Aroma Joe’s

College Hill • 257 Thayer St, Providence, RI 02906 • Website

Aroma Joe’s on College Hill Review:

While Aroma Joe’s is a chain, this is the only location in Rhode Island so I feel it is worth mentioning. The coffee itself is fine, what sets them apart is the flavor combinations available across all of their beverage products. They have a series of “AJ’s Signature Flavors” like PB Mocha, S’more Fantasy, and Sticky Bun, though you can mix all of their syrup flavors into your own concoction as well.

They use Torani syrups in all their products. While many coffee shops use bought-in syrups, for a shop whose core business is flavored coffees, I would have liked to see homemade syrups especially with many other coffee shops around.

What to Get: an AJ’s Signature flavored FROJOE®

Bolt Coffee

College Hill • 224 Benefit St RISD Museum, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

Bolt Coffee Review:

Bolt has two location in Providence, both located inside existing establishments. This location, in the foyer of the RISD museum, stands in stark contrast to the cozy Downcity location. Here Bolt occupies a granite counter top in an open foyer. With lofty ceilings and over a dozen tables, the decor and ambiance make this feel like an upscale cafe in comparison to the cozy Dean Hotel location.

Their coffee menu fits on a single sheet of paper: regular coffee, a variety of espresso drink, and a few seasonal specials. An expanded food menu offers a variety of toasts alongside Knead doughnuts and standard cafe pastries. With plenty of seating, it’s a great stop before or after a visit to the museum (free every Sunday & third Thursday of the month).

See Downcity location here

What to Get: espresso tonic

Cafe Choklad

College Hill • 2 Thomas St, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

Cafe Choklad Review:

This Swedish cafe is located just over the Steeple Street bridge at the base of College Hill. Named after the Swedish word for chocolate, you won’t find any meatballs or giant cinnamon rolls here like at America’s most well known Swedish cafe — Ikea. Here you’ll find fresh baked pastries, sandwiches and salads, and a full coffee menu.

Cut into the side of College Hill, the colorful interior is unexpected in contrast to the stark grey brick exterior. You’ll see a steady stream of RISD students flowing in and out of the cafe between classes. The inside is cozy, if not bordering on cramped, in regards to seating so on busy days its far from a distraction free working area.

On a cold winter day come in for a mocha latte, or even a hot chocolate, and enjoy the fireplace and watch the people walk by outside.

What to Get: mocha latte, hot chocolate

Carr Haus Cafe

210 Benefit St, Providence, RI 02903

Ceremony Cafe & Market

406 Brook St, Providence, RI 02906

Starbucks

218 Thayer St, Providence, RI 02906

Knead Doughnuts

Wayland • 135 Elmgrove Ave, Providence, RI 02906 • Website

Knead Doughnuts Review:

The Knead Doughnuts you’ve come to love in downtown has a second location on the East Side of Providence. It serves the same doughnuts and coffee as the original, but with more parking, seating space, and a kids play area.

Coffee wise, things are pretty standard here with hot and iced coffee available in several sizes. The reason to come is the doughnuts and unique space. The doughnuts are gourmet, but in a different way than say PVDonuts up the street. For example, on their current menu is a pistachio doughnut that is described as:

“Subtle hints of cardamom throughout a classic cake doughnut. Finished with a cranberry glaze and topped with crushed pistachios.”

The space is pretty cool too, much more open and flowing than the downtown location. There’s a kids area up front where they can pretend to sling doughnuts and coffee, guaranteed to keep them occupied for at least one doughnut.

See the Downcity location here.

What to Get:

L’Artisan Café & Bakery

Wayland • 9 Wayland Sq, Providence, RI 02906 • Website

L’Artisan Café Review:

L’Artisan Cafe & Bakery, located in the heart of Wayland Square, serves up Illy espresso drinks alongside traditional hot and iced coffees. They are designated “artisti del gusto” (Artists of Taste) by Illy, meaning they are recognized for their “artisanship, technical skill and dedication to craft.”

While true Italians drink their espresso at the counter and would never drink a cappuccino after 11 am, no one will judge you for sipping on a cappuccino in the tree laden courtyard on a warm summer Sunday afternoon.

It is generally European inspired from the decor to the menu, but you’ll notice heavy Lebanese influence behind the menu. All of their breads and pastries are fresh baked daily, including the Lebanese pies and zaatar bread. They also offer a menu of paninis, wraps, salads and grab-and-go items for those on the way to work in the morning.

