Food

Locals are crazy about Crazy Burger Cafe & Juice Bar (144 Boon St., 401/783-1810, www.crazyburger.com [1], 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Sun.–Thu.; 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri.–Sat., $4–11), a hoppin’ joint serving pancakes and “breakfast pizzas” for pennies, as well as uniformly high-quality meat and veggie burgers. Flavors include “quirky Cajun” and hummabouli.

Lace curtains on the windows are the only decoration at Aunt Carrie’s (1240 Ocean Rd., Pt. Judith, 401/783-7930, www.auntcarriesri.com [2], Wed.–Mon., late May–early Sept., noon–8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., Apr.–May and Sept., $12–24), a clam shack extraordinaire run by the third generation of a family that started out selling lemonade and chowder to fishermen. The fried clams are lightly fried—to highlight the taste of the bellies, not the breading—and stuffed quahogs are served with a cocktail sauce that could stand in the Seafood Hall of Fame. Leave room for homemade pies made from original recipes by Aunt Carrie herself (yes, there really was one). The restaurant is BYOB.

Slightly more adventurous specials are served up at the nearby Cheeky Monkey Cafe (21 Pier Marketplace, 401/788-3111, www.cheekymonkeynarragansett.com [3], 5:30–10 p.m. Wed.–Sun., $18–32). True to its name, the spot is filled with cheeky appointments (like the faux leopard-skin carpeting) and monkey motifs. The menu runs the gamut, from delicious calamari with spicy prosciutto and pepper sauce to sesame-seared tuna with lemongrass.

A stone structure beneath the eaves of the Towers [4], Coast Guard House (40 Ocean Rd., 401/789-0700, www.thecoastguardhouse.com [5], 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Sat.; 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Sun., $7–24) features an oceanside deck with an après-beach raw bar, burgers, and grilled sandwiches. The main dining room serves New American cuisine, including lobster ravioli and signature crab cakes.

Go beyond tapas at the romantic Spain of Narragansett (1144 Ocean Rd., 401/783-9770, www.spainri.com [6], 4–10 p.m. Tue.–Thu.; 4–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat.; 1–9 p.m. Sun., $14–33), a lush dining room conjuring an Iberian courtyard with potted plants, waterfall, and candlelit tables. Affordable entrées include traditional shrimp paella and a delectable Andalusian chicken stuffed with manchego cheese, smoked ham, and pine nuts.