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    Kavahana

    4.7 (264 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Kavahana Takeout or Delivery

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    KAVAHANA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise

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    Pooja M.

    I looooove this place. It's so interesting- getting high without weed and getting drunk without alcohol! Kava nectar is a 3000 yr old Hawaiian tradition and has a reverse tolerance- the staff will tell you all about it because they're so helpful! The ones that are thinner like a juice are easier to get a buzz from than the thicker ones. We got the cherry drop- got the buzz quickly but taste was ok, kind of like medicine. The ube was super yummy but not as big of a buzz. They have nice lighting and board games- we started this one horror board game last time. I'm totally going again tomorrow!

    Rose Matcha or Hojicha Latte
    Autumn D.

    Rose Matcha Latte was great. The customer service was great, simple and to the point. I love the Hawaiian theme again simple and to the point. They have a patio in the back and there is street parking and parking in the back. I'm curious to try the mango matcha latte. Love the dried pineapple addition.

    Kavahana
    Tiffany G.

    What a great way to end the night with Kavahana. Chill out and enjoy the vibe at the bar or patio. They're always so friendly and inviting. I have yet to try their food but I would recommend their drinks.

    Ruby M.

    I heard about this place awhile back and I finally got to try it out. I love the atmosphere, perfect for a gathering with friends. Super cool interior, friendly staff. I am not too sure if this is everyone's cup of tea, I did try their beach nectar and the employee recommended 3 shots of Kava. The kava is what makes your mouth kind of numb, and is suppose to also relax you, good for a socia setting. I was not a big fan of three shots, I think it unfortunately made us not really enjoy the drink. However, I could see the potential in perhaps ordering one shot or just the drink itself! This place is also on the pricey side so be prepared! They offer other things on the menu, and I figure it's worth giving it another shot (no pun intended). Seems to me the drinks would taste better if it were just on its own or maybe one shot. Thank you again to the staff for being so kind and helpful.

    Ube matcha and mango lassi
    Kimberly H.

    Very nice and tranquil cafe with outdoor seating that is dog friendly. Friendly staff, teaches you about the Kava Hawaiian plant. Never heard about it before, I just thought this was a matcha shop but it's something more special and unique. Had a mango lassi with two shots of Kava. They allow you to add the shot into the drink. There is a tingly feeling to your tongue after you drink it. Relaxing vibes in the outdoor seating space. The Ube cream buns were also tasty not too sweet and the ube matcha was good too with cream foam. Love that they have treats for dogs and free stickers. Very unique space in Santa Monica.

    Menu in Bar area
    Anita G.

    I recently visited Kavahana because they came up on my IG feed. I was interested in trying their kava infused lattes. Don't let the neighborhood fool you, Kavahana is a hidden gem. I absolutely love their colors, their vibe and the bar area and not to mention their backyard patio is so cute. I love the layout and they have an abundance of board games to keep you busy. My friend and I had tried the Paradise Nectar, Rosé Apple Nectar, and Ube Coconut Nectar. My favorite was the Ube, it had a light Ube taste with a sweet vanilla cream tone. I love the Paradise Nectar, it was refreshing! The Rosé Apple taste like a strong apple cider which was my least favorite. The people who work here are very sweet! They were attentive, and were very friendly and helpful. They were very detailed about explaining drinks and how to order (number of shots). So all our drinks were ordered with double shots of the kava giving you a mellow feeling. Kava does have a particular taste to it, very earthy. It's a bit strong at first, but after the first drink it got better. Let's talk effects- the first drink, my friend and I were relaxed and a little giggly but after second and third, not so much. It was our first time, so we're just wanted to experiment. Also, let me warn you, your tongue might feel a little numb. I was told my the worker, it is normal. We saw many customers offering the noodles, and they look like they were popular. We didn't try any food. Overall, I enjoyed the experience and if I was in the area, I would revisit and try one of their other drinks, especially the lattes. Thanks for a great first time, Kavahana!

    Golden Nectar
    Kiki S.

    The people here are incredibly friendly, and I always enjoy the conversations when I visit. It's not too far from Venice Beach, which makes it a great stop. I ordered the soupless island ramen, which was delicious and full of flavor, it truly melted in my mouth. I also tried the Golden Nectar with dried pineapple over the straw, and it was such a fun and tasty touch.

    Fresh Coconut
    Alex J.

    This place needs to be your next stop for coffee, matcha, and "cocktails" - quotes because they are actually more like mocktails with the unique features of kava nectar. Staff is amazing and will guide and inform you about everything "kava" related. Asher was my bartender and he made some damn good drinks. The OG with double nectar shots starts of bitter but after a few sips and tingling sensations on your tongue, it gets smooth and almost sweet with a nice earthy flavor. The Coconut water definitely helps balance out the flavors and offers a nice hydration to your body. The Paradise nectar is a mango-pineapple like drink with the kava nectar and it's light, refreshing, and all-natural tropical! I especially love that they aren't filling the drinks with sugar so you're getting a real drink. And my last drink was the Strawberry matcha, made to order, hand whisked matcha, not too sweet, really great balanced flavors. I love the aesthetic and vibes, and the whole place is so relaxing!

    Storefront
    Kevin M.

