@fortunefoodfinds: "But first coffee, bc I got a LATTE to BREW! A Banana Bread Latte n' a Kukui…read moreCold Brew from Island Brew Coffeehouse in Hawai'i Kai. They serve a wide variety of food n' drinks, n' have several locations. This was just what I needed to give me some motivation!" SERVICE: fast n' friendly INTERIOR: limited indoor seating, but it's all about the outdoor views. Got lost in the menus so I stuck with what I went there for, which was coffee; helped narrow down my choices. EXTERIOR: plenty of seating with most under umbrellas. In the same plaza as Long's n' Safeway. WAIT TIME: under 5 mins to place order, another 5 mins to receiving drinks PARKING: free lot OVERALL COMMENTS: got myself the banana bread latte that wasn't so much banana-y. Although it was still very delicious. Literally took my first sip n' thought how yuMmmy. Perfectly sweet n' balanced well with the coffee. Mah hubz kukui cold brew was also really good. I'm not a cold brew person, but the macnut flavored cold brew along with the coconut flavored cold foam had no traces of bitterness n' gave a nice sweetness. Even though both drinks were on the pricier side (had to do with the 20oz we got), they ended up being worth the yuMmminess!

This is my favorite island brew location but I guess I went on a bad day, (Monday, May 11) they…read morehave construction workers drilling next to the water, so it's a beautiful location but you have to listen to the (quite loud) drilling. I had planned to hang out here and get some work done for like an hour but decided there is probably somewhere quieter to hang out. I ordered the breakfast skillet which I saw on the written menu outside, I think it's a new or temporary dish and I really really enjoyed it, I just wish the girl that delivered it to my table warned me the skillet was literally burning hot, since I actually burned my hand on it... When I was heading out I made the mistake of asking the girl with the short blonde hair where the bathroom was and she's like oh to the left of the blue umbrellas... and I'm like ok... I go outside and don't see blue umbrellas, and then I finally find the bathroom which is literally right across from island brew, (that's all she had to say) and there are 2 people outside, so I ask them if they are waiting and one is... an island brew worker passes me and she has a key in her hand, so I'm like oh is that a key for the bathroom? And she's like, it's a ? key as she walks away from me, but I couldn't really hear whatever she said so I follow her down the hall to ask her what she said and she just goes in the bathroom and slams the door, which is when I realize it was probably an employee bathroom and there is a code for the other "public" door and the first girl didn't even tell it to me, the other worker didn't either... oh yeah and it's a one person bathroom FYI -- I've been here before and love love love this totally unassuming spot, there is a Safeway and longs drugs, just a big open lot then this Island Brew which is like an oasis, but never used the bathroom before... I guess now I know. I don't think I'll be back any time soon though...

It's cute I just go here a lot because it's by Costco... LOL The Mango Sunrise is my usual go-to…read more It's hit or miss when you come here. One time the smoothie was super watery almost like juice ... I prefer mines a bit thicker luckily they were able to remake it so that was great! The location is pretty convenient so I can see it being a popular place with the people who live around this side of the island. I would like to try their acai bowl one day since I saw a ton of people ordering that as well.

Parking is plentiful and easy to find. There's no seating inside but a few small tables outside…read more Noise level is quiet-average but can get loud when the blenders are running. Java da hut (3/5): flavor was quite unique. Tasted much like a mocha which makes sense since it's espresso, and chocolate. The texture was a bit off putting though with the almond butter and protein powder. Tap to pay is accepted. Overall, Lanikai Juice has some pretty unique and interesting drinks.

Best shaved ice on our trip to Hawaii! This place was recommended by a friend and it definitely did…read morenot disappoint. This small storefront is located near Koko Head Trail, so we stopped by after a pretty intense hike. There is a variety of sizes and lots of flavors to choose from. I personally got the cotton candy and lychee, and it was a perfect balance. The shaved ice was soft and flavorful without being overly sweet or sticky, and a small was the perfect size. The worker was also very nice and patient with our large group. To our surprise, we also learned that Obama had visited this place and that his favorite flavors were lime and cherry. I can confirm those flavors are also very good.

We needed a refreshing nutritious açaí bowl after the hard Koko Head hike. It was really cool…read morestepping inside the shop and being amazed at the amount of celebrities visited this spot and even the former president!! They're more known for the shaved ice obvi from the name but the açaí bowl was really good and had all the amazing toppings! We were happy eating the açaí and wandered out to some spectacular views in the back. Great spot! Ordered: - Açaí Supreme - giant size could share - Double Açaí

I used to go to the Aina Haina store but this one is a better set up. The convenience is also…read morebetter as I can drop by in conjunction with other errands, like taking care of business at Longs/Safeway/bank/optometrist/cleaners. My go to drinks are the Purple Rain or Coffee Date - I just get them without cinnamon. The kale tacos are still good. And now they do essentially the same tacos but with a bacon mustard dressing - it's still vegan Taco Tuesday and Saturday are good value with a $16 price-point for tacos and a smoothie. Free Shot Friday is also nice. It makes for a convenient stop for a delicious smoothie or a light lunch.

