
Jo's American Bistro
Jo's American Bistro offers a classy yet casual dining experience with a carefully sourced New American menu, featuring fresh seafood, steaks, and awa...

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Jo's American Bistro

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Jo's American Bistro offers a classy yet casual dining experience with a carefully sourced New American menu, featuring fresh seafood, steaks, and award-winning burgers.
"Exceptional food, top-notch service, and a relaxed yet elegant setting make Jo's a must-visit in Newport!"
Reservations Recommended
Secure your spot in advance, especially on weekends, as Jo's American Bistro can get quite busy.
Avoid Peak Hours
For a quieter experience, consider visiting outside of peak times when the restaurant can get lively, especially near the bar.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Lobster Carbonara
A highly recommended dish, packed with generous amounts of succulent lobster meat for a rich and satisfying experience.

Family Recipe Fish & Chips
Savor classic fish and chips made with a closely guarded family recipe, offering a taste of tradition and comfort.

Prix Fixe Menu Value
Enjoy a curated two-course dining experience on select nights, offering a taste of house specialties at a reasonable price.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Recommended
Secure your spot in advance, especially on weekends, as Jo's American Bistro can get quite busy.
Avoid Peak Hours
For a quieter experience, consider visiting outside of peak times when the restaurant can get lively, especially near the bar.
Prix Fixe Menu
Explore the curated Prix Fixe menu, available Sunday through Thursday, for a great value dining experience.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian-friendly entrees are available, and the restaurant offers many gluten-free options with careful preparation.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Recommended
Secure your spot in advance, especially on weekends, as Jo's American Bistro can get quite busy.
Avoid Peak Hours
For a quieter experience, consider visiting outside of peak times when the restaurant can get lively, especially near the bar.
Prix Fixe Menu
Explore the curated Prix Fixe menu, available Sunday through Thursday, for a great value dining experience.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian-friendly entrees are available, and the restaurant offers many gluten-free options with careful preparation.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Jo's American Bistro offers a delightful dining experience with many patrons praising the exceptional service and delicious, well-prepared food, especially the lobster carbonara and family-recipe fish and chips. While the atmosphere is generally enjoyed, some reviews mention occasional slow service or issues with upcharges. The restaurant is also noted for its good value Prix Fixe menu and accommodating staff.
"This place is absolutely delicious. My husband and I celebrated our 12th anniversary here back in May. Our waitress was so attentive and sweet. She treated us like family.
We started a few apps.... Duck and lobster quesadilla, the flavors work so well together. I was shocked.
The lobster bisque was some of the best we've ever had and the portion of lobster was well worth the price.
The calamari was cooked absolutely perfect didn't even need a sauce.
For the entrees, hubby has the lobster carbonara was fantastic. And the pork chops were too die for. The bacon onion jam worked so well with the Brussels and sweet potato."
Cryssii
"Very good restaurant. It was not too loud, service was attentive and good food. We enjoyed our dinner."
Vlad
"The food, service, and atmosphere were 5s all around. The staff was super friendly and accommodating, with one of us asking for a lot of parmesan on the side to their pasta haha. The ciabatta bread comes fresh out of the oven and is on the house. The food looked and tasted fresh and delicious. I ordered the fried fish sandwich. My only regret was that I subbed my side of fries for the mixed greens salad but wasn’t informed that that’s an extra charge. But highly recommend!"
Sareena Roy
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Highly recommended dishes include the Lobster Carbonara and the classic Fish and Chips, made with a cherished family recipe.
Yes, they offer a Prix Fixe menu on select nights (Sunday-Thursday), providing a curated dining experience at a good value.
The restaurant offers several gluten-free options and vegetarian-friendly entrees, with careful preparation noted by diners.
The restaurant is described as classy yet casual, with a stylish, wood-accented space that provides a warm and welcoming ambiance.
Yes, it is highly recommended to make reservations in advance, especially on weekends, as the restaurant can become quite busy.
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Featured in these publications
20 Best Restaurants in Newport, Rhode Island (2022)
