Providence has really become Rhode Island’s dining mecca… in fact, people come from all over New England to enjoy meals at both the city’s classic eateries and new and exciting spots. Big King still falls into the latter category, having opened in the summer of 2018. It’s still winning awards, including a pretty prestigious one in 2019 from GQ.

You’ll find Big King on Carpenter Street in Providence, in a small, unassuming building.

Erin Barry / Google This is the second restaurant opened by James Mark, and it also happens to be the site of his first restaurant, North. North has since moved downtown.

The eatery is named after Mark’s grandmother, whose name was Big King Lee Mark.

Harold LaCount / Google And this self-described “small weird restaurant” would definitely make her proud.

Big King is extremely small – the dining room only seats 21.

annekabjorkeson / TripAdvisor Reservations are accepted, and although walk-ins are welcoming, seating is not guaranteed. They do their best to accommodate everyone they can.

So, what kind of food would make this tiny space so popular? The answer is, a little bit of everything.

Jake Avakian / Google Mark has direct relationships with the Point Judith fishermen, so the fish is always fresh and delicious. He buys food from local farmers and shops whenever possible, and he cooks and serves it in small batches.

The menus here are handwritten daily, featuring dishes created with whatever ingredients are available that day.

Tengu07 / TripAdvisor You can choose from the four course $40 menu or the six course $55 menu.

The menus aren’t tasting menus, and they’re not meant to be shared (but they can be).

Scott Yi / Google And if you give the restaurant a little notice, they can accommodate any special dietary need.

Last year, GQ included Big King on a round-up of the best new restaurants in the country for 2019l

annekabjorkeson / TripAdvisor Given the amount of competition, that’s quite an honor. Mark was also nominated for a James Beard award last year for Best Chef in the Northeast.

Big King is open Thursday - Sunday from 5 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. for dinner service.

Lisa W / Google And since the menu is constantly changing, you’ll probably want to go more than once.

Curious? Learn more about Big King here.

Erin Barry / Google

This is the second restaurant opened by James Mark, and it also happens to be the site of his first restaurant, North. North has since moved downtown.

Harold LaCount / Google

And this self-described “small weird restaurant” would definitely make her proud.

annekabjorkeson / TripAdvisor

Reservations are accepted, and although walk-ins are welcoming, seating is not guaranteed. They do their best to accommodate everyone they can.

Jake Avakian / Google

Mark has direct relationships with the Point Judith fishermen, so the fish is always fresh and delicious. He buys food from local farmers and shops whenever possible, and he cooks and serves it in small batches.

Tengu07 / TripAdvisor

You can choose from the four course $40 menu or the six course $55 menu.

Scott Yi / Google

And if you give the restaurant a little notice, they can accommodate any special dietary need.

Given the amount of competition, that’s quite an honor. Mark was also nominated for a James Beard award last year for Best Chef in the Northeast.

Lisa W / Google

And since the menu is constantly changing, you’ll probably want to go more than once.

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Address: 231 Carpenter St, Providence, RI 02903, USA