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Kai Coffee Hawaii

3.8 (39 reviews)
Closed 6:30 am - 9:00 pm

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Matcha latte & cold brew
Sarah K.

Ventured to Kai coffee for a caffeine fix and was surprised to find it on the street level of a shopping plaza. It was located right in the middle, nearby Sephora. We ordered the matcha latte (sweetened, macadamia nut milk) and a black cold brew. I enjoyed the matcha latte as it was nicely sweetened and was complimented by the macadamia nut milk. My bf got the cold brew and it wasn't anything to write home about. Service was quick and there is some seating nearby to drink your beverage or eat some of the available pastry options.

James L.

Are you in Waikiki looking for somewhere to sit down and relax? Want to take a break from all the shopping and people? This hidden gem local artesian coffee place located in the center of Waikiki Shopping Plaza offers a nice retreat from paradise. Have a seat, spend your hours rejuvenating yourself with my favorite baristas to talk with: Lora, Rex, Lia, and Noel! They provide such an amazing coffee session and the aloha spirit! Order the cold brew and the Kai latte for my favorite drinks! (Kama'aina does get 25% if you mention!)

Kai Latte with oat milk
Linda D.

I had Kai Coffee as one of my go to places to try when I visited Hawaii and although they have many locations, this location was particularly close to me from my hotel. They are located near Sephora just pass the STIX Asia sign and can be accessed from the street if you're just walking. I came early when they opened and there was only 1 barista that was setting up the chairs, tables, signs while also making my drink. My order was their signature Kai Latte which has a macadamia nut syrup. Got mine with oat milk and iced. Unfortunately, this coffee didn't live up to the name nor hype. It was very acidic and sour which is not at all what I like in coffee. Also, I could hardly taste the macadamia nut. It wasn't worth the price for what I paid for. I'm not sure if it's just this location that made bad coffee or overall this is how it's supposed to taste. I don't think I will be returning to this location because it felt like the barista was not welcoming. It just felt like she was there to make her shift or perhaps she didn't expect anyone to come so early. Also, the coffee felt over pulled. It wasn't good at all. There was so much seating for this one coffee stand so I wonder, how busy do they get during the day. I had planned to sit but it felt awkward in the open mall with no one around. I may try their other locations but this particular location missed the mark for me.

Matcha latte with oat milk. Light sweet
Mapu F.

The service was lovely! Ordered the matcha latte. Made to how I like the matcha. Added oat milk. Ambiance is a good location. Tables available to enjoy drink

David H.

order: matcha latte the matcha here was ehhh :( the matcha latte didn't rlly taste like matcha n kinda just tasted like flavored milk. asked for extra extra vanilla syrup n that made it better but still not the best. kinda sucky, don't get the matcha here maybe the other drinks r better yummy rating: 4/10

small mocha frappe (coffee added) and chocolate chip cookie
Alyssa G.

I've been here a couple times before and thought I'd make a review today while I'm sitting here and waiting for an event. The area surrounding the coffee stand was pretty loud today due to construction. Hopefully this isn't a common occurrence! I usually like more quieter areas if I'm at a coffee shop. Today, I ordered the small mocha frappe with coffee (came out to a little over $4 with kamaaina discount) with a chocolate chip cookie ($3.50). The prices listed on the menu are a little high, but it makes sense considering it's in Waikiki where I expect prices of items to be a little higher than usual. The employee working there was really friendly and tried to engage in conversation with me, which was really nice. If I was a tourist, he would've made my view of Hawaii 100x better! He asked me if I wanted to try the macadamia milk in my drink, and said it would be free of charge since I had mentioned that I've never even heard of it being a thing before! 10/10 customer service because he let me try something that I've never tried before. Things like this really impact whether or not a customer comes back to the establishment and I think he did a great job! The drink I got had a nice light coffee taste to it and wasn't overly sweet. The chocolate chip cookie was very crumbly and I kinda wish I was able to hold it in one piece instead of it breaking in pieces every time I tried to hold it. Both tasted really good, though!

Kristelle B.

I've been a fan of Kai Coffee since 2021 and have bought their signature iced Kai coffee (with macadamia nut syrup) several times before, but it's usually from their other two locations across the beach. My first time in this one, located inside the mall, however was very disappointing. I knew from the get-go my coffee looked darker and less creamy than usual. It also tasted very acidic and didn't taste any hint of the syrup at all. The lady who was singlehandedly working there was kind enough to either offer me a refund or re make my drink. Sadly, it tasted the same after the second try. Not sure if I'll be coming back given any coffee in the area at this point can easily cost you $9 and it was such a waste of money.

