Favorite place to go get a hot cocoa with soy and whipped cream and share a few butts with friends. Nothing to complain about really, once in awhile there is some strange pretentiousness but I think that comes with any place flocked with tattoos, beanies and macbooks. Better than walking down the street to Zog where they wash dishes in the bathroom, that's for damn sure. read more

Oh how I miss Coffee Exhange. We used to walk from Federal Hill (yes, that's where I lived, I know...ew!) all the way over here for a cup. Although I generally hate crowds, I never minded standing in line on the weekends for a cup and a toasted bagel. The people behind the counter are super nice, and super fast about getting your order. Environmentally aware, and great outdoor deck when it's warm. Parking sucks, but it does all along Wickenden St. it's not their fault. 4 years after moving from RI to CA, I still have my Coffee Exchange travel mug. read more

I usually just get a plain latte and it is fantastic. 20 cent discount for bringing a reusable cup. The bathroom is hard to find (behind the checkout counter) but it is clean and accessible. Always busy, but I can usually find a table without too much trouble. Definitely my favorite coffee in Providence. read more

Great place to grab a cup of Fair Trade...to go. Don't expect to find a seat in this tiny, often crowded spot. Too many Brown and RISD students crowding the tables, plugging in and positioning their Keirkegaard, Oscar Wilde and Albert Camus books within eyesight. In short it's a place where people go to be seen doing work, not a place to do any work. However, the spot does have some charm and the coffee is excellent. French Press single servings (the best way to imbibe bean juice in my opinion) can be made from any of the Central American, East African and SE Asian Fair Trade favorites. So grab a cup and don't be roiled by the occasional surly Barista. read more

I am a big fan of coffee exchange! Everything about the place is awesome, the atmosphere, the baked goods/pastries, they have vegan options too! My only complaint, and the reason there are only 4 stars, is that there is not enough indoor seating! The outdoor area looks nice, but seeing as its the middle of winter that is not really an option. read more

WOW! What A Place! It's 2015 but don't tell anyone that the groovy spirit of 1963 is alive and well at 207 Wickenden Street!!!! I thought I was going to run into BOB DYLAN in here. I'll have the Mr. Tambourine Man Latte! LOL! If only Joni Mitchell were there. WOW. What a site that would be. Can you imagine Joni and Bob at MY Coffee Shop? "OH Hey BOB, write any killer songs today? Maybe one that will be remembered for all time?" "Oh three of them? CHECK PLEASE!" FIVE STARS!!! read more

Coffee is good, staff is great, environment is not. I need to isolate a few areas here because of the major inconsistencies with the Coffee Exchange. When it comes to the beans that they sell, and the coffee that they serve, they are at the top of the list in Rhode island. The flavor of the whole beans they roast for selling is outstanding. And as for the drinks the more than courteous staff serve, they are top notch. Their baristas are savvy, put 110% into their work, and always produce a wonderful caffeinated beverage for you, always with a smile. So whether you are asking for nothing more than a short double espresso, or a complicated triple shot, whole fat latte with caramel, you are getting a high quality product from their professional, knowledgeable staff. Where they completely miss the mark is in the area of sit down service. Let me elaborate. Their prices are extremely high and although I am no expert on demographics, I can safely guess that with many Brown University students frequenting this establishment, they can get away with what they charge. However, if I am paying close to $3 for a double espresso, please put it in a ceramic espresso cup. If my over $5 latte needs a student loan to pay it off, I'd like it in a mug. For those who take their coffee to go, fine! I get it. Paper cups will do. But for those of us who sit down to sip their savory flavors, well, I'll take mine with class please, in a ceramic cup or mug. And I'd like my cookie or croissant on a ceramic plate, thank you very much. This is why I only buy my whole beans there, and enjoy their coffee when I get home. It seems like the owner has made no effort to address this, probably because they will be busy no matter what. As for me, I'll continue to buy my $15 a lb bag of beans and bring them home for brewing...for now. read more

