Excellent French Pastries! Here, I recommend the hazelnut latte, their espresso, the almond croissant and the macaroons: they truly are like the original French macarons, with some additional tropical flavors to the selection!! I like Honolulu Coffee Company because it's local, they serve Kona Coffee, and because it's the closest thing to a French Pâtisserie I have yet found in Hawaii - I'm from Paris ;) The chef actually did go to France and Europe several years ago and brought back various pastries recipes to Honolulu Coffee Co. However, the prices are too high. The downtown location actually is a little cheaper than the shops at Ala Moana and Waikiki, but the selection is a bit limited (compared to the Ala Moana one which is quite a coffee-and-chocolate-lover delight!) The baristas are always very friendly. read more

I gave this location another chance after my incident (read previous review) and my drink was delicious. I got a latte instead of an americano, but it was still great. The baristas are friendly, and that makes a huge difference for me when it comes to visiting a business. I have been coming back at least once a week. Honolulu Coffee Company has excellent coffee, so I am glad I gave them the benefit of the doubt instead of judging them just by one experience. read more

Local alternative to Starbucks, famous for their lovely coffee designs. Good coffee, amazing desserts (yep, plan on getting fat, I mean how can you say no to a chocolate dessert with 24kT gold on it? Really.) read more

My friend and I went again this morning to give it another chance and were extremely pleased to find that there had been a ONE MILLION PERCENT improvement! The girls were super nice and helpful, suggesting off-menu items and letting us in on their extra-fancy coffee specials. Great coffee plus great attitudes from lovely girls are an unbeatable combination. We thank our lucky stars for the fairy godmother responsible for this wonderful makeover. Please don't turn them back into pumpkins! read more

When one is in Hawaii, one must drink Hawaiian Coffee! It surely is the only way! Cafe Latte & the Nutty Hawaiian Latte is the way to go on a rainy warm day! =) mMmMm! Thumbs up! read more

Got two delicious iced coffees and a chocolate cookie that was perfection and nailed my craving for something sweet! Crispy on the outside chewy on the inside. And the barista was very friendly and efficient. Love this place! Mahalo . read more

I agree with some of you here. The coffee is great as far as energizing you ...although it's slightly pricier than Starbucks. They need better sleeves and some stoppers. You have to use napkins to avoid burning your hands from the hotness of the coffee because the sleeves are so thin. And also, its true their customer service is not quite up to par, the cashiers are usually very friendly but the baristas or the ones making the coffee are not very friendly, no smiles, no thank you and sometimes they don't even call out your drink....and its like that at at least two different locations that I've visited and on numerous occasions ...that's a management flaw as the management sets the tone of the entire company. Friendly customer service is KEY and what makes for consistent, loyal clientele it should be stressed to your employees ALWAYS read more

Not all coffee is the same. Honolulu Coffee Co. definitely has Starbucks beat. I don't know how to explain the taste - you just have to try it. I stop in here on the way to work on occasion. I used to go regularly then decided that my coffee habit was going to make me broke so I had to cut back. But, I still have to stop in for my fix. I had to take one star away because the prices are a little steep. And.... they have great pastry offerings, but they don't have oatmeal. Well, they have the instant type that you pour hot water over... but bleh. I hear the acai bowls are good - will have to do that one of these days! read more

The coffee is good here, but I really come for the macarons. I lived in France for a while and was so happy to find them locally here (though the macarons are a bit on the sweet side and pricy). Whenever my sweet tooth needs help I head here to pick up a few. The lilikoi is my favorite, followed by the strawberry and pistachio. I swing by here often and only once have they been dry and crumbly (i.e. a day old), usually they're little fluffy pillows of heaven. The baristas are really friendly too. One caveat, I have not tried the macarons at La Tour Cafe, that will be my next stop! read more

Mmmmmmm - I like the Kona drip coffee and they have some great looking gelato here. Staff has always been super friendly (must be highly caffeinated). I have to say, about the only thing I don't like about Hono Co Co is their straight espresso - I prefer the evil empire's stuff across the way, but otherwise, these guys rock! read more

They have the BEST ceasar salads! Their daily specials always include a ceasar salad + salmon or ahi tuni or some other fresh fish. Good iced tea, too. Get the frequent diner card; I think after 10 stamps, you get a free meal. Score. read more