What to Get:

331 Waterman St, Providence, RI 02906

Starbucks

468 Angell St, Providence, RI 02906

Brown Bee

Fox Point • 404 Benefit St, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

** Opening 2024**

Coffee Exchange

Fox Point • 207 Wickenden St, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

Coffee Exchange Review:

The Coffee Exchange, opened in 1984, is for the serious coffee aficionados. Not to say your average Joe won’t enjoy it, but you won’t find an average cup of Joe here. Everything is roasted in house, and by that I also mean Coffee Exchange feels more like a living room than one of the most well known coffee shops in the city. All of their coffee comes from organic and fair trade sources, and is roasted in house to really dial in on the unique flavors of the single origin batches.

Right when you walk inside you will notice a large tower drip cold brew coffee maker. Don’t quote me on it, but this predates most other coffee shops in the city making it likely the first cold brew coffee shop in the city.

There are more tables than you could imagine squeezed into the Coffee Exchange living room, but most of them are full whenever I stop in. Come in and bring a friend (or a book), but think against before bringing a laptop — the tables are too small for your 15” MacBook Pro anyways.

What to Get: Whatever the coffee of the day is

PVDonuts

Fox Point • 79 Ives St, Providence, RI 02906 • Website

PVDonuts Review:

PVDonuts is the OG gourmet donut slinging shop of Providence (and really all of Rhode Island probably). As with Knead, they don’t really qualify as a coffee shop, but they are open for coffee after they sell out of donuts for the day — which is often. Known for their long lines as much as their known for their donuts, it’s best to hit PVDonuts during the week or later in the afternoon on the weekends.

The bright colors and funky design screams Providence from down the street — and you can see the bright blue building from down the street. They have added some more seating since their renovations, so by the time you get through the line there’s usually a few seats open. For donuts, you can order their monthly menu ahead of time online, but i suggest waiting in line to get their daily specials.

For coffee, they make their own hot coffee and cold brew from a custom blend roasted for them by Borealis coffee, and nitro cold brew for The Nitro Cart (you can get growler fills too!). Donut overlook the house made natural extract flavored simple syrups on the coffee bar, you don’t see those many places.

What to Get: A large hot coffee with a splash of hazelnut syrup to warm up

The Rose Room Cafe

Fox Point • 460 Wickenden St, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

The Rose Room Cafe Review:

**Opening Soon – Spring 2024?**

The Rose Room operates an existing cafe in Webster, MA, dedicated to serving breakfast and lunch crafted from locally sourced, sustainable ingredients.

Dave’s Coffee

College Hill • 341 S Main St, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

Dave’s Coffee Review:

Coffee milk and coffee syrup hold a special place in the heart of Rhode Islanders. People have the opinions on who’s is best, similar to who makes the best pizza or cannolis in Boston. Dave’s Coffee has both, and I’ll leave it to you to try it and decide if you like it.

Dave’s Coffee shop in providence has been open for about 5 years now and is their second location—see the OG in Charlestown. It’s modern and bright inside with their signature orange complimenting the reclaiming barn wood walls. Contrary to many of the shops in this area of the city, I’d consider it pretty spacious but you might have to fight with some college students for a seat during finals.

All the coffee you’ll find here is roasted by them for them, so no matter what you get be assured it will be fresh and local.

What to Get: Coffee milk

The Cofee Bar @ Plant City

College Hill • 334 S Water St, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

Dave’s Coffee Review:

Coffee milk and coffee syrup hold a special place in the heart of Rhode Islanders. People have the opinions on who’s is best, similar to who makes the best pizza or cannolis in Boston. Dave’s Coffee has both, and I’ll leave it to you to try it and decide if you like it.

Dave’s Coffee shop in providence has been open for about 5 years now and is their second location—see the OG in Charlestown. It’s modern and bright inside with their signature orange complimenting the reclaiming barn wood walls. Contrary to many of the shops in this area of the city, I’d consider it pretty spacious but you might have to fight with some college students for a seat during finals.

All the coffee you’ll find here is roasted by them for them, so no matter what you get be assured it will be fresh and local.

