oh yeah, ask for the bread while waiting for your food.

    (4)

  • Nancy R.

    Not impressed. I sat upstairs at the bar. It was incredibly hot up there. Uncomfortably hot. I ordered the fried oysters and they were soggy. They came out so quickly after I ordered them that I wonder if they hadn't been sitting back there for awhile, perhaps as a result of a mistake or something. I also had a special asparagus dish with an olive tapenade. The asparagus was cooked perfectly but the tapenade wasn't the best and really didn't go well with the asparagus. Asparagus so good it is a travesty to bury it in a tapenade. This is an expensive place and I expected much better food.

    (2)

  • Julia C.

    I came here for lunch with my fiancé while visiting Newport, and the food was fantastic! We started with a bowl of chowder and an order of stuffies, which had a spicy chorizo filling. Really tasty. I ordered the mussels as a main course, and they were absolutely superb - large, cooked to perfection, amazing. I would recommend asking them to leave the aioli off - it's not very good and I thought it detracted from the dish. We came to this place on a recommendation from a local, and we weren't disappointed. Probably one of the better meals we had in Newport and at a more reasonable price point too.

    (4)

  • Arthur C.

    Have not eaten here, my review is based purely on the staff and management. Bartenders were great, manager said Hi and was great, drinks were great, fast and loved the atmosphere EDIT: Ate here, the stuffies, burger, and fish tacos were all very good.

    (5)

  • Amanda M.

    I went back to Midtown for a few reasons. 1) they host the Bike Newport event--points for supporting Bike Newport! and 2) they had an awesome looking lunch restaurant week menu this time around. I have to say, I am now a fan. The servers this time around were lovely. The restaurant itself is really pretty inside and has a fair amount of seating (They have an upstairs and a few bars). The food was good. I enjoyed it. My hope is the waiter we had last time that was so bad was just having a bad day and took it out on us by treating us like we didn't exist...or, if not, has gotten a bit more training on how to actually be a server (and pleasant).

    (4)

  • Greg H.

    Loved the selection of raw oysters. Food was fresh, perfectly cooked. Excellent location right on Thames for people watching.

    (4)

  • Joe N.

    Not the best burger ! Service was just ok ..

    (2)

  • Joulie S.

    I am not a big seafood person but since I was in the east coast, I had to see what all the hype was about. I'll be honest I never tried lobster anything, maybe in sushi? Anyways, I ordered the Lobster Taco and I was expecting it in a soft taco shell, that went right out the window by the time it was served to me. It looked weird and I was hesitant to try it, I hate hard shell (I saw my taco destroyed after one bite) I wasn't going to become a complainer, I was hungry and I wanted to enjoy it. To my surprise it was pleasantly orgasmic, I think I ate it too fast without even enjoying it (my #1 rule while eating was broken) lol....what a girl to do when she's hungry, it did not fill me up though, I was hungry 2 hours later :-/ (it was only 2 healthy tacos, I'm no pig) So if your ever making a trip to Newport, Rhode Island, that whole Thames street is filled with restaurants and stores, must check this place out. I am pretty sure the other restaurants are good too but don't take my word for it :-D

    (5)

  • Johnny S.

    My boyfriend and I stopped by for dinner here a few nights ago during a trip to Newport. We waited about 30 minutes but they did a good job of taking down our number and sent us a text when the table was ready. I ordered the seared tuna which was prepared with guacamole and a delicious wasabi vinaigrette. The meal was excellent. My boyfriend ordered the lobster roll. He is not a big fan of mayo and was very delighted to find the sandwich was made with butter instead it mayo. We also ordered several drinks, all of which were quite strong.

    (4)

  • Nora R.

    Had a blueberry pomegranate margarita that was spot on. Perfect amount of alcohol and an arugula salad which was perfectly dressed, good size portion and good service. My only critique would be to have a more wide range of entree options, but it's an oyster bar, I get it.

    (4)

  • Jennah A.

    Food was delicious, service was good and friendly, and the ambience, decor of the restaurant was modern yet fit the town vibes!

    (5)

  • P I.

    We ended up walking here after trying to go to black pearl, but the line was incredibly long. Glad we stumbled to this place. Seated promptly and very friendly and fast service. Tuna tacos were fantastic and refreshing Raw oysters were fresh Fried Oyster Burger was the first I've ever had and was really good Mussel frites were also great.

    (4)

  • Laura B.

    I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this restaurant! If you're in downtown Newport, check this place out for dinner! The tuna tartare tacos (app) were fresh and flavorful and my boyfriend was pleased with his cod chowder. I got the swordfish entree and it was cooked perfectly and presented over a magnificent bed of butternut risotto. Perfect portion sizes! The boyfriend got the lobster roll (made with butter, sorry mayo-seeking crowd) and was happy with it. The ambience was neat- a bit dark (the dimmed the lights pretty significantly while we were there, a couple near us had to use their cellphone flashlights to read the menu), but a modern nautical feel that seemed very fitting. Grab a bite here- I think you'll be pleased and will want to come back!

