We loved our Easter night dinner at this place! It has a beautiful view, nice stuff, quick service... !Everything we had was either very good or great! I cannot recommend enough the calamari appetizer, for example. It it was different than just straight forward grilled variety, and it was very tasty!
Heather Anselmo
Cute little place on the water. Our bartender Mark was interesting and appropriate for our visit. The view is spectacular. My lobster roll, with no bun was great, plus my espresso martini was perfect.
Nice place for lunch today. Good sandwiches, nice views and atmosphere. Service was prompt friendly. Will be back again when visiting Newport.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Sandwich
Michael Russell
A bit pricey for the food you actually get. The drinks were club priced, if not, more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Craig Silva
Objective facts from my experience:- Made reservations in early March (offseason and not busy) for brunch- they opened at 11am… we got there at 10:50am (with a 2 year old, 5 year old and a grandmother)- we walked in the entry area, which was unlocked, and were told by the young manager, that we “needed to wait outside”… in the 35 degree weather (not 50 on the water FYI). Instead of letting us patiently wait in one of the 8 unoccupied igloos that were unlocked… or the sizable heated waiting area. No human decency whatsoever. Just human to human, felt neglected.- (minor detail but still awkward) when seated, the waiter didn’t introduce themselves… just tossed down the menus and said “I’ll be back shortly”- (another super minor detail) waiter forgot straws for the kids drink carton… which required a straw to puncture (think of getting a Capri Sun with no straw)- made two of three cocktails incorrectly (waiter couldn’t figure out how to light the torch for a smoked whiskey cocktail, and just quit after short time, leaving it unsmoked)- the wind blew over the syrup on our plate for French toast (again, not a huge deal… but the waiter just stated it happened, without suggesting an alternative of any kind)- they forgot a side of bacon… which was included with the dish - not even an add on- they forgot to plug in our igloo, so it was unlit, and unheated… just general lack of attention to detail or care towards a customer.- You pay $100 JUST TO RESERVE those igloo things, and they didn’t even remember to plug the darn thing in?!- the food was decent at best, and the ambiance is a nice concept… but LORD do they need better service. NOT WORTH THE SPEND. Would highly advise trying a different restaurant in Newport. There are SO MANY better options. SO… MANY.- the waiter also brought the “check” on electronic pad, and waited in the igloo with us while we filled it out, like a test proctor… terrible etiquette and uncomfortable as all heck… THAT IS NEVER A PREFERENCE OF CUSTOMERSPOOR
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Sara Roger
We love going to The Reef for Sunday Brunch! They always have something tasty for us to try, and their service is amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bill Pendergast
Ate in an igloo, different. Need a better system of keeping food hot while traveling from indoor kitchen to outside (cold and wet raining) heated igloo.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
shawn czerniak
We went in March so the restaurant was fairly slow, but they did a great job making accomodations for my wife's food allergies. The food was very good, and the apple smoked bourbon was incredible. Service was very slow, but I would definitely go back and give them a chance to correct my impression of their service.Dietary restrictions: My wife has several good allergies and they were very accommodating.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Lee Stopa
The igloo was amazing ? it was so fun to have our own Bluetooth speaker, fireplace and couches. The space is clean and pretty, the service and good were great! We had the best time!
Finding a lamb burger in the menu was a surprise and a delight! The food was very good, our server was very helpful and the view of the harbor can't be beat!The boozy hot chocolate was just a great bonus.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vira
Atmosphere ocean view. Delicious food and excellent service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Bisque
Ash
The igloo experience was AMAZING!!! And I got a glimpse of the interior restaurant too which was so cute and romantic! All I could smell was candles and it made me want to cuddle up with a blanket.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Meredith
Went to girls brunch in the igloos and got the winter wonderland igloo. The drinks were great and our server Savannah was amazing. The food was not bad but it's wasn't great either. The apps were pretty good, highly recommend the fritters, but the main dishes were nothing too special. Again not terrible but nothing to write home about.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheddar & Bacon Fritters
Hilary Marshall RI Real Estate (Hil)
As a local myself, and being in Real Estate, I’m always busy. But this was truly a 10/10 experience I wish I tried sooner!! The staff is very kind and accommodating. Their Winter Igloos are a MUST even if you are a local.Drinks are yummy. Their lobster bisque had chunks of lobster and a nice portion size to not fill you up before your meal.Each igloo has a different theme — I was going for “pink” and it’s the Alice in Wonderland theme.Really beautiful to be right on the water and a unique experience for Newport!Parking: There are a good amount of parking spots outside the Reef, but I’d try and scoop up a spot at the top of Thames If this lot would be full. Probably 10 spots outside the Reef (I’m guessing)
We loved our Easter night dinner at this place! It has a beautiful view, nice stuff, quick service... !Everything we had was either very good or great! I cannot recommend enough the calamari appetizer, for example. It it was different than just straight forward grilled variety, and it was very tasty!
