Having been to a plethora of Dark Horses in Southern California, I was blown away to see one while researching coffee spots in Kauai. It's really cool to see such a niche coffee roaster show up on the most niche island in Hawaii! It's located smack dab in the middle of Old Koloa Town, and it was the perfect place to start our day! We came pretty early after opening, and there were just a few souls in sight. The people working the bar were great, and we promptly ordered and got our drinks. There's plenty of seating, both inside and out, so that was a huge plus! I ordered a haupia foam cold brew, and my friend got a standard cold brew. Both were great, and the haupia foam was light and sweet. I only wish I got a larger size! Coconut, cream, and roasty flavors emanated from my drink, making every sip pretty punchy. My friend was saying how he thinks Hawaiian cold brew, in general, is on the lighter side (in dilution, not in roast). I tend to agree. But, that gives a lot of room to flavor or really just deliver a lot of volume in your drink. Overall, this was a super refreshing thing to have not only in the morning, but also in general on Kauai! read more

I wanted to like this place more, but it's very mid, the matcha and latte were really just 3/5 stars. I ordered a hot matcha latte with oat milk, and the matcha already comes pre-sweetened per the barista. It tastes very similar to Starbucks matcha, not horrible but not great either. A little too sweet for my liking and not enough of the matcha flavor comes through. The color also wasn't the correct shade of green for good quality matcha, but I'm someone who likes to make my matcha at home and rarely find ones at coffee shops that I actually like, so take my review with that in mind, if you're a casual matcha drinking then you would like their version. It doesn't dry your tongue out or have a bitter taste. The following day I decided to try their coffee and ordered a hot vanilla oat milk latte. It was just okay, the espresso is a little more on the acidic side and I couldn't taste any vanilla flavor. Definitely not the worst latte I've had in Hawaii, but for the cost of lattes nowadays, I wouldn't come back to try more of their menu until I try other local coffee shops first. Pros: Plenty of parking right out front, good amount of seating inside, clean bathrooms, wifi, they sell their coffee beans and merchandise including shirts and hats which are super cute, there is also a small shop inside the same building that sells clothing/candles/bags/etc and the store employee is super nice read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Located inside a cute looking building that also has a small local shop - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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Came by on a Tuesday around 1:30 p.m. for a quick pit stop on the way to Poipu Beach. Pretty empty when I walked in. Dark Horse shares the space with a gift shop called 22 North Hawaii. Ordered a regular cold brew -- poured from a premade pitcher, loaded with ice, and ready in seconds. The coffee was alright, nothing mind-blowing, but I liked the subtle chocolatey note. The decor looked nice overall. Good spot for a quick in-and-out coffee stop. read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

A favorite stop every time we are in Kauai! In a cool old building that has had a little boutique attached and little dark horse merch area as well. Got my favorite haupia cold foam cold brew that was fresh and creamy. Tired their breakfast sandwich this time as well which was filling and tasty! Service was quick and friendly, we'll be a repeat customer. read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Haupia cold foam - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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Absolutely the worst customer service ever! Went to buy a coffee and lady at the register was super short with me when I asked a question about milk choices. Placed my coffee order and wanted to buy a couple of bags of their roasted beans. At this point people came in and stood in line behind me. I asked which kind of coffee is medium roast and that I wanted to add that to my order. She said can you do that after I help the people behind me. I literally had the 2 bags in my hand but she couldn't take the next 20 seconds to add that on. Went to get my coffee order and girl just pointed and said "it's there". All I saw was an iced coffee so I said where? She points again. I said that I ordered a 16oz hot coffee, she said that our 16oz coffees only come in iced. She huffs and roles her eyes. I told her that the lady at register never said anything as such. This was the first time I had been there so I may have missed that on the board . Reluctantly, the girl offers to make me a new one. I said no that's ok cuz all I wanted to do is leave. I took my iced coffee and let the lady know at the register that I would not be returning and she said "great!". Funny thing is, I was so looking forward to going there and planned on buying their roasted coffee for my new espresso machine. Not anymore! read more

Loved this spot! Dark Horse Coffee feels like a true local hangout. It's right next to the elementary school, and you can tell people in the neighborhood come here daily. Coffee? I got an americano, my friend tried the brown sugar latte - both amazing! If you're a coffee lover in Kaua'i, this should be on your list. Bonus! There's a cute retail space inside with swimsuits, surf gear, accessories, cards, and more. Such a fun mix of caffeine + shopping read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - americano, hang ten! - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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5 stars for the ambiance. They have one of the largest coffee spaces in Kauai that I've seen so far. One of the best coffees I've had so far. I ordered the Aloha Spirit and my mom ordered a Hot Latte. Service was a little lacking. Their staff weren't that inviting in my opinion. That's just my experience. We were there when we opened. Maybe they were waking up. The Aloha Spirit wasn't too sweet. Right about of sweetness thanks to the foam. Aloha Spirit: 5/5 Hot Latte: can't say. I didn't try it. My mom ordered it. read more