    (5)

  • Krys g.

    The best thing about this place is the Decour. It goes downhill sharply from there. The service was poor, the waitstaff was unenthusiastic, insensitive, and uncaring. If you have a food allergy beware, The server was uninformed about ingredients, and belittled our request for gluten-free options. He indicated that gluten-free was a fad and this restaurant was uninterested in supporting fads, essentially he suggested that people with gluten intolerance have something wrong with their heads. My steak was sinewy, The order was mixed up, and the length of time to get our food was long. The drinks were good, so if you can overlook what I've just described above, then this is the place for you.

    (1)

  • S H.

    Good food, service slow. We were there at 9:30 pm on a Sunday. While there were probably 10 tables in various phases of their meals, there were also three wait staff. It still took over 10 min for us to get waters, 15 min to get the waitress's attention to get the check. Food was pretty good. Ranged from a good medium rare burger to perfectly cooked scallops.

    (4)

  • Dave Y.

    The tuna tartar taco is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Lobster rolls on butter sans the mayo. Cute interior. Service was a little slow but the poor waitress had a busy section to herself.

    (4)

  • Russell S.

    The food, atmosphere and beer selection were very good but the service was poor. I ordered off the restaurant week menu and was impressed by the options. The oysters were excellent and our entrees were above average. After we placed our order we were asked by three other servers if we had been helped yet. The waitress brought my wife the wrong soup and never brought us the coffee we requested. Luckily the food was good enough to not let the service screw ups bother us.

    (3)

  • Chris C.

    Woodwork, view... Great. But they're getting 2 stars based on food and service. We expected so much more when we walked in. The kitchen just couldn't get the timing right. We were 1/4 way through with our appetizer, our entree came out and sat. Raw clams were so very salty. Crab legs were chewy. Raw oysters were good. For entree, I had the scallops and was extremely salty. My husband had linguine with clam sauce and it was not seasoned at all and pasta was overdone. Suggested wine was awful. Fresh berries weren't fresh, looked like it sat a long time, mushy. Cappuccino tasted like it was from instant mix. We picked this place because it was very similar to our NYC favorite but it wasn't similar in the least. If they're going to charge the type of price, then they need to deliver the top notch food and service. It was ok, I wouldn't go back and I wouldn't suggest this place who's looking for good food. It was subpar for our liking.

    (2)

  • Vicell M.

    I was dining with my boyfriend on a mini trip and midtown oyster bar is highly recommended as one foodie stop. The food is delicious! The grilled octopus is one of the best we ever had. We also tried the pork crackling and my boyfriend devoured it. The lobster risotto is really delicious. The best is their mussels. If you are a true foodie, salt is our friend. The the sweetness of the mussels is truly accentuated. As for the decor, its very cute. It seems like an old courtroom changed into a romantic dining room. Highly recommended for a date or even a big party. Their restrooms are clean and nicely designed if you are scared like me when it comes to funny smelling restrooms. Lastly, our waitress Kit was amazing. She made us feel welcomed and was attentive to our needs such as drink refills. We would definitely go back when we take another trip to newport.

    (5)

  • Danielle F.

    Went here for a birthday dinner. Good food and atmosphere. We received text that our reserved table was waiting for us. As we paid for parking behind the restaurant, we were informed we could stay til 2, which we didn't take them up on. I had the spring roll for appetizer and the midtown cod for entrée. It was all easy to eat. :) The decor is classy nautical saltbox with attention to detail. The high ceilings make it hard to hear, but it isn't terrible. Dressy casual. Would go again.

    (5)

  • Danica F.

    The place was really cute inside. The portion sizes are pretty good. I got the clam chowder. It was good and had chunks but it was not hot. If you like your soup warm it's good. Overall good though!

    (4)

  • Matt T.

    Don't go there. So there's room for me. Amazing food and great set up. 3 bars and 3 floors.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    Atmosphere was friendly, good for intimate or large friendly gatherings. Hostesses were courteous, our waiter seemed distracted but was pleasant otherwise Food was delicious!! The seafood really tasted fresh! Everything had flavor!

    (4)

  • michele m.

    Great drinks and amazing oysters. Husband loved the octopus, which seemed to be in a dry smokey spicy rub. Our entrees however - a salmon special and scallops (standard) while fish was well prepared were a little bit off - scallops were in a sauce that was soy based but w kalmata olives and grapefruit so weird to the palate; husband's salmon on wasabi noodles were just bland, not too much kick. My mistake for not picking what the helpers suggested - will have to give it a try again next time.

    (3)

  • Heather B.

