Stopped in to check up on Coffee Exchange. Well, like I said before CE is not really for coffee lovers. There is a difference between "strong" coffee and burnt coffee. Burnt beans do not equal strength, folks. Similar to a steak being flavorful does not mean charring the hell out of it. Only one bin I opened (out of 3-4) smelled fresh. Yes, their stuff is still better than grocery store junk but why go through the trouble of finding beans, and roasting them yourself, if you're only going to let them sit out and get stale. Would you own a bakery, make dough, bake the bread, then let it sit out and get stale in the open air, and neglect to write any best by/baked on date? Coffee Bins = bad No roast date on bins = worse Mostly darker roasts = yet even worse Yelp is funny with people who know little about coffee giving this place points. That's like a 14 year old writing for Motor Trend. In response to "Drew L, coffee connoisseur" below: Most coffee shops grind before each brew, you have to with espresso. Saying that they grind "daily" doesn't say much. Grind/brew "per cup" drip coffee would be more impressive, and there are a few places in Providence that do this (New Harvest). So CE has nothing on most places, the coffee isn't even labeled for freshness! read more

Keeping it curt, they burn their coffee beans....you can smell it....... I do not like the coffee that much (strong coffee)... I do like the Portuguese/Italian Pastry (the Sweet Portuguese Bean Tart).....but I rather go to Amy's Place across the street....Avoid Cafe Zog..... read more

You walk in- that smell makes you want to pitch a tent (literally but also symbolically for my male viewers). I could stay there forever. Cozy tiny tables, creative bean flavor profiles. The service is friendly and their gingerbread is literally the best dessert on a cool autumn night read more

Top notch café. The last time I was here was 6 years ago. And honestly, if a place that just sells coffee is still on your mind after all that time, it must be one hell of a place. One hell of a place Coffee Exchange is. I was so excited to introduce this place to my boyfriend because he has heard me talk about it for years. The trip was a success, he loved it as well, and I remembered what was so special about this place that I couldn't quite put my finger on since my last visit in the summer of 2009! Coffee Exchange, to me, is everything a true café should represent. We went on a Sunday morning and this place was packed to the gill. College Students (Brown and RISD are close by), older couples, children...all sitting there enjoying their coffees. Many were in conversation with one another, few had newspapers out, and even fewer were on any electronic devices. It is a glorious site to see. I simply adore this place. And their drinks are wonderful! And major thumbs up because they make their chia tea lattes with loose leaf tea -- no liquid or powder mix for them. CE is an delight to behold! read more

This coffee shop is an interesting ma and pa shop. It is all about coffee with some limited eats offered. I ordered my usual latte and it was prepared well with the knock being that it was too hot and therefore was a little bitter. The barista managed a small amount of latte art however it was not well defined which was a result of the microfoam having bubbles that were too large. The flavor was relatively smooth and the result was nice but not excellent. I liked the atmosphere in the place as it gave a good coffee vibe. Keep in mind there was no wifi on the weekend. read more

I like coffee. I've tried a lot of places. I'm baffled as to why everyone loves this place but me. Never anywhere to sit, loiterers sitting on the steps so I have to walk over them if I want to go in, coffee is over-extracted, and they are always burning their beans (I live very close and am always smelling burnt beans). read more

Two words: strong coffee. Prices are high, but the coffee is good. They offer a bunch of deliciously fresh baked goods to accompany your cup of extra powerful joe. Seating inside and out. Attracts a lot of college/gay customers. Free wi-fi. Regulars will crowd up this place not leaving many seats open. read more