What to Get: Coffee milk

The Duck and Bunny

312 Wickenden St, Providence, RI 02903

Bolt Coffee

Downcity • 61 Washiongton Street, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

Bolt Coffee Review:

Bolt has two location in Providence, both located inside existing establishments, and is the epitome of the saying “good things come in small packages.” The smallest place on this list, Bolt Coffee in The Dean Hotel it isn’t so much a coffee shop as a coffee bar, but don’t let that fool you. Far from your typical hotel lobby coffee bar, Bolt is open and welcoming to the public to the surprise of many. In addition to their no thrills coffee menu, you’ll find a selection of donuts from Knead Doughnuts (also owned by Bolt) ranging from traditional chocolate cake to decedent brown butter pecan brioche.

Between the genuineness of their staff and the coziness of the Dean Hotel lobby, you might mistake it for your new living room.

See RISD location here

What to Get:

Bolt Coffee @ Dean Hotel

Downcity • The Dean Hotel, 122 Fountain Street, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

Bolt Coffee Review:

Bolt has two location in Providence, both located inside existing establishments, and is the epitome of the saying “good things come in small packages.” The smallest place on this list, Bolt Coffee in The Dean Hotel it isn’t so much a coffee shop as a coffee bar, but don’t let that fool you. Far from your typical hotel lobby coffee bar, Bolt is open and welcoming to the public to the surprise of many. In addition to their no thrills coffee menu, you’ll find a selection of donuts from Knead Doughnuts (also owned by Bolt) ranging from traditional chocolate cake to decedent brown butter pecan brioche.

Between the genuineness of their staff and the coziness of the Dean Hotel lobby, you might mistake it for your new living room.

See RISD location here

What to Get:

Coffee Connection

Downcity • 32 Custom House St Unit 1, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

Bolt Coffee Review:

What to Get:

Little City Coffee & Kitchen

Downcity • 170 Mathewson St, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

Little City Coffee & Kitchen Review:

Opened by former employees/family members of Dave’s Coffee, this new addition to down city has a lot to offer. Little City exclusively serves coffee from Tandem Coffee Roasters out of Portaland, Maine. Tandem Coffee has become a ‘must stop’ for me personally anytime I’m in Maine, so this was very exciting to see them getting the distribution they deserve. But back to Little City…

The espresso drinks here are really top-notch. The cortado does well to highlight the Tandem Coffee beans while still having some body and added swweetness from the milk for those who don’t like straight espresso. If you prefer more flavor, they have a selection of housemade and seasonal syrups to choose from like brown sugar vanilla and winter spice.

And let’s not overlook the “Kitchen” part of the name. They serve a number of daily cookies, scones, and cakes. Their breakfast sandwiches really seal the deal here though served on fresh housemande sourdough English muffins. You can’t go wrong with the bacon egg and cheese though I’m fond of the sun dried tomato sandwich.

What to Get: Cortado and a Sun Dried Tomato Breakfast Sandwhich

Poindexter Coffee @ Graduate Hotel

Downcity • 11 Dorrance St, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

Poindexter Coffee Review:

What to Get: 

Small Point Café

Downcity • 230 Westminster St, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

Small Point Café Review:

Small Point Café has the best location in the neighborhood with a cozy atmosphere to match. Located on Westminster street, right in the middle of downtown Providence, it’s no more than a 5 minute walk from everything else downtown. The warm and inviting interior is complemented by couches, carpets, and pops of color. You’ll see college students studying and people getting coffee on their way to work.

Their coffee is pretty good, but lines and wait times can be on the longer end. This is due to their location, popularity, and that much of what they make is made to order. The amble seating makes this a great place to come and get some work done, especially if you can wait a few minutes for a fresh made espresso.

What to Get:

Sydney

Down City • 400 Exchange St, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

Sydney Coffee Review:

Sydney brings “Australian inspiration” in a cafe shaped package to Providence’s Waterplace Complex downtown. Their coffee menu touts a signature flat white, single origin cold brew, Vietnamese coffee, and a full espresso bar. The flat white, which originates from Australia, has come to popularity here over the last few years but come to Sydney for a more authentic experience and a side of avocado toast.

The atmosphere and decor is elegant, bright white and wood accented, standing out from the exposed brown brick you’ll find through much of the city. With elegance comes a price though. Some people may find value in a local and healthy breakfast option, but others might think $10 for dressed up toast is a bit inordinate.

Come for the coffee, you won’t be disappointed, but definitely try the food if brekkie bowls and seasonal salads suit your mood.

