50 Best Coffee Shops in Honolulu

“If you’re looking for an ube fix, Nana’s Tea has an ube soft serve swirl will do you right. Aside from the creamy soft serve, they add a small dollop of fresh ube halaya and a couple of mochi ball. Will come back to try the other flavors!“

“I have been here about three times and it’s a much better café than the exterior belies in an adorable side storefront right off Waialae ave. The Ono smoothie is excellent., as is the iced latte with a nut milk - try it with coconut and ube flavoring. I also recommend the fresh baked ube cookies. You can order ahead for pick up about 15 minutes out or they are pretty fast if you show up in person.

There is not much room inside and outside, so I wouldn’t come here with like a group expecting to hang out . There is street parking and off street parking.“

“Service is fantastic and I like the vibe of this coffee bar inside the hotel. I even got a sweet tote bag for a friend at a reasonable price.One star lost for only having medium roast coffee & espresso which has a tendency to be sour. Medium roast is a hipster trend I’m really hoping goes away soon.“

“This coffee shop is a gem and quickly became the highlight of our trip! The owner was so welcoming to us and our baby, it has truly left such a wonderful memory for us in Oahu. We went back again and again, day after day! The Açaí bowl, Pitaya bowl, scones, cookie and coffee were all so good. The owner even came out just to say goodbye to us on our last day on the island, it was truly heartwarming! We will miss Pai Cafe so much!“

“We got the vanilla chai hot and iced lavender matcha, both were REALLY good! It's a cute little spot too, love the vibe!

Parking: They have like 3 spots for the cafe but the lot is shared and has reserved spots for other businesses too. Street parking and nearby strip mall has plenty of spots“

“Coming from seattle, I find it hard to locate a non-burnt or acidic tasting coffee place in Waikiki.
This place is a gem find. It is tucked in the back and side street of the DFS duty free shopping mall. Ordered a plain latte (no syrup), it tasted very smooth and good. Def recommend!
They also have nice seating areas, not crowded at all.
Comparing to the over hyped Kona coffee in international market (always has a long line too), this place is so much better in taste and wait time.“

“Staff were efficient. The long Q move quickly“

“The Sunrise Shack – A Tasty Waikiki Detour

We originally planned to hike Diamond Head, but forgot to make a reservation—so instead, we made a last-minute stop at The Sunrise Shack in Waikiki, and honestly? It turned out to be the perfect Plan B.

🍍 Quick, Affordable, and Delicious
From the moment we arrived, everything was fast, friendly, and full of flavor. The menu has a great mix of smoothie bowls, coffee, and island-style snacks that are both budget-friendly and fresh. We grabbed our food in no time and were blown away by how tasty everything was—light, energizing, and exactly what we needed to kick off the day.

🌴 Great Vibes & People-Watching
After we ate, we stuck around and did a little people-watching. Waikiki is full of life in the mornings—surfers, beachgoers, and early risers buzzing around. Sitting with a smoothie in hand, soaking up the moment, was pure island bliss.

🌞 Final Thoughts – A Happy Accident
Even though our original plan didn’t work out, The Sunrise Shack made our morning feel like a win. It’s colorful, casual, and full of good vibes. If you’re looking for something quick, healthy, and satisfying in Waikiki—don’t skip this spot.“

“A small and cozy coffee shop, I ended up trying a blueberry coffee (forget the name) and it was an extremely satisfying pairing - my friend got the Kuro Goma and a few other coffees to bring back, and they tasted pretty great as well! They have LOTS of flavors of coffee/drinks though, so I'd recommend any of them for people looking for quality coffee at an aesthetically pleasing shop

- Miguel Morales Photography“

“My husband took a private surf lesson from Joshua. Joshua was so very patient and encouraging, even though my husband was unable to get to a standing position, through no fault of Josh. We highly recommend Big Wave Dave Surf & Coffee for all 1st time surfers.“

“Love it here. I went to a workshop in their adjacent room. I ordered a plantation iced tea and fell in love. It's such a cozy shop, expect it to be busy. While at the workshop it was busy all day. I just went yesterday and it was busy the entire time I was there.“

“Love this place. I've been to a few locations and it's always good! The coffee is amazing, but the real shocker is how great the food is! The local breakfast sandwich, croissantwich and Breakfast Burrito and so delicious, but my favorite by far is the Lomi Salmon Bagel....I crave it!!!!! Highly recommend!“

“Maleko has the best coffee in all of Hawaii and the Man is a gifted baker too! I highly recommend the pineapple coconut muffins.“