    We had a fantastic meal here on a busy cold Saturday night. The building has been beautifully renovated and the first floor is rustic but gorgeous with a bar on one side and dining on the other. Booths and exposed beams. Second floor, exposed beams in dining area with tall ceiling and in white. Another lively bar. Food was delicious. Great portions on the smoked bluefish which 4 of us shared. I had swordfish with squash risotto and it was perfect! Blackened mahi mahi was soo good too. Prices are reasonable for a high end restaurant. Waitress was attentive. Would go back in a heartbeat.

    (5)

  • Vincent D.

    Excellent raw clam bar - good selection of clams to choose from. Try the asian style pork meatballs, sweet and spicy. If you want really spicy, go for tge wicked shrimp. It's good but burns you to. To cool you down, go with the beets and goat cheese salad, very refreshing. Good atmosphere in the bar area but loud. Restaurant section us less busy. Definitely worth coming back.

    (4)

  • Michelle R.

    Over our weekend in Newport, we spent much of our two nights hanging out here at Midtown Oyster Bar, mostly due to the fact that they have live music on Friday and Saturday nights. I found ordering drinks to be a very time consuming process as they only have 1 (sometimes 2) bartender(s) for the entire first floor of the bar. For the amount of people drinking on their lower level, that's just ridiculous. My friends and I went up to the second floor and were able to get drinks much more quickly and sit on their outdoor patio.

    (3)

  • Domenique B.

    We had two waitresses the first one she was ok. At first I asked can we have some bread when she put it down she swiped her hands together and got flour all ovwe the table and didnt clean it up. The second lady was nice and kept a tab on us. My overall experince including the food wasnt that great. Won't be coming back any time soon.

    (2)

  • Steven A.

    The midtown is consistently excellent in both food and service. In particular we enjoyed the grilled octopus that was and has been on subsequent visits the best I have ever had anywhere. This establishment is literally the perfect restaurant by which I would judge all others

    (5)

  • Julie G.

    Midtown Oyster Bar is totally Newport. It is becoming my go to spot for drinks when I have a visitor to show around town. All three floors of Midtown have a chic nautical theme going on, and the high ceilings with re-purposed wood work are beautiful. The first floor boasts some of the best people watching spots in town. The bar down here is huge, but usually busy. Fear not! There is another full size bar on the second floor. The best seats in the house are on the second floor patio. Make reservations for the patio if you're wanting to make lunch or dinner extra special.. its always busy in the summer. There is yet another small bar, patio, and dining area on the third floor that opens for events or in the summer when its really packed. Service has been good, though also I have never found any of the bartenders to be very engaging. Prices here are a bit high, but on par for the area. Its not necessarily the absolute best food and drinks in town.. but I think the ambiance and location make it a perfect stop in Newport.

    (4)

  • Ben R.

    Crowded in the evening but they will make an effort to serve you as best they can. The variety of oysters offered is good, although your opinion of the value may vary. I had a mixed dozen with some of everything that was available and it was a good sampling. Would do again and would go here first for oysters in this part of Newport. Good tap beer selection. Live music on nights in the bar area downstairs is nice, but gets very loud. Not the place to go if you want to have a conversation. Upstairs bar is much more cozy.

    (4)

  • Jason W.

    Excellent raw bar... and the price is ok for the location. The selection just can't be beaten though.

    (4)

  • Terry B.

    Great food!! There were three of us. We had a cheese plate, oyster stew, salmon ceviche, beet salad, scallops and chicken, all were excellent! I'd highly recommend it! Drinks were great too! Had a cucumber spice cocktail, a winner with Hendricks and Elderflower liquor! Dessert was bread pudding and mixed seasonal berries, excellent to the end! Ginger ice cream didn't get our vote but everything else did!

    (5)

  • Mary J.

    Nearly inedible food and zombie like service with NYC prices, stay away. Poor lighting, items difficult for those with food restrictions, hard to hear conversation with co anion across table.

    (1)

  • Rebecca R.

    Favorite downtown spot for lunch or an afternoon drink. Their outdoor seating options are fantastic (don't worry, they have plenty of gas heaters for the transition seasons). Sandwiches & burgers are delicious and reasonably priced. In particular, we like the pastrami sandwich (comes with the best fried pickle I've ever had), the "good burger" (it is), and the oyster burger. In winter, get the hot spiced cider. I wish they would put it on the fall menu! So so good.

    (4)

  • DailyDeal M.

    Will be one of the first places I return to when I get back to Newport! Went twice; once for drinks and once for food. This place is beautiful and everything I wanted it to be. Classy but not snobby. Fun with a good crowd but no sloppy drunks yelling at the top of their lungs. Food was outstanding. Get the tuna tacos and the pork belly. Unbelievable. Mussels were good but they were the big kind and I'm not a huge fan of that. Lobster roll was huge and to die for. Like I said-- can't wait to go back. Hub can we go this weekend?

