Apparently I was wrong about the service! Lol. The owner angrily ranted at me about how there wasn't any AI in his shop, despite the fact that when I visited, nearly every single poster on the walls advertising events either utilized AI generated art or was wholly generated by it. You'd think that as the owner of a small business, he'd want to support the many local artists to create promotional material and consider customer comments with some grace and humility, but I suppose this isn't that kind of place. Genuinely embarrassing for the owner and the company he's representing. read more

Puna Chocolate Company - The owner lashing out at a customer over a valid concern. - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Puna Chocolate Company is one of my favorite local chocolate artisan shops, conveniently located in Downtown Hilo. Since my time away, they have beautifully renovated the interior to have a sit-down booth area. I love the abundance of nene decor honoring our state bird, along with high quality chocolates made in Hawaii. The store clerk was very knowledgeable and described how each cultivars of chocolate differ in their taste profiles. We had the horchata 50% milk chocolate bar, and I don't have a picture because we devoured it in one sitting! Overall, Puna Chocolate Co. is an elegant, delightful, and elevated experience that rivals big names like Big Island Candies and Dandelion Chocolates in San Francisco. Highly recommend in stopping by! read more

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I stopped by Puna Chocolate Company for an afternoon coffee and ordered an espresso. It wasn't terribly busy in the store so my drink was prepared in minutes. The espresso was strong, not overwhelmingly bitter, and had a good consistency to it. While sitting at the bar, I noticed that they had a Day Drink menu with a bunch of coffee and chocolate cocktails, including an espresso martini and a cacao old fashioned. For $14 and $13 respectively, these seemed like very reasonable prices. Definitely something I'll check out on my next visit. On the right side of the store is a gift shop, while the left side has a bunch of seating for patrons. I noticed there were a few people here with their laptops out, so I can only assume it's also a good place to work as well. The store seemed pretty quiet, street parking outside was easy, and the staff I interacted with here was friendly. Puna Chocolate Company is a good rest spot to stop by to escape from the busyness of Downtown Hilo. read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Had the frozen mocha with caramel and whipped cream (accepted the dairy option)-yum and very refreshing on this hot day! Also had the seafood dip that comes with a bagel or croissant. (Didn't bother me that the toaster was temporarily out of commission.) The Parmesan bagel with the spread was delish, and quite filling! The restroom is shared with the speakeasy around the corner and down three steps. Cool deco! Get the code before you go downstairs;)! Super pleasant service with a smile, by the way. Condiments are at a station facing the customer service counter. Just pick up your order, turn around, and voila! The shop has so many goodies from treats to coffees. Great for yourself or to give away! Enjoy! read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Cool artwork! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Really nice local chocolate shop. Many options of chocolate from different regions of Hawaii to chose from as well as different sweets. They even have a cafe. Pretty expensive, but it's worth it for the specialty of it. Would recommend giving it a visit if in Hilo. read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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We stumbled upon this cafe serving coffee and smoothies. We decided to go with the Chocolate Banana Smoothie. It tasted smooth and the chocolate was really rich! They use the cacao from their local farm (in powder form). We also got a bag of their chocolate drink mix, the same powder that they use in the drink so we could make it at home (with the mix, oat milk, and a banana). It tastes really similar to the one in the cafe and would recommend picking up a bag if you like the drink. read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Chocolate Banana Smoothie - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

An iced rich dark mocha was a perfect way to the end the night on the Wet Side of the island.

We stopped into Puna Chocolate Company, not for chocolate but for coffee - it was recommended to us for the coffee. You enter into a chocolate shop with a counter at the back, and cafe seating to the left. We quickly perused the chocolate and coffee bean offerings, and proceeded to the counter for an iced latte to-go. They use Kona coffee and it was strong and smooth and delicious - just what we'd wanted. I needed to use the restroom - it's around the side of the building, through a gate, and halfway down a set of stairs. Be careful - I tripped stepping up into this single stall. On my search for the restroom, I had the happy accident of going all the way down the stairs and I found a beautiful Speakeasy! I think that's how most people discover them! We were only in town for a few hours, but if we were staying overnight, I'd definitely stop by Puna Chocolate Company again to try more of their cafe offerings (including fun cocktails), AND I'd visit the Speakeasy for a drink. It was not at all what I'd expected to see in Hilo - a hidden gem and such a vibe! read more