The 3 mini cupcakes I tried were very good. I bought a half pound of guatemalan coffee grinded and while it smells amazing, I did not really like it when I made it. It may have been grinded too fine, very powdery and much finer than I am used to. She asked how I wanted it ground and I said medium to coarse and she had no idea what I was talking about so I said I need it grinded for a french press and she said ok. The fact that she didn't know that a fine ground is not good for a french press is not good when they are charging $13/lb for coffee and now I feel like I wasted money. Wishing I had some of my usual starbucks grounds right about now. Took my free cup of coffee as decaf, which wasn't good, but what decaf is? hard to hold that against them I guess. I just didn't need any more caffeine at the moment. If I am i the area I may give it a try for a cup made there of another kind there or some pastries. The way the chairs are set up doesn't really make it a place I would want to hang out. cramped, people kept bumping into each other. I felt claustraphobic quickly so I would not hang out there unless I could get a table by the window maybe. read more

Amazing spot! I've only ever been in here a few times, but the drinks are always top-notch and the service is great! The only downside is the tiny tables, but then again I like to spread all my stuff out. I love that it is close to Brown/RISD but far enough away that it isn't limited strictly to college students. Is a pretty nice variety of people. All in all, this is a pretty fantastic place! Definitely recommend, 5 stars 2 thumbs up. (My favorite is their hot cider and chai-spiced cider) read more

Best vanilla latte of my life. Rather crowded, but I guess that's a good thing. Heady college scene. We sat outside. Prime location on historic Wickenden Street, great for people watching if that's your thing. Fall has only a select number of days like this. Glorious days when, toe curlingly happy and unhurried, you can sit outside in the autumn chill, warm in the filtered sun, clutching a coffee in gloved fingers. Smiling. They break coffee- and the enjoyment thereof- down to a science, to an art. One and the same. read more

It's official: Coffee Exchange has made me a coffee snob. The first time I entered, I was completely overwhelmed by the variety of coffees available. However, a helpful employee helped me through the process of selecting blends. After finding a blend that I love, there's no going back. For Thanskgiving my parents brewed Chock Full o' Nuts, which we used to drink all the time, and I couldn't help but think: What the heck is this? Certainly not coffee :-) The Coffee Exchange's lattes and hot chocolate are also delicious. You can't go wrong with them. Surprisingly, the Exchange's bagels are also the most similar to a NY bagel that I have found in Providence thus far. This place is always busy, but it has a great vibe. You can often find a table and can access free wi-fi during non-peak hours. When you go early in the morning, you can see a bunch of regulars meet up for coffee. During the middle of the day, it is not uncommon to find a mix of college students, professionals, and mothers with their babies sipping a delectable brew. Whenever I want to make a day feel a little more special, I head to Coffee Exchange. read more

Every single thing Coffee Exchange offers is amazing. Honest. Cookies, muffins, matcha lattes, mochas, tea, iced coffee, coffee by the pound, brewing accessories and so much more. The space is fairly large but the tables are TINY which can be a pain if it's busy and you're with a friend. The deck is lovely in the summer months though. On street parking as well as a parking lot in the back and they take credit cards. Hours are better than most other coffee spots too. read more

If you like really good coffee, like to grind your own beans (or just brew pre-ground), like to smell like a coffee house for a good two hours later, then this is the place for you. The line at the counter stretches to the door for a reason. This is clearly the place to be for coffee in all its forms. The baristas fix your coffee and dole out your beans with smiley efficiency. The beans are a bit expensive, but it's one of those get-what-you-pay-for situations. You can taste the quality. The only problem is I go through the coffee faster because it tastes so damned good! I'm an iced coffee freak, I will drink it in the winter time, alright? It's an inevitable coffee high with their iced coffee... if you haven't already gotten a contact buzz from their roasted beans. read more

Seriously, who still smokes anymore? I think management needs to institute a no-smoking-on-the-patio/deck-policy a la Wayland Square Starbucks. Cigarettes, cigars, and cloves, oh my. Moving on. Coffee's good, although the staff doesn't have a CLUE about helping you select the beans. I don't think I've ever gotten a good answer to my questions. Epic fail for a place that roasts its own beans. They have patries/cupcakes/bagels, etc from local bakeries in the area (and wherever the biscotti is from, it's DELIIISH). It's a nice way to keep the focus on the coffee. It has a cool coffeeshop vibe--the walls are filled with ads and fliers for events in the area. I've spent many an afternoon in here, writing/grading papers, but a year ago (or so?)they instituted a 1-hr limit on tables (and rightfully so; hel-LO free wifi). All in all, it's a good place for a cuppa joe. read more