    (5)

  • Traci V.

    Very busy spot, head upstairs for a quieter dinner. Food is fantastic, its our new favorite spot in Newport.

    (4)

  • Brittany S.

    Ambiance was nice.. Staff was very friendly.. Beet and arugula salad was amazing.. My entree was just ok.. I would definitely come back to try something new.

    (3)

  • Andrew B.

    Came in for late lunch/early dinner on New Year's Eve. Hostess was friendly and attentive. Seated our group of 7 (including 2 children) immediately and took all of our coats (nice touch!) Server offered to take drink orders at the appropriate time, explained the menu and specials and gave us our space. Did not feel rushed at all. Octopus app. and Pork Cracklings' (which are really thick sliced pork belly - not fatty at all, and seasoned perfectly) were awesome. Oyster stew could use a bit more salt, but was adjusted at the table and ultimately delicious. Everyone enjoyed their mains, especially the fritto misto which wound up being shared by the table. Great deserts, and actual good cup of fresh coffee. I highly recommend the Midtown Oyster Bar.

    (5)

  • Michael P.

    We sat at the bar and had an awesome time here. Oyster selection was great and just an overall nice place. Great service from the bartenders too!

    (4)

  • Christine P.

    Try the tuna tartar tacos. Outrageous!! We stopped in one late afternoon in Winter for some cocktails and a late lunch. Service was great, atmosphere was great, and food was very good. We had some raw oysters, sandwiches, salads, and the tuna tartar tacos. Those were the highlight of the day! Absolutely delicious, with home made shells even. A must get if you like tuna. Overall we throughly enjoyed our time and will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Sarah G.

    Absolutely amazing! Great appetizer of Scallops and entre of Blackened Mahi Mahi. Espresso martini for dessert was spot on. Great service and atmosphere. Will come back again!!

    (5)

  • Steven C.

    This is a New restaurant in Newport, we walked and and had some drinks at the bar. They had a nice selection of micro brews and the bartenders were nice and knowledgeable. We had reservations for a party of 6 and we were seated on the 2 level. The place was packed, both bars were super busy, as well as restaurant ! The food was good as well as the cocktails and wine . The main issue of the night was someone in my party order sea bass and receive the wrong dish, something that he could not eat. Then when the Sea bass came out it was under cooked, I guess because they rushed it out. This would have been fine, only if the manager of the Restaurant would have came over and explained the situation and maybe apologized. The manager was some kid managing probably 1 of 17 managers that they had working that night ! He could careless or was never trained to handled situations like this. Probably a little of both. The food I ordered I was happy with , but because of what happened at the table I will never be back to this restaurant. Classic case bad service can't save good food !

    (3)

  • Elysabeth R.

    I went for lunch yesterday with my 11-year-old daughter, and she could not have had a better introduction to oysters! We loved them! Paired with a hard cider (for me only, fear not judgy parents!) that our waitress recommended, we worked our way through 8 varieties, each one delicious! Our waitress was helpful and charming; and my daughter couldn't believe how quickly the food came! The signature burger (with fried oysters and remoulade sauce) was equally awesome, and the smoked fish platter and wedge salad were delightful as well. It's rare for me to find nothing wrong with a restaurant... but truly, everything was impeccable. Make this is a must-stop next time you're in Newport! I know that I will!

    (5)

  • Philip R.

    The tuna tacos were the best I have ever had! The Wellfleet oysters were also delicious.

    (5)

  • Kerry R.

    Midtown Oyster Bar Is a wonderful! It is only about 3 blocks from the Newport Harbor Hotel and very close to Barrington Marina. The raw oyster selection is great. I ordered Chatham and Duxbury oysters on the half shell. These are served with a seasoned vinegar that the restaurant makes. There is a cocktail sauce and horseradish blend also served with it. I had the steamed mussels appetizer. Incredible! There is a great white wine broth and great french fries. Service is very good, Jenn was my hostess. Excellent for happy hour or dinner, loved it!

    (4)

  • Ian S.

    GOOD: friendly service, good food. Our waitress was training another girl and was very friendly and helpful. Attentive to us and our dining experience. They have an awesome selection of oysters and a gorgeous raw bar, which tasted even better than expected. BAD: hostesses were not at the door and we had to seat ourselves, they then proceeded to pout by the front door for the entirety of our visit. OVERALL: good experience and would come back again. It's a younger crowd and an establishment where the owners care about your experience and not just their paycheck.

    (4)

  • Stephen V.

    Sat at Bar on a Sat nite . Valerie our barmaid was incredible. Very accommodating and pleasant. Let us try beer samples along with wine to decide what suited us best. Tuna and lobster tacos were ok. The shrimp scampi was good. But octopus was blah. Could only taste the seasoning. Band was a local group and were ok.

