Empire Tea and Coffee

22 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840

Café / Breakfast

License: Seats - Less than 50

Last inspected: Jun 11, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Empire Tea and Coffee has a thin inspection record, with only two visits on file so far. The most recent report on file is from Jun 11, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

Compared to the prior visit, the count dropped from nine violations to four.

Insects, rodents & animals not present comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

That's lower than the typical Newport restaurant, which scores around 84. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jun 11, 2025

Routine

2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Food label missing or inaccurate

Inspector notes: Yogurt and fruit parfaits packaged in the food establishment are lacking labels. Food packaged in a food establishment must be labeled with the common name of the food, a list of ingredients, the quantity of the contents, and the business name/address.

3-602.11

Evidence of pests or pest control inadequate

Inspector notes: The presence of small flies is not controlled as evidenced by live activity in the back preparation rooms. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests must be controlled by routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests, using acceptable methods to control pests, eliminating harborage conditions, and routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies.

6-501.111

Physical facilities not in good repair

Inspector notes: The floor in the prep/service area is in poor repair. Floor tiles were observed cracked or missing. The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair.

6-501.11

Cutting surfaces scratched, scored, or no longer cleanable

Inspector notes: The cutting boards on the prep unit are very scratched and scored. Cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced.

4-501.12

Jun 12, 2024

Routine

3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.

View 9 violations

Sewage backflow not prevented

Inspector notes: The ice machine is lacking an air gap. A direct connection must not exist between the sewage system and a drain originating from equipment in which food is placed.

5-402.11

Food not cooled to safe temperature within required time (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Fried eggs, which were prepared in advance, was not cooled to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in 2 hours and then to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. Eggs are cooked in advance and reheated upon customer request. Eggs were with-n the 6-hour cooling time, eggs put onto a sheet pan to fully cool. Cooling methods were reviewed.

3-501.14

Backflow prevention air gap not adequate

Inspector notes: The ice machine in the back room was observed to have an air break instead of an air gap.

5-202.13

No hand drying provision at handwashing sink (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: The hand-washing sink in the back storage room was lacking paper towels.

6-301.12

Equipment or utensils not clean

Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (ice machine) was observed with an accumulation of debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. Ice was disposed of during the time of inspection.

4-601.11(A)

Evidence of pests or pest control inadequate

Inspector notes: The presence of rodents is not controlled as evidenced by droppings in back storage room. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests must be controlled by routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests, using acceptable methods to control pests, eliminating harborage conditions, and routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies.

6-501.111

Person in charge not controlling unsafe operations (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: The establishment is lacking an allergen statement on menu board. PIC will add allergen statement to menu.

2-103.11

Cutting surfaces scratched, scored, or no longer cleanable

Inspector notes: The cutting boards on the prep units are very scratched and scored. Cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced.

4-501.12

Floor, wall, or ceiling surface not smooth or cleanable

Inspector notes: The floor in the prep/service area is in poor repair. The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair. PIC stated that they are in the process of replacing flooring

6-101.11

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Empire Tea and Coffee last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Empire Tea and Coffee on file is from Jun 11, 2025. The public record contains two inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Empire Tea and Coffee?

Across the inspection record, insects, rodents & animals not present has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Empire Tea and Coffee.

How does Empire Tea and Coffee compare to other restaurants in Newport?

Empire Tea and Coffee most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Newport average of 84.

Has Empire Tea and Coffee's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Empire Tea and Coffee have turned up fewer violations than earlier ones, with the latest finding around four violations compared to about nine previously.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Empire Tea and Coffee means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

Nearby Restaurants

The Tavern on Broadway

18 Broadway

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

Pour Judgement

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Score: 70 — Medium Risk

Bar 12

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Score: 82 — Low Risk

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