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    Rise Cafe

    4.7 (91 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Business Info

    RISE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

    Recommended Reviews - Rise Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Raspberry Matcha Latte and Pistachio Latte
    Laurie P.

    Rise Cafe is a hidden gem on 11th Ave! The cafe interiors are tastefully designed, very cozy with extra seating upstairs. Their menu contains a great selection of keto entrees that exceed expectations!

    Drink menu
    Neal I.

    I was excited to see a new cafe open up in the neighborhood. It looks very appealing from the outside and seeing the phrase, "food = medicine" in the front window made me even more curious. I was thinking just how good healthy, nutritious food could be. Well, it was excellent! I started off with a hot mocha, which had a light, sweet flavor with a hint of mocha; very nice. It was not as sweet and syrupy as other cafes. Then I had the loco moco, good choice. The wagyu patty was very tasty topped off with an egg and keto gravy. All blended together nicely and very flavorful. Unlike most times I have a loco moco, this one leaves you feeling good and not stuffed. Seeing the healthy make up of this loco moco, I was extremely surprised and happy with how good it was! My son had the chicken and chaffles, which I had to try after tasting my loco moco. It was also very good and something I would have the next time. Overall, a superb breakfast and lunch spot that I would highly recommend. The service was great, the atmosphere very nice and comfortable. Best tasting "medicine" I've ever had!

    Kamalu bowl
    Catherine P.

    Work lunch Wednesday was ordered from Rise Cafe. I got the kamalu bowl which was interesting. The cauliflower rice had great flavor and I surprised myself by eating it all. The pickled onions brightened up the dish. My least favorite was the bacon because it wasn't crunchy and tough to chew. Give me a vegetarian option and I'd gladly order it. We didn't have to park but there is the kanji municipal lot on the backside that accepts credit cards. There is also metered stalls along waialae ave. The shop is small but I guess there are stairs to an upstairs with more seating but we didn't go up there. Interior is cute and comfy.

    Inside
    Kristina C.

    My boyfriend wanted to try this place since we were in the area. To be completely honest I was not a huge fan. However, I love the premise of Rise Cafe. The only thing that wowed us was the americano! That was honestly delicious, but the food killed it for us. We thought the portion was small for the crustless quiche (considering price) and the chicken and waffles tasted mediocre. The pancakes tasted a little too doughy and dry, but the chicken was good. It tastes kind of similar to Karage. Unfortunately, we will not be coming back. But if you do happen to go I would recommended their drinks!

    Upstairs seating is plentiful and cozy
    Tash M.

    Quaint little cafe located in Kaimuki. How fitting is it that this health-conscious cafe is right by the park with tennis and basketball ball courts!? They look small from the street level, but they've got a good amount of upstairs seating (albeit cozy) and private restrooms. Their menu, while not extensive, has some nice options. I got the salad flight and a side of bread, while my friend got the back and eggs and a side of waffle. For drinks, I got the hojicha (?) latte and she got a latte. The service was friendly and I think the owner was present. She was quite nice. Offered some health advice, but not pushy at all about it. It is on the pricier side, and it can get loud when busy, but it's healthy keto food. Hoping to see more items in the future!

    Myra G.

    Friendly service and love the idea it low carb. The owner is a metabolic practitioner and has her office upstairs. She created the restaurant because many of her patients didn't have dining options. People with diabetes, prenatal and post natal care, hormonal and metabolic issues. If a practitioner is willing to open up a restaurant for their patients, you know you'd want them as part of your wellness program. I had the crustless quiche which was delicious and the matcha drink which the name has slipped my mind. I love their display of the amount of sugar is converted in some of the meals we eat. I love the concept and I hope more people stop by to support this restaurant.

    Brisket bowl
    Robyn S.

