Kartabar
284 Thayer St, Providence, RI, 02906
Kartabar Menu
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Address :
284 Thayer St
Providence, RI, 02906 - Phone (401) 331-8111
- Website https://www.kartabar.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 1:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Valet, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Wed, Thu, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Molly O.
Kartabar might be one of my favorite places to eat in Providence. I'm NEVER let down. I always get great service and great food. I really enjoy their menu, although I think they just scaled it down recently. (bummer) You can get a burger, a flatbread pizza, delicious Mediterranean food and much in between. I've eaten tuna there. Delicious. Grape leaves are a always a must. They have a huge hummus platter that's delicious. Even their french fries were good. I had a salad on our last visit and I was surprised at the quality and care and presentation a boring old salad got. The raspberry garlic lemon vinaigrette(or something like that) was amazing. Again I've never been disappointed by my meal. Their wine list is decent and they have a full bar. In the summertime they have seats next to big windows that open which is awesome. In the cooler months, retreat inside and they have a big screen tv. Its actually just a big screen I think. Overall its fairly priced. You're not going to get a bargain but you're not going to get robbed. Its worth going and having a nice meal.
(5)Elizabeth G.
I've been coming here for years... Less so since I last moved out of PVD. Still, if I'm on Thayer street, this is one of my top choices for lunch, dinner, drinks... Doesn't matter.., I always have fun with friends here.
(4)Madison M.
Stopped at Kartabar while walking on Thayer street looking for a snack and a drink. This place has a wonderful atmosphere. The owner, Philippe, along with the staff helped ensure we had a great time. The food and drinks are delicious! Can't wait to go again!!
(5)Natalie R.
I recently had a post holiday work party here. We had such a great time! We reserved our own room and had passed apps and pasta station. It was fabulous! The food was wonderful and Laurie was a great help in planning. I would totally recommend this restaurant and would definitely hold another function there.
(4)Jehan I.
Came here last night for the first time for my birthday and loved it. Great service, drinks, and food. I definitely recommend it
(5)Jessica M.
My friends and I won't be back.... The bartender and at least one of the servers couldn't be bothered and clearly showed they didn't want to be there. Sat down last night for a drink at the bar and the male bartender talked more smack about the costumers in there (not to mention I think he at one point was I think talking about us standing right in front of us to a server!!!) They were saying things like go home and talk about blah blah blah.. and mentioning the the time, minute by minute insinuating how slow it's going by. After hearing all that I couldn't drink my beverage fast enough and get out.. WOW is all I have to say. Writing this review so you don't waste money like we did. Chose elsewhere when on Thayer.. Doesn't matter how good the food is or how crafty the martini's are.. there's a crazy amount of better restaurants in prov with much better service (if you can call what I got service). Very disappointed in the staff, not suggesting Karta Bar to anyone I know.
(1)Scottie M.
I love the allure and ambience of this college area restaurant. The martinis are to die for, the food is scrumptious. The watchful eye of the manager is invasive and an insult to the hardworking waitresses. Not only are the cocktails mixed to perfection, but the service has always been ideal. The waitstaff has always been ok key and done a fantastic job. Strangely.. I've never seen a male server... only bus boys. Today... I experience the best service Kartabar has ever given me from server, Ashely. She was FANTASTIC! ...you all know that I can be harsh, but she was perfect. She was personable, gave advice about the menu, and was even able to offer a vegetarian's point-of-view - in my opinion, it doesn't get any better than that. So.... why only 3 stars you ask? Well... if I could rate this place on my server AND food AND drinks ONLY.... it would be 5 stars.. However... In the past, I've experience less than mediocrity. For example.... I would order a "Stoli Razz" on the rocks... something I drank every day for years... and I would be served some bottle-shelf raspberry vodka instead. Of course I would tell them that "this isn't stoli" and they would insist... really? If you don't have it... it's cool... I'll get something else - it's not like I would have walked out - but now... I feel that I should have. Back to today... When we sat down we asked to sit outdoors. After 20 or so minutes it got a little chilly... hello, it's New England... so since it wasn't busy we asked if we could sit at the high-top next to the open window. "Of course!" she said! ...so we moved in... and we were enjoying conversation and martinis. Then the wind came and blew my friends glass over and it shattered on the ground... no big deal I thought... Mama always told me "No sense crying over spilt milk"... Anyway... our waitress came over and told us it was no big deal... but the manager... (maybe he doesn't realize how well his voice carries through an empty restaurant at high noon) tells her "DON'T GIVE HIM A FREE DRINK!" ...... really? We weren't going to ask for one but wtf.... Next... our food comes out and YUM!!! Love love love it! Our waitress is again taking great care of us and we are complimenting the bartender when my friend turns in his chair - and since our table was virtually 12"X12" knocked his dish onto the floor... Oops.. Whatever.. He ordered another and paid for it.... Which is good since the manager then abruptly made it clear not to replace the pizza. Then, perhaps he thought he was charming or funny or idk what... but he decided to pay our table a visit and apologize that our waitress put us at such a small table and since there were TWO of us he would have suggested a larger table..... Um... How many people come to lunch ALONE that you would put them at this table?? Anyway.... I really enjoyed the food. I really enjoyed the drinks. I really enjoyed my waitress. However... I don't know that I feel comfortable enough to go back here.... There is a bad taste in my mouth about the way the POSITIVELY great staff is treated... and the rumors of sexism appear to be true. Thank me for the 3 stars. I'll try again in another 2 years....
(3)Sara B.
My friends & I have been coming here for 10 years plus! I have NEVER had a meal I didnt like. The drinks are great, the place is always packed. its great for night life too, and hands down the BEST Hummus I have had in RI. I crave it!
(5)Christine C.
I used to love it here... Great food and excellent beverages but the bar staff and the skinny girl who walks around like the manager need to learn some manners. They know me well and when the valet got in an accident with my car they treated me like garbage. The police came, took a report from both parties and were right outside the door the whole time but the staffs behaviour towards me when I asked too use the restroom was horrendous. Even the cop was appalled. No compassion at all but ready to take my money when I'm a customer and treat me wonderful then. My friends and I have been going here for years and we will NOT be returning. Phillipe should be ashamed that be employs people like that.
(1)Alissa D.
Some of my friends and I went out for some drinks, and we weren't disappointed. We all tried tastes of each other's martinis and they were perfect. ($11 each). 2 of my friends tried the Swine Flu, which is a flaming mixed drink shot and put on quite a show for the table ($7 each). The food was delicious and prices were reasonable for the dishes served. I got the gnocchi pollo pesto and that was $14. There was not enough to take any leftovers home. One of my friends tried the lobster tortellini, and was initially disappointed there were only 4 large tortellinis, but after realized they were packed full of goodness. The owner came around and made sure we enjoyed everything which was a nice touch.
(4)Katie A.
This restaurant is subpar all around. The lunch menu is typical americana - burgers, pizzas, salads, and paninis. Nothing unique or interesting. Since everything is served on bread or has dressing with unknown ingredients, kartabar is not gluten free-friendly. That being said, the servers were good about asking the chefs if the fries were cross-contaminated with flour products (they are), and they were happy to sub grilled veggies for them. Service leaves a lot to be expected. Our tables were dirty when we sat down, and our servers kept forgetting to give us the extra napkins we had requested. Most importantly, we were there with a job candidate and the attire of the servers was inappropriate - club-worthy but distracting in a day-lit restaurant. A little class would go a long way. As I see it, the only good thing about kartabar is that it is rather empty at lunch, so there is room for even very large groups.
(2)Tanner B.
Best Calamari I've ever eaten. Pizza's are extremely tasty as well. Enjoyed everything I've ever tried from here.
(4)Queenie L.
What a cute & cozy bar in Providence. Our server Karla was very sweet and helpful. Drinks was good & service was fast. Owner Philippe was there on the night and he came over and drink with us, that was very nice of him. I heard the food was good there, cant wait to go back to try them all!!!
(5)Eunice E.
My first foray into cocktails. Their martini list is something over which I've drooled for years, and continue to daydream about... it's unparalleled in its offerings and flavours. From the flaming espresso (real flames!) to the more fruity/citrus-y drinks, Kartabar does it all, and does it to perfection. And the calamari! How could I mention Kartarbar without singing praises of its beautiful calamari? This is THE benchmark for fried squid. Imagine golden, crispy pieces of calamari, drizzled in fresh lemon juice, paired with scrumptious pieces of fried yellow banana peppers... it's amazing. Every. Single. Time. I've still never found a place that does calamari quite like Kartabar. They've also got an awesome selection of food (including plenty of veggie options) at amazing prices. Something I definitely appreciated while I was a student. Plus, it just all tasted good. (Highlights: their tomato basil soup... omg. do it. you can thank me later; caprese wrap; all of their pizzas.) I was never disappointed with anything I got here. Good service always adds to the experience, and I've always had an excellent time here. In fact, one of my sorority sisters used to be a hostess at Karabar, so, obviously, they choose quality people. :o) There's a ton of seating options here, ranging from high tops, circular cushioned booths, and outdoor seating, as well. If you've got a private party, there's a small back room behind the bar area, too. It turns into a nightclub-y scene as it gets later, which is also pretty fun. So, really, in one day you could go from taking your family there for lunch to having drinks with a date in the evening to dancing with your girls at night... all at Kartabar. Now that's what I call a home run!
(5)Silvia R.
My friends and I always enjoy the drinks, food and service. They always play a mixture of tunes. It can get pretty laud but it's always a nice place to meet up friends before or after a night out on the town.
(4)Lauren B.
With only 5 tables outside, my friends and I were lucky to snag one on such a beautiful day in Providence. Less than 5 minutes after sitting down, our waitress came over and offered us water or a specialty cocktail, since it was happy hour and all but we are boring and stuck with water. Since we had been walking around all day, we were starving and stated off with the fried calamari as an appetizer. It was not too crunchy and not too chewy - really really good and that's because I am pretty particular about my squid! There were too many options on the menu that made my mouth water but I decided on the Pesto cream gnocchi with chicken. It was delicious, creamy and seriously this portion was large enough to share between two people! Service was great, my water glass never went empty and our waitress came by to check on us every 10 minutes and the food pretty good. I cannot comment on how the place is when it turns into a full out bar but I suggest going in the daylight, sitting outside on a pretty day and ordering the calamari!
(4)R P.
Stopped here at lunch time, in a rain storm. The place was empty, and after a while the waitress came by to shoo us away! They did not even try to ask for an order. Checking on Yelp, it would have been an expensive meal, even an expensive drink... So, OK, they are upscale and someone looking like drowned rat refugee might not be an ideal customer, but money is money and a little hospitality would be nice. It's no wonder the place was deserted when all around places were packed.
(1)Alisa C.
This place has been a go-to place for girls night out over the years. Headed there last Friday with a few of my girlfriends. The menu has changed somewhat over the years but some things remain. It is always loud in there hence why it is reserved for GNO rather than a date night with hubby. It was not too crowded last Friday as it can be sometimes. I know they used to clear the tables at some point during the night and turn into a dance club...we were not there late enough to witness if that is still the case. Our waitress was very attentive and super nice. They have an extensive cocktail menu but in my experience the drinks are weak...so I stick to wine. :) Our party of four split two appetizers and each got a meal. With a bottle of wine and four drinks the bill came to $46 per person with tip which I think is reasonable(granted two of us had salads with fish). I enjoyed my salad with salmon and one of my other friends had the lemon chicken entree that she liked. My other two friends had shrimp dishes and did mention a lack of flavor. Both apps went over well. So all in all a decent dinner for the price...
(3)QueLinda P.
I loved it here! My cousin and I went to Thayer St. to have a cocktail and walk around. The owner, Phillipe, greeted us and sat us at the bar, where we meet our super friendly bartender named Malinda. I had a fantastically refreshing cucumber martini made with Organic Cucumber Crop Vodka & I think it was a cucumber Hendricks gin- could be wrong- but it was delicious! I loved the atmosphere, there was a Halloween party going on later that evening that Malinda invited us to and the whole placed was decked out. Great spot!
(5)Hilary H.
Kartabar's pull was more about the al fresco element than the food for me. It was a glorious, sunny day and all I wanted to do was lunch outside. Thayer wasn't as crazy as it usually is, so things were pleasant. The service was great - our waitress was sweet and attentive. Having never been there, she helped me put together my order with ease and a smile. Sweets. I've gotta keep it real: their fries were AMAZING. I would go back for these alone. Seriously, kids - I don't know what they do to them, but I could have stuffed my face with these all day long by the bushel. Seriously good eatin'. The other items were ok. We had a burger and the grilled chicken skewers, both were nothing special, but we ate most of it. I will go back here to gorge myself on their french fires, and perhaps a cocktail, as their menu was teeming with them and had it not been mid-day, and were I not a light-weight, I would have imbibed. The inside is gorgeous and I can see why this is a very lively night spot. perhaps I should go back for the full-on bar effect, but until next time, Kartabar is A-OK with Trippple H.
(3)Mary D.
While I agree that the clientelle is something akin to a Jersey Shore audition, the food was delicious and the service was prompt, friendly and professional. From the polite hostess, to the friendly brunette bartender (she makes a sinfully delicious pomegranite mojito). The appetizer suggested, barcelona shrimp, was worth every delightful, caloric bite. The gorgonzola burger was possibly the best burger I have ever eaten. I wished I had room for dessert. Great atmosphere, GREAT drinks, great service.
(4)Liz T.
