These RI Restaurants Have Added Igloos As Outdoor Dining Options And OMG

Pretty sure the trend started in Europe a few years ago, with restaurants, bars and hotels setting up glass and plastic dining domes in order to maximize their outdoor spaces during the colder months.

And the style even made it’s way to Rhode Island.

Hot Chocolate Weather

Last winter my friend S. and I were thrilled to be able to sit and drink hot chocolate in one of the enchanting igloos at Gurney’s Newport on Goat Island. Each one had a different theme, a heater, and twinkle lights. A few of the bubbles set up at the far end of their outdoor deck also had absolutely stunning views of the Newport Pell Bridge. We tried to reserve one of those, but they were unsurprisingly booked solid.

It was quite an enjoyable and top shelf kind of experience.

Now who could have ever predicted back then (certainly NOT us) that igloos like that would be of major importance in the fall & winter of 2020 for reasons that weren’t at all on our radars?

Eat, Drink, And Be Cozy

So, if (like me) you want to keep the al fresco dining tour around Little Rhody going rn, you’ll be glad to know that more eateries are adding these bubbles to their outdoor areas. It’s gone from faddish, trendy, and Insta worthy to an essential element of being able to enjoy lunch or din din out in the coming months. (Don’t even get me started about the ❄️snow in tomorrow’s forecast. It’s too soon.)

Gurney’s Newport, Winter 2019 (Photo Courtesy Of Me)

Two restaurants that have added a limited number of igloos recently are Revolution in Pawtuxet Village and Kleos on Westminster in Downtown Providence. Having recently eaten lunch at Revolution, we are in the process of trying to secure a reservation for one of the dining domes that Kleos has put up on the sidewalk in front. (Follow me over on IG @PattyJDotCom where I’ll be sharing our meal inside the igloos at Kleos very soon!)

Also, currently in search of more establishments in the area that are offering them going forward, so do stay tuned.

PS - I know Mare on Wayland Square had a bunch last winter as did Terrazza in Smithfield. Just stalked Terrazza’s site and social this morning and it doesn’t look as though they have any (yet?), but we may still go and sit out on their heated patio soon because their food-and-drink-stagrams look so darn inviting and pretty.