What to Get: Flat white & avo toast

Café La France

100 Gaspee St, Providence, RI 02903

Café La France

1 Citizens Plz, Providence, RI 02903

Café La France

73 Empire St, Providence, RI 02903

Charuma Tea Bad

45 Weybosset St, Providence, RI 02903

Seven Stars Bakery

Jewelry District • 103 Point St, Providence, RI 02903

**Review Coming Soon**

LaSalle Bakery

Elmhurst • 993 Smith St, Providence, RI 02908 • Website

LaSalle Bakery Review:

LaSalle is one of the best known bakeries in the city and even state for that matter. It’s been around for almost 90 years and supplies colleges, restaurants, and companies throughout the state. They have two bakeries located less than a mile apart, which sounds crazy, but both have a steady stream of customers on a daily basis.

This location happens to be squarely in between Providence College, Rhode Island College, and La Salle Academy meaning plenty of caffeine craving students come looking for coffee and Italian pastries all hours of the day. You’ll find hot, iced, and standard espresso drinks on their menu, but most people would tell you its the dozen plus iced coffee flavors that are the real call for coffee here.

There’s a pretty big morning rush, but if you can come later in the day you should be able to sneak in and our without much fuss.

See the Wanskuck location here.

What to Get:

LaSalle Bakery

Wanskuck • 685 Admiral St, Providence, RI 02908 • Website

LaSalle Bakery Review:

LaSalle is one of the best known bakeries in the city and even state for that matter. It’s been around for almost 90 years and supplies colleges, restaurants, and companies throughout the state. They have two bakeries located less than a mile apart, which sounds crazy, but both have a steady stream of customers on a daily basis.

This location is just off the Providence College campus, and is a mandatory morning stop for most students who live off campus. You’ll find hot, iced, and standard espresso drinks on their menu, but most people would tell you its the dozen plus iced coffee flavors that are the real call for coffee here.

As with most coffee shops near college campuses, seating can be hit or miss especially during finals, but LaSalle doesn’t get as full in that aspect as other places I’ve been to.

See the Elmhurst location here.

What to Get:

New Harvest Coffee & Spirits

Valley • 10 Sims Ave, Providence, RI 02909 • Website

New Harvest Coffee Review:

Tucked inside the oldest indoor mall in America, which looks more like a courthouse than a mall, entering New Harvest Coffee & Spirits isn’t a place you stumble across accidentally. It has a bit of a speakeasy vibe to it, but maybe that’s part of the appeal. They serve their own roasted coffee beans right alongside a full bar of cocktails, whiskey, and beer. Is that an iced coffee they’re drinking or an old fashion? Who knows and who cares if it’s only 11 am?

I don’t want to overshadow their amazing coffee, as I’ve had some of my favorite coffees there which you cannot get anywhere else. However, you’re having dinner at one of the incredible restaurants Down City, pass on their coffee that’s been sitting on a heating plate all night and come here for an Irish Coffee instead.

What to Get: the Stay-at-Home Dad (aka Bourbon Latte), Irish Coffee

The Nitro Bar

Federal Hill • 228 Broadway, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

The Nitro Bar Review:

The Nitro Bar is the physical location for the popular Nitro Cart you may have seen around the city. Located in Dash Bicycle Shop, the bright and modern coffee counter shares their space with a full service bicycle shop.

They just celebrated their first anniversary in their Broadway shop, and it’s been a busy year. In the past few months they’ve upgraded their espresso machine, launched a breakfast menu, and built out their space inside Dash to offer more seating in the back.

The atmosphere is enough to make you want to stay for hours, and a new food menu from Kim Ku (of Big King just up the street) might make that possible. But don’t worry, if you’re in a rush you can get their nitro cold brew to go by the cup, growler, or box. Their coffee menu goes beyond just nitro cold brew serving draft nitro lattes and instagram worthy seasonal drinks.

They also have seating available outside in the warm weather. Since Broadway is removed from the main Federal Hill drag, it’s a pretty nice place to hang out outside for a few hours. And don’t worry, there’s a bike rack out front.

What to Get: Nitro cold brew, unique seasonal drinks

Seven Stars Bakery

Federal Hill • 342 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909 • Website

Seven Stars Bakery Review:

Seven Stars has four locations throughout Rhode Island, two of which are located inside Providence. They crank out a dozen varieties of fresh baked bread alongside their pastries and a stellar coffee menu. When you enter, you’re immediately taken aback by the look and smell of their fresh baked bread and other pastries. Don’t let the name fool you, they are just as good at making coffee as baking your favorite treats.