Kartabar looks like a wannabe upscale eatery at first. The dark decor, fun-looking bar, and wide open windows promise a great time, but not necessarily great food. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying much more than the ambiance. Now... I've only been to Kartabar twice, and both for lunchtime eats. So I haven't tried some of the more expensive entrees. But the sandwiches are affordable, accompanied by really great fries, and give you exactly what the doctor ordered. The tuna steak sandwich is great. The tuna is simply grilled, thick cut, and have all the usual fixins. The fixins are admittedly pretty standard--but the ensemble is just clean, well-crafted, and well seasoned. The fresh mozerella and tomato sandwich is also very good. Exactly what you would expect and hope from a mozerella and tomato sandwich. No surprises. No fake punches. Just right. Overall, I plan on going back to Kartabar often. When I'm in the mood for a well-rounded and satisfying sandwich with fries, it may even be the first place I'll go.
(4)Joseph H.
The location and decor was great but service could use some help. Me and 6 others stopped here for drinks on Friday and had a great time overall but getting refills was out of the question the waitress was never in sight and to be honest neither was anyone else that could help us. I'm going to go back and at this point I am just going to assume that it was an off night.
(4)Pedro R.
Good place to go with a group...nice music...nice mature crowd and good service...I would definitely go again...
(4)Jean F.
I haven't been here in years but met a few friends for a drink before going out for the evening. The martini was good, we sat outside, service was good...just nothing amazing. The 'scene' can be a big overwhelming at times but it wasn't bad the night I ventured in.
(3)Sohini R.
Kartabar is best for: lunch on a weekday, or drinks in the evening. It isn't overrun with students and usually is even quiet enough to have a good conversation over a work lunch (although the music volume has been climbing up and up each time I go there). If they ever have the special calamari appetizer with reduced balsamic vinegar, get it.
(3)Holly S.
Loved Christina training Taylor. Goooooood pear salad ! Thanks girls! Oh and not to mention the Malbec was delish
(4)Amanda C.
This place used to be all the rave, or so I've heard. I went a few times and every time the service was mediocre, the food was not that great, the waitresses sucked, and the drinks were extremely watered down! Shortly after our last trip, there was a news article about them and how they were charging top shelf liquor price and giving you the bottom shelf! I knew it tasted off!
(2)Kameron S.
We hadn't been here in forever and thought we'd stop in again. My hubby and I shared the appetizer plate with all of the fixins: hummus, tabouli, grape leaves, babba ganoush and pita and then split a kebab plate. It was plenty of food and really delicious! I also like their burgers and fries. They have an awesome aioli that they serve with the fries.
(4)James F.
Visiting on a recent Sunday evening, Kartabar seemed a bit unsure of what it wanted to be. Lounge? Sports Bar? Club? Restaurant? Lounge - the motif is certainly that of a nice lounge - good use of contrasting colors and textures, lighting to match, and a very comfortable vibe. Sports Bar - ok, this is a stretch, the only reason i even mention it is because they did have a projection screen going with the Steelers/Jets AFC Championship game. It seemed a bit out of place given the general atmosphere and decor. Club - another stretch, but a DJ did appear about halfway through the dinner - the music then got a bit louder (not distractingly so, but enough that it couldn't be ignored). I could understand this on a Friday/Saturday, but again, it seemed out a place on a Sunday evening, especially since the place was far from full. Restaurant - the menu has serious options - i went with a pasta dish that i was very satisfied with, my date with a pizza that she seemed to enjoy. Prices were very reasonable. It may sound like i'm being critical, but i very much enjoyed my visit to Kartabar. Service was quite friendly, and I would certainly make a return visit. But i would be sure to try a different night of the week, when it's not exhibiting a bit of multiple-personality-disorder.
(3)Raza H.
Great place with really friendly owners/staff. The food is good with generous portions. Be sure to check the specials!
(4)Ami G.
After my husband and I went shopping on Thayer Street in Providence on Saturday night, we headed home to drop off our bags only to head back to Thayer for dinner with friends! A group of five of us all met at Kartabar, a College Hill hot spot with plenty of on-the-curb seating as well as tables by huge open glass windows, perfect for taking in the summertime Thayer Street scene. Kartabar is a seen and be seen kind of place for sure. Serving up Mediterranean-esque cuisine, but also with plenty of American comfort food staples like grilled pizza, pasta, burgers and sandwiches, Kartabar is a place I used to frequent quite a bit in my early 20s as a student at Brown. While it is a restaurant by day and night, it also turns into a lounge/club after about 11 P.M. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. My bff and I spent many, many a night at Kartabar- if fact, she even met her now-husband there! But this time around, we went for the food, not the dj and dancing! We made a reservation for seven o' clock and showed up a bit early. We were seating in a side room by one of their bars (not the main one). It wasn't really a bar people were sitting at at that time of day, but I am sure late night it becomes quite popular! While we were not seated directly next to an open window overlooking the street, we still had a spot pretty close to the window. It was a gorgeous day- the sun was shining in behind me! The restaurant had an awesome vibe. It was busy but with a light, airy atmosphere. Clearly people were there to kick back and relax, soaking up the funky Thayer street ambience. I was really digging the experience! As far as the food- we were all pretty hungry and ordered right away. Most of us skipped the app department and zeroed in on the main course. I ordered two components: first a poached pear salad with greens, walnuts, raisins and a raspberry vinaigrette. It also came with blue cheese, which I requested to be left off. I noticed they had roasted beets on one of their other salads, so I asked if I could add those also, and the waitress happily obliged. Let's not forget the onion strings which were generously heaped on top of the while thing! The salad definitely hit the nail on the head as far as decadent, delicious vegan salads go! The poached pears were infused with cinnamon, which added a perfect touch of sweetness that went well with the golden raisins. The walnuts provided the necessary crunch factor, and the beets were just an excellent addition. Of course, the onion strings brought a new level of flavor and saltiness that took the salad over the top. The raspberry dressing was also very flavorful- a little went a long way! The salad was pretty big too- not that I didn't devour the whole thing! To accompany the salad, I also ordered fries. I asked if I could do a mix of their sweet potato and regular fries, which again, they had no issue with. I already knew Kartabar fries are amazing, and they didn't disappoint this time around! Crispy on the outside, seasoned with herbs and creamy on the inside, I can't honestly decide if I liked the sweet potato fries or regular ones better! I ate most of them drowned in ketchup (though they did come with some kind of aoli which I avoided due to the dairy thing!). Everyone else loved their meals also it seemed- my husband downed his burger in record time! The food at Kartabar, at least for someone like me who doesn't eat dairy and limits gluten, is really good- clearly they are willing to make changes to their menu dishes to accommodate those with dietary restrictions with no issue. I am pretty sure too if you called ahead and asked for more of a custom entrée (rather than just a salad/side combo) that was vegan or gluten-free, they would cook up something delicious. I was pretty impressed with Kartabar overall- great vibe, creative and tasty food, a helpful and plentiful waitstaff and a cool atmosphere! I was really glad to be able to have the summertime Kartabar experience this past Saturday night! It's definitely one I would recommend if you want quality food in a prime people-watching spot.
(4)S. R.
Nice food and good atmosphere. I go there for nice lunch and cocktails. It is a good retreat.
(4)Loan L.
Kartabar....what in the world happened to you? I was in town for a few days to show off my little daughter to my in-laws and wanted to get some drinks here because I am a fan of your martinis. When I lived in Mass years ago, my husband and I would come here for some drinks and apps and I always had a great time. The food was always tasty, the atmosphere had a buzz, and the clientele were well-dressed and classy. My my my have the tides come in or what. We came in on Friday and I swear I thought I was on the set of Jersey Shore. My eyes were hurting from all of the orange, fake tanned folks in there. And my ears were bleeding from the obnoxious chatter that filled the room. The attire definitely went down hill. Gone are the days of simple, flattering fitting clothes. Replaced are the baggy jeans, baseball caps with a flat brim worn on the side, and ghetto gold chains. When our waitress was done talking with her friends, we were able to get in a few drinks which were ok. It would have been better if the drinks were more consistent. My friend ordered the exact same drink I had and hers was 2 shades darker. That said, If we ever head back to RI, I would not stop in.
(2)Ashley S.
Our order came out wrong... And what we got was horrible. Usually the Kartabar pizza is awesome, the one with the figs and a light sauce. Also, we almost always have decent service but it seemed like this night we had a server that was clearly not interested in serving us in a timely manner. I would say we will not be back anytime soon...
(1)Matt G.
Chill and friendly is the best two words to describe. Our service was friendly and fast, it was busy but you wouldn't have thought it from our server, which is always a good sign. Mark it on the list to check out
(3)Claudia L.
I wanted to like this place - i really did. My room mate had flying reviews for this place so i decided to go for a brunch adventure here. The food was alright, nothing too special, a decent veggie pocket but my friend's champagne sea bass was disappointing. The whole plate was covered with butter. The service was borderline poor. I asked to be seated outside and the waitress said ''if you really have to..."
(2)Victoria K.
I recently revisited Kartabar for the first time in many many years. It was a rainy and cold day, and my friend and I ducked inside to find some nourishment. After a couple delicious cocktails, we were off to a good start. The filet mignon carpaccio and prosciutto pizza were the icing on the cake. The pizza was not the best I've had, but this isn't an Italian joint, and for what it's worth, it was pretty good! I'd definitely stop in here again whether it's for a casual drink or some yummy food. Don't know much about the night scene here... did it a couple times MANY years ago and can't be sure how it is these days, but lunchtime here is a pretty good stop.
(4)Jay D.
I love this place because they have super chill music from around the world. Their food is pretty good and the atmosphere is nice. They have some outdoor seating (not a lot--like 3-4 tables). The bruschetta is OMG good. Not your typical bruschetta... it is creamy goodness. What I hate about this place is some of the clientele. If I wanted to go to North Providence I would. If you want a lil posh dinner in the city this is your kinda place
(4)Jonny C.
It is like my previous review was a soothsayer of the Jersey Shore phenomenon to come. Funny.
(4)Keith B.
This was my first experience with the restaurant seen in Providence and It was definitely a good one. The service was great, and our waitress was very attentive and knoweldge about both the drinks, as well as the menu. The ambience was very laid back but chic. We started with the Calamari and the Bacon Wrapped Scallops to start, both very well prepared and delicious. For dinner I had the Sesame Tuna, while my partner in crime had the Kartabar pizza. The Tuna was good but not great, I wouldn't recommend someone go there to get this dish; however I wouldn't not recommend it either. My friend had the Kartabar pizza and this was very good. She ordered extra Balsamic Sauce to drizzile over the pizza and this really took the dish from good to great. Happy yelping. K
(4)Kel S.
I thought this place was OK. Atmosphere is sort of, I'm not sure how to desribe it, but "predictable" would be a word I may use, if that makes any sense. However, I liked the outdoor seating area. The food and drinks were good. Not in a rush to get back...
(3)Anya R.
Solid food, great location if you live on College Hill / go to Brown, but the service leaves something to be desired. The food can take a very long time and they are not the friendliest. It is one of the only restaurants you can go to in the area that makes you feel like you're having a girls night out, though!
(3)Ashley K.
Yes! A $6 burger with cheddar cheese never fails, especially in the low-light ambience Kartabar has. I have eaten at many a restaurant on Thayer. It is a quiet gem during the day and pretty busy at night. Last week, they played R&B from the nineties while serving me a drink I created: Coconut Rum, RedBull and a splash of Cran. Try it, they'll make it right. Good service and ambience, 4-stars.
(4)Kathleen R.
Initially hesitant to try this place due to the "Jersey Shore" type crowd, but glad I did as turns out they have the best veggie burger and french fries in Providence. They put two really nice pieces of grilled zucchini on the burger which is a great touch, and they don't use those terrible, mushy Dr. Praeger's burgers with the whole peas in them either. Those sensitive to over-cologned men take note: on a recent visit, the gentleman working behind the bar was so drenched in cologne that he managed to engulfed the entire bar area in a toxic cloud of stank. It was suffocating. You might want to sit at a table far, far away from the bar, near a source of ventilation, to avoid a similar situation!
(3)marie m.
huh. So this was Providence's Thayer Street. Can't say that there was a big welcome on a late afternoon. The attitude from the staff was hysterical. The food was mysterious and expensive. Bathrooms could have been cleaner.
(2)Julie A.
KartaBar I like to come here when it's slow and not over-run with the college th-sat evening crowd. This would probably be a weekend during the day. The food is good, and the service is friendly. Nothing to write home about, but decent. The ambiance is lounge-y and depending on the day, the music is either upbeat or mellow. For me, this is a good spot to come for meeting up with girl friends.
(3)Crystal L.
No waiting on a Saturday night. Very dim. Attentive staffs Food was ok. Champaign sea bass was a bit too oily. Comes with a side of broccoli and carrots and a scoop of mash potatoes. The mash potatoes is where I take out a star. It was not hard and tasted like packed mash potato. Can hardly taste the alcohol in the tropical sangria. Overall: it's ok
(3)Grace S.
Calamari!!! I love how they put hot peppers in it. I also like the pesto pasta. everything here is on the heavy side but very good. on weekend nights, it's usually locals at the bar, but brown students like to come here for meals.
(3)Ji H.