They committed the cardinal sin of customer service by turning away thirsty customers. After experiencing the absolute delight of Fellini's Pizzeria across the street, my wife wanted a coffee and we walked into Coffee Exchange at 5:15 on a glorious saturday. several tables had guests at them, with food / drink items, and one person even had their laptop open on the table. They were all looking quite comfortable. We were greeted by 1 of several emploees behind the counter with the following: "Oh, we closed at 5. How did you even get in here?". "The door isn't locked" i replied. "well, sorry, we're closed". Lol folks - we just wanted a couple coffees. We weren't expected a retail food and bev operation in the city to be shutting down at 5 on a weekend. And the door was unlocked and about 8 customers were still inside. When walking in, we had no clue they were closed of course. The correct response would have been something like "Oh, were closed - i guess we ddn't lock that door... so here you are... what can i get for you!?" and if "we closed the registers" or something like that applied... they can certainly still take a payment in one form or another. and if i am the manager in such a position, i would 100% serve those customers, even if we really preferred not to take a payment at that time. it would be on the house. we were certainly willing and expecting to pay, and heck, beyond all that the the remaining product is trashed at the end of the day... and yes there was coffee in the pots right in front of us. The 2 minutes it would have taken to serve us would have been greatly appreciated and would have merited quite the opposite of this review. read more

I had such fond memories of Coffee Exchange for so many years, after returning to Providence I don't know... the coffee isn't as good or maybe my standards have changed. I used to love their whole roasted beans, now I see that most of them are french or vienna roasted - what a disappointment. However, their coffee is the best in town so that's a huge plus. Definitely not the best coffee I've ever had, but for Providence, this is good stuff. Their espresso was especially bitter this last time, and their whipped cream is way over-whipped (it is on the verge of being butter...) read more

So, I have to begin with the statement that I am not a coffee drinker. My review is based on atmosphere. Coffee Exchange is the place to be seen on Wickeden st. Everytime I have been here it has been over crowded, in both people and personal space. I do respect the fact that the people who are here are here to do work, but that being said, I have never been able to get a table indoors or outdoors because of the crowd. While I admire the ideals behind this place, I have a hard time loving the place because I don't want to fight over a table. read more

Stopped in here to buy coffee beans with a friend for the first time and I loved the atmosphere; cozy, customers looked productive on their laptops, and some enjoying a leisurely chess game. The selection of coffee beans is impressive along with the many varieties of coffee pots they have for sale. The line was a bit long and it was crowded but I will be back to get my bean fix and maybe some gifts too! read more

My experience here was kind of rushed (my friend called me in the middle of my coffee nirvana and told me to come back to her dorm), so I felt like I didn't really get to savor my time in Coffee Exchange. That being said, the few precious minutes I did pass in here were absolutely wonderful. The atmosphere is so "cafe-y" - eclectic, vintage, and worn all at once, with the heady aroma of freshly roasted coffee tempting you as soon as you walk in. They have an expansive drink menu, as well as a bunch of different coffee varietals you can choose from, so there are quite a lot of options, whether you're drinking your coffee here or at home. And what's even more amazing is that they're all fair-trade and organic. Wooooow. I was actually quite amazed. I ordered an Americano which was strong and bold, just the way I like it. But as I mentioned, I wish I had had more time just sipping away at it while enjoying the people scenery in the Coffee Exchange (you get quite a variety of local residents, poets, artists, and college students in there). The baked goods are also amazing - they rotate them quite frequently, and there were ones that I didn't see when I walked in that somehow managed to get into the case when I walked out. I'm a cafe lover, and the Coffee Exchange was my favorite place I ate at in Providence. Please stop by here and enjoy one of the amazing goodies as well as a delicious drink - I promise you won't regret it. read more