Went to get a smoothie today and many times I've passed this place thinking it would be very…read morepricey. However, I'm glad I did go today... hands down the best smoothie I've ever had. The ingredients weren't artificial like many places. I got the green monster and it was really good. I'll try other flavors as I visit. The place was clean and service was neutral. The person serving me wasn't friendly nor rude so it was okay and I got my smoothie very quick. Will definitely be back again.

Nice waterfront view, great service, comfortable lounge like chairs and tasty foods. Love this…read moreplace.

TL;DR Cute brunch…read moreand Japanese restaurant on the east side. Beef Sukiyaki Combo = ONO ----- My aunty recommended Heavenly a while ago but whenever we decided to try it there was always no reservations available. Well, we were finally able to lock in a res for brunch on a Saturday before a Costco run. I would definitely recommend making a reservation. The restaurant was pretty busy when we visited and there was a wait at the door. Heavenly is located in the Koko Marina shopping center. There's lots of parking available. The ambiance is great and there is a fantastic view of the surrounding water. The seating is super comfy and casual with sofa-style chairs to sit in. Heavenly has a very eclectic menu. A large portion of the menu is dedicated to breakfast offerings, but there is also a very sizable selection of Japanese dishes. I wasn't craving anything for breakfast, so I opted for the Beef Sukiyaki Combo, which came with a hefty portion of beef sukiyaki, rice, a soft-poached egg, and miso soup. This really hit the spot. Everything was delicious. If you like gyudons, you should definitely consider the beef sukiyaki here. My wife ordered the loco moco and subbed in a falafel patty. I was expecting the patty to be hard and/or dry, but it was utterly perfect! It was crispy on the outside but soft and fluffy on the inside. And it paired so well with the gravy, egg, and rice. I would highly recommend this dish as well. We ordered an acai bowl for my young daughter, which was also great. This is our new brunch spot on the east side!

Nice place for a quiet breakfast!…read more Hubby and I stopped in after spending the morning at nearby Sandy Beach. We shared a acai bowl, a Kai latte (signature mac nut flavor), and a piece of coffee cake. Everything was fresh tasting and the coffee cake was hearty. The latte was unique, comforting, and not overly sweet. The shop is very clean with restrooms on the outside. Although there was only one worker, our order was prepped fairly quickly and more customers filed in after us. Would return!

Kai Coffee in the Kalama Valley Shopping Center donated their business to Kai Point Church and is…read morenow The Point Coffee. Ro (sp?) now runs the cafe for the church and was a former executive and barista with Kai Coffee...lots of experience in artisan coffee in Hawaii. He has ideas for the shop: from having it host competitions to adjusting thr menu. Same setup - a few tables inside and outside. I tried The Point Latte; made with mac nut and vanilla syrups. Latte was balanced as he said it would be...on point. Lots of parking in sleepy Kalama Valley Shopping Center. Hours? I missed any signage and forgot to ask.

The omelette here was so unique I started trying this at home! Be sure to order the kalua pig which…read moreis shredded roasted pig inside of an omelette. Back home, I eat pernil all the time but never tried to put it inside of an omelette, game-changer! The omelette game with a piece of toast and a small slice of pineapple and strawberry. Paired it with a latte and a perfect breakfast. There are tons of juice, coffee, and matcha options as well (if you're cup of tea is matcha). Located inside of a strip mall (seeing a common theme here in Hawaii), there is ample parking if you have a rental car here. Servers and locals here are friendly which has been my experience traveling the entire island.

My party and I shared the Avocado Toast with bacon, Short Rib Loco Moco, and Corned Beef Hash for…read morelunch. The Short Rib Loco Moco was my favorite! We ordered it with fried rice which was a tasty combination with the tender meat and gravy. The Avocado Toast and the Corned Beef Hash were both okay but there wasn't anything special that stood out. We visited on a Saturday around 1pm and luckily we only had to wait 5 minutes for a table! You do have to sign your name on the wait list when you get there. The restaurant was bright, service was friendly, and there's a good number of seating. It's located in the Koko Marina Shopping Center which shares a lot with other stores so there's always parking!

