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    Empire Tea and Coffee

    4.1 (284 reviews)
    ModerateCoffee & Tea
    Closed 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Empire Tea and Coffee Photos

    Business Info

    EMPIRE TEA AND COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for working
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Empire Tea and Coffee

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    Giant opening directly beneath the seats in this booth (other side of wall)
    Brendan P.

    Cool place with great coffee, but perhaps they shouldn't be open during construction. My family and I were in the booth above this gaping hole directly beneath my toddlers seat, which goes to the basement. Feels wildly unsafe.

    Interior
    George M.

    I came to Empire a broken man. The sea air of Newport had chapped my lips and soul, and I was in desperate need of a caffeine-fueled spiritual awakening. And boy, did I get one. This isn't just a coffee shop; it's a sensory assault of deliciousness. The aroma alone is enough to make you weep with joy. The latte art was so intricate, I felt guilty drinking it--it's probably hanging in a museum by now. The tea selection is so vast and intimidating, I'm pretty sure I saw a rare, ancient scroll of green tea on the menu. If you're looking for a good cup of coffee and a brief escape from reality, this is your place. If you're looking to return to normal life after visiting, you're out of luck.

    Window order station
    Delaney M.

    The entrance is handicap accessible and leads right to the order counter as well as an order station by the window if you so choose! Pastry window with available items at 1040 am when I came. Staff were friendly and helpful. This is my favorite location in Newport as there are others. It's just super spacious, rustic inside, the best for getting work done. Theres free wifi and available phone charging stations along the desks in the back. Little kids area in the back with a toy play area. Good folk tunes on the aux and quiet enough to get work done or meet with friends. Their food items are also phenomenal but today I got the dirty chai.

    Delicious cappuccino
    Neil W.

    The cappuccino at Empire is extraordinary! And I make cappuccino everyday at home, so I'm very particular. Bella and I also tried their chocolate croissants - O M G!!! You've got to try these tasty treats. Cool vibe, relaxed and in the same building as Newport yoga. Enjoy! Bella & Woody, Nantasket Beach

    Hot chocolate
    T. G.

    Solid spot- parking can be hard but they had many menu options and drinks along with some pre-made breakfast sandwiches. We tried the hot chocolate - it was good! Not the best I ever had but good. Cute spot - apparently they have another location nearby as well? Good for them.

    I've never had such an amazing iced matcha like this one before, I was truly in love and yearn for this matcha everyday now. The ambience of the cafe was wonderful. It is a big restaurant with plenty of spaces to eat, study, and get work done. Our barista was super nice and it took about 5 minutes to get our order! I will certainly be coming back!!!

    Menu
    Laura C.

    We went here twice this week! It's a pretty big space, so you could sit there with a laptop and get work done. There's also a printer towards the back. They have boba drinks which was interesting. My family really liked their coffees. I ordered an iced Red Velvet latte the first time, which was terribly sweet and I couldn't finish it. The second time, I ordered a hot chai tea latte with oat milk and it was good! I thought this was the only location, but there's another one on Bellevue Ave as well.

    Tea break :)

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    2 months ago

    Decently priced and good coffee and a great tea selection. Breakfast Sammie good too.

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    3 months ago

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    13 days ago

    Great sandwich and cappuccino. Friendly staff but god the iced coffee tastes terrible.

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    1 year ago

    So good!! Great vegetarian options for breakfast sandwiches too! I will be coming back here the next time I'm in Newport.

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    2 years ago

    It's just a cool place. The service is great. I prefer the one on broadway as it seemed more relaxed.

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Empire Tea and Coffee

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    The Nitro Bar

    The Nitro Bar

    4.3
    (99 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    It Hurt So Good:…read more The day hath finally come! I could finally try The Nitro Bar. My husband and I previously saw the line prior to entry, and both realized that while we waited for our lunch reservations we could finagle and get our coffees. The trepidation was tremendous. I couldn't wait to finally try these seasonal beverages; all the hype on social media, I knew that it was gonna be worth it. When we finally got to the register, something overcame me. I couldn't just try one drink and my husband wasn't getting anything that I really wanted to try so I made some excuses about allowing my family members to try whatever I get and I ended up choosing the Cookie Whip latte, the Caramelized Banana Matcha latte, and the Red Velvet latte(original choice would have been the toasted coconut latte, but they ran out of the syrup because it was just too good.) In the refrigerator off to the side we noticed that they had chai puddings, banana pudding and overnight oats; so we thought to ourselves what the heck, let's grab a chocolate cherry chai pudding and a banana pudding. Both were good but the banana was something special. Then we heard my name called and we were able to sample the goods. That first sip of the Banana matcha latte, holy shit, my taste buds were elated. I nearly downed half it before realizing I had my other lattes to try. The Cookie Whip.....the hype is real my friend, it's crack. The sweetness yet not overpowering the coffee. The whip....by the time we rejoined my family while still waiting for lunch, the cookie whip had disappeared. I gave my mother the Red Velvet Whip. She tried it...then she tried the matcha and preferred that. I gave her the rest and tried the Red Velvet myself. It was good, the whip had a nice balance of cream cheese however the clear winners were the matcha and cookie whip (I should have known as I rarely go for the actual cupcake, that's on me). Yet I stilled sucked on that shit til that sound occurred again, air slipping through the straw indicating the last remnants. Mind you I'm a tea girlie....I rarely have coffee and I just downed two lattes and half a matcha. I knew my immediate future would be impacted....the reservation at Wally's Weiner's finally was called and I immediately sat down in a daze. I took a deep breath and knew I needed water. As someone who struggles with vasovagel syncope reactions (google it, it's a ride let me tell ya) I knew I couldn't let it get that far. Let's just say I hydrated and used every bathroom I encountered while in Newport. Wrecked my opportunity to enjoy my mother's birthday dinner at White Horse Tavern and prayed to the gods that I didn't go to panic town. So would I go back? Hell ya. Would I recommend all those drinks? Hell ya. However what I will remind my myself is to pace yourself baby. No need to go ham. I can come back. Thank you Nitro Bar for the intense detox, mommy felt a little bloated today.

