11 Best Coffee Shops in Honolulu Right Now
Aloha, coffee lovers! If you’re in Honolulu and searching for a great cup of joe, you’re in luck. From bustling city cafes to laid-back beachfront spots, Waikiki and Honolulu have no shortage of fantastic coffee shops.
Whether you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up or a leisurely afternoon sipping a latte, you will find something to satisfy your caffeine cravings.
Join us as we explore some of the best coffee shops in Waikiki and Honolulu and discover what makes each unique.
How did we come up with this list? I’m glad you asked! We researched the best restaurants in Oahu and consulted locals about their favorite places.
We then took it upon ourselves to try as many coffee shops as we could and ensