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    Kai Coffee

    4.5 (50 reviews)

    Kai Coffee Photos

    Business Info

    KAI COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating
    Good for working

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    Recommended Reviews - Kai Coffee

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    Kai Coffee entrance
    Lamond M.

    Kai Coffee is an astonishing hidden beautiful little coffee shop gem with incredible espresso & coffee drinks ... tasty marvelously yum sandwiches too. I just love the comforting feeling the joyful staff gives you to. Indoor & outdoor sitting... this is so nice

    Menu as of Oct 2025
    Amy L.

    Kai latte $7 - Mac nut latte iced. At first glance I thought it was a bit too much milk but the coffee taste was strong. Would order again!

    Lovely swan!
    Madison G.

    This place was lovely! I stopped by after a hike and the employees were so nice, the shop was cute, and the coffee was lovely & delicious! The barista made me a swan whack I thought was pretty neat too! I hope to come back next time I go to the east side for a hike!

    Hours
    Tessa R.

    Absolutely LOVE Kai coffee. I usually go to the one in kapahulu but the traffic is tiresome. So I'm so happy they opened one in Hawaii kai. Tons of free parking in a private and safe parking lot. I don't need to park on the street now! Seating area inside and outside in a completely shaded area and air conditioning inside. Very clean bathrooms that you will need to ask a key for. Staff was kind and happy. They were very busy with only 2 people working. I went around 10:00am on a Saturday. I ordered my usual, iced kai latte and it never disappoints. They have hot foods and bakery items something for everyone's appetite. I will be here often!

    Storefront
    Irene M.

    The perk in the area... Kai Coffee Hawaii newest location is out in Kalama Valley which I think is a great addition to the area because if you do a Yelp search not a coffee place for miles. It is a simple complex with various tenants like Oahu Pool and Spa to Hawaii Balloon. This cozy spot is simple with two tables and a comfy sofa on the inside with a few tables on the outside including a couple picnic style tables with umbrella though on this gloomy day a couple of ladies hoarded the tables inside so I sat outside freezing lol! With that I had their Matcha Latte which comes unsweetened so I did add a touch of syrup...it was okay not the strong matcha flavor that I crave and they do Ave milk alternatives as well which is nice as I do enjoy changing it up sometimes. Along with my tea I decided on a deluxe breakfast sandwich on ciabatta which comes with an egg, cheddar, bacon, ham and garlic aioli which is served warm and was decent though almost paid $20 for the two considering my tea is $6.25 the sandwich was not worth it at all. The service was bleh for a morning coffee no greet, no thank you for the tip...the whole experience just not worth the drive out here unless you live in the area which would be going out of your way. Thank you!

    Jennifer F.

    I saw the lines, but thought it was just due to being in a great location close to the beach. Wrong. We had a delicious Mac nut iced latte, and banana bread latte. Great festive Hawaiian taste and flavors.

    Açaí bowl
    Rebecca C.

    Chai latte was very milk heavy, so the chai flavor didn't shine! Order came out quickly though. Really kind servers and spots for indoor and outdoor seating. Next time I order here, might just have to stick to coffee.

    Tricia F.

    I usually don't write reviews but I 100% recommend! We had the sweetest girl serve us (Alyssa)! She has such a friendly & welcoming presence. We tried the seasonal sandwiches & they were 10/10! The coffees were also very smooth. I don't drink black coffee but my friend got the cold brew & I would've ordered one for myself too if I didn't already get the Kai coffee (which was also really good) our big backs also got every single pastry which all were 10/10 LOL TLDR; service was unmatched & food was amazing

    Quinn V.

    Good coffee. Nice place. Great service. Both the boss and the young guy were super nice to the customers. The only thing I didn't like was an interaction I saw my first time there when the boss was being mean to the young guy working behind the counter. The boss was outside talking to a couple of customers and when he came back in, he was annoyed at the guy that had a couple of orders that were not completed yet. There was a line of customers ordering (7:30 am on a Saturday) so the guy had to take their orders. No one else was back there making drinks so the guy couldn't help it. I think no need to be mean to the guy. He wasn't slacking off or anything. Please be nice to your employees. They work hard for you!

    Lemon poppy seed cake.
    Ray L.

    Fairly new coffee spot in east Honolulu. They have plenty of free parking and lots of nice outdoor seating. I was blown away by the lemon poppy seed cake I had. It was warm and a nice portion slice. I enjoyed it with a nice hot cup of tea.

    Kailani P.

    A beautiful hidden gem! I got the Kai latte & my husband got a iced black coffee. Both really nice, there's lots of seating indoors and outdoors. The service is great, very kind and knowledgeable! We love coming here with our puppy!

    Iced macadamia nut latte
    Michelle H.

