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    Kai Coffee Hawaii Roastery

    4.4 (44 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Kai Coffee Hawaii Roastery Photos

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    Deisy R.

    Coffee was quite tasty! I had an iced macadamia nut latte with oat milk (should have gone for macadamia nut milk) and found it to be thoroughly delicious and refreshing. Service was super fast at the window front and not touristy. Definitely recommend!

    Mariela O.

    Honestly, the best coffee I've had anywhere in Hawaii!! Nothing else compares. This is a must stop now anytime I find myself going to Oahu. And the taste is always so consistent. Great coffee, clean location, and friendliest staff make this place a 5/5

    To Go
    Tina L.

    Thìs is where home base is I suppose. Love how you can just walk up to its window and see all the action behind. You can literally smell the roasting. My kai latte was made the same way as the other store in Waikiki downtown. Service made to order! Mahalo

    Good ol' Americano. Really solid coffee.
    Eric D.

    Kai Coffee is a really solid spot to visit for local coffee. Looks like they roast their beans on site. Americano wasn't on the menu but upon request, they're able to whip it up for me. Their bean taste was really smooth and rich. It was an enjoyable cup of joe. Açaí bowl was tasty--base was smooth and the pile of fruit was presented nicely. Bowl was surely inviting to eat. Banana bread on the menu we also tried but I didn't find it all the special. The folks working there were really friendly. And offered quick service. Overall visit I thought Kai was great--give them a try. They do lack parking unfortunately since they're right at a corner. Cheers

    Hannah H.

    I stopped by the Kai Coffee Roastery to get a caffeine fix, and I'm glad that I did - this walk-up window offers espresso, coffee, some eats (scones, banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, etc.), and fresh-roasted whole beans that you can purchase. I had their Kai Latte, which is their signature macadamia nut latte - it was nice and strong, with a bit of creaminess to it. I just wished it was a tad bit sweeter. Service was friendly, and you can see the roasting of the beans inside. Cute place to stop by! +friendly service +walk-up window

    Kai latte, large
    Casey D.

    You know when your latte is a certain color and you just know that it's gna be spectacular? Kai coffee consistently did that every time for us! This coffee shop is our favorite on the island! Sometimes the milk to espresso ratio ends up being too milky when you order a large, but the worker told me they add 3 espresso shots for the large and it is still perfect!! We always ordered the Kai latte, and it is not too sweet. Island vintage is good, but when you want a less sweeter coffee, Kai coffee is the way to go :) *Def go to this location instead (perf to grab n go), as it's less crowded. We stayed at the alohilani and fortunately had a Kai coffee within walking distance, but the line can get way too long in the mornings.

    Outside
    Stacy S.

    This has to be one of the best macadamia nut lattes I've ever had! I had heard of Kai Coffee before, but their main location was in Waikiki and I rarely venture out there. So when I saw that they popped up in Kapahulu, I was stoked! This is a "to go" coffee shop only. They're located off of Herbert St. and there's very little street parking available. I arrived shortly after they opened at 7am, and there was only one other customer in front of me. Their menu is limited but in my opinion, all you really need to know is the Kai latte. I ordered the medium Kai latte, which is their signature mac nut latte with your choice of milk (I got almond milk) for $6.75. It was so creamy and flavorful! I wish I would've gotten a large! They also offer drinks like mocha, cappuccino, chai, matcha, cortado, espresso, cold brew, etc. And you can purchase their whole bean coffee bags to go! Definitely check them out if you're a coffee fanatic like me!

    My first experience...gotta go with da Signature latte. Go BIG or go home, so...mmmm.....
    Sean C.

    It's fancy! It's local and it's privately owned so I always like to support. It's also a specialty shop, yet has a takeout window as well with onolicious coffee. I ordered a large signature latte. The service, is courteous, friendly, and professional. I had one smooth latte it was made with finesse.

    Kai Latte with Oat Milk - $7.85
    Faye Anne M.

    Quick service and I like the walk through kiosk vibe. The cashier was also very nice. The Kai Latte with oat milk is really tasty, the coffee is strong but doesn't have an acidic aftertaste. The macadamia nut syrup taste is there and is not too sweet. I thought the oat milk would ruin the overall flavor but it didn't! I just can't believe it's $7.85 for a SMALL size drink. This is a roastery too so i'm wondering why can't it be a little cheaper than a usual cafe drink if the coffee is roasted in house. So minus one star for the price. Overall, I would come back again!

    Kai latte with oat milk
    Tessa R.

    It's a walk up window to order coffee. There is no store you can walk into. You can buy coffee and drinks from the window only. I ordered the Kai latte with oat milk and WOW it was divine! If I lived closer I would buy one every morning. Very friendly young guy working on Saturday. I think he was alone and there was about 8 of us that walked up to order from 3 different parties all at once. Felt kinda bad for him! The parking is obsolete. Unless you get lucky with street parking in front you will have to search for parking near and far. Bring your quarters. Will be back!

    Dylan Keith W.

    Got iced coffees here. Wife asked for a napkin for the condensation. Bro said "Just use your sleeve." Not funny.

    Really cute Coffee Tins to buy beans to gift to people who actually like coffee
    Shari T.

