Best coffee!! I got the 100% Kona coffee iced vanilla latte w almond milk and an iced americano. Both were delicious. The iced americano had a stronger flavor than some other coffee shops we've been to. The latte was so good, can still taste the coffee despite it being such a sweet latte. We also got their lemon bar mochi which complimented the iced americano perfectly. If you're nearby it's definitely worth a visit :) read more

Everytime I'm in the area, I always get my latte fix here. Always with my fav soy milk unsweetened. Simple, fresh, and just what I need in the morning. read more

While stuck in Pioneer Plaza due to the sudden rain, I thought, Downtown Coffee? Why not? The service is always friendly here and the coffee is legit. Today, I ordered the Kona latte, and it was delicious. Make sure you order this with whole milk, or you won't get all the creamy, goodness. The small size is super tiny, but the quality more than makes up for it. Besides, good things come in small packages! When I opened the coffee lid (I hate drinking hot drinks with a lid...I can't see what's coming...) I was please to find a cute little piece of latte art on top. It's the tiny details that get me. The espresso tastes divine, all the way to the last drop. These people really know their coffee. Even their coffee of the day never disappoints. The pecan bar was also delicious--perfectly sweet and chewy. Thanks for making this rainy day better. read more

Downtown Coffee - Kona Latte w whole milk :) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I actually been here a couple of times, but I was actually waiting till I ordered the maple mocha iced coffee to write a review;). I love the fact that the coffee beans are Hawaiian grown. I needed a break from Starbucks and coffee tea & beanery. It's always great to support local:) The mornings are usually packed, and I have to say its location is prime for the bank folks. I waited patiently until it was time for me to place my order. On the right side of the counter there are sandwiches from the baker and butcher and sweets such as the matcha green torte. I'll be back to try it;) Within a few minutes my iced maple mocha coffee with whip cream was ready. Oh yess.. It was delicious. The maple gave me a nostalgic time of when I stuffed pieces of maple into my mouth at the airport in Canada lol. Sweet and heavenly. The mocha was not overly strong, but evenly balanced with all the extras I had incorporated into it;) The con would be that the small is actually keiki size, and the amount of ice that was put inside provided me with about a half a cup of coffee. Perhaps offer a larger size for small. Overall a sweet small coffee shop!! read more

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Downtown Coffee is a great stop for takeout coffee when you're in downtown. I'm addicted to their Caramel Cappuccino which is made with their homemade caramel sauce. It's a sweet drink on it's own so skip the whipped cream and get a large or it will be gone way to quickly. read more

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TASTE 5/5: Iced Maple White Mocha with non-fat milk. It goes down extra smooth. When I order the same thing from Starbucks, sans Maple, it has a very strong aftertaste. Really love the creamy-wake-me-up-delight of the Iced Maple White Mocha. PRICE 3/5: But I swear you get what you pay for! If I were Rick James, I would give Downtown Coffee five stars. But unfortunately, I'm poor b.tch and the cost is keeping me from doing so. Very addictive, but a little too expensive for my everyday taste. read more

Downtown Coffee - Maple Iced White Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This place is located in the busy streets of downtown Honolulu. They offer your typical espresso drinks but with a catch. Their espresso is made with 100% Ka'u. Ka'u is my favorite single origin, and Fred nailed the americano! Espresso by itself is too potent for my own preference so I typically opt for lattes or americanos. The Ka'u flavors really shined through this drink, and you can definitely pick up the familiar floral and nutty notes from this single origin bean. I happened to come on a Sunday, and I found out that they freshly roast their beans every Saturday. I ended up buying their 100% Maui Light Roast Yellow Caturra blend, and their 100% Maui Medium Roast blend. I've been using the light roast for the past week and it makes an amazing cup. It's sweet and fruity. I am definitely coming back to try out their other drinks and buy more coffee beans! read more

Nice small coffee shop conveniently located. I order the medium roast iced coffee with sugar and cream. It's soooo good and delicious. Priced is affordable for simple brewed coffee. The people that work there are very nice too. read more

Highly recommend trying the matcha latte or the chai latte, especially iced! Super refreshing on a sweltering day, and is worth stopping by during a lunch break, or if you're out and about in downtown. I also LOVE the matcha tortes! Friendly service, and convenient location inside of Fort Street Mall. There's a good array of merch available for purchase if you're looking for a little memento, gift, or souvenir for friends/family (e.g., tumblers, Hawaii coffee books, T-shirts, etc.) read more