Honolulu Coffee Co. is the best place to buy an acai bowl downtown on a budget! It is a fair price for the basic ingredients of acai, banana and granola -- no blueberries or strawberries, which are common in most acai bowls! -- but you can pay 75 cents extra for honey. There used to be free honey on the bar with the free sugar, milk, etc. for coffee, but as of my visit today I noticed it was gone. Honolulu Coffee Co., if you are reading this, please bring back the free honey! It was a nice and delicious touch. If you have time to eat there, I recommend it. The to-go acai bowl comes in a cup rather than a bowl and can be messy when you take the lid off. read more

This is a great spot!!! I can get a lot of work done while having a cup of joe. Costumer service here is superb!!!! Highly recommended!!!!

This place never disappoints. IMO the best coffee in the islands. I grab a cup prior to shopping! Their pastries are to dye for. read more

Coffee is coffee, right? Not at Honolulu Coffee Company. The Downtown Honolulu location is in the American Savings Tower in Bishop Square. The place really smells like coffee when you walk in, unlike a large coffee chain that has three Downtown locations (ahem). The employees at Honolulu Coffee Company are always personable and friendly, which I sometimes can't say about the "other" place I go to. Interestingly enough, I've always noticed that all the employees who work here are young White females. What happened to equal opportunity? In any case, it doesn't matter... the coffee's great. Yes, I'm a regular and will be back. read more

Great looking acai bowl - classic waiting to be enjoyed. Other options are the Hawaiian, antioxidant, or create your own. Yum!

Acai bowl was really good and refreshing and only $5.75 which is pretty cheap compared to other Acai places. The cup is about the size of a venti at Starbucks. read more

This place is kind of price-y as far as coffees go so I only come here once in a while. But they have my favorite latte, the Nutty Hawaiian Latte. Hot or cold, it's my favorite coffee break treat. read more

Wow, no smiles, no hellos, absolutely no acknowledgement. 3 women working behind the counter, I'm the only person in line and it took 5 minutes to place my order. Not even a "thanks for waiting" or "sorry about the wait". Terrible service! read more

This rating is solely for their AMAZING macaroons!! Tried the kona cofee andd haupia and it couldn't be better. Out of all the bakeries on island the macaroons sold here were my number one choice for an upcoming wedding! Everyone must try it out! :) read more

im a fan of coffee.. i'm a fan of honolulu coffee co.. i'm NOT a fan of this location!! as a cheap-ass college student (yay! discounts!) i came here on a saturday afternoon after lab with all my nursing gear: backpack, duffel bag and all. i was having a great time playing WWF (words w/ friends) and saw a cute little grumma engulf her whipped cream off her coffee. my day is complete i thought to myself! WRONG! so i went into hardcore WWF mode to pass the time waiting for my ride at 1pm and little did i know that the location closes at noon or around there. sure, he turned up the music but i didnt notice... but then he started stacking chairs. "um are you guys closed?" i ask. "you didn't notice?" he responds. WTF. i think as a customer i have the right to be notified. after getting kicked out i had to join the rest of the bums in downtown.. backpack, duffel bag and all. read more

I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but I came with my coworker and got a mocha and a quiche. The mocha was alright but what kept me coming back was definitely the quiche! I got the ham with spinach I think, delicious! They will heat it up for you (highly recommended, I tried and burned it at work), it takes about 4 min. Also the employees are SUPER friendly and I mean genuinely friendly! read more

Good coffee, but super overpriced. I mean $4 for just a plain coffee and $7 for pre-made mini sandwiches. Get a grip, it's not worth it.

6/9/08: Took a coffee break while shopping with my wife at Ala Moana Center - went to their retail location (upper level) across from Ann Taylor. I was blown away with their barista's skills (his name was Ro) - he poured a latte with a very impressive, balanced rosetta! (Google "latte art" if you don't know what I'm talking about) He knew the whole routine to make a great tasting and looking latte (warming the cup, tamping and polishing the puck, pulling the espresso shot with the right timing and finished it with latte art). I thought the microfoam layer could have been a bit deeper, but all around, I was VERY pleased! Mahalo! read more

