Is there a better place to celebrate “La Vigilia” — otherwise known as the “Feast of the Seven Fishes” — than in Rhode Island? Our large Italian American population and nickname “The Ocean State” make us the ideal setting for this expansive, seafood-only meal that is a beloved Christmas Eve tradition.
There are differing stories on how La Vigilia di Natale (“the Vigil of the birth of Jesus” in Italian) began. Some say that in an effort to abstain from meat and butter, medieval Roman Catholics would instead rely on fried fish. Others say it was due to the fact that fish markets were traditionally closed on Christmas Day, forcing fishmongers to make use of whatever precious fish was left (often little bits of a lot of fish) before it spoiled. Yet another version of the story maintains that the seven courses represent the seven Catholic sacraments: baptism, Holy Communion, reconciliation, confirmation, anointing of the sick, marriage, and holy orders.
A number of local restaurants offer the La Vigilia meal, both on Christmas Eve and throughout the month, but the heart of Rhode Island’s Italian culture is Federal Hill, where old-world traditions meet modern culinary expertise. Here are four restaurants on the Hill serving La Vigilia this holiday season.
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You can enjoy the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve at lunch or dinnertime, with lunch served from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and dinner from 2:30–8:30 p.m. (the regular lunch and dinner menus will also be available).
Want to feast on the seven fishes but have other plans for Christmas Eve? Spaghetti a la Vigilia (spaghetti with mussels and clams), Gaeta-style snail salad, and grilled salmon are among the “seven fishes” served from Dec. 12 through Christmas Eve at Trattoria Appia.
Pane e Vino also offers a multicourse La Vigilia menu every night from Dec. 15–24.
Il Massimo
Massimo is another Providence restaurant serving a La Vigilia dinner from Dec. 15–24. The year's feast will include calamari and baked stuffed shrimp.
Looking for other options for holiday eats? We've gathered a list of local restaurants open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.