    It's awesome that Kai Coffee opened in the Kalama Valley shopping center, bringing a little more life into the sleepy plaza. Kai coffee is a local chain with a few other locations on island. At this location, there is ample parking and plenty of shaded seating outside to sit a while and enjoy your drink, perfect for a coffee date or if you're waiting for your car next door. On our visit, we walked over from Kalama Valley park just a few blocks away. We decided to try an iced macadamia nut latte and a blueberry scone. Prices are a bit high, but our drink and scone were both delicious and hit the spot. They do sell coffee beans here as well!

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    1 year ago

    Probably the best latte I have ever had! Macadamia for the win and service was excellent.

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    2 years ago

    Love having a local coffee shop option in Hawaii Kai. Their sandwiches are delicious as is their coffee.

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    2 years ago

    Nice atmosphere and great staff ! Their coffee is delicious ! Highly recommend if you're a coffee lover :)

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Kai Coffee

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    Moena Café - My "go to": Salmon Benedict with side country potatoes and plantation iced tea (sriracha on side)

    Moena Café

    4.2(1.7k reviews)
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    I am not a breakfast person and Moena Cafe might have just converted me into one!…read more After a sunrise hike nearby we were looking for a good spot where we could find something delicious for the whole family (including our picky eater). After doing some research on Yelp we decided to check out Moena Cafe. The restaurant is pretty small so I would recommend getting here early. We didn't have to wait for a table but probably 30min after we arrived they had a 40-minute wait (lucky, I know). I decided to go with the avocado toast and cold brew, and my husband had an order of pancakes with blueberries. First of all, the cold brew was probably the best cold brew I've ever had! I wouldn't say I am a coffee snob by any means, but I could definitely taste the difference in their coffee. The avocado toast was absolutely delicious and came in pretty huge portions! It was two pieces of toast with two eggs in a bed of arugula and a very generous amount of avocado. It was cooked to perfection and exactly what I needed after our hike. The pancakes are HUGE so I would recommend only ordering one. My husband was about to get two, but the waiter kindly suggested ordering only one, and she was right. Absolutely loved this place and can't wait to come back!

    we usually love moena. we were asked to depart perhaps 7 minutes after we finished eating. how…read moresad. we appreciate needing to accommodate other guests. perhaps an announcement at the beginning of service would lessen the sting of a 45 minute experience, with visiting 'ohana. the service, overall was delightful. the food seemed more pre-prepped and homogenized than i had noticed before. not sure we will return.

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    Ando - hojicha, not too good

    Ando

    4.4(109 reviews)
    8.0 mi
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    The best authentic and traditional matcha I've had!…read more Decided to go with something simple to assess how it would be so I just got an iced ceremonial matcha. You can tell they emphasize on the craft here. There's so much care that's put into it so if you're in a rush I would say this isn't the place for you. I thought it was excellent, not very sweet but not bitter at all. It was a good earthiness to it. Frankly I was trying to sip slowly! The vibe here is wonderful, it's like being in someone's back garden. I'd definitely do some work here and unwind if I could here. Super excited to come back!

    We were already in Kailua, so we decided to stop by Ando after seeing people post about their…read morematcha lattes on social media. My sister and brother both got matcha with cold foam, which turned out to be $10 each I got the hojicha with cold foam, my mom got an iced black tea, and we also shared one of their matcha cheesecake desserts. Honestly, the matcha cheesecake was probably the best thing we had, but even that wasn't anything I'd go out of my way for. The biggest shock was when the drinks came out and we saw how small they were. For the price, we were definitely expecting a little more. The cold foam also mixed into the drinks almost immediately, so there wasn't really that distinct creamy layer or flavor you sometimes get with cold foam. I personally like mine a little thicker and more impactful, where you can actually taste the difference as you drink it. The matcha was alright. The hojicha was alright. Nothing was necessarily bad -- I just don't think it was for us, especially at that price point. And listen... I don't care if a matcha is ceremonial grade, premium grade, picked by angels on a mountain somewhere -- it's not just the grade. It's the preparation. And I will stand by that forever! The shop itself is cute, although pretty small inside. They do have outdoor seating, which is nice for Kailua. Overall, we left a little disappointed. I'm glad we tried it, but I think we'll pass next time. Happy Eating, Chass

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    Ai Love Nalo - My mother getting friendly with the staff lol.

    Ai Love Nalo

    4.5(584 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    •$$

    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.

    We stopped here to get a smoothie to enjoy while traveling through and we are glad we did. First…read moreoff, the ambiance of this place? Very relaxing, welcoming, and cozy. The lady working at the front counter gave us a rundown of the menu and was very kind. My choice was the Cupid's Dream smoothie, which consisted of strawberries, oat milk, chocolate, maple, and dates. Who knew healthy could taste this good ? The smoothie was sooo fresh, and flavors blended together flawlessly. Dare I say, this was one of the best smoothies I have had to date? Highly recommend stopping in so you can experience the deliciousness that Ai Love Nalo has to offer!

