1639 Refreshes Its Waterfront Menu on Goat Island

The view from Goat Island hasn’t changed, but dinner at 1639 has a new point of view. The signature restaurant at Newport Harbor Island Resort has introduced a refreshed concept inspired by its waterfront setting. Dubbed “modern meets maritime,” the menu keeps New England ingredients front and center, then gives them a polished update.

Seafood naturally leads the way. A signature platter brings together oysters from Martha’s Vineyard and Duxbury, Gulf of Maine lobster tail, shrimp, and accompaniments. Spaghetti alla chitarra folds Maine lobster and snap peas into a sherry wine cream sauce, while Nova Scotian halibut arrives over a crispy potato nest with peperonata and corn puree.

Not everything comes from the water. A wagyu tomahawk ribeye arrives with sauces ranging from red chimichurri to a Nebbiolo reduction jus, making it well suited for sharing, provided everyone at the table can agree.

The cocktail list received its own reset. The 1639 Smoked Old Fashioned combines Whistle Pig Bourbon, house-made vanilla syrup, and Angostura bitters. Add a harbor sunset, and the drink practically has its own lighting department.

Newly appointed Director of Food & Beverage John Barth will guide the restaurant’s next chapter alongside Assistant Director of Food & Beverage Grigore Cosolovschi and Executive Chef of Outlets Eleasar “Chef El” Conoz. Barth brings more than two decades of hospitality experience to the role, but the team’s plans don’t stop with a new menu.

“We’re seeing an increased number of visitors seeking more immersive and experiential dining events,” Barth says. In response, 1639 is introducing a rotating calendar designed to give guests more ways to settle in and stay awhile.

Weekly Golden Hour specials pair cocktails with the harbor view, while Sunday Harbor Suppers make room for a slower end to the weekend. Quarterly wine and spirit dinners will match selected pours with dishes influenced by coastal Rhode Island traditions and current culinary trends.

Together, the updates give 1639 a little more range without losing sight of its surroundings. Guests can stop in for oysters at sunset, stay for lobster pasta, or plan an entire evening around what’s being poured. Visit newportharborisland.com to explore the menu, view upcoming dining events, and make a reservation.