This cleverly named full-service raw bar was a delightful stop, with a horseshoe-shaped bar displaying rows of oysters surrounded by crushed ice, and above colorful stained glass with a rather quizzical looking cartoon horse. The atmosphere is lively, and fresh shellfish, including more than ten types of local oysters, littleneck clams, mussels, and scallops, served with unique sauces. Cooked dishes are on the menu too, with crispy oysters, whole fish, a buttered scallop roll, monkfish toast, and more.

If Gift Horse (the newer, buzzy restaurant from the folks at Oberlin) could be summed up in two words, it would be weird and fishy—and we mean this in the best way possible. A boggle-eyed horse stares out from a stained glass montage above the bar, while whale sounds play in the bathroom. At the center of it all is the raw bar, a glittering seafood shrine of ice, shellfish, and crustaceans.

Two Finalists in the ring for Best Chef in the Northeast region are Sky Haneul Kim of Gift Horse and Derek Wagner of Nicks on Broadway.

Gift Horse is the second project from the team behind Oberlin (see below)—chef-owner Benjamin Sukle and general manager/partner Bethany Caliaro—and its menu and dining room are anything but ordinary. Chilled fresh-caught lobster with pickled shiso leaves and lobster roe mayo, smoked fish dip with preserved peppers and puffed nori for dipping, and a show-stopping crispy whole fish ssam served with banchan, rice, and spicy peanut ssamjan g are only a few of the imaginative dishes you’ll find alongside a robust list of Rhode Island’s finest oysters. Pair your snacks with a glass of natural wine, craft beer, non-alcoholic beverage, or a cocktail (each one is served in its own special glass).

Ranked from No. 11 to 20 are Rhody Roots in Warren; Palo Tapas Bar in Providence; Los Andes in Providence; Newport's Wally's Wieners; Yagi Noodles in Newport; Cranston's Chaska; Providence's Dune Brothers; Gift Horse in Providence; Jamestown's Beech; and Jayd Bun in South Kingstown. From No. 20 to 25 are Julians, Den Den Korean Fried Chicken, Bayberry Garden and Heng Thai and Rotisserie, all in Providence; and Tuxpan Taqueria in Central Falls.

If Gift Horse (the buzzy new restaurant from the folks at Oberlin) could be summed up in two words, it would be weird and fishy—and we mean this in the best way possible. A boggle-eyed horse stares out from a stained glass montage above the bar, while the colorful wallpaper creates a dizzying effect in the bathrooms. At the center of it all is the raw bar, a glittering seafood shrine of ice, shellfish, and crustaceans.

Chef Sky Haneul Kim — this year’s James Beard Best Chef: Northeast — serves fanciful, Korean-inflected dishes like fried rice cakes with braised whelk, mozzarella and kimchi cream at Gift Horse. The restaurant also has an extensive raw bar and good provenance: it’s run by the team behind the acclaimed New American sustainability beacon Oberlin.

- Rating: 4.9/5 (26 reviews)- Address: 272 Westminster St. Providence, Rhode Island - Categories: seafood, wine bars, cocktail bars- Read more on Yelp. This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zeynep Guler Tuck, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 282 metros.

This restaurant stood out to me for its New England-meets-South Korean cuisine. Whenever I travel in the U.S., I always reference the James Beard Award nominees for that year, and Gift Horse chef Sky Haneul Kim won Best Chef Northeast this year. Her food is incredible.

Calling all seafood lovers: ever since Gift Horse opened in June 2023, this raw bar and restaurant has been our go-to for crudo, oysters, and delightful Korean-inspired dishes. The cocktails are also fantastic (let us know what you think about the “Reef Keeper”).

Everyone in Providence loves Oberlin, a fine dining Italian meets New England spot, but more recently the chef/owner opened smaller Gift Horse, a New England oyster and raw bar with Korean spin that is winning rave reviews.

Gift Horse: One of my favorite places for dinner in the city. The place is buzzing—they are nominated for a James Beard award—so plan on waiting or snagging a bar seat. I'm also a big fan of their cocktails.

Chef Benjamin Sukle at a table inside Oberlin with staff members: Gift Horse's Chef Sky Haneul Kim (center), Oberlin's Chef Chris Pfail (right rear) and Mina Bahadory.