Jo’s American Bistro is a casual yet classy eatery in the heart of Newport that serves a carefully sourced menu of New American fare and easy-drinking wines in a stylish wood-accented space. Using locally sourced ingredients and regional produce such as grass-fed meats and chicken, fresh, sustainably-caught seafood and fish, and organic herbs, salads, and vegetables, the restaurant offers award-winning burgers, prime steaks, grilled fish and crisp salads. The contemporary cuisine is accompanied by a hand-curated selected list of fine wines, imported spirits, signature cocktails, and craft beers by the bottle.
13 Best Restaurants in Newport, RI
As you can probably guess from the name, Jo’s specializes in all-American favorites, which are served in a classy yet casual environment. The restaurant’s signature dishes include the bacon onion jam burger, the lobster salad roll and the dry dock fish and chips, each one guaranteed to make your mouth water. Other menu items of note are the duck and lobster quesadilla and the steamed littlenecks – and their steaks are always popular too.
What She's Having: Meet the Power Women of the Newport Food Scene
Jo’s American Bistro is one of those Newport restaurants whose dishes never fail you. Elegant but unfussy, offering a “fresh take on American cuisine,” this place delivers consistently well-prepared, generously portioned dishes. They’re well known by locals for their fish and chips recipe, a closely guarded family secret that dates back to owner Joann Carlson’s father’s former restaurant, the Dry Dock.
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Much like adding lobster to anything—say, Jo’s house-made, pickle-topped burger—prix fixe is a sure bet. Served Sunday through Thursday, the two-course prix fixe menu takes the guesswork out of dining by curating the house specialties for you. Pair the rich clam chowder with pan-roasted salmon, its savory-sweet kick owing to a bourbon glaze, or the shrimp served with a sea of creamy cheddar grits.
The Best Restaurants for Lunch in Newport: 2024 List
Jo’s American Bistro is nestled in the heart of Newport, Rhode Island, and offers a delightful dining experience. The restaurant is known for its award-winning burgers, a variety of gluten-friendly dishes, and a special $23.95 prix fixe menu available from Sunday through Thursday. It’s one of the best restaurants for lunch in Newport and is arguably the best for burgers as well.
10 Seafood Restaurants In Newport, Rhode Island
Experience American cuisine with a kick of classic French and Italian techniques only at Jo’s American Bistro. Located at the heart of Newport, this restaurant is led by Chef Brian Ruffner, an alumna of the Culinary Institute of America and an established creator of fresh American cuisines. Try out their award-winning burgers, gluten-free dishes, and classic seafood plates.
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As in the name, Jo’s offers classic American food, all without asking you to be in a suit and ties. It is a casual restaurant that concentrates on what they can do for you, so long as you make yourself available. They prepare natural meats, i.e., they avoid preserved meat or meat from animals raised using loads of antibiotics and supplements.
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With a fresh take on American cuisine using the finest ingredients, Jo’s serves classy food in a casual setting. We prepare delectable seafood, numerous gluten-free options, and natural meats raised without hormones or antibiotics wherever possible. Prix fixe menu Sunday through Wednesday and half-price bar menu Friday and Sunday evenings.
Heated Outdoor Dining in Newport
Welcome to Jo's American Bistro where the atmosphere is convivial and the food is an elevated casual. American cuisine is the highlight here, with items like the Jo's Burger and steak frites taking center stage. Their patio overlooking Memorial Boulevard in the center of downtown is outfitted with heaters for chilly-weather dining.
Gluten-Free Dining in Newport 2022
Located in the heart of downtown, they’ve got tons of clearly marked gluten-free items on their regular menu. They take great care to prepare your meal separately, and they utilize a dedicated gluten-free fryer. Menu options include burgers, lobster rolls, grilled shrimp with risotto, a hummus plate and lobster carbonara.
28 Romantic Things to Do in Newport, RI: Date Ideas, Romantic Restaurants & More
If you want to take your date to a romantic yet laid-back setting, head to Jo’s American Bistro (24 Memorial Boulevard West). Enjoy their signature dishes like their Bacon Onion Jam Burger and Lobster salad roll. They also offer vegan and gluten-free menus.
My Base Guide - <!-
Jo’s American Bistro combines seafood, gluten-free options, and award-winning burgers for a fresh take on American cuisine. The restaurant offers a rix fixe menu Sunday through Thursday and half-price bar menu Friday and Sunday evenings.
13 Best Restaurants in Newport
24 Memorial Blvd W, Newport, RI 02840Phone: 401-847-5506 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Jo’s American Bistro (@josbistro)

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