GO FOR LUNCH! It's really cheap for the quality of food you get! You can get an awesome fresh burger for a dollar more than a beef wrap at Eastside Pockets! TIPS: You can substitute anything! I always substitute whatever cheese they have (on burgers, pizzas) with goat cheese instead of what's on the menu. I've also gotten olive spread on burgers that normally don't have them. Recommendations: - Kartabar pizza. I always put figs on my homemade pizzas now that I've tasted this. - Meditteranean burger. Love the goat cheese and red pepper combo. - Calamari corfu appetizer. I love how they mix in yellow peppers in with the calamari pieces.
(4)Paul W.
while this has been around for a while i just started frequenting kartabar. Kathy the bartender recommended the Shrimp Barcelona and wow, was she correct - Shrimp Chorizo White wine sauce - unbvelievable. The ower actually brought us extra made-to-order sauce to use on our burgers. The hummus plate - like a piece of art. sandwiches, entrees and apps all delicious. Great specialty drink menu also!
(4)spot u.
Trendy. Hip. Great Staff. Great Drinks. From simple to sophisticated food-- from a $7 sandwich or thin crust pizza to a beautiful Filet with Shrimp.
(5)Traci C.
Fun place for drinks and apps with friends. Addicted to the calamari! Great salads too. Love the kartabar salad in particular. Great spot to sit and people watch in the nice weather.
(4)Ashima D.
I had a vegetarian pizza and my husband the lamb. Both were delicious.
(4)AJ S.
I've been m a regular for years... And will continue to stay one
(5)M O.
A Friday night, 8ish. Not too crowded, we were sat immediately. We were walking by and actually had a craving for middle eastern or Mediterranean. The menu is really what drew us in. Ambiance was very nice. Dimly lit, impressive bar, very cool lamps. Our waitress was very pleasant and helpful. My boyfriend hates when I order mojitos because I almost always complain because they aren't made right. Not here!!! Asking for very little syrup- add CRUSHED ice- perfecto! His sangria was good as well I hear ;) We ordered the Karta platter appetizer. Not remembering exact name. Hummus, grape leaves, olives, pickles, pita, tatziki, tabouli....Yum!! Only complaint here was the tatziki had zero flavor. None. And maybe hummus could have a teeny bit of garlic. But again, it was yummy nonetheless. Dinner was the kabob for two, whoa!! Very cool presentation of a giant freshly baked pita like puff filled with veggies, steak, chicken and kibby (or how I know it as). Warm rice on the side... Awesome. And leftovers :) Why the three after the rave? The music was ridiculously loud for that time of night. At one point they turned it down a little and it was perfect but then right back up again. Now I'm not old, as far as I am concernd, nor a hater of loud music. However it just didn't mesh with what was going on. If go 31/2 if I could.
(3)Girldrinkdrunk S.
The douchebag quota is extraordinarily high here on weekends and late nights, but the food's surprisingly good. I love the tomato-basil soup, also the hummus. The wine list is small, but conservatively priced and the cocktails aren't half bad. This is a good place for some lower priced eats and a few drinks, especially in the summer (outside dining, window wall that opens completely).
(4)Lauren B.
Came here while in town for a conference. The place is advertised as Mediterranean but the menu actually had a wide variety of ethnic cuisines. I had the lobster ravioli, it was pretty good but I could have used a bit more lobster. The chocolate bread pudding was more like a cake than bread pudding but was pretty good. For me, the service is what makes or breaks a dining experience and I feel like the service here could have been better. I think there's a certain amount of tact to waiting on a table where the group is always in conversation but I don't feel that means shouting 'Excuse me!' every time you approach the table. Also, while I had my head turned, my empty wine glass was picked up rather than refilled! Our wine was so amazing, I was really sad I couldn't have one more small glass.
(3)Tony P.
Had a great lunch. Salads are good here. Have eaten here many times, this time I had the chicken panni. It was enjoyable. The will customize the menu choices to suit your liking. Sidewalk dining, or sit just inside the large open doors. Good service!
(4)Vanessa T.
Just the mention of "Kartabar" makes my skin bristle at the recollection of the nonstop parade of dragon-motif shirts, excessive hair gel use, gut-wrenching techno and orange faces that I can only presume to be suntans. Oof. I've obviously never got around to eating there -- the "nightlife" was enough of a taste.
(1)Brock P.
My friend and I went into to Kartabar on a Sat night, the whole room was filled with obnoxious drunk people ( a horrible image to start off) everyone was having a good time, but the host at the door was rude and ended up giving away our table. So we ended up waiting longer. Even the bar tender was at a loss of manners. Without saying hello, greeting us or even saying what can i get for you he shouted " I need to see your I.D's" As a server I understand the need to get things done on a busy night, but as a restaurant lover, I would have chosen to eat at a McDonalds than endure the awful service we experienced. We ended up leaving we were so livid, after a 25 minute wait (we were told 15) countless drunk people, a rude manager who kept running around and bumping into me and a host that needs her attitude checked. I would go back, but after that, I will look into different options.
(1)R A.
Wow this place has totally gone downhill. I went on a Saturday night around 12am. The DJ was horrible. 1 or 2 songs from the 90s..ok..... but not the entire set. This place used to be trendy... it needs a facelift.
(1)Naia L.
This is a great restaurant/bar on theyar st. Very trendy and has a great vibe. Friday and Sat nights gets pretty packed, so go early or make reservation if you want a table. Love the coconut shrimp and sangrias! topped the night off with B52 shots and some fried cheesecake to share
(4)J R.
Service is good, Johnny Green costs $15, Johnny Gold costs $16. Ok in my books, snifter straight up please. I would definitely suggest Kartabar for lunch. Its a nice little restaurant, however i'm not crazy about their dinners, and it typicially has already turned into a lounge by the time I get there for dinner. Prices are great, and the service I have never had an issue with. Smoked salmon appetizer is good, and the barcelona shrimp is very tasy, seasoned very well. Carpaccio is excellent and the bistecca bruschetta (although very heavy) is amazing as well. Definitely a winter dish, but you could order that for an entree. As far as the entrees go, I"m not too familiar with them, however I can assure you that I have never left disappointed. Haven't been for dinner in almost a year. The food is always good, however I will say that the dishes lack a little finesse, there is no delicate cooking in this restaurant at all. Not a bad thing, however a lot of the plates are always "in your face" with flavor when I personally think that they could be toned down a tad. Regardless, Kartabar is a great place to go for an energy filled atmosphere, and whether you want a cocktail, appetizer, dinner, or all the above, you will definitely enjoy it.
(3)Pam Z.
Good food, GREAT soup. The soup is an incredible deal that comes in a face-sized plate/bowl, well-spiced and hot. In one of these ubiquitous mid-class restaurants that tries to do everything, they don't crap any of it up. Crab cakes are delish, risotto was a little hard but nice and creamy, go to Paragon for pasta, steak was good. Deserts were all ok--I would pass--especially on the fried ice cream, which got the batter all wrong. I had issues with how dark it was at the tables (seriously, I had a few issues seeing my food), but the music is catchy. Good for when you want something that feels a bit classier.
(3)Van O.
The atmosphere at Karta is nice especially during the hot summers months when they open the windows. The drink selections are always interesting. My second favorite Filet Mignon next to Speak Easy Bar and Grill in Newport. Good Filet for the price in Providence.
(4)Benjamin V.
Kartabar's food is some of my favorite on Thayer, and definitely among the best priced, especially for lunch! My favorites are the Tuna Steak and Calamari. Haven't been there late night, but it's really hopping!
(5)Rachel A R.
Delicious food and drinks! Great service too! I will definitely be dining here again.
(5)Dan M.
This may seem like a pretentious bar from the exterior, but once you walk inside it's very welcoming. It's kind of euro, and the music is good at night. Don't come here in a baseball cap and sneakers, it's just not that type of place. The food is excellent and the prices are great. I use to come here a lot when I was an undergrad living in Providence. I still try to make it down to Providence just to come here, it's so good and probably one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)S D.
This is one of my favorite spots to go out to on the weekend to catch a drink with some friends. The crowd is very diverse which is a great thing. They've some young people like me and some middle aged people. The music they play in their vaires. The girls who work there are some serious cuties!
(5)Kristen K.
There didn't seem to be much of a culinary focus here, which was the first warning sign for me. I ordered the tabouleh salad and a veggie pocket. I didn't get to try the tabouleh salad, because my waitress forgot about it. Then it took a very long time to get the veggie pocket. When it DID come out, i was very disappointed. it was in a thin pita that broke immediately, because the "veggies" were so overcooked and dowsed in what i think was balsamic vinaigrette sauce that it drenched the pita. i ended up eating the veggies with a fork. the best part of the meal was the fries. they were actually pretty good!
(2)Jon F.
Just had a quick lunch there with a few friends. We were all on break for work so we were looking for a quick meal. We were in and out within the hour, all with delicious meals. I recommend the Mediterranean Chicken Pocket. The roasted red peppers make this dish. All and all it was a nice experience. Al fresco and a nice waitress. Plus, all three of us had lunch for just over $20!
(4)Stephanie C.
large portions, average food but a good selection, nice service, very clean bathrooms, comfortable atmosphere [although it's quite dark inside since the color scheme is black and red]. good place to come for lunch with a friend. never ended up trying to come here at night when it's a bar/lounge, but i heard it's pretty fun
(3)Inez C.
Atmosphere was superb, food and bar selection was fantastic! However, with as many as 6 wait staff plus a bartender and less than four tables being fully occupied the wait time to be served was about 20mins after we had seated ourselves. A wonderful mellow place to be when you are on vacation.
(3)Gina C.
Kartabar is a great place, day or night, to grab a drink and chow down. The drinks are reasonably priced, and the food is delicious. I've had meals and just appetizers and haven't had a bad thing yet. At night, it is packed to the gills and the music is fantastic. This is definitely one of my favorite spots in RI.
(4)Areia S.
Forget about weekends at Kartabar, forget about the bar scene, forget about all of that - concentrate on the delicious, wonderfully cheap food that blows neighbor Paragon out of the water. Oh, and that veggie burger - try it with gorgonzola. Next to Restaurant Oak's black bean burger (if they even still have it anymore) it's probably the best non-meat burger in the city.
(4)Matt L.
This is a gem in the trendiest part of Providence, sitting in the front street where Brown U is located. The street is lined with other chic locations and caters to college kids and professionals. This spot is one of he best, not at all catering to the college crowd. This looks like it belongs in Soho, with trendy decor, open windows in the summer with seating outdoors and dimly lit, romatic amibience. The place is better for drinks than I would say a dinner. The drink concoctions you will find here are second to none, with pricey martinis of all sorts and other inventive drinks. The food is okay, not anything to rave about but does the job well you are sipping on the many drinks they can come up with here. I would highly recommend this place!
(4)Jennifer B.
These 4 stars are for the veggie burger and the Mojitos. Both delicious. One criticism: the menu says the veg burger comes with baby spinach and sometimes it comes with field greens. I love spinacci di bambino, not the greens of the field, thank you. Cool martini menu with lots of options I have yet to try because of the Mojitos. This is a great place for lunch on a weekday. You can sit outside or get a table in the window. Weekends here are stupid. It is a strange mix of the wannabe fabulati and motorcycle riders, cigarette smoke and fumes.
(4)Amy C.
The salads are pathetic. They were stingy with their add-ins (like mushrooms, olives, hearts of palm), as they only put about a tablespoon of each in. Their lemon garlic dressing? Dump it down the drain, it's disgusting. Fortunately, their ambiance and service make this place nicer, and others in my party enjoyed their dishes.
(3)sunny n.
Great food..the shrimp barcelona and mediterranean kebabs are just fab ! The bar scene is cozy and inviting with black granite tops ..dark tones of wood and perfect dim yellowish lighting..A variety of music played..including arabic and turkish tunes!! Fri and Sat nights are jamming. A great venue to just hang with friends for just drinks or dinner...!!
(5)Craig E.
Didn't eat here, but walked in and was immediately struck by the 'scene' of the whole place. Everyone sizes you up the second you walk in the door, and if they don't approve immediately, they want nothing to do with you. The place itself is really nice, well done up, friendly bartenders, nice design, drinks weren't overly expensive. Overall, I was actually pretty impressed and would definitely go back...if I'm ever in Providence, RI again...
(4)Jeanine M.
Kartabar, Kartabar, Kartabar. If you are on Thayer street and looking for some good cheap food and a quick drink it is definitely the place (Came here on an early dinner date and the bill was not more than 30 bucks...guys how happy does that make you?) but don't come here for fun on a Friday or Saturday night. The music is loud and somewhat obnoxious and you can be sure there will be lots of "kids" trying to look cool by buying cocktails. Annoying also is that there is really no place to congregate if you are with a group of friends.
(2)Ren H.
This is one of my all time favorite bars/clubs to go to.. i've never actually eaten here but i've come here on weekend nights since i was an undergrad.. they've got such a good vibe here at night, everyone is very dressed up and clean cut and always ready to start a conversation with anyone or invite you to their table for a drink.. definitely top on my list and great to get away from pine st bars
(5)Laurie B.
Came here for appetizers and drinks before dinner. It was great! We sat inside next to the windows which were side open. The breeze was great! I got a glass of the Jargon Pinot Noir and my boyfriend got draft Yuengling. We each ordered a French onion soup which was hot and gourmet. The cheese was out of this world! Then we got the Crab and Lobster Cakes. They were absolutely the best I've had! They were light and full of flavor. They come served with a tomato salsa and a lemon garlic aioli. The server's were so nice!!
(5)Michael S.
Found a new "Eating Out Tonight Destination" Our server, Paris... perfect. The food; Barcelona Shrimp- Delicious and Chicken Quesadilla; Awesome. My wife and I ended up here by chance and we are very happy we did.
(5)Bill H.
Kartabar is alright. I stopped by here on a Saturday afternoon to read outside. The bartender was extremely friendly, and there were plenty of spaces at the tables outside and inside next to the window. I ordered a gimlet to sip on while I read. The drink was $9. Yikes! Was steep given the ambiance and nearby alternatives.
(3)Jenn W.
Fun place, with great drinks and yummy food. The service can sometimes be inconsistent - though never lacking in friendliness. Really a fun place to hang out after work, though.
(4)Dominic W.
The burgers here are actually not too bad, relatively juicy with generous fillings, and at a great price. That said, I asked for medium rare and I got a medium cooked burger. They have a large drink selection (they're strong!) and large screen TVs for those who are sports-inclined. The problem here was the service. They didn't write down our orders and ended up getting all of our orders wrong! We asked specifically for sweet potato fries and they gave us all regular fries, and this wasn't just one order it was everyone in our party. I would've expected that they would've brought us what we asked for to make up for this, but they did not do that. We were in a little bit of a hurry so we didn't make too big of a fuss about it. We did tell them about their mistake when they gave us our food, but they did not offer to fix it, or bring us the sweet potato fries to switch out. The gratuity was automatic at 20% so unfortunately we could not reflect this in our tips. Otherwise the food was acceptable for Thayer street and the ambience is relaxing.
(3)Lau M.
This is definitely my new favorite spot. The infamous Matty, Tara, Jazz, and Tina are all awesome. The restaurant is a little dark but it has a great ambiance. Everytime I come I have to try something new and I have yet to be disappointed. The lobster ravioli is to die for and you'd be a fool not to order a whole pitcher of the blueberry Lemonade. My burger was cooked perfectly and my pizza was great. Despite the fact that it's in a university area it wasn't populated with a bunch of kids which is great. I've spent more than enough money but you can work within a budget of you have to. I've been here 5 times in the last 2 months and I will surely be back. If you haven't yet, get your ass down here!!!
(5)Mike P.
While the service remains good, the food quality is getting worse with each occasional visit. The last straw was using what looks like some cheap, bagged lettuce for my Caesar salad and not that fresh I might add. A note to the owner, your restaurant is seriously going down hill.
(2)Amanda O.
Came here for the first time for my birthday on a Sunday afternoon with 3 friends. We ordered the thai chicken satay, coconut shrimp & hummus dip for appetizers, the presentation along with the taste were all great! No complaints there. The drinks were also pretty good with a very extensive list to choose from. Our server was a nice girl; attentive, not over friendly but not a bad server. She was doing just fine until about 2 minutes after giving us our entrees she informed us that it was shift change, something us as 4 servers know very well. She asked if we want another server or "what we want to do." I was a little taken back by this question so I quickly said, "you can just bring us the bill." Which she did, and then proceeded to stand close behind us to wait for us to settle it... while we had just gotten our food and wanted to enjoy it. Again, as servers, we know waiting on a table when your shift is over can be annoying, but we also know that is apart of the business and when we spent $170 we certainly don't appreciate feeling rushed, especially while celebrating a birthday. Otherwise it was a good experience, perhaps non servers wouldn't have felt this way..
(3)Stephanie D.
Oh I'm so upset with my recent dinner. I come here just to order the bistecca bruschetta. This time it came to the table completely different, smaller, not even using the same bread. So my question to my extremely inexperienced waitress was " is this the way this dish is served now" she said she would find out. She came back saying, maybe it's a different chef. Next time specify the bread you want. NO, guest don't come to your restaurant for inconsistent food. So I asked again just to make sure, this is how it's served from now on, for future reference I wouldn't order it. She talked it over with a bunch if waitress, but she NEVER came back to the table. We sat there waiting, and decided to ask another server for the check. So disappointed. There was clearly a misunderstanding. No management came over to explain. Upset to say the least.
(1)Glen W.
Decent prices, good service, never overly crowded. They have a good variety of entrees and apps, the hummus platter is awesome, I can never finish it even with another person. Grape leaves are excellent!
(4)Scott M.
I was in Providence for a 9 month consulting gig 6 years ago and this was our fun headquarters! Visiting this weekend and had to come back and check it out! Still same amazing place with the best drinks, food and service! Matt is still the staple Saturday night bartender. I have travelled all over the U.S. And they simply don't get any better! This is certainly worth the visit to College Hill! Miss this place! Can't wait to make it back!
(5)Debbie J.
My friend and I asked for a recommendation of where to eat on Thayer. Since we are middle-aged women, the bookstore clerk decided we had to have a "sit down place" and, after conferring with a colleague, directed us here. The tomato soup was outstanding. The other food was so-so and too expensive. (Even for middle-aged women.) Our server was pleasant and engaging and made an otherwise unexceptional meal more tolerable. Besides the server, the bright spot was (sadly) the alcohol. We both ordered mint mojito and both got mightily plastered on a single drink. (Again. . .middle-aged women.) I would spend another summer afternoon on the sidewalk here, but I would order only tomato soup and a few drinks before ordering my designated driver to bundle me into a backseat and get me (happily intoxicated) home.
(2)Nicolette D.
Always good food and great service. Recently tried the ceviche special and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of seafood and the quality (not so surprisingly) was there too. Will return (sooner than later, for sure)!!
(5)Bryce A.
Kartabar is actually one of the better places on Thayer Street. Not many Brown students eat there, as its appearances definitely suggest that the prices are higher than they actually are. In reality it's a pretty nice spot. The panini's, burger and wraps are usually under $10. The pastas are more expensive and generally I have found them to not be that great. The atmosphere is dark and clubby, but it's pretty quiet during the day. I haven't been there at night, but it seems to get crowded then. Lots of "Thayer Street locals." If I work up the courage maybe I'll venture there some day.
(3)Welbi G.
My girlfriend and I walked in we were greeted by a person that was coming out from the kitchen which was very polite. The place was slow on a Sunday so we sat anywhere we felt comfortable. The waiter came introduced himself brought us water everything was good. He handed us menus the dinner menu was gigantic. The drink menu was perfect. I didn't know where to start but I seen they had a specials menu which I thought was cool but would of been better coming from the waiter himself. But it was cool. We ordered bruschetta which was on point the flavors combined made a party in your mouth. Very fresh. The drinks were delicious. But the problem came about when the entrees arrived. I ordered a roasted half chicken and received 2 chicken breast smothers in some kind of capers and tomato sauce. Very greasy. The mash potatoes had a weird texture, overly greasy. My fiancé ordered a baked cod, the fish was lightly over cooked but was overly dressed with the same sauce and the same Mash. We seen a dessert menu and was very interested in the fried Oreos but after the server took our food away he never came back we waited 20 min to try to get his attention we asked him about dessert and he said kitchen was closed. We were pissed. Everything else was good.
(3)Kristine R.
I had dinner here for a friend's birthday. Luckily it was on the last day of "restaurant week." Where a 3-course meal on select items was $29.99. Of course, I took full advantage of that deal. I ordered: hummus and chip dip (appetizer), lobster tortellini (entree), and a tiramisu for dessert. I also treated myself to a "Flaming Espresso Martini." It was phenomenal. I gulped that delicious beauty right up! I would come back here for this drink alone!! The hummus was addicting. They were not shy in the servings either. I only wish they had given more chips for me for the scooping! The dip vs. chip ratio was very lopsided. Which given the tastiness of the hummus was just fine with me. I had the rest of the hummus straight off a spoon. The lobster tortellini was de-li-ci-ous. The sauce was light and creamy. The filling was amazing. I definitely wouldn't have complained if they had overstuffed the little raviolis. Their tiramisu was a bit on the strong and cake-ier side for my liking. I personally like it better soaked a little longer in the rum. But overall the meal was excellent. The service was amazing. The waitresses were very attentive and muddled through the large party chaos like a pro. They gave everyone separate checks. Did not mess up one order. Plus had us all in and out in a orderly fashion. Awesome service plus stellar food? A+ in my book Kartabar.
(5)Leona C.
I absolutely loved this place! The food, drinks, and service was beyond amazing. Only reason why I'm not giving this place the five stars is because the crowd was a bit rowdy and quite sloppy. It was extremely crowded and I had to push my way through overly drunk college kids to get out. But it was a Friday night and it is to be expected since it is next to a few colleges. Other than that, this place is definitely worth a second trip!
(4)Elena G.
A group of 25th reunion Brown alumni took over the back room and had lots of drinks and appetizers. Everything was excellent and our waitress rocked the house. The owner was welcoming and hilarious and offered us a round of Swine Flu shots. Awesome place. Go here.
(5)Leela S.
Despite its swanky interior, Kartabar offers surprisingly good lunch prices: burgers, sandwiches and paninis for single-digit prices. Their fries are pretty swell, and the eggplant panini is nothing spectacular but justifiable for $7. Dinnertime prices are similar for the bread-based offerings but in the $20 for other entrees, and I don't think that price tag is worth it. Kartabar has an extensive cocktail menu too, and it's a popular weekend night hangout for locals and college students alike. The drinks are on the sugary side, so you'll love their offerings if you have a sweet tooth. However, be warned that the DJ loves to crank up the volume to a max on Friday and Saturday nights, making it nigh impossible to have a conversation without yelling your lungs out and asking your companions to repeat themselves about five times.
(3)Sean F.
Nice bar, approved by Italians. They have big screens for watching sport events. Portions are big, you can get full with just starters. Raspberry mojito is really good. Service is fast. Consigliato.
(4)Patrick M.
I just ate here with my wife for a lunch/dinner. I haven't been to Thayer Street in years, and I don't remember passing by this establishment before. As we were standing outside reading the menu, the owner happened to be standing there. He convinced us to stay and give it a chance, and I'm glad that we did. We sat outside, and had a few casuals while we took in all the scenery that Thayer Street has to offer. I'm usually very hesitant to order any type of kabob dish because they are typically tiny pieces of shmutz; however, I decided to give the chicken kabob a shot. I was delighted when the dish arrived because it was extremely satisfying and filling. My wife ordered the tuna, and she also enjoyed her dish. We continued to talk with the owner, who was very amicable, and you could tell that he really cared about his business and his patrons. He was even gracious enough to serve us a free drink at the end of our meal. Overall, it was a great day with great food and great company. I will visit again in the near future.
(5)Shantael C.
What an excellent night out with friends! The food was fast and fresh the drinks were equally delicious. The fries were to die for. A great mixed crowd of old and young and all ethnic backgrounds. It's was karaoke night so we sang our hearts out and listen to others. Great laughs, can't wait to go back!
(5)Verna W.
Went there for late lunch/early dinner around 4pm. It wasnt busy at all, We got seated right away. Service was good and fast. We enjoyed our time. My friend had the Beef Carpaccio and the other one had the mussels in red sauce (they are available in white too). I, myself had the littlenecks they cooked with dry vermouth. Oh my God. So so so yummy. The other appetizers were good too but mine was the best! Hmm all entree came with mashed potato, they were a little bland.. But my lambshank was good, fall of the bone tender. Balsamico chicken is not bad and their fish dish are awesome. 3 people, overall 145$ Happy, full, satisfied people that is. Will be coming back.
(4)Casey R.
My fiance and I ventured out to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend and he suggested Kartabar for their outdoor seating on Thayer Street. We were just looking to have a cocktail and some appetizers. When we got there the sidewalk tables were full but we scored one of the high tops in front of the windows which I liked more than the sidewalk tables. The staff was very attentive and at least 3 people made sure a server had been over to our table. We ordered a pitcher of white sangria, the hummus and the chicken sate. Based on the ingredients I read for the white sangria, I expected it to be a tad sweeter than most sangria. When we tasted it, it tasted like a mixture of mango and peach puree, overly sweet. But with all of the booze-y ingredients it listed we figured it was on the sweet side but sweet from all of the different liquors added and not just purees and juices. And we weren't there to nit pick, we just wanted some cocktails and apps and to enjoy the weather. The food was great and beautifully plated. The check came and we saw the the pitcher was $30. Whoa. Based on the low quality of the sangria I went back and forth as to whether or not I should say something. Then the manager came by to collect our credit card and I decided to speak up. I explained that I get that costs are rising and restaurants have overhead and we would have no problem with the cost had the sangria tasted better. The manager listened to us as we described the sangria. I agree with him that we should have said something after the first few sips to give them a chance to fix it right away. But he did not give us a hard time about it. He brought over two fresh glasses of sangria so we could try them. They tasted WAY better! Like regular white sangria but with splashes of fruitier flavors, really good. It was a thoughtful gesture executed in a professional and caring manner. I was very hesitant to say something but I am glad that we gave the staff a chance to improve our experience because they went above and beyond and created two raving fans that will definitely return again and again knowing that this restaurant and staff is committed to excellence across the board. Thank you to Philippe and his staff!!
(5)Jordan A.
Saw that they were still serving food later on on a Sunday night, so we ordered a pizza to take home. Should have known to avoid when the person taking our order sounded confused as to whether or not they even had food. After ordering they just said "goodbye!" No total price, no will that be all, no time for when to pick up. Welp, we the get pizza home and it's cold like it had already been sitting out for 20 minutes. Burnt cheese, covered in oregano. My favorite part? The piece of hard plastic under the cheese. Always enjoy biting into HARD PLASTIC.
(1)Bob C.
