3.7.2026 First time trying this place. We were looking for a coffee spot after the Farmer market they have on Saturday out in Kula/Makawao on Maui. As we stepped in front of this establishment the owner also did mention she makes iced coffee if we don't prefer it hot. She did offer recommendations as well which is why we decided to just go with it. Cortadita is good. She uses evaporated milk and we had it with a double. Cookie is good as well - def Mac nuts in every bite. Such a great spot we'll be back to visit if we're ever in this area. read more

Alba's Cuban Coladas - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pukalani, Hawaii

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I don't drink coffee often, but whenever I'm in Pukalani and Alba's Cuban Coladas is open, I can't resist stopping for a Café con Leche. It's consistently one of my favorite spots to visit. The coffee is delicious, the service is always fast and friendly, and the view of Haleakalā is absolutely stunning. If you're in the area and looking for a great cup of coffee with an amazing view, this place is definitely worth a stop. read more

The empanada was warm and crispy, and my friends got the coffee and enjoyed how smooth it was! A pretty good morning experience to have if you're in the Kulamalu area - Miguel Morales Photography read more

Alba's Cuban Coladas - Empanada (@miguelmoralesphotography on Instagram) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pukalani, Hawaii

Awful ambiance as shown, much better tasting coffee elsewhere, especially if you call yourself Cuban coffee. No sugar substitutes as well. read more

Alba's Cuban Coladas - Interior - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pukalani, Hawaii

A little taste of home when I'm in Maui! Everytime I come to Maui, I stop here for a little cafecito and whatever pastries they have! I'm Cuban from Miami and so is the owner, so the familiarity is so nice especially in Hawaii! If you need a little pick me up from one island to another, definitely stop by here. There's plenty of parking. It's on the way to Haleakala and on the way to Kula. Pukalani is beautiful town and you'll love making the quick stop. Worth it more than you can imagine read more

Alba's Cuban Coladas - a mobile bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pukalani, Hawaii

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Finally made it to this cute lil food truck in upcountry. I was so excited about the "coming soon" menu that I forgot to get a pic of our coffees or the drink menu- oops! This place always has a line and now I see why. The ladies behind the counter are friendly, the orders are made fresh & served with a smile. They talk story while making the coffees. No empanadas this Saturday but got a chocolate biscotti, cafe mocha & cafe con leche. And OMG - I cannot wait for the meals!!! My mouth watered as soon as I read them, so we WILL be back! read more

Alba's Cuban Coladas - Coming soon! How exciting!!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pukalani, Hawaii

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Can't wait for my Cuban fix!!!! It's a pretty morning to drive up and get caffeinated before checking out the Upcountry Market! read more

Alba's Cuban Coladas - Beef Empanada and a Cortadito - my every other Saturday Morning Ritual - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pukalani, Hawaii

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We got a beef empanada and the inside tasted okay but the crust was rancid tasting, maybe old oil, the coffee was pretty good. The owner was friendly, cute food truck. read more

I found out about this place via numerous channels like Instagram and Travel blogs, and as a Cuban American I knew I had to visit Alba's. The cart is located in a public area with other food trucks around it but it stand outs because it is the cutest wooden cart with the best menu around-Cuban Coffee. The girl who took care of us was really friendly and took care of us as soon as we got there. I ordered the Cuban cortadito and 2 empanadas. The cortadito was authentic. I have lived in Miami, FL for 24 years and it was like I was transported back to Miami. The empanadas were crispy and filled with the yummiest fillings. I had one ham and cheese and one guava and cheese-the guava and cheese was my favorite. I later connected with the owner via Instagram and she was the sweetest person. Loved my visit to Alba's! read more

Hands down the best coffee I've tasted. They have the most delicious pop tarts. I went not knowing what to get. It was my first time and the lady was absolutely amazing. She was kind, helpful, recommend options,etc. Super down to earth. The truck looks super clean as well! 10/10 recommend checking them out! read more

After getting our treats from Kodama's Bakery; next up Cuban Colada Coffee from @albascubancoladas (a small cart near Longs Drugs in Makawao/Pukalani, but great coffee; one of the best I've ever had!). Wish there was one on Oahu. read more

Alba's Cuban Coladas - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pukalani, Hawaii

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Alba's Cuban Coladas is a small food cart that is a Pukalani treasure. I made a pilgrimage twice from Lahaina when driving upcountry and bought a cortadito both times. Muey muey bien. Viva Cuba libre! If you get lucky, she may have empanadas available. Grandma Alba must have been a kitchen genius, because the beef empanada was delicious, a delightful snack. Prices are reasonable and service is warm and friendly. I suggest checking their Facebook website or calling before you go to make sure she is open. read more

Alba's Cuban Coladas - A sip of Cuban heaven... - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pukalani, Hawaii

