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    Roots Cafe

    4.9 (36 reviews)
    InexpensiveCafes, New American
    Closed Closed

    Roots Cafe Photos

    ROOTS CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Roots Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Wahoo/ono and greens bowl
    Maile N.

    We went on a bus adventure to check out Roots Cafe at 2229 N School Street as I had been following them on Instagram for quite some time. They do so much for the Kalihi community to connect the people to the land, sea, culture, community, and family by providing local, fresh produce and healthy, accessible meals in a place that promotes wellness, sharing and togetherness. We had two ono, healthy meals (wahoo/ono greens bowl, fish sandwich w/ kalo fries, lemongrass tea). Check out their Instagram for menus of their fresh produce and meals available every Tuesday and Thursday from 11AM to 1:30PM. Produce is available to EBT customers at 50% off. I can't wait to go back to buy and eat healthy and support their mission!

    Squid luau with ulu limu poke and fresh poi
    Kay T.

    I try to come by when they make Hawaiian food. I love that their food tastes clean and healthy. I admire that they take care of their community with good wholesome food. Their vegetarian and squid luau is my favorite and that ulu limu poke was so ono! This is the only place I can give my Hawaiian name without being asked how to spell it :D Mahalo for providing ono food, education and career opportunities with good intentions for the community

    Calamansi Jackfruit Cake
    Samantha S.

    LOCAL must go! A coworker introduced me to this place and with my second time going its never a disappointment! Previously I had a burger and fries, so fresh and so tasty. This time I ordered the dessert and I have to say, AMAZING! Their food is sourced from local farms and on island and they also offer fresh eggs, meat and fruits (when available of course), depending on the season. They had Kalo, lau lau leaves, guava and sweet potato when I went. Fresh duck eggs and ground beef also. They don't take phone orders nor online ordering as they are a small place. But if you are in the neighborhood please check them out. You won't be disappointed.

    Front of cafe
    Alexis R.

    The food was so good! I'm sad they are only open twice a week but I hear it's apart of a culinary program or something (per what I read on yelp). They also sell a little bit of fruits and stuff too. There is no seating area to my knowledge, it's all carry-out. And it's kind of on a side street so don't drive by too fast or you will miss it. I was able to get my food fast as well! I got the curry chicken which was good and the mushroom leek risotto, which was "Broke Da Mouf Ono!" The staff was polite as well. Most of all it's affordable! Glad I found this little gem. I've already been back 2 more times!

    Veggie kabob & ahi
    Sarah M.

    Clearly made from the heart & so fresh. Farm to plate Best lunch I've had in a while.

    Eggplant curry $8
    Connie G.

    I'm so happy to have found this little gem in Kalihi! Plate lunches in Kalihi are a dime a dozen, but finding healthier, more nutritious meal can be quite the challenge! Thanks to Yelp I found this little spot and gave them a try on a Thursday. I bought the Eggplant Curry lunch for $8 and also bought 1 starfruit and 1 local orange. Total came out to around $10! The curry tasted great, the best part is that it didn't feel like a bucket of sodium! I also liked the colorful salad and tried their balsamic mint dressing. Overall, it was quite a healthy and delicious and affordable lunch! It's great that they have a mini farmers market as well that had fruits and veggies! I ate my starfruit and orange a day later and they were so juicy and yummy. They have an awesome Instagram, I look forward what's next on the menu! I do hope they rotate through some of their most popular dishes, I saw some of the past menus and was so enticed by the offerings! The only downside is that they have limited hours/opening times and that the menu is not always posted on Instagram, but I believe in their mission so I'm willing to make the drive and be surprised! Fast Facts: -Parking was relatively easy. They have a lot for the 2 medical buildings. -They take credit card! -Order at the register and pick up at the counter -Compost/Recycle available! -Ample and spacious seating

    Keala H.

    Avocado ice cream is winnahz Layers of fresh flavor w/ tiny chunks of sweet ginger. This place is a gem! Haven't been disappointed with anything we've ordered here. The mea `ai is refined, imaginative & next level. Wow!

    This is where you pick up your plate. There are condiments to the right of the pick up window. These ladies are wonderful.
    Kara C.

    This is such a great little HIDDEN GEM in Kalihi. I am so impressed with all that these people do. If you're looking for affordable, locally-sourced, fresh meals with vegan options, this is perfect for you!! My plate of spicy tofu with peppers came with hapa rice, papaya salad, and tossed salad. It was only $8. The entire plate was vegan and comes in biodegradable take-out containers. I also ordered a SMALL kabocha pumpkin soup for $3!! Holy moly. That thing was huge. I could have easily gotten full off of that $3 soup alone. The food was DELICIOUS. They have an area with all the condiments you need including two types of homemade hot sauces. (YESSSS!!) The guava carolina reaper hot sauce was BOMB!! I wanted to steal the whole bottle. While I waited, there was grapefruit infused water available. There's a little market of fresh local vegetables and fruits to browse. There are also cute local paintings all over the walls to enjoy. Please give this place a try! Worth every penny. I'd probably even be willing to pay more. **TIP** Make sure to bring your own bag if you plan on taking out. These guys work ethically and in an environmentally responsible way.