Decor is very nice as well as service. Haven't eaten yet. Later... Good kabobs but one issue was that they arrived in a baked bread suit and I prefer paleo. Ate it anyway and found it tasty. Service was good and the window seats are fun.
(4)Michael S.
Found a new "Eating Out Tonight Destination" Our server, Paris... perfect. The food; Barcelona Shrimp- Delicious and Chicken Quesadilla; Awesome. My wife and I ended up here by chance and we are very happy we did.
(5)Bill H.
Kartabar is alright. I stopped by here on a Saturday afternoon to read outside. The bartender was extremely friendly, and there were plenty of spaces at the tables outside and inside next to the window. I ordered a gimlet to sip on while I read. The drink was $9. Yikes! Was steep given the ambiance and nearby alternatives.
(3)Jenn W.
Fun place, with great drinks and yummy food. The service can sometimes be inconsistent - though never lacking in friendliness. Really a fun place to hang out after work, though.
(4)Dominic W.
The burgers here are actually not too bad, relatively juicy with generous fillings, and at a great price. That said, I asked for medium rare and I got a medium cooked burger. They have a large drink selection (they're strong!) and large screen TVs for those who are sports-inclined. The problem here was the service. They didn't write down our orders and ended up getting all of our orders wrong! We asked specifically for sweet potato fries and they gave us all regular fries, and this wasn't just one order it was everyone in our party. I would've expected that they would've brought us what we asked for to make up for this, but they did not do that. We were in a little bit of a hurry so we didn't make too big of a fuss about it. We did tell them about their mistake when they gave us our food, but they did not offer to fix it, or bring us the sweet potato fries to switch out. The gratuity was automatic at 20% so unfortunately we could not reflect this in our tips. Otherwise the food was acceptable for Thayer street and the ambience is relaxing.
(3)Lau M.
This is definitely my new favorite spot. The infamous Matty, Tara, Jazz, and Tina are all awesome. The restaurant is a little dark but it has a great ambiance. Everytime I come I have to try something new and I have yet to be disappointed. The lobster ravioli is to die for and you'd be a fool not to order a whole pitcher of the blueberry Lemonade. My burger was cooked perfectly and my pizza was great. Despite the fact that it's in a university area it wasn't populated with a bunch of kids which is great. I've spent more than enough money but you can work within a budget of you have to. I've been here 5 times in the last 2 months and I will surely be back. If you haven't yet, get your ass down here!!!
(5)Mike P.
While the service remains good, the food quality is getting worse with each occasional visit. The last straw was using what looks like some cheap, bagged lettuce for my Caesar salad and not that fresh I might add. A note to the owner, your restaurant is seriously going down hill.
(2)Amanda O.
Came here for the first time for my birthday on a Sunday afternoon with 3 friends. We ordered the thai chicken satay, coconut shrimp & hummus dip for appetizers, the presentation along with the taste were all great! No complaints there. The drinks were also pretty good with a very extensive list to choose from. Our server was a nice girl; attentive, not over friendly but not a bad server. She was doing just fine until about 2 minutes after giving us our entrees she informed us that it was shift change, something us as 4 servers know very well. She asked if we want another server or "what we want to do." I was a little taken back by this question so I quickly said, "you can just bring us the bill." Which she did, and then proceeded to stand close behind us to wait for us to settle it... while we had just gotten our food and wanted to enjoy it. Again, as servers, we know waiting on a table when your shift is over can be annoying, but we also know that is apart of the business and when we spent $170 we certainly don't appreciate feeling rushed, especially while celebrating a birthday. Otherwise it was a good experience, perhaps non servers wouldn't have felt this way..
(3)Stephanie D.
Oh I'm so upset with my recent dinner. I come here just to order the bistecca bruschetta. This time it came to the table completely different, smaller, not even using the same bread. So my question to my extremely inexperienced waitress was " is this the way this dish is served now" she said she would find out. She came back saying, maybe it's a different chef. Next time specify the bread you want. NO, guest don't come to your restaurant for inconsistent food. So I asked again just to make sure, this is how it's served from now on, for future reference I wouldn't order it. She talked it over with a bunch if waitress, but she NEVER came back to the table. We sat there waiting, and decided to ask another server for the check. So disappointed. There was clearly a misunderstanding. No management came over to explain. Upset to say the least.
(1)Glen W.
Decent prices, good service, never overly crowded. They have a good variety of entrees and apps, the hummus platter is awesome, I can never finish it even with another person. Grape leaves are excellent!
(4)Scott M.
I was in Providence for a 9 month consulting gig 6 years ago and this was our fun headquarters! Visiting this weekend and had to come back and check it out! Still same amazing place with the best drinks, food and service! Matt is still the staple Saturday night bartender. I have travelled all over the U.S. And they simply don't get any better! This is certainly worth the visit to College Hill! Miss this place! Can't wait to make it back!
(5)Debbie J.
My friend and I asked for a recommendation of where to eat on Thayer. Since we are middle-aged women, the bookstore clerk decided we had to have a "sit down place" and, after conferring with a colleague, directed us here. The tomato soup was outstanding. The other food was so-so and too expensive. (Even for middle-aged women.) Our server was pleasant and engaging and made an otherwise unexceptional meal more tolerable. Besides the server, the bright spot was (sadly) the alcohol. We both ordered mint mojito and both got mightily plastered on a single drink. (Again. . .middle-aged women.) I would spend another summer afternoon on the sidewalk here, but I would order only tomato soup and a few drinks before ordering my designated driver to bundle me into a backseat and get me (happily intoxicated) home.
(2)Nicolette D.
Always good food and great service. Recently tried the ceviche special and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of seafood and the quality (not so surprisingly) was there too. Will return (sooner than later, for sure)!!
(5)Bob C.
Decor is very nice as well as service. Haven't eaten yet. Later... Good kabobs but one issue was that they arrived in a baked bread suit and I prefer paleo. Ate it anyway and found it tasty. Service was good and the window seats are fun.
(4)Welbi G.
My girlfriend and I walked in we were greeted by a person that was coming out from the kitchen which was very polite. The place was slow on a Sunday so we sat anywhere we felt comfortable. The waiter came introduced himself brought us water everything was good. He handed us menus the dinner menu was gigantic. The drink menu was perfect. I didn't know where to start but I seen they had a specials menu which I thought was cool but would of been better coming from the waiter himself. But it was cool. We ordered bruschetta which was on point the flavors combined made a party in your mouth. Very fresh. The drinks were delicious. But the problem came about when the entrees arrived. I ordered a roasted half chicken and received 2 chicken breast smothers in some kind of capers and tomato sauce. Very greasy. The mash potatoes had a weird texture, overly greasy. My fiancé ordered a baked cod, the fish was lightly over cooked but was overly dressed with the same sauce and the same Mash. We seen a dessert menu and was very interested in the fried Oreos but after the server took our food away he never came back we waited 20 min to try to get his attention we asked him about dessert and he said kitchen was closed. We were pissed. Everything else was good.
(3)Kristine R.
I had dinner here for a friend's birthday. Luckily it was on the last day of "restaurant week." Where a 3-course meal on select items was $29.99. Of course, I took full advantage of that deal. I ordered: hummus and chip dip (appetizer), lobster tortellini (entree), and a tiramisu for dessert. I also treated myself to a "Flaming Espresso Martini." It was phenomenal. I gulped that delicious beauty right up! I would come back here for this drink alone!! The hummus was addicting. They were not shy in the servings either. I only wish they had given more chips for me for the scooping! The dip vs. chip ratio was very lopsided. Which given the tastiness of the hummus was just fine with me. I had the rest of the hummus straight off a spoon. The lobster tortellini was de-li-ci-ous. The sauce was light and creamy. The filling was amazing. I definitely wouldn't have complained if they had overstuffed the little raviolis. Their tiramisu was a bit on the strong and cake-ier side for my liking. I personally like it better soaked a little longer in the rum. But overall the meal was excellent. The service was amazing. The waitresses were very attentive and muddled through the large party chaos like a pro. They gave everyone separate checks. Did not mess up one order. Plus had us all in and out in a orderly fashion. Awesome service plus stellar food? A+ in my book Kartabar.
(5)Leona C.
I absolutely loved this place! The food, drinks, and service was beyond amazing. Only reason why I'm not giving this place the five stars is because the crowd was a bit rowdy and quite sloppy. It was extremely crowded and I had to push my way through overly drunk college kids to get out. But it was a Friday night and it is to be expected since it is next to a few colleges. Other than that, this place is definitely worth a second trip!
(4)Elena G.
A group of 25th reunion Brown alumni took over the back room and had lots of drinks and appetizers. Everything was excellent and our waitress rocked the house. The owner was welcoming and hilarious and offered us a round of Swine Flu shots. Awesome place. Go here.
(5)Leela S.
Despite its swanky interior, Kartabar offers surprisingly good lunch prices: burgers, sandwiches and paninis for single-digit prices. Their fries are pretty swell, and the eggplant panini is nothing spectacular but justifiable for $7. Dinnertime prices are similar for the bread-based offerings but in the $20 for other entrees, and I don't think that price tag is worth it. Kartabar has an extensive cocktail menu too, and it's a popular weekend night hangout for locals and college students alike. The drinks are on the sugary side, so you'll love their offerings if you have a sweet tooth. However, be warned that the DJ loves to crank up the volume to a max on Friday and Saturday nights, making it nigh impossible to have a conversation without yelling your lungs out and asking your companions to repeat themselves about five times.
(3)Sean F.
Nice bar, approved by Italians. They have big screens for watching sport events. Portions are big, you can get full with just starters. Raspberry mojito is really good. Service is fast. Consigliato.
(4)Patrick M.
I just ate here with my wife for a lunch/dinner. I haven't been to Thayer Street in years, and I don't remember passing by this establishment before. As we were standing outside reading the menu, the owner happened to be standing there. He convinced us to stay and give it a chance, and I'm glad that we did. We sat outside, and had a few casuals while we took in all the scenery that Thayer Street has to offer. I'm usually very hesitant to order any type of kabob dish because they are typically tiny pieces of shmutz; however, I decided to give the chicken kabob a shot. I was delighted when the dish arrived because it was extremely satisfying and filling. My wife ordered the tuna, and she also enjoyed her dish. We continued to talk with the owner, who was very amicable, and you could tell that he really cared about his business and his patrons. He was even gracious enough to serve us a free drink at the end of our meal. Overall, it was a great day with great food and great company. I will visit again in the near future.
(5)Shantael C.
What an excellent night out with friends! The food was fast and fresh the drinks were equally delicious. The fries were to die for. A great mixed crowd of old and young and all ethnic backgrounds. It's was karaoke night so we sang our hearts out and listen to others. Great laughs, can't wait to go back!
(5)Verna W.
Went there for late lunch/early dinner around 4pm. It wasnt busy at all, We got seated right away. Service was good and fast. We enjoyed our time. My friend had the Beef Carpaccio and the other one had the mussels in red sauce (they are available in white too). I, myself had the littlenecks they cooked with dry vermouth. Oh my God. So so so yummy. The other appetizers were good too but mine was the best! Hmm all entree came with mashed potato, they were a little bland.. But my lambshank was good, fall of the bone tender. Balsamico chicken is not bad and their fish dish are awesome. 3 people, overall 145$ Happy, full, satisfied people that is. Will be coming back.
(4)Casey R.
My fiance and I ventured out to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend and he suggested Kartabar for their outdoor seating on Thayer Street. We were just looking to have a cocktail and some appetizers. When we got there the sidewalk tables were full but we scored one of the high tops in front of the windows which I liked more than the sidewalk tables. The staff was very attentive and at least 3 people made sure a server had been over to our table. We ordered a pitcher of white sangria, the hummus and the chicken sate. Based on the ingredients I read for the white sangria, I expected it to be a tad sweeter than most sangria. When we tasted it, it tasted like a mixture of mango and peach puree, overly sweet. But with all of the booze-y ingredients it listed we figured it was on the sweet side but sweet from all of the different liquors added and not just purees and juices. And we weren't there to nit pick, we just wanted some cocktails and apps and to enjoy the weather. The food was great and beautifully plated. The check came and we saw the the pitcher was $30. Whoa. Based on the low quality of the sangria I went back and forth as to whether or not I should say something. Then the manager came by to collect our credit card and I decided to speak up. I explained that I get that costs are rising and restaurants have overhead and we would have no problem with the cost had the sangria tasted better. The manager listened to us as we described the sangria. I agree with him that we should have said something after the first few sips to give them a chance to fix it right away. But he did not give us a hard time about it. He brought over two fresh glasses of sangria so we could try them. They tasted WAY better! Like regular white sangria but with splashes of fruitier flavors, really good. It was a thoughtful gesture executed in a professional and caring manner. I was very hesitant to say something but I am glad that we gave the staff a chance to improve our experience because they went above and beyond and created two raving fans that will definitely return again and again knowing that this restaurant and staff is committed to excellence across the board. Thank you to Philippe and his staff!!
(5)Jordan A.
Saw that they were still serving food later on on a Sunday night, so we ordered a pizza to take home. Should have known to avoid when the person taking our order sounded confused as to whether or not they even had food. After ordering they just said "goodbye!" No total price, no will that be all, no time for when to pick up. Welp, we the get pizza home and it's cold like it had already been sitting out for 20 minutes. Burnt cheese, covered in oregano. My favorite part? The piece of hard plastic under the cheese. Always enjoy biting into HARD PLASTIC.
(1)Bryce A.