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So, I kinda have a love hate relationship with the coffee exchange. So first, the loves: It's fair trade coffee, which tickles my inner hippie. The staff are all super friendly and efficient, and can give good advice and recommendations on their products. I like that they will also grind beans you bring in, so if you live nearby then it's a convenient way to get fresh coffee. I'm not a coffee snob by any stretch, so I'm not the best judge of coffee as I'll drink anything, but I do enjoy their coffee. Their cold brew is pretty excellent and they have a wide and rotating selection of beans and roasts. They have porch and outdoor seating which is also pretty rad. So now, for the hate (really dislikes): It's it so crowded all the time! There's gotta be a better way to organize the space. It's a older building which I believe used to be a house, so I do get that the space itself is narrow and doesn't really lend itself to an easy flow of traffic, but you cannot avoid bumping into everyone around you and you're pretty much squished in and touching everyone near you. There is no personal bubble there. And the inside seating is impossible, because someone is going to bump into your table, and the tables are small to try to cram in as many as possible. For the price of their coffee and the business they pull in, they could afford to knock down a wall or something. Well, I do hate to take off stars, but honestly I only go here if I'm in the area and usually because I'm buying ground coffee for someone else as a gift. Maybe it's because I don't like crowds, but I would rather stop at Dunkin for coffee on the go read more

I suppose I'm ready to admit--and here's a tip to all you stalkers out there--that I am a Coffee Exchange regular. By "regular" I mean that you can find me there several nights a week languishing in some corner soaking up the free WiFi on my laptop. Sometimes I'm there with other regulars, sometimes I'm alone. I sit on the porch when it's warm enough out, doing the crossword or writing in a notebook. I can give you the rundown of the who's who, not based on names but on familiar faces and nightly habits. I'm sure a number of folks know the run down on me as well. Maybe when I'm a famous writer they'll rename the Coffee Exchange after me, their favorite regular! The coffee here is hands-down the very best in Providence. I'm not the sort of coffee snob who can say this with much authority, but I did have a coffee snob roommate over the summer and he would only drink coffee from here. I am also quite fond of the ultra-moist red velvet cake they sell by the slice, and when it's seasonably appropriate they have iced pumpkin cake that I can't resist for the life of me. I am partial to the espresso-dipped biscotti as well. Now that I've lived in Providence for two years, it's interesting to reflect that I have made a lot of friends just by virtue of sitting in this one café. In this sense, Coffee Exchange is like the "Cheers" of my favorite little city. How sweet. read more

This is one of those places where I am shocked and appalled by the prices every time I go, and alas, keep coming back. I guess that means they have a damn good product. Coffee Exchange is the real deal, my friends. THey roast their coffee beans in-house, their pastries are delicious, and that's all there is to it. They just got this cold-brew tower thing that looks like a contraption from some mad scientist's lab. I tried a sample, and hot-damn that was good. I've had cold-brew before, but nothing like this. I thought the tower-drip was just for show but, boy, was I wrong. Get it. It'll be worth it. The pretzel bread is my favorite non-coffee thing to get here, followed by the yogurt (if I bring myself to pay more than $5 for a yogurt parfait. Which, it turns out, sometimes I can). If you find yourself on Wickendon wanting coffee, this is the place. No where else can beat it. If you're lucky, you'll find a table. read more

I'm a huge fan of coffee shops in general, but there are definitely many that have either great coffee OR great ambiance. Coffee Exchange has both. I'm also a big tea snob, so it bothers me when coffee shops have amazing coffee and really crappy or watered-down tea. The tea options at coffee exchange are actually rather diverse, with a black, green AND red option always on tap. Moreover, they brew with a really strong leaf and clean taste. Overall, I'm really impressed with Coffee Exchange--I think it's the best in Providence. read more

I am petrified of these kinds of coffee shops. I'm far from a coffee connoiseur. I freeze up at Starbucks and mumble "medium dark roast" when it's my turn. I'm much more at home in the Dunkin Donuts drive thru in spite of the fact that the coffee is gross. My favorite coffee by far is the stuff I make at home in my french press. Which is why I was devastated recently when I shattered my supposedly shatter proof press. A Google search informed me that I could purchase an Aero Press at the Coffee Exchange. After a call to confirm they had them in stock I ventured to Wickenden Street. There was some confusion about whether or not they actually had them but Tania worked really hard to find one for me. She offered me an item that had been opened for demonstration but looked like new and gave me a 25% discount. She was so nice and apologetic about the situation that I felt confident to buy a pound of beans. When I told her that I usually just buy the dark roast canisters at Whole Foods she did not scoff but helped me find a bean that would be closest to my preferences. I was given a free drink and the coffee was delicious - better than anything I've had a Starbucks. I am a huge fan of this place based on the incredible service. read more

