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    Po’ai By Pono Potions

    4.6 (304 reviews)
    InexpensiveCafes, Hawaiian
    Open 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

    Po’ai By Pono Potions Photos

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    PO’AI BY PONO POTIONS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

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    Jonica K.

    Hands down one of the most delicious matcha drinks I've ever had! A very refreshing island twist to matcha with the pineapple and lillikoi/passionfruit flavors. I've been wondering why more cafes don't do passionfruit matcha in Hawaii so I was super happy to find this place. // Hapa Matcha Honey lillikoi syrup with macadamia-pineapple cold foam matcha. Very creamy but perfectly sweet with fruity island vibes! // Alohamora Such a creative name! Lillikoi coconut cold foam with lime zest. This one was my favorite. The matcha was lighter/less creamy but the lime zest with the passionfruit cold foam was so delicious and fresh. Unlike any other matcha combo I've had! Located in Chinatown area. Very grateful for a lillikoi take on matcha! Much needed and Po'ai does their matcha drinks extremely well! I will remember this cafe very fondly.

    Hapa honey matcha
    Sharen H.

    This review is long overdue! I went here when I was in HI a few months ago, and I ended up coming back twice because their matcha was SO good. It was honestly one of the best matchas I've ever had in HI. Their pricing isn't too bad but not the cheapest. We got their lilikoi matcha (Hapa Honey Matcha), which was my first time trying it, and it was really good! It's definitely on the sweeter side, though, so just a heads-up if you don't like sweet drinks. For me, it was the perfect amount of sweetness because it wasn't overly sweet. I also loved that they do a little writing design on top of the drink using honey. I thought that was such a cute and unique touch! We also tried the Matcha Manako because it has li hing mango syrup, which we had never seen before. This one was less sweet but still really delicious! My friend also got their tonic drink, but unfortunately, we weren't really fans of it. The flavors didn't mix well together for us, so I wouldn't get that one again. I also like that they sell their own syrups that you can use to make your own drinks at home. I ended up buying their honey lilikoi syrup to bring home because I liked the drink so much. The syrup itself isn't very sweet. I've used it multiple times at home to make my own matcha, and it's been great! They have plenty of indoor seating, and it's not too loud, so I'd say it's a nice spot to hang out or get some work done. The staff is also very friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. I also loved that they sell bouquets there, and they were all so pretty! I highly recommend checking this place out if you're in the area!

    Asia C.

    TLDR: 5/5 - the vibes are excellent, a coffee shop you can actually work in, with a great staff and such good array of drinks, what more can you ask for! Ordered: Hapa Matcha - 5/5 This was incredibly refreshing. Great matcha, not too sweet at all or even in the slightest. Its really the fixings that make this not only the most unique matcha I've had but also bang for your buck. The cold foam was soooo good you can taste the hint of pineapple, the liliko honey syrup was present and blended well with the other ingredients. I drank this way too fast. Vibes: 5/5 Music was flowing, staff was really kind any helpful and the best part is is that this functions as a real coffee shop, who would've thought. There's a good amount of seating with whatever vibe you want: co working or catching up with a friend. If I was in the area i'd be around here so often. Parking: 5/5 - There's a lot next door but there's also street parking! I can't wait to come back here. They have so many options that I'm all too excited to try.

    Po'ai by Pono Potions- 07.25.2026- Pauahi, Hapa Honey Latte, AlohaMora
    Dina V.

    My daughter's and I are constantly sharing Tik Toks and reels about matcha and coffee spots on Oahu. We finally had a chance to try Po'ai By Pono Potions. It's close to Honolulu Chinatown and mainly street parking. We went early on a Saturday as we had other plans in town and we happened on rockstar parking right out front. Super cute and aesthetic spot with brick walls and tame decor. Upon walking in there's a case of local goods like jewelry and hair picks and the like on the left side. D1 and I opted for coffee options. She got the Pauahi: espresso, caramelized Mac nut syrup, whole milk, and toasted mac nuts. I got the Hapa Honey: espresso, honey lilikoi syrup, whole milk, local honey mac nut pineapple cold foam. D2 got the AlohaMora: matcha, coconut syrup, coconut milk, coconut lilikoi cold foam, and lime zest. Everything good, D2's was probably the best of the bunch. Service was awesome. Everyone was so cheerful and welcoming. We definitely will be going back, there was a seasonal special that we saw after we paid and we were waiting for our drinks. They specialize in making their own syrups. Support Local.

