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Hours
Sun
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Mon
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Tue
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wed
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thu
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fri
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sat
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reserve a table
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travelers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, American, Grill, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Special occasions, Romantic, Business meetings
Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Details
About
The White Horse Tavern is America's Oldest Restaurant and a National Historic Landmark. The White Horse strives to create a fresh, contemporary culinary experience in a historic tavern atmosphere. For generations, the White Horse has served the freshest fish, clams and lobsters from Narragansett Bay along with just-picked produce from local Rhode Island's farms. The White Horse embraces RI's vibrant food scene to bring you the very best artisan cheeses, honeys, prime cuts of beef and local fish right off the boat - all in a Colonial tavern that's been serving America for over 350 years. Visit for a taste of 21st century Rhode Island in the 17th century White Horse. You won't be disappointed!
PRICE RANGE
$15.00 – $40.00
CUISINES
American, Grill
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.5
1,178 reviews
Excellent
647
Very good
321
Average
116
Poor
46
Terrible
48
Weglarz
Oakland244 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Fantastic meal with historic ambiance! One of the better meals I’ve had with some of the best service. Met some friends here and all agreed that the food and service were top notch. The quaint setting allows for a quiet and romantic dining experience. We started with fresh oysters; literally delivered from the sea while we were there. Three different orders; all high marks. Beef Wellington; catch of the day and I had scallops (pictured). We shared lobster mac and cheese and finished with the cheese plate. It’s a fine dining experience with a fine dining price tag that was well worth it. As this is the oldest tavern in the US, it’s a must and happy to have gone.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I4065KSjosephk
The Beef Wellington is our signature dish!
Thank you for the review.
The White Horse Tavern.
Written January 22, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
HH2165
101 contributions
Aug 2021 • couples
Went on the recommendation of a friend and we were not disappointed! The ambiance was as expected, colonial tavern, small rooms but comfortable seating. The place was very crowded on the Tuesday night we went but the limited staff kept up graciously with the demand and the meal’s timing was not off. The best part , of course , was the food. The beef Wellington (it’s been on the menu for 50 years!!) was absolutely perfect. The salmon dish was also very good, as was the starter lobster bisque which we shared. The dessert (chocolate candy thing) left a bit to be desired, came across quite flat but overall the meal was delicious. The wine list was also extensive and had great depth. We chose a house Pinot noir (from Sokol Blosser, $44 per bottle) which was very good but nothing special. The only downside to going to the White Horse is the price. So be aware! It seemed to be a tad more than was necessary. The beef Wellington was $48 and the salmon was $34. Anyway, if you would like a “colonial” experience and are willing to pay for it, GO!
Written August 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kdbax
Athens30 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We visited 30+ years ago when husband's brother was stationed at the Navy base and loved our visit then. Now our oldest son is stationed at the Navy base and wanted to treat us to dinner. We were seated promptly in the downstairs room near a window, across from the fireplace. We're very familiar with old buildings, so a bit of a draft didn't bother us - but our server did make a point of asking whether we were comfortable. We were - and the service was fantastic. Very attentive, very personable.
For our meals, son ordered clam chowder, husband ordered the sour of the day and I ordered 1/2 dozen littlenecks. All were excellent. As entrees, son and I both ordered the crispy duck and husband ordered the Beef Wellington. All entrees were served to the correct doneness and husband is still raving about the Beef Wellington. Dessert for me was Creme Brulee; for son the day's cheesecake; and for husband an apple dessert. All very good.
We think we'll probably be back in Newport once more before high season starts.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I4065KSjosephk
Hello kdbax,
On behalf of The White Horse Tavern, we would like to thank your husband's brother and your oldest son for their.military service.
We are happy to hear that you all enjoyed your meal and service and look forward to seeing you again - before the high season starts.
If there is anything that I can do to assist with your next reservation, then do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at the restaurant.
Kind Regards,
Joseph k.