    A cute little spot in Kaimuki! I decided to meet a friend for brunch and was pleasantly surprised. I don't eat keto as often as before but it was a nice change of pace from my usual fare. The seating is a little limited but small spaces like these give me such a homey vibe! They were a little slammed with orders but overall I feel like the wait for food and drinks were very minimal. I ordered a hojicha latte and a brisket bowl with extra barbecue sauce. The hojicha latte was pretty comparable to other cafes but the brisket bowl was the star of the show! It was crazy how tender and flavorful it was, I could barely pick it up with my fork! The barbecue sauce is a little tangier than what you'd expect but I think it's a nice complement to the fattiness of the brisket. The cauliflower rice was perfectly seasoned and had little bits of bacon in it also! Super tasty! I also saw they had chicken and waffles and would love to try it the next time I'm on the island! I will definitely be back!

    Interior (Second Floor)
    Larene U.

    Newest cafe on the block! I'm all about health and as someone who dances and works out a lot, I see myself coming here a lot! Still need to try the food, but I really enjoyed one of their signature drinks - Roasted Mac Nut Latte. It had bits of Mac nut in it, and it definitely kept me awake in the morning. Interior was very clean and inviting. They offer free WiFi, and even upstairs seating, but I prefer the ground floor seating :). Overall a very inviting ambiance. Will definitely bring my friends here to catch up and hang out! Great addition to the neighborhood :) Will be back!

    Outside
    Nadine C.

    Breakfast in Kaimuki, Honolulu, Hawaii... My friend, Irene, was so excited when she told me about Rise Cafe. She went on Sunday and warned me that it's closed on Tuesdays. I asked her: "Are you telling me to go tomorrow because it's Monday?" She shrugged and said (with a grin), "You're going to like it!" Big hint!!! Of course, I trust Irene. She knows me and understands that I'm trying to avoid eating sugar... because I don't want to take diabetic medication. Rise Cafe is owned by Dr. Jodi, who specializes in Metabolic Health. She's very knowledgeable about nutrition and has an amazing display that shows the amount of sugar in certain foods. Dr. Jodi was very personable and chatted with customers before she went upstairs to meet with patients. Hannah was the cheerful, efficient cashier and server. She was friendly and was able to answer all questions competently! I decided to order the Coconut Wireless (iced espresso with coconut milk and coconut flakes), Tiny Toast (homemade sourdough, toasted with butter), and Salad Flight (curried chicken salad, pink pickled onions, high protein egg salad, and cucumber poke). Everything was beautiful, healthy, and tasty! The environment is calm, cute, and welcoming! There's more seating upstairs if there's no space at the counters or tables downstairs. Most customers parked in the municipal parking lot and entered through the back. I parked on 11th Avenue, next to Subway and was lucky that it wasn't a busy time. Heh heh! I'll be back!

    Entrance from municipal parking lot
    Irene M.

    Rise up and go to Kaimuki... Love this cute little cafe with only two and a half weeks into their opening that brings more than comfort to your vibe with fresh and yummy brunch items right on 11th Ave with healthier option and wished I had this when I was on a Keto type of diet there wasn't anything like this that's so yummy and delicious. You can find them right on 11th Ave and municipal parking in the back if the metered ones are illusive though remember Sundays are free ;) though there are parking in the front but just a couple of stalls it's worth the effort to bring a healthy start to your day. I already knew it was the Iced Coconut Matcha for me a light and creamy option that wasn't too strong with the Matcha but is very light and refreshing which then the Steak and Eggs was the one as they top it with as the steak is cooked in butter sliced at topped with chimichurri sauce which is so amazing!!! The whole vibe of this place is very calming a welcoming as I love this seating right along the window it was the perfect place to get some work done as well. The staff very friendly as the gentleman was starting his very first day here is sweet, I can certainly see myself here on a regular basis with my drink as they have Hojicha too omg! Healthy eating doesn't have to be bland as here in Rise Cafe it's filled with everything but sugar. Thank you!

    Drink menu
    Janina A.

    Clean eats & whole foods -- we need more spots like this!! I was so happy to find a health conscious cafe in kaimuki. This cafe seems to really value food as medicine & even includes blood sugar information with their menu items. I look forward to trying their food next time around! I ordered the Hojicha tea, and got some work done in the upstairs seating area. The spot is beautiful and a great place to study/work. (There are outlets!) The Hojicha was amazing, very full bodied & nutty. I'll definitely be back, I enjoyed my time here! The staff were so friendly & helpful as well!