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    Ai Love Nalo - Smoothies, beverages and desserts

    Smoothies, beverages and desserts

    Ai Love Nalo - Philosophy and background

    Philosophy and background

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    Surf Camp Coffee - Prosciutto sandwich on foccacia bread and a genmai cha

    Surf Camp Coffee

    4.5(125 reviews)
    4.1 mi•Niu Valley
    •$$

    If you don't know, now you know, that this is the current it, hot, see and be seen spot, for all…read morethe cuties, homies, mommies, fitties, baddies, and study buddies, on the East side. Been me and my girlies go to for the past few years for our bi-monthly debrief, and we are not alone. Take a look around and there's always a few tables that look like the 2020 Hawai'i version of a Sex in the City girl gang talk fest. The location is genius. Who would have thought that putting a coffee shop in a hidden outdated strip mall in a tiny neighborhood valley would pop off? Yet it does. It feels current, it feels now. Surf Camp shares its name with its sister the popular Surf Camp attire and retail store which is the older sister as well to Up and Riding for kids- a surf themed clothing, accessories and shoes store in Kahala Mall. All of these spots exhibit a taste level, an eye for trends, and quality products. There's also a subtle but felt honoring of what makes local, local, underneath everything. I think that's what adds to the success. They know how to create a look, a vybe. Now when it comes to coffee I'd just like to do the shrugged emoji girl. Some of it I just can"t get into. I think I'm too old to get on the matcha bandwagon. I really just want drip coffee or espresso shots. I don't need fancy. I don't like milk. But my friends do, and I love my friends. The pastries are really good. The kids behind the counter are cute and hard working. I enjoy being here every time I come. If you want an experience with your beverage, a chill spot to sit and chat with your homies, or are headed out to Sandy's, Makapuu, Koko Head, or any of the other fun, beautiful spots this side has to offer, check out Surf Camp. I bet you'll be back.

    I believe I tried their Iced Blueberry ( syrup made in-house ) Latte before...and was a bit…read moredisappointed. Well, a second bite of the cherry ( an English/British idiom ) and I have to say I enjoyed it this time. Blueberry syrup wasn't too sweet. I may not have mixed it well, previously. If I recall correctly, I've had their Iced Black Sesame and Iced Hojicha - not Kinako ( must be thinking of another café ) - Lattes. All quite good. Minimalistic, modern interior design ...makes for a nice cafe experience...but i got my beverage for takeaway. I like the green-tiled countertop. Open from 630a till 330p, weekdays. Weekends they are open from 800a to 200p. Parking shared with other establishments in the building on Halemaumau Street - try saying that 3x, fast. I parked in the Niu Valley Shopping Center where there are lots of stalls.

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    Surf Camp Coffee - My go-to drink at my neighborhood cafe - Cappuccino served in a pretty ceramic cup!  Paired this with a peanut butter cookie made by Rissa.

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    Holoholo Espresso - Strawberry matcha latte

    Holoholo Espresso

    4.6(108 reviews)
    8.2 mi

    Out holo holo with Irene M. today…read more We came upon this adorable kiosk/ coffee and tea place located at 40 Maluniu St. We were immediately greeted by sweet Kairah who explained the drink options to us. Really helpful and energetic personality! Service is a 5 star experience! Drink Connoisseur Lauren who made our delicious beverages. What a wonderful variety of drinks here! Grateful for Lauren's talented mixologist skills. I ordered the Mamaki with watermelon flavor! 5/5 star flavor here. Irene ordered Lotus Energy Pretty in Pink ( on the tart side, but refreshing side). Open tables to sit on and enjoy. One table in the sun and one table in the tree shade. Support local.

    I've heard of this place before so when I had to go to my son's football game in Kailua, I knew…read morethis was gonna be the place I had to try for sure. It's a cute little spot in the middle of Kailua, blink and you'll miss it. Had a hard time finding where to park, but other than that, it was a pretty simple to find location. Thank God for maps! In my head, I was thinking "drive up" like "drive thru" but I was mistaken. It's an actual walk up and order type thing. I was surprised that when you walk up to the deck area, there's a server/cashier standing outside waiting to take your order vs a walk up to the counter and order experience. Makes it feel much more customer service oriented. She explained to me the difference in all the drinks, and what I could add to each drink and what not. The matcha is pretty good! I was told that their matcha isn't naturally sweet, you need to add your own sweetness to the drink itself. The server did recommend vanilla, or brown sugar in which I opted for vanilla. That was a nice touch! Overall, the drink was good. The matcha quality is really nice. I have however, tried better. But that's just a personal preference at the end of the day. Will I be returning? If I'm in the area again, absolutely! Customer service is great, and I would love to try their coffee and other drinks. Love that I can bring my kids and they can run on the grass while I put in my order.

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    Kai Coffee - coffee - Updated September 2026

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