I'll start by saying, I'm not the biggest coffee drinker. I enjoy a cup every now and again and have recently become a fan of this place. I usually will stop by here on the weekends and depending on the time there can sometimes be a little bit of a wait. They have a large selection of different coffees to choose from, as well as different teas (which are usually my go to drink). I also like the fact that they have all the different varities of coffee beans you can take home with you as well. My go to drink here has to be the mocha blanca. I have had it both hot and iced and both ways you can't go wrong. I keep telling myself to try new things but everytime I keep coming back to this because it is so good. The people working here have always been very friendly, and the service is relatively quick. I also find the prices to be pretty reasonable as well. If you are in the area this is a great little coffee spot to check out. read more

Such great service and kind welcoming workers also the best coffee in Providence ! Very clean. Nice place to do computer work or just relax.

My neighborhood coffeeshop. Love the patio. Not enough seating! Love the characters who hang out on the patio. Not an oppressively hipster atmosphere. Love the drink selection. Love the characters who make the drinks come true! Love wasting afternoons with friends or light study attempts. Love watching newbies walk up to the wrong door, because I was one of them too. Love iced matcha. Love mocha. Love fair trade. Love dessert. A lot of mouth love. read more

I'm a lover of solid, strong, flavorful coffee. I rely on it to get going each day, I look to it as an accompaniment to conversations with friends, I enjoy it with a little slice of dessert. I tried the Coffee Exchange for the first time this week (shame on me for taking this long to get there - nearly six years after moving to Providence). Let's weigh the experience, shall we? What's great about Coffee Exchange? Well, the coffee! I had a small, iced hazelnut coffee with sugar free sweetener and some skim milk. Wow, it was intense, in the very best sense of the word. My friends and I were able to tuck into a corner table with our iPads and discuss our blogs, chatting happily while scrolling through the pages. Hooray for free WiFi. Convivial surroundings and maybe the best coffee I've ever had in the United States. For real. Parking on Wickenden Street isn't an issue, as Coffee Exchange has its own parking lot. Another plus. What I don't like so much about the Coffee Exchange: the prices. My SMALL coffee was more than $3.50. It was so good! But it was gone in a flash. If I were to come here every day for my usual ration of caffeine, I'd be homeless in a year. Finally, and this is strictly a personal observation: the vibe is a little too hipster for me. I feel uncomfortable when I walk into a place and feel branded "establishment." There are some great places in the city that I shy away from because they make me feel more like a hall monitor than a workaday girl just trying to get her food and drink on. Not everyone will feel this way, and for those who don't (particularly if they have a trust fund and can come here everyday), Coffee Exchange could come darn close to nirvana. read more

Coffee Exchange is a place where you'll find students, friends catching up, and locals from the neighborhood hollering across the room from one another. It's a friendly bunch who hangs here. I got a perfectly steamed foamy latte here the other day and felt compelled to write a review. The coffee exchange is good. It can get a little crowded sometimes. I like to study here, with headphones during the week. On the weekends they turn their wi-fi off for a neighborhoody feel. read more

When once I called Fox Point home, this was my go-to for iced soya chai. In the summer, the side deck is a great place to meet up with a friend, or kick back and catch up on reading or grading or being cool, while sipping on the caffeinated stuff. Secret doors. A tendency to run into people I know (or recognize) as if I were Frankie Valli or some kinda big shot. A friend once fell in love with an Italian barista who slung joe like none other. My kind of place. read more

Best part of my day since I've moved here! I'm a regular (some times even twice a day!) I love that every day they have a different daily dark and light roast. They offer milk alternatives, and their vanilla l lattes are like eating a roasted marshmallow. They are always busy, but very quick service! They don't offer WiFi during the weekend - peak hours all day, but unplugging is always nice. read more

Ok, I'm going to spill the (coffee) beans about this place. The coffee is not good. Yes, this store is wrapped in hip-ness and attitude is probably the number one venue in the city to discuss Proust and the french diaspora, but the coffee is not good. I don't mean to say not THAT good as in not worth the reputation, I mean not good at ALL. It's bitter and burnt and when it's not either of those it's tasteless. You can get better coffee at Seven Stars. In fact, try McDonalds for coffee. It's $1 and really good, read more

