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    Kai Coffee Hawaii Roastery

    4.4 (44 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Deisy R.

    Coffee was quite tasty! I had an iced macadamia nut latte with oat milk (should have gone for macadamia nut milk) and found it to be thoroughly delicious and refreshing. Service was super fast at the window front and not touristy. Definitely recommend!

    Mariela O.

    Honestly, the best coffee I've had anywhere in Hawaii!! Nothing else compares. This is a must stop now anytime I find myself going to Oahu. And the taste is always so consistent. Great coffee, clean location, and friendliest staff make this place a 5/5

    Good ol' Americano. Really solid coffee.
    Eric D.

    Kai Coffee is a really solid spot to visit for local coffee. Looks like they roast their beans on site. Americano wasn't on the menu but upon request, they're able to whip it up for me. Their bean taste was really smooth and rich. It was an enjoyable cup of joe. Açaí bowl was tasty--base was smooth and the pile of fruit was presented nicely. Bowl was surely inviting to eat. Banana bread on the menu we also tried but I didn't find it all the special. The folks working there were really friendly. And offered quick service. Overall visit I thought Kai was great--give them a try. They do lack parking unfortunately since they're right at a corner. Cheers

    Craig T.

    I got the Kai coffee bug last week I had Kai coffee in Waikiki my first time . Today I stopped by their Kapahulu location . I ordered their 12 oz coffee grinds so I can make my own ice coffee at home lol .Its their Kai Espresso blend the counter person told me that it's highly concentrated so I don't need to put too much coffee grinds while brewing. This location has a take out window for quick service located at the corner of Kapahulu and Herbert St. Support local

    Hannah H.

    I stopped by the Kai Coffee Roastery to get a caffeine fix, and I'm glad that I did - this walk-up window offers espresso, coffee, some eats (scones, banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, etc.), and fresh-roasted whole beans that you can purchase. I had their Kai Latte, which is their signature macadamia nut latte - it was nice and strong, with a bit of creaminess to it. I just wished it was a tad bit sweeter. Service was friendly, and you can see the roasting of the beans inside. Cute place to stop by! +friendly service +walk-up window

    Kai latte, large
    Casey D.

    You know when your latte is a certain color and you just know that it's gna be spectacular? Kai coffee consistently did that every time for us! This coffee shop is our favorite on the island! Sometimes the milk to espresso ratio ends up being too milky when you order a large, but the worker told me they add 3 espresso shots for the large and it is still perfect!! We always ordered the Kai latte, and it is not too sweet. Island vintage is good, but when you want a less sweeter coffee, Kai coffee is the way to go :) *Def go to this location instead (perf to grab n go), as it's less crowded. We stayed at the alohilani and fortunately had a Kai coffee within walking distance, but the line can get way too long in the mornings.

    My first experience...gotta go with da Signature latte. Go BIG or go home, so...mmmm.....
    Sean C.

    It's fancy! It's local and it's privately owned so I always like to support. It's also a specialty shop, yet has a takeout window as well with onolicious coffee. I ordered a large signature latte. The service, is courteous, friendly, and professional. I had one smooth latte it was made with finesse.

    Outside
    Stacy S.

    This has to be one of the best macadamia nut lattes I've ever had! I had heard of Kai Coffee before, but their main location was in Waikiki and I rarely venture out there. So when I saw that they popped up in Kapahulu, I was stoked! This is a "to go" coffee shop only. They're located off of Herbert St. and there's very little street parking available. I arrived shortly after they opened at 7am, and there was only one other customer in front of me. Their menu is limited but in my opinion, all you really need to know is the Kai latte. I ordered the medium Kai latte, which is their signature mac nut latte with your choice of milk (I got almond milk) for $6.75. It was so creamy and flavorful! I wish I would've gotten a large! They also offer drinks like mocha, cappuccino, chai, matcha, cortado, espresso, cold brew, etc. And you can purchase their whole bean coffee bags to go! Definitely check them out if you're a coffee fanatic like me!

