My husband and I stopped by Koana after a recommendation from a friend while we were on our way to Volcano. I mean this with all kindness, but I think my friend undersold the place! At first glance, it may look like other small, local shops, with locally made products and a few interesting goods to browse. (I ended up buying the last 'I'iwi bird pin they had on display, which I loved!) After reading some other reviews, I realized we may have just gotten lucky because the owner happened to be in that day. Let me say this upfront: they advertise slow black coffee and they mean it! The owner (Brian?) takes his time with each customer, chatting with you to understand what you're looking for and making some suggestions. It's clear he enjoys both his craft and engaging with customers. It was not very busy while we were there, which added to that relaxed, Hawaiian vacation vibe. We really enjoyed the conversation with him and even walked away having learned a few new things. We took our coffee and other purchases to enjoy on the bench outside, along with some stone cookies from nearby. (There were also additional tables and chairs available on a side patio.) Overall, we loved both the experience and the coffee, and we will definitely plan to stop by again the next time we are in the area! read more

Koana - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

Service was incredible, very personable and educational. Atmosphere was very homey. 10/10 would recommend. Will definitely be back. The mocha was really good. read more

Koana - Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

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Brilliant coffee, an amazing Gem in Mountain View Hawai'i! Absolutely a Must on your visit up to Kīlauea National Park! Brian is a Master of the craft of Coffee.... Using lovely local coffee beans read more

The Harry Winston coffee experience is located in a green building in Mt. View, HI. You can smell the different beans before choosing your favorite. I'd definitely suggest the Kona Geisha Champagne Natural for the ultimate pour over experience. If you live Anywhere, & enjoy a pour over experience...bike, drive, fly in for the trip to Mecca of Coffee. Koana is an artist-owned, award-winning Specialty Coffee shop featured as "BEST Coffee Shop in the State of Hawai'i 2022"- Food & Wine shares the truth. read more

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Never been to this place but if I was passing by I'd check it out, my reservations are because I'd like to sit down chill n have a nice cup of coffee however that isn't a guarantee unfortunately it will depend on "the master" being there and if he's not there then I'm gonna leave there with high quality beans but no caffeine in my bloodstream which is something I sorely need when traveling visiting new places tbh I don't like taking a chance on being disappointed, Aloha read more

Absolutely blown away by this cozy coffee shop located about 20 minutes from Volcanoes National Park! We were craving some coffee and we got exactly what we were looking for as this shop has curated coffees from several local Hawaiian coffee farmers. The cups of coffee are pricey but the coffee will not disappoint. Also they sale coffee by the bag as well as different teas! The service was amazing as we were shown different types of coffee and even given a lava shot to go along with our coffee. In love with this place! read more

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I don't drink black coffee, I prefer latte... but the coffee I tried here made me very happy, people treat coffee as an art, it's cool!!! I highly recommend it! Thank you!!! read more

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No longer a cafe, went in and there is only retail coffee... would have loved to try fresh brewed coffee.

Artisan coffee. The lava mocha with a burnt marshmallow is where it's at! So much flavor :) The hours are limited and just one barista, so slow down ;) (If you need something fast and standard there is a drive through Coffee Bean 10 minutes away) read more

Koana - The volcano mocha delivers - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

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Love this quaint coffee house! Never experienced a coffee bar where you could smell the aroma of all the coffees! The barista (owner) is so knowledgeable and helpful! Absolutely loved the ambiance with an area for artists to share their work. I also got a couple of beautiful earrings and a button ring- bonus, the artisan happened to be getting her coffee! Definitely worth the drive! read more

This is such a beautiful place to enjoy a real I mean real tasty pour over of fine collection of coffee from award winning Big Island coffee mills the staff are friendly and knowledgeable of what there mission statement is there owner has a love and or obsession with coffee in a great way such a relaxing place to sit and chat with folks there chocolate Lava Shot of there own mix of chocolate and spice's is a must try every time I am on island I sit practice my ukulele enjoy everything about it Koana should be read more

Koana - Inside shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

Delicious pour over coffees that are local and amazing. Best coffee on the island! Don't miss it if you are in Mountain View! read more

Koana - Amazing little coffee shop in Mountain View! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

I had such an amazing experience here! The staff is super welcoming and they really know there stuff! I got to smell all the coffee blends which was super cool and you can tell they care about what they're serving as well as educating you! I got the Lava Mocha (spicy) and I got a hot chocolate for my son (not spicy) and it was super unique and yummy!! I went with my two little kids and they had a rec room which my son loved and a beautiful outdoor seating area which we hung out at for, like an hour. It's always a huge plus to me when places have spaces where my kids can be a lil free without disturbing anyone else. Overall I'm so glad I tried Koana and I'll be back with some friends!! read more

