Never thought I'd be the type of millennial that spends $10 on an avocado toast but I had a sink full of dishes and it came came highly recommended. Been coming here for years to get my coffee beans and occasional pastry (highly recommend the cinnamon roll) but never tried their food menu. The avocado toast was the bomb, I added an egg for $1 which was a good call. Will definitely buy again! read more

ARS Cafe - Avocado toast + Egg - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This place has good coffee, art, a cute building, and is in a relatively peaceful location (away from Waikiki), but honestly, that's about all it has to offer. I ordered food and a coffee. The moody barista left my coffee sitting on the counter so I had to go and get it, and the server brought me two forks instead of a knife and fork. Another trip to the counter. While I understand that the vibe is more serve-yourself rather than table-service, I resent being presented with a tip screen if I'm not going to get table service. The food is functional; ie. something you order as an afterthought to snack on with your coffee, but not something you go out of your way for. The prices have also increased about 30% over the last few years, and while inflation happens, and this certainly isn't a unique situation, I still find the whole Ars experience underwhelming. Ars has a cult following with locals and the art scene (so I expect this review to be unpopular), but this is part of the problem; the place has gotten complacent, resting smugly on its faded laurels and doing nothing more. If Ars were a term paper, and I were to grade it, I'd give it a 'C minus: could do better'. So, come for the coffee, and stay for the location, but don't expect anything more. read more

Coffee is nearly undrinkable. Ordered a breve latte and tasted like it was made with pinesol. Bitter, off-putting aftertaste, poor quality coffee. It was also $7.33. You can be terrible, but terrible and expensive? Wow. I'd suggest going to a cafe run by coffee people instead, such as The Curb, Try Coffee, 9Bar or DripHNL. I couldn't even finish half of my coffee from this place it was so bad. Sucks there's not a better option in my neighborhood here. Would be one star but I like the location. Two stars. read more

ARS kicks major ars! I moved away from Oahu several years ago before this cafe even existed. Being back on island recently for a wedding, my husband and I were walking back to our hotel from a nearby "old favorite cafe" and happened to walk right past ARS. Well we stopped in our tracks, of course, to check out this 1920s looking espresso bar, and realized it was not only a cool looking coffee shop, but that their menu had our names written all over it! In addition to the usual espresso and coffee beverages, they also had matcha lattes, avocado toast, and an awesome smoothie bowl made with Spirulina. Yup, we're all about that! We went back the next day for breakfast...and then again the day after that! Not only were our lattes on point, but the avocado toast and Super Green Bowl were delish, and we thoroughly enjoyed the 1920s vibe and soothing music they were playing each day. Even the restroom was nice and stocked with Aēsop brand hand soap and lotion. Can't wait to come back to the island and revisit ARS Cafe again! read more

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I stopped in here with my parents while they were visiting on the way to Diamond Head to grab some caffeine in a bite to eat. I had driven by a few times and been interested because of the outside design. When I stepped inside, I was not disappointed. Not only was the quality of their coffee, superb, but the food options. Just perfect. my parents and I split two sandwiches (salmon and a veg with egg added) and two pastries and none of them disappointed. All of our coffees were even better, with the perfect balance of flavor across the coffee, dairy, and sweetener. This is the perfect spot on your way, or after hiking Diamond head to perk up and grab a quick snack. Oh! And try the cold brew. You won't be disappointed. read more

-Wonderful and kind staff here -parking is found on the streets. No private lot -no WiFi, so I recommend using a personal cell hotspot -their sandwich is soo yummy here. We had the caprese sandwich and it was soo good I've gotta come back here -open seating read more

ARS Cafe - Brunch! - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Came here with a friend for the first time and was amazed at the beautiful interior, it didn't even feel like I was in Hawaii! There was only one person working when we got there, and she looked a little frazzled, but she was super sweet when taking our order. My friend's coffee and banana bread came out very quickly, but I had to inquire about my Royal Milk Tea about 15 minutes after ordering, when I saw the three people who ordered after me get all of their drinks. The worker said she was still working on it, and it came out shortly after. The Royal Milk Tea (Earl Grey - $4.50 for a small) was filled to the brim in a beautiful ceramic cup, and was absolutely delicious. Not sweet (just how I like it), very aromatic, and the milk was steaming and creamy as well! The slice of Banana Bread that we shared was very... hard..? It wasn't bad, I've just never encountered a banana bread that wasn't soft and moist. There were loads of walnuts baked into it, and spices that elevated the flavor. I didn't hate it, but hmm. I don't think i'd get it again. read more

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Atmosphere is cool and cozy. No Wi-Fi access though. Service was a little slow. And I absolutely did not like my drink. Chai latte is always my go too. It tasted like watered down cinnamon oat milk. Not good at all. read more