    The most beautiful ambiance!
    Krystle K.

    Rise cafe is like nothing else on our island! This cute cafe is located in Kaimuki and is all about health! Literally! The owner, Dr Jodi Nishida is the best keto doctor! This cafe is everything she stands for, and I am here for it! I had the Mac Nut latte and it was AMAZING! I usually have coffee with a lot of cream and sugar, but this coffee was clean and healthy and the difference I felt from it is amazing! For food, we had steak and eggs and chicken and chaffles. The steak was perfectly cooked and so soft, while the eggs were cooked to perfection and seasoned so well! The chicken and chaffles though...WOW! I've never had chicken like that and the chaffles...I didn't even know what a chaffle was till today, and it was AHHH.MAZING! The ambiance was so peaceful and calming, the food was so good and didn't leave you feeling sick from being overfull because everything you eat there is CLEAN! We will definitely be going back again one day soon!

    Low carb cafe!
    Chanel D.

    This is the best brunch I've had in a long time! Everything was simple but flavorful. Very different than your typical brunch menu (ie: pancakes, french toast etc.) I've followed this cafe on Instagram for a while. This cafe is known for providing low carb bites + they do NOT use any inflammatory seed oils + are gluten free! (If you're celiac/know anyone who is celiac, please share! I know some people who suffer from celiac and it is hard to find places to eat that are gluten free) I parked near Good Will (street parking), but you could park in the paid lot if you don't want to walk as far. I ordered downstairs. The girl who took my order was very polite. She articulated well. My food and drink took about 15 minutes to come out. Timely in my opinion since this is REAL food, not fast food. There is upstairs and downstairs seating. It is a very calming and cozy cafe. Not loud like a typical coffee shop/Starbucks. I ordered a Steak and Eggs, and a Pistachio Matcha Latte. I can't wait to go back and try more of their menu. Note: their Pistachio Matcha Latte had actual pistachios in it! Since I got it iced it did harden on the bottom but I ate it anyway haha. Super yummy.

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    2 days ago

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    14 days ago

    Quiche was very good, and steak with chimichuri, and cauliflower fried rice. Everything was tasty!

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    10 months ago

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    Page 1 of 3

    Rise Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Rise Cafe

    Are the waffles gluten-free at rise Café?

    Yes they are. We use a small amount of almond flour, but no wheat flour or wheat products. If you are severely gluten intolerant, please be sure to let our staff know so that extra precautions can be taken. Mahalo!

    Is this a good place to study?

    Yes, there's a nice spot upstairs that's got nice ambience to study. But know it is a place people can dine in; so there may be guests there talking and stuff. But otherwise, I think it's a great place to study.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    et al. - Crispy Soft-Shell Crab Benedict, avocado, Kamuela tomato, arugula, béarnaise, taro muffin, 'ulu rosti | 22

    et al.

    4.1(779 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    I came here after graduation with some friends, we walked in with no reservation and were able to…read moreget seated fairly quickly. However, I would say if you wanted "good" seating, I would recommend reserving a spot as we had to settle for the large shared table in the middle of the establishment, sitting between two different parties. The service was okay, nothing exceptional. We ordered: * Et Al Burger: 10/10, my friend ordered this and he said it was very good. The meat was done perfectly (medium rare) and the fries were a good pairing. * Chicken & Waffles: 10/10, my other friend ordered this and we all got to try a bite. The black sesame butter was perfection and amazing addition to the waffles and syrup. The chicken also came with like a Korean fried chicken syrup (kind of reminds me of zippys iykyk). * Short Rib Loco Moco: 8/10. I got this, it was okay, it was flavorful but the short rib / gravy flavor wasn't really appealing to me in that moment. I liked the fried onions which helped to break up the textures. * Soft-Shell Crab Benedict: 9/10. Another of my friends got this and I got to have a bite. I think this was pretty good and I liked all aspects of it (especially the side of hashbrowns hah). Our main critique was the small portion, as most people I've been that served benedict dishes would have two benedicts not just one. Overall, I would recommend this spot to others. I don't think I would personally come back though, as there weren't many items that sparked my interest (maybe besides the chicken & waffles, which I got to try already this time) and the price point/ portion don't particular draw me in.