Kartabar is actually one of the better places on Thayer Street. Not many Brown students eat there, as its appearances definitely suggest that the prices are higher than they actually are. In reality it's a pretty nice spot. The panini's, burger and wraps are usually under $10. The pastas are more expensive and generally I have found them to not be that great. The atmosphere is dark and clubby, but it's pretty quiet during the day. I haven't been there at night, but it seems to get crowded then. Lots of "Thayer Street locals." If I work up the courage maybe I'll venture there some day.
(3)Molly O.
Kartabar might be one of my favorite places to eat in Providence. I'm NEVER let down. I always get great service and great food. I really enjoy their menu, although I think they just scaled it down recently. (bummer) You can get a burger, a flatbread pizza, delicious Mediterranean food and much in between. I've eaten tuna there. Delicious. Grape leaves are a always a must. They have a huge hummus platter that's delicious. Even their french fries were good. I had a salad on our last visit and I was surprised at the quality and care and presentation a boring old salad got. The raspberry garlic lemon vinaigrette(or something like that) was amazing. Again I've never been disappointed by my meal. Their wine list is decent and they have a full bar. In the summertime they have seats next to big windows that open which is awesome. In the cooler months, retreat inside and they have a big screen tv. Its actually just a big screen I think. Overall its fairly priced. You're not going to get a bargain but you're not going to get robbed. Its worth going and having a nice meal.
(5)Elizabeth G.
I've been coming here for years... Less so since I last moved out of PVD. Still, if I'm on Thayer street, this is one of my top choices for lunch, dinner, drinks... Doesn't matter.., I always have fun with friends here.
(4)Madison M.
Stopped at Kartabar while walking on Thayer street looking for a snack and a drink. This place has a wonderful atmosphere. The owner, Philippe, along with the staff helped ensure we had a great time. The food and drinks are delicious! Can't wait to go again!!
(5)Natalie R.
I recently had a post holiday work party here. We had such a great time! We reserved our own room and had passed apps and pasta station. It was fabulous! The food was wonderful and Laurie was a great help in planning. I would totally recommend this restaurant and would definitely hold another function there.
(4)Jehan I.
Came here last night for the first time for my birthday and loved it. Great service, drinks, and food. I definitely recommend it
(5)Jessica M.
My friends and I won't be back.... The bartender and at least one of the servers couldn't be bothered and clearly showed they didn't want to be there. Sat down last night for a drink at the bar and the male bartender talked more smack about the costumers in there (not to mention I think he at one point was I think talking about us standing right in front of us to a server!!!) They were saying things like go home and talk about blah blah blah.. and mentioning the the time, minute by minute insinuating how slow it's going by. After hearing all that I couldn't drink my beverage fast enough and get out.. WOW is all I have to say. Writing this review so you don't waste money like we did. Chose elsewhere when on Thayer.. Doesn't matter how good the food is or how crafty the martini's are.. there's a crazy amount of better restaurants in prov with much better service (if you can call what I got service). Very disappointed in the staff, not suggesting Karta Bar to anyone I know.
(1)Scottie M.
I love the allure and ambience of this college area restaurant. The martinis are to die for, the food is scrumptious. The watchful eye of the manager is invasive and an insult to the hardworking waitresses. Not only are the cocktails mixed to perfection, but the service has always been ideal. The waitstaff has always been ok key and done a fantastic job. Strangely.. I've never seen a male server... only bus boys. Today... I experience the best service Kartabar has ever given me from server, Ashely. She was FANTASTIC! ...you all know that I can be harsh, but she was perfect. She was personable, gave advice about the menu, and was even able to offer a vegetarian's point-of-view - in my opinion, it doesn't get any better than that. So.... why only 3 stars you ask? Well... if I could rate this place on my server AND food AND drinks ONLY.... it would be 5 stars.. However... In the past, I've experience less than mediocrity. For example.... I would order a "Stoli Razz" on the rocks... something I drank every day for years... and I would be served some bottle-shelf raspberry vodka instead. Of course I would tell them that "this isn't stoli" and they would insist... really? If you don't have it... it's cool... I'll get something else - it's not like I would have walked out - but now... I feel that I should have. Back to today... When we sat down we asked to sit outdoors. After 20 or so minutes it got a little chilly... hello, it's New England... so since it wasn't busy we asked if we could sit at the high-top next to the open window. "Of course!" she said! ...so we moved in... and we were enjoying conversation and martinis. Then the wind came and blew my friends glass over and it shattered on the ground... no big deal I thought... Mama always told me "No sense crying over spilt milk"... Anyway... our waitress came over and told us it was no big deal... but the manager... (maybe he doesn't realize how well his voice carries through an empty restaurant at high noon) tells her "DON'T GIVE HIM A FREE DRINK!" ...... really? We weren't going to ask for one but wtf.... Next... our food comes out and YUM!!! Love love love it! Our waitress is again taking great care of us and we are complimenting the bartender when my friend turns in his chair - and since our table was virtually 12"X12" knocked his dish onto the floor... Oops.. Whatever.. He ordered another and paid for it.... Which is good since the manager then abruptly made it clear not to replace the pizza. Then, perhaps he thought he was charming or funny or idk what... but he decided to pay our table a visit and apologize that our waitress put us at such a small table and since there were TWO of us he would have suggested a larger table..... Um... How many people come to lunch ALONE that you would put them at this table?? Anyway.... I really enjoyed the food. I really enjoyed the drinks. I really enjoyed my waitress. However... I don't know that I feel comfortable enough to go back here.... There is a bad taste in my mouth about the way the POSITIVELY great staff is treated... and the rumors of sexism appear to be true. Thank me for the 3 stars. I'll try again in another 2 years....
(3)Sara B.
My friends & I have been coming here for 10 years plus! I have NEVER had a meal I didnt like. The drinks are great, the place is always packed. its great for night life too, and hands down the BEST Hummus I have had in RI. I crave it!
(5)Christine C.
I used to love it here... Great food and excellent beverages but the bar staff and the skinny girl who walks around like the manager need to learn some manners. They know me well and when the valet got in an accident with my car they treated me like garbage. The police came, took a report from both parties and were right outside the door the whole time but the staffs behaviour towards me when I asked too use the restroom was horrendous. Even the cop was appalled. No compassion at all but ready to take my money when I'm a customer and treat me wonderful then. My friends and I have been going here for years and we will NOT be returning. Phillipe should be ashamed that be employs people like that.
(1)Alissa D.
Some of my friends and I went out for some drinks, and we weren't disappointed. We all tried tastes of each other's martinis and they were perfect. ($11 each). 2 of my friends tried the Swine Flu, which is a flaming mixed drink shot and put on quite a show for the table ($7 each). The food was delicious and prices were reasonable for the dishes served. I got the gnocchi pollo pesto and that was $14. There was not enough to take any leftovers home. One of my friends tried the lobster tortellini, and was initially disappointed there were only 4 large tortellinis, but after realized they were packed full of goodness. The owner came around and made sure we enjoyed everything which was a nice touch.
(4)Katie A.
This restaurant is subpar all around. The lunch menu is typical americana - burgers, pizzas, salads, and paninis. Nothing unique or interesting. Since everything is served on bread or has dressing with unknown ingredients, kartabar is not gluten free-friendly. That being said, the servers were good about asking the chefs if the fries were cross-contaminated with flour products (they are), and they were happy to sub grilled veggies for them. Service leaves a lot to be expected. Our tables were dirty when we sat down, and our servers kept forgetting to give us the extra napkins we had requested. Most importantly, we were there with a job candidate and the attire of the servers was inappropriate - club-worthy but distracting in a day-lit restaurant. A little class would go a long way. As I see it, the only good thing about kartabar is that it is rather empty at lunch, so there is room for even very large groups.
(2)Tanner B.
Best Calamari I've ever eaten. Pizza's are extremely tasty as well. Enjoyed everything I've ever tried from here.
(4)Queenie L.
What a cute & cozy bar in Providence. Our server Karla was very sweet and helpful. Drinks was good & service was fast. Owner Philippe was there on the night and he came over and drink with us, that was very nice of him. I heard the food was good there, cant wait to go back to try them all!!!
(5)Eunice E.
My first foray into cocktails. Their martini list is something over which I've drooled for years, and continue to daydream about... it's unparalleled in its offerings and flavours. From the flaming espresso (real flames!) to the more fruity/citrus-y drinks, Kartabar does it all, and does it to perfection. And the calamari! How could I mention Kartarbar without singing praises of its beautiful calamari? This is THE benchmark for fried squid. Imagine golden, crispy pieces of calamari, drizzled in fresh lemon juice, paired with scrumptious pieces of fried yellow banana peppers... it's amazing. Every. Single. Time. I've still never found a place that does calamari quite like Kartabar. They've also got an awesome selection of food (including plenty of veggie options) at amazing prices. Something I definitely appreciated while I was a student. Plus, it just all tasted good. (Highlights: their tomato basil soup... omg. do it. you can thank me later; caprese wrap; all of their pizzas.) I was never disappointed with anything I got here. Good service always adds to the experience, and I've always had an excellent time here. In fact, one of my sorority sisters used to be a hostess at Karabar, so, obviously, they choose quality people. :o) There's a ton of seating options here, ranging from high tops, circular cushioned booths, and outdoor seating, as well. If you've got a private party, there's a small back room behind the bar area, too. It turns into a nightclub-y scene as it gets later, which is also pretty fun. So, really, in one day you could go from taking your family there for lunch to having drinks with a date in the evening to dancing with your girls at night... all at Kartabar. Now that's what I call a home run!
(5)Silvia R.
My friends and I always enjoy the drinks, food and service. They always play a mixture of tunes. It can get pretty laud but it's always a nice place to meet up friends before or after a night out on the town.
(4)Lauren B.
With only 5 tables outside, my friends and I were lucky to snag one on such a beautiful day in Providence. Less than 5 minutes after sitting down, our waitress came over and offered us water or a specialty cocktail, since it was happy hour and all but we are boring and stuck with water. Since we had been walking around all day, we were starving and stated off with the fried calamari as an appetizer. It was not too crunchy and not too chewy - really really good and that's because I am pretty particular about my squid! There were too many options on the menu that made my mouth water but I decided on the Pesto cream gnocchi with chicken. It was delicious, creamy and seriously this portion was large enough to share between two people! Service was great, my water glass never went empty and our waitress came by to check on us every 10 minutes and the food pretty good. I cannot comment on how the place is when it turns into a full out bar but I suggest going in the daylight, sitting outside on a pretty day and ordering the calamari!
(4)R P.
Stopped here at lunch time, in a rain storm. The place was empty, and after a while the waitress came by to shoo us away! They did not even try to ask for an order. Checking on Yelp, it would have been an expensive meal, even an expensive drink... So, OK, they are upscale and someone looking like drowned rat refugee might not be an ideal customer, but money is money and a little hospitality would be nice. It's no wonder the place was deserted when all around places were packed.
(1)Alisa C.
This place has been a go-to place for girls night out over the years. Headed there last Friday with a few of my girlfriends. The menu has changed somewhat over the years but some things remain. It is always loud in there hence why it is reserved for GNO rather than a date night with hubby. It was not too crowded last Friday as it can be sometimes. I know they used to clear the tables at some point during the night and turn into a dance club...we were not there late enough to witness if that is still the case. Our waitress was very attentive and super nice. They have an extensive cocktail menu but in my experience the drinks are weak...so I stick to wine. :) Our party of four split two appetizers and each got a meal. With a bottle of wine and four drinks the bill came to $46 per person with tip which I think is reasonable(granted two of us had salads with fish). I enjoyed my salad with salmon and one of my other friends had the lemon chicken entree that she liked. My other two friends had shrimp dishes and did mention a lack of flavor. Both apps went over well. So all in all a decent dinner for the price...
(3)QueLinda P.
I loved it here! My cousin and I went to Thayer St. to have a cocktail and walk around. The owner, Phillipe, greeted us and sat us at the bar, where we meet our super friendly bartender named Malinda. I had a fantastically refreshing cucumber martini made with Organic Cucumber Crop Vodka & I think it was a cucumber Hendricks gin- could be wrong- but it was delicious! I loved the atmosphere, there was a Halloween party going on later that evening that Malinda invited us to and the whole placed was decked out. Great spot!
(5)Hilary H.
Kartabar's pull was more about the al fresco element than the food for me. It was a glorious, sunny day and all I wanted to do was lunch outside. Thayer wasn't as crazy as it usually is, so things were pleasant. The service was great - our waitress was sweet and attentive. Having never been there, she helped me put together my order with ease and a smile. Sweets. I've gotta keep it real: their fries were AMAZING. I would go back for these alone. Seriously, kids - I don't know what they do to them, but I could have stuffed my face with these all day long by the bushel. Seriously good eatin'. The other items were ok. We had a burger and the grilled chicken skewers, both were nothing special, but we ate most of it. I will go back here to gorge myself on their french fires, and perhaps a cocktail, as their menu was teeming with them and had it not been mid-day, and were I not a light-weight, I would have imbibed. The inside is gorgeous and I can see why this is a very lively night spot. perhaps I should go back for the full-on bar effect, but until next time, Kartabar is A-OK with Trippple H.
(3)Mary D.
While I agree that the clientelle is something akin to a Jersey Shore audition, the food was delicious and the service was prompt, friendly and professional. From the polite hostess, to the friendly brunette bartender (she makes a sinfully delicious pomegranite mojito). The appetizer suggested, barcelona shrimp, was worth every delightful, caloric bite. The gorgonzola burger was possibly the best burger I have ever eaten. I wished I had room for dessert. Great atmosphere, GREAT drinks, great service.