Starting the day right...in Honolulu! My friend and I were going to the Rotary's Annual Garage Sale at Waikiki Elementary School and we wanted a snack since we were early. (Doors open at 7am. We arrived by 6am to stand in line, but there was none... yet.) Wanting to support a small business, a search on my Yelp app brought us to ARS Cafe because they open at 6:30am. We parked right in front of the shop...on the street. The gal opened the door a little before 0630. She was sweet and patient with my friend who has a tendency to overwhelm the server with questions. Haha! The interior was very unique. This coffee shop doubles as an art gallery and features a different artist every month. Artwork is available for purchase! I enjoyed looking at interesting creations while waiting for my snack. (We also used the clean and convenient restroom. Thank you!) I kind of like surprises, so I just order blindly. "Bowl of Granola" sounded "normal" to me, so I took a chance... wow... This is no ordinary bowl of granola! It had a thick layer of yogurt, topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries! Mixed with the granola were dried cranberries, almonds, and pumpkin seeds! Yum yum! It was better than I expected! I would return again and get a cup of chai because my friend said it was the real deal - not powder and not syrup. She was really satisfied with her order! The gelato and salmon toast platter also interest me! This is an ultra cool find. Please check it out if you're in the Diamond Head area! read more

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Wow I've lived in town for years and had never been here... what a hidden gem! Coffee is strong and tasty, and the food is amazing/ very reasonably priced. My salmon bagel was outstanding (Jewish boy approved) and only 7.5$ are you kidding me?? Huge portion. I've been paying double that for worse versions all over town. The barista was really knowledgeable and was able to talk story with guests while simultaneously making all the orders and running the register... impressive. Also makes for a very enjoyable atmosphere. The beautiful wood bar and overall aesthetic here rocks! I just wish I lived close by.... read more

They don't have iced coffee... what coffee shop doesn't have iced coffee...anyways, other options were cold brew or iced americano. Got the latter and it was alright read more

One of my favorite coffee spots in Honolulu. Coffee and service are excellent, and also the location is perfect, since it is not as busy as by the beaches, so easier to park a car. read more

ARS Cafe - coffee beans in jars with labels on them - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This is a cute cafe with lots of art work on the walls changes monthly. Earl grey royal milk tea was just okat....they put way too much milk, I could barely taste the tea. I think thier drinks, particularly coffees are priced bit too high ($5 for 8oz). However I love their food items. Avocado toast was very good and their pastry, particularly the scone with fruits and cream cheese was awesome. All the pastries in the show case are $1 after 2pm. read more

BEST hidden Gem in town...!!! Not too bad of a walk from where we were staying and it's gotta be the best of 2 coffee spots in town, I promise! The food was unreal and everything was fresh! It's definitely a must when in town and worth every step to ARS! read more

ARS Cafe - Veggie Bagel Sandwich, W/one of the best cups of coffee I've had..! - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Such a cute cafe! I've been meaning to stop by, but parking in the area can be a hassle so I'd never bothered to check the place out. I figured since we were going to take a reformer class nearby, that we'd stop by for coffee, food, and to get some work done before heading back home. Omg I'm so glad we did. I went in blindly and was expecting just a normal avocado toast.. but the avocado toast that came out had a side salad, not to mention beets and blue cheese! Love! My boyfriends mushroom toast was super yummy too! The service was quick and friendly, and our food and coffees were good! We'll definitely be back when we're in the area~ read more

ARS Cafe - Mushroom toast, iced americano, iced vanilla latte, & avocado toast. - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Having owned pioneer saloon, the owner opened ARS Cafe Gallery to compliment their heritage in food. From fresh baked delights to breakfast classics, it's truly a place to start off your morning. On the contrary, @ars.cafe is adorned with creative mediums on a monthly calendar basis, and the inspiration first rooted in the name ARS itself. Ars; short for Artis, is rendered as "Art is long, and life is short". Pretty expressive you think? We're obsessed with their freshly brewed drinks and their Cajun rice find them on Monsarrat, a block away from @pioneersaloonhawaii read more

ARS Cafe - Super Greens Bowl - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Great pour over coffee, great vibe and great art! Looking forward to my next visit! Curious who curates the art... well done!

