I have driven by Fuel so many times and seen it pop up on my Yelp recommendations, however, never…read morehad the opportunity to visit until recently. I am so glad we did, because this is definitely a new favorite spot and worth the drive over the bridges! It was a rainy afternoon, and my grandma and I rolled into their ample parking lot to get some coffee and a midafternoon snack. The shop is sparkling clean with plenty of seating at cafe tables and a cozy couch section. The clientele was a mixture of students from URI and professionals working remotely. All were sipping lattes and seemed happy - a good vibe right from the get go. The barista was upbeat and knowledgeable about the menu, recommending their house made Pumpkin Spice Latte (I had to try it!). I am so glad I did, because theirs is made with pumpkin puree, so it's not sugary or cloying like other varietals you may be familiar with. We were also informed that all their baked goods are made fresh daily, and I was pleased to see the pastry case was clean as well (this is a less common occurrence unfortunately, than you would think). We tried the Blueberry Muffin, and it was FABULOUS! I am already looking forward to going back and trying more. Don't be fooled by the humble roadside plaza exterior- Fuel is certainly worth the stop.

Update: 9/13/26…read more Similar experience to one year ago. Got to Fuel maybe 1:55. Sat down to eat our snack, staff began vacuuming and washing floors at 2:00, when they're supposed to close at 3:00. My friend was uncomfortable, as it felt like they wanted us to leave... so we left. Another customer was walking in right around 2:00. She appeared very confused, because someone was vacuuming, and no one was working at the counter. Not sure if she waited to order or not. Is it me, or is it rude to begin loudly and aggressive cleaning a coffee shop one full hour before the posted closing time? It's odd.

Stopped in for a couple morning drinks before walking the city. Great cold brew coffee, just what…read morewas needed. The staff here was great helped us with directions, fast service and quite happy. The shop itself is in an older building, that has been nicely renovated.

It's a coffee shop. It offers a few treats and sandwiches, but coffee is the draw. Though it's…read morecalled Empire Tea and Coffee, it offers a surprisingly narrow selection of teas. No genmaicha? Really? The big win here is the bicycle parking out front. It turns a perfectly respectable coffee shop into a meetup destination before or after a ride around Ocean Drive. Good thinking!

The first time I came here it was good, the service was good and the drinks were also good…read more Everytime I have been back has been since has gotten worse and weirder. We came in and sat at the bar and no one said anything to us about going to the counter to order. The two girls working didn't have the common sense or social skills to say "hi, oh go ahead and place your order at the counter" they just watched us sit here for a good ten minutes. So we order, spend $30 on drinks and food. We go sit down and my friend asks for a cup of water and the girl comes over and says "that'll be $.80" Uhhh okay? So my friend gets out her card and pays for the water. Like I said. Everytime I have been back the people get less friendly and weirder. I don't think I'll be back. Longshore for life.

Located right off the highway and next to Rochs Market, the coffee bar is a positive addition to…read morethe area. In the morning they offer a wide arrange of coffee, breakfast sandwiches and baked goods. They then close for an hour before offering alcohol from 4p-9p. Breakfast sandwich was good but the bagel was a more doughy texture than I prefer. The sandwich though had double egg and cheese, so very hearty. Coffee was good but would request less ice in the future (my cup was probably 3/4 ice so had to nurse it if I didn't want to drink all the coffee after a few sips).

If you're looking for great coffee and heading out of Newport, seriously recommend Simple Merchant…read moreCoffee. It's only about a 5-minute drive from the Wharf, so it's an easy stop if you're staying downtown. We stopped here right before Sprout & Lentil, and again as we were leaving Newport on our last day. The first day I had the espresso + citrus soda, while hubby had an Old Fashioned. The next day I tried the espresso tonic, which works so well--it's almost like magic. Truly coffee wizardry. Husband got the Old Fashioned again because apparently you don't mess with a good thing. It's dog-friendly with plenty of outdoor seating, plus indoor seating, Wi-Fi, and parking. They also have both Just Egg and Impossible sausage, which is great for vegan options. If you're vegan, ask about the cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, and other toppings to see what's vegan or if they have vegan substitutions. We only ordered coffee here. The space also has a fun community feel, with Magic: The Gathering events hosted there. Great coffee, creative drinks, excellent service, and a relaxed atmosphere. Definitely worth the quick drive from downtown Newport!

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.

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.

The ice cream was delicious and the 2 girls working did great! But it was a very busy weekend with…read moreonly 2 people working, leading to long lines and angry customers without a manager/owner. Employees were not set up for success (but they did well considering)

It was very busy and they were understaffed but the staff was very courteous and went the extra…read moremile to make it a positive experience. And great ice cream too.

Ok - so I love a summah, I love a coffee, and I looooove the Real Housewives of Rhode Island…read more On my recent trip, my RHORI obsessed friends and I made it a point to visit Audrey's, owned by one of the couples on the show. Imagine my surprise when Jared himself was not only making coffee but called out my name when mine was ready. Day, made. This spot is huge, and they have a bunch of coffee drinks on the menu and its wildly affordable. I'm talking under $5 for an iced latte that was delicious. It seems like a nice place to catch up with a friend, and while i didn't have the cocktails it was cool they offer that and wine. Parking is ample in the shopping center. My advice - take a visit to this spot, but just skip the slam pig sash on your outfit.

Nitro cold brew isn't great, watery? Sandwich was fine. Healthy amount of egg and bacon but was…read moremissing that added touch of love. The English muffin & cheese weren't warm on it at all. Everything feels kinda rushed here! Understandable it is a busy spot. But there's nothing like TLC with food.

Lousy coffee. Gets the job done but it's watery and bland. Similar to a Dinkins iced coffee.read more

Love it here. Staff is always so friendly and the food is great. If you want real homemade coffee,…read moredonuts, breakfast and none of the commercial stuff, as well as a good price this is the place the stop by!