Loved it!! What a cute place and the cutest lady running it! We all thoroughly enjoyed our super freshly prepared pad Thai (w/chicken and tofu), parang curry, kolbi chicken, chicken satay and probably a couple other things. We had a group of 10 people so I kind of forget what else we ordered. The place was recommended to us by our kids' group zip lining guide (which we had done earlier the same day), and he was completely right! We are from Kansas City, KS and the Thai dishes were very different from the pad Thai and the parang curry we are used to eating here! Definitely recommend if you are in the area and if you can hit the place in time (places in Hawaii were closed at odd times and days- we think and were told has been due to the pandemic and staff/ supply shortages). So anytime we found a place to eat, which could seat us when we needed a place, we considered ourselves lucky! If the food was good, that was a bonus! Yelp continues to be our resource for food when travelling 99.9% of the time, and it has not disappointed yet! read more

Nice little take out place with Thai food, fresh salads and crepes. We stopped by after going to Pololu hike. The location is amongst other eating places. Well to be sought out though. The lady makes the food as it is ordered. Smells so good. We waited while she cooked a phone order to go. My daughter ordered the chicken salad- very fresh and tasty. It came with a house dressing. Good choice says my daughter. read more

Chaba’s Joy Cafe - Chicken salad.... very fresh and tasty with the house dressing. - Cafes Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

See all

This place is absolutely delightful! It's a tiny "hole in the wall" type take out spot, located in the big rainbow building (attached to the L&L BBQ). The food is absolutely delicious, fresh and authentic!!! When we arrived 25 minutes before closing, we were greeted warmly and there was just one sweet woman doing everything! We had a big order, but she started cooking and gave us our food as it came out. She insisted we just go eat and not worry about paying til later. ;) She was amazing to watch, as it feels like watching mama cooking in the kitchen at home. Probably the best Pad Thai I have ever had and the summer rolls were so fresh and soooo yummy that I ordered 2 more rolls to take home after scarfing the first one! I also bought the last 2 two packages of her homemade almond cookies. Can't wait to try them! As we were leaving she handed me a big bag of fresh lychee fruit, and said, "Share with your family." So sweet!!!! I can't highly recommend this place for a wonderful, quick, super fresh and tasty meal cooked by the sweetest woman! Definitely will be back again when we visit. Two big thumbs up for down home charm and oh-so ONO food! read more

See all

Business is consistently not open during times it states it should be open. Very frustrating, why....

One of the best, if not the best food we have had so far in Big Island!! We ordered Beef Pho and Pad Thai and they are so delicious and fresh!! Btw, you must try the Thai iced tea! read more

Chaba’s Joy Cafe - Thai iced tea and Pho - Cafes Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

What a find thanks to Yelp! Delicious food. True local atmosphere. Great prices. Son is a picky eater, so he ordered fried chicken at LL next door, and we ate on the patio between both businesses. A shaved ice place is there too, but they weren't open yet. We were there before 11:00, though, so early for shaved ice. Just came from a disappointing Flumin adventure close by, so this lunch helped us feel better about that waste of time and money. Cute little Hawaiian town to eat lunch. read more

See all

Recently moved to Kapaau and had Chaba's tonight (Saturday) for the first time. We ordered pineapple fried rice with chicken and pad thai with pork along with some pork dumplings. Everything was absolutely delicious. It's a small certified kitchen staffed only by Chaba herself, so if she's busy with orders there may be a little bit of a wait, but it's well worth it! Meeting Chaba was an absolute delight, she's so sweet! We look forward to continuing to support her small business. read more

Lucky enough to have folks that live in the area, and we stopped in Chaba's to get takeaway just a little before noon during a grocery run. Everything was prepared fresh with generous portions and delicious. Pork PadThai for me and Pops, Mom had the Chicken Satay and cuke salad. At the last minute Chaba mentioned she had just finished making Shumai (open top pork dumplings) so we got an order of those too (and we were so glad we did). I dont love the general location for sitting down to eat (but I am deducting zero stars because the food is so good, and the outstanding woman who cooked it), but for to-go food this is my new go-to spot when I visit. It is just Chaba in there working, so if you have the foresight, call ahead to avoid waiting, had to google the number (808) 498-0305. read more

Chaba's is my favorite restaurant in North Kohala. She makes the food to order so it's always totally fresh. Delicious Thai food!

Best food we've had in Hawaii!!! It's a little store with only one woman working there, which I give her praise. My pad Thai was phenomenal. My step mom had the pineapple rice that she thoroughly enjoyed and my dad had the Beef salad that he said was "dang good". Highly recommend this place! Can't say enough good things about it. read more

Wow! This tiny little one woman shop is impressive to say the least! I had quite possibly the best pad thai noodles here and the summer rolls are amazing! Everything is made to order and so so fresh!!! Loved every bite! read more

Discovered this place by accident while waiting for my order at L&L next door. What a find! I had the papaya salad and also the fresh summer rolls which were fantastic. Also got a scoop of chocolate ice cream which was also really good. She makes everything fresh in the back. Support these local businesses! read more

Chaba’s Joy Cafe - Papaya salad & fresh summer Viet rolls. - Cafes Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

See all

Well I don't know if it is COVID but there isn't hardly any activity here in this town and when we went here on a Saturday they don't open until 4:30pm. When we were 20min early she said no come back she was sitting there and it was pouring outside. We got fries and bbq next door and didn't come back. read more

Cute little cafe ! Crepe menu, some Thai dishes - pad Thai, and salads. Usually come here for Ube flavored ice cream or Thai coffee. Yummy!!! Cafe owner is nice and friendly. read more

Incredible gem hidden away behind L&L. Excellent place for a very affordable, healthy delicious meal. read more

Chaba’s Joy Cafe - Fresh summer roll - Cafes Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

What a find! Chaba has been know in town for her amazing Thai food for many years. Now she has opened a new cafe in Kapaau. We had the savory crepe with steak, zucchini, mushrooms and cheese. So good. And very filling - enough for two people and the best part: only $8.50 including salad! A friend had the fresh summer roll with chicken and cheese and special dipping sauce. Hard to believe it's low calorie. Delicious. We loved the Thai iced tea and Vietnamese coffee. And splurged for a scoop of fresh ice cream - Black Cherry was the winner but I loved the Kona Coffee flavor too. Friends of ours had the sweet crepe with the works: whipped cream & fruit. Unbelievable. Make your way over to Chaba's Joy for the best crepes on The Big Island! read more

We loved this place! My husband thought the fresh rolls were the best he had ever had. We ordered two different types of the savory crepes that are offered. One was a curried chicken and the other was a chicken with lots of delicious veggies and cheese. When we were done, we ordered a shake with their chocolate and mint chocolate ice creams combined, which was a perfect ending to the meal. Will definitely go back whenever we're on that part of the island. read more

What a great find! Although it may just look like an ice cream shop, Chaba makes wonderful savory crepes, a fantastic green papaya salad (great with shrimp!), and deliciously fresh spring rolls. She makes a really great peanut sauce for the spring rolls, too. This spot is a welcome change from the predictable sandwich and barbecue shops you'll find in the area. Check it out! read more

Chaba's has amazing and delicious crepes... I especially like the artichoke one. The crepes are made to order, are big enough to share and come with a small fresh salad. She also makes great green papaya salad and summer rolls. There is a great selection of Thai tea, chai tea, iced or hot and the best priced ice cream on the island. You won't be disappointed if you stop for lunch or an early dinner. She closes at 7pm so go early! read more