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What an amazing coffee shop, nested near all the Ka'u coffee farms. The vibes of the shop reminded me of a Taiwanese pour over shop (where they only serve black coffee), and indeed, the owner has Taiwanese roots and extensively researched about Japanese and Taiwanese coffee culture. You can get a few things here, all single origin and brewed to perfection: tea, coffee, hot chocolate. I only got the coffee so far (but I do plan on doing more!) When you get to the counter, the friendly staff will ask you about your tastes, and let you smell the beans before deciding on a specific coffee. Then, they grind the beans and let you smell the grinds, before making the pour over. This experience alone is well worth the price! Of course, my pour over was perfectly suited to my tastes and I savored every bit of it. While coffee on the Big Island is generally excellent (hard not to be if they are grown here!), this little shop elevates it to the next level. They are building out the store to have a community center, and since it's on the way to the Volcanoes National Park, it's absolutely a place you must stop at. read more

The BEST coffee you will find on the island, and maybe in life. They put an incredible amount of passion and care into all that they do. From sourcing the very best coffee, to preparing the perfect pour-over... if you are a coffee enthusiast, this is your spot. read more

Koana experience with the champagne. The coffee is very good in hot and cold served. The lava shot was way too strong that after you drink it over power the taste of the coffee. Suggestion less cinnamon more chocolate on lava shot. Overall good experience for coffee shop in Big Island. 5 stars on service and ambiance. Have to put 4 for improvement of the lava shot. read more

Koana - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

Quaint coffee shop, probably one of the few in Mountainside. The people are very friendly. They have a lot of different options for coffee beans however, if you're looking for a standard issue coffee shop where you can get a shot of half-and-half creamer or any kind of dairy products in your coffee this is not the place, they do not offer that. I'm sure the theory is that you get the pure form of the coffee as they serve it, but frankly, I put ketchup on my french fries. Seasoning, salt on my steaks, and I appreciate a little shot of creamer in my coffee. The only thing really holding it back from a five star review is the lack of flexibility on how hydrate my daily coffee read more

It is a great place to stop going the long way between Hilo and Kona. Loved the service both from Brian and the barista that was helping. The ambiance is of a small local vibe where you are welcomed in like family and anyone can "talk story" I am glad to hear that despite opening just 6 months before Covid lockdown that they are still around. We went for the Koana experience. Coffee served hot and cold and your choice of Koana's spicy or not spicy drinking chocolate. I regret not taking a picture of that. Brian was going to offer us the Ka'u Champagne Natural Washed, but we said we had tried it at Paradise Coffee just that morning and bought a bag ourselves so was open to trying a different set of beans. He brewed our coffees on the spot and described to us his drinking chocolate. We opted for the spicy. Nice kick to it. Unfortunately I couldn't find any of the dry mixes of the spicy version, so I bought the regular to take home. Definitely a nice chill place to stop while on the road. As we left, I saw next door was Koana Cultural Center where it was decorated for the Lunar New Year. I should also mention there is 1 bathroom here. Old plumbing so there's signs to be considerate and watch how much toilet paper you use. read more

Koana - Koana Awards & Seasonal Specials - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

超好喝的咖啡老闆是台灣人很親切！最喜歡geisha Love the VIP Geisha pour over coffee!!! Will definitely be back! read more

Koana - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

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There is no "real" menu anymore as you may see in other reviews. It is just pure coffee or tea and you get to choose what roast and bean that is available. It is served black but it is made with precision and patience. This is not a place to go if you're looking for a sugar filled latte. You can tell the owner has a passion for what he does and wants to have quality and consistency. If you want a real hawaiian coffee this is the place to go. No bitterness, just flavorful coffee. We also sampled his sipping chocolate which again was quality and had a very nice and unique taste. read more

Simply put, it is the most incredible coffee shop I have ever visited. Ambiance, professionalism, decor, openness, home feeling... are just the bonuses. The best coffee you will find, curated by a coffee genius. Don't come here looking for your milk drinks. Come here expecting the finest beans, roasts, and the creation of black gold. Thank you for a beautiful experience. Thank you for guiding us through the selection and for the amazing coffee (and pie!). Look no further for those travelers out there; you have arrived in Nirvana. read more

I have never been to such an incredible coffee house, the smells alone are worth the visit. The coffee selections are beautifully curated and the staff is very helpful in guiding you through your options. I also recommend trying their hot drinking chocolate. Dark chocolate combined with ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and cayenne pepper ( with a small measure of hawaiian sea salt) They will even brulee torch the marshmallows that sit atop the drink, Absolute heaven read more

I don't ever drink black coffee but I stopped at this little cafe that has a sign discouraging the use of creamer or additives to thoroughly enjoy the flavor of the coffee itself. I was nervous but let me tell you: I thoroughly enjoyed by cup of coffee. It wasn't bitter or too strong, it was just... delicious. I also had the sipping chocolate which was spice-y and a nice on the side compliment! Had great conversation with the barista as well. Loved my experience here and would go again! read more