ARS is the perfect place to hangout and chill with a friend, lover or good book. They have a variety of gelato options, cafe choices like Sandwiches, toasts, salads and bagels. The servers here are all quite friendly and personable. The interior has several seats and a bar area that you can park on to enjoy your drink and meal. Drink-wise a boat load of several teas, coffees, expresso's and cold drinks. Parking is outside in the street. Enjoy yourself! read more

ARS Cafe - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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My family and I decided to stop in after we had a late lunch after the being at the Zoo, all day. Plus, I was in dire need of some "iced" coffee. IT WAS HOT OUT!! Since ARS was next door to where we had lunch, we said "why not try it out". My husband and I, had their "Green tea iced latte with some honey" and it was delicious. It kinda reminded us of the "green tea KitKat" from Japan. Which we absolutely love. My daughter had the "strawberry gelato" which she "swears she absolutely loves". Lol...TRUST ME!! She's a picky eater!! Definitely glad, we stopped in this little "cute and unique" coffee shop. We will definitely be back!! The price here, very reasonable. As for the parking, you can find parking along the street. Definitely, give this place a try!! read more

ARS Cafe - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Wasn't the best coffee but it satisfied our fix. Probably one of the better coffee joints we tried in Honolulu. Plenty of room to sit inside. We recommend the avocado toast, they add pesto + goat cheese which makes it super tasty! read more

ARS Cafe - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Today i woke up craving Arvo since it was my go to for breakfast but when checking yelp i saw the words: "ARS" and I thought it was close enough to Arvo (and when checking their menu saw avocado toast!!) so decided to come here! I remember coming here when they just opened but I thought they didnt have food but maybe this change? Anyways its been years... Here the reviews: -Ambience: cute and chic inside -Parking: street only -Service: the drinks are prepared right in front and super fast, food does take some time. They all are nice and friendly though. -Food: *Avocado toast with egg ($9.50+ $1) It was really good! The avocado was super fresh and had a great flavor! *Smoked bacon platter ($11) I think i am a bacon connoisseur and i didnt care much for the bacon they use. Felt more like costco type, it wasnt bad though but next time, i'll stick with the avocado toast or try something else :) read more

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What a cool find! Rae was such a delight and very personable. We'll be back! #DebbieGlenn and #SouthernDisposition was here! read more

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Great coffee and beans. I came here by recommendation from a fellow coffee loving friend and I was not disappointed. The barista that helped me was extremely friendly and welcoming and seemed to remember a couple customers who came in. He definitely know how to strike a conversation and make people feel welcomed. I can't leave the island without grabbing a bag of their Maui beans to take back to LA. read more

Trendy little coffee shop about a mile walk from Diamond Head. Adorable staff with all kinds of yummy food and specialty coffee drinks. Don't miss the Nutella panini! read more

ARS Cafe - Nutella panini - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

My drink was great, no complaints. Problem is that the server was obnoxiously condescending. When I ordered a macchiato, he responded with, "It's not gonna be like a Starbucks macchiato." As if I didn't know what a legit macchiato from anywhere but Starbucks is like. I've ordered a macchiato probably two hundred times without anyone feeling the need to debrief me on what it is. Great shop, cool vibe, just prefer service workers who don't peg me as some valley girl who doesn't know what she's ordering. So to the bearded man with ugly crocs, maybe try not treating your customers as if they're morons? Made my morning just a little less bright. read more

ARS is a super cool coffee spot with delicious breakfast. I knew I was getting real coffee when I walked in. Service was friendly and it is a peaceful place to be. I thought it was interesting that they didn't leave cream out for the coffee, it would alter the taste of how the barista brewed it, it was great coffee! I liked the Maui better than the Kona, and the avocado toast is delicious - Incase you need a recco read more

ARS Cafe - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Stopped by here before heading to Diamond head in the morning. This fun coffee shop had a very locals feel to it. Inside it had cool, eclectic decorations and two very competent baristas. Although the kitchen was closed, we were able to order pour over coffees and premade pastries. The food was delicious, but the coffee was the real standout. Fresh made with immense care, it was a pleasure to watch them use all the cool gear to make the perfect cup. Glad we stopped by and would definitely return! read more

Fist time visit. It's a cute little spot with hip atmosphere; parking is the worst, but worth it to take a trip here. Although, there's not much art, perhaps more of it comes out at night? I had the avocado toast with a pouched egg--comes with a side of arugula. Healthy breakfasts' rocks! It's your average "avo toast" but if you're not feeling up to cooking at home for this simple but tasty classic, drive on over to ARS; sip a latte, eat healthy and be well. Xoxo read more

ARS Cafe - Avo Toast w/pouched egg & arugula. Vanilla Latte - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I have a thing for avocado toast and coffee shops so it only made sense for me to try this place out. Walking into Ars Cafe, I was suprised that it was bigger than I thought it would be. From the outside, you can't tell that there are places to sit. It's a very artsy place... I guess they have art shows fron time to time in their cafe. The avocado toast was a pretty generous size. I liked that the the bread was on the thicker side. Definetly tasty. I also ordered an iced latte. I wanted it to be a litttle sweeter so I asked for some Splenda or Truvia. The girl only handed me one. Hmm a little stingy on the sugar. They don't have it out for you to take like some coffee shops would. Had to go back up to the counter cause my friend wanted sugar for her coffee. Once again, the girl just handed me one. Guess they are a little uptight about their sugar. But not a big deal.. everything else was good otherwise. They also make homemade gelato! Love the cool hip vibe here.. will probably be back! read more

