7 Best Restaurants in South County, Rhode Island

Family owned and operated for four generations, this iconic Point Judith indoor-outdoor dining spot has been a must for Rhode Islanders every summer since it opened in 1920. Its peerless, waterside location and unpretentious atmosphere are the main draws, along with favorites like steamers, fish-and-chips, and namesake Carrie Cooper's clam cakes, still made using the original recipe.

Built in 1888 as a U.S. Life-Saving Service Station, this restaurant has been nearly destroyed twice by storms—by Hurricane Bob in 1991 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Regardless, the dining area has spectacular views of the ocean, the roof deck is a great hangout (try the frozen Dark 'n Stormy cocktail), and the patio is about as close to the sea as you could be without getting wet.

Owned by the same family since 1948, this local landmark near Salty Brine State Beach has its own private patch of sand and beach blanket service in the summertime, along with a lively tiki bar. Try traditional Rhode Island favorites, including calamari, clam cakes, and "stuffies" (stuffed quahogs), as well as raw bar treats like oyster shooters. Get your fried or broiled seafood from the walk-up window, too. George's buys seafood directly from fishermen in Galilee, so this is also your place to sample sustainable local fish.

Shuckers are hard at work at the raw bar in this awesome waterside restaurant, an offshoot of the nearby Matunuck Oyster Farm. This year-round business committed to serving fresh, local produce, along with farm-raised and wild-caught seafood, draws a crowd—snag an outside table if you can. Take a 60-minute tour of the Potter Pond oyster farm, offered several times during the summer.

Overlooking the water since it first opened as an ice-cream parlor in 1916, the Olympia's varnished wood booths and a long marble counter echo the restaurant's rich history. The kitchen focuses on local and artisanal ingredients served with simple elegance and abundant flavor, including spicy flaked haddock and Milanese-style crispy chicken.

This family-owned restaurant at the Hotel Maria serves Mediterranean cuisine, from casual (pizza, raw bar) to fancy (Cioppino, local pan-seared sea scallops). It's right across the street from the beach and a standout on a strip of ice-cream stands, take-out shacks, and motels that have seen better days.

This Spanish restaurant earns high marks for beautifully prepared and presented food and deft service; the paella is legendary. Arched architectural features and greenery help create a Mediterranean mood, and in summer you can dine on a patio anchored by a three-tier fountain and a massive brick fireplace.