General Manager
The White Horse Tavern
1-401-474-7420
joe@whitehorsenewport.com
Written February 14, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Purcell Press
London30 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Expected more from the restaurant, the service is very good if a little snooty at the reception/bar side. This lovely old Inn is let down by dull cuisine. I had one of the most expensive dishes on the menu, a lobster and shrimp melange in tagliatelle, which was soupy and badly flavoured, not much thought went into the preparation I felt. The restaurant would benefit from a top-notch chef, preferably with knowledge of French or Italian cuisine. Or at least a chef who has the imagination to bring the ‘pasta’ to life! The serving staff are lovely, very enthusiastic, and polite but the Inn would also benefit from employing someone with a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Inn's history et cetera. A Maitre D wouldn’t go amiss. And perhaps changing the music from soft rock and jazz in the evening to something more befitting a beautiful old historic inn of the period where George Washington planned his campaigns. Handel, Bach, Mozart spring to mind. The bar cocktails are superb, wonderful names - try the rye and spiced orange tea and lemon mix called 'I won't tell a Rye'.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scout
Water Mill172 contributions
Dec 2020 • none
We were really looking forward to dining here as a family of four. 3 of the 4 of us enjoyed our meal. Varied entrees including vegan offered something for everyone. When dining price points are higher, we tend to expect the whole Magilla. The music was a little too loud and the selection of shuffled music was disappointing. Just before arriving, we received a text changing our reservation from 4 to 2. The waiter was somewhat indifferent and not engaged. One menu left on table quite visibly remained and an empty butter dish remained although we asked for another.
Written December 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jarred L
Scout,
Thank you for taking the time to review White Horse Tavern, I am incredibly disappointed to hear about your experience regarding the service. We always strive to provide excellent service to all of our guests despite the difficult times that we are in. I will be speaking with the management team about the importance of proper training for our staff so we are able to provide better service day in and day out. If you could elaborate on the fact that your reservation was changed via text immediately before your arrival I would appreciate it. This way I am able to confirm that our reservation system is working as it should.
My Best,
Jarred LaPlante
General Manager
jarred@whitehorsenewport.com
Written December 17, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
FilmScoreComposer
Tulsa456 contributions
May 2021 • none
I wanted to visit Rhode Island, and chose Newport after learning about the White Horse Tavern and how it's the oldest tavern in America (Est. 1673). Well, just like Newport in general did not disappoint, neither did this restaurant. It has such an authentic (obviously) New England vibe, inside and out. The colonial furniture with the white tables cloths were a perfect touch. The dark woods and low lighting inside really sets a nice mood to dine in. It was a very interesting menu, with a lot of things you only see in upscale restaurants, and that is reflected in the price. But then the food came! First was quite possibly the best dinner rolls I've ever had. Then came the main course... Beef Wellington, that was incredible. Mouth-watering, succulent, soft and delicious. The meat was so succulent, and the flavors of everything else really combined to make a wonderful meal. I tried to eat it ever-so-slowly, so as to really get to savor it all. Needless to say, I made a clean plate. I followed that with some excellent vanilla ice cream, and I was quite satiated. And, the service was excellent. I never went without anything. Needless to say, I would give this place my highest possible recommendation. I can't wait to get up to Rhode Island again, just to eat at the White Horse Tavern. One caveat; apparently this place is so popular, you do have to make a reservation in advance, which I did. Bon Appétit!
Written May 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diana W
Pinehurst128 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
Where to begin? The building itself is incredible. The oldest tavern in the U.S.
Once owned by a real pirate & supposedly haunted, although we didn’t have any paranormal experiences 😀
Imagine….this building is older than the country itself. That’s pretty incredible. If these walls could talk.
Now…. About the food. I had the crispy pork belly appetizer, which was delicious! We tried the duck scotch egg, but were not fans . My husband ordered the beef Wellington & he absolutely loved it. He also had the lobster bisque, which he said had tons of lobster in it.
My entree was the steak frites, which sadly I was not impressed with. The steak was tough and the Parmesan truffle frites are nothing more than frozen fries with Parmesan and I couldn’t taste any truffle.