I like good coffee, meaning non-burnt and, well, tastes like coffee. I appreciate coffeehouses that provide free-trade/shade grown etc. types of coffee, but if you don't know the basics of roasting coffee then you should stick with pre-roasted beans. Just sayin'. I've learned to steer clear of the coffee and order the iced coffee. The only things going for Coffee Exchange are the deck and RI celebrity sightings. read more

Cute coffee shop that was recommended to me by a friend. I ordered a mocha. It was good, but it took too long to come out. They made it with almond milk, and I always appreciate when a coffee shop has alternative milks on hand. Coffee is really the star of this place - they had a very, very small pastry case that was almost empty when I got there. Go in for coffee, and not for food. I like coffee, I'm addicted to it, but I am ignorant of nuances or whatever makes a coffee 'aromatic' with 'acidity' and 'richness' or whatever the aficionados are calling it nowadays. That said, I could not tell if there was anything particularly spectacular about this coffee. I still like Starbucks, y'know. read more

The Coffee Exchange is the most popular spot for Coffee in Providence, period. That means crowd's, no chance of getting a table and having to wait a while for your drink However if you time for visit right, weekday evenings are best, you might find a table. However the set up is still awkward and it just doesn't have the relaxed vibe of some other great places like White Electric and Three Sisters. That all being said the coffee is great, and since that's the main business model of the store they are doing a great job. However the pastry options are limited and there really aren't many regular food options Short version, if you like coffee it is worth the trip, if your looking for a place to get a bite and do work try West River Cafe or even The Edge read more

The smell alone when you walk into this place...this is what heaven must smell like. She brought me here and I immediately scolded her for not bringing me sooner!! Why would you do this to me? Ha. Love it! Screw you Starbucks! read more

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This is the most real cafe in Providence: wood decor, hip baristas, varieties of high- end beans, tables pushed together for groups of old liberals, college students on lap tops and IPhones, regulars mad at the college students, and people talking about how they hate Starbucks. And although it is a crowded little cafe, the staff is incredibly nice and accommodating to kids. read more

Good coffee, funky atmosphere and expensive. The tobe' is incredibly flavorful. However a new sign on the door states don't stay here for more than one hour or you will be kicked out. Surprising for such a chilled place (or so I thought). Very, very lame new policy especially considering how much more expensive many of their drinks are compared to other coffee places. read more

I feel like you have to go to Coffee Exchange when it is the off-season. What do I mean by off-season? The college kiddies aren't in the city hanging for hours (despite the limit placed on the tables), the line to the counter isn't a terrible sprawling mess of those trying to order and those waiting for a drink. I like coming here on a weeknight after a sushi dinner to continue the conversation, or a weeknight or cool weekend evening to sit on the deck and catch up. The staff to me, is super hit or miss. They are either too cool to help you, or super sweet and not upset if you make a faux-pas such as asking for a medium ( I was rudely put in my place about that, it was crowded and I just wanted an iced coffee so why was I gonna bother to try and see the small display you have of the 2 cup sizes or read the board. I wanted Iced drip coffee, end of story). Thankfully sometime in the past 3 years they have asked people to make the deck smoke free, and the majority of the time that I go, folks are respecting this wish. Their snacks aren't thrilling to me, and I still am leery of using their bathroom. read more

While walking through providence by the water along the park views, we came across this little coffee place. The more time we spend here, we can see how busy this little place is. Many people seem to enjoy sitting on the patio or on the sidewalk, having a chat and enjoying the local scenery. Anne is enjoying her iced brewed coffee and I am enjoying an herbal red iced tea with lemon. The staff are very friendly and service is quick. There is allot of seating on the inside and they have allot of beans from different areas. There are some bakery items and they are supporting bean farmers with collecting donations. This is a very nice stop along the way and it is close to the water way. They have wifi and it seems like a comfortable place to visit on many occasions! Enjoy! I recommend the teas! read more