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Was interested in seeing some chocolate products, but pleasantly surprised by the chocolate drink bar in the back. I immediately ordered the aloha coconut mocha latte with macadamia milk ($5.75+$1) and midnight chocolate velvet cake. My partner got the frozen hot chocolate with macadamia nut. SO GOOD read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Aloha Coconut Mocha, Midnight Velvet Cake, Frozen Hot Chocolate - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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It's been a few weeks and I am STILL thinking about the iced mocha I had here, so I knew it was time to write a review! Love the relaxed, modern vibe of this place and it was chill and quiet enough to work or read here. Now onto the mocha...it was so delicious! Intensely chocolatey and just sweet enough. It was also super caffeinated! I felt a little caffeine buzz and had to save some of the drink for the following day. A+, Puna Chocolate Co. -- highly recommended for your coffee needs in Hilo! read more

Puna Chocolate Company - The most delicious iced mocha - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Excellent spot in Hilo to stop for both chocolate and coffee. The chocolate is excellent with many different varieties and they use it in their chocolate coffee drinks. Frozen hot chocolate was delightful as well. Limited seating. read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Puna Chocolate Company Parlor & Cafe - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

How have I not reviewed this place? It's one one of my local favorites. My mainstay is the frozen hot chocolate, which on a warm, humid Hilo day may be the best thing in the entire universe. Everything I've had here is good, the people are friendly and the vibe is pleasant. They have many varieties of local coffee beans which I really should try, as Hawaii Island grows some of the best coffee on the planet. Also, most of their stuff can be ordered online. read more

The coffee here speaks for itself, it's delicious. I'm a huge coffee snob and I came back here 3x.

Amazing service, ambiance was phenomenal, so many great cocktails and chocolate to choose from! Loved our server. The drinks were probably some of the best I've ever had. Truly a worthwhile experience. Please make sure to stop by! read more

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Cute little coffee/chocolate shop - nice and cool on a hot August day. I had the chocolate banana smoothie and it was delish! read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Always stop off for the most delicious and refreshing frozen hot chocolate! It's the perfect balance rich and sweet! Great for those hot humid days! Quick friendly service as always. read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Frozen hot chocolate - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

One can't go wrong here. I picked up gifts for family and treated myself here as well. Service is so friendly and helpful, coffee drinks are to die for and shop is organized, tidy and clean read more

Order a hot, dark chocolate mocha & it was delicious! Staff was very nice & gave us some local recommendations. Also picked up a cool art print! read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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We came here looking for coffee on Easter Sunday and this was the only place we could find online that had Easter hours. This is a very cute place with fun decor. The servers are nice. They had an excellent oat milk latte. They specialize in chocolate as well, and all their mochas are shots of espresso in hot chocolate with other flavors added. We also got Mac nut clusters which were very yummy. It's a super cute shop. read more

I know a bunch of people who are addicted to their chocolate beverages, so it's pretty much a must-visit in Hilo. They do it all well, from product to packaging to display and design, with a cool contemporary feel. Grabbed a dark chocolate Easter bunny and a chocolate banana smoothie today, and noticed the cool retro nene detail under the bar. Service was great, but I was left wondering, does anyone actually say "no" to the question "do you want whipped cream on that ?" PS, They also serve chocolate alcoholic beverages.... haven't tried yet, but someday I'm gonna ..... read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Nene frieze under live-edge bar top. - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

There needs to be a loyalty program for this business. I come here too often and I don't even live on Big Island. lol. A trip to Hilo isn't complete until I get my fur baby his Lava Paws and a chocolate drink for myself. This trip we decided to buy their Puna coffee and their Kona coffee. The coffee is almost gone and we just arrived home 4 days ago. It's just that good! If you're ever in Hilo, add this place to your list. If you have extra time in your itinerary, make a trip to their factory and see the magic unfold - which is something I might consider too. read more

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Nice spot to try and buy local chocolates and have a drink at the bar or tables. The chocolate is excellent, although pricey!! They also have a "frequent flyer" punch card. Nice place, friendly staff and I even got to try some real coco beans. Interesting... read more

