Elmhurst & Mt. Pleasant Providence

Visit Elmhurst and Mt. Pleasant and discover vibrant restaurants, delicious bakeries and many locally owned small businesses. These neighborhoods include many single- and multi-family homes, as well as the campuses of Providence College and Rhode Island College — two premier institutions of higher education.  

Where to Shop

Set in a 10,000-square-foot factory building on West Park Street, POP Emporium of Pop Culture is filled with curiosities, relics and pop culture artifacts. Vintage pieces and midcentury modern furnishings are just a few of the curated items for sale. There are themed gallery shows, exhibitions and the occasional live band. Plan your visit in advance, as Pop is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

With locations on both Smith and Admiral streets, LaSalle Bakery is a delicious destination for homemade breads, cookies, cakes and other sweet treats. Their old-world approach includes using the best ingredients and baking items fresh each morning. Stop by and enjoy coffee and some homemade biscotti.

the perfect lunch to help you survive a gloomy Monday😏italian grinder and a couple slices of bakery za😍🤤 #yesplease #happyMonday

A post shared by @ lasallebakery on Apr 30, 2018 at 9:21am PDT

Another favorite, DeLuise Bakery on Chalkstone Avenue has been serving up mouthwatering treats since 1938. Pies, cakes, a variety of pastries and a Rhode Island favorite — bakery pizza — are all made daily.

 

A post shared by DeLuise Bakery (@deluisebakery) on Mar 16, 2017 at 2:16am PDT

Places to Dine

A local favorite, Admiral Street’s Papa Paulie’s, serves up breakfast and lunch specials. Plates are plentiful and their homemade frittata comes highly recommended.

Machupicchu Restaurante is a casual Peruvian neighborhood restaurant. This restaurant offers lunch and dinner and does a fair amount of takeout orders. Dishes are full of Andean flavors like the Papa a la Huancaina, a dish of cooked potatoes topped with a flavorful Creole cream, made with cheese and yellow peppers, and topped with a boiled egg. Or try the Lomo Sataldo, a beef dish with red onion and tomatoes and a flavorful sauce traditionally served over french fries. Don’t miss out on the housemade hot sauce and wash it all down with an Inca Kola.

 

A post shared by JESSY 🇵🇷✨ (@lar3inajessy) on Aug 1, 2014 at 11:51am PDT

Check out tasty little sandwich shop Anthony’s Italian Deli on Admiral Street. Specialty “sangwiches” as they like to call them, are made to order on fresh crusty Italian bread and range from the Turkey Gobbler to The Godfather — a loaded cold-cut sandwich. Offerings also include entrees like fish and chips.

Further along on Admiral Street, you'll find comfort food with barbecue flavors at Food for the Soul. With dinner prices under $10, the restaurant has a modest exterior, but the food will impress. Sautéed collard greens, baked mac and cheese, fried chicken, ribs and sweet tea are all pure soul food. Plan ahead as this establishment only accepts cash payment.

 

A post shared by Monica Martinez (@mslibra1983) on Apr 30, 2017 at 3:31pm PDT

A third-generation family business, Tommy’s Pizza opened back in 1955. This neighborhood pizzeria on Chalkstone Avenue makes fresh dough, pizza, calzones, soups, sauces, hot grinders (that’s Rhode Island slang for sandwiches) and desserts.   

Further down Chalkstone, Peruvian and Bolivian dishes will seduce your taste buds with the Latin flavors of Los Andes. Their critically acclaimed menu ranges from ceviche prepared in a leche de tigre, to a traditional Bolivian yucca and cheese pastry called a Cunape, to a Paella-stuffed lobster. For beverages, try a Pisco Sour (the national drink of Peru) or a Horchatini — Los Andes’ riff on a spiced milky Latin drink. Reservations are highly recommended at this popular destination. In summer months, their outdoor patio is a lovely spot for dinner and drinks.

 

A post shared by los_andes_restaurant_ri (@los_andes_restaurant_ri) on Dec 4, 2017 at 6:27am PST

Things to Do

Travel down Smith Street to Fargnoli Park. This awesome outdoor space includes smaller play areas for the little ones and more challenging obstacle course-like structures for older kids. Summer months bring concerts in the park as the community gathers to hear live local music.

Located in the heart of the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood, Triggs Memorial Golf Course is a Par 4 course. Triggs is a well-known Rhode Island course and has both a ladies’ and men’s member club for the golf enthusiast. The learning center provides instructional golf and private lessons.

Rec Room PVD is a new concept located on Admiral Street. This fun spot is part restaurant, part nightclub, part sports bar. Game options include an indoor bocce court, giant Jenga and cornhole. The menu includes kicked-up pub fare like Mexican street-corn-inspired popcorn and house-cured pork belly bacon on a stick. A variety of beers are available on tap and the cocktail menu takes inspiration from major sporting events (with Rec Room’s own twists), such as a Pimm’s Cup, Pit Lane Lemonade and Rucker Park favorite the Nutcracker.

 

A post shared by Rec Room PVD (@recroompvd) on Dec 24, 2017 at 12:49pm PST

These city streets are spread across neighborhoods and more easily traveled by car or bus. There is on-street parking, and intercity bus service is provided by RIPTA.

Did we miss your favorite? Let us know on Instagram using #PVDPicks. We may use your photo on this page.