Rosalie D.

I was so excited to try the Kai Latte. We came at 6:30am and were first in line. I wanted to love it since it had great reviews. It was nothing special. My daughter had it iced. It tasted like milk. I had it hot and it was a little bitter. People describe this as flavorful. I don't taste it. Glad I tried it. I won't be coming back. I should've taken cues from the lack of a line in the morning like other coffee places. I thought it might be a hidden gem. I was wrong.

Kai lattee (large size), Acai bowl
Betty B.

Friends and family came to visit which means we gotta impress them with some good local coffee. Kai Coffee did not disappoint! We ordered their signature Kai latte cold, the flavor of the coffee was rich and nutty. It came very slightly sweetened which was perfect for me but for those that prefers something sweeter just ask the barista to add a few more pumps. We also tried the Acai bowl which was delish as well. It's nice to have something local and walking distance from the neighborhood, if you are ever in the area definitely give this place a try!

Matcha Frappe
Irene M.

It's a perk to see Kai Coffee here... What a delightful scene to see local small biz thrive and to see Kai Coffee open another location here on the first floor in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza is a great sign. Once back in the day it was the place we go for all things food when I used to work in Waikiki. Don't expect any fancy drinks here...with the standard offerings of espresso drinks, frappe and teas I got the Matcha Frappe and it was okay not really much of a matcha flavor which it comes in two sizes and I got the large. They are more known for the coffee which they roast their own at the Kapahulu location I really wasn't feeling like coffee and thought this would be a more gentle sip. It's nice to see they have a few seating along with the breeze makes it a great place to chill and relax. With that I thought I get a sandwich...Caprese and I wouldn't recommend any of their sandwich as you look at their menu it has no price on them at all and when I got it it was SO small little cheese, veggies were sparse the pesto aioli was runny it was a hot mess. The staff was nice though just the basic service nothing that impressive I was disappointed with it all as it cost $21.20.

Kai latte
Crystal X.

Their large iced kai latte comes with three espresso shots. Both the espresso and macadamia nut flavors were more subtle than expected but the latte was smooth and creamy.

Outside area
Justine O.

Customer service was top notch. Everyone was so kind and friendly. They helped me make a decision and I'm so glad we walked over. The açaí bowl is amazing and the coffee is great. Highly recommend. It's so cute and they have outside seating.

Iced Americano
Mike A.

I randomly stumbled uppon this place. I had tried Kai Coffee's other locations before, and this one is their brand new shop. They have just opened two months ago. I ordered an iced americano. I've been trying coffee everywhere in Waikiki, and was not impressed so far. However, Kai Coffee particularly stood out. They roast their own beans and serve pretty good quality coffee! Their other locations have very long lines, but this one is still unknown to the public since it's so new. Take advantage if you want to skip the line!

Kai latte  Large 3 shots espresso

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5 months ago

Really good breakfast and coffee here, earliest breakfast we could find open at 6:30 am before a day tour pickup at 7 am.

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7 months ago

Had a killa coffee the other day when I stopped in for the first time. Shout out Kayla for good coffee and some good hike recommendations!!

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2 years ago

The macadamia nut latte was tasty, friendly staff, and they had a nice seating area outside by the waterfall.

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Love this coffee shop. Two locations in Waikiki very close to each other. The iced Kai Latte is my fave

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Kona Coffee Purveyors

Kona Coffee Purveyors

4.4
(2.6k reviews)
0.2 mi
$$

Been back here multiple times since moving to Hawaii…read more Same great service. Nice coffee shop ambiance. Good outdoor seating space to people watch, enjoy your Koma coffee and some gourmet pastries. Those of you unfamiliar with Kouign Amann - Google it! Definitely must try if you have not had it. Along with Kona Coffee, of course. If you're in Waikiki or visiting Oahu, this is one of the coffee shops I highly recommend.

I used to absolutely love Kona Coffee Purveyors. For years, my wife and I made this place part of…read moreour Waikiki routine. I've waited in the long lines. I've walked out of the way from hotels just to get coffee and pastries here. I'm not even a pastry person, but this place made me care. The coffee, the croissants, the sandwiches. It used to feel expensive but justified because the quality was there. This last visit felt like the magic was gone. We came back during a long family trip with our two young kids, and the service was cold from the start. One employee seemed more interested in her phone and side conversations than the customers in front of her. The coffee was handed over messily, with liquid spilled on top like nobody cared enough to wipe it down. My wife also asked for a cup of ice when there were barely any people in line and instead of simply helping, the response was curt and dismissive, as if asking for something small was an inconvenience. The frustrating part is that this place built its reputation on details. Great coffee. Excellent pastries. Long lines that felt worth it because you were getting something special. Now it feels overpriced, indifferent and tired. Maybe the pastries are still good. Maybe the coffee is still technically good. But when the hospitality disappears, the whole experience changes. What used to feel like a destination now feels like another expensive Waikiki coffee counter coasting on reputation. I hate writing this because this place used to be a must visit for us. But after this trip, I'm done making the trek.

