Where to eat on Block Island during your casual summer day trip

Boston Globe

3 days ago

Dick's Fish & Provisions
The team behind island eatery Dead Eye Dick's launched Dick's Fish & Provisions in 2021, where they are serving fresh seafood, and sell live lobsters and local produce right behind their restaurant. Purchase one of their sushi rolls before enjoying it by the water, their blue fish dip for a picnic along the bluffs, or a poke bowl for the ferry home. While you're there, stock up on some island eggs, beef from Sprague Farm, and a cup of house brewed Thai iced tea.
Dick's Fish & Provisions
, 219 Ocean Ave., Block Island,
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Old Post Office Bagel Shop
The Old Post Office Bagel Shop first opened nearly three decades ago, and
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Old Post Office Bagel Shop, 123 Ocean Ave.
,
Block Island. Check their
for updates.
Bagels from the Old Post Office Bagel Shop on Block Island.
Old Post Office Bagel Shop
Virginica Pizza
Sadie Flateman, the owner of Great Salt Pond Oyster Co. on the island, is working on opening Virginica Pizza sometime in August. She plans to serve Neapolitan-style pizza with local produce and shellfish. A sample menu says they'll offer Block Island
The name for the shop is closely tied to the bivalve: Crassostrea virginica is the scientific name for the Atlantic oyster.
Virginica Pizza, 125 Corn Neck Road, Block Island,
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Sadie Flateman, the owner of Great Salt Pond Oyster Co., is working on opening Virginica Pizza in August 2025.
Alexa Gagosz
Southeast Light Delights
If you're a lobster roll lover, look no further than Southeast Light Delights, perched high atop the Mohegan Bluffs. Here, get the best version of an adult grilled cheese, which has hardwood smoked bacon, local tomatoes, and buttery chunks of lobster between fresh sourdough slices. Their spicy lobster roll has chunks of fresh lobster tossed in their own spicy-sweet chipotle dressing, served on crisp piece of lettuce in a buttery grilled soft brioche roll. If you're bringing kids (or non-seafood lovers), they also have hot dogs, simple grilled cheeses, and a grilled bratwurst served with fire roasted onion and cheddar cheese. They'll be open every day until Labor Day.
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Southeast Light Delights
, 122 Mohegan Trail, Block Island,
.
Persephone's Kitchen
Persephone's Kitchen is a tiny café tucked away along Dodge Street, conveniently located within a five-minute walk from the ferry. Grab the first cup of coffee or iced tea you need for your day. Inside is a cozy interior with vibrant nooks to settle into. There's dim lighting, throw pillows, greenery, and paintings by local artists adorning the walls. The menu is scratched on various chalkboards over the front counter, where massive apothecary-looking jars hold curious teas, and glass domes cover flaky pastries.
Persephone's Kitchen, 235 Dodge St., Block Island,
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Persephone's Kitchen employees Madison Porter and Domonique Boardo, center, pour lemongrass hibiscus tea for customers.
Ryan T. Conaty/Ryan T. Conaty for the Boston Gl
The Cracked Mug
For years, Alicia Miro has been operating The Cracked Mug, a scratch kitchen and coffee shop on Payne's Dock. They serve coffee from Tiverton, R.I.-based
The Cracked Mug, 133 Ocean Ave., Block Island,
.
Inside The Cracked Mug, a scratch kitchen and coffee shop located on Payne's Dock on Block Island.
Alicia Miro
Ellen's at The Airport
In 2023, after three decades in business, Bethany Campbell Coviello turned over the keys to the tiny diner at the Block Island Airport to Miro of The Cracked Mug. Miro worked to transform the diner — once splashed with red paint with loads of signs, pendants, and flyers adorning the walls — into Ellen's, a quaint diner with sage green walls, named for her grandmother. Unlike most restaurants on the island, Ellen's is open year-round. Go for standard omelettes and egg sandwiches in the morning, and patty melts, clubs, and chicken pot pie for lunch. If you're staying on the island, they open at 6:30. If you're taking the ferry for a day trip, they close at 2 p.m.
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Ellen's at The Airport, 4 Center Road, Block Island,
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Sausage gravy and biscuit at Ellen's at the Airport on Block Island.
Ellen's
TigerFish
TigerFish is the only late-night kitchen on the island, usually serving Asian fusion bites until midnight. If you're only there for the day, consider going for lunch or a drink. At the bar, they have a variety of sake, and a cocktail selection that's inspired by tropical flavors – coconut, passionfruit, fresh watermelon juice, and pineapple. Check the specials menu, or order plates like fried chicken steam buns, spicy tuna rolls, and spicy dan dan noodles. One summer, they served a peking duck quesadilla – swapping in scallion pancakes for tortillas – with a