“Love this place. I've been to a few locations and it's always good! The coffee is amazing, but the real shocker is how great the food is! The local breakfast sandwich, croissantwich and Breakfast Burrito and so delicious, but my favorite by far is the Lomi Salmon Bagel....I crave it!!!!! Highly recommend!“

“Very cool location connected to a climbing gym. The barista was sweet and helpful with her recommendations. Mango banana bread was delicious and the wildflower honey latte was a delightful yet unique drink. Will be back if I'm in the area again!“

“great sandwich. good service“

“Get the Spicy Masala Chai tea.... yum 😋.“

“The barista spent nearly five minutes preparing my matcha, whisking the ceremonial green powder with the focused intensity of a tea master. This wasn't Starbucks efficiency—it was something more deliberate, more reverent. At Knots Coffee Roasters, tucked into the lobby of Queen Kapiolani Hotel, time moves differently.

This is the first international outpost of a Tokyo-based concept, brought to Hawaii in 2018 as part of the hotel's $35 million renovation. Plan Do See, the Japanese hospitality company behind Knots, chose Waikiki's Diamond Head end strategically, positioning themselves away from the tourist crush but close enough to matter.

The payoff becomes clear on the open-air terrace, where guests sip coffee beneath a pergola overlooking Kapiolani Park's canopy of coconut palms and monkey pod trees. It's one of Waikiki's most serene views, a tropical treehouse suspended between urban energy and natural calm. The retro-chic design—wicker peacock chairs meet Japanese minimalism—feels authentically 1970s Hawaii without resorting to kitsch.

The menu reflects serious ambition: $18 cocktails crafted with local Koloa rum and house-made macadamia orgeat, plus an extensive selection featuring Big Island and Maui coffee roasters. The matcha program showcases Japanese precision, though that five-minute wait can test tourist patience.

Service reveals the operation's main weakness. A single barista often handles the entire café, creating bottlenecks that previous reviews consistently mention. For a concept emphasizing Japanese hospitality, the understaffing feels counterproductive.

Pricing reflects hotel-adjacent expectations: $17 açai bowls and $7.50 specialty lattes position Knots firmly in the premium category. The quality generally justifies the cost, but portion sizes can disappoint.

What makes Knots compelling isn't just the coffee—it's the cultural bridge it represents. Japan transformed from a tea nation to a global coffee powerhouse through patient strategy, and this outpost embodies that same thoughtful approach. While central Waikiki pulses with frenetic energy, Knots offers something rarer: a space designed for actual relaxation.

The grab-and-go offerings serve hotel guests efficiently, while the cocktail program transitions the space from morning café to evening bar. It's an ambitious multi-concept execution that mostly succeeds.

Knots Coffee Roasters works best for those seeking refuge from Waikiki's intensity rather than amplification of it. The view alone—impossible for competitors to replicate—creates an unassailable competitive advantage. Yes, you'll wait longer for your drink, and yes, you'll pay more. But settling into that terrace with properly prepared matcha, watching palm fronds sway against an azure sky, the pace feels exactly right.“

“Chicest place in town to catch up with friends or enjoy a cafe treat. What’s better than that? Getting to go shopping afterwards in their attached retail location with selections from local artists and creators. Love this place!“

“The coffee is delicious and the staff is very friendly. I get coffee shipped home to me every month or two for my Ohana! Mahalo, Fred!😊“

“I had a rather pleasant Hangover burrito. It was tasty enough, but it wasn't a 'worldbeater'. The waiting time was about 20 minutes, which wasn't too bad, considering how busy they were.

Edit : Six hours later, I'm still full up from the burrito. It might look a tad wussy when you get it, but it's a heck of a lot more substantial!“

“Great coffee shop - I love the views!“

“Best coffee, best toast. Best experience!“

“We LOVEEEEE Egghead Cafe!!! Every time we come in they are so friendly, welcoming of my little ones, and quick! I've never had anything bad. Their coffee is delicious, my favorite is Tiramisu Latte! Definitely visit, it will be worth it!“

“We've ALWAYS received excellent service at Ruscello's, and today's visit was no exception. We sat outside for lunch, there was a nice soft breeze, had a bottle of wine (half off on Weds!) and enjoyed the food: salads and French dip - yum! What a great way to enjoy a relaxing afternoon!“

“Best matcha on the island in my opinion! Not too sweet and authentic! If you do love some sweetness, I recommend the strawberry matcha. My husband likes the hapa drink that's half matcha, half hojicha. Parking is kinda small up front, but there is a large paid parking lot across the street 👍 Had to stop by here after we signed our marriage paperwork for a pick-me-up 🤣 Everyone was sweet and made our day 🥰“