    3rd time here for lunch. Solid burger and risotto!…read more The cheeseburger & fries are truly delicious. The quality of the patty, the toppings are all working together and the housemade bun stood up. The fries are crispy and well seasoned. The mushroom risotto is usually terrific (today it was a touch gummy and over seasoned). The mushroom flavor is soooooo good! Had the short rib loco moco. It was pretty tasty. The menu said garlic rice but I couldn't taste any garlic flavor. We tried the bulgogi pizza and WoW it was yummy! The kim chi and sauce and cheese were such a good flavor combination. Usually the service is very attentive. Today was crazy busy with large parties. The big, bright dining area is very pleasant. We joined the waiting list and were 45 minutes to an quoted an hour & 1/2. Though I never got a text, we returned at the hour & 1/2 mark and there were lots of tables available. After such a massive lunch rush, I think the staff had a lot of catching up to do. After being sat, we waited a while for a server to take our order. Thankfully, the food came out in a reasonable fashion. Even with the service not being quite as good as usual, we still enjoy this restaurant.

    Photos
    et al. - Bar scene is bright. Recommend high table seating next time.

    Bar scene is bright. Recommend high table seating next time.

    et al. - Summer Berry Mascarpone Bar

    Summer Berry Mascarpone Bar

    et al. - Grilled Kona Kampachi

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    Grilled Kona Kampachi

    Kapa Hale - Join us for Brunch for a staple here in the islands: Loco Moco, Parker Ranch Beef, Fried Egg, Brown Gravy, Rice

    Kapa Hale

    4.3(645 reviews)
    1.1 miKahala
    $$
    Happy hour specials
    Locally sourced ingredients

    I was looking for a venue to host a small wedding shower for 8 so went to taste test the food as…read morerecommended by my sister and was pleasantly surprised at the portion sizes, (we took home a portion of all our dishes) even the husband had leftovers and he's a big guy with a big appetite! Prices also reasonable! Quality was superb, gravy on the kalo loco a little too salty for me but delish nonetheless! Cornbread a little over toasted for me, but the Lilikoi butter was bomb. I should've tried the pumpkin loaf instead. Pancakes were huge and though thin, melted in your mouth, Haupia sauce was yum! Service was excellent, always with a smile! And Chef Keaka greeted all of the patrons which was a treat as well. It's not just about the food/service but how it made you feel after you left. Thank you for a wonderful experience, I will be making reservations for the shower brunch soon!

    Kapa Hale is a local gem, offering creative dishes in the HRC (Hawaiian Regional Cuisine)…read moretradition. Every single dish we recently sampled turned out to be exceptional. We ordered: Appetizers: Naan Ya Business (A) - very soft and pillowy, accompanied by a superb tikka masala curry Vegetables: Eggplant (A) - very creative eggplant tempura Happy Hour Specials: Garlic Noodle (A) - great flavor Dumplings (A+) - incredibly flavorful and creative Soy Short Rib (A+) - exquisitely tender and juicy. Our favorite dish! Mains: Pork Chop (A) - loved these tamarind pork chops served on a bed of orzo Our server, Ethan, provided us with top-notch service. Before tipping, we paid $130 for a two-person meal (no alcohol, no dessert, only water, 6 dishes). Kapa Hale dazzled us with their culinary inventiveness and bold flavors. We can't wait to try some of their other delicacies!

    Photos
    Kapa Hale - You Make My Heart Beet

    You Make My Heart Beet

    Kapa Hale - This exquisite dish is titled Let's Tako 'Bout It. It's grilled Spanish octopus, black garlic Char Siu, Lomilomi, and pickled turnip

    This exquisite dish is titled Let's Tako 'Bout It. It's grilled Spanish octopus, black garlic Char Siu, Lomilomi, and pickled turnip

    Kapa Hale - Carpaccio

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    Carpaccio

    Rigo - Basque cheese cake - dense like a New York cheese cake, instead of creamy and soft as a Basque cheesecake

    Rigo

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    0.9 miKaimuki
    $$$

    My mom and I go to Rigo once every three weeks or so. Every single thing I've tasted from there is…read moredelicious. My favorite is the Crostini, It's like having dessert before dinner. The staff is very well trained. Efficient, attentive, and polite. Well, Post photos next review.