    I was hesitant to review Kai Coffee because I can't drink coffee (I bounce off the walls). I am reviewing this based on their Chai Latte. :) Kai Coffee is located next door to Sunrise Restaurant. When they first opened, I happened to be there when they were roasting their coffee beans. OMG. It smelled like chocolate baking and I thought someone was making chocolate chip cookies. Sniffed my way to Kai and got a tour. They don't allow people to tour anymore but it's a really neat set up! I purchased some gifts for coffee loving friends in the cute tins they have available (see photo). After having a lovely lunch at Sunrise, we walked over to the window to get drinks. I got the Chai Tea Latte (hot) with Almond Milk. They had other choices like milk milk and oat milk. The Chai had a nice mixture of spices and wasn't overly sweet like some places makes em. I would order it again! Next time I want to try the Matcha Latte. But anyhoo. Street parking. Great customer service, the guys working there are so friendly and engaging. Fast service. Tea was lovely. Can't comment on the coffee but my co-worker really liked the Kai Latte (Mac nut coffee). Why not park at Sunrise Restaurant, grab some food from there and Kai so you can support TWO great local businesses? Win win!

    Very disappointed with what we ordered. I was hoping to really love the coffee but it was so mediocre. Couldn't even finish it. My fiancé didn't like it very much either, and he isn't one to dislike coffee as much as I do.

    Coffee roasting!

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    1 year ago

    Bad service, like the employee was forced to be there. Worst coffee I have had in Oahu. Would not return or recommend.

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    2 years ago

    Kai Latte with oat milk was so smooth and delicious! We went back several times for it.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Kai Coffee Hawaii Roastery

    Review Highlights - Kai Coffee Hawaii Roastery

    Can't comment on the coffee but my co-worker really liked the Kai Latte (Mac nut coffee).

    Mentioned in 17 reviews

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    Kona Coffee Purveyors

    Kona Coffee Purveyors

    4.4
    (2.6k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Good things come to those who wait. I only wish there were more people here specifically waiting…read morefor the coffee because it was absolutely delicious! Sadly, it seemed more folks were there for the pastries though. First off, I'm surprised I found such a fabulous cup of coffee in what feels like the epicenter of tourist life on this island. While visiting another island nearly establishment had signage stating they served Kona and/or Hawaiian coffee, but nearly every establishment's coffee was absolutely awful. Seeing the location I fully expected them to phone in the coffee, but it's clear that coffee comes first here, even if many of the guests are trying to get pastries! You'll be shocked by the line, but just know the staff is efficient and it moves fast. They offer a variety of their own locally roasted beans here, with options for batch brew, espresso drinks and even pour overs (impressive considering the volume of customers). The coffees are well described and the baristas have the additional knowledge you may be seeking when you order, and all in all this went as quickly as I could have expected. Truly, the coffee was delightful, and the fact I was drinking a hot drink on an extremely hot day didn't even phase me. I wanted so badly to bring home a bag of each one, but given that everything is more expensive in Hawaii, these were all 4x the price of the specialty coffee I buy on the mainland and I just couldn't make it happen. What will happen is me telling everyone to visit this shop when they're in Hawaii because it is 100% worth it. Won't you consider opening one in Reno NV?

    Long line, oven was broken, so only coffee and desserts available…read more Ordered a "Kona" coffee for $5. Quite frankly it's one of the worst cups of coffee I had. Watery, flavorless. This can't be Kona coffee, and if it was, they don't know how to brew it. Terribly horrible, really expensive coffee. Don't bother.

    Photos
    Sample drink
    Sample drink
    Delicious dessert
    Delicious dessert
    A cup of Americano

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    A cup of Americano
    Ali’i Coffee

    Ali’i Coffee

    4.5
    (226 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $

    I am so sad to hear that this location has to close. The Ward Center has always been here when I…read morevisit! And now, it's going to be gone. I loved coming to this location because parking was always easy. The staff was always friendly and welcoming! I usually get The Prince, but I ordered The Queen for a change, and was hooked. At least I can go to the one near Chinatown. Hopefully they open in a new location! Again, I will miss coming here! Mahalo!

    They always have different fusions of drinks so I enjoy going here to try whatever they have! I've…read moretried a pistachio matcha latte, an ube drink, etc. Atmosphere - Cute atmosphere, definitely coffee shop vibes and sounds. There is seating, bench style along the wall with wood stools on the opposite site. There is also "bar" seating along the window but not too many seats, maybe like 2 - 4 people. Then there is seating outside as well, around 4 - 6 seats, 2 seat table type of seating. Service - Everyone is friendly, will answer questions and can provide recommendations! Cost - Depends on if you're getting only a drink or if you're getting food as they do have food! Around $8 - $25 dollars if you get a drink and food. Parking - This is in Ward Village so there is a small parking structure right behind the business and it's free or any of the structures around ward village works too! Easy to walk to! Location - Ward Village area, same row as a ramen place, dessert shop and shirt store. It's fun hanging out and catching up with friends here or to grab a coffee and go!

    Photos
    Seating area. Really nice artwork, cool furniture.
    Seating area. Really nice artwork, cool furniture.
    Cinnamon toast. Somehow dry AND delicious AND perfect. how??
    Cinnamon toast. Somehow dry AND delicious AND perfect. how??
    Masala Chai Tea and Island Breakfast Tea

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    Masala Chai Tea and Island Breakfast Tea
    Bean About Town Waikiki

    Bean About Town Waikiki

    4.5
    (125 reviews)
    0.9 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.

    Photos
    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
    (210 reviews)
    0.9 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!

    2 stars for the coffee but the service was fast and the baristas were very sweet and helpful…read more My family and I got a few of their iced drinks (Queen Latte, Prince Latte, Banana Milk Float, and Kula Cold Brew) and we all drank a quarter of it and threw the rest away :( Drinks were overly sweet and VERY milky. Wouldn't recommend getting their iced beverages but I'm sure their hot beverages are much better.

    Photos
    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)
    3.9 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!

    Photos
    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)
    3.8 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.

    Photos
    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)
    3.9 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.

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

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    Kai Coffee Hawaii Roastery - coffeeroasteries - Updated July 2026

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