    Dylan Keith W.

    Got iced coffees here. Wife asked for a napkin for the condensation. Bro said "Just use your sleeve." Not funny.

    Kai Latte with Oat Milk - $7.85
    Faye Anne M.

    Quick service and I like the walk through kiosk vibe. The cashier was also very nice. The Kai Latte with oat milk is really tasty, the coffee is strong but doesn't have an acidic aftertaste. The macadamia nut syrup taste is there and is not too sweet. I thought the oat milk would ruin the overall flavor but it didn't! I just can't believe it's $7.85 for a SMALL size drink. This is a roastery too so i'm wondering why can't it be a little cheaper than a usual cafe drink if the coffee is roasted in house. So minus one star for the price. Overall, I would come back again!

    Kai latte with oat milk
    Tessa R.

    It's a walk up window to order coffee. There is no store you can walk into. You can buy coffee and drinks from the window only. I ordered the Kai latte with oat milk and WOW it was divine! If I lived closer I would buy one every morning. Very friendly young guy working on Saturday. I think he was alone and there was about 8 of us that walked up to order from 3 different parties all at once. Felt kinda bad for him! The parking is obsolete. Unless you get lucky with street parking in front you will have to search for parking near and far. Bring your quarters. Will be back!

    Very disappointed with what we ordered. I was hoping to really love the coffee but it was so mediocre. Couldn't even finish it. My fiancé didn't like it very much either, and he isn't one to dislike coffee as much as I do.

    Really cute Coffee Tins to buy beans to gift to people who actually like coffee
    Shari T.

    I was hesitant to review Kai Coffee because I can't drink coffee (I bounce off the walls). I am reviewing this based on their Chai Latte. :) Kai Coffee is located next door to Sunrise Restaurant. When they first opened, I happened to be there when they were roasting their coffee beans. OMG. It smelled like chocolate baking and I thought someone was making chocolate chip cookies. Sniffed my way to Kai and got a tour. They don't allow people to tour anymore but it's a really neat set up! I purchased some gifts for coffee loving friends in the cute tins they have available (see photo). After having a lovely lunch at Sunrise, we walked over to the window to get drinks. I got the Chai Tea Latte (hot) with Almond Milk. They had other choices like milk milk and oat milk. The Chai had a nice mixture of spices and wasn't overly sweet like some places makes em. I would order it again! Next time I want to try the Matcha Latte. But anyhoo. Street parking. Great customer service, the guys working there are so friendly and engaging. Fast service. Tea was lovely. Can't comment on the coffee but my co-worker really liked the Kai Latte (Mac nut coffee). Why not park at Sunrise Restaurant, grab some food from there and Kai so you can support TWO great local businesses? Win win!

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    1 year ago

    Bad service, like the employee was forced to be there. Worst coffee I have had in Oahu. Would not return or recommend.

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    2 years ago

    Kai Latte with oat milk was so smooth and delicious! We went back several times for it.

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    Ask the Community - Kai Coffee Hawaii Roastery

    Review Highlights - Kai Coffee Hawaii Roastery

    Can't comment on the coffee but my co-worker really liked the Kai Latte (Mac nut coffee).

    Mentioned in 16 reviews

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    Kona Coffee Purveyors - Pineapple & coconut almond croissant with oat latte

    Kona Coffee Purveyors

    4.4(2.6k reviews)
    0.7 miWaikiki
    $$

    Absolutely worth the hype and the waiting time. If you're visiting on weekday, certainly pre-order…read moreto skip the line as they seemed to be busy at all hours. The line moved relatively quickly even on weekend though, so don't let it hinder you from trying. We got their iconic Black Sesame Kouign Amann and loved it too much. Impeccably flaky and buttery pastry base with flawless caramelized bottom. The black sesame paste also came in just right dose and sweetness. I wasn't a fan of black sesame but I would rave over this pastry!! We did have their Pineapple Almond Croissant, which was decent but if you had to prioritize, doubtlessly go for kouign amann. The Chocolate Chip cookie was okay to skip IMHO. We came back again another day for their pistachio and chocolate ones and they were just as mindblowing! If you loved milk coffee, I would recommend their latte as the cold brew could be tad acidic even with added milk. I got their Cold Brew with soy milk first time then Vanilla Latte the second time, and certainly loved the latter better. They did have some indoor and outdoor sit-down spaces but they're constantly occupied so you might need to wait awhile to get one.

