Providence, Rhode Island: Small but Mighty

Tiny Providence is a culinary giant, with a booming dining scene helmed by a close-knit community of chefs

Founded in 1636, Providence is one of the oldest cities in America. Now, it's a culinary mecca. Crystal Shi/The Epoch Times

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Providence, the tiny capital of the country’s smallest state, has a mighty appetite.

The city has a population of under 180,000. But since Al Forno, a local institution since 1980, put Providence on the foodie map with its first-of-its-kind grilled pizzas and upscale Italian eats, the city has embraced its culinary streak and swelled with restaurants—and continues to, at a rapid pace.