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    Kai Coffee

    4.1 (322 reviews)
    Open • 6:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Kai Coffee Photos

    Business Info

    KAI COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Kai Coffee

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    Reviews With Photos

    Açaí Bowl
    Cynthia P.

    I stopped by Kai Coffee multiple times during my visit in Hawaii. They open at 6 AM and was located right next Alohilani. There wasn't a long line when I went around 6-6:30 am, but around 7, the lines begins getting longer and longer. We have tried their coffee, peach tea, acai bowl, banana bread, pesto sandwich. Long black coffee was ok. It tasted a bit burnt in our opinion. It tasted like they brew the coffee instead of pulling an expresso shot. We wouldn't get it again. However, the tea was pretty good and refreshing. Acai bowl is also good and a good amount of fruit balance. Banana bread was delicious. Pesto sandwich was a bit more dry. Overall, I still think Kai Coffee is a pretty decent coffee shop for breakfast or mid day coffee etc!

    Crunchy crepe! I wish it was less crunchy
    Anandita S.

    We had an a coffee break today as we needed caffeine in the middle of the day! Super friendly service, I will say coffee hit the spot. The crepe Could have been less crispy! But overall it was a great experience

    Menu
    Joan L.

    LOVE coming to Kai Coffee and highly recommend to anyone I know visiting Oahu! The line may look long but it's definitely worth the wait! Why? The coffee is great, the breakfast options are delicious, and their baked items (scones and breads) are rich and delicious! The baristas are happy and seem to love their jobs. Shoutout to Julian for his expertise in recommendations -- ie Macadamia milk with lattes (not cappuccinos) I ALWAYS get a cold brew (less ice) because it is honestly my FAVORITE cold brew on the island! The woman who took my order was smiley, pleasant, and patient. All businesses should have employee morale that matches Kai Coffee -- happy employees make a happy environment which leads to happy (and repeat!) customers like me! The seating, both indoors and patio, are comfortable. When sitting at the long indoor table, you'll likely make some new friends from around the globe! Also, if you walk across the street (beach side) there's a little Kai spot as well to order and sit and watch the beach- and surf-goers.

    Lilikoi Matcha and Kai Latte
    Robert R.

    My normal stop on the morning everyday on Waikiki. Loved the Mac Nut Kai latte. I tried the Lilikoi Matcha Iced latte, and the Vanilla nut latte. I also had the Banana Bread latte. Some time it had a huge line, and other times it wasn't so long. Friendly service and great coffee and made it the most visited spot on my tome In Oahu. Also the beachfront location also was the same great service and coffee.

    Lemon poppyseed
    Mary V.

    Don't be discouraged if the lines are long, the staff move very quickly and efficiently. The coffee is ok here but the baristas do let the shots sit for a long time so it becomes a dead shot (bitter). Theres really nothing that stands out at this place except that it's a typical tourist trap.

    Mikey H.

    Kai is a really great place for coffee! We were on a long walk, but on the way back, I really needed coffee. We stopped here and I got the Kai Coffee signature drink. I asked for macadamia milk which enhanced the flavor. This is a really good drink! So well balanced! The staff is really friendly especially under pressure because they were busy. Lots of tourists...and not friendly ones either...LOL! Lighten up! You're in Waikiki...it's always busy! Debs and I grabbed two chairs and sat to the side. Great place to watch everyone. Mahalo Kai!

    Shalini G.

    I was worried that going to a chain on the beach would not be anything more than an ordinary experience I was truly wrong I ordered the macadamia nut latte, which seems to be their special and it was perfect Not sweet at all They had a macadamia nut milk that I could upgrade to you so I decided to try 100% recommend

    Seana A.

    I am staying in Waikiki for the next few days. I decided to stop at Kai Coffee before heading to my conference. This place is super cute. I love the vibe and the set up. You wait in line to put in your order. The line seems long but you get through it pretty fast. After putting in your order and paying for it, you go to the other side to wait for them to prepare your drink and call your name. For as busy as it was, I didn't have to wait long. I got a coconut frappicino with oatmilk. It was delicious and a great way to start my morning. If you are in the area, you should definitely check it out.

    Inside signage
    Bob R.

    We stopped by Kai Coffee located in Waikiki Beach Honolulu. This is quickly becoming one of my favorites coffee spots in Honolulu. The staff is friendly and helpful with menu questions and suggestions. The offer a great macchiato that I really like! Check out Kai Coffee when you're in Honolulu, you'll be glad you did!

    Lupita M.

    This was my first Kona coffee and I absolutely loved it! The service here was great. I ordered the Kai coffee and you must try their tiramisu! Great location, you can enjoy the sunset drinking a delicious coffee at their tables outside.

    David L.

    Grabbed an iced Kai Latte and a Deluxe Breakfast Sandwich to enjoy with a view of the ocean. Definitely one of the best coffee drinks we had on Waikiki Beach!

    Morning line
    Jen D.

    I was pleasantly surprised when I got a message after I had posted my review so I wanted to write an update. I love that they took the review as a way to see how they can improve; they promised to address everything that was mentioned. I genuinely appreciate every effort to make this unpleasant experience right for us. Any company or business owner with integrity will take accountability instead of just make an excuse. Great location as it is right across the beach, and walking distance to hotels and restaurants.