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Located right in Koloa, Dark Horse Coffee Roasters should be your new go-to coffee spot! We stopped by for an afternoon coffee, to wake up and cool off. It closes around 3pm so keep that in mind. They have in door and outdoor seating. They have a wide variety of different coffee drinks and a small selection of pastries/baked goods. I got a cold brew with this sweet coconut cold foam on top which was fantastic! The prices were good too! I was happy with the service, the space has lots of seating and was well decorated. This is such a great find! read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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High ceilinged building with a few tables and merch shelves, small but serviceable parking lot out front. Staff was pleasant. Coffee was very good. I got two bagels from them which were solid. Would recommend. read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

Great coffee shop right in Kōloa! I got the iced latte which was delicious. They have tables and chairs inside with a really cute little store in the back with local products. The people working at both the coffee shop and the store in the back were great and so friendly with suggestions. Definitely recommend if you're in the area! read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Iced latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters in Koloa is the kind of place that makes you feel cooler just for walking in. It's got that effortlessly hip, small-batch vibe without ever feeling pretentious--and the coffee absolutely delivers. I grabbed an iced drink to go and immediately regretted not ordering something larger. The beans are clearly high quality, and everything tastes freshly made with care. The space itself is small but stylish, with a laid-back energy that fits perfectly with Kauai's slower pace. Whether you're fueling up for a beach day or just need a midday pick-me-up, this spot is a solid choice. read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

Great coffee and food! We ordered an iced vanilla latte and an iced brown sugar lattee, both great. Champ bagels were the breakfast of choice with a tasty honey and cinnamon cream cheese! The ambiance of the coffee shop was chill and had a nice breeze with fans and open windows. The kindness of the staff outshone how busy they were. read more

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The location holds a special place in my heart because it was a former Young Buddhist Association social hall, adjacent to a temple that burned down a long time ago. I appreciate that the building has found a new life as a coffee shop. While the drip coffee and maple latte I tried were quality, I cannot say they were my favorite in the area. That said, on several mornings I was drawn back so I could sit outside across from a statue of Shinran, the great Buddhist scholar, and have my coffee under the shade of the large tree. read more

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Dark Horse is a MUST if you're near Kōloa! My husband & I are picky coffee drinkers, specifically, we can quickly tell if we are drinking quality coffee. Dark Horse exceeded our expectations! They have amazing coffee with both simple options as well as the fun drinks. My favorite was the Aloha Spirit latte with coconut cold foam! The service was quick and the staff were kind. There is plenty of seating and parking. read more

Came out of hibernation to post this review for folks who are looking for a strong, flavorful cup of black cold brew. The cold brew here is perfectly strong and not watered down. I prefer my coffee black, so I can't say anything for their specialty drinks. The baristas/roasters know what's up with making a good espresso shot. If you need a strong cold brew and not have 3 cups throughout the day, go here. read more

Cute place near the Post Office. Not crowded like the well known coffee/breakfast places. Really a great find and it's a great place to enjoy a coffee quietly outside in the shade. read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Outside - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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Visited Dark Horse Coffee Shop twice during our trip to Kauai. Familiar with Dark Horse Cafe in North Park, San Diego, I was pleasantly surprised to see the familiar name on the island. Solid coffee, very rich and flavorful. I also loved their almond cake, displayed alongside other tempting pastries. My husband enjoyed his warm egg and sausage bagel, but breakfast options felt limited. The shop had a nice vibe, had some of their merchandize for sale. It was strange they only served 12-ounce lattes, no larger sizes available. read more

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Good coffee Fast service and friendly servers Loved the environment and atmosphere Worth the stop read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Outside the coffee shop Lots of parking - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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My wife is a Dark Horse Coffee Roasters fan and she has been getting her caffeine fix there since they started in San Diego. Little by little DHCR has opened shops across SoCal and now on the south shore of Kauai. In short, this was the best coffee we had during our vacation. The hot brewed coffee was insanely good and my wife's "Champ" -- a cinnamon honey latte -- was solid. Our kids had bagels and cream cheese and approved. Lastly, they sell a variety of whole bean bagged coffee, including Central American, Ethiopian, and blends. Prices were roughly $18-20 per bag. read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - The best hot black coffee in Kauai! - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

Really enjoyed my iced latte! The staff were all friendly and the coffee was good. We will definitely be returning on our next trip! read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

My brown sugar latte was the perfect latte with just enough sweetness. Easy parking and plenty of seating. read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Brown Sugar Latte and Basic Bagel - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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We were looking for a place to get coffee and a pastry and hang out for a minute. This place fit the bill perfectly. Stand alone, refurbished building with the sounds of an elementary school next door provided wonderful ambiance to go with the great coffee and breakfast sandwich. read more

Don't go here if you have a dairy allergy or dairy sensitivity. I ordered an oat milk latte and I always watch when they make the drink to be sure they use plant milk. When the employee picked up the dairy milk I asked if it was for my drink. He said no. I said good because I ordered oat milk. He then picked up the dairy milk and looked at it and put it back down and looked at it again and finally grabbed the oat milk and made my drink. I did let the owner know on their website so he could better educate the employees but never heard anything back. read more