    I'm a huge coffee lover, and I take reviews very seriously when it comes to coffee, so I was a…read morelittle nervous to try Nitro Bar - I wasn't sure if it was just a social media hype or if the coffee would actually be good. Well... I haven't stopped thinking about the Sea Salt Maple Whipped Latte I had there. It was incredible. I literally wanted to go back later the same day for another one. 10/10. Can't wait to make it back to Newport just to grab another latte!

    Photos
    Caramelized banana matcha (Left) & black raspberry matcha (Right)
    Caramelized banana matcha (Left) & black raspberry matcha (Right)
    Iced Cherry Vanilla Matcha Latte
    Iced Cherry Vanilla Matcha Latte
    The Nitro Bar

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    Simple Merchant Coffee

    Simple Merchant Coffee

    4.8
    (75 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Love the vibe of this place! It has outdoor sitting for a sunny day and long indoor tables for game…read moreof DnD or getting to know a complete stranger- make a new friend! The lovely barista made a honey cinnamon latte that truly the best comfort drink - it was like a warm cozy blanket. Highly recommend it!

    2.5/5 I ordered a…read moremix of drinks to get a solid feel for the menu--overall, there's clear potential here, but execution needs tightening. Ordered 1&1. Espresso (straight + mini cortado) The straight was under-extracted, resulting in a noticeable sourness and lack of balance. Not undrinkable, but it lacked the smoothness and depth you'd hope for. The cortado, however, improved the experience--the milk helped round out the acidity and made it far more approachable. Espresso Tonic: This ended up being the standout. It's definitely an acquired taste, but if you enjoy bright, citrus-forward drinks, this works. The subtle sweetness and orange notes complemented the espresso nicely, creating something refreshing and unique--perfect for warmer weather. Reminds me of a Matcha Milkis but with espresso instead. Iced Caramel Latte: A bit too milk-heavy for my preference. The espresso got lost, and while there were faint crème brûlée-like notes and a touch of caramel, the overall profile felt muted and underwhelming. Service: Excellent. One of the drinks was initially forgotten which resulted in me waiting several minutes, but the staff handled it well--quick apology and a complimentary drink chip. That level of accountability goes a long way and stands out compared to many other shops. Ambiance: Relaxed and inviting. The space has a fun, casual vibe with merchandise ranging from hoodies to cards, giving it some personality beyond just being a coffee stop. Overall: There's a strong foundation here. With more consistency in espresso extraction and slight adjustments to drink balance, this could easily be a solid spot.

    Photos
    Old fashioned
    Old fashioned
    Superb Honey & Cinnamon Latte, with a Snickerdoodle Cookie... Go ahead, Indulge!
    Superb Honey & Cinnamon Latte, with a Snickerdoodle Cookie... Go ahead, Indulge!
    Simple Merchant Coffee

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    Custom House Coffee

    Custom House Coffee

    4.4
    (204 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    I have been coming to Custom House Coffee for years and it continues to be one of my favorite…read morecoffee spots on Aquidneck Island. The staff is always friendly, the coffee is consistently delicious (and strong!), and the seasonal menu never disappoints. Thanks to their monthly specials, I've become a cold brew lover (instead of iced lattes) and always look forward to seeing what's new. Whether I'm meeting friends for a casual catch-up or a "work" meeting, there's always a perfect spot to settle in, both inside and outside. What makes Custom House even more special is their commitment to the community. I love seeing them partner with local organizations and offer food-sensitive options so more people can enjoy what they do. Their recent giveaway with Friends of Newport Skatepark is another great example of how they continue to give back. Thank you for being such a wonderful community staple. Here's to many more years of great coffee and great people!

    I was looking for a good coffee shop on my trip to Rhode Island and stumbled across Custom House on…read moremy way to check in to my hotel. The baristas were so friendly and knowledgeable. On our first trip we got the iced honey bee and iced matcha. The honey bee was delightful and sweet but not too sweet. While the matcha was probably some of the best matcha I've had. We came back the next day and ordered 3 of the matchas. It is veteran owned and they offer military discount. I'm a little sad there isn't a location close to me because it would easily be my to go coffee shop.

    Photos
    They roast daily, so the coffee is fresh!
    They roast daily, so the coffee is fresh!
    Custom House Coffee
    A very large "small" cappuccino!

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    A very large "small" cappuccino!

    Empire Tea and Coffee - coffee - Updated June 2026

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