(4)Liz T.
Kartabar looks like a wannabe upscale eatery at first. The dark decor, fun-looking bar, and wide open windows promise a great time, but not necessarily great food. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying much more than the ambiance. Now... I've only been to Kartabar twice, and both for lunchtime eats. So I haven't tried some of the more expensive entrees. But the sandwiches are affordable, accompanied by really great fries, and give you exactly what the doctor ordered. The tuna steak sandwich is great. The tuna is simply grilled, thick cut, and have all the usual fixins. The fixins are admittedly pretty standard--but the ensemble is just clean, well-crafted, and well seasoned. The fresh mozerella and tomato sandwich is also very good. Exactly what you would expect and hope from a mozerella and tomato sandwich. No surprises. No fake punches. Just right. Overall, I plan on going back to Kartabar often. When I'm in the mood for a well-rounded and satisfying sandwich with fries, it may even be the first place I'll go.
(4)Joseph H.
The location and decor was great but service could use some help. Me and 6 others stopped here for drinks on Friday and had a great time overall but getting refills was out of the question the waitress was never in sight and to be honest neither was anyone else that could help us. I'm going to go back and at this point I am just going to assume that it was an off night.
(4)Pedro R.
Good place to go with a group...nice music...nice mature crowd and good service...I would definitely go again...
(4)Jean F.
I haven't been here in years but met a few friends for a drink before going out for the evening. The martini was good, we sat outside, service was good...just nothing amazing. The 'scene' can be a big overwhelming at times but it wasn't bad the night I ventured in.
(3)Sohini R.
Kartabar is best for: lunch on a weekday, or drinks in the evening. It isn't overrun with students and usually is even quiet enough to have a good conversation over a work lunch (although the music volume has been climbing up and up each time I go there). If they ever have the special calamari appetizer with reduced balsamic vinegar, get it.
(3)Holly S.
Loved Christina training Taylor. Goooooood pear salad ! Thanks girls! Oh and not to mention the Malbec was delish
(4)Amanda C.
This place used to be all the rave, or so I've heard. I went a few times and every time the service was mediocre, the food was not that great, the waitresses sucked, and the drinks were extremely watered down! Shortly after our last trip, there was a news article about them and how they were charging top shelf liquor price and giving you the bottom shelf! I knew it tasted off!
(2)Kameron S.
We hadn't been here in forever and thought we'd stop in again. My hubby and I shared the appetizer plate with all of the fixins: hummus, tabouli, grape leaves, babba ganoush and pita and then split a kebab plate. It was plenty of food and really delicious! I also like their burgers and fries. They have an awesome aioli that they serve with the fries.
(4)James F.
Visiting on a recent Sunday evening, Kartabar seemed a bit unsure of what it wanted to be. Lounge? Sports Bar? Club? Restaurant? Lounge - the motif is certainly that of a nice lounge - good use of contrasting colors and textures, lighting to match, and a very comfortable vibe. Sports Bar - ok, this is a stretch, the only reason i even mention it is because they did have a projection screen going with the Steelers/Jets AFC Championship game. It seemed a bit out of place given the general atmosphere and decor. Club - another stretch, but a DJ did appear about halfway through the dinner - the music then got a bit louder (not distractingly so, but enough that it couldn't be ignored). I could understand this on a Friday/Saturday, but again, it seemed out a place on a Sunday evening, especially since the place was far from full. Restaurant - the menu has serious options - i went with a pasta dish that i was very satisfied with, my date with a pizza that she seemed to enjoy. Prices were very reasonable. It may sound like i'm being critical, but i very much enjoyed my visit to Kartabar. Service was quite friendly, and I would certainly make a return visit. But i would be sure to try a different night of the week, when it's not exhibiting a bit of multiple-personality-disorder.
(3)Raza H.
Great place with really friendly owners/staff. The food is good with generous portions. Be sure to check the specials!
(4)Ami G.
After my husband and I went shopping on Thayer Street in Providence on Saturday night, we headed home to drop off our bags only to head back to Thayer for dinner with friends! A group of five of us all met at Kartabar, a College Hill hot spot with plenty of on-the-curb seating as well as tables by huge open glass windows, perfect for taking in the summertime Thayer Street scene. Kartabar is a seen and be seen kind of place for sure. Serving up Mediterranean-esque cuisine, but also with plenty of American comfort food staples like grilled pizza, pasta, burgers and sandwiches, Kartabar is a place I used to frequent quite a bit in my early 20s as a student at Brown. While it is a restaurant by day and night, it also turns into a lounge/club after about 11 P.M. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. My bff and I spent many, many a night at Kartabar- if fact, she even met her now-husband there! But this time around, we went for the food, not the dj and dancing! We made a reservation for seven o' clock and showed up a bit early. We were seating in a side room by one of their bars (not the main one). It wasn't really a bar people were sitting at at that time of day, but I am sure late night it becomes quite popular! While we were not seated directly next to an open window overlooking the street, we still had a spot pretty close to the window. It was a gorgeous day- the sun was shining in behind me! The restaurant had an awesome vibe. It was busy but with a light, airy atmosphere. Clearly people were there to kick back and relax, soaking up the funky Thayer street ambience. I was really digging the experience! As far as the food- we were all pretty hungry and ordered right away. Most of us skipped the app department and zeroed in on the main course. I ordered two components: first a poached pear salad with greens, walnuts, raisins and a raspberry vinaigrette. It also came with blue cheese, which I requested to be left off. I noticed they had roasted beets on one of their other salads, so I asked if I could add those also, and the waitress happily obliged. Let's not forget the onion strings which were generously heaped on top of the while thing! The salad definitely hit the nail on the head as far as decadent, delicious vegan salads go! The poached pears were infused with cinnamon, which added a perfect touch of sweetness that went well with the golden raisins. The walnuts provided the necessary crunch factor, and the beets were just an excellent addition. Of course, the onion strings brought a new level of flavor and saltiness that took the salad over the top. The raspberry dressing was also very flavorful- a little went a long way! The salad was pretty big too- not that I didn't devour the whole thing! To accompany the salad, I also ordered fries. I asked if I could do a mix of their sweet potato and regular fries, which again, they had no issue with. I already knew Kartabar fries are amazing, and they didn't disappoint this time around! Crispy on the outside, seasoned with herbs and creamy on the inside, I can't honestly decide if I liked the sweet potato fries or regular ones better! I ate most of them drowned in ketchup (though they did come with some kind of aoli which I avoided due to the dairy thing!). Everyone else loved their meals also it seemed- my husband downed his burger in record time! The food at Kartabar, at least for someone like me who doesn't eat dairy and limits gluten, is really good- clearly they are willing to make changes to their menu dishes to accommodate those with dietary restrictions with no issue. I am pretty sure too if you called ahead and asked for more of a custom entrée (rather than just a salad/side combo) that was vegan or gluten-free, they would cook up something delicious. I was pretty impressed with Kartabar overall- great vibe, creative and tasty food, a helpful and plentiful waitstaff and a cool atmosphere! I was really glad to be able to have the summertime Kartabar experience this past Saturday night! It's definitely one I would recommend if you want quality food in a prime people-watching spot.
(4)S. R.
Nice food and good atmosphere. I go there for nice lunch and cocktails. It is a good retreat.
(4)Loan L.
Kartabar....what in the world happened to you? I was in town for a few days to show off my little daughter to my in-laws and wanted to get some drinks here because I am a fan of your martinis. When I lived in Mass years ago, my husband and I would come here for some drinks and apps and I always had a great time. The food was always tasty, the atmosphere had a buzz, and the clientele were well-dressed and classy. My my my have the tides come in or what. We came in on Friday and I swear I thought I was on the set of Jersey Shore. My eyes were hurting from all of the orange, fake tanned folks in there. And my ears were bleeding from the obnoxious chatter that filled the room. The attire definitely went down hill. Gone are the days of simple, flattering fitting clothes. Replaced are the baggy jeans, baseball caps with a flat brim worn on the side, and ghetto gold chains. When our waitress was done talking with her friends, we were able to get in a few drinks which were ok. It would have been better if the drinks were more consistent. My friend ordered the exact same drink I had and hers was 2 shades darker. That said, If we ever head back to RI, I would not stop in.
(2)Ashley S.
Our order came out wrong... And what we got was horrible. Usually the Kartabar pizza is awesome, the one with the figs and a light sauce. Also, we almost always have decent service but it seemed like this night we had a server that was clearly not interested in serving us in a timely manner. I would say we will not be back anytime soon...
(1)Matt G.
Chill and friendly is the best two words to describe. Our service was friendly and fast, it was busy but you wouldn't have thought it from our server, which is always a good sign. Mark it on the list to check out
(3)Claudia L.
I wanted to like this place - i really did. My room mate had flying reviews for this place so i decided to go for a brunch adventure here. The food was alright, nothing too special, a decent veggie pocket but my friend's champagne sea bass was disappointing. The whole plate was covered with butter. The service was borderline poor. I asked to be seated outside and the waitress said ''if you really have to..."
(2)Victoria K.
I recently revisited Kartabar for the first time in many many years. It was a rainy and cold day, and my friend and I ducked inside to find some nourishment. After a couple delicious cocktails, we were off to a good start. The filet mignon carpaccio and prosciutto pizza were the icing on the cake. The pizza was not the best I've had, but this isn't an Italian joint, and for what it's worth, it was pretty good! I'd definitely stop in here again whether it's for a casual drink or some yummy food. Don't know much about the night scene here... did it a couple times MANY years ago and can't be sure how it is these days, but lunchtime here is a pretty good stop.
(4)Jay D.
I love this place because they have super chill music from around the world. Their food is pretty good and the atmosphere is nice. They have some outdoor seating (not a lot--like 3-4 tables). The bruschetta is OMG good. Not your typical bruschetta... it is creamy goodness. What I hate about this place is some of the clientele. If I wanted to go to North Providence I would. If you want a lil posh dinner in the city this is your kinda place
(4)Jonny C.
It is like my previous review was a soothsayer of the Jersey Shore phenomenon to come. Funny.
(4)Keith B.
This was my first experience with the restaurant seen in Providence and It was definitely a good one. The service was great, and our waitress was very attentive and knoweldge about both the drinks, as well as the menu. The ambience was very laid back but chic. We started with the Calamari and the Bacon Wrapped Scallops to start, both very well prepared and delicious. For dinner I had the Sesame Tuna, while my partner in crime had the Kartabar pizza. The Tuna was good but not great, I wouldn't recommend someone go there to get this dish; however I wouldn't not recommend it either. My friend had the Kartabar pizza and this was very good. She ordered extra Balsamic Sauce to drizzile over the pizza and this really took the dish from good to great. Happy yelping. K
(4)Kel S.
I thought this place was OK. Atmosphere is sort of, I'm not sure how to desribe it, but "predictable" would be a word I may use, if that makes any sense. However, I liked the outdoor seating area. The food and drinks were good. Not in a rush to get back...
(3)Anya R.
Solid food, great location if you live on College Hill / go to Brown, but the service leaves something to be desired. The food can take a very long time and they are not the friendliest. It is one of the only restaurants you can go to in the area that makes you feel like you're having a girls night out, though!
(3)Ashley K.
Yes! A $6 burger with cheddar cheese never fails, especially in the low-light ambience Kartabar has. I have eaten at many a restaurant on Thayer. It is a quiet gem during the day and pretty busy at night. Last week, they played R&B from the nineties while serving me a drink I created: Coconut Rum, RedBull and a splash of Cran. Try it, they'll make it right. Good service and ambience, 4-stars.
(4)Kathleen R.
Initially hesitant to try this place due to the "Jersey Shore" type crowd, but glad I did as turns out they have the best veggie burger and french fries in Providence. They put two really nice pieces of grilled zucchini on the burger which is a great touch, and they don't use those terrible, mushy Dr. Praeger's burgers with the whole peas in them either. Those sensitive to over-cologned men take note: on a recent visit, the gentleman working behind the bar was so drenched in cologne that he managed to engulfed the entire bar area in a toxic cloud of stank. It was suffocating. You might want to sit at a table far, far away from the bar, near a source of ventilation, to avoid a similar situation!
(3)marie m.
huh. So this was Providence's Thayer Street. Can't say that there was a big welcome on a late afternoon. The attitude from the staff was hysterical. The food was mysterious and expensive. Bathrooms could have been cleaner.
(2)Julie A.
KartaBar I like to come here when it's slow and not over-run with the college th-sat evening crowd. This would probably be a weekend during the day. The food is good, and the service is friendly. Nothing to write home about, but decent. The ambiance is lounge-y and depending on the day, the music is either upbeat or mellow. For me, this is a good spot to come for meeting up with girl friends.
(3)Crystal L.
No waiting on a Saturday night. Very dim. Attentive staffs Food was ok. Champaign sea bass was a bit too oily. Comes with a side of broccoli and carrots and a scoop of mash potatoes. The mash potatoes is where I take out a star. It was not hard and tasted like packed mash potato. Can hardly taste the alcohol in the tropical sangria. Overall: it's ok
(3)Grace S.
Calamari!!! I love how they put hot peppers in it. I also like the pesto pasta. everything here is on the heavy side but very good. on weekend nights, it's usually locals at the bar, but brown students like to come here for meals.
(3)Ji H.