Photos
The famous pastry
The famous pastry
Delicious dessert
Delicious dessert
A cup of Americano

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A cup of Americano
Bean About Town Waikiki

Bean About Town Waikiki

4.5
(125 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

I've known about their Kaimukī location for a while, but finally made an effort to visit the one in…read moreWaikiki. It's located inside the DFS, and has a large area at the back of the mall. The coffee shop can be entered from the mall or outside; they also have outdoor seating where you can order on your phone. Indoors is cozier and more fun, with bar seating, tables, and oversized chairs to relax. They have a lot of merchandise to go, including beans. If you're stopping in for a refreshment, they have a nice menu of hot and cold coffee drinks, teas, sodas, etc. They also have baked goods- I tried the 'ulu banana bread and really enjoyed it. I also had an iced cold brew, which was strong and creamy. Prices were reasonable for the quality and being in Waikiki. They can pour your drinks for dine in or disposable to go. This is definitely a recommended coffee shop in Waikiki!

Solid coffee shop serving pastries, Açaí bowls and sandwiches. I had a macademia nut latte which…read morewas good. Açaí bowl was solid 7/10, have had better on the island. I wish they would've added more almond butter. My 3 star review mostly coming from the fact that they don't have a bathroom available until 11am because it's shared with the duty free store next door. Not even sure if that's legal, but a bathroom should absolutely be available during their opening hours. Had to leave rushing to find a bathroom nearby. However, good for working with good WiFi and ample seats.

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Bean About Town Waikiki
Bean About Town Waikiki
Bean About Town Waikiki

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Ali'i Coffee Waikiki

Ali'i Coffee Waikiki

4.6
(209 reviews)
0.1 mi
$

I only came across Ali'i coffee on one of my last days in Oahu unfortunately. It's located in the…read moreCourtyard by Marriott, which I didn't realize so initially I walked right past it. I stopped by early in the morning, hoping to grab a quick breakfast and coffee. Unfortunately, there was a long line ahead of me already at ~6:30am. Most of their customers are probably people staying the the hotel or very close by, so it's easy and quick for them to just get out of bed and head over. I would have loved to try out more of their coffees, like the taro cube, but I went with the classic royal honey latte. For food, I got the breakfast sandwich, which had egg, ham, cheese, avocado, tomato, onion, and chili aioli on ciabatta bread. It also came with some chips. The sandwich was $18, so very steep, but it's also a lot of food, and it was really good. There's seating inside, but it's rather small and didn't feel so comfortable with a steady stream of people coming in and out. I ended up taking my latte and food out into the seating area of the hotel off of the lobby. There were a lot of people meeting up there before they headed off to their group's activities, so after eating a bit of my food, I actually took the rest to go. I wish I had discovered this place earlier so I could really enjoy their food and drinks in a more relaxed manner!

On the ground floor of the Courtyard Waikiki…read more Friendly service and nice, although a little small, interior. They can get really busy around 7:30 am, so good to get in before then is possible. The taro-ube latte (hot) is very good. TheAli'l michigan waffle, and avocado toast were also very good.

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Ali'i Coffee Waikiki
Lomi salmon bagel
Lomi salmon bagel
Ali'i Coffee Waikiki

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Local Joe

Local Joe

4.6
(626 reviews)
3.1 mi
$$

Did my research to find Kona coffee for my upcoming visit to Vancouver, so I walked from home and…read moretook shelter in Local Joe's to cool off and order some 100% Kona Mauna Kea Estate coffee and have it ground. Liv was so delightful and clearly the right person for the job so I knew I was in the right place. In the meantime I ordered an iced coffee (which was delicious!!!!) and sat down and watched folks come and go. This is clearly a popular local coffee and snack shop so I will keep this place in mind since it's locally owned and operated and their decaf is processed via osmosis, not chemicals. That's a big plus.

