Celebrate National Clam Chowder Day with Rhode Island Flavor

If there were ever a holiday Rhode Island could claim as a personality trait, it would be National Clam Chowder Day. Landing on February 25, this is the one day when ordering soup for dinner feels less like a fallback plan and more like a lifestyle choice.

Clam chowder has been simmering in New England kitchens since the 1700s, evolving from humble fish stews into the beloved comfort classic we know today. While creamy and tomato-based versions have their fans, Rhode Island quietly perfected its own signature take along the way. The Ocean State’s clear broth chowder skips the dairy and tomatoes entirely, letting fresh quahogs take center stage in a briny, clean base that feels right at home along the coast.

Here’s the quick guide for navigating the chowder landscape: Rhode Island-style (clear broth) keeps things light and briny with a clam broth base, quahogs, potatoes, and herbs that let the seafood shine. New England-style (white) leans into comfort with milk or cream for a rich, cozy bowl that feels tailor-made for February. Manhattan-style (red) brings a tomato-based, zesty kick to the table. And in Rhode Island, that red style often takes on a distinctly local twist with Portuguese-style chowder  a rustic, tomato-based seafood stew layered with bold flavor from linguica or chouriço sausage, garlic, and potatoes. Fire-roasted tomatoes, white wine, and the occasional addition of kale or red peppers deepen the flavor, creating a heartier bowl typically served with crusty bread instead of crackers.

When it comes to celebrating properly, Rhode Island offers no shortage of places to grab a bowl.

Providence & Nearby

Capri Seafood, Providence

Cap't Loui, Providence

Chelo’s, Multiple Locations

Crow’s Nest Restaurant, Warwick

Diggers Catch Seafood, East Providence

Dune Brothers, Providence

Gift Horse, Providence

Hemenway’s Restaurant, Providence

Iron Works, Warwick

Providence Oyster Bar, Providence

Red Stripe, Providence

Ten Prime Steak & Sushi, Providence

Waterman Grille, Providence

Newport & South County

Aunt Carrie’s, Narragansett

Anthony’s Seafood, Middletown

Champlin’s Seafood, Narragansett

Flo’s Clam Shack, Middletown/Portsmouth

George’s of Galilee, Narragansett

Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House, Warwick/Narragansett

Jo’s American Bistro, Newport

Matunuck Oyster Bar, South Kingstown

Midtown Oyster Bar, Newport

Monahan’s Clam Shack, Narragansett

Schultzy’s Snack Shack, Charlestown

The Black Pearl, Newport

The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar, Newport

22 Bowen’s, Newport

East Bay

Amaral's Fish & Chips, Warren

Blounts Seafood, Warren

Evelyn’s Drive-In, Tiverton

Lobster Pot, Bristol

Quito’s, Bristol

Traffords, Warren

The Wharf, Warren

Many of these spots serve multiple styles, because in Rhode Island, variety is simply good manners at the table –  so on February 25, skip the salad, grab a spoon, order a bowl, and celebrate the Ocean State’s most comforting coastal tradition. Did we miss your Rhody favorite? Let us know on instagram by tagging your photo with #heyrhodyphotos