We loved this whole area around Old Koloa. Dark Horse is located in a. Old building at the edge of this area. Good coffee and tea. They import over beans from all over the world and roast on site. They offer select pastries - we had their banana bread and a bagel with cinnamon spread. Delicious There is a little shop in the same building. We were able to find a few gifts to take back with us. read more

Great coffee spot! The coffee was delicious and there wasn't a huge wait. There's a small shop that has very unique items inside with plenty of seating. A great coffee spot! read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Vanilla latte with coconut cold foam - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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My absolute favorite coffee place while on the island! drinks: I got the seasonal pumpkin spice latte & it was 10/10, went back immediately the next day for another one in the larger size - salted maple cold brew (they made it into a latte for us since we needed lactose free hehe) and it was splendid! salty with some sweet. pricing was pretty standard, but not more expensive than mainland for sure. service: employees were so kind & friendly and helpful when deciding what to drink. loved that they have merch & coffee beans that you can buy, along with local artwork and tshirts, beach towels, hats etc. The space is also more spacious than the rest of the coffee shops we'd been to on the island and had their own parking lot which was awesome! it's located right down the street from eden coffee and old town Koloa shops. 10/10 would love to come back! read more

Had a nice visit to Dark Horse and ordered three different coffees and all were great. A cup of drip coffee was $4.00 and I appreciated the reasonable price. Located in a cool old mission building. Plenty of seating inside and out. The service was fine. read more

I liked this spot! Great espresso drinks in a cool space with fun apparel lol. Bagel was just okay, but I'm coming from NY, so a little pickier than I should be. If you're in Koloa I'd recommend stopping by for your morning caffeine before your hike or beach adventure. read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

Historical site with fantastic coffee and eats. Reasonably priced. Considered it my morning stop out of Koloa/Poipu area before hitting the island. East to find across from Big Save. read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Poster - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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M y favorite coffee spot in Kauai! I recommend the salted maple latte if you have a sweet tooth - it's made with 2 espresso shots, maple syrup (not house-made) and your choice of milk. I got mine with oat milk and the drink was very creamy and delish - definitely the best latte I had during my trip! They have other specialty drinks as well and the haupia foam cold brew is another good choice. The foam has a nice coconut flavor and adds sweetness to the drink. It's not as sweet as the salted maple and the cold brew itself is not too bitter. read more

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Best matcha on the island. The vibes were calm and amazing. Playing Clairo when we walked in. High ceiling with big windows overlooking the greenery and trees. Ambient lighting with nice breeze from the huge ceiling fan. Great place to just chill. Saw a couple people studying too. I've tried so many matchas on the island, from the north side to east to south, but this was the only place that didn't taste watered down. One of the only places in Kauai I'm writing a review for because they deserve it. read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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Swung by while they were experiencing a power outage so we came back a little closer to their closing time and picked up a tasty cold brew with haupa cold foam. So delicious and hit the spot! Thank you! read more

Great espresso. My favorite part is that their espresso blend is more of my style - nutty, not fruity. I loved the building structure and the openess of the inside. The big shutter style windows allow a lot of breeze and contribute ot the airiness. The staff has always been friendly and greets everyone with a smile. My partner really enjoyed the salted Maple latte with coconut milk, iced. We got the breakfast sandwich as well, on the first visit. A legit spot with ample seating, and a good relaxing vibe. read more

Best coffee on the island. Always fresh good service. Very helpful and always ready with great advice.

This was a hip spot to work or study with delicious caffeinated drinks. There was a handful of tables in the shop but tables were all taken when we got there. We waited a bit and one opened up, but be aware there may not be open seating. They could use more seating considering the large space. The matcha was delicious and perfect for the rainy day. The barista was also friendly and efficient. read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

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Came here for a pick me up and I got a honey cinnamon latte with oat milk and it was awesome. Super fresh. The building was also awesome as it was and old recreational center. Service was perfect. Definitely recommend going here for coffee. read more

Fabulous, roaster, smooth sweet taste, cappuccino. Trendy, cute, place. Friendly service! read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Cappuccino - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

Coming from San Diego, I was super surprised to learn that there is a Dark Horse in Koloa. They are a very popular coffee roasters from San Diego, CA and from what I understand, this location is owned and operated by the brother of the guy who runs the stores in San Diego. Absolutely the best coffee I had while on the island. Thanks! read more

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Koloa, Hawaii

Great coffee, skip the breakfast sandwich! Not sure what the egg stuff was and the sauce was SO spicy even I couldn't eat it (a for real spicy food eater) Server was nice. Coffee =5 food =1, so a 3. Had to get food when I left. Sorry but true. read more

Whenever I'm in Kauai this is my go to spot. Little Fish is great buts overrun by tourists. This place can get poppin' but it's never a 'too long' of a line and the coffee is bomb. Plus with it being in Old Koloa you can travel around to the local grocers Nextdoor and do some light shopping. I usually order Vanilla Oat Milk lattes cause I'm boring and can't expand my horizons much but they always do a bang up job on it! The ambiance is pretty cool. It looks like an old school house (maybe it was!?) with featured art along the walls for sale, places to sit and some pretty cool merch. Definitely check out this spot the next time you find yourself staying in Poipu/ Koloa! read more