I work in this same ASB building, and ever since Beach Bum Cafe closed across the street, this has been my go-to coffee stop. The customer service is amazing - all the employees seem to remember every customer's name and regular order. Unfortunately for them, I always switch up what I want right as they begin to remember it, but they're always good sports. They greet me by name with a smile on their faces and serve delicious coffee, food, and Acai bowls. Seriously, you can't go wrong! For food items, I recommend the ham and cheese croissant, toasted, and for coffee, even though I prefer black coffee, you can't go wrong with the Nutty Hawaiian Latte. Enjoy! I know you will! read more

Love it here. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful and the coffee/food is delicious. The Nutty Hawaiian has to be my favorite. They have a decent amount of options and I've been satisfied with everything I've tried. Also, they often give our free samples of food in the morning and everything I've tried has been super good. I don't understand why anyone would go to any other place in the area for coffee before work. It's definitely the best choice. read more

Starbuck's is almost always my last choice when I am feeling desperate for coffee. Honolulu Coffee Company has, for decades, been my go-to location when I am looking for the perfect cappuccino. There are few places on this planet, ok, I exaggerate a little, but few places that I have ever visited that understand the importance of well-made froth. I have NEVER had this experience at any Starbuck's. And that bubbly stuff that many other cafe's make is weak sauce. When I get a cappuccino, I want to be moved to that Ally McBeal-like "First Cup of Coffee" experience. Look it up on YouTube if you don't know what I am talking about. Yes, it is a little risque for a cup of coffee but in the hustle and bustle life that we townies live, whether for school or work reasons, I should be able to pick up a cup of coffee that makes me want to really take my time and enjoy it, NOT tank it down and lose all sensation in my mouth for a week. If you want to take a pause in your day, then ask for a cappuccino and take it slow. read more

One of the best coffee places in downtown area. I get the "Hawaiian" coffee which has a little coconut taste. I am addicted to it. Got my client addicted to it too. Although it can be a little pricey, you get what you pay for which is quality coffee and quality service. The manager there, Cat or Kat (sp?), is very friendly and knows most people by name. Her workers are fairly quick with the orders as well. read more

Nice place and nice people. And I love the idea of a local competitor to Starbucks, But the coffee was bitter and harsh.

These are serious coffee shops if there are any in Hawaii. Good coffee, which they roast themselves, and good pastries -- the oat cake is the best! Their espresso blend contains some Kona coffee which results in a bit more sweetness than usual. Cappuccinos are done to the correct proportions and macchiato's are nicely done in the Seattle style. They have serious equipment too -- a 2-group Synesso in the Ala Moana store, and a 3-group Mistral in the Sheraton Surfrider. The baristas are almost always very competent and very friendly. read more

Their coffee is ok. I think Starbucks is better. But I like Honolulu Coffee Co.'s food better. The acai bowl isn't bad and their quiche is tasty. read more

Good coffee. Friendly service. Handful of seating and clean space. They have some pastries (macarons, too!), sandwiches, bagels, and acai bowls. This is a good go-to for quick food/caffeine fixes. read more

Nutty Hawaiian latte and good company made my visit here quite memorable. The weather was nice for ca standards and normal for Hawaii. The latte was really good and the croissant was average A great latte and nice service warrant four stars. read more

I ended up coming back here because it's walking distance from my house and I didn't want to go to Starkbuck's. I changed my order to their mocha and I have to say I became a fan. In addition, they have a pretty awesome acai bowl and its cheap. During my one month stay in honolulu, this place was my go to place for breakfast. read more

Yummy acai bowl! But they charge for extra honey now? What the fudge? The workers could use a little smile!!

I ordered Acai Smoothie to complement my lunch and it took almost 10 mins for them to prepare it apparently for some reason they missed it...I was ready to flip-out good thing Kat the barista offered me a free drink on her to compensate my waiting... I appreciate her gesture! So I will comeback for my free drink ;) read more

What happened to the acai bowl that they put in a cup? I hadn't come here for awhile and so surprised to find several changes, the price for the acai bowl for one. It used to be just $6 and they put this in a cup. I'm disappointed for the smaller size and higher prices. read more

Normally the staff is great but the young man with glasses has the worst customer service. There was no smile, no hello or a thank you after my purchase. All he did was stare at me chewing his gum. He could use some training read more

The Nutty Hawaiian latte is sooo good! We also got an assortment of macaroons to take home for later, but the passion fruit one we tried there was full of flavor with just the right amount of sweet! I'll be back for another latte & a bag of coffee before I leave! read more

No longer the friendly welcoming place it once was due to recent staff changes. Now going to Kai Coffee.