Koana - Front of the restaurant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

A must visit !! I've traveled the US and world trying the best local espresso, coffee ...This is one of the best and a unique experiences and a great overall vibe . This is not a "latte" coffee house but a fine sipping coffee experience. The Lava chocolate is amazing, cold brew the best I've had. Appreciate the passion the owner has . 10 stars !! read more

Soooo good!!! Fantastic coffee shop that was able to customize a drink for me because we wanted to taste Kona coffee but aren't "normal" coffee drinkers. The drink the owner created was AMAZING!!!! Such great people working here who are truly passionate about good coffee. This place is a vibe. Don't sleep on those vegan icecream sandwiches! We stopped here on our way to volcanos national park and that icecream lasted more than 30 minutes without melting. Will definitely go back if we're ever on the big island. read more

Koana - Drink is owners creation- a mixture of hojicha and espresso. Icecream bar- coffee chocolate chunk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

Five stars for coffee taste and service and ambiance! There is no food here for breakfast so make that another stop. They do have gelato which would be stellar on a hot day. But come here for the coffee! Made this stop on the way into the national park and glad we did. We got the cold brew but would love to stop back again to get a more specialty drink. read more

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Highly recommend this nice coffee shop near Volcano. It feels warm and cozy, and had ample space indoors and outdoors. You can enjoy your coffee in the middle of the nature. The coffee was great too. We got an iced medium-light roast and a mocha. The owner, Brian, gave us options based on our requests and ground the beans fresh. Brian was also very friendly and chatty which made the overall experience 5-star. read more

Koana - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

If I could give this place 1000+ stars, I would! Jason (the owner) and Becca (the barista) are the nicest people ever, it's a added bonus that Koana is super cute and the vibes are on point. Jason and Becca answered any questions we had and went above and beyond to make sure we were happy with our coffee and tea. Ok let's get to the coffee and tea, Jason sources his coffee with such care, the price point is worth the price. They had some speciality coffee that used wine like fermentation that was intriguing. I just had to try it and happy I did! It's the bag of coffee we bought to keep for special occasions, much like a fine wine. Definitely worth a try if you love wine and coffee like us! I love that this is a slow pour, it's one cup at a time made with care and focus. They gave you 1:1 attention, sometimes the line got long but can't stress enough the wait is worth it. The spot was cute, inviting, and just felt like home which is what Jason intended. There is plenty of seating inside and outside to enjoy. We loved this spot so much we came twice! This is a must stop if you're in the area! Or even if you're not, add this to your stop list. read more

Koana - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

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Great experience at Koana! Brian was very friendly and made our experience sipping slow coffee enjoyable. You can tell he is passionate and takes his coffee seriously. I tried the lava mocha and it was delicious. He makes his chocolate spicy which is just what I needed that day! Highly recommend a visit for great Hawaiian pour-over coffee and good conversation! read more

Koana - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

This is what a coffee shop should be: a true coffee experience. The barista had an awesome personality, she was kind and informative. The vibes were 100/100. We need more local businesses like this on the island! Loved the sipping chocolate! read more

The gals here are always so sweet and coffee enthusiasts! ! Top notch service. This place is a Diamond in the ruff, tucked away in Mountain View. Absolutely my new favorite coffee spot. Lava shot is delicious and the Espresso Tonic is OUT OF THIS WORLD! read more

Koana - Espresso Tonic. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

Review #25 for 2021. Great little cafe located in Mountain View on the Big Island. Not a lot of food and coffee options in the town, but Koana takes pride in what it offers. They have lots of coffee options, paletas, teas, and gelato. The owners are super friendly and even gave some snacks to my nephews who were running around. I tried the "lava mocha" which is coffee with chili and burnt marshmallows on top. It was definitely interesting and intense! I love that the shop sells art and other products from a lot of local suppliers, which is super awesome. I especially like the prints and cards from Mau a Mau that we're on display for sale. A friend and I had to take a meeting, and the owners were gracious enough to let us use one of the rooms and WiFi to jump on Zoom. I highly recommend Koana for anyone passing through Mountain View! read more

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Order: · Lava Mocha Pros: · You may never find a cooler, unique coffee shop or owner than here. · The owner Brian, is a super interesting, friendly guy. I wish I had more time to get to know him. · Unique and tasty coffee offerings, each order made from scratch, with care. · This beverage was tasty without being too medicinal or sweet. · Located in a super small, quaint town, the interior vibe is a look in to the past with some modern touches. · WiFi and some indoor and outdoor seating, easy parking in front. · Convenient location if you're coming down from the volcano. · Tasty mochi donuts for sale next door, go perfectly with your coffee. Cons: · I wish I could come here more often. Comments: · It's in a very old building, in an old town, which I think is awesome. Just don't expect a modern Starbucks. · The slogan here is "slow coffee," which may not be for everyone. I go to Hawaii to slow down, so I have no problem waiting and watching Brian work. Just go in with patience and a good attitude. read more