    Rigo is located in Kapahulu right across Safeway supermarket. They have complimentary valet for…read morelunch when several of my friends dined. It was busy for a rainy Thursday! I remember it used to be a Genki Sushi restaurant a long time ago. I was pleasantly surprised how stunning the interior was! Bright, tall ceilings, large booth seating enough for 6 of us comfortably in front of large picture windows! Please check out pictures of waiting room, bar, and amazing second floor display of wines galore! Nice cozy area for intimate dining. Remember to see Toto bathroom! The service is implacable! Prompt and attentive especially allowing us to have separate checks! ( which not all restaurants let you)!! Now for the food: Make sure you check the Monthly Lunch Specials beside the extensive menu! 3 of us had the Clam & Bourguignon Butter Spaghetti: 5 small manila clams,white wine,clam stock,garlic,minimal cherry tomatoes, bourguinon butter, and a few sea asparagus tossed with handmade spaghetti! Very delicious and not too rich! It came with a side crunchy kale salad with a few thin slices of prosciutto. Portions are small and a bit pricey with no complimentary table bread to accompany the pasta. I definitely was still hungry for the $30 lunch! We were celebrating 2 birthdays with only 1 person ordering a dessert that came with a candle. The other birthday person received a lonely candle on a small dish!! It was cute and funny at first but now that I think about it, it was rude and tasteless!! Definitely will celebrate birthdays elsewhere! 3% service charge too!

    Photos
    Rigo - Interior , open kitchen

    Interior , open kitchen

    Rigo - Eggplant  Melanzane

    Eggplant Melanzane

    Rigo - Lobster risotto

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    Lobster risotto

    Pu'uwai Aloha Bakery - 8" single layer minimalist cake ($70.00 USD)

    Pu'uwai Aloha Bakery

    4.8(256 reviews)
    4.6 miDowntown
    $

    first of all, this is my favorite dietary friendly bakery and i'm SO GLAD they're back!! i've had…read moretheir cinnamon rolls, cookies, loafs, muffins... literally everything here tastes good. you need to try it! this last time i ordered a custom carrot cake and it ATE down! im still dreaming about it. the cake was perfectly dense, super moist, and the frosting?! actually unreal. i would eat it by the spoon if i could. and the gold flakes on top were STUNNING. it was giving luxury and beauty! it felt as special as it tasted. this bakery doesn't miss! everything is dietary/allergen-friendly but you'd never know because the flavor and texture is a 10/10. you can tell so much care and intention goes into every single item. highly, highly, highly recommend!

    Puʻuwai Bakery has been on my radar for a while because I was curious about their vegan offerings…read more I'm not vegan myself, but I do enjoy trying vegan options from time to time. When I learned they also make custom cakes, I decided to order one for a coworker's farewell. I needed a cake that was gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free. She can tolerate gluten and dairy with consequences later, but she has a severe nut allergy, so finding something safe for her was the top priority. I wanted to make sure she could finally enjoy a cake without worrying, since she's eaten other farewell cakes in the past, but suffered later. I reached out about two weeks in advance, and Franceska was incredibly kind and helpful throughout the process. Mondays are limited to custom cake pick-ups within a 2-2:30 pm window, and the day I went happened to coincide with a forecasted storm. I texted to confirm they'd still be open since other businesses were closing, and she reassured me they would be. The cake itself was adorable. The simple design and color palette were beautiful, and my coworker loved it. She chose chocolate ganache with lilikoi buttercream, and the lilikoi flavor was especially lovely; subtle but bright and balanced, and it really tied everything together. Texture-wise, the cake was a little drier than traditional cakes and had a slightly different aftertaste, but that's understandable given the dietary restrictions. It actually grew on me, and most importantly, my coworker was able to enjoy it safely and loved it. If you need desserts that accommodate dietary restrictions, especially vegan or allergen-friendly options, Puʻuwai Bakery is definitely worth considering.