    (3)

  • Melissa B.

    I went on a snowy evening and it wasn't very busy. The waitress was slow and seemed overwhelmed with the couple of tables she had. I had the $27 lobster roll and was very disappointed. It was dry, absolutely no mayo, on a huge hoagie style roll. It was literally dry lobster on a dry roll. I had to ask for some sort of sauce just to make it edible. I had the $9 cup of French onion soup too and it was great, maybe the best I've had. But it was very expensive for a cup of soup! My friend had the tuna tacos as an app and the mahi entree and he said those were fantastic. With that, I wasn't impressed and don't think I'll go back.

    (2)

  • Leo S.

    This review is for the bar portion only we did not eat dinner. Went to the Jazz festival on 8/2/14 and ended up here for drinks afterwards. The crowd was a mix of all ages. The music wasn't so loud that people couldn't talk. In fact it was at the perfect level which is a rarity. Bar service was exceptional. We never waited for drinks despite sometimes ordering for a party of 15. They were quick and pretty courteous. This didn't feel like the tired old Newport I remember that is more like a college bar. This felt upscale and was a lot of fun.

    (5)

  • Gabriel C.

    One of the the best place i ever eat in usa (i went 4 Times) the kitchen is very good and the people too!

    (5)

  • Ashley C.

    Second time around was just as good as the first. This time Hubby had mahi mahi, and I had the salmon tartare and beet salad. Oysters are always a must! Can't wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Grace F.

    Came here three times, love it. We came twice for restaurant week and sat down on the first floor. Yesterday we had Holly as a server and she was so sweet. They were crazy busy and she kept apologizing for being a bit slow but it was totally fine, and the wait wasn't even bad. The seafood is incredibly fresh, and the salad was crispy and big for a starter salad. My mini key lime pies were yummy and fancy! The berries and cream looked a little boring but my friend liked it. Last week the husband and I ordered a manhattan a piece, and they were strong and perfect. Glad we found another cool place in NewPort

    (4)

  • Nick R.

    Absolutely amazing! From the Oysters fresh full and delicious!!!! Rhode Island clam chowder was the best full of clams the broth had a little spice it was the best! Our main dish we had SEARED scallops perfectly seared and cooked just right not rubbery or hard the broth they were in was delicious, it had grapefruit slices, onions and micro greens with a touch of sesame oil! WOW! And our cocktails BLOOD ORANGE MARGARITAS!

    (5)

  • Jake M.

    New place in town so I had to try. Interior decor is really Great. But I think where great stops. Service was ok. No one was overly friendly or nice but not rude. I was ignored by the bartender for a bit. The drink menu seemed limited. The entire atmosphere Was pretentious. And for no good reason. The food was fine. The clams were chewy. I just don't get all the hype I guess.

    (2)

  • Kristin B.

    Excellent dinner at Midtown last night! Good vibe overall. Oysters were fresh and on point. I had a shrimp appetizer that was really delicious as well. Good wine and beer selection and the service was great. We'll definitely be back when in Newport!

    (5)

  • Luckie D.

    Why 4 Stars......It's the food, service and ambiance. This is just the kind of place you want to drop by for a few cold beers, cocktails or better than average bar food. The oysters were fresh and tasty with a buttery briny finish. The fish and chips were fine too although I'm not much of a fan. Drinks arrived quickly and were potent. A good time was had all on the deck with friendly service.

    (4)

  • Kim B.

