Experience: Tumblesalts Cafe in North Providence

Italian-American eats served with a flair for the eccentric

Tumbles House Calamari

Photos courtesy of Tumblesalts

One of several distinct dining spaces at Tumblesalts

Photos courtesy of Tumblesalts

Seasonal cocktails keep things interesting

Photos courtesy of Tumblesalts

Lasagna

Photos courtesy of Tumblesalts

Patrons are greeted by the trolley posted up outside

Photos courtesy of Tumblesalts

Posted Friday, February 28, 2025 9:00 am

Must-Try Items

Tumbles House Calamari ($18): Lightly fried calamari rings, hot pepper rings, chopped tomato, spring mix, goat cheese, Kalamata olives, and balsamic glaze

Lasagna ($20): Venda rigatoni, Pecorino, creamy spicy vodka sauce, basil, house marinara, ground beef, mozzarella, and ricotta cheese

Steak Tips ($29): Choice of BBQ sauce, bourbon sauce, or chef seasoning and a side of rice, pasta, or vegetables for the day

By Kou Tukala Nyan

Driving up to a homey-looking establishment with a bright orange trolley car in front, I knew we were in for an adventure before even crossing the threshold of Tumblesalts Cafe. In North Providence’s tiny Centredale Village, it’s a true “if you know, you know” destination that channels the creativity and craftsmanship of owners Kristine Teto and Bradford Aubin, the couple who opened the restaurant in 2016 to complement their former retail concept, the Hopscotch Room.

Teto’s vision is to make every part of the experience fun, unique, and family-friendly. Each distinct space is a treasure hunt for the eyes, from the little bees decorating the ceiling of the Cloud Room to the wire flowers in the cafe. The Pizza Station is where neighbors rave about the best marinara sauce in town, private nooks allow for intimate gatherings, and the trolley was built by Aubin for takeout.

The staff greeted my niece and me at the door and led us upstairs to the cozy Tavern Room with a fireplace and comfortable chairs, from which we took in the subdued elegance of glittering chandeliers and a large wall clock with Roman numerals. Our server, Teto and Aubin’s daughter, Adelina Aubin, was full of marvelous suggestions. Assistant manager Daniel Barrington weighed in, too.

We’re glad we went with the highly recommended Tumbles Calamari – crispy fried rings, chopped tomatoes, goat cheese, and hot peppers over a bed of mixed greens, drizzled with balsamic glaze. My niece gave this a solid 10.

Next up: a classic Italian entree the cafe is known for, lasagna. I could tell by the rich aromatics alone that it would be delicious. The

layers of beef and ricotta cheese between perfectly cooked pasta did not disappoint, and I was happy to sop up any remaining marinara sauce with the crunchy garlic bread served with the dish. My niece enjoyed the umami flavors of the bourbon sauce-covered Steak Tips, with a side of buttery broccoli and whipped scratch-made mashed potatoes. An order of the Twin Lobster Tails paired well with broccoli and risotto.

We ended the night with a round of creamy espresso martinis, and left glad to be in the know about Tumblesalts.