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Empire Tea and Coffee

4.1 (288 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
Outdoor seating
Good for working
Dogs allowed

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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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9 days ago

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7 months ago

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

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5 months 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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1 year ago

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6 years ago

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3 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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Ask the Community - Empire Tea and Coffee

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The Nitro Bar - Caramelized banana matcha (Left) & black raspberry matcha (Right)

The Nitro Bar

4.3(131 reviews)
0.6 mi
•$$

The Nitro Bar gets a lot of attention on social media so I think that can skew people's…read moreexpectations. At the end of the day, it's just a really solid coffee shop and that's exactly why I keep coming back. I can always count on my drink tasting the way I like it. The ratio of espresso, milk, ice and syrup is perfect, which isn't something every coffee shop gets right. I totally understand why some people think it's overhyped, but if you go in expecting a great cup of coffee with fun vibes instead of some life-changing experience, I think you'll really enjoy it. I've also always had a great experience with the employees. Everyone I've interacted with has been friendly, and even when the line is long, they have almost an assembly-line system that keeps things moving really quickly. I've tried the banana pudding, which was delicious, and their chocolate chip cookie was really good too. I love that they're always coming up with fun seasonal drinks and different flavor combinations to keep things interesting.

Super popular spot for delicious espresso based drinks. We stopped in mid afternoon and didn't have…read moreto wait in line. Ordered a small whipped maple sea salt latte to split with my husband and it was the perfect afternoon sweet treat, the whip is delicious although as expected, very sweet. They have other tasty sounding options to satisfy a variety of sweet cravings. There's some seating in the shop which has really nice lighting.

Photos
The Nitro Bar - Vanilla blueberry matcha, raspberry cream matcha & salted honey latte

Vanilla blueberry matcha, raspberry cream matcha & salted honey latte

The Nitro Bar - 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(83 reviews)
1.1 mi

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.

Photos
Simple Merchant Coffee - 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 - Old fashioned

Old fashioned

Simple Merchant Coffee

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Custom House Coffee

Custom House Coffee

4.4(208 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!

Amazing baristas and roasters in house. Loved the old coffee tins around the walls. This place was…read morepacked with locals so you know it is good. Ranks fourth on my all time coffee places, (1. Malino in Victoria Canada, 2. Grok in Sheffield GB, 3. Frame in Vienna Virginia). The one major negative is that I didn't see anyone getting real mugs and saucers if they wanted to stay. Clearly this place is loved by locals and the coffee was not bitter so cheers.

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Custom House Coffee - They roast daily, so the coffee is fresh!

They roast daily, so the coffee is fresh!

Custom House Coffee
Custom House Coffee - A very large "small" cappuccino!

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A very large "small" cappuccino!

Empire Tea and Coffee - coffee - Updated November 2026

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