Nummy nummy nummy... Mmmm... I'm still not sure where the best coffee in Providence is. I'm sort of happy about that though because it means I can keep looking and trying all the delicious things. The coffee is always good here and I love stopping in when I'm close. The pastries are good too and a huge draw is that there is a lot of seating. Last time I was here there were a bunch of people taking up space on the patio with their dogs and such. I was jealous... That they had dogs and that they had space on the patio. lol. If you get the bagel with lox you get a lot of salmon, like A LOT of salmon hahahaha They were playing the Ink Spots last time I was in. That made me happy. I wouldn't come here for breakfast necessarily but I would swing in for coffee for sure. It's always a treat when I come here to get an americano instead of going to starbucks or the cafe closer to my house. i do prefer their's over-all, so far, in the area. AMERICANOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YESSSSSSSSSSS! All-in-all: super friendly and definitely worth the mulah. Always packed though and rarely seating available on the porch. read more

Hands down the BEST coffee I have ever had-- and I've drunk a lot of coffee!! All of the drinks have deep, intense flavor. My personal favorite is the soy mocha. I also buy the beans to brew at home, especially the French Roast Sumatra. The atmosphere at Coffee Exchange is cozy, and the snacks (including vegan-friendly and gluten-free treats) are delicious and fresh as well. Since moving out of the Providence area, I've had the coffee beans shipped to me (at no shipping fee). The flavor-rich coffee is impossible to beat for any coffee aficionados! read more

The great thing about Coffee Exchange is that its one of Providence's few cafes that isn't on Thayer St/College Hill...the bad part about it is that a lot of people already know that. They roast their own coffee on site and offer a ton of different options for bulk sale. Within the past year they got a Trifecta machine which can dial in specific temperatures for water and brew times and you can get any of the available coffees made in it. I would recommend this. Drip coffee seems to be what most people are getting which is fine because at least stuff from Coffee Exchange is good quality. They also have some great espresso options which include a white mocha (a lot of specialty coffee shops don't offer this as I have come to find out). I haven't had any of the food items and only a couple pastries so I can't be the best judge about those, but what I have tried has been good. There are vegan options for everything which is great. Also available is Hosmer Mountain Root Beer. Being a soda fanatic this is awesome because they're the only establishment outside of Hosmer Mountain in Connecticut to carry the soda. My only major issue with the place has to do with how crowded it is. Go in here on a weekend and it's almost ALL just people on their laptops working. If you're just trying to pop in here for coffee and aren't a regular it is going to be extremely difficult. read more

Love this place! The ice coffee is some of the best I've ever had. Service is great and friendly. Bagels are from bagel gourmet -- so perfect. Great selection of coffees for the aficionado. There's parking and a patio for sitting. Free wifi. What else do you want, man? read more

This is not a coffee review, since we didnt have any. However we did try the apple cider and matcha latte, which were both eh and did not satisfy our matcha and apple cider cravings we were having that night. We got the apple cider both cold and hot, and i felt i was drinking straight up apple juice, not a bad juice but not a cider either. The matcha was also not sweet at all even after asking for sweetener added. Just wasnt that good. But loved the decor style and ambience and it smelled amazing. Great place to study or catch up with friends. read more

Love this place, just plain great coffee. The owner Charles is a great guy to talk to. Free Wifi is great on the deck. A must stop whenever in the area. read more

After a disappointing cappuccino up the block at The Duck and Bunny, I still needed to get my espresso fix. I went into Coffee Exchange to order a macchiato and it was very tasty. I've had better espresso, for sure, but my macchiato was still pretty great. Seeing they roast their own beans, I thought I might pick up some to take home too. When I learned you get a free espresso drink when buying more than a pound, I decided why not? I haven't used the beans yet, though based on their very pungent aroma - I know I won't be disappointed. I was also extremely tempted by the cavacas - a Portuguese popover - in the pastry case, and couldn't resist buying it. It was so delicious, I'm not on a mission to find a decent recipe so I can try to make them at home. I'm very glad to know about this pastry thanks to Coffee Exchange! The person who served me at the counter was very friendly, though not in an obnoxious "what kind of medicine are you taking" way. The barista had the courtesy to ask if it was made with enough foam for me - which is always a plus. I wouldn't give this place 5 stars since the espresso they made for me there wasn't to die for. But overall, this place is a solid 4-4.5 star coffee joint, even if you're a relative coffee snob. This business also sells a wide range of coffee making equipment and tools, though a lot of them are overpriced. If you see something you like - check the interwebs, it will likely be cheaper. read more

