Right off Aquidneck Avenue in Middletown, Rhode Island, Anthony’s Seafood is part fish market, part restaurant, and entirely a Newport County institution. 🌊
There’s no fancy dining room here, no gimmicks, just a counter-service seafood shack that’s been feeding locals fresh, never-frozen catch for generations.
It’s the kind of place regulars mention like a secret handshake, even though it’s been quietly ranked among the best seafood spots on the island.
Grab a tray, find a picnic table, and dig into some of the freshest Rhode Island seafood around. 🍤
How Anthony’s Seafood won Middletown’s hearts
Anthony’s built its reputation the simplest way possible: by sourcing genuinely fresh fish and refusing to overcomplicate it.
The seafood market side of the operation supplies the kitchen directly, meaning the whole belly clams, scallops, and cod on your plate were likely swimming or sitting on ice just hours earlier. 🐚
That market-to-table pipeline is rare even among coastal towns, and it’s the reason longtime visitors keep calling this Middletown seafood restaurant Rhode Island’s best-kept secret, even decades into its run.
What really sealed the deal, though, is the menu’s willingness to get a little adventurous alongside the classics.
The Kung Pao Calamari became a signature dish precisely because nobody else in the area was tossing fried squid in a sweet plum chili sauce with peanuts and scallions, and it’s since drawn attention from national food shows. 🌶️
Combine that with a stuffed quahog recipe loaded with chourico, and a fisherman’s platter hearty enough for two, and it’s easy to see why this fresh seafood market has stayed a fixture of the local dining scene for so long.
Food Highlights
-
Fish Tacos: Fried flounder tacos with lettuce, house-made black bean salsa, and cheese in a soft tortilla.
- Stuffed Quahog: A New England classic stuffed with clams, chourico, peppers, and onions, available mild or spicy.
-
Kung Pao Calamari: Fried squid tossed in a sweet plum chili sauce with hot peppers, peanuts, and scallions.
-
Warm Lobster Roll: Fresh-picked, never-frozen lobster meat coated in melted butter on a grilled hot dog bun.
- Portuguese Fish Chowder: A creamy chowder built with codfish, shrimp, scallops, chourico, and potatoes.
-
Grilled Swordfish Sandwich: Fresh grilled swordfish topped with pesto, sliced tomato, and mozzarella cheese.
- Fisherman’s Platter: Whole belly clams, shrimp, sea scallops, and calamari paired with a choice of codfish or flounder, served with fries.
-
Whole Belly Fried Clams: Native clams fried to order and served with french fries and tartar sauce.
Atmosphere
Anthony’s keeps things casual with a seafood market-meets-shack setup, where guests order at the counter and grab a seat at picnic-style tables. 🦀
It’s unpretentious and functional, built for people who want great fish without the frills of a formal dining room.
The energy leans toward a bustling local hangout, especially during peak lunch and dinner hours. Overall, it feels like a true New England seafood market brought to life as a restaurant.
Bottom Line
Visit for the never-frozen lobster rolls, addictive Kung Pao Calamari, hearty stuffed quahogs, and a fisherman’s platter built for sharing. It’s the Middletown seafood spot locals never stop recommending. 🐠
Address:
963 Aquidneck Ave, Middletown, RI 02842
📞 (401) 846-9620
🕔 Open Daily 11:30 AM–7:30/8:00 PM (closed Wednesdays)