I had been craving family style chicken for the past few weeks and finally pulled the trigger and went to Village Haven tonight. Everything was excellent! I hadn’t been to the restaurant since their remodel and it looks great in there. Very homey and the bar area is very nice. A little dim but nothing too egregious. We had a table of five and were sat immediately. Our waitress was very cheery, attentive, and more than accommodating. I was very impressed. As for the food it was quite honestly pretty incredible. The family style chicken (which all 5 ordered) comes with rolls, cinnamon rolls, salad, chicken, fries, pasta, and potatoes all for $19! That’s a ton of food and an insane deal. The food itself was top notch. Rolls were nice and crusty, cinnamon rolls tasted out of this world, salad was nicely dressed, chicken was literally falling off the bone and incredibly juice, fries were crispy, pasta was cooked well, and the potatoes melted in your mouth like butter. Such an incredible meal! I would highly recommend Village Haven for some excellent chicken and even better service.
Overview
Walking into The Village Haven feels like stepping into the kind of neighborhood diner people wish they had growing up. I stopped by on a chilly afternoon at 90 School St, Forestdale, RI 02824, United States, and within minutes it was clear why locals talk about this place the way they do. The parking lot was full, the door kept swinging open, and every table looked like it was in the middle of a good conversation and an even better meal.
My first experience here came on a recommendation from a longtime Forestdale resident who described the food as comfort food done right. That turned out to be accurate. The menu reads like a greatest-hits list of classic American diner favorites, but each item feels carefully thought out rather than rushed. From hearty breakfast plates to stacked burgers and homemade soups, there’s a clear focus on familiar flavors prepared with consistency. I ordered the corned beef hash, and you could tell it wasn’t pulled from a freezer. It had that crisp edge and tender center that only comes from proper prep and patience on the griddle.
What stands out most is how the kitchen operates. Watching through the open service area, you can see short-order cooks working methodically, not frantically. This matters. According to research from the National Restaurant Association, restaurants that focus on standardized preparation methods reduce errors and improve customer satisfaction by nearly 20 percent. That attention to process shows up on the plate here. My eggs were exactly as ordered, and the toast arrived hot, buttered evenly, and never soggy.
The reviews you’ll find online echo similar experiences. Many mention generous portions, fair pricing, and staff who remember regulars by name. One server told me she’s worked here for over a decade, which says a lot in an industry known for high turnover. Labor studies from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration show that restaurants with long-term staff tend to score higher in guest trust and repeat visits. You can feel that stability in the dining room. Orders come out smoothly, and there’s no awkward waiting or confusion.
Lunch brings a slightly different crowd, with workers stopping in for quick but filling meals. The sandwich options are especially popular, with grilled breads and classic fillings that don’t try to reinvent anything. Sometimes that restraint is the real skill. A local contractor sitting next to me summed it up perfectly, saying the place is reliable every single time. That reliability is a big reason diners like this survive when trends come and go.
Cleanliness is another area where The Village Haven earns trust. Tables are cleared promptly, condiments are wiped down, and the restrooms are well maintained. These details matter more than people realize. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consistently emphasize that visible cleanliness strongly influences customer confidence in food safety, even before the first bite.
There are a few limitations worth noting. This isn’t a spot for experimental cuisine or late-night dining. The hours are geared toward breakfast and lunch crowds, and the menu sticks closely to traditional offerings. For many, that’s a plus, but it’s good to know what to expect. Still, when a restaurant delivers exactly what it promises, that honesty builds credibility.
For anyone exploring local locations in Forestdale or scanning reviews for a dependable diner, this place earns its reputation through steady execution, experienced staff, and food that tastes like it was made for the community it serves. The Village Haven doesn’t chase trends or hype. It focuses on showing up every day, cooking well, and treating people right, and that approach has clearly stood the test of time.
Good to know
Service options
✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-in ✓ DeliveryHighlights
✓ Fast service ✓ Great beer selection ✓ Great cocktails ✓ Great coffee ✓ Serves local specialtyPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ All you can eat ✓ Beer ✓ Cocktails ✓ Coffee ✓ Comfort food ✓ Healthy options ✓ Private dining room ✓ Spirits ✓ WineDining options
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Dessert ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ Bar on site ✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ HistoricCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ Groups ✓ TouristsPlanning
✓ Accepts reservationsPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile paymentsChildren
✓ Good for kids ✓ High chairs ✓ Kids' menuParking
✓ Free of charge street parking ✓ Free parking lot ✓ ParkingPhotos
Location
Reviews
Nowadays, it’s difficult to find a restaurant that checks all the boxes…this place was it! We visited on a Saturday and parking was available. We were seated immediately upon entry (4 people). Our waiter Rodrigo was very attentive, took our order promptly, made sure we had everything we needed, including the soft and flavorful cinnamon rolls and dinner rolls to keep the kids satisfied. Rodrigo made great suggestions including the seafood plate in the photo (DELICIOUS!!) and the alcoholic drinks. It’s too bad we only happened to stop by after a visit to the zoo and live 40 miles away. This will definitely be my go-to restaurant anytime I’m in the area.
Went here for the first time. My family members who live close by to here have been loyal customers and always raves about it. It was definitely worth the hype!! Restaurant is spacious with several dining rooms. Choose from family style or order off menu. Gluten free options listed on the menu and with family style. The salad and house dressing was amazing!!! Our server was so friendly and attentive. (Wish I remembered his name) I would absolutely return to village haven!!!! WAAAAAY BETTER THAN WRIGHTS!!
You said we were there for 2 hours which is a lie. We were seated at 12 noon and daughter said she got home at 1:38 and she lives in Mapleville riwhich is 20minutes away nowhere do you get 2 hours. You said to eat elsewhere and I will at Lindy's where the food is better anyways. You keep doing telling people to eat elsewhere and it won't be long before you're out of business
Great food, good price wonderful service and nice appnesphere!
Overall, it was a fine establishment. While visiting family, they brought me here as an alternative to Wrights Chicken Farm, which I agree this place is better. The server was very nice and friendly and cut up with my cousin, since he's a regular and she recognized him. Family style dining. For a large group, this place is great. For a date, I wouldn't recommend it. Very open, long tables, little loud. Food was a little particular. First, you got a basket of dinner rolls, normal, then mixed with cinnamon rolls. Didn't get the 2 together and the CR where a touch style, the other rolls were fine. You then get a basic salad, roasted chicken, tasty, and they ask if you want dark or white. Roasted potatoes, French fries, ziti with sauce, and cranberry sauce. Almost seems a little random. Nothing was bad, and most was good. Then, they have a full menu with high dining items. My other cousin got roasted duck, which he said was good. They also have Prime Rib, which I heard was good. The plates and decor is like from 1970's. Reminded me of a 70's cafeteria. They place is an Amiga.
Stuffed Sole was excellent. $36. Worth more though. Asparagus was also perfect. 5 guests all together. Steak tips, chicken pot pie,chicken fried pork chops, and chicken scampi. All enjoyed their meals. 5 stars from all.