“coffee is what should be tried here...☕️ oh, and the cookie 🍪“

“The story of “the bean” is explained in their fine little museum on the premises. Comfortable sitting A great atmosphere.“

“Love this place. I've been to a few locations and it's always good! The coffee is amazing, but the real shocker is how great the food is! The local breakfast sandwich, croissantwich and Breakfast Burrito and so delicious, but my favorite by far is the Lomi Salmon Bagel....I crave it!!!!! Highly recommend!“

“Lovely Coffee Shop! Five Stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Dropped by NOLA on Saturday morning for a beignet flight. The service was quick and friendly, though they were out of vanilla and offered pumpkin instead. The beignets are made fresh to order, so there’s a bit of a wait, but it’s worth it. The space is big and clean, but the music was a bit loud for 7 AM—maybe not the best spot to relax with a coffee. That said, the beignets were delicious with a great texture, and the filling was generous without being overly sweet. Highly recommend!“

“Aunty has homegrown fruits from our local farmers, homemade tea, and makes amazing fruit smoothies. She is also super sweet & if you get the 30oz jar for your smoothie, you can bring it back for a $3 discount, it also comes with a cover & straw (I love it🫶🏾) I highly recommend her.“

“Love their coffee design machine! Breakfast sandwiches were great, and the service was as well. Cute little spot.“

“Great staff, great coffee. Try the Kai Latte.“

“Such a cute coffee shop.
Their Hawaiian latte is amazingly delicious and I miss it already.
Got a bag of coffee for a gift, just make sure you understand how much you’re paying for the bag before you check out, some of the prices are nuts but understandable.“

“While visiting Waikiki, you see a LOT of Starbucks in hotels. The last thing we wanted was to visit a chain coffee shop in Hawaii. We were lucky enough to find, and be staying about a block away from Banyan Breeze Coffee. From the first visit (we went almost every day after) we were greeted every time with a smile, a "good morning" and a pleasant experience. The iced coffee and chai we selected were excellent, and all staff was great. I would highly recommend grabbing a coffee here anytime.“

“Strong espresso hits straight to the brain. I love that Coral Cafe is the halfway point on my bike ride into work. Wish it was open late for my bike ride home too! Also love when the barista is looking cute and studious with her reading glasses on.“

“We love Drive Thru Joe. The only legit amenity on this base provides us a piece of happiness. Customer service is top and the drinks are fun, refreshing and creative. This is on our top 5 list of things we will miss when leaving the island!!!“

“Our first authentic shave ice and it blew away our expectations! Delicious, fresh, and the best sweet treat!“

“#HonoluluCoffee
@Honolulucoffee Located in a little Nook Between Chit Chat and ASB, I ordered this large , Black coffee and surprisingly is one of the best coffees I've had in a long time. Not even any coffee grind or grit. Just a smooth liquid, Black Gold. I recommend this place to any coffee lover.“

“Awesome place“

“Starbucks drive thru!
Actually, when I order here, I always park nearby and walk to pick up the order, but when I went to the drive-thru for the first time, I realized how smooth and convenient it was, and wondered why I had to walk to pick it up...🤪
I thought it would take a while, but it went pretty quickly and the wait wasn't that long!“

“Casual place to grab a cup of coffee, seating limited and parking lot view, but staff is friendly and biscuit sandwich and breakfast burrito were delicious and generous. Impressed with quality of food and coffee given limited space and staff. Always busy line but it does move.“

“Lovely hotel, Great room and friendly helpful staff. Check in was smooth and fast. Would definitely stay here again. The Club is the best!“

“Love, love, love! Must do in Waikiki.“

“excellent service, I love the homemade salmon milk, makes the outstanding coffee even more delicious. the blueberry muffins have the a cake like texture that is really satisfying. the lilikoi bars were super delicious, very tart, true to real lilikoi flavor and a very dense and buttery bottom crust. I'm truly satisfied every time I come here. thank you“

“Excellent food with a really creative menu. Malia always makes the best plated presentations.“

“My best one❤️“

“A cafe I visited after visiting Diamond Head on the weekend
I tried to go to KCC Market, but there were so many people that I couldn't find anything to eat, so I came as an alternative and it was a really good choice.
Ordered the breakfast plate and pineapple juice, which are sold until 10 o'clock.
The plate tasted okay, but the pineapple juice was delicious.
It was so nice to sit and eat in a cool place after trekking.
The Japanese owner is also friendly.
It was near Waikiki, so I probably went there often to drink juice.“