    I have lived in Portsmouth my entire life, and have therefore grown up eating in Newport for every occasion. I am lucky now that I am 23, to have Newport to bring my college and high school friends together, to a fun and unique town with so much to do. This past fourth of July, I had 20 or so friends from college visiting, and wanted them to experience Newport. I had heard amazing things about Midtown and was so excited to see it, experience it, and hopefully get reservations so that my friends could get true Newport seafood, at a fun new spot that by rumor, was the place to be. My friend (who asked not to be named) and I dropped off the 10 frat boys at O'briens, and they would meet us at midtown later. We ventured down Thames, in excitement to sit on the new roofdeck, enjoy some summer drinks, and catch up since we hadn't seen each other for a few months. When walking into Midtown, we were in awe. You would never know it used to be the same place as Salas', (a delicious, but dirty Italian place) with beautiful new wooden floors, wooden beams, and the most romantic setting of candles and decor. It could be in a magazine. With it expanding over 3 floors, you really felt like you were in a barn, but still right on the water. So you may ask.. okay, why give this place a 1? And I will say, I am shocked. I have NEVER had such a humiliating, degrading, surprising... and honestly rude experience as I did at Midtown. We claimed a spot outside on the roofdeck, and went in to the bar to get Sam Summers. The bartender asked for our ID's and considering we are 23, we handed them over without thinking twice. She took my ID over to the black light, brought it back, and asked for a 2nd form of ID. Now, I am 23, but this surprisingly has never happened to me. However, I happily gave her my College ID (with a picture), 3 credit cards, my AAA card, my health insurance card, and my Work ID (with a picture). She then took a closer look at my friends ID and said that "she couldn't accept them, as they see so many fake CT licences". We assured her these were real, and she obviously did not look at them closely, since they are RI. She then said she could not accept them, but brought them back to her manager for verification. At this point, everyone at the bar (about 30-40 people) had noticed what was going on, and were whispering about my friend and I. I would be humiliated about this anywhere, but considering I am from Portsmouth, and go out in Newport 2-3 times a week, I was beyond humiliated. It was a feeling like I have never had before... and made me feel like I was doing something wrong... We saw the bartender, the manager, and 2-3 other employees looking at our ID's out back. After about 10 minutes, the bartender came back, and rudely told us that these ID's were fake, and that they would not accept them here. We fired back commenting that this was ridiculous, and that maybe they didn't know what to look for in RI ID's...maybe something changed that they weren't aware of. She insultingly replied something like, "all bartenders meet with the cops monthly and have an ID class on what is real or not. These are not real ID's.". We were flabbergasted. Completely in awe to a.) be rejected at a place that we call home and b.) that we were treated as if we were bar scum. Now I understand, a new bar, they want to make sure that they are only serving those of age. However, when I show them 9 different forms of ID, our licenses say we are from the town over, and there are 2 GIRLS who you are saying they are fake.. I am sorry but that is just completely unacceptable. To finish the story, we went to the police station and asked if anything was wrong with our ID's. They said nope, they are the same ID's issued by the state of RI for eternity. I then called back Midtown and asked to speak to the manager, in which I was only hoping to inform her that perhaps her bartenders/other managers needed clarification on real RI ID's. I kindly told her about our experience, how much it upset and humiliated us, and how we really were looking forward to experiencing Midtown. At this point, they could have redeemed themselves, and I would have a whole new impression of Midtown. But it gets worse!! The manager could have cared less, and honestly just wanted me to shut up and hang up the phone. She acted as if I wanted sympathy, when in fact I was just informing her that she may have more angry bar-goers if their bartender is rejecting real ID's. I will say that I will never refer friends or families to this establishment, nor will ever want to consider going back. I am disgusted, appalled, and frankly expect way way more from a brand new restaurant. I sincerely hope that the manager who reads this takes this into consideration and not only informs their staff about ID'ing, but also about respect and proper communication skills.

    (1)

  • Blanche N.

    We ate upstairs at the bar which had an intimate and relaxed atmosphere. We liked the fried oysters better than the raw oysters. My shrimp salad was just ok. My husband out ordered me with his lobster roll choice.

    (4)

  • Justin K.

    When my girlfriend and I arrived, the place was packed. We opted to take an immediate seat in the raw bar area. It was great. Nice marble counter tops, a bit more quiet then the big bar area and lots of entertainment from the chefs shucking oysters. We began with their "wee" raw plate: 3 oysters, 3 little necks and 3 shrimp. These were wonderful. The raw bar chef came over to speak with us and made wonderful recommendations. This was easily the highlight of the meal. At first look, the main menu was great. Lots of interesting choices... of course, tons of seafood. I ended up choosing a swordfish special with risotto and swisschard. My girlfriend chose the Salmon on the menu, which is asian themed. Her fish was brutally overcooked and we sent it back. The second try was cooked correctly, but was SO overwhelmed by soy sauce that it was nearly inedible. Having waited nearly 40 minutes, total, she ended up just eating it. My swordfish was mediocre. It was slightly overcooked. The risotto was overcooked as well. in the end, we would return for the raw bar experience, but would leave the "normal" menu alone.

    (2)

  • Justin L.

    Was there last week. As always great food, drinks, and company especially from Houston.

    (5)

  • Di B.

    We ate here again this year. The service was great and the food delicious. We had a bib lettuce wedge salad and oysters for appetizers and the twin lobster tails and the steak. Each came with asparagus, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts AND beans. I wouldn't think mashed potatoes would be good with lobster, but it was. Had a little bit of a butter sauce on the plate, not too much. It is pricey, but the best meal we had all week.

    (5)

  • Mel P.