GO FOR LUNCH! It's really cheap for the quality of food you get! You can get an awesome fresh burger for a dollar more than a beef wrap at Eastside Pockets! TIPS: You can substitute anything! I always substitute whatever cheese they have (on burgers, pizzas) with goat cheese instead of what's on the menu. I've also gotten olive spread on burgers that normally don't have them. Recommendations: - Kartabar pizza. I always put figs on my homemade pizzas now that I've tasted this. - Meditteranean burger. Love the goat cheese and red pepper combo. - Calamari corfu appetizer. I love how they mix in yellow peppers in with the calamari pieces.
(4)Paul W.
while this has been around for a while i just started frequenting kartabar. Kathy the bartender recommended the Shrimp Barcelona and wow, was she correct - Shrimp Chorizo White wine sauce - unbvelievable. The ower actually brought us extra made-to-order sauce to use on our burgers. The hummus plate - like a piece of art. sandwiches, entrees and apps all delicious. Great specialty drink menu also!
(4)spot u.
Trendy. Hip. Great Staff. Great Drinks. From simple to sophisticated food-- from a $7 sandwich or thin crust pizza to a beautiful Filet with Shrimp.
(5)Traci C.
Fun place for drinks and apps with friends. Addicted to the calamari! Great salads too. Love the kartabar salad in particular. Great spot to sit and people watch in the nice weather.
(4)Ashima D.
I had a vegetarian pizza and my husband the lamb. Both were delicious.
(4)AJ S.
I've been m a regular for years... And will continue to stay one
(5)M O.
A Friday night, 8ish. Not too crowded, we were sat immediately. We were walking by and actually had a craving for middle eastern or Mediterranean. The menu is really what drew us in. Ambiance was very nice. Dimly lit, impressive bar, very cool lamps. Our waitress was very pleasant and helpful. My boyfriend hates when I order mojitos because I almost always complain because they aren't made right. Not here!!! Asking for very little syrup- add CRUSHED ice- perfecto! His sangria was good as well I hear ;) We ordered the Karta platter appetizer. Not remembering exact name. Hummus, grape leaves, olives, pickles, pita, tatziki, tabouli....Yum!! Only complaint here was the tatziki had zero flavor. None. And maybe hummus could have a teeny bit of garlic. But again, it was yummy nonetheless. Dinner was the kabob for two, whoa!! Very cool presentation of a giant freshly baked pita like puff filled with veggies, steak, chicken and kibby (or how I know it as). Warm rice on the side... Awesome. And leftovers :) Why the three after the rave? The music was ridiculously loud for that time of night. At one point they turned it down a little and it was perfect but then right back up again. Now I'm not old, as far as I am concernd, nor a hater of loud music. However it just didn't mesh with what was going on. If go 31/2 if I could.
(3)Girldrinkdrunk S.
The douchebag quota is extraordinarily high here on weekends and late nights, but the food's surprisingly good. I love the tomato-basil soup, also the hummus. The wine list is small, but conservatively priced and the cocktails aren't half bad. This is a good place for some lower priced eats and a few drinks, especially in the summer (outside dining, window wall that opens completely).
(4)Lauren B.
Came here while in town for a conference. The place is advertised as Mediterranean but the menu actually had a wide variety of ethnic cuisines. I had the lobster ravioli, it was pretty good but I could have used a bit more lobster. The chocolate bread pudding was more like a cake than bread pudding but was pretty good. For me, the service is what makes or breaks a dining experience and I feel like the service here could have been better. I think there's a certain amount of tact to waiting on a table where the group is always in conversation but I don't feel that means shouting 'Excuse me!' every time you approach the table. Also, while I had my head turned, my empty wine glass was picked up rather than refilled! Our wine was so amazing, I was really sad I couldn't have one more small glass.
(3)Tony P.
Had a great lunch. Salads are good here. Have eaten here many times, this time I had the chicken panni. It was enjoyable. The will customize the menu choices to suit your liking. Sidewalk dining, or sit just inside the large open doors. Good service!
(4)Vanessa T.
Just the mention of "Kartabar" makes my skin bristle at the recollection of the nonstop parade of dragon-motif shirts, excessive hair gel use, gut-wrenching techno and orange faces that I can only presume to be suntans. Oof. I've obviously never got around to eating there -- the "nightlife" was enough of a taste.
(1)Brock P.
My friend and I went into to Kartabar on a Sat night, the whole room was filled with obnoxious drunk people ( a horrible image to start off) everyone was having a good time, but the host at the door was rude and ended up giving away our table. So we ended up waiting longer. Even the bar tender was at a loss of manners. Without saying hello, greeting us or even saying what can i get for you he shouted " I need to see your I.D's" As a server I understand the need to get things done on a busy night, but as a restaurant lover, I would have chosen to eat at a McDonalds than endure the awful service we experienced. We ended up leaving we were so livid, after a 25 minute wait (we were told 15) countless drunk people, a rude manager who kept running around and bumping into me and a host that needs her attitude checked. I would go back, but after that, I will look into different options.
(1)R A.
Wow this place has totally gone downhill. I went on a Saturday night around 12am. The DJ was horrible. 1 or 2 songs from the 90s..ok..... but not the entire set. This place used to be trendy... it needs a facelift.
(1)Naia L.
This is a great restaurant/bar on theyar st. Very trendy and has a great vibe. Friday and Sat nights gets pretty packed, so go early or make reservation if you want a table. Love the coconut shrimp and sangrias! topped the night off with B52 shots and some fried cheesecake to share
(4)J R.
Service is good, Johnny Green costs $15, Johnny Gold costs $16. Ok in my books, snifter straight up please. I would definitely suggest Kartabar for lunch. Its a nice little restaurant, however i'm not crazy about their dinners, and it typicially has already turned into a lounge by the time I get there for dinner. Prices are great, and the service I have never had an issue with. Smoked salmon appetizer is good, and the barcelona shrimp is very tasy, seasoned very well. Carpaccio is excellent and the bistecca bruschetta (although very heavy) is amazing as well. Definitely a winter dish, but you could order that for an entree. As far as the entrees go, I"m not too familiar with them, however I can assure you that I have never left disappointed. Haven't been for dinner in almost a year. The food is always good, however I will say that the dishes lack a little finesse, there is no delicate cooking in this restaurant at all. Not a bad thing, however a lot of the plates are always "in your face" with flavor when I personally think that they could be toned down a tad. Regardless, Kartabar is a great place to go for an energy filled atmosphere, and whether you want a cocktail, appetizer, dinner, or all the above, you will definitely enjoy it.
(3)Pam Z.
Good food, GREAT soup. The soup is an incredible deal that comes in a face-sized plate/bowl, well-spiced and hot. In one of these ubiquitous mid-class restaurants that tries to do everything, they don't crap any of it up. Crab cakes are delish, risotto was a little hard but nice and creamy, go to Paragon for pasta, steak was good. Deserts were all ok--I would pass--especially on the fried ice cream, which got the batter all wrong. I had issues with how dark it was at the tables (seriously, I had a few issues seeing my food), but the music is catchy. Good for when you want something that feels a bit classier.
(3)Van O.
The atmosphere at Karta is nice especially during the hot summers months when they open the windows. The drink selections are always interesting. My second favorite Filet Mignon next to Speak Easy Bar and Grill in Newport. Good Filet for the price in Providence.
(4)Benjamin V.
Kartabar's food is some of my favorite on Thayer, and definitely among the best priced, especially for lunch! My favorites are the Tuna Steak and Calamari. Haven't been there late night, but it's really hopping!
(5)Rachel A R.
Delicious food and drinks! Great service too! I will definitely be dining here again.
(5)Dan M.
This may seem like a pretentious bar from the exterior, but once you walk inside it's very welcoming. It's kind of euro, and the music is good at night. Don't come here in a baseball cap and sneakers, it's just not that type of place. The food is excellent and the prices are great. I use to come here a lot when I was an undergrad living in Providence. I still try to make it down to Providence just to come here, it's so good and probably one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)S D.
This is one of my favorite spots to go out to on the weekend to catch a drink with some friends. The crowd is very diverse which is a great thing. They've some young people like me and some middle aged people. The music they play in their vaires. The girls who work there are some serious cuties!
(5)Kristen K.
There didn't seem to be much of a culinary focus here, which was the first warning sign for me. I ordered the tabouleh salad and a veggie pocket. I didn't get to try the tabouleh salad, because my waitress forgot about it. Then it took a very long time to get the veggie pocket. When it DID come out, i was very disappointed. it was in a thin pita that broke immediately, because the "veggies" were so overcooked and dowsed in what i think was balsamic vinaigrette sauce that it drenched the pita. i ended up eating the veggies with a fork. the best part of the meal was the fries. they were actually pretty good!
(2)Jon F.
Just had a quick lunch there with a few friends. We were all on break for work so we were looking for a quick meal. We were in and out within the hour, all with delicious meals. I recommend the Mediterranean Chicken Pocket. The roasted red peppers make this dish. All and all it was a nice experience. Al fresco and a nice waitress. Plus, all three of us had lunch for just over $20!
(4)Stephanie C.
large portions, average food but a good selection, nice service, very clean bathrooms, comfortable atmosphere [although it's quite dark inside since the color scheme is black and red]. good place to come for lunch with a friend. never ended up trying to come here at night when it's a bar/lounge, but i heard it's pretty fun
(3)Inez C.
Atmosphere was superb, food and bar selection was fantastic! However, with as many as 6 wait staff plus a bartender and less than four tables being fully occupied the wait time to be served was about 20mins after we had seated ourselves. A wonderful mellow place to be when you are on vacation.
(3)Gina C.
Kartabar is a great place, day or night, to grab a drink and chow down. The drinks are reasonably priced, and the food is delicious. I've had meals and just appetizers and haven't had a bad thing yet. At night, it is packed to the gills and the music is fantastic. This is definitely one of my favorite spots in RI.
(4)Areia S.
Forget about weekends at Kartabar, forget about the bar scene, forget about all of that - concentrate on the delicious, wonderfully cheap food that blows neighbor Paragon out of the water. Oh, and that veggie burger - try it with gorgonzola. Next to Restaurant Oak's black bean burger (if they even still have it anymore) it's probably the best non-meat burger in the city.
(4)Matt L.
This is a gem in the trendiest part of Providence, sitting in the front street where Brown U is located. The street is lined with other chic locations and caters to college kids and professionals. This spot is one of he best, not at all catering to the college crowd. This looks like it belongs in Soho, with trendy decor, open windows in the summer with seating outdoors and dimly lit, romatic amibience. The place is better for drinks than I would say a dinner. The drink concoctions you will find here are second to none, with pricey martinis of all sorts and other inventive drinks. The food is okay, not anything to rave about but does the job well you are sipping on the many drinks they can come up with here. I would highly recommend this place!
(4)Jennifer B.
These 4 stars are for the veggie burger and the Mojitos. Both delicious. One criticism: the menu says the veg burger comes with baby spinach and sometimes it comes with field greens. I love spinacci di bambino, not the greens of the field, thank you. Cool martini menu with lots of options I have yet to try because of the Mojitos. This is a great place for lunch on a weekday. You can sit outside or get a table in the window. Weekends here are stupid. It is a strange mix of the wannabe fabulati and motorcycle riders, cigarette smoke and fumes.
(4)Amy C.
The salads are pathetic. They were stingy with their add-ins (like mushrooms, olives, hearts of palm), as they only put about a tablespoon of each in. Their lemon garlic dressing? Dump it down the drain, it's disgusting. Fortunately, their ambiance and service make this place nicer, and others in my party enjoyed their dishes.
(3)sunny n.
Great food..the shrimp barcelona and mediterranean kebabs are just fab ! The bar scene is cozy and inviting with black granite tops ..dark tones of wood and perfect dim yellowish lighting..A variety of music played..including arabic and turkish tunes!! Fri and Sat nights are jamming. A great venue to just hang with friends for just drinks or dinner...!!
(5)Craig E.
Didn't eat here, but walked in and was immediately struck by the 'scene' of the whole place. Everyone sizes you up the second you walk in the door, and if they don't approve immediately, they want nothing to do with you. The place itself is really nice, well done up, friendly bartenders, nice design, drinks weren't overly expensive. Overall, I was actually pretty impressed and would definitely go back...if I'm ever in Providence, RI again...
(4)Jeanine M.
Kartabar, Kartabar, Kartabar. If you are on Thayer street and looking for some good cheap food and a quick drink it is definitely the place (Came here on an early dinner date and the bill was not more than 30 bucks...guys how happy does that make you?) but don't come here for fun on a Friday or Saturday night. The music is loud and somewhat obnoxious and you can be sure there will be lots of "kids" trying to look cool by buying cocktails. Annoying also is that there is really no place to congregate if you are with a group of friends.
(2)Ren H.
This is one of my all time favorite bars/clubs to go to.. i've never actually eaten here but i've come here on weekend nights since i was an undergrad.. they've got such a good vibe here at night, everyone is very dressed up and clean cut and always ready to start a conversation with anyone or invite you to their table for a drink.. definitely top on my list and great to get away from pine st bars
(5)Laurie B.
Came here for appetizers and drinks before dinner. It was great! We sat inside next to the windows which were side open. The breeze was great! I got a glass of the Jargon Pinot Noir and my boyfriend got draft Yuengling. We each ordered a French onion soup which was hot and gourmet. The cheese was out of this world! Then we got the Crab and Lobster Cakes. They were absolutely the best I've had! They were light and full of flavor. They come served with a tomato salsa and a lemon garlic aioli. The server's were so nice!!
(5)