Cranston, Rhode Island, borders the state's capital city of Providence. While Providence is well-known for its Italian cuisine on the famed Federal Hill, Cranston boasts many beloved and long-standing Italian restaurants. While these establishments sometimes get less fanfare than their Providence brethren, they have served classic Italian food to countless satisfied patrons for generations.
Twin Oaks is a Rhode Island institution. Well-known for its baked stuffed shrimp and marinara sauce, this old-time, family-style restaurant famously doesn't take reservations. Luckily, loyal patrons don't mind the sometimes lengthy wait. The restaurant is a nine-time Rhode Island Monthly Magazine's "Best of Rhode Island" readers' poll winner and has been in operation and run by the same family since 1933. Serving Italian food and other traditional fare, the menu truly has a bit of everything. Italian entrees include Provini milk-fed veal cutlet Parmesan, ravioli with hot sausage or meatballs, cheese ravioli and eggplant Parmesan. Aside from the large Italian selection, there is a large variety of daily specials, meat, poultry and seafood available. Twin Oaks is open every day except Monday.
Twin Oaks
100 Sabra St.
Cranston, RI 02910
401-781-9693
twinoaksrest.com
Marchetti's is a beloved family Italian restaurant located in the heart of Cranston's Knightsville neighborhood. With a huge menu spanning the entire spectrum of Italian food and famously large portions, customers will not leave hungry. Open for more than 25 years, the menu includes countless pastas, classic favorites such as homemade lasagna and stuffed shells, seafood dishes, traditional and more modern poultry entrees and a huge variety of house specialties. According to reviewer Michael Janusonis of The Providence Journal, "Marchetti's features good food and reasonable prices that left me wondering how the heck they do it. And enormous portions, too." Marchetti's accepts reservations, and is open everyday except Monday.
Marchetti's Restaurant
1463 Park Ave.
Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 943-7649
marchettis.com
Close to Marchetti's is another Italian gem, the recently updated Antonio's Trattoria. The restaurant, open for nearly four decades, completed extensive renovations in 2007, creating a more elegant dining experience for patrons. Featuring modern Italian cuisine, this establishment offers an extensive wine list and wide variety of Italian delights on its menu. Customers will find such offerings as three cheese ravioli, eggplant rollatini, pumpkin and mascarpone agnolotti, traditional and modern veal and poultry dishes, filet mignon, pan-seared diver scallops with a sweet potato mousse, and seafood fra diavolo. According to The Providence Journal, "Antonio's is elegant, cozy and up to date in its fare." Antonio's accepts reservations, and is open everyday except Monday.
Antonio's Trattoria
1710 Cranston St.
Cranston, RI, 02920
401-943-1932
antoniotrattoria.com