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I was on a mission to try some Cuban food this past weekend and made it a point to make it out to Kahului Harbor, where this little coffee/food cart is situated. The first thing that I noticed was that they place a sign of their logo out on the shoulder of the road so you can't miss it. They also have a cute little set-up and you can tell that their branding is well thought out, which I really like (a lot of the business on Maui don't exactly make this a priority, in my opinion). I wanted to try a variety of items so I ordered: - 12 oz Café Con Leche ($4.25) - Bocaditos (3/$5.00) - Arroz Con Pollo ($12.00) I wasn't sure how "wired" I'd feel after drinking their coffee, so I opted for the latte. It was good & tasty, but I think I was looking for a stronger coffee taste. Next time I will definitely try their Cortadito, which was highly recommended by my friends. I really enjoyed the Bocaditos and the Arroz Con Pollo had good flavor. For $12.00 though, I thought that the serving was rather small. Still, it was good and my husband enjoyed my leftovers later that day. Overall, I had a good first experience. I look forward to trying more of their menu! They are upbeat & friendly and I can see them growing in popularity in the coming months. read more

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Bruhhhh.... They be makin the best coffees I ever had in my entire life bruh. Like for real, I be feelin like I'm on cloud 9. Shieettt.. probably even cloud 10 bruh. When u black u know the vibes be off with some people but these guys don't be looking at you sideways over here like they be cool as fuck. This local bradda said Alba's is the best brah n I said I know bruh n he said brahh n I said bruhh. I just want Cuban coffees everyday for the rest of my life fam on the real. I be gettin tatted next week, gettin a Cuban coffee portrait on the right side of my chest n it's going to be the Alba's cup with her logo on it. We be supportin Alba's to the death fam. I ain't even Cuban but sometimes I be telling people I'm afro-Cuban cause Alba's Cuban coffee be runnin through my veins 24-7 you feel me? read more

I'm really happy we drove here from Wailea to find the food truck closed. We even checked their website which says they're open on Monday's starting at 7am. That's terrible customer service, hours of operation clearly need to be updated. read more

Excellent coffee and if you go on Tuesdays, they have excellent empanadas! They have a menu telling you the different ways you can have your coffee made the Cuban way. I got the cortadito and it has enough sweetness in it that you don't have to add anything additional. The empanadas that they had was the seasoned beef empanadas. They were so good with a nicely seasoned filling. The lady who was working was very nice and gave some recommendations if you haven't tried one yet. They are a little cart located near the harbor but there will be a sign as you approach. read more

Alba's Cuban Coladas - Cortadito - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pukalani, Hawaii

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Cortadito is delicious hot and cold. Affordable prices, and friendly customer service. Tried the chicken empanadas, they were really filling. My son also enjoyed his ham and cheese empanada. Great stop if you're upcountry and in need of a good wholesome cup of coffee. read more

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MMMMM.... Cuban coffee. Better yet, Cuban coffee on Maui! OK, this review might be a little biased since I am a Cuban-American living on this little rock in the middle of the pacific and I'm over the moon to have a taste of home available to me. For the uninitiated, Cuban coffee is espresso pull which is brewed directly on to sugar and well-stirred by your barista which creates a thicker, slightly sweeter coffee with a fuller mouth-feel than a traditional espresso which is sweetened after brewing. Alba's is serving food as well. I saw some pics of beef empanadas on social media but I think she was sold out by the time I got there but she did have an amazing "Arroz con Pollo" which is a yellow rice dish with pieces of chicken cooked into it which was their special for the day. It was savory, aromatic, and slightly moist...everything I could hope for in an arroz con pollo. The girls running the cart were friendly, fun and high spirited, especially so for being slammed with customers on their opening day. As for the location I don't know if they are going to be at Kahului harbor semi-permanently or moving around so check out their social media postings for time and locations before heading over there. Hopefully they'll make it over to the Lahanina side one of these days (talking to you, Alba's). Looking forward to going back and hoping for an empanada next time around. read more

Alba's Cuban Coladas - Prepping to brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pukalani, Hawaii

