Matunuck Oyster Bar

We stopped in Friday evening of Labor Day weekend. I have no idea if this place is that busy every Friday or not or if it’s just that busy because indeed it was a holiday weekend. They asked if we had reservations, I did not know that we needed them. They did escort us over to the raw bar, and we had full service with a fantastic server by the name of Braxton. Every other servers that we came in contact with were all excellent. The place was hopping the food came out in timely fashion. the drinks came out very quickly. We also ordered food to go, and I couldn’t have been more pleased. We did get the fried oyster po-boys and they were fantastic! The oysters are sweet. They were lightly fried. The french fries were excellent from the time they were placed in front of me until I was done eating. I am so happy that they’re doing so well at this point in time and actually think this tent idea could be a permanent thing for the season. The menu is excellent, there is so much to choose from it was really challenging. We were there at the late afternoon just before dinner hour and hence weren’t looking for a full meal. I can’t wait to go back.

- Carlene Barth -

A very enjoyable afternoon under the Matunuck Oyster Bar tent! Beautiful atmosphere - the tent is very pretty, nice furniture, 2 marble topped bars and floral decorations make it seem like a permanent restaurant. There is only valet parking right now and thankfully the young men know how to drive stick shift (to my surprise!). We started with some steamers and some Matunuck raw Oysters. The oysters were perfect without any toppings or sauce. Unfortunately they were out of the planko octopus which I really wanted to try and also out of all cooked oysters on the appetizer menu. We opted for the fried oyster platter and a lobster roll. The fried oysters were so delicious...very plump, clean tasting and savory. The lobster roll was a very decent size for $29. Overall the prices were good. Cocktails hit the spot, very refreshing and complemented the seafood well. Looking forward to visiting the new restaurant once it's built, but the temporary location across the street under the tent is very nice!

- Annette LaFleur -

Always an amazing dinner!!!! Love that you get to pick one side with the crab legs instead of having the mashed potatoes AND veggies like past years. They are in the parking lot across the street because of the fire, but they are doing an amazing job under the tent.

- Kasie King -

Our first visit to Matunuck Oyster Bar was an absolute standout, and it showed us exactly why this place is so popular. Even with the rebuilding from the fire underway, the quality of the food and service hasn't missed a beat. The place was packed, which is always a great sign, and the vibe was energetic and fun. We were greeted warmly, and the hostesses were kind enough to accommodate our request to be seated earlier than our reservation time, which was a wonderful start to the evening. Our waiter, Cam, was fantastic—attentive, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. His recommendations were spot-on. The food was absolutely fabulous from start to finish. We started with a dozen of their signature Matunuck oysters, which were fresh and briny, and a cup of the classic clam chowder. For our main courses, the stuffed lobster was decadent and perfectly cooked, and the blackened chicken sandwich was flavorful and satisfying. To complement the meal, my wife enjoyed the refreshing Watermelon Breeze, while I had the Whale Watcher—both were excellent cocktails. It's clear that despite the challenges of rebuilding, Matunuck Oyster Bar remains committed to providing a top-tier dining experience. We came for the great reputation, and they delivered. Highly recommended, and we will definitely be back!

- Adrian & Sara V. at ASV_Travels -

My husband and I dined at Matunuck Oyster Bar in their temporary setup at the end of August. We absolutely loved the food- our calamari and seared scallops tasted "clean" which for us means "free of excess seasoning and spices" which is how we enjoy our sesfood. Above the quality of the food, I'd really like to highlight their service. Despite the circumstances of temporary relocation of their restaurant, their operation runs like a well-oiled machine. The staff was exceptionally attentive and genuinely friendly. They also offer complimentary valet which was s thoughtful touch. I highly recommend their house wine which was excellent. Also a special thank-you to our server, Sabrina, who was kind, helpful, and made our evening even more enjoyable. This is a restaurant is an example of excellence in both service and hospitality in every manner. I look forward to coming back on our next visit to RI.

- Vanessa Paz -

The best restaurant with their own oysters and although they're in a tent now, temporarily; the service and quality of the food are exceptional. I'll always eat here at least 4x/year because I live 2 hours away. Muy Bueno

- Melissa Aldrich -

What a spectacular example of making lemonade from lemons! A popular, delicious, and fun seafood restaurant burns to the ground and within weeks it is resurrected across the street in a parking lot with a food truck for a kitchen. The food, service, and atmosphere remain top notch. Congratulations to all. The diners are the lucky ones.

- Dana L -

The Matunuck Oyster Bar is working through an aftermath of a fire and operating under a tent, but you would never know that the tent was temporary. The atmosphere was lively, the interior of the tent was cozy and tastefully decorated, and the service was wonderful. My husband and I both started out with a stuffie, which we both agreed was the best stuffie we’ve ever had. There was a bit of a kick of heat, which we both appreciated. My husband had the blackened chicken sandwich, which was seasoned perfectly. I had the fish and chips - lightly battered, not greasy, and cooked perfectly. We split the chocolate torte for dessert, which was rich and delicious. From the valet team to the hostess to the food runners to our server, everyone was so kind and welcoming. Our server even took the time to give us some Newport sightseeing recommendations, which we greatly appreciated since we were visiting from NJ. All in all, an absolutely wonderful spot that we look forward to returning to!

- Gina Agderian -