    Tasha K.

    Po'ai by Pono Potions offers such a unique space and atmosphere -- the perfect escape right in the middle of downtown. Although I only got an iced americano, I can't wait to come back and try their other signature drinks! The staff were friendly and service was quick. I love the little gift shop areas of the cafe, which include Pono Potions items for sale. Vibe: The cafe has nice decor and ambiance, and the community of people inside added to the cozy atmosphere. There are tables and high tops inside.

    Drinks
    Cody P.

    I found Po'Ai by Pono Potions on TikTok while looking for things to do on Oahu. The shop is located in Chinatown, Honolulu. The ambiance felt very artisanal and apothecary-like, similar to a Le Labo or Kiehl's store. I didn't know this at the time, but Pono Potions specializes in syrups using natural flavors from around the island. It was a little busy when we went, but the wait was not too long.  The content creator specifically recommended the Hapa Honey and to substitute the coffee for matcha, so that was exactly what I did. The drink was topped with a pineapple foam and drizzled with a delicious honey lilikoi syrup. I am such a big fan of passionfruit and loved how well the lilikoi flavor blended with the honey and pineapple. I loved how the profile of this drink showcased the flavors of Hawai'i. And now that I know that you can buy their syrups online, I may grab a couple of bottles myself! My friends got the iced and hot Pauahi, a latte with caramelized macadamia nut syrup and topped with toasted macadamia nut. This drink was also really good! I totally recommend Po'Ai by Pono Potions. I love that they create their own syrups. The menu also felt very unique and showcased Hawaiian flavors. I would definitely come back if I ever had the opportunity to.

    2 hapa matchas and 1 hot meli matcha
    Winnie L.

    I'm so happy more cafe's that serve quality matcha drinks are opening up on the island! What brought me to Po'ai by Pono Potions was their lilikoi syrup and how they write out aloha with lilikoi honey on their cream top for the hapa matcha. Such a nice touch and I love how the design may be different each time depending on the barista. I highly recommend especially if you're visiting Hawaii as you get a taste of Hawaii in your matcha. I was obsessed from the first sip that I came back the next morning before my flight. The cold foam is delicious. You can taste the honey, lilikoi and pineapple. Staff were super welcoming and the ambiance is unmatched with the parasols hanging from the ceiling. They have an additional room with more seating on the right (once you walk in). There are 3 tables in the main area. They also sell local goods such as greeting cards, syrups, skincare and jewelry.

    Emily W.

    Cute interior with nice decorations and decent amount of indoor seating. Service was friendly and quick. I ordered the Hapa Matcha. Definitely an interesting drink. On the sweeter side especially with the honey drizzle and macnut-pineapple cold foam. The macnut-pineapple cold foam was unique and I've never had anything like it before. Tried some of their other drinks like the vanilla latte, hapa honey latte, and cold brew but I liked my drink the best out of all of these.

    Menu 8/20/26 (ig: @cravingswithcat)
    Catherine N.

    This was my first matcha in Hawaii and it does not disappoint. A lot of the popular matcha places in Hawaii are the exact places that I've tried in LA, so it was exciting to stumble upon this place on Tik Tok. I ordered the Hapa Matcha and it was my first time having a Lilikoi matcha, super refreshing. I wish the cold foam was a little thicker and more of a cream top, but still super yummy. The matcha was perfectly sweetened too. As for the coffee, it was lighter in sweetener and the flavored syrup wasn't as strong. The coffee was strong and pretty solid. The line was starting to pick up on a weekday morning. The drinks are made pretty quick after you order. They have an indoor seating area There's metered street parking outside of the cafe. ig: @cravingswithcat

    Hapa honey
    Pauline C.

    Really unique and delicious. The hint of Lilikoi syrup and pineapple cold form works well with the matcha. I didn't adjust the sweetness and it was perfect for me. Highly recommend if you are already exploring Chinatown. There are metered street parking.

    Austin W.

