A devastating fire at Rhode Island's popular Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown on May 20 left the restaurant closed and likely a total loss. Matunuck Oyster Bar had recently been named one of the top 44 places to eat in America, according to USA TODAY's 2025 Restaurants of the Year list.

The building may be damaged, but Matunuck’s impact on our oceans and food systems remains intact,” Felicia Neuhof, the founder of Shellf Life.

The Matunuck Oyster Bar, a well-known Rhode Island seafood restaurant that has been called one of the best oyster bars in the world, was destroyed in a fire early Tuesday morning.The fire broke out shortly before 4 a.