I was visiting town after the farmers market. & I had a small creamy hot coco! I can't have caffeine so it's nice to still have that pick me up I believe they used there Paniolo (cowboy mix) ....im guessing... Correct me if I'm wrong.... But.... Drinking something so deccicating like coco usually gives... this is actually so creamy... Not too sweet.. Really yummy! Take that as you will:) .. so good that I picked up a pack to take home:) for a small coco & a 6oz pack of coco for home was $14 incase ya'll wanted to know! read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Hot coco - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Are you a cholcohalic!? Well, this place is for you if you want to visit Chocolate heaven. I have been here many time and it is always great! Very pleasant atmosphere, friendly, relaxing and what better way than to spend it with chocolate ! I purchased for my friend in the mainland, some Hot frozen Chocolate and they love it! I had to comeback today because I created a monster back home and they wanted more. I have had it here and it is great and a lot better than any of the big companies that sell chocolate drinks. If you are in town, stop by and have a drink (non-alcoholic or alcoholic) relax and enjoy the flavor of the local cacao. Not only they have chocolate mixes but they have bars of all flavors, peanut chocolate bars, shirts, etc. Mahalo for such great drink! read more

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Want to know what's better than a top notch chocolate + coffee shop? A top notch chocolate + coffee shop that also makes cocktails! Can y'all please open a shop in Denver? Okay, now that that's out of the way... Puna is amazing. High quality and locally sourced chocolate and coffee with killer beverages to boot - both boozy and caffeinated, depending on your mood and/or time of day. We stayed in Hilo and came here twice we loved it so much. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable and crafts a mean drink. Because we are creatures of habit we both ordered the same thing each time: Aztec Old Fashioned for him (one of the best he's ever had, and that's saying a lot!) and Dark Chocolatini for me which was perfection. If you dig chocolate, make sure you fit them in on your visit to Hilo! read more

Found this chocolate company by accident as I was looking for a coffee shop and we were blown away by the unique chocolate cocktails and the vibes were great! Highly recommend if you're in Hilo looking for a post dinner drink. Thursdays are thirsty Thursdays so drinks are 7.95!! My favorite was the espresso martini and my friends was the like water for chocolate. read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Chocolate margaritas - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Really cute store with mighty good hot chocolate! There's many kind of chocolates you can buy along with coffee beans and T shirts, stickers, bags etc... cafe offers many kinds of beverages and foods too. Stop by and look around! read more

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This is NOT a review of the store in Hilo, but about the Puna Chocolate Company chocolate, itself. Bought a few bars in Kona. It's pricey, but I wanted to support local while on the Big Island. Started with the 70% dark with salted potato chips. OMG! It was the smoothest most decadent dark chocolate bar ever! Wish I had bought more! Ingredients listed cane sugar - only kind of sugar I like (IMO), and says it's single source chocolate. Took pics of the wrapper then bit the chocolate. It was so good I forgot to take a pic of the chocolate! Good thing chocolate looks like chocolate! Also have a 50% dark chocolate with peanut butter. This time I remember to take a pic of the candy first. This one has organic cane sugar - better yet. I took a small bite (can't eat two chocolate bars at once, as much as I'd love to) and it was even smoother and so rich! Neither tasted too sweet, so the chocolate flavor shone through. Even the potato chips and peanut butter flavors were light, again allowing the chocolate flavors to shine. Pics are out of order - sorry, but you can see the type of chocolate and the ingredients. With the price for the quality, smoothness, and flavor. Next time I'm on the Big island I'm buying more. In Kona - was a little store to the left of Kona Brewing as you left. read more

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We came across this parlor and cafe on an after dinner walk in downtown Hilo. What a nice place to browse! There so many neat gifts of chocolate and other local goodies to look at. I love the Big Island region specific chocolate bars with descriptions of their flavor profiles. The parlor and cafe menu has been well covered by other Yelpers and all the chocolate alcoholic drinks do sound divine. What caught my attention was the chocolate tea. I learned that when cocoa beans are roasted, a papery parchment around the bean is removed before the bean is processed into chocolate. Puna Chocolate Co. found another use for that parchment, tea. I got a cup to try and it does indeed tastes like yummy chocolate. It has all the roasted cocoa bean flavor, but without any calories. I brought some home and made some tea with it. Following the directions, the homemade tea is actually richer than the cup I had at the cafe. No complaints. I added some monk fruit sugar and it tastes better than many hot chocolate mixes. I am a big fan of this now. The gentleman at the cafe told me he had been known to add egg nog to the the chocolate tea. Now that sounds decadent! Check them out. You never know what you'll discover. read more

