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    Empire Tea & Coffee

    5.0 (10 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 1:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    DodiB B.

    Stopped here randomly before we hit 95 back to Boston from a retreat in Newport. The menu has great opening for sandwiches, sweets and coffees. Service was excellent and they went the extra mile without being asked. Sandwiches are made to order by hands in the open kitchen. Cute booths added to a light ambiance.

    Window art by artist and barista Sofia Barnes.
    Emily C.

    First time at Empire Tea & Coffee's new Connell Highway location and I loved it. Plenty of parking, super clean, and such a great vibe. Sofia was amazing (even at closing time) offering great recommendations and top-notch service. Bonus points for the gorgeous window art she did herself. Can't wait to come back!

    BOOTH

    LOVE LOVE LOVE Looking for a spot to do some work, meet a friend or quick pickup of food AND coffee this is your spot. Outlets everywhere, single or double booths, and it's not been loud since I've been here. Barista was SO sweet and maple dirty chai was Phenomenal.

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    1 month ago

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    3 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    Review Highlights - Empire Tea & Coffee

    The location is very convenient for commuters as it's right by the bridge and across from a gas station.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    People searched for Coffee & Tea 580 times last month within 5 miles of this business.

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    The Nitro Bar

    The Nitro Bar

    4.3
    (100 reviews)
    1.7 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.

    honestly pretty average for how much this place gets hyped up. the line was insanely long in…read moreprovidence, so we went to the newport location, where the line was long, but moved relatively fast, around 15 minutes wait. it was pretty busy, but the service was fast and we were able to get food relatively quickly. pesto and tomato bagel: really good! the bagel was crispy and the pesto was really garlicky in a good way! one qualm is that the menu said it would be an heirloom tomato, which it was not. it was just a bunch of scattered cherry tomatoes cut in half lol black raspberry chip latte: pretty good in terms of accuracy of flavor. can taste both the raspberry and the chocolate, and felt like a black forest cake in terms of taste. the coffee flavor gets completely overshadowed, and the entire drink after a few sips ends up just tasting like a chocolatey cough syrup. maple blondie: pretty good, tastes like a cinnamony coffee cake. a bit overly sweet, can't finish a whole thing on your own.

    Photos
    Iced Cherry Vanilla Matcha Latte
    Iced Cherry Vanilla Matcha Latte
    The Nitro Bar
    Outside sign

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    Outside sign
    Simple Merchant Coffee

    Simple Merchant Coffee

    4.8
    (75 reviews)
    0.8 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.

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    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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    Empire Tea & Coffee - coffee - Updated June 2026

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