    Atmosphere was interesting. Seemed to be three different restaurants in one. Loud bachelor party on the top floor with sporadic organized cheers was a little off putting. Server was a little scattered with recommendations and over explaining of some dishes. Recommendations were hit or miss. This was our anniversary dinner and although I had told the restaurant, not so much as a happy anniversary was said to us. The vibe was pretty young and hip. Drinks were decent. The oysters were just delicious. Wish we had gotten more. Ordered 8 (4 kinds). Ordered two appetizers on the recommendation of server, grilled octopus with chickpeas and pork belly. Octopus was phenomenal but pork belly was a little overdone and way too large a portion for two people. Wish we had known the portion or that he had mentioned (or not recommneded for two). Continued dinner by getting the oyster stew. This was great, was worried about the quality of oysters in a stew but oysters were plentiful and tasty. Shared a lobster roll that was disappointing, dry, lacked flavor. Tried to order half a chilled lobster from raw bar but was informed they were sold out (around 7pm). Ordered the two lobster tails instead. One was overcooked and the other almost too. Vegetables were delicious. Husband ordered the skate wing with black forbidden rice and wheatberries. Neither of us could finish the sides because portions were large. Might go back for some of the better items but probably can find better places to go.

    (3)

  • Lesley M.

    My hunny and I just stopped there for a drink. For Nutmeggers, the ambience reminded me of the Wood-n-Tap in Rocky Hill; a spacious bar that can accommodate all of your friends and their friends. Bathroom was clean and I even saw a raw bar...fancy schmacy!

    (3)

  • Nicole S.

    My fiancé and I ate here for our engagement weekend. We did go all out with what we ordered. The serves were absolutely exceptional. I never say that often about service. The food was amazing and the outdoor upstairs bar space was actually a relaxing spot to hang out later on in the night. We ended up coming back the 2 nights after our dinner to just hang out and have a drink. I would highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • James H.

    Tuna tartare tacos are by far the best tacos I've ever had. We had to order a 2nd plate. The oyster stew and warm lobster roll are also really good!

    (5)

  • Anthony J.

    Great seafood spot in Rhode Island, being from California, I don't often eat at legit oyster bars so it was refreshing to find this place. Had the fried oysters and fish tacos, they were excellent

    (5)

  • Lori G.

    The Midtown Oyster Bar is my new favorite restaurant in Newport. What a fabulous menu!! There were so many interesting choices that it took me 20+ minutes to make my selections. The oysters I ordered for my appetizer were superb. My friend had the grilled octopus and that was perfectly cooked - not too chewy, which is often a problem. We also had the lobster risotto ... creamy and topped with half a small lobster tail. Prices are fair, ambiance casual and not too noisy, service was very good. Oh, and my blood orange margarita was delicious. Can't wait to return!

    (4)

  • Meghan M.

    I was just in here the other night for their first week of being opened. I've long known this place to be the dive that was Salas. I was definitely impressed with all of the work they did on this restaurant. I got there at about 10PM, it was definitely packed with people. Most was standing room only, probably people out for drinks after dinner. I didn't see too many people eating, but I'm sure they'll get into their groove as soon as the waitstaff/bartenders become more acclimated. Opening a restaurant in Newport in June has to be tough, but obviously they wanted to open to not miss out on all the money they'd be brining in. A glass of wine is going to run you about $14, unless you ask for Chardonnay-- the house is $7. I'd definitely come back here to check out the food menu, but will most likely wait until tourist season has winded down in September.

    (2)

  • Michele S.

    Fresh local seafood, very good service, great beer selection & my favorite tea = perfect luncheon with my daughter. We shared the Sea Scallop Crudo Sicilian style to start, and it was exceptional - refreshing, perfect light touch of olive oil, lemon and garnish. We chose a salad with swordfish and fish tacos as second courses, both perfectly cooked and delicious. Highly unusual - they had my favorite lunch tea - Bigelow's decaf green. My daughter appreciated the selection of beers, and found one to nicely complement her meal. Paul's service was attentive to details and never intrusive. I would absolutely go again!

    (5)

  • Ioannis K.

    Very nice place and the food just amazing! I had a salmon the best i 've ever had. The biggest surprise was the desert the cheesecake was delicious! In general it is obvious that the chef is using the best ingredients he can get at the market. No matter how good the cooking is, the best taste cannot come without using the best ingredients and in this case that was obvious! Nothing more to add apart from the service which was quite friendly. A definately must go if u ever come around in Newport!

    (5)

  • John G.

    Would def return when in the area, vibe, service, and food quality was very good. We both had fish dinners that were fresh and very good, pricing was also very fair. Had a reservation via open table, sat right down as soon as we checked in.

    (4)

  • Chris W.

    OUTSTANDING! Visited here last night with my wife for our 1st year wedding anniversary and could not have been happier with our meal! From walking in and being greeted to our waitress taking so much of her time to explain the menu it was down right amazing. Their oyster selection is huge and they even give a short explanation of what those types taste like and what their texture is. Their beer and wine selection is great. Prices are not outrageous and is on par with most seafood restaurants in Newport. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Samantha P.