I could smell Coffee Exchange from around the corner! Mmmmm.. So I recently moved to the area and am constantly searching for the best spots to eat and drink. Coffee exchange will definitely be on my list for nearby coffee spots. Plenty of seating and delicious coffee. The staff wasn't overly friendly but I guess I wouldn't be either if I was dealing with a long line of customers at 7:30am. They were definitely quick though. Anyhow, I'm definitely not an intense coffee drinker but this place is not too shabby. I would definitely go back with a book or my laptop to get some work done while sipping on some tasty coffee! It also looks like there's outside seating in the summer so I'm looking forward to coming back in the warmer months! read more

This is not the old Providence, and a good thing too. Way back 35+ years ago, you wouldn't have found a place like the Coffee Exchange in the city. Times have changed and there is a lot of room for organic, fair trade beans and an eclectic selection of teas to go along with the coffee. It's an established presence in the area, and it can get a little crowded, but the baristas are patient and efficient. Yes, it is filled with hip (and would-be hip) visitors and locals, but everyone is always super nice. Note: No wi-fi on weekends. This keeps the traffic moving and, actually, is a good change of pace. Every time I'm downtown I visit, and I'm always glad I did. read more

I am obsessed with the Coffee Exchange, their Narragansett Blend is just great. It hits you like a freight train, it's unbelievably hot, as if it was brewed in hell's percolator, so if you're clumsy -- ask them to pour a little out and save yourself an ER trip. I love the atmosphere, the coffee and the mini cupcakes. However, I do NOT love this one barista who does not smile, has no customer service skills and has the overall personality of a potato. My girlfriend and I come here regularly and have had the misfortune of having her serve us each time. Her lack of pleasantries makes me want to scream. I digress, the coffee is great -- watch out for the ogre barista though. read more

Simply put, Coffee Exchange serves the best coffee in Providence, perhaps even in the New England area. What I love the most about Coffee Exchange is its ability to maintain a homey and nostalgic vibe, that essentially effervescent in the state of Rhode Island. Located in Wickendon, it is a good 10-15 walk from RISD campus. I personally enjoy the stroll to Wickendon especially if it's on a nice sunny day. I have since left Providence and I have to say that a lot of my fondest memories goes back to the many cozy afternoons I had spent at Coffee Exchange. Coffee Exchange's interior is intentionally meant for a simple chitchat with local residents (who all come here for coffee) or with a friend. The tiny circular tables are not particularly comfortable and are rather limiting. Note that the cafe is constantly overcrowded, especially on weekends. I've waited a good half hour or so to score a table or seat! If you are truly intent on looking for cafes with the best work environment, this isn't it. read more

Been enjoying the coffee exchange for 17 years now and I still love the coffee. Just know with this review, I am only rating their house hot coffee. Everything else is too expensive for me because I'm a basic coffee drinker. My friend from out of town, always explores the coffee menu and is never disappointed. I don't chill there on the weekends or stay to do work. So know I'm not rating the Coffee Exchange as a hangout or workplace. I just bring people there if they want great coffee. read more

I purchased a stainless steel french press. 36 hours later, I did not think I was happy with it, so I decided to take it back. I had not used it, but had noticed what I felt to be a design flaw. The owner came downstairs and took the time to talk to me about the various presses. He told me he would be happy to take back the press... but he explained to me why it was designed in the manner in which I felt was flawed. He then gave me a pound of ground coffee to try with the press, and sent me on my way, explaining that he would take the press back if I tried it and still didn't like it. 5 stars for: quality of products carried awesome customer service well roasted coffee and being a RI fixture. read more

The best place around for coffee! The staff is super friendly and attentive! I always make sure I grab a bag of my favorite beans to go!