I'm a Starbucks fiend for life, but if I have to go anywhere else then Downtown coffee is the place. Their lattes are delicious and beautiful with artfully poured milk and you get that personal touch and attention that you sometimes don't get from that coffee giant down the street and on every darn corner. Keep it up downtown coffee. You make a tasty tasty latte! read more

Downtown Coffee - Pretty latte! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I decided to try something new this morning. I got to downtown earlier than expected and since my doctors appointment didn't start til 8 I thought I'd grab a pastry and a coffee to start my day. My latest favorite coffee shop is Brue Bar and I thought I'd pick up a pastry at a local bakery and head down to their Merchant St location for a cuppa. But after departing McDonuts and heading down Fort Street Mall, I happened upon Downtown Coffee. For those that don't know me, about two months ago I decided to stop going to Starbucks. Their coffee sucks, and their food is really the only draw, but it gets expensive. And I wanted to pay what little money I have to local businesses instead of huge chain conglomerates. So I've been trying coffee shops left and right. Some have been fabulous, like Brue Bar, and some have been...not so fabulous, like Island Vintage. So to be honest I've mostly just been going back to Brue. Why end a good thing right? Well today I saw Downtown and their menu looked good, their pastries looked amazing, and I thought why not? First off I love that they have mugs to drink your coffee in. Cafes that have "for here" cups always win with me. Especially when the barista does latte art! These guys didn't disappoint! I didnt try one of their amazing looking pastries today because I already picked up a luscious raspberry filled donut down the street (because Brue doesn't always have pastries). But I ordered a medium latte in a cup and it came out quick And with wonderful friendly service. They also have great customers which I think says something about an establishment. They attract good people. I complimented a woman on her dress as I was waiting for my latte, and after she blushed and said thank you she offered to help me with my drink, after spying that I was juggling my cane and bag. Sweet girl! So on to the coffee. The espresso was a little on the bitter side and I added one more teaspoon of sugar than my usual. Also while my latte art was cute there wasn't as much foam as I like. It dissipated quickly after I stirred in my sugar. That's the only reason they don't get five stars. I will definitely be back because everyone raves about the maple mochas in the reviews and I love a good mocha so I'll have to try it. And I'd like to try their pastries too. So glad I found another great coffee shop! read more

Downtown Coffee - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Downtown Coffee ties for first place with Morning Glass for the best coffee on the island, in my book. Their roasts are always nicely earthy without being burnt, and the brew is strong and not bitter. It's rare that I will drink a shot of espresso straight from a coffee shop around here -- because at most places it's inevitably a complete disaster -- but I can always trust Downtown Coffee to know what they're doing. Downtown Coffee's baristas are polite, quick, and competent. The prices are fairly standard. The baked goods are not the usual stuff, and I've only tried the chestnut cake and the chocolate-dipped coconut macaroon, but I can vouch that both are excellent. The one, very very small, negative is that Downtown Coffee does not have any dedicated seating. The small storefront shares outdoor tables with the rest of its Pioneer Plaza neighbors. Sitting outside downtown means that you will inevitably have someone try to ask you for money or sell something to you. Luckily, I can put on my Mean New Yorker (TM) face, and they run in fear. read more

Downtown Coffee - Iced latte and chestnut cake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Just ok coffee shop in Pioneer Plaza. I got a great double shot of espresso and the matcha torte, the house specialty. The matcha torte was interesting, and had a nice earthy flavor. It's worth a try. My husband got a small iced coffee which was not very strong and the chocolate torte which was ok. The service was a little desperate looking - we came in here on a whim and were looking at the dessert display. The barrista was like 2 feet away staring us down, so we felt pressured to get something. We were eyeballing the prices which are a little high (3.25) for a small thing, so we were taking a bit of a look at the other items. read more

I come here at least twice a week for my early morning caffeine fix (usually get here between 6-6:30am and no line). Favorite drinks are a regular cappuccino (hot) and a iced mac nut latte. I like the fact that their small size already has 2 shots. My drinks are always excellent, never watered down tasting or bitter. Prices are a little more ($3.35 for a small 8 oz cap) but you pay for quality. Very clean establishment, friendly workers, lots of seating, and free Wi-Fi from Pioneer Plaza. If you're not in a rush, have your drink in a for here cup...the latte art looks nicer in the ceramic cups. read more