    Coffee
    Lisa W.

    Kai has some of the best coffees on the strip. There's always a long line, it opens at 6:30, and most of the days we come at 6:30 and there's like 5 people ahead. One day we came at 7am and it was a line out the door, waited about 20-30 minutes ish. I usually get the Kai latte or the chai latte. Both good. My husband gets 3 espresso shots over ice. The coffee is good, they make it well here, but super busy in the mornings.

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    Maleko Coffee And Pastries

    Maleko Coffee And Pastries

    4.4(334 reviews)
    1.0 mi•Waikiki
    •$

    I came in because I saw that they had vegan donuts. He said I could do guava, blueberry, or plain,…read morebut he recommended the guava. It was less than three dollars including tax, so definitely affordable. The guava filling was great, but the donut itself was kind of bland. If it weren't so cheap, I would have given it three stars. But it was a good deal and I might go back.

    I stopped by here yesterday morning for a coffee and a malasada. While traveling I try to hit up a…read morenew local coffee shop every day and on this morning it happened to be Maleko Coffee and Pastries. This might be one of the only places in Waikiki open at 4 AM which is perfect if you've just arrived the night before from the East Coast. The inside of the shop feels homey. They have a display case full of pastries along with additional baked goods set out nearby. For my coffee on this morning I decided to go with a coconut latte and then ordered a blueberry malasada while my father went with a custard-filled one. At Maleko, the malasadas are pre-made but not filled until you order which I think is a smart move. I first tried my blueberry malasada and thought it was good. The dough was light and fluffy and the filling had a great flavor. As for my coffee, I have to agree with other reviews that the syrup made it overly sweet. I still drank it, but I definitely would have preferred something less sweet. The bottom line for me is that I would head back here again for the malasadas. As for the coffee, I would probably pass unless you prefer your drinks on the sweeter side.

    Photos
    Maleko Coffee And Pastries - Croissant $2.75 made fresh every day.

    Croissant $2.75 made fresh every day.

    Maleko Coffee And Pastries - Cream cheese Danish and Blueberry cream cheese croissant

    Cream cheese Danish and Blueberry cream cheese croissant

    Maleko Coffee And Pastries - Turkey egg and cheese croissant $3.50 made fresh every morning

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    Turkey egg and cheese croissant $3.50 made fresh every morning

    Kulu Kulu - Photo 4: Baked goods display

    Kulu Kulu

    4.2(165 reviews)
    1.2 mi•Waikiki
    •$$

    What an amazing bakery. They actually did my wedding cake (hidden in image for privacy) And it's in…read moremy opinion the best strawberry shortcake on island. The frosting is not too sweet, and the cake is very moist. The strawberries fresh. I had to pick up one for my birthday recently. They have an assortment of pastries as well. Located on Eaton square check them out!

    Ala Moana location - closed. Royal Hawaiian Shopping center…read morelocation - closed. This is the only standing Kulu Kulu and I hope this place does not close, or if it does relocate, come closer to Central Oahu where the rent is cheaper, haha (hint). This location is on the outer edges of Waikiki on Hobron Lane in Eaton Square. I rarely venture to Waikiki, and if I do make the dreaded drive to "town", this place and Kan Sushi will be the only regular places where I will make my stop(s), because its so worth it. I've had a long-standing love-affair with Kulu Kulu from the Shirokiya Food Court location with it's waffle bears and Hello Kitty waffles, the takeout Nama Chocolate cups stocked at Mitsuwa Marketplace and now here, in town. The Ube Coconut Mousse $6.95 blew our minds, it was THE best tasting thing, ever. Both the ube and the coconut were not cloying, and as with all of their treats, not overly sweet either. That's why I love Japanese pastries, they get the sweetness just perfect and I have no idea how they mastermind that ratio! Strawberry Panna Cotta $5.95 was creamy, flavorful, delicious and surprisingly light and refreshing for such a creamy dessert. I normally don't get this kind of combination of flavors, and it tasted like something you'd get in a Michellin-rated establishment. Looking back at the photos, I see vanilla bean seeds in the panna cotta, so every loving detail and nuance shows through with each mouthful. Nama Chocolate $5.75 is my go-to chocolate LOVE. It's cut into cool creamy semi-sweet squares dusted with cocoa and it melts in your mouth! This is my favorite of all things that Kulu Kulu makes. I actually enjoy this better than the famous Royce Chocolates from Japan. We ordered another seasonal Strawberry dessert slice cake but it was eaten before I could review (and/or taste it); I've heard it was very very delicious. This place is so good that I plan to bring my friends who will be visiting from Virginia here to try their pastries. I also plan to support this business for as long as I can and make more frequent trips to town just to get these amazing desserts.

    Photos
    Kulu Kulu - April Special: Oreo Mousse Cake

    April Special: Oreo Mousse Cake

    Kulu Kulu - Chocolate cake

    Chocolate cake

    Kulu Kulu - Sakura Matcha Roll cake and Double Cream Puff

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    Sakura Matcha Roll cake and Double Cream Puff

    Kai Coffee - creperies - Updated September 2026

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