The Best Eating and Drinking on Route 1

A little upscale, like maybe wear pants

The Coast Guard House has been a destination for Narragansett diners for more than 60 years. The combination of the spectacular view and the food is why, or course. All winter long we dream of sitting atop the deck that overlooks Narragansett Beach and the horizon beyond, and feasting on the house pizza with mashed potatoes, goat cheese, caramelized onions and arugula. It's the best potato skin you've never had!

In Westerly, the Ocean House is a spectacular find from another age, situated on a hill overlooking the Atlantic. Chef Eric Haugen takes pristine to new heights. They have a full-time food forager on staff to seek out the best local

We are lucky that even in the smallest of states, we've still had our share of culinary visionaries and Perry Raso, owner of Matunuck Oyster Bar is one. Started in 1992 with the mission to bring fresh, local shellfish to consumers, Matunuck Oyster Bar and farm can say mission accomplished. The menu is local and seasonal and changes often but why come here if not for the oysters. It doesn't get any better than being able to sit outside and see where your oysters grew up. It is oyster farm to table. The Coast Guard House, 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 789-0700; Ocean House, 1 Bluff Ave, Westerly, 315-0579; Matunuck Oyster Bar, 629 Succotash Rd, East Matunuck, 783-4202.

Casual: at least let the bathing suit dry

You know the feeling... you're leaving the beach... that ride home in traffic is going to be hell... you know you're never making it back to the city without eating. East Siders have long loved their neighborhood bistro Red Stripe. Loud,

A very welcome newcomer on the South Kingston (there is no South County…it’s actually Washington Country) dining scene is La Strada Cafe and Pizzeria. We've been summering in Matunuck forever and there was always one constant... you couldn't get good pizza. Well, finally, there's a place worth making a special trip. This is real wood-fired pizza with fresh, local ingredients like sausage sourced from Carpenters Farm, right up the street. The high heat oven not only makes a great pie, it also makes it fast. With a cooking time of 2 minutes, you can be back on the road and full in no time. We love the "Billy Lightning" with caramelized onions, garlic, ricotta cheese and cracked black pepper sitting on the incredible (and family secret) crust.

Arturo Joe's is another great pick for those coming back from the Block Island Ferry or Scarborough State Beach. It is a small slice of Italy in a plaza just off route 108 that serves great grilled pizzas, fresh seafood and pastas all in a cool and casual setting. Our first visit here was a stumble in, and we're happy we did. We sat at the bar with a giant cocktail and a grilled pizza topped with espresso barbecue sauce, chicken, bacon and onions. It was a great pizza. Red Stripe, 91 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 792-3200; La Strada Cafe and Pizzeria, 920 Matunuck Beach Rd, Matunuck, 284-2253; Arturo Joe's, 140 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 789-3230.

Wet suits or wetsuits welcome here

No time to change? Kids screaming? Third degree sunburn? Well you're in luck, as our southern coast is also a mecca for clam shacks. We're talking seafood... fried, baked, boiled, and stuffed fresh seafood from local docks in the most casual of settings. These three spots are what Rhode Island shore dining is all about. Cap'n Jacks, on Succotash Road in East Matunuck, is a family-owned restaurant that is famous for its huge portions and giant desserts. New to Cap'n Jacks this year is a waterfront deck area to do the al fresco thing right on a beautiful salt pond. The fish and chips is the version we crave... crisp, flaky, clean. It will replace all that energy you spent on the beach. Save room for dessert however, as the original owner, Pete Piemonte, was a baker by trade and his legacy lives on today in the giant turnovers that were his signature.

No one does it better in South Kingston than Aunt Carrie's, when it comes to good, fast beach food. Since 1920, when Aunt Carrie herself was serving chowder and lemonade, beach goers have taken their place at the picnic tables and enjoyed some of the best clam cakes around. Pair them with the clam chowder and some fried clams and enjoy the sunset over the bay.

Located right across the street is local favorite, Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House. From April to October, people make their pilgrimage to join "the line." Almost as famous as Iggy's great clam shack food is the line at Iggy's that can reach epic proportions. Don't be scared however, it's totally worth the wait. We could go on and on about the great fish and chips and chowder and all that but we must save room for doughboys! Served in bags of 6 or 12, these little pillows of love keep us coming back and standing in that line. We prefer the granulated sugar, but they're all good. Cap'n Jacks, 706 Succotash Rd, East Matunuck, 789-4556; Aunt Carrie's, 1240 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 783-7930; Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House. 1157 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 783-5608.