They recently switched over to George Howell Coffee exclusively, which I have not had a chance to adequately try, but the baristas there know what they’re doing and I trust you’ll be happy too with a big cup of coffee alongside a fresh-from-the-oven croissant.

See the Hope location here.

What to Get: Coffee and a pastry, fresh baked bread

White Electric Coffee

Federal Hill • 711 Westminster St, Providence, RI 02903 • Website

White Electric Coffee Review:

Hip coffee shop off the main Federal Hill strip with locally made baked goods and custom blends of New Harvest coffee. Come for the cool decor and specialty espresso drinks, stay for the Atari games and cozy atmosphere.

What to Get: Espresso drinks and custom coffee blends from New Harvest Coffee Roasters (like Hello Darkness)

Seven Stars Bakery

Hope • 820 Hope St, Providence, RI 02906 • Website

Seven Stars Bakery Review:

Seven Stars has four locations throughout Rhode Island, two of which are located inside Providence. This location on the East Side fills out what amounts to a very good culinary scene in an often overlooked part of the city. Seven Stars cranks out a dozen varieties of fresh baked bread alongside their pastries and stellar coffee menu.

The clientele at Seven Stars trends towards the older side in my visits. So you’re more likely to see someone cooped up with a book or enjoying coffee with a friend than college students with laptops and textbooks covering whole tables.

They recently switched over to George Howell Coffee exclusively, which I have not had a chance to adequately try, but the baristas there know what they’re doing and I trust you’ll be happy too with a big cup of coffee alongside a fresh-from-the-oven croissant.

See the Federal Hill location here.

What to Get:

Three Sisters Bakery

Hope • 1074 Hope St, Providence, RI 02906 • Website

Three Sisters Bakery Review:

Three Sisters is located right at the start of the beautiful Blackstone Boulevard walking path. I’m seriously jealous of anyone who lives close enough to Three Sisters that can get a coffee and/or homemade ice cream and spend their morning walking under the shaded path down to Wayland.

There is a lot of hype around their ice cream. This is fair since there’s a surprising lack of ice cream shops around Providence, especially ones making their own. But this is supposed to be about coffee, and they serve local New Harvest coffee in any way you could want it. But here’s where the magic happens.

Affogatto— which for those not familiar with is a scoop of ice cream drowned in a shot of espresso.

What to Get: Affogatto

Providence Bagel

Mount Hope • 695 N Main St, Providence, RI 02904 • Website

Providence Bagel Review:

Providence Bagel is my go to for bagels in and around Providence, but having great coffee makes it a favorite of mine for a quick coffee stop. Located north of College Hill, Providence Bagel is a bit out of the way if you live in the city, but coming from the north, it’s a quick detour off of I-95.

They make their own cold brew and nitro cold brew in house from Beanstock Coffee Roasters “Oomph!” blend. A lot of places make their own sub-par cold brew, or have started buying it from where they get their beans, but Providence Bagel’s is both delicious and strong. They have hot and iced coffees too, but don’t expect to find any of the more elaborate drinks other places in the city serve. Which is fine by me, as the bagels here are really the star of the show.

Check their social media for daily/monthly specials.

What to Get:

Rebelle Artisan Bagel

110 Doyle Ave, Providence, RI 02906

Starbucks

635 N Main St, Providence, RI 02904

Riffraff

Olneyville • 60 Valley St #107A, Providence, RI 02909 • Website

Riffraff Review:

Riffraff, the only coffee shop in Olneyville, is ⅓ bookstore, ⅓ coffee shop, ⅓ bar. Located in the courtyard of The Plant, a mix use revitalized mill building, it is a block from Olneyville Square. Olneyville is probably the most eclectic neighborhood of Providence and nothing is quite what it seems. Everyone loves to hate Olneyville.

Riffraff follows that tradition with an impressively curated selection of books at the entrance and a cafe in the back that puts Borders Barnes & Noble’s cafes to shame. They open at 11 am, which is arguably late for a coffee shop, but they are open until 10pm or later most nights of the week for a late night caffeine fix. Don’t feel limited to coffee OR booze, you can spike any coffee or tea drink with a near limitless selection of spirits from behind the bar.

Riffraff is a must visit.

What to Get: Espresso Vodka Tonic, Rum Nitro

Parkview Bakery & Café

Washington Park • 1228 Broad St, Providence, RI 02905

Review:

**Coming Soon**

75 Baker St, Providence, RI 02907

Starbucks

321 Harborside Blvd, Providence, RI 02905