    Root combo of Kalo carrots and cassava with my kale salad
    Misty H.

    Kalihi has this gem of an eatery! Purposeful and noteworthy are the missions of healthier farm to table deliciousness. Only open for lunch Tuesday and Thursday, I hesitated to post this for my own selfish reasons. Food is great... 2-3 main dish variety each day...always one dessert too! If you haven't already checked them out, you should! Parking is a challenge, but to me it's so worth the hassle.

    Kabocha kale soup, salad with persimmon and candied walnuts, sorbet. All vegan
    Lilian K.

    Roots Cafe has a really creative, constantly changing menu, always a vegan option, for entree, soup, and dessert. Always a supply of amazing from scratch dressings, for example, sapote, dragonfruit, calamansi, etc. They also have a "mobile market" with produce from the producers they partner with - often stocked with green papaya, cucumbers, kale, poi, eggplant, etc. Roots Cafe partners with several local farms/farmers, including Ho'oulu Aina, Mōhala Farms, Anthony Deluze, Hāloa Poi, Sisou's Farm, and more!

    Quinoa chicken patty - 3/17/15
    John M.

    This little place is inside the Kokua Kalihi valley health center on school street. They are only open on Tuesday and Thursday between 11-1pm. There is always a new menu and a range of different items. Local products fresh from the garden. The people working the cafe are great and friendly as well. I've been here a few times whenever I have a meeting in the area. I will be back to try new items!

    Soooo good and fresh!

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    13 days ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    The location is not the most beautiful but the food quality and cost are worth venturing this way!

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    8 years ago

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    2 years ago

    A healthier choice for your next plate lunch. This is a business that gives back to its community through healthier eating choices.

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    2 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Business owner information

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    Jesse L.

    The ROOTS cafe misses you Lillian

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    8 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    Jesse L.

    Lots of Love

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    4 years ago

    Everything is homemade and Delicious. Simply the best and most likely to return and recommend to people .

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    Neko Koneko - Hojicha cold brew latte

    Neko Koneko

    4.8(180 reviews)
    1.6 miKalihi
    $$

    This is one of the cutest cafes in Honolulu... maybe even all of Hawai'i. Going to Neko Koneko is…read morelike stepping into a studio Ghibli film. And the drinks? Absolutely delicious. I was first introduced to Neko Koneko from their bottled milk teas, hojicha, and matcha. I would see them at farmer's markets popping up, but their cafe really brings their drinks to the next level. I like how a lot of their iced drinks, when you dine in you can do a little pour over action so the ice doesn't water down the drink too much. When I first came by, I couldn't decide between a matcha and a coffee so I got both... and fully finished both drinks they were so good. Parking can be tricky, it's only metered parking on the busy street. The space is small, but if there aren't any tables available inside there's also an outdoor patio area for you to enjoy your drinks

    Ease of placing an order has us coming back. We place an online order and it's ready in 10min. We…read moreget cups of ice to go with our coffees, and we can decide if we want to finish it then, or save the rest for later! My husband had the Caramel Mac Nut most recently-and it was so good! I had the Kinako milk, which was good but not as flavorful! It was true to the Kinako flavor though! The bottles are a little pricey, and parking is hard-it's easy if someone waits in the car while the other runs in to pickup

    Photos
    Neko Koneko - Cute coasters!

    Cute coasters!

    Neko Koneko - Marbled ube loaf

    Marbled ube loaf

    Neko Koneko - A delicious iced ume hibiscus tea!

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    A delicious iced ume hibiscus tea!

    Po’ai By Pono Potions

    Po’ai By Pono Potions

    4.6(262 reviews)
    2.1 miDowntown
    $

    Had to make a quick stop here on my last day in Oahu after seeing it go viral on tiktok and it was…read more100% worth the hype! The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between lively and cozy, with a steady buzz that still feels welcoming. The staff were kind and patient despite the rush, and even with a packed crowd, my drink was ready in under five minutes. Hapa Honey Matcha Latte: 5/5 Mixed with their local artisan honey lillikoi syrup, the Hapa Honey Matcha latte is topped with macadamia nut pineapple cold foam and drizzled generously with local hawaiian honey. The lilikoi and pineapple beautifully balanced the earthiness of the matcha with a bright tropical twist while the macadamia elevated the flavor profile with a creamy nuttiness. Every sip was perfectly sweet without overpowering the matcha's natural umami depth. I also loved the little "Aloha" written in honey on top of the foam - such a cute and thoughtful touch from the baristas! Poʻai absolutely lives up to the buzz with their creative island-inspired drinks! From the thoughtfully crafted flavors to the quick service even during a rush, everything felt intentional and well-executed. This cafe is the kind of spot that makes for a memorable last stop on a trip and is definitely my go-to matcha spot in Oahu. Highly recommend showing some love to this local gem!

