Hub · Eat & Drink
Where to Eat in Watch Hill
A village with one of the oldest ice cream counters in America, a 110-year-old tea room, and a Forbes Five-Star kitchen — all within four blocks. Here's the full local guide.
The Restaurant Guide
The 12 Best Restaurants in Watch Hill & Westerly
From historic Bay Street institutions to the Ocean House tasting menu — the restaurants worth planning your trip around, ranked honestly.
Restaurant & Drink Guides
From historic institutions to the newest waterfront spots.
Historic
Olympia Tea Room: The Soul of Bay Street
Operating since 1916. What to order, when to go to avoid the wait, and why locals are protective of it.
Ice Cream
St. Clair Annex: 135 Years of Ice Cream on Bay Street
The Nicholas family institution — the flavors to get, the grinders that locals come for, and why it's cash-only.
Fine Dining
All Five Ocean House Restaurants, Reviewed
From the $250/person Coast tasting menu to the casual Bistro — what to book, what to skip, and what to wear.
Breakfast
Best Breakfast Spots in Watch Hill & Westerly
Where to get the best coffee, eggs, and morning pastries — including the local favorite no one writes about.
Drinks
GreySail Brewing: A Local Brewery Guide
The macaroni-factory taproom that anchors Westerly's craft beer scene. The flagship cream ale to try, plus food truck schedule.
Seafood
Where to Get the Best Seafood in Watch Hill
Lobster rolls, raw bars, fried clams, and the spots actually worth the price. Including which to skip.
Casual
Best Restaurants on the Misquamicut Beach Strip
Paddy's Beach Club, Andrea's, and the casual seaside spots locals recommend after a beach day.
Nightlife
The Best Bars in Watch Hill & Westerly
Watch Hill's nightlife is small but quality. Where to find a great cocktail, oyster happy hour, or live music.
Quick Answers
The questions visitors ask most often.
What is the best restaurant in Watch Hill?
It depends on the meal you want. For a special-occasion dinner, Coast at Ocean House. For lunch with character, the Olympia Tea Room. For casual waterfront dining, Bay Street Deli or the Watch Hill Inn's restaurant. For ice cream, St. Clair Annex with no debate.
Do Watch Hill restaurants take reservations?
Ocean House properties, Weekapaug Inn restaurants, and Bridge Restaurant in Westerly take reservations and need them in season. Olympia Tea Room is walk-in only and has waits at peak times. Casual spots and ice cream counters are first-come, first-served.
Are Watch Hill restaurants open year-round?
Most close from mid-October through April. Ocean House operates year-round with reduced restaurant hours. A handful of Westerly restaurants (like Bridge) stay open all year. Always call ahead in winter or shoulder season.
What's the dress code at Ocean House?
Smart casual is enforced — no flip-flops, no tank tops, no swimwear in restaurants or the verandah. Coast (the tasting menu restaurant) leans dressier in the evening. The Bistro is more relaxed. Resort-elegant is a safe bet.