Loved our visit to Koana. Slow down and enjoy this special spot in Mountain View. We met Brian the owner behind the counter of his customer coffee pour over shop. He's a caring person who happily shares his stories about each coffee farm and let's you smell each type of coffee before you select. While your coffee is being prepared head down two doors to the Mountain View Bakery for a tasty treat of Mochi donuts. They are light, chewy, and delicious! Try dunking a churo donut into a cup of coffee or hand made hot coco. Brian curates a selection of locally grown coffees, jellies, honey and other artisan hand crafts. It's well worth a stop on your way to or from Volcano National Park. read more

Very very cool coffee shop. This coffee shop is filled with artisan coffee makers. They give you all the information you need and even help you choose what flavor profiles you are more inclined to like. The shop is very warm and inviting and there are tons of great records to look at and possibly play if the owner is okay with it of course. read more

Wow, what a special coffee experience. I only have positive things to say: the beans are fresh and delectable, the owner takes extreme care making the drinks, and the process behind the drinks is thought out and well-crafted. I especially recommend a plain cup, although it is anything but plain in flavor and subtlety. The owner really knows what he's doing, and clearly cares very deeply for the community. 10/10 read more

Koana - Toasted Marshmallow Spiced Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

So here we were on a 2-hour drive from Waikōloa en route to Volcanoes National Park thinking "We need coffee." Of course you Yelp and you have to wonder, 5-Stars but only 45 reviews...well you'll never truly know until you try. Can I just say what a gift and blessing it was to have crossed paths with Brian and his "little coffee shop that could!" By far, stopping here (way longer than we should have as we were pressed for time) was the BEST and most memorable experience we had on Big Island. We walked back to our car saying "you know we could just hang out here all day!" So you're thinking $6.50 for a cup of coffee? I was too...BUT as you know, you get what you pay for and what you get here is a hand-crafted, decadent, cup of coffee filled with passion, excitement, and pure love. Brian is serious about his craft and you'll feel it. He loves not just making you the best cup of coffee you'll ever taste but he wants you to feel heard and wants you to feel, even if just for a short sprint, that you're part of the Mountain View community. You know he's serious when he has no milk on premises. You don't pollute coffee this amazing you have to drink it raw, untainted by milk/sugar--BLACK. If you can't appreciate coffee or drink it without the "jazz" you probably shouldn't spend $6.50 on a cup of coffee. Just keeping it real. So for all of you en route to the National Park, do make time to say hi to Brian and get a cup of coffee too if you're up for it. BTW-bonus. Grab some mochi donuts next door at Mountain View Bakery to go along with your coffee! Cheers to you, Brian, for making us feel welcomed! Thank you for my beautiful bag and we will be back to visit and hopefully sooner rather than later! I hope that being your now 46th 5-Star review adds to your credibility and you get a million customers after they read it hahaha! read more

Koana - The master in action-crafting each cup of coffee, telling stories and mingling with the customers - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

We tried 3 coffees and 1 tea. Premier coffees from the island. The owner generously shared his knowledge of the coffees and they truly were amazing. Beautiful spot. read more

Koana - Premier coffee and tea, this is a memorable stop for amazing coffee and a generous owner who shares his knowledge of coffee. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii

Super calm shop with a friendly baristas! I loved how she explained the features of each coffee, and that helped me decide what I want to drink. The coffee I tried was the blend of Champagne and Ka'u medium light roast. I also got a patisserie. Both coffee and patisserie tasted soooooo good! I will definitely visit here again! read more

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We stopped by here on our way to Pahoa. The famous bakery next door was closed, so we ambled into Koana to check it out. The owner, Brian, was so friendly and knowledgeable about coffee, chocolate, and local food spots. If you go, make sure to try some of his blends and cold brew because they were incredible, better than the stuff we tried during our Kona coffee tours. You can tell the level of care and detail that goes into the making process. I ended up buying 3 bags of beans to gift my parents. The drinking chocolate was also delicious. For the SF folks, it's a well-spiced, slightly less decadent than the Dandelion drinking chocolate (which can be a good thing if you're not into heavy drinking chocolates). We loved the slight spiciness to it. We specifically tried to rearrange our trip to visit this shop again. While the timing didn't work out, this will be a must visit anytime I'm in the big island. This shop was a serious highlight of our trip. Excited to watch this place grow! read more

Koana - Goods for sale - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Mountain View, Hawaii