Empire Tea and Coffee

112 William St, Newport, RI 02840

Café / Breakfast

License: Seats - Less than 50

Last inspected: Dec 9, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Empire Tea and Coffee has been inspected three times since 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Dec 9, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.

Things have moved in the wrong direction: violation counts went from one to two.

Compared to the broader Newport restaurant scene, where the average is 84, this is a stronger showing. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 9, 2025

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

In-use utensils stored improperly between uses

Inspector notes: Utensils were observed stored in stagnant water between uses. Utensils must be stored in one of the following manners: on a dry clean surface, in hot water of 135 degrees Fahrenheit or more, or in water with sufficient flow to wash away any food particles or other debris. Utensils were moved to dry surface during time of inspection.

3-304.12

Equipment or utensils not clean

Inspector notes: The non-food contact surfaces of the ice machine have an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Non-food contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, or other debris.

4-601.11(B)

Nov 18, 2024

Routine

2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

In-use utensils stored improperly between uses (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Utensils were observed stored in stagnant water between uses. Utensils must be stored in one of the following manners; on a dry clean surface, in hot water of 135 degrees Fahrenheit or more, or in water with sufficient flow to wash away any food particles or other debris. Utensils were moved to dry surface during time of inspection.

3-304.12

Equipment or utensils not clean

Inspector notes: The non-food contact surfaces of the ice machine and walk-in cooler fan guards have an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Non-food contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, or other debris.

4-601.11(B)

Nov 2, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

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 Dec 9, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

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

Empire Tea and Coffee most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Newport average of 84.

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

No. Recent inspections at Empire Tea and Coffee have flagged more violations than earlier ones, ticking from about one per visit to around two more recently.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Empire Tea and Coffee means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Empire Tea and Coffee inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Empire Tea and Coffee is inspected roughly once per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

8 Memorial Boulevard West

Score: 70 — Medium Risk

Annies

176 Bellevue Ave

Score: 86 — Low Risk

Explore More

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