I honestly don't understand the hype surrounding this place, the reality is completely misleading…read more I called 15 minutes ahead to place an order. The employee took it and immediately hung up on me--no name taken, no "thank you," no "goodbye." When I arrived, the parking was a mess, so I had to be dropped off. Inside, the food display looked sad, and the cashier looked completely miserable and unpresentable. While waiting patiently on the side for 15 minutes, I watched the kitchen staff preparing food. Red flag: they literally microwave their eggs instead of cooking them fresh. After 30 minutes of total waiting time, I finally went up to check on my order, only to find out the cashier hadn't even handed my ticket to the kitchen yet. She sent it back right in front of me without a single word of apology--just a blank stare. I cancelled my order on the spot. Horrible service, zero management, and low-quality food prep. Save your golden time & money and go somewhere else. Definitely not a place where I'd want my food prepared!

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Counter
Counter
Turkey Bacon Breakfast Burrito
Turkey Bacon Breakfast Burrito
Thai latte

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Thai latte
Ali'i Coffee - Honolulu

Ali'i Coffee - Honolulu

4.7
(400 reviews)
3.0 mi
$$

Ali'i Coffee is such a cute little spot in downtown Honolulu. There's paid parking nearby, and they…read morealso offer online ordering, which is great if you're in a hurry. The café itself is on the smaller side, but the menu has a great selection of drinks and food options. I ordered the Royal Ube Matcha Latte over ice, and it was delicious. It's actually one of my favorite places on Oʻahu to get an ube latte--the flavors are balanced well, and you can still taste both the matcha and the ube. What really stood out to me was the staff. Everyone was incredibly friendly and personable. At one point, I genuinely thought a customer was a friend of one of the employees because their conversation felt so natural and welcoming, but they had actually just met. That's the kind of atmosphere they create. The whole shop has a warm, bubbly energy and feels very much like a neighborhood coffee spot where people know each other and enjoy being there. If you're looking for great coffee, friendly service, and a cozy local vibe in downtown Honolulu, Ali'i Coffee is definitely worth checking out.

Located downtown near the corner of S. Beretania and Bethel St., directly across the street from…read moreKukui Plaza. Metered street parking or there's a paid parking lot right across the street on Bethel. There's also paid public parking jn Kukui Plaza. Clean shop. My drink and food were made fast. Got The Queen- I liked the toasted coconut topping. The espresso wasn't overpowering. Get an extra shot if you like that coffee taste. Wasn't too sweet. I just wish the drink was hotter. It was warm. The breakfast burrito was good. I would definitely try it. It was pricey- $15. There's a lid station. You put your own lid on your drink.

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Ali'i Coffee - Honolulu
Mouth is watering just taking this photo. This is the egg sandwich with everything bagel absolutely delicious. Great breakfast.
Mouth is watering just taking this photo. This is the egg sandwich with everything bagel absolutely delicious. Great breakfast.
Ali'i Coffee - Honolulu

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Cafe 'Alalā

Cafe 'Alalā

4.7
(32 reviews)
3.0 mi
$

Needed an afternoon matcha pick-me-up or else I'd fall asleep at my desk. I remembered this spot…read moreused to be Cafe Daisy. Menu looks pretty similar with the fancy-smancy lavender lattes and food items such as wraps and bagels. I ordered an iced matcha latte with oatmilk. Taste was okay, the drink looked very green and left a little gritty aftertaste in my mouth. Their preparation method is similar to Starbucks; Don't expect a handcrafted matcha beverage. Cashier was nice and greeted me with a smile. She offered me a stamp card with my purchase. But other than that she looked a little bored being there. My drink came out quickly and I was on my way. Overall, it's an okay spot. Would probably return if I don't feel like walking too far lol.

Based on My Visit only…read more I ordered the iced strawberry cold-foam matcha latte with oat milk. The flavor was okay not bad at all but not quite as delicious or visually appealing as I hoped. My friend had an iced latte with whole milk and it tasted lighter than expected, especially considering the price and compared to similar spots nearby. Overall, the drinks were just average for us, so we'd give them around a 5/10 based on this visit. The staff were genuinely lovely. Everyone was welcoming, had great service energy and seemed happy to be there. This was definitely the highlight of the experience. The space is clean, simple and has plenty of outdoor seating which is always a plus. It's a nice spot to sit and relax. Overall: For us, it wasn't something we'd drive far specifically for yet but we appreciate the effort and hope to see how they continue to grow. This is just our personal experience and others may enjoy different menu items more.

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Cafe 'Alalā
Ham egg & cheese bagel sandwich
Ham egg & cheese bagel sandwich
Cafe 'Alalā

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Kai Coffee Hawaii - coffeeroasteries - Updated June 2026

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