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You know those places that you're dying to try because for some strange reason, you KNOW it's going to be a solid experience?! This is such a time. I met up with an fellow elite to fiiiiiiiinnally try this place out. I was so pumped! It's conveniently located at the Kahului harbor with plenty of parking and great views. There isn't really anywhere to sit so plan accordingly. On calm (non-windy) days it might be nice to grab a cup of coffee and walk to the "jacks" at the end of the harbor. Christina really knows her stuff and she's pumped to share her knowledge with others. I love how passionate she is about making sure that her guests have an excellent Cuban experience. She explains things--because--let's be honest, I have no clue about Cuban food & drinks. Enter: barista Christina. She explained everything in detail: how the grounds are prepared and how the drinks are mixed. She whipped me up a Cortadito. This drink has two shots of Cuban espresso and it's topped with steamed evaporated milk. It's so smooth, I literally could sip it all day. I was starving so I decided that I needed a Ropa Vieja. Here's the 411 on those beauties (3 sliders come in one order): A Cuban sloppy joe, braised and shredded flank steak cooked in a secret Cuban tomato garlic, onion sauce and topped with crispy shoe string potatoes. YUM. For reals. She also has empanadas on Tuesdays so I will be back to try those! Her hours are unique so check her Yelp page and Instagram for more details... Coffee is not all created equal! I left here feeling satisfied with the products and a little smarter about how Cuban coffee is prepared. read more

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Stopped by the Maui Swap Meet and I really needed coffee since I had such an early morning. We saw this little stand and stopped by for a cup. We weren't familiar with the taste of Cuban coffee, so when we asked the woman working for her recommendation, she suggested the Cortadito! She had great knowledge of Cuban coffee since she is a Miami native. We got the Cortadito coffee iced and it really was on the sweeter side. Not your typical bitter coffee! She also said that Cuban coffee is a bit stronger than the usual coffee (but to me, it wasn't strong enough lol). The Cortadito was a little under $4 and it was pretty good! Would recommend to anyone who needs an extra energizing boost to walk around the swap meet! read more

Alba's Cuban Coladas - Cortadito - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pukalani, Hawaii

Like Grandma use to make. That says it all. Alba's Cuban coffee & food truck was named after it's owner, Christina's grandmother. The logo is even her grandma's signature. Christina is as passionate about her roots as anyone could be. A transplant from Miami who exudes love & aloha all day and everyday. Beautiful , kind, and can cook unbelievably, she's our gift from Miami to Maui! The difficulty of finding a place like this in any of the Hawaiian islands is close to impossible. She should be in her own restaurant, any investors out there? Check this truck out! Cuban coffee is a type of espresso that is popular in many Latin countries and it's addictingly good. I don't know how I can get through the day with American coffee since I've been having her Cuban coffee. It's full bodied and slightly sweeter. And oh so smooth! Oh and Christina's grandma's recipes will instantly transport you to any Latin/South American/Ecuadorian Country. My very favorite is her version of arroz con pollo, which like so many other dishes has many variations from one country, region, city or home to another. The ingredients, besides the rice and chicken, will differ from one family's recipe to another. It's the true meaning of comfort food. I'm very well traveled and this was the best I've ever had. Who would have thought? On Maui of all places! A daily must stop Instagram for hours of operation. read more

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Oh-em-gee! If you are in Maui, you gotta try this place!! I discovered it searching on Facebook, trying to look for more than just Mexican food, as a Peruvian I was looking for arroz rather that tortillas and I found it!!!! I've tried el cortadito, arroz con pollo and the empanadas! Everything is soooo efffffin delicious! So, stop what you are doing right now and get some! Look this place up on insta or Facebook to check its schedule. You are welcome! :D read more

Alba's Cuban Coladas - I think this is how heaven tastes like :D - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pukalani, Hawaii

Tasted like a cortadito from versailles. A hidden gem in upcountry Maui. Stop by if you want some authentic cuban coffee and treats.

The best coffee on Maui by far! ..and the empanadas! I always look forward to treating myself and our family here.. and Christina is one of the coolest people on planet Earth. You will not regret coming here. read more

Delicious thin crust empanada that have not tasted with others. Ono!! Coffee is great too. Will be back.

Christina the owner is so sweet and welcoming! You can tell she really loves what she does. Even though their food looks super Ono, I just wanted some coffee and tried their cortadito espresso drink. It was really ono! I'm glad central Maui has some authentic style Cuban food & coffee! I definitely will be coming back especially now that they are located in the food truck place across Costco. read more

Alba's Cuban Coladas - Their cortadito espresso drink is sooo ono! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pukalani, Hawaii

No food! Aug 2022... if they did it won't be for a while. Looking forward to a great caffeine rush but no food!

