10 Rhode Island Beachfront Cafés With Atlantic Views (And Pastries Worth The Trip)
Last summer, I found myself standing at the edge of the Atlantic, croissant in hand, wondering why I’d ever eaten breakfast anywhere else.
Rhode Island’s coastline hides some of the most charming beachfront cafés you’ll ever visit, where the coffee is strong, the pastries are fresh, and the ocean views make every bite taste better.
From Narragansett to Newport, these cozy spots prove that the best mornings start with salt air and something sweet.
Let me take you on a delicious tour of ten cafés that’ll make you want to move to the Ocean State.
1. The Beach Rose Cafe – Charlestown
Perched right where the sand meets civilization, The Beach Rose Cafe serves up magic in the form of flaky croissants and ocean breezes. I stumbled upon this gem after a morning walk, drawn in by the smell of butter and possibility.
Their almond croissants could make a grown person weep with joy, layers upon layers of pastry perfection that crumble just right. The outdoor seating area feels like someone’s really cool beach house deck, complete with weathered wood and views that stretch forever.
Locals swear by the blueberry scones, which are studded with berries so fresh they probably grew nearby. Grab a latte, find a sunny spot, and watch the waves roll in while powdered sugar dusts your shirt. Nobody judges here because everyone’s in the same delicious predicament.
2. Cafe Water Street – Warren Town Wharf
Sitting on Warren’s Town Wharf feels like being in a postcard that someone mailed from 1952, except the coffee is way better. Cafe Water Street knows exactly what it’s doing, serving up espresso drinks alongside baked goods that’ll ruin you for chain cafés forever.
Their cinnamon rolls arrive warm enough to melt the frosting into little rivers of sweetness. I watched sailboats bob in the harbor while demolishing one, feeling like I’d cracked some secret code to happiness.
The wharf location means seagulls might eye your muffin with suspicious interest, but the staff keeps things cozy with friendly banter and lightning fast service. Morning light hits the water just right here, turning everything golden and perfect. Pack your appetite and your camera because both will get a serious workout.
3. The Beehive Cafe – Bristol Historic Waterfront
Bristol’s historic waterfront plays host to The Beehive Cafe, where the vibe buzzes with energy and the pastries practically glow with buttery goodness. Walking in feels like entering your coolest friend’s kitchen, if that friend happened to be an incredible baker with waterfront property.
I ordered their famous lemon poppy seed muffin and nearly proposed marriage to it on the spot. The tangy sweetness paired perfectly with their smooth house coffee, creating a flavor combination that scientists should probably study.
Big windows frame the harbor view, so you can watch boats drift by while crumbs collect on your napkin. The staff radiates genuine warmth, remembering regulars and making newbies feel like old pals. Bristol’s charm seeps into every corner of this place, making it impossible to visit just once.
4. Coastal Roasters – Tiverton Waterside
Right on the water in Tiverton sits Coastal Roasters, where they take their coffee as seriously as a sea captain takes navigation. The aroma hits you before you even open the door, a rich blend of roasted beans and fresh baking that could wake any sleepy morning.
Their chocolate croissants achieve what I can only describe as architectural perfection, spiraled layers that shatter at first bite. Pair one with their signature coastal blend, and you’ve got breakfast poetry happening right there at your table.
Floor to ceiling windows showcase water views that change with every passing cloud and tide. I’ve spent entire mornings here, pretending to work on my laptop while really just staring at the scenery and sneaking bites of apple turnover. The roasting happens on site, so everything tastes impossibly fresh and alive.
5. Cool Beans Cafe – Narragansett Beachside
Cool Beans Cafe lives up to its name with a laid back beachside attitude that makes stress physically impossible. Located steps from Narragansett’s famous beaches, this spot serves surfers, families, and pastry hunters with equal enthusiasm and zero pretension.
Their maple bacon scones sound weird until you taste them, then suddenly they’re the only scones that matter in your entire life. Sweet meets savory in a dance that’ll have you ordering seconds before finishing your first.
The outdoor patio catches ocean breezes perfectly, cooling you down while the morning sun warms your shoulders. Regulars arrive in sandy flip flops, grab their usual orders, and settle in like they’re part of the furniture. I love how the menu changes with the seasons, always featuring something new to try alongside the beloved classics that never disappoint.