Downtown Coffee - Matcha, Mac nut lattes and a cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Downtown Coffee makes very good coffee. We love local roasters and we love Hawaiian beans. In this regard they didn't disappoint. We also spoke with the owners and they were very nice and gracious hosts. This is a nice little coffee shop to stop in if you happen to be in downtown Honolulu. read more

Their matcha lattes are great (no bitter aftertaste, really pleasant flavor) and their coffee is, too. If you want it sweet though, you should get it with syrup! read more

Don't blink, you might miss this place. Hopefully you don't, because the coffee is very good here. Service is excellent as well. Hidden gem in the Hussle and bustle of downtown. Walk away from the national chain coffee shops and make the effort to get your morning brew or afternoon pick-me-up here. It's worth it. read more

Downtown Coffee - Triple Macchiato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Nice cool morning for a cup of coffee, so instead of drinking the free stuff from work I decided to head on down to Downtown Coffee (good excuse to get out of the office). Nice place, line moved fast and the best part is that large coffee is only $2.10 (that's only $0.02 more than a MickeyD same size cup). Warning the coffee is nice and hot, not like the other place mentioned above. So if you're used to taking a big gulp of the other stuff go easy with this one cuz it's hot. A little more about the coffee, today's coffee of the day is smooth and mellow (I selected the medium roast), sorry not totally awake so within the walking distance back to my office I forgot the name of the coffee. Another plus is that they open early so next time I can head on down earlier for my morning jolt. read more

This place is amazing! I wanted to support a local coffee spot, and the rave reviews led me here early on a weekday morning to get my caffeine fix. I had the most delicious lilikoi-mango scone and solid caramel cappuccino. The folks working there were super friendly, especially the owner Fred, who went above and beyond to help me out with a tricky parking situation. So grateful for his aloha, and can't wait to come back and try their other delicious treats! read more

This review is strictly based on my purchase of their coffee bean products. In my recent Big Island trip, I visited a coffee farm that taught me about freshly roasted coffee. Coffee beans must have a roast date on it so you know the beans are freshly roasted. On Oahu, other than North Shore, I didn't know where I could find such place because any big box stores or mainland chains would not have freshly roasted coffee (with a roast date). Fellow yelpers led me to this place close to my office. I went there after the peak morning hours and received great service on my purchase. I also found out that they roast their coffee every Saturday in small batches to maintain freshness. You can order in advance to pick it up on Saturday. Downtown (medium) roast seems to be a popular Maui & Ka'u blend. I can't wait to try it and return for more! read more

My favorite place to have coffee when in downtown Honolulu. Now that I live on Maui, I still order their Maui Decafe. They roast weekly and it's the best. read more

Nice shop right near the financial plaza. It's small but there is good seating around. I felt a little awkward ordering and the vibe the staff gave off was not as approachable as you would expect in a place that requires you to talk to a ton of people. The music is nice, the coffee is nice. It took the girl a small bit of time to make my drink even though it's nothing too special, but she looked like she was practicing latte art skills even though I wouldn't be able to see it with the lid on. Nothing to earn 5 stars but not a bad experience really. Just not impressed and could have been faster or more approachable. read more

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I'm addicted to coffee; specifically, coffee from Downtown Coffee. Downtown Coffee is my go-to spot when I'm downtown, which is nearly every day. Sure, there are lots of options for coffee, but why not go someplace that has the coffee trifecta (awesome locally sourced coffee, friendly staff, and flawless execution)? In the mornings I like to get a cup of dark roast coffee. The dark roast is a blend that features coffee from Waialua. It's amazing. In the afternoon, I get a cappuccino. As a regular customer for quite some time now, I can assure you that their espresso drinks bear all the insignias of quality ingredients and execution (i.e taste, aroma, temperature, and presentation). Now for some noteworthy observations: (1) Downtown Coffee uses a real espresso machine, not one of the automated abominations; (2) they roast their beans weekly so the coffee is always fresh (I've seen this happening walking back to work after pau hana in Chinatown and the smell is unmistakable); (3) all their coffee is grown in Hawaii (support local business!); and (4) you can buy coffee there if you want to brew some at home. read more

