in newport for folk fest

[catciao]

and I'm trying to decide where to go for dinner sat. night and sunday. one of the nights (probably sat) I'd like a place on the water. I'm trying not to spend a million, but I want good food and probably prefer seafood, so I know it won't be cheap either. Sunday I'd like something casual, but I can always switch my idea for the night if it works better for a particular restaurant. What would you all advise?

[Frank Terranova]

I totally agree with the lists below, IF you dont mind the $$ the Castle Hill is good, Fluke also But Flo's clams suck. IMO Maybe you can get them at Scales and Shells. I went to FLo's once and they had no clams. All they had was clam strips which are 1 grade up from fish bait we use for catching flounder.

[John Cuttino]

Frank, take it easy. Flo's is what it is....
Scales and Shells has a bar, small but can eat raw bar stuff. Quite good. The wait may be up to 30 min. Gets buys usually after 6pm.

[im hungry]

right across the street from scales is zeldas,an awesome pub with a very good restaurant attached.the bar is real taste of the newport sailing crowd,good strong drinks(think dark and stormys)and nice food to match....great sunday brunch too!!and i totally agree with frank that flos is a really really bad tourist trap-rip off..

[Frank Terranova]

I forgot about Zeldas dam. Newport has IMO some of the best in RI and usually a tourist trap area this is not the way it is. Forgot about Yesterdays plus Broadway is loaded with nice places. Tuckers for instance. If they want plain simple stuff Brick Alley is another one.

[John Cuttino]

For on the water: The Mooring, The Landing, H2O, The Deck (formerly West Deck) are all good. Get reservations. For cheap, funky and good, Flos Clamshack on First Beach is the best fried clams around. Any place on Thames St will be good. The best seafood in Newport is Scales and Shells (only serves seafood, usually with pasta).
It will be crowded so be prepared to wait, if you don't have reservations.

[Alica]

About what time does Scales & Shells usually start to get busy on a Saturday? Do they have a bar? Can you eat at the bar?

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Scales & Shells
527 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840