Broadway has always been a culinary hotspot in Newport. Two spots add to the reputation.

Broadway in Newport is a unique street in the city. For some, it’s simply a busy route filled with slow-moving traffic, where you have to stay alert for wayward pedestrians and impatient parkers. For others, it is a place where serious things take place like hospital visits, investigations at the police station and town hall business.

There’s a lot going on on this road. But for those who know, it is a great destination to eat and drink good food. From Simple Merchant Coffee’s delicious brews to Ben’s famous Chili Dogs to Scratch Kitchen’s new Mac & Cheese Smackdown champions, there’s something for everyone on this busy road. It seems like all the local favorites are on Broadway: Pour Judgment, Corner Café, The Tavern on Broadway, Parlor Bar & Kitchen – the list goes on. It’s a neighborhood that has grown over the years into a community committed to serving good food and drinks with a smile. That’s why we’re excited to see two new spots emerging on the Broadway dining scene. Welcome to The Market on Broadway and Provencal Bakery neighborhood. They will fit in perfectly.

The Provençal bakery is not new to Broadway. They opened their doors at 311 Broadway in 2019, but then had to close their doors at the end of 2021 for renovations and a redesign. Meanwhile, their location on Aquidneck Avenue has remained open throughout. Today, they’re back on Broadway, and so are their delicious assortment of pastries, cakes, and breads, as well as their specialty homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches. It will be nice to see some activity at their location on the corner of Bliss Road, especially now that most of the road construction in that area is complete. Provençal has built a reputation for excellent food over the years as they have been cooking on the island since 1998. They continue to supply their artisan breads to many local restaurants and sandwich shops and the new location has more space cooking, allowing them to expand their wholesale operations. But we’re not thrilled about their return to Broadway for wholesale items. We are here for the great food on their daily menu!

Stop by to pick up something tasty today. Take a loaf of country bread that is so fresh that it will still be steaming when you cut it in the center. Treat yourself to one of their Sticky Buns or a Chocolate Espresso Scone. Grab a Frasch’s Mocha Cake (triple-layer sponge cake with mocha frosting) to bring to your next get-together. Looking for breakfast? Grab a hearty breakfast sandwich served on their specialty bread or sit down to some homemade French toast. A homemade Portuguese kale soup is always great for lunch or maybe try one of their made-to-order sandwiches. Also get some mac and cheese for dinner! As Easter approaches, they will offer an assortment of desserts like pies and cookies. And they always have a pastry case full of bread to satisfy your sweet tooth. The food at Provencal is always a treat, so we’re excited to see them open a second location and return to business on Broadway. It’s worth the detour.

The Market on Broadway is located at 95 Broadway, in the former 7-11 building. As you walk through the doors, you’ll have the quick, fleeting sensation of remembering what the old 7-11 was like. But then you’ll look up and see the cheerful staff pouring cold Nitro beer, you’ll see the cooler stocked with fresh seafood and meats and the giant sandwich counter with delicacies beautifully displayed and you won’t think about the the old tenants again. There’s a little bit of everything here for anyone who loves good food. Take your time to take a look. The staff is there to help you with whatever you need, but there’s a lot to absorb. You might find yourself staring at (er, drooling) the homemade stuffed animals or the freshly cooked shrimp. Then you can wander through the prepared foods section and start admiring the lasagna and pasta bolognese. When you arrive at the sandwich counter, you’ll start salivating at the thought of a Pastrami & Swiss Hoagie or a Steak & Cheese with Peppers & Onions. It’s the kind of neighborhood market you dream of.

The deal comes to us from locals Luther Whiting-Collins (owner of Lucy’s Café), Hank Whitin (owner of Pour Judgment), Kevin Sullivan (Hank’s former business partner) and Joe Fitzpatrick (local real estate agent). With this kind of Newport experience behind the business, we know customers will find a special new place. They are open every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Stop on your way to work for a nice cup of coffee and a Chourico, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich on a bolo. Grab a specially made spicy Italian Hoagie or homemade soup for lunch. Browse the aisles for great finds from their selection of artisan cheeses or their multitude of drinks – have you tried the cold-pressed green pineapple juice? The offers are constantly changing so you can always find something worth it. They have plenty of seafood offerings for the Lenten season and continue to offer new and exciting daily specials like a Peach Barbecue Pork Loin Sub or a Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla. It’s an exciting new place to discover and a great place to experience some tasty food.

There’s no shortage of places to eat well in Newport, and few neighborhoods are as rich in good restaurants as Broadway. It’s a culinary adventure through and through. And with two new spots on the street, it just keeps getting better. Stop by Market on Broadway and Provençal Bakery today. We wish them many years of success and delicious food.

Dan Lederer is a Middletown resident with 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry throughout New England. He continues to work locally behind the scenes in the industry and remains an avid fan of all things restaurant and hospitality. His column appears on newportri.com and in The Daily News. Cheers!

This article originally appeared in The Providence Journal: Provençal and Market on Broadway add to Newport’s dining scene