I'm convinced you could run a V6 engine with their dark roast. I started drinking at Downtown Coffee after I saw one of their baristas roasting beans at 9 PM at night. The entire front of Pioneer Plaza smelled of coffee and I almost ordered a cup from the guy on the spot. Their slogan (neatly printed on all of their cups) "make coffee not war" reminds us all that when you think, or have urges about invading another country for oil, you should make coffee instead. =) I always get the dark roast from here. Their current dark roast is "Waialua Dark Roast" which kind of has an earthy kona-blend-but-not-really taste to it. Last week it was "Yemen Dark Roast", which I felt had more spices to it, the aroma is a nice precursor to the first sip, which literally kicks you in the face. I don't think I've had more caffeine in a beverage than the Yemen roast. Their Oat Cake, which really should be called a bar, is also another popular item. It's deceivingly small - it's a rather dense/heavy for its size and has a natural glaze/shine from the fruits that are baked inside it. They also serve a matcha green tea square/cake. While not a particularly healthy item - loaded with sugars - it does make for an awesome afternoon treat before dinner. read more

This is a sweet little coffee shop in the cobblestone promenade of Fort Street Mall. There are plenty of benches and places to sit and enjoy a break from work in the warm afternoon sunshine. It's a nice departure from Starbucks, for sure! They offer delicious baked goodies and the coffees and teas are delicious. I've always had friendly, fast service here too. Highly recommended! read more

Been on a bit of a snobby coffee binge as I've been wanting to check out the serious local coffee shops. Downtown had some pretty good reviews, so I wanted to see what it's about. I ordered a cafe latte. I'm normally a straight black coffee drinker, the bolder the better. However, I really like to order a latte just to see if the shop knows what the hell they're doing. To me, what usually screws the latte up is either scalded milk or bad proportions. Downtown coffee does this right. The temperature and smoothness hit the spot. In a location like downtown, where the average customer is just trying to get a cup and get out, you worry about the drink that you need to slow down for but they handle themselves well. Some added bonuses are that they roast their own coffee weekly, have homemade Japanese style desserts and use only local Big Island milk. The bad thing here is what seems to be symptomatic of all the gourmet coffee joints (Beach Bum Cafe, Glazers, The Curb)... The workers will not talk to you until you talk to them. I envision a cafe as a water cooler of sorts. Baristas and employees who love coffee, the cafe culture and want to promote the experience as well as the beverage itself. Yes, you pour a great cup. But why should I come to you over someone else? Starbucks may be a chain, but they became a behemoth by training their employees to smile, get the customer's name (even though they often drop the ball which this opportunity presents), upsell them, and thank them/welcome them back. Starbucks problem is they're so big they can't consistently deliver this experience. However, in a small joint like Downtown, you have the opportunity to not only do this, but do it well. I'll definitely try them again in the future, and maybe they'll be better at making me feel welcome. read more

I'm in love with the maple white mocha! I know it's probably filled with calories (I don't even want to know) but it tastes so good!! You can taste a subtle taste of the maple in it :) After trying it a few days ago, I've been hooked and have been craving it every morning! This place is a little pricier than Starbucks though but it's nice to treat yourself every now and then :) Oh and they get bonus points for having Italian soda! read more

I really wanted to like Downtown Coffee. The Fort Street Mall Farmers' Market brings me to the area for lunch so it's more convenient for me to satisfy my caffeine fix there. Additionally, the menu offers both classic favorites (coffee, lattes, iced coffee, iced tea) and unique drinks (like the matcha latte, which seems to have a lot of great reviews here) that set it apart from other coffee shops. Based on an article posted at the shop, the owner created Downtown Coffee with a lot of passion and I want passionate people to succeed. I'm sure the product is excellent. I just can't appreciate it because of the consistently slow service. Unless there's no one ahead of you, you can expect to wait even if just one person is ahead of you. I've never been there with more than two other people in line and this place is still slow. I assume that "Downtown" Coffee is targeting the "downtown" crowd, those on a lunch break who are willing to pay a little more for a great caffeine drink, done expertly and efficiently. There is really no place to sit down so clearly this place intended for the downtown worker who wants a quick cup 'to go.' But many of the employees don't seem to understand the customer mentality: If they're not slow with ringing up the customer and making the drink (a single transaction), they are having extended conversations with the customer ahead of you (without a polite, "I'll be right with you" or, "Can I get something started for you?"), or they let your espresso shot die as they finish the transaction in their attempt to multi-task. I have to wonder if employees understand that espresso shots die after 10 seconds. If I pay extra for a gourmet espresso drink, I refuse to doctor it with sugar to disguise the gross taste of a dead shot. To accommodate customers during lunch time hours, you would think they would have more than one person working (sometimes there are two people working but that's inconsistent). If management is saving money because, most of the time, there is not enough business to justify two employees working, then management is ensuring that this place never gets too busy. Or if there are two people working but one is on a lunch break, couldn't they stagger the lunch breaks? I keep giving this place a chance but more times than not, it's either slow service or a dead shot. Each time I go there, I'm hoping it will go well. I don't want to hold my breath. I want the peace of mind of knowing that, if I pay over $3 for a drink, I can count on a great drink done efficiently. I hope I can update this review in the future to say these issues have been resolved. read more