    My wife and I stopped by Po'ai By Pono Potions for some coffee before lunch and the store was relatively empty. I ordered a flat white while my wife ordered an Alohamora, a matcha drink with coconut syrup, cocnut milk, matcha, liliko'i coconut foam, and lime zest. The espresso shot in the flat white was strong and the steamed milk on top was nice and foamy. I only tried a small sip of the Alohamora and liked that it wasn't overly sweet and the matcha wasn't too bitter. I was thinking about picking up a small bite from the pastry case but decided against it once I saw the pricing: a small coffee cake muffin was priced at $8. I understand that local businesses have to charge more to survive, but this was a new record high for me, especially given the size of the pastry. Outside of food and beverages, the space had plenty of seating -- with both a low table with 8 seats and tall table with 12 seats in the room adjacent to where you order and pickup your drinks. The cafe seems like a good place to get work down: the music isn't too loud, there's free WiFi, and there's a single bathroom left of the ordering counter. If you're in this part of town, I suspect you're probably here because of the pastries and baked goods at Mille Fête. If so, definitely head next door to try out a matcha drink from Po'ai.

    Flat White and Matcha Manako Li-hing mango syrup, whole milk and matcha.
    Kathy N.

    Visited for the first time and wondered what the hype was about. I had the Matcha Manako Li-hing mango syrup, whole milk and matcha. Hubby had a Flat White Espresso. He enjoyed his drink, and barista suggested Matcha Manako for me. Great tasting matcha, but I didn't care much for the combination.

    Earl gray hojicha!
    Selena L.

    My friends and I came in 15 minutes before closing and the workers were so kind and welcoming! We were unsure if we would be able to sit inside to enjoy our drinks, but they were so kind and let us sit inside while they closed up! I got the earl gray hojicha and the black sesame rice crispy treat. Both were so yummy and true to their flavor descriptions. I forgot to take a picture of the rice crispy treat because I ate it too fast.

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    Ask the Community - Po’ai By Pono Potions

    Do they have gluten-free pastries every day?

    I understand they have gluten-free pastries so excited to try. What do they offer Daily?

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    Highway Inn is highly recommended for their classic Hawaiian dishes. We made our way over at…read moreopening last Thursday for an early lunch. Our server was very helpful and even brought out a pamphlet explaining each dish. After reading it over, the three of us decided to each try one of the signature Hawaiian combo plates. LAU LAU COMBO (PORK) - 22.99 + poi + lomi salmon The set came out in cafeteria-style trays, almost like a grade school lunch. Our server recommended eating the main entree and lomi salmon with poi, a fermented taro paste. Judging by how it looked, I thoroughly expected the poi to be sweet, but it was actually much more sour, almost like yogurt. I didn't enjoy it too much on its own, but it worked incredibly well with the pork lau lau. The pork was mostly tender and juicy, with a fragrant, leafy steamed flavor that reminded me of the Chinese zong zi my mom makes. The leaner parts of the pork were a bit dry, but the steamed taro leaves helped. The lomi salmon (salted salmon mixed with onions and tomatoes) was refreshing, although the pungent raw onions were a bit much for me. The 'uala (steamed sweet potatoes) had a natural, earthy sweetness that we all enjoyed. Lastly, the haupia (coconut pudding) was incredibly tasty, with a strong coconut flavor that made me sad when I took my last bite. One of my friends got the chicken lau lau, which we actually enjoyed even more. The chicken was delicious, and there was so much of it. Overall, we enjoyed getting to try some authentic Hawaiian dishes at Highway Inn, especially our server and the pamphlet gave us a better understanding of what we were eating.

    When the tattoo artist tells you where to eat Hawaiian food... you listen!…read more While we were in Hawaii, we told my husband's tattoo artist that we really wanted to try some Hawaiian food. Not the touristy version. We wanted to actually experience some of the local food, and she recommended Highway Inn Restaurant & Catering. So of course, we had to give it a try! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt very laid-back and comfortable. Nothing overly fancy or trying too hard. It had that relaxed, home-style feeling where you could just sit down, eat, and enjoy yourself. Now let's talk about the food! I had the BBQ chicken with rice and salad, and that chicken was so tender! The barbecue sauce was absolutely delicious, and surprisingly, that salad was GOOD too. I loved the dressing they served with it. The hubby went more traditional and ordered the Lau Lau with pork, which gave us exactly what we came for, a chance to experience Hawaiian food while we were here. But y'all... I have to mention something completely random. THE COKE! I don't know what was going on with that Coke, but it tasted like Coke used to taste back in the day! I kept saying, "Now THIS tastes like a Coke!" Sometimes it really is the little things. The service was great. Our server was friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience easy and enjoyable. No complaints at all. As far as value, absolutely worth what we paid. Good food, good portions, friendly service, and a relaxed atmosphere. 4.5/5 Would we go back? Definitely. Especially if we wanted another casual spot for Hawaiian comfort food. And shout-out to the tattoo artist because she definitely didn't steer us wrong on this one!