    Shout out Cape to Cairo for putting me onto Kavahana! Coffee rave day parties have been popping up all over LA and it's the ideal outing for a Saturday morning during the Summer. Kavahana is a coffee shop located at the intersection of Pico Blvd/4th St in Santa Monica. There's a small parking lot in the back but you're likely going to have to find street parking. Yes, they do serve matcha but you have the option to order it with Kava Nectar which is made from the root of a Kava plant. Since this was our first time here, of course we got the double shot of Kava Nectar with our coffees. The nectar is non-alcoholic and tasted very earthy. It makes your mouth tingle and according to the barista, it supports your mood while also promoting well-being. My wife and I came to Kavahana because of the DJ collective Cape to Cairo who have been throwing Afro House monthly day parties at coffee shops over the last few months. We had such a fun morning and I definitely will get Kavahana the next time we're in Santa Monica or at Smorgasburg! If you enjoy house music, coffee, and can't go to Ibiza, then this is the party for you.

    Mango Matcha
    Melanie G.

    Went on a Friday around noon and it wasn't just at all! There were a few customers that trickled in and out throughout our hour there. We tried a paradise nectar with 2 shots of Kava, a mango matcha and both kinds of soulless ramen. We liked the paradise nectar, however, we knew we'd like it more without the kava. It added such a bitterness to a nice tart refreshing drink. We also felt the kava shots didn't have an effect on us. We did feel the tongue tingling though. The mango matcha was good if you like mild Asian fruit flavors. The coconut mango blend was prominent for that flavor. The matcha wasn't very strong in flavor. The soupless island ramen was pretty good. It had the texture of instant ramen and the flavor of Indomie. Good flavor and even the regular one had a little kick. The small is a good snack size.

    Lava Salted Caramel Kona Coffee Latte
    Brittney E.

    If you're looking for something truly unique, this is a must try. They specialize in ancient inspired beverages with their kava nectar that feel like an earthy, 3,000 year old chill in a cup. If you take the shots, know the root is part of the peppercorn family and gives your tongue a fun little tingle! I loved exploring their menu. The Bright Smooth Kona Latte was a perfect, mellow pick me up, and the Lava Salted Caramel had just the right balance of sweet and savory. The Rose Latte was delicate and fragrant, and the Beach Nectar 2.0 was so velvety. If you need a daytime boost, the Zener Energy Nectar Special comes with a shot of the original nectar on the side in a fun cup, recommend trying it. (Kava nectar shot is earthy) The vibe here is fantastic. The staff are extremely friendly and welcoming. There's an indoor seating area, bar top seating, and a great outdoor patio to soak up the Santa Monica air. I also loved that they have a selection of games you can take to your table, and they host other activities during the week, so definitely check their website or socials to see what's happening. Parking- some spaces in a lot and street parking. If you are ready try something new and adventurous, I'd absolutely recommend Kava

    Paradise Nectar
    Simrah A.

    I don't drink, so I was excited to hear about this place and try it out! This is a great option for if you don't drink alcohol, or just don't feel like it‍ They have a good variety on their menu, with many options for drinks with and without kava. Their most popular, the Mango Lassi Kava, was delicious! It tasted just like mango lassi I make at home or get at restaurants, but with a Kava flavor. I also loved the Strawberry Matcha with their Blue Spirulina Coconut Foam! It was sooo smooth and you could taste all the flavors. We enjoyed all the other drinks as well, but these two were our favs! The soupless ramen was delicious as well, we all loved it, and the buns were a good snack! The spacious seating area in their back patio along with the thorough game shelf make this a great spot to hangout and enjoy some drinks! To be completely honest, the taste of Kava is a little unusual at first if you're not used to that kind of stuff. If you get extra shots of it in your drink, you can taste it, but I don't think it ruins it at all! It's still good, but if you get a lot of Kava in your drink, you can't expect it to have no Kava taste at all. I still enjoyed all the drinks. The Kava shots alone also give your tongue and mouth a bit of a numbing feeling. Kava Hana uses authentic ingredients in their drinks, making it all the more enjoyable experience! I was invited here as a collab for my food blog on instagram (@foodbysimm) but I genuinely enjoyed all of their items and the experience! I wanted to go before they even reached out, so I was honored that they did. The staff is friendly, and the food and drinks are good! The worker who helped us out was so patient with us and took his time to explain everything! He was so kind to give us reusable take-home coconut bowls as well! It also is a bit on the pricier side, so I would be prepared for that if you go, but it makes sense because they use Kava in their drinks. I would definitely recommend

    Nevin A.

    It was my first time at Kavahana. I was looking for a new drink to try and I found the shop on Yelp. The shop is specialized in Kava nectar. There is a parking lot adjacent to the place, in addition to street parking. We were greeted once we walked nside. The combination between the white brick walls and the green color give relaxing vibes. They have indoor seating and patio area too. The baristas told us about the history and uses of kava. Kava is a plant which is native to Pacific Island.The beverage is used for relaxation effects and improve anxiety. It can cause some tingling in the tongue, throat or mouth. I didn't experience any of these symptoms. We ordered mango lassi kava. The baristas asked us to choose the number of kava shots. He recommended to start with two shots. They called us when our drinks were ready. They put the two shots of kava powder in front of us, then mix them with the mango Lassi drink. The baristas told us to say "bula" with them before we drink. Bula is a common cultural greeting which means "to live" or "life". The kava was a little bit bitter but it blended well with the creaminess of mango Lassi. The staff were very friendly and genuinely warm. The service was excellent. We had a nice experience. If you are looking for trying a new drink, I recommend Kavahana.

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    Ask the Community - Kavahana

    Are all of the drinks non-dairy?

    Yes, all our drinks are 100% vegan :)

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    Outside area

    Kavahana - lounges - Updated May 2026

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