These guys have great reviews from Yelper (and real java connoisseur) friends of mine. I hate to say, I felt their Kona blend failed to please me this morning. Staff was really nice but that did not impress me with their grinds one bit. Tried the large Americano, which was actually pretty cheap at $2.65. In short, a mediocre cafe in a really nice location. Beach Bum Cafe still reins as my favorite to-go coffee joint in Downtown Honolulu. DC doesn't even come close. 2 stars Downtown Coffee on Fort Street. read more

12.27.13. The usual spot where I meet up with my friend (shoutout to Brad Y.), Beach Bum Cafe, apparently closes early (2 pm) during the holidays. I guess it does make sense since downtown is not as bustling as it normally is. BBC's owner graciously noticed that my friends were waiting for me to get there & since they were closing up recommended another coffee place on Fort Street to go to instead, insisting that their coffee was up to his standards. What a nice man! So, if you are coming from BBC, head to Fort Street Mall & take a LEFT (after Ross); basically head in the makai (ocean) direction. Downtown Cafe is located in the Pioneer Plaza building & is a quaint coffee shop pretty much right next to Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union (APFCU). I can imagine this place getting quite crowded since it's pretty much a grab-n-go/in-n-out kind of place/set-up. At first, I was a bit overwhelmed; there's a menu posted up on the wall, but they also have a full menu listing located at the register/counter. Now, I'm not much of a coffee drinking & I'm not well-versed in coffee types/quality or lingo but it seemed like they offered a lot of things & they also use/offer a lot of local products--bonus! Here they offer drinks in both hot or cold form; I noticed that when you order things hot, they make those cute, foamy designs in your cup (e.g., hearts). I ended up going with a small, iced matcha latte (~$4), which I personally loved! The matcha taste was not too strong for me, it didn't leave me feeling extra thirsty afterwards (you know how some rich/milky things are?), & it was super refreshing! It is a bit pricey compared to my usual iced green tea from S-bucks...but there's no hurt in treating myself every so often right? :) I'm sure I'll be back soon! Yelp 365 Challenge: #360/365 read more

I love me some Downtown Coffee! Charming little coffee shop that satisfies my caffeine craving on those mid-afternoons when I need a little walk out of the office... My absolute favorite there is the Matcha Green Tea. The baristas re friendly and always make such pretty designs on my drinks I feel bad mixing it up. And their desserts, made by the owner's Japanese wife are really awesome as well! Way better than going to crowded Starbucks! read more

Super friendly little coffee shop with really great, strong coffee and a small selection of baked goods. Great service, cute staff who remember your order pretty quick, and there's plenty of tables just outside to compensate for the tiny shop area. read more

After the closure of the rRed Elephant Cafe, which I'm still lamenting, I've been in search of a good independent brew in Honolulu's Downtown. I think I've found a suitable alternative. When you first walk in the doors off Ft Street Mall, sandwiched in between King and Merchant Streets, you may be impressed by the smart but spare barista counter. It's just opened two months, but you can tell they have loyal crowd growing. A few breakfast scones and muffins are stacked neatly beneath a sparkling glass dome, but make no mistake, this place is about serious coffee. The coffee menu is unpretentious: lattes, mochas, americanos, chai (not chai tea - which means "tea, tea" if chai gets translated), and an assortment of teas. No mochachinos or green tea lattes here. (If you want a candied-flavored coffee drink, Starbucks -- which is not as serious about coffee -- is around the corner). At Downtown Coffee, they don't mess around. They roast their beans in small batches. Every espresso drink is a double shot. Not like Starbucks, where good coffee taste is optional if you pay for the extra shot to you single shot of latte. For those suffering from rRed Elephant withdrawal and those in search of a seriously good cup of joe, head to Downtown Coffee when you're in the area. They have free wi-fi, indoor and outdoor seating, too. read more

After the Starbucks barista failed to put vanilla in my au lait two visits in a row, I decided to never go back. Thankfully, Downtown Coffee is closer to my office, and though the price is about 10 cents more, the quality is top-notch. I also feel way better about supporting a local business. read more