Cute little place on the water. Our bartender Mark was interesting and appropriate for our visit. The view is spectacular. My lobster roll, with no bun was great, plus my espresso martini was perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Roll, Chicken Sandwich
The igloo was such a fun experience!! Our server, Ana, was super attentive and the food was delicious.Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder, Chicken Sandwich
Nice place for lunch today. Good sandwiches, nice views and atmosphere. Service was prompt friendly. Will be back again when visiting Newport.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Sandwich
A bit pricey for the food you actually get. The drinks were club priced, if not, more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Objective facts from my experience:- Made reservations in early March (offseason and not busy) for brunch- they opened at 11am… we got there at 10:50am (with a 2 year old, 5 year old and a grandmother)- we walked in the entry area, which was unlocked, and were told by the young manager, that we “needed to wait outside”… in the 35 degree weather (not 50 on the water FYI). Instead of letting us patiently wait in one of the 8 unoccupied igloos that were unlocked… or the sizable heated waiting area. No human decency whatsoever. Just human to human, felt neglected.- (minor detail but still awkward) when seated, the waiter didn’t introduce themselves… just tossed down the menus and said “I’ll be back shortly”- (another super minor detail) waiter forgot straws for the kids drink carton… which required a straw to puncture (think of getting a Capri Sun with no straw)- made two of three cocktails incorrectly (waiter couldn’t figure out how to light the torch for a smoked whiskey cocktail, and just quit after short time, leaving it unsmoked)- the wind blew over the syrup on our plate for French toast (again, not a huge deal… but the waiter just stated it happened, without suggesting an alternative of any kind)- they forgot a side of bacon… which was included with the dish - not even an add on- they forgot to plug in our igloo, so it was unlit, and unheated… just general lack of attention to detail or care towards a customer.- You pay $100 JUST TO RESERVE those igloo things, and they didn’t even remember to plug the darn thing in?!- the food was decent at best, and the ambiance is a nice concept… but LORD do they need better service. NOT WORTH THE SPEND. Would highly advise trying a different restaurant in Newport. There are SO MANY better options. SO… MANY.- the waiter also brought the “check” on electronic pad, and waited in the igloo with us while we filled it out, like a test proctor… terrible etiquette and uncomfortable as all heck… THAT IS NEVER A PREFERENCE OF CUSTOMERSPOOR
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
We love going to The Reef for Sunday Brunch! They always have something tasty for us to try, and their service is amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ate in an igloo, different. Need a better system of keeping food hot while traveling from indoor kitchen to outside (cold and wet raining) heated igloo.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
We went in March so the restaurant was fairly slow, but they did a great job making accomodations for my wife's food allergies. The food was very good, and the apple smoked bourbon was incredible. Service was very slow, but I would definitely go back and give them a chance to correct my impression of their service.Dietary restrictions: My wife has several good allergies and they were very accommodating.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
The igloo was amazing ? it was so fun to have our own Bluetooth speaker, fireplace and couches. The space is clean and pretty, the service and good were great! We had the best time!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Truffled Burrata
Restaurantji Recommends
Finding a lamb burger in the menu was a surprise and a delight! The food was very good, our server was very helpful and the view of the harbor can't be beat!The boozy hot chocolate was just a great bonus.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere ocean view. Delicious food and excellent service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Bisque
The igloo experience was AMAZING!!! And I got a glimpse of the interior restaurant too which was so cute and romantic! All I could smell was candles and it made me want to cuddle up with a blanket.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went to girls brunch in the igloos and got the winter wonderland igloo. The drinks were great and our server Savannah was amazing. The food was not bad but it's wasn't great either. The apps were pretty good, highly recommend the fritters, but the main dishes were nothing too special. Again not terrible but nothing to write home about.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheddar & Bacon Fritters
As a local myself, and being in Real Estate, I’m always busy. But this was truly a 10/10 experience I wish I tried sooner!! The staff is very kind and accommodating. Their Winter Igloos are a MUST even if you are a local.Drinks are yummy. Their lobster bisque had chunks of lobster and a nice portion size to not fill you up before your meal.Each igloo has a different theme — I was going for “pink” and it’s the Alice in Wonderland theme.Really beautiful to be right on the water and a unique experience for Newport!Parking: There are a good amount of parking spots outside the Reef, but I’d try and scoop up a spot at the top of Thames If this lot would be full. Probably 10 spots outside the Reef (I’m guessing)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ceaser Salad, Breakfast Burger, Lobster Bisque