Nestled on Governor Street in Providence, Rhode Island, Aguardente is more than a restaurant—it’s a vibrant cultural mosaic where Portuguese and Latin American traditions collide in a blaze of flavor, art, and spirit. With a name that translates to “fire water,” Aguardente lives up to its reputation, offering a dining experience that’s both bold and deeply rooted in heritage.
Victor Pereira is the visionary behind Aguardente, bringing a lifetime of cultural exploration and entrepreneurial spirit to the table. Pereira was born in Portugal—it’s his deep-rooted desire to reclaim and celebrate his heritage that fuels the restaurant’s soul. “Together with Magda León and Natalia Neves, we’ve built a place to celebrate our collective upbringings in Portugal, Guatemala, and the Azores through incredible food, meticulously sourced spirits, and Magda’s moving art,” he writes in Aguardente’s mission letter. “Over the years I’ve learned that it’s easy to forget and neglect our cultures of origin and get lost in the busyness of the American hustle. At Aguardente, we seek to reclaim the beauty of home and share it with you in a simple but heartfelt expression; through authentic food, traditional spirits, and passionate art.”
Alongside partners Paiva-Neves and León, Pereira created a space that honors the immigrant experience through bold flavors, curated spirits, and evocative art.
The culinary vision at Aguardente is curated by Paiva-Neves. She blends the rustic warmth of Portuguese cuisine with the zest of Latin American street food. Think spicy mussels, shrimp croquettes, and fried cheese balls alongside tres leches cake and green soup with chouriço and kale. The menu is playful yet reverent, honoring ancestral flavors while inviting modern interpretations. “I truly believe anyone can cook but it is the PERSON cooking who brings feeling and soul to the dish. If you cook with feeling your food will show that.”
The space is curated with intention. Striking murals by local artist León infuse the restaurant with emotional depth and visual poetry. The Guatemalan-born multidisciplinary artist specializesin printmaking, installation art, and social practice art. Her work stems from a personal experience of living with a bicultural identity, which she cariñosamente refers to as ‘De aquí y de allá’ (From here and from there). “My mission is to create art that honors the stories, resilience, and beauty of immigrant communities—especially those from Central America like my own,” she said in an interview with CanvasRebel. “This mission is personal. It’s my own family’s journey, and it’s also bigger than me. It’s about using art as a tool for connection.
Aguardente’s drink list is a journey in itself. Flights of rare mezcal and Portuguese aguardentes are sourced through travels across Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula. Seasonal cocktails—like the Cucumber Rosemary Margarita or the Snow Dog Gin blend with Ruby Port—are crafted with botanical precision and a wink of nostalgia.
We had a chance to visit with Service Manager, Audrey Swanson and Bartender Dinaha about why Aguardente isn’t just a place to eat—it’s a place to feel.
Whether you’re a local or a traveler seeking Providence’s hidden gems, Aguardente offers a taste of tradition with a twist of rebellion. It’s where saudade meets salsa, and every bite tells a story worth savoring.
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