Downtown Coffee is awesome! Found out about this place from my boss. I work super close to here, so it's perfect. I've been known to be small kine obsessed with Starbucks, so I'm trying to shy away from it and find a smaller coffee place with better quality products! PRICE: yes, it's kind of expensive. But, I totally understand that it's because of the quality. They roast their beans in-house, and the coffee is locally grown, which is why the coffee tastes amazing. COFFEE: I always go for an iced drink because it's been really humid lately. Definitely try the Iced Coffee w/ Caramel Sauce (the sauce is made in-house!) So yum! FOOD: I love the Matcha Torte! All of their pastries are fresh made every day, which I love! Little on the dry side if eaten alone, but it's perfect if you pair it with an iced tea or coffee. SERVICE: very knowledgable about their products, and helpful when answering questions. If you work in downtown, check out Downtown Coffee. Cheers! read more

As I work in Downtown Honolulu, I'm completely surrounded by Starbucks. Despite my office's close proximity to 3 Starbucks and a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, believe it or not, Downtown Coffee is my go-to spot for whenever I'm in need of a caffeine fix. I'd like to consider myself a "well seasoned" coffee drinker - I've tried some really good roasts, and some "blah" tasting brews. But there's something about Downtown Coffee's espresso that makes their iced coffees and iced americano's perfect. each. damn. time. My usual order is a large vanilla iced americano. What makes their espresso drinks extra special is that they don't use Torani or Monin like the other competitors, they actually use 1883 by Routin syrups. Fancy pants! Aside from their vanilla americano, I've also tried their hazelnut americano, unsweeted ginger peach tea, and their famous maple white mocha. All of these drinks were absolutely delicious and refreshing - not too sweet and artificial-tasting. try their other famous menu item - matcha green tea torte. It's a Japanese delicacy - which you can taste - has been made in small, perfect batches. They're not too sweet, crusted charcoal with for anti-oxidant purposes and sprinkled with nuts (peanuts or almonds, I can't tell). If you're looking for a nice afternoon snack, this is it! read more

They roast on site every Saturday! So if you go on Saturday you can get a truly fresh cup of roasted coffee which is 100% locally grown. Even if you miss Saturdays, they only serve that coffee for a short time after and re roast again. So its always fresh and anyone who really truly loves and knows coffee, fresh is everything and makes a huge difference. Their Baristas are artists with the foam. I didn't have one of those drinks but I saw a few being made while I waited and it was impressive. read more

YES. YES. YES. For a while, I was drinking two iced black eyes (coffee with 2 shots of espresso) a day, so it's no wonder I'm burnt out on coffee for a while...maybe until the next round of finals. Seriously, the coffee and the espresso were made for each other, and it's so smooth and amazing-tasting. Downtown coffee tempts me with their aroma every day, though. Now I just get the honey lemon drink. Their honey lemon drink...is it a tea? The barista said, "it's like a tea"... Whatever it is, it's freaking amazing and so soothing for your throat if you're not feeling well, but heck I drink it even when I'm feeling okay and it makes me feel a million times better. Their pastries are also superb. I sometimes trick myself into thinking I'm in a little coffee shop in Japan when I'm in there. Yeah, my JPN withdrawals are so bad that I have to trick myself for a couple seconds since that's all it lasts. But the pastries are so cute and delicious and yuzu? That helps to lengthen my little daydream. :D read more

They roast their own beans, and in my opinion it's some of the best coffee in Honolulu. I only buy from Downtown to brew at home. I didn't know what good coffee was until I started buying theirs. read more

Downtown Coffee is in Pioneer Plaza, just off King St, and before Bishop St. Big plus about Downtown Coffee is that its one of the first independent coffee shops to open. Starbucks is open as early, but there's something about a familiar face and a small shop that is more chill, as opposed to some place trying to push you through because there's five people behind you. And in terms of quality, you can't go wrong with Downtown Coffee. House specials are the Caramel Frappucino and the Maple White Mocha if you want to treat yourself, and if you just want coffee, the coffees are all local brews from Waialua and the such. As people have mentioned, the roast is smaller, so the tastes are little more rich. The other thing I want to note here is the the matcha torte... I mention it to try it. I liked the torte, but I didn't love it. Anyhow, the top is a slightly sweet/ slightly bitter green tea sweet and the bottom black part is bamboo charcoal! The bamboo charcoal evidently is very cleansing and good for you, so see how it makes you feel. So Downtown Coffee in terms of quality coffee I think is one of the better places to go if you just are focusing on the coffee. read more