    Photos
    Pu'uwai Aloha Bakery - Coconut sugar smash cake topped with assorted berries

    Coconut sugar smash cake topped with assorted berries

    Pu'uwai Aloha Bakery - Coconut sugar smash cake with assorted berriess

    Coconut sugar smash cake with assorted berriess

    Pu'uwai Aloha Bakery - Smash cake

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    Smash cake

    Diamond Head Market & Grill

    Diamond Head Market & Grill

    4.1(1.9k reviews)
    1.1 miKaimuki
    $$

    Best bakery on the island! Cakes are to die for: chocolate raspberry!!! Strawberry shortcake!! ;…read morelemon crunch; peanut butter cake!!! are my favorites.

    I went to try their famous lemon crunch cake and blueberry scone. The lemon crunch cake was so…read moregood wtf. I understand why people rave about this item. The crunch of the cake really gives it the extra texture that it needs in addition to the denseness of the cake itself. The cake base reminded me a bit of a light pound cake - pretty good. It also did not feel too heavy like other cakes that would give me a headache from being too rich - this one was just right. The center feature a lemon meringue type filling which reminded me of the same filling you'd find in a lemon bar. Overall the flavors melded together perfectly and I'd buy this again when I feel like a cheat day omg. The blueberry scone is also extremely famous here and I was able to nab the last few when it was nearing closing time. Their blueberry scone is huge keep that in mind LOL. Also I found it to be a bit doughy and soft. I feel like if this is your type of scone then by all means go for it, but for me personally not really my cup of tea. I still think it was delicious though! Maybe I came on an off day. I also tend to like my scone to have a bit of crumble and not too soft so that may also explain why I wasn't a huge fan of it. I'll still eat it though. LOL

    Photos
    Diamond Head Market & Grill - Counter area

    Counter area

    Diamond Head Market & Grill - Carrot Cake (has macadamia nuts) - good!  Moist and not overly sweet.

    Carrot Cake (has macadamia nuts) - good! Moist and not overly sweet.

    Diamond Head Market & Grill - Kalbi Rice Plate

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    Kalbi Rice Plate

    Café Kaila - Chicken & Waffles

    Café Kaila

    4.3(2.3k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    This place is always busy for a reason!…read more We came here after a hike and between the two of us, we had a hard time finishing two things off the menu (but we still ordered 3 things!! -waffle, eggs Benedict, and breakfast burrito). Their portion sizes are big and of course... they're one of the best breakfast restaurants on the island so the flavors are always good! Considering how busy they are, the servers are still always attentive and sweet. It's always such a great experience coming here. The only thing that stops me from coming is the line, but once I'm in, I'm reminded that it's worth waiting for!

    We decided to try this place because of the good reviews, but unfortunately our experience was…read moredisappointing. We were seated quickly, which was a positive, but the service throughout the meal was not pleasant. Our server seemed very rushed from the beginning. When taking our drink order, she walked away before everyone had finished ordering. Later, when we ordered food, I tried to mention that I did not want mushrooms in my frittata, but she interrupted me and moved on to another question. As a result, my frittata still came with mushrooms. The food itself was okay overall. The frittata could have used a bit more seasoning, and while another server checked on a nearby table and offered condiments like ketchup, hot sauce, or salt, our server never once checked if we needed anything. The loco moco was good, although the gravy was slightly too salty. At the end of the meal, when it was time to pay, our server stood there and immediately asked which tip option we wanted to choose -- "1, 2, or 3." Tipping should reflect the quality of service provided, and unfortunately the customer service we received did not warrant that approach. Overall, the experience did not live up to the reviews we had read.

    Photos
    Café Kaila - Bar area

    Bar area

    Café Kaila - Breakfast wrap w/ link sausage guacamole & salsa and a side of potatoes.

    Breakfast wrap w/ link sausage guacamole & salsa and a side of potatoes.

    Café Kaila - Clearly, they understand great hot sauce.

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    Clearly, they understand great hot sauce.

    Rise Cafe - coffee - Updated May 2026

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