Housed in a former gas station, it would be easy to drive right on by without a second thought, as…read morenothing from the outside hints at the culinary treasures within. Despite the fact that it's a considerably trek for city-dwellers, factoring either traffic or bus schedules into the equation, or both if you're particularly unlucky, it's a journey always worth taking. Hit Hanauma Bay along the way and make it a day trip; the only way to top those dazzling sights is to follow them with a stellar meal. Boasting a menu composed of locally-sourced produce and entirely vegan options, you'll want to take a number of friends for the best experience. Heck, get out there and make some new friends! Join one of the long communal picnic tables out back and introduce yourself; there are no friendlier folks on earth than those living in paradise, as far as I've seen. That said, if there was only one dish to order, it would have to be the Oh WOW Laulau. Wow, indeed! No where else on earth have I found vegan laulau, let alone such a stellar rendition. Traditionally consisting of fatty pork and/or fish steamed in taro leaves, this version eschews the meat in favor of hearty root vegetables, adding creamy coconut into the mix for richness. Not to be overlooked is the Tofu Poke provided on the side, claiming to be spicy but really bearing just enough warmth to taste perfectly balanced. This was easily my personal favorite from the small sampling of dishes provided, but it's a close call when all the options are so good. Another front runner is the BBQ Portobello Sandwich. Mushrooms marinated in a bright, smoky barbecue sauce practically sing between two whole wheat buns. Coconut slaw tops off the assemblage with just the right amount of subtle sweetness to contrast the deeply savory flavors within. Simpler but no less spectacular dishes include the Roasted Veg Platter and Roasted Veg Avocado Sandwich. The way that the vegetables are treated with respect, from the moment they're harvested from nearby farms to the care taken when they reach the kitchen is evident with every bite. Cooked with care and proffered generously with each serving, even the basics make the trek out here worthwhile. I'm still trying to recreate that impossibly umami gravy offered on the side. It's one of those things that are so astoundingly, inconceivably delicious, it's impossible to deconstruct. Each entree promises an ideal amount of food; satisfying diners without over-stuffing them. That said, you'll still want to make room for dessert, especially when you see the towering bowls full of Outta This Swirled Soft Serve. Cool, naturally sweet spirals of banana-based soft serve are dressed to the nines with cacao sauce that hardens much like magic shell, granola and coconut flakes tumbling down the mountainous terrain, and fresh fruits that vary based on local availability- Expect papaya always to be in ample supply, based on the thriving papaya trees on premise. Each order is abundant enough to be a considered a full meal in and of itself.

This was a savior when driving around the windward side of island and looking for vegetarian lunch…read more We ordered Portobello burger which had mushroom pieces instead of the patty as I had assumed but tasted good nevertheless. Hummus wrap was good too but cold contrary to my expectation again. Overall nice place but not as good as other reviews made it sound. Another thing to note is that they don't have restrooms. You can go across the parking lot in MacD for that.

After snacking the whole time on the beach, we were craving for something a bit healthier and…read moremanage to make it to Ruka Bowl a few min before they closed. Gorgeous bowl of acai with blueberry, strawberry, banana, and granola for that crunch. The acai is blended expertly here. After having several acai bowls at farmers markets and on the mainland, the texture is really the best here. Easy to miss, definitely worth the search!

Ruka Bowls saved us on a hot day of exploring the island. The truck conveniently located in a small…read morelot off the side of the highway. Friendly woman was patient with my kids deciding on their order. Bowls were ready pretty quickly. I had a pitaya base with just fruit, granola, and honey. Kids had acai base with a variety of toppings. The fresh icy treat was a welcome relief and I'll be on the lookout for the truck next time in out exploring Oahu in the heat.

Lanikai Juice may be a chain, but it's still pretty good. They have juices, smoothies, and bowls…read more If I'm in the mood for a smoothie, I will get the Kailua Monkey or Java the Hut but I usually opt for their bowls. I like the Monkey Biz when I want something sweet or the Acai Superfood (extra honey) when I'm feeling like it. They offer multiple acai bowls but I like their superfood one because of the super food toppings I feel like a lot of other places don't offer. This Kahala location has parking shared in the Ku'ono Marketplace and inside is pretty clean. The workers are usually super friendly and polite.

Went to this Lanikai Juice location because it was across from the Corepower I went to while…read morevisiting the island. This is in the same plaza as et al, and there's also a Wholesale Unlimited there as well. I needed a wake-me-up, post-workout drink and asked what a Java the Hut was. I guess it contains coffee powder and coffee in it, with some whey protein, etc. The woman behind the counter asked if I wanted vanilla or chocolate protein and I asked what she suggested. She said chocolate was better. I asked if the drink was good and she said it was, so might as well try something new other than my usual go-to pineapple smoothie. Well, Java the Hut is my new favorite drink there, and I've been thinking about it for the past two months, since we got home. I'm going to try to replicate the recipe at home - it's that good! The women working there were so nice and I'm going to make it a point to go back there on my next visit.