6. Empire Tea & Coffee – Newport Harbor
Newport’s harbor area sparkles with fancy yachts and fancier mansions, but Empire Tea & Coffee keeps things refreshingly real at 22 Broadway in Rhode Island. Walking in feels like discovering a secret hideaway where locals escape the tourist crowds for seriously good refreshments.
Their raspberry danish practically melts on your tongue, fruit filling bursting with summer flavor even in October. I paired mine with a perfectly pulled cappuccino, foam art included, while watching harbor activity unfold through the window.
The proximity to the waterfront means you can grab your treats to go and stroll along the docks, or stay inside where the cozy atmosphere wraps around you like a favorite sweater. Staff knowledge runs deep here, ready to guide you through tea selections or coffee origins with genuine passion. Newport may be one of Rhode Island’s pricier destinations, but this spot delivers luxury without the wallet damage.
7. Empire Tea & Coffee – Bristol Thames Street
Bristol scores another waterfront winner with Empire Tea & Coffee’s Thames Street location, where the same excellent standards meet a slightly different coastal vibe. This sister spot captures Bristol’s quieter charm while delivering identical quality that’ll spoil you rotten.
I’m obsessed with their cranberry orange scones, which taste like New England decided to become a breakfast pastry. The citrus brightness cuts through the richness perfectly, especially when you’re sipping their smooth breakfast blend alongside it.
Windows face the waterfront, offering peaceful views that make you forget whatever stressed you out five minutes ago. The space feels intimate without being cramped, with enough seating to accommodate the morning rush without feeling like a sardine can. Bristol’s walkable downtown means you can easily explore after fueling up, though honestly, leaving proves harder than you’d think when the pastry case keeps calling your name.
8. Village Hearth Bakery & Cafe – Jamestown
Jamestown’s Village Hearth Bakery & Cafe operates like someone bottled the essence of cozy mornings and turned it into a real place. The smell alone could guide ships to shore, all yeasty warmth and caramelized sugar promising delicious things ahead.
Their fruit tarts showcase whatever’s in season, arranged so beautifully you almost feel guilty eating them. Almost, but not quite, because that first bite of buttery crust and fresh fruit erases all hesitation instantly.
The island setting gives everything an extra layer of charm, like you’ve traveled somewhere special even though you’re still in Rhode Island. Locals treat this place like their kitchen away from home, chatting with staff and each other in that easy way that makes visitors feel welcome too. Grab something for now and something for later, because you’ll regret not buying extras once you’re back across the bridge.
9. Maria’s Seaside Cafe – Misquamicut Beach
Misquamicut Beach brings summer vacation energy year round, and Maria’s Seaside Cafe captures that magic perfectly. Positioned right where beach meets pavement, this spot feeds hungry beachgoers and pastry pilgrims with equal doses of deliciousness and ocean views.
Their blueberry muffins come massive and moist, packed with berries that stain your fingers purple in the best possible way. I demolished one while watching early morning swimmers brave the Atlantic, feeling grateful for my warm coffee and warmer seat.
The casual atmosphere means sand on your feet doesn’t raise eyebrows, just knowing smiles from staff who’ve seen it all. Maria’s keeps prices reasonable despite the prime location, understanding that beach trips add up fast. Whether you’re fueling up before a beach day or warming up after, this café delivers exactly what you need when you need it most.
10. Aunt Carrie’s – Point Judith
Point Judith’s Aunt Carrie’s has been feeding hungry souls since 1920, and they’ve perfected the art of homemade everything with oceanside ambiance. While famous for seafood, their dessert game deserves serious recognition, especially when paired with morning coffee and those legendary water views.
I tried their homemade apple pie for breakfast because vacation rules apply at the beach, and honestly, it might’ve been a spiritual experience. Flaky crust, cinnamon spiced apples, and that perfect balance between sweet and tart that only comes from scratch baking.
The location puts you practically in the Atlantic, with waves crashing close enough to provide the soundtrack to your meal. Generations of families have made pilgrimages here, creating traditions around tables that overlook the same spectacular scenery. Aunt Carrie’s proves that some places become institutions for good reason, serving up nostalgia alongside incredible food.