Our waitress was very good & the boy who kept our water glasses filled did not disappoint. I swear he must have been over there on the side watching yo make sure you didn’t get 2 sips down. Lol
All in all….. great place, great history and great food
Written March 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaybeeFL
Palm Harbor3465 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
Had reservation, arrived on time and requested info on where to park from the hostess. I had parked in bank lot down the street but she cautioned against it and directed me to private lot behind the restaurant. There was one space left, I grabbed it!!!! Hostess had sat my wife while I was parking and she put her upstairs at a table next to one occupied by a family with a very loud toddler! There were other available tables in adjacent rooms! We had to listen to the loud child for at least 45minutes! Not what you want for a special evening out at one of the more expensive restaurants in town. Other than that, everything was great:
-Meals were delectable from start to finish. Seafood sampler was delicious with clams, oysters and huge shrimp; swordfish was firm, fresh, cooked just right and served over cous cous; desserts were to die for and included pineapple upside dow cake and bread pudding. Only hiccup was the steak with frites--meat was a bit tough, grizzled and extra chewy. Mgr comp,d the steak.
Service was stellar and the setting in an historic colonial era inn was perfect!
Definitely recommend.
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SolMan60
Fort Worth282 contributions
Sep 2022 • none
Wife and I were really looking forward to eating dinner here, but it kinda disappointed. i loved the history of the place and wanted to I had the oysters and beef wellington and my wife had onion soup and fries. We both had a cocktail and shared a desert. My oysters were tasty but small. Wellington was not that good even though might of been a good rendition of the dish. Wife's onion soup was great as were the truffle fries. Both our cocktails were not good and over priced so we didn't get another. For desert we got the bread pudding because my wife loves it. It was burnt on the bottom and we didn't eat it and told our waitress about our thoughts. We were charged for the pudding anyway. Not the class experience we were looking forward to.
Written September 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jarred L
First and foremost, I would like to apologize for the dissatisfaction with your Bread Pudding. I will pass this information over to our Executive Chef so we can correct any shortcomings in the kitchen. We always strive to make every dish perfect every time but on occasion we do miss the mark and for that I am sorry. Would you mind sharing which cocktails you have ordered so I can follow up with our Bartenders to make sure they are being made correctly? When you visit Newport again, I sure hope you will give us a try to make up for last time.
My Best,
Jarred LaPlante
General Manager
Written September 30, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dustythoughts
Manchester2245 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
We came here for dinner with friends who were visiting from out of town, and we were all super impressed! The very building is emblematic of Newport history, representing a common architectural style for the time period when it was founded; the restaurant is the oldest operating restaurant in the US. Given Newport's geographic location, it makes sense that seafood is excellent, although they do also have plenty of other options as well. The duck breast and the catch of the day were superb! The duck wasn't too sweet despite coming with pomegranates, carrots, and ginger - they were a wonderful combination, and duck can be hard to cook. The French Onion Soup was divine! The service was friendly and welcoming; out waiter made sure we had everything we needed, and checked in without being obtrusive.
Written May 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pam S
Fair Oaks27 contributions
May 2021 • none
This was our 2nd dinner at White Horse and enjoyed everything about the meal and service. Our server, Sue, was fantastic - professional, knowledgeable about the food and mixed great cocktails for us! We split the Beef Wellington and a side of grilled asparagus and both were delicious. After our meal Sue was very thoughtful and gave us complimentary glass of champagne each while she took our photo. This is a wonderful place for leisurely dining, so get a sitter for your kids and enjoy yourselves. It's not to be missed!
Written May 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grillmasters
148 contributions
Feb 2023 • none
We dined at the bar….Kathleen…excellent bartender. Professional, friendly and efficient.
Enjoyed some pre-dinner cocktails.
I ordered the lobster stuffed zucchini blossoms for an app. One whole flower and one blossom. Stem was very hard on the flower. Taste was good but for $25…..not all that impressed.
We ordered the Chateaubriand for two that came with Thousand Layer potatoes and asparagus. Steak came perfectly medium rare and a nice portion. The potatoes on the other hand were…..literally black on the bottom. I called the host/GM over and he agreed they were burnt….I asked for mashed instead and he brought some over. They were excellent. The asparagus were like tree trunks…..very thick. When I brought that to the attention of the host/GM his response was “that’s the way we got it from the purveyor”.