ARS Cafe - Avocado toast with egg & no beets - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We got an iced cold brew, iced matcha latte, veggie toast and a veggie bagel sandwich. The cold brew was awful and tasted like hotel coffee. The matcha latte was sooooo weak it really only tasted like water with coconut milk. The veggie toast was slathered in olive oil with little to no spicy Mayo and engulfed in arugula (see picture) and the veggie bagel sandwich was good, but really dry with not much flavoring. Customer service was terrible. Not sure if it was just an off day or what, since all the other reviews are largely all positive. read more

Nice, slightly quirky coffee shop on Monserrat. I saw some reviews where the barista may have had a bit of an attitude, but he wasn't here today, and the barista here was cordial and nice. read more

Delicious coffee, 4 shots for the large latte?? YESSSS PLEASEEE great staff n the pastries are so yummy n delicious, hidden tho inside the counter, a gem in Hawaii read more

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I love this place. Coffee is fresh and great! Lemon bar and cookies goes very good with coffee. The best thing is the calm interrior and Jazz music. The are display chages every month and it's interesting. read more

This is a cute little Cafe with AC and good quality ingredients, but very basic delivery. Four stars take gourmet level cooking, so in my book this is a 3.5 star place. read more

ARS Cafe - Avocado toast w/egg and salmon toast platter. - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Cute little neighborhood cafe on Monsarrat. Im not sure how they will compete again C, B & TL as there is no parking for those that want to pick up coffee before work. But the neighborhood cafe feel is definitely there for those that want relax and talk on a lazy Sunday morning. They have a light menu of sandwiches, light breakfasts items and baked goods. All your usually coffees, which my wife said was very good and a high end bean. I was there for the gelato, which unfortunately was not for sale yet. However, I was able to sample all their flavors and they were very good. They are still tweaking their gelato recipes prior to selling. It should be available soon. It is also an art gallery, which showcases new artists every month. There were some great pieces in there. I love the atmosphere as you walk in, it looks like and old style western saloon with wooden counter and seating. In the back its bright white and modern looking, showcasing art pieces on the wall. This place is another venture from the owners of Pioneer Saloon and Monsarrat Shave ice. read more

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I absolutely love the vibe at ARS cafe. We were driving back from Lanikai and wanted to make a pit stop for coffee, so we found ourselves here! I think what I enjoyed most was the set up of the art gallery. Upon entering, you can order your drinks/food from the bar area. There is also a bar seating area near the entrance. But if you want to admire some art while you sip on your coffee or tea, keep walking in. Different small art installations line the walls next to the tables. I ordered the Matcha, very potent, not sweet! I say give this place a visit if you're in diamond head area. read more

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I love this place! I wish I could do all my work here. The ambience is just perfect. Their play list is top notch. Breakfast is my favorite here! If you have not tried the Avocado Toast you are missing out! The staff is very friendly and efficient when the line gets long. I love the new art exhibitions they have - always something tasteful and amazing. If your catching up with a friend and want to enjoy high quality coffee -- this is your spot! read more

ARS Cafe - Ice cream! - Art Galleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I feel like I walked into another era....the 20's. Dark wood, music and art. What a great vibe. The barista is welcoming and informative on their menu. I couldn't wait to try the avocado toast $7, layers of avocado with sliced beets and topped with a poached egg($1 extra) all on their thick slice toast. If you're an avo fan like me try this. My daughter chose the chicken toast, oh yummy shredded chicken and mushrooms drizzled with ponzu aioli, we chose no cucumbers $10. We have been back twice now for this. Both dishes came with a salad topped a lite vinegarette The slow drip Kona coffee had a great aroma and not bitter. Nice and smooth. $5. The barista was so kind to make a hot chocolate. Over all a great experience, can't wait to try the lunch menu. read more

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This is a pretty awesome unique cafe near Diamond Head that serves hot and cold drinks along with a variety of pastries you won't find at any of the mainstream or local chains. Sure, the prices may be a little more expensive but the quality of my coffee was awesome! read more

What a great Cafe to start Saturday morning!! Looking at beautiful Diamond Head, listening Rockabilly and good coffee!! Mash room Toast was good with Gorgonzola! My son's bacon plate was pretty good quality and portion for $10!! He also liked his Hojicha Royal milk tea. We would like to comeback for special Saturday again!! read more

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