If you want an amazing espresso based drink, I recommend The Coffee Exchange's Mocha Blanco. This beverage is never a let down and always consistent. The staff are always warm, inviting and quite knowledgeable. So, in short... I've tried nearly all the other coffee shops in the greater Providence area and this shop is top of my list for the last 3 years. read more

Coffee Exchange - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Great place to get freshly ground coffee beans of various kinds. If you buy lbs of beans, they offer a free drink which is nice. My husband and I regularly buy beans from here and get free coffee. The drinks are delicious but for some reason we always get tummy sick after drinking Coffee Exchange..hmm.. I love the ambience and the staff is nice though. read more

This is my favorite coffe shop in Providence, without question. If you find yourself sitting at a table, congratulations! You're one of the chosen few who managed to get one. Not to say seating is less than ample - this place is always packed. Get the white chocolate mocha. To quote my lovely girlfriend, "The white chocolate mocha makes me happy." In the mood for some fancy beans? Not only is the selection diverse and plentiful, the baristas will happily make a suggestion for you. read more

Large Crowds Of chatters And laptops stake Claims to precious tables at this nice shop. read more

Giving it 5 stars for many reasons but mostly I have to say it is for the morning staff. There are three young ladies a two men plus the owner who are there most days. The rest of the staff is a shear disappointment. Honestly. But the coffee is the best, they are consistent with their product and presentation, you can purchase beans, coffee stuff, cool mugs, snacks. Not sure why they are punishing the soy milk users with the extra charge thing, but I guess we are all super pell-mell with the soy usage to justify the cost of an extra charge as of late? Who knows? This place has been around dating back across the street for a hot minute so I am sure the owner knows what he is doing... thats the thing, you can trust this place. Its consistent and kinda just plain wonderful in the most simple ways. To the morning staff.... thanks for being just so damn awesome. Honestly. Thanks. read more

Great spot for coffee. There's a reason why it's so busy. Accept the chaos. The treats are great too, but really get all the coffee. Ethiopia, Colombia, Sumatra? Travel the world! read more

I can't believe I've lived in Rhode Island this long and made my very first trip to Coffee Exchange just this week!! It definitely deserves more love. The place is absolutely charming - it's got that cozy, rustic feel. You'd almost expect a fire burning in the corner. I can't speak to their coffee (suprise, I got tea). I chose the English black tea. It hit the spot. I liked that the tea was cheap (all sizes - $1.90). And they even refilled the cup! read more

The Coffee Exchange is one of my favorite places to go when I need to escape from my apartment to finish work. The good selection of coffee, free wi fi and overall atmosphere is a great motivator. I usually get espresso drinks when I come here because sometimes I feel as if the coffee is too strong. The iced and hot mochas are my favorites. There is a variety of snacks to purchase to go along with your coffee. I am a big fan of the biscotti there. It can get a little cramped at peak hours and the tables are really small so sometimes I feel like I am on top of the person I am sitting next too. I am getting smarter about this and I am starting to go around 8 or 9 p.m. just to avoid some of the rush. read more

Love it, love it, love it. Best coffee I know in this town. Used to get disgruntled about the lack of wifi, but as I am sitting in the establishment right now, it seems that this issue has been cleared up. read more

Walking around in Providence this weekend, I was suddenly hit with an urge for some tasty joe. This place fit the bill perfectly. Fun, eclectic vibe-- somewhat messy and loud, but definitely cheery and pleasant. This place feels like a community hangout, and the coffee was great. I'll be back when I'm in the area again. read more

One of my favorite places in all of Providence... Great vibes, great service, and incredible coffee. Their all-fruit smoothies are great during the summer, too. Some drip coffees that are to die for: Bolivian, Guatemalan French roast, and Sumatra They have a great selection of local food items, including muffins and awesome bagels. They also have fruit, OJ, etc. I thus far have not been impressed by their new sandwiches. I do wish that they used better (local?) dairy, and that they would remove all hydrogenated oil products from the shop. Their peanut butter is highly hydrogenated, and their jams have high-fructose corn syrup. I love the people there! Funny, on-the-ball, and seriously nice. read more