I’ve lived in Newport since 1974 and I’ve been a cook, bartender, waiter, host etc. for over 40 years. Had I ever received asparagus like that I would have sent it back and offered another side veggie….creamed spinach would have been appropriate or use the asparagus for soup.
Anyway it would have been nice to have been comped a dessert or after dinner drink and not that we were looking for it….but the courtesy. We spent over $300 on our meal.
WHT has always been a place for a special night out.
I sent two emails to WHT with no reply, thus my reaching out to Mill Street. I apologize for going this route but a reply of some kind would have been nice.
The owner also owns The Reluctant Panther Inn and Restaurant in Manchester Village, Vt., and The Kedron Valley Inn and Restaurant in Woodstock, Vt. The Zagat Survey of restaurants gives his restaurants the highest ratings among those in northern New England, he said. So puzzling that no response based on the highly rated properties in Northern New England.
Written February 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SBGiGi
Santa Barbara150 contributions
Dec 2021 • none
The ambiance of an old-fashioned pub was perfect! Felt as though I was back in England! Complete with uneven floors!!
Service was good, but not great. Our server decided to engage in very long conversations with another table near by, to the detriment of taking our order, serving us or asking if we wanted dessert! She was pleasant enough, but clearly, the other customers were more important!
Three of us had lobster bisque for starters. Two servings had lots of lumps of lobster, but one dish had only one!!! Too bad for that person, but they asked me to give the food 1 star only due to this oversight on the part of the serving team!! The ensalata caprese was quire poor. The tomatoes weren't ripe and the mozarella was hardly a bite full!
Three of us ordered the Beef Wellington and it was wonderful. One of the house specials, with good reason! The fish dish was just ok - kind of dry and not a lot of flavor.
For dessert, our server pushed the bread pudding... saying it was the best anywhere. Believe me, my Mum's is a whole lot better. It was average, at best. The home-made ice cream was lovely though!
All in all, VERY expensive, service adequate (at best) and some of the dishes not so very good. I am stretching to give this place 4 stars... but I loved the ambiance and the Beef Wellington, so I am upgrading!
Written January 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gran1946
54 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
The service was attentive and the food was good. However, when asked if we could substitute arugula for something else, we were not told it would be an up charge of $7.00 per person (on a meal that was costing $52 to start with!).
We sat at the table for 20 minutes before bread was offered and then it arrived with the meal.
There was an oaf at a nearby table who had already made a disturbance with insisting his wine be decanted and then proceeded to have a very loud conversation on speaker phone. He should have been asked to take it outside.
Two issues arise with this pricey restaurant;
-they are very clear and insistent that they have a dress code of “Business Casual” and actually describe acceptable clothing options, however, they don’t do anything to enforce it. There were men in shorts, hats, people in jeans and tee shirts. It isn’t fair to charge people a small fortune insinuating an upscale ambiance and then revert to tolerating inappropriate dress and behavior.
-they will charge you $25 pp if you do not cancel a reservation prior to 48 hours of your scheduled time. That may be fine for holidays but there was no need for a reservation anyway. Going to the White Horse on a weeknight, off season, is not a problem.
If you like history this is an interesting spot. Otherwise, I would think twice and don’t assume anything when ordering. This place is quite adept at the bait and switch tactic to increase your bill.
Written April 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gjdNYC
New York308 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
We were at the WHT for dinner with friends during the holiday season. Only one issue with one of the daily specials, a pan fried swordfish which was cut way too thin and overcooked, although everything else was outstanding. The menu had a very good selection of specialty drinks, appetizers, and entrees. Cozy and comfortable atmosphere at this lovely establishment with excellent service.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I4065KSjosephk
Thank you for the review.
We are happy to hear that your experience was enjoyable.
The thickness of the swordfish is often. Based on weight vs. width of the fish.
We are happy to offer a thicker cut on request for your next visit.
We look forward to seeing you again.
The White Horse Tavern Team
Written January 22, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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