TigerFish, 126 Corn Neck Rd, Block Island,
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The peking duck quesadilla at TigerFish on Block Island. They swapped tortillas for scallion pancakes, used a Grafton Village cheddar from Vermont, pickled onion, candied bacon, soy, and sriracha cream.
Alexa Gagosz
Payne's Donuts
An island tradition since 1963, Payne's serves homemade donuts - sugar, plain, and cinnamon - out of a food truck throughout the summer season. Grab a quick dozen and feed a crew on the beach, or bring them back to the mainland to enjoy at home.
Payne's Donuts, New Harbor, Ocean Avenue, Block Island. Check their
for updates.
Payne's Donuts on Block Island.
Payne's Donuts
Poor People's Pub
The Poor People's Pub, which first opened in 2011, is the tavern for the every man. It's where you can grab hand-tossed pizza, house-smoked meats, burgers, and even foie gras. Before ordering off the standard menu, always check the specials. This summer, they've been serving steak bombs with Block Island-raised sirloin; corn from Sunset Farm with roasted chipotle aioli, tajin, and cotija cheese; smoked game hen with a chili lime marinade; and an escargot toast.
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In the morning, head upstairs to the BI Bodega for egg sandwiches on
BI Bodega, located above Poor People's Pub, 33 Ocean Ave., Block Island. Check their
for store updates.
The Poor People's Pub at 33 Ocean Ave. is a Block Island watering hole open nearly year round.
Ryan T. Conaty/Ryan T. Conaty for the Boston Gl
Blocksicle
Enjoying a popsicle is one of the most nostalgic summertime memories. At the Inn at Old Harbor, Blocksicle owners Emma Andy and her partner Bobby Welch have been experimenting with constantly changing flavors during their second summer open — including lemon rose, salted caramel, creamsicle, and fruit loops. Other popsicles are more extravagant — like a key lime popsicle that's dipped in chocolate and dusted with graham cracker. Their
Blocksicle
, 231 Water St., Block Island,
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The Lunch Bucket
John Levesque opened the Lunch Bucket in May 2023 on Water Street, where diners can overlook ferries coming in at the Old Harbor while savoring a burger. In the morning, grab a big breakfast or hashbrown patty. For lunch, go for their hand-cut fries, blue cheese steak bomb, or choose from their selection of 10 different burgers. The best part: They don't freeze, pre-package, or microwave any of their food. So be patient, and enjoy a burger the old-fashioned way.
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The Lunch Bucket, 30 Water St #101, Block Island,
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A platter of food from The Lunch Bucket on Block Island.
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Aldo's Bakery
Founded in 1977 by Anna and Steve Papa, Aldo's Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant on Block Island has grown into quite a complex just steps from where the ferry docks in Old Harbor. Anna Papa's father, Aldo, and her mother Maria, immigrated to Providence from Italy in 1955 and ultimately were the ones who helped develop the idea of opening Block Island's first pizzeria. When they opened the bakery, their kids would go down to the docks and sell pastries straight from the pans. Now, Aldo's has been taken over by sons Aldo and Bobby Leone, and is serving Italian specialties, while
Aldo's Bakery, 130 Weldon's Way, Block Island,
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The Aperol Spritz Gelato, which is homemade, at Aldo's Bakery on Block Island.
Aldo's
Beach Bar
Perhaps you've had enough sun for the day, and now you need a drink in the shade. Head to Beach Bar at the Block Island Beach House, where you can order margaritas on draft, or glasses of frosé. While you're there, snack on a few appetizers, like a platter of fresh-cut watermelon, grilled street corn, fried oysters, and yellowfin tuna ceviche.
Beach Bar at the Block Island Beach House, 32 Dodge St., Block Island,
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The view from the Beach Bar at the Block Island Beach House.
Read McKendree
Blocks of Fudge
For more than three decades, Blocks of Fudge has been serving classic flavors like turtle, rocky road, and penuche. And it should be considered a must-stop before you board your ferry to return to the mainland. While fudge is in the name, you can also stock up on handmade chocolates and truffles, gummies, and sours.
Blocks of Fudge, 59 Chapel St., Block Island.
Fudge from Blocks of Fudge, a tiny shop that's been in business for more than three decades, on Block Island.
Alexa Gagosz
Alexa Gagosz can be reached at