Popped in to grab some chocolates and some coffee, left with a variety of specialty chocolates at a great price, and we loved the Frozen Hot Chocolate. So good!! Customer service was friendly and helpful. Would recommend. read more

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They make great chocolate here. We also had some coffee which was real Hawaiian coffee, but sadly not a real cappuccino in terms of the make. Oh well, 1 for 2. Still good chocolate. read more

Holy chocolate martini!! Wow! I added a shot of espresso to mine, and it couldn't have been more decadent and delicious. I literally dream about this cocktail. One side of the shop is a candy shop with a coffee bar, and then they serve cocktails on the other side. There is a bar or tables to sit at. We popped in for a drink one day, and were able to overhear the owner working out new drinks for the menu... very interesting. Super kind and helpful staff as well. Awesome place. read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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We were walking around after dinner and it was the only thing open. Not realizing it was also a coffee shops and a bar! The girl greet us and offered chocolate samples. I ordered a cup of cortado, added some oatmilk and some honey. Even my boyfriend who doesn't regularly drink coffee likes it. The place is so cute, that's my go to spot for coffee everyday that I'm here. read more

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Great vibe, service and chocolate. We tried the mamaki and cocoa tea. The tea taste uniquely amazing with the sweetness from macadamia orgeat (homemade syrup) read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Farm mamaki tea - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

This just became our coffee shop. At first I thought the prices would be too high to compete with our usual casual stops, because it seems a little fancier, but it wasn't bad. $4.75 for an Americano that tastes better. My man likes the cups. He's the coffee drinker and it's an important aspect. I usually get the mamaki tea or other Hawaiian tea for $5.00. Also frozen hot chocolate ($5.75) or frozen ube drink ($6.00). I don't know many places around here doing frozen hot chocolates with their own locally made chocolate. There are sweets and pastries too. The possibilities are endless. Souvenirs, local gifts and merchandise make up half of the store. Chocolate cocktails at the bar are a fun idea we'll get into one day. read more

i love it here! old faithful for sure. my only complaint was the zodiac drink was not up to date and i had to drink some bitch ass sagittarius drink on my capricorn birthday. i also had a peppermint mocha in the morning and it was phenomenal!!! read more

The Puna chocolate company is absolutely amazing. I wish her every day when I was in Hilo. Now back in Florida they delivered my chocolate and it's just like Hawaii (12 hour flight )away!. read more

Puna Chocolate Company - Special order chocolate for Christmas from the Puna chocolate company - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Happened upon this place walking through Hilo Downtown. Cute hidden gem located on Keawe Street near KTA. STREET PARKING. You might need to park closer to Bay Front Area, or you can chance a parallel parking closer. It's a quick 5 minute walk if you don't feel like putting your signal on an inconveniencing all the lifted Toyota's behind you. I ordered myself a latte from the walk up register on the right side and realized after the left side tables have the option to order BOOZY DRINKS. What a delight! This is not your everyday frufru plain hot cocoa with a dash of vodka, it's expertly crafted cocktails. Some paired with coffee and some without. I got a Pistachio Rose Gin cocktail with a hint of cardamom. It was so refreshing and all the flavors were so delicate, hats off to the papa of this drink. We also got a "BOFA"or "COFA", I can't quite remember the name but omg it was amazing. Perfect balance of coffee and liquor. My God these people know what their doing. It was 10am on a Tuesday so I wasn't looking to get lit as their tree so I will be back for more! read more

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This place has a lot of great gift options either for local or non-local friends and loved ones. They have a pretty good sized shop for being downtown in Hilo. I haven't ever sat in, but usually will get a drink to go. Love their iced mochas with dark chocolate. They always ask me about milk preferences, too, which makes it feel like they want to do a customized drink so I appreciate that. read more

Such a chill vibe in the store (and well air conditioned lol!) where you can sit and have a drink! My fiancé had the aloha mocha and I had the rich mocha and though they kinda taste the same (just the aloha was sweeter), they were both so chocolate-y and delicious! If you're not a fan of coffee/espresso, I would try their mocha since it literally tastes like drinking the smoothest iced chocolate drink! read more