COFFEE & FOOD: I officially became a coffee snob when I moved to Providence and came to the exchange. Truly excellent coffee. I always enjoy their light roast for hot coffee and their medium roast for iced. They always seem to have something delicious and strong. Their chocolate croissant is the best chocolate croissant i've ever had. Anywhere else I try it, they fall short. The Blueberry bagel is out of this world. I originally just wanted a wheat bagel but they ran out and the barista suggested blueberry which i would never go for on my own. AMBIANCE: CE is definitely popular and the space is not very large. there are many groups who like to meet there for discussions, meetings book clubs and they, along with the music and other patrons can get a bit loud. The seats are very close to each other due to lack of space, so be prepared to be able to hear others conversations clearly and vice versa. If you like to spend a couple hours working at a cafe i definitely enjoy working there but need to remember to bring a scarf/ warm jacket because it tends to be cold. They have free wifi but note that they turn it OFF on Sat. & Sun between 10am-5pm to accommodate for traffic/seating. OVERALL: Great coffee, easy parking out back, and lovely windows that let in a lot of light make me a definite fan of this spot. read more

Best mocha blancas...great coffee selection- sometimes the case where the food is kept has little flying insects in it...

When I was eating lunch at Amy's Place, I watched people kept entering and exiting this place. Since I love trying out new coffee places, I decided to forgo dessert and have a nice vanilla latte, which was really good. I really liked the atmosphere and if I was a student at Brown (yeah, right like I could get in), I would hit up this spot to study or surf the net on the free wi-fi. read more

At Coffee Exchange you can exchange your dollars for coffee, but not the other way around. Shouldn't they just call it "We sell you coffee?" Or would that not be a catchy enough name? Coffee Exchange is pretty much the original coffeehouse in Providence. Sure, there are a few other good coffee places in the Capital city (like Zog next door, White Electric, Three Sisters, etc) but this seems to be the grandaddy of them all. It's history and location may help explain the popularity of the place. That, and the fact that its one of the few Providence locations that has outdoor seating. The place seems to be always packed, from about two minutes after they open until one minute before they close. The line to get your coffee is always long and feels like an experiment in controlled chaos. The coffee itself is good. Fancy coffee drinks are available everywhere now, so while some may see it as blasphemy I do have to say that the drinks here aren't all that much better than you get anywhere else. You can also buy beans here, and these are higher quality than what you might normally get. But mostly people come to Coffee Exchange for the old-style coffeehouse experience. The noise, the energy, and the chaos that is the exact opposite of the sterile, corporate, Norah-Jones-CD hawking chains like Starbucks. read more

Great place if you like coffee that gets you buzzing. Their lattes are super strong and tasty. For more caffination, try their chocolate covered beans, very fresh tasting and covered in a nice dark chocolate. CE also has a great selection of treats, vegan and otherwise, loose tea and tea drinks (rooibos latte is a favorite), as well as coffee brewing accessories and beans. It's a great location for people watching as well. There's lots of college kids mingled with older working types, and it seems to be a meet up for all kinds of awkward interactions, from job interviews to first dates. During the warmer months, there's usually a crew manning the sidewalk chairs and dogs tied up waiting for their owners. Overall it's lively and fun, great coffee and atmosphere. **If you like stevia, like I do, they have Stevia packets available here, along with agave, brown and regular sugar. I think this is the only coffee shop I've been to that carries stevia. read more

Great coffee, friendly and knowledgeable service, some nice pastries. Nice outdoor seating, nice indoor seating! read more

This coffee will blow your socks off people. Not many places have oat milk for coffee, but they do and it was one of the best coffees I've ever had. And when you walk in, there's a side area that has fresh coffee beans you can buy from around the world and it all smells soooo GOOD. read more

Stopped by and it was super busy but the service was so quick! I ordered an unsweetened iced matcha latte and it has been by far the best matcha latte I have ever gotten. I wish I lived closer so I could come by more often, I will DEFINITELY be coming by again if I'm ever in the area to try their other drinks. read more