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    Rainbow Drive-In

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    4.5(5.5k reviews)
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    Musubi Cafe is such a fun, local gem, but be ready for a wait. We went early, midday timing, and…read morethe line was already about 15 people with roughly a 30 minute wait. It moves steadily though, and it is worth it. Inside is tiny, just one small table, so this is really an order and go kind of place rather than somewhere to sit and eat. They have every musubi combination you could think of, unagi, avocado, cucumber, egg, bacon, ume, tofu skin, shrimp, you name it. I got the tuna mayo onigiri and wished they had packed in a little more tuna filling, but it was still tasty. I also tried the cucumber spam musubi, which was really good too. We came as a group of seven and everyone ordered something different, and everyone loved every bite. My tip: get at least two musubis per person. A few people in our group got four each and had zero regrets. One thing to know ahead of time is parking. It is street parking only and pretty limited, so plan for that if you are driving. Overall such an easy, yummy stop and a great local experience in Waikiki.

    We came here because it was highly rated and my sister saw it in a viral Instagram video. The first…read moretime, we ordered the tuna musubi, but it had so much rice and barely any tuna. We decided to come back the next day and order the "Double Tuna," thinking it would actually have double the tuna. Instead, it seemed like the same small amount of tuna with double the rice! We ordered around eight of them, so it was especially disappointing to find that they were mostly rice. The portions just don't feel balanced. If someone pays extra for "Double Tuna," they're expecting more tuna, NOT extra rice. Unfortunately, it felt like they were really skimping on the filling, and the quality didn't live up to the hype for us.

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    3.6 mi
    $$

    To start, Fresh Catch was my favorite poke spot that I tried during our Hawaii trip. We walked in a…read morecouple Saturdays ago for lunch, and the interior had no-frills, seafood-market, straight-to-the-counter-to-order kind of vibes. There was only simple bench seating and high-top counter tables with no chairs. We loved that we could sample some before making a choice. POKE BOWL +2 for white rice Since poke is charged by the pound, I went crazy. "A bit more!" I would say, after one gigantic scoop. I got a scoop-plus of both ahi shoyu and "old school" ahi, which is seasoned simply with sesame oil and salt. I ended up with about 0.7 pounds of fish (both 29.99/lb), which came out to around $22. The rice wasn't great since it was a bit mushy and clumpy, but the star of the show was the fresh tuna. The "old school" ahi was my favorite for its simplicity and addictive sesame flavor. It's one I could easily enjoy without rice. The shoyu was also great, but it got a bit too saucy and overwhelming after a few bites. Overall, I truly enjoyed eating all that fresh poke. It was easily my favorite poke of the trip. ICED LILIKOI PASSION TEA - 5 I asked for less sweet, and it was perfect. It was refreshing and smooth, making it great to sip on whenever I needed a break from the intensity of the poke. I'm so glad I got this to pair with my bowl. Next time, I'll get a poke bowl with the "old school" ahi and furikake salmon. I tried my friend's salmon, and it was nutty and umami-forward, with fatty, rich salmon that I really enjoyed.

    Poke was fresh and good! $15.89 ($29.99/lb) + extra white…read morerice $1.75 The new location is a bit complicated for me, but I would still go there if I'm in the area.

    Photos
    Fresh Catch - Visit 09/2025

    Visit 09/2025

    Fresh Catch - 5 different types of poke, side of rice with furikake, and cucumbers

    5 different types of poke, side of rice with furikake, and cucumbers

    Fresh Catch - Hawaiian ahi

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    Hawaiian ahi

    Po’ai By Pono Potions - cafes - Updated September 2026

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