Christina is very sweet ! The coffee itself is different than I expected. It was not as strong as I hoped but it was very smooth and sweet. My husband ordered a 12oz cafe con leche. It was smooth and creamy but we both agreed that it wasn't very strong at all. I enjoyed the double cortadito it was stronger than the cafe con leche but in my opinion it was too sweet. I like my coffee very strong. All in all it was tasty and a fun experience. We went to the swap meet location and got our coffee and walked around for a bit. The stand is cute and and fun! I would recommend this coffee for anyone who enjoys lattes and sweet coffee . Next time I will try just the Cuban espresso shot! read more

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I tripped over this amazing little coffee shop (on wheels) at the Maui Swap Meet last Saturday. So when we went to the swap meet again today, Alba's was the very first place I went. I have never had Cuban coffee before. The way Christina prepared it was terrific. So much so, after an hour of touring the swap meet this morning I stopped by for another. She's a very pleasant women, has a great shop of wheels, and if she were in Calgary I would be a regular. read more

Yum Yum eyes bright open YUM! Christina is a boss! I love her trailer and her super jolly personality. I have been meaning to stop by and try her famous Cuban coffee and finally got a chance to go on Wednesday! Omg I was not disappointed. She was super helpful and gave me great options. I like my coffee strong with a splash of sweet and a smidgen of cream. She recommended that I get a Cortadito. I loved how she pronounced it with such a native tongue! It was creamy and strong and woke me right up! I need to go back and try one of her empanadas -- guava and cheese has my name all over it! Her trailer that day was parked at the harbor. Such a great vibe. If you haven't already follow her on fb and instagram her videos and posts do not disappoint! read more

The perfect little taste of Miami home in Hawaii. My friend and I were traveling in Maui and made it a point to visit Alba's. The cortadito is delicious hot or iced (!). Loved the little touches that reminded us of Miami. Only regret was that there was only one empanada flavor left to try as we went close to closing time and that we didn't snap a pic together! Keep up the delicious work! read more

Three times I've attempted to go here and they're always closed. Maybe yelp should update the hours. The service is elusive maybe one day ill get the chance to try it. Received a message from the owner clarifying that yelp and instagram reflect the hours. Here is the thing - I checked both. I'm pretty savvy when it comes to technology. I tried again this past week as I'm genuinely craving good home cooked empanadas and cafecito. No offense to the food truck as I'm sure that it's as good as my cuban friends say it is. It's just that businesses need to be consistent. And, if they're not they should admit that they're not instead of blaming someone else. Hey business owner I tried. I tried again. And now I give up. I supposed being unavailable gives your truck "catch me if you can" status. read more

Who knew that I love cuban food and coffee?! I sure didn't until I stopped by Alba's. Christiana kindly schooled me on the different Cuban coffee drinks and what makes it "Cuban". She'll help you pick the perfect one to suit your tastes. I've tried both the Cafe con Leche and Cortadito and loved them. I like my coffee less sweet, but that's part of what balances the acidity. So Christiana made mine with half the sugar. It was delicious. In addition to coffee, there's usually a different cuban food offered too. The recipes come from Christiana's grandma and transport your taste buds to another country. The Ropa Vieja is three sliders with braised flank steak with a tasty tomato sauce. The meat is super flavorful and tender. Then it has these crunchy potato strings on top. YUM. It's enough to split with you aren't super hungry. I know, I know if you're visiting Maui you want to stuff your face with a million fish tacos and shave ice. I don't blame you. But Maui has become a melting pot with delicious food influenced from people around the world. So wether you're kama'aina or a visitor, this needs to go on your "To Eat" list. read more

Very nice espresso based cafe con leche. Cortadito condensed milk and cane sugar made it hot and sweet and delicious.

We are from Miami and was vacationing in Maui and dying for a Cuban Expresó and found Alba's. This was a Heaven. Great colada and cortaditos. read more

A little piece of Miami in Maui! GREAT Cuban coffee and the owner is beyond cool! Don't miss this gem! read more

Alba's Cuban Coladas - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pukalani, Hawaii

Amazing coffeehouse on wheels. Had an extra Smooth and creamy small Espresso shot, then tasted the coffee and it was like a dream. Couple of people were front of me in line but it totally worth the time and money. Cuban coffee rocksWill be back. Place: Saturday Swap meet at Kahului ( on the right end) read more

The epitome of Cuban coffee in upcountry maui I went every day that I could make it. Four stars only because it's not open every day lol she caters so I understand Great service even better coffee! read more

This needs to be an actual standing establishment! Coffee is amazeballs and the food that they have is always great! Not to mention that the owners are soooooo friendly and passionate about their product!! Cortadito and empanadas!!! read more

I don't usually eat Cuban food, it's actually hard to get me to crave it, but after visiting this cart I wish I could move to Maui just to eat it everyday!! This is the real deal Cuban meal on the island of Maui! So authentic and real homemade freshness. The flavor of ALL the dishes is divine, you can't go wrong with what you choose. However, if you are lucky enough to be there on a picadillo day, get it no questions asked, even if it's 8am and you want breakfast, get the picadillo from this woman! The Cuban coffee gave me the energy I needed to see the whole island of Maui while I was there. Love the vibes at this cart too, Christina, the owner is a beautiful burst of sunshine, don't be shy to treat her like a friend because that's exactly what she comes off as. In a nut shell, a MUST if your in Maui. read more