    Kona Coffee Fact: Kona coffee is a premium, high-end Arabica coffee grown exclusively on a small…read more30-mile-long, 2-mile-wide strip of volcanic slopes in the Kona districts of Hawaii's Big Island. Known for its smooth, light, and mildly acidic flavor profile with notes of chocolate and nuts, it is highly prized and regulated by the state to combat food fraud. True Kona coffee is only grown on the slopes of Hualālai and Mauna Loa volcanoes. We had been told to check out Kona Coffee Purveyors at International Marketplace by a good handful of Honolulu friends and I'm glad I heeded their advice. The best coffee on our trip was had here and I wish I had more time to grab another cuppa! I ordered a black sesame latte for myself, shared an affogato, and tried a Konawaena pour over (Kiwae honey, roasted macadamia, and milk chocolate) pourover. The latte was sip after sip of balanced coffee with a hint of black sesame. The pour over is where you truly get the caffeine. As for the affogato, easily the best affogato had on the trip (and I had plenty~). I highly recommend Kona Coffee Purveyors if you're in the Waikiki area. The ambiance is nice and the staff is friendly!

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    Kona Coffee Purveyors - The famous pastry

    The famous pastry

    Kona Coffee Purveyors - Banana chocolate croissant - sooo good!

    Banana chocolate croissant - sooo good!

    Kona Coffee Purveyors - Sample drink

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    Sample drink

    Local Joe - Breakfast croissant & lox for us  Local Joe be there for us when we need a break from fluorescent light.

    Local Joe

    4.6(622 reviews)
    3.9 miDowntown
    $$

    Did my research to find Kona coffee for my upcoming visit to Vancouver, so I walked from home and…read moretook shelter in Local Joe's to cool off and order some 100% Kona Mauna Kea Estate coffee and have it ground. Liv was so delightful and clearly the right person for the job so I knew I was in the right place. In the meantime I ordered an iced coffee (which was delicious!!!!) and sat down and watched folks come and go. This is clearly a popular local coffee and snack shop so I will keep this place in mind since it's locally owned and operated and their decaf is processed via osmosis, not chemicals. That's a big plus.

    I was actually on my way to another coffee shop, but I saw Local Joe when I turned on Smith, so I…read moreturned on that side street, Marin, and there was a parking spot right there. Meant to be! I ordered the Royal Hawaiian. This was delicious! I also had a slice of banana bread. It was heated in the oven with a pat of butter on it. Sooooooo good! Said I'd come back for the pumpkin bread, and I did a few days later. Ordered the Royal Hawaiian again. Can't get enough of it and the pumpkin bread heated the same way. Lots of people getting coffee to go and food. It's in a great location! I was also looking for a new coffee supplier. I used to go to Downtown Coffee but the last batch I bought was not very good. I bought Guatemala, Columbia, and Hawaiian. Had them all ground fine. Each one proved to be a winner with the family! So happy to have found this not so hidden gem! It is now my go to for beans! The staff is great! The owner too! And it's a comfortable place to take a break at! Mahalo Joe!

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    Local Joe - Counter

    Counter

    Local Joe - Turkey Bacon Breakfast Burrito

    Turkey Bacon Breakfast Burrito

    Local Joe - Thai latte

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    Thai latte

    Kai Coffee Hawaii Roastery - coffeeroasteries - Updated May 2026

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