    I dropped by Newport in January for a little trip away from home and ate an early dinner here. There were a couple hits and misses. First of all, we sat at the bar and the bartender was awesome! Extremely friendly and welcoming. For dinner I ordered three things : Oysters Rockefeller, clam chowder, and beet and goat cheese salad. The oysters Rockefeller were a little bland and lacked flavor/seasoning. I also think the sauce could have been reduced a little bit longer, with more parm cheese. The chowder was good, but so heavily seasoned with pepper that it made my mouth and throat burn. I did really enjoy the beet salad, as it had red and golden beets and plenty of them. My boyfriend ordered one of the specials, which was a pulled pork cuban panini. His sandwich was probably the most disappointing item, as it was very thin and small, and cost $14. We ordered some dessert, and the bar tender recommended the ginger bread pudding (It wasn't until later that I realized he did throw in food recommendations too while we were looking at the menu. I wish I listened!) We thought about getting the chocolate cake but he said it wasn't chocolaty enough so we went with what he said and it was delicious. I'd go back just for the bread pudding. All in all the food wasn't terrible, just a little pricey for what it was and had a couple of flops. The restaurant itself is very nice and in a nice location. I'd probably go back for a drink and that bread pudding (it was seriously delicious).

    (3)

  • Meg S.

    So...my sweet 65 year old parents are Newport residents and used to come here frequently. We actually considered this place when looking for a spot to host my brothers rehearsal dinner in September - good thing we didn't. Thursday before the wedding (8/25/14) my parents walked in to have lunch. The place was pretty empty aside from another table or two. No one was there to seat them, and the guy behind the bar messed with the TV remote for 10 minutes and ignored them, so they sat themselves. Their waitress was nice enough (I think her name was Nikki?), but was extremely slow when they asked for the check. They had to call for her across the restaurant and ask several times, and still no check. Finally, my dad couldn't find Nikki, so he approached the hostess and asked if she could check in back and ask our waitress for the check. He didn't get her name, but said she had a bunch of tattoos. She rolled her eyes at him and said - "You know, this really isn't my job." After the hostess had taken on the monumental task of asking Nikki for the check, my dad gave her the card to pay. Then she chatted with another table for another 15 minutes with card in hand. My dad was standing up at the table at this point with his jacket on and my mom had already walked home to let our dog out. This place has usually been fine when I've been before, and my parents used to really enjoy going. I feel bad they had this experience and extremely disappointed as someone who's worked in the restaurant industry.

    (1)

  • Lorraine B.

    It was a delightful pleasure finding the Midtown Oyster Bar in Newport after a long day of sightseeing. We sat at a high top table in the barroom surrounded by lots of windows that let in beautiful natural sunlight. It was an adventure for my daughter and I to sample all the different varieties of oysters. The oysters were absolutely delicious. We now appreciate and understand how a freshly shucked oyster can taste. Fantastic! We also tried the codfish chowder. It was also very good. The steamed shrimp appetizer could have been skipped. It was over the top salty. I will definitely return to this delightful find in Newport.

    (4)

  • Stacie G.

    The tuna tacos are amazing!! A must have. Great atmosphere. Lobster and corn risotto was delicious as well.

    (5)

  • May B.

    Really nice bar and everyone was so friendly. The food was really good. I ordered the mussels and it was simply delicious :) The burger and fries was also very good when wash down with their local beer.

    (4)

  • Lucy B.

    We came to Newport for our 27th anniversary & knew we wanted to dine outdoors. Our first challenge always is finding someplace that we can both find menu items that appeal to both of us. He doesn't eat seafood & I adore it. We strolled through town & looked at a lot of menus. This one looked like it would fit the bill so we made a reservation. When we arrived at 8pm we were told that they don't take reservations for the outdoor dining. No problem. We grabbed a seat at the bar & had a drink while we waited. The wait was shorter than we expected & we were shown upstairs. I already knew that the fisherman's stew was going to be my meal tonight. Hubby had seen a chicken curry soup that appealed to him. My stew was delicious! There must have been 7-8 different kinds of fish/shellfish in there. Yum! Hubby's soup was served in a tiny bowl ... but he's a good sport. He also got the meatball appetizer & some green beans. No complaints from him really, it just wasn't much of a *meal* (yes, it consisted of appetizers). Our server was great, the food was delicious, wine was yummy & the atmosphere was perfect. We will definitely come back.

    (4)

  • Lozzy W.

    We had our company retreat dinner on the upstairs outside deck. The margaritas were good. The spicy shrimp appetizer was outstanding. I also enjoyed the grilled octopus and Mahi Mahi dinner. It was a great place for a group to enjoy beautiful views of the harbor, good service and yummy cocktails and food.

    (4)

  • Allyson H.

    Best Truffle Fries...worth going back just for those!

    (5)

  • Nela D.

    Great venue. Love the roof deck, inside is renovated and looks great. We had a great lunch - very good oysters, seared tuna salad, and monkfish soft tacos. All delicious and good sized portions. I like to go back for dinner next trip.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 1:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Midtown Oyster Bar

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