    Today was my last day of a two year stint at a local non profit. We stopped in to Po'ai to grab…read moresome refreshing drinks. I was so touched when the staff Rei(sp)? called me by name! Places don't deliver that kind of specialized service nowadays! Thank you Reiko!

    Photos
    Po’ai By Pono Potions - Drink bar

    Drink bar

    Po’ai By Pono Potions - Vegan bake goods

    Vegan bake goods

    Po’ai By Pono Potions - Adorable atmosphere

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    Adorable atmosphere

    Local Joe - Breakfast croissant & lox for us  Local Joe be there for us when we need a break from fluorescent light.

    Local Joe

    4.6(621 reviews)
    2.2 miDowntown
    $$

    Did my research to find Kona coffee for my upcoming visit to Vancouver, so I walked from home and…read moretook shelter in Local Joe's to cool off and order some 100% Kona Mauna Kea Estate coffee and have it ground. Liv was so delightful and clearly the right person for the job so I knew I was in the right place. In the meantime I ordered an iced coffee (which was delicious!!!!) and sat down and watched folks come and go. This is clearly a popular local coffee and snack shop so I will keep this place in mind since it's locally owned and operated and their decaf is processed via osmosis, not chemicals. That's a big plus.

    I was actually on my way to another coffee shop, but I saw Local Joe when I turned on Smith, so I…read moreturned on that side street, Marin, and there was a parking spot right there. Meant to be! I ordered the Royal Hawaiian. This was delicious! I also had a slice of banana bread. It was heated in the oven with a pat of butter on it. Sooooooo good! Said I'd come back for the pumpkin bread, and I did a few days later. Ordered the Royal Hawaiian again. Can't get enough of it and the pumpkin bread heated the same way. Lots of people getting coffee to go and food. It's in a great location! I was also looking for a new coffee supplier. I used to go to Downtown Coffee but the last batch I bought was not very good. I bought Guatemala, Columbia, and Hawaiian. Had them all ground fine. Each one proved to be a winner with the family! So happy to have found this not so hidden gem! It is now my go to for beans! The staff is great! The owner too! And it's a comfortable place to take a break at! Mahalo Joe!

    Photos
    Local Joe - Counter

    Counter

    Local Joe - Turkey Bacon Breakfast Burrito

    Turkey Bacon Breakfast Burrito

    Local Joe - Thai latte

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    Thai latte

    Panday Coffee - Biko- Filipino rice milk coffee.

    Panday Coffee

    4.3(9 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    I visited Panday at the Kailua mini swap meet. It was a small, kind of random event that…read moresurprisingly didn't have any other food or drink vendors. I felt kind of bad because it was a one person show and the owner guy had to accommodate a lot of customers by himself! It was a hot day and a cold drink sounded great. I heard someone mention there was a coffee vendor but the person made it sound like they were only selling cups of hot or iced coffee. Then someone walked by with a matcha drink and I knew I needed to check out Panday's booth. There was a small line of customers and the guy was working hard to chat with people, collect payments and make drinks. When it was my turn, I ordered the "Biko" coffee which is their special Filipino rice/coconut/condensed milk coffee. He said he probably didn't have enough and I should look over the menu to see if I had a second choice. I chose the banana matcha and he said he didn't have any banana syrup. I mean maybe the event was so popular that he ran out of drinks quicker than expected. I guess he was the only food/drink vendor at the event and it was a hot day.... In the end, he had enough Biko for my drink and everything was fine. It was a good latte and flavorful, but idk if I'd go out of my way to find it in the future. I do want to try the banana matcha still though. For a one man operation, this guys is killing it. He makes the espresso shots to order, so drinks may take a little while to get made. He was good at chatting up people in line while we waited though. Hopefully I'll see panday coffee at another event soon!

    Stop and smell what's brewing…read more.. That's exactly what I did as soon as I saw the sidewalk sign right outside of Fishcake in Kaka'ako and I'm so glad I did ;) checking out their menu you can find the usual espresso, latte and americano and now for the fun stuff...their "Specialty Drinks" from Monkey Coffy which has house made banana syrup, Biko which is a Filipino rice milk coffee and even the newest The Panday Pandan Latte! I really was intrigued by their Monkey Coffy but really wanted to try their Matcha when they said that I could combine it for "Monkey Matcha" whaaaaaaat!!!! Their only concern is that the banana syrup could overpower the matcha so they weren't confident to put it on the menu but I tell you it was yummy and yes the syrup was very flavorful as I was told it is made with real bananas and has the equivalent of two bananas in each cup...incredible. The staff is amazing and informed me of the wait with several orders already in the works but I do love the creativity as they bring in the culture crafted in each cup is unique and "sip"ly delicious. Thank you!

    Photos
    Panday Coffee - Monkey Matcha

    Monkey Matcha

    Panday Coffee - Pandan Latte

    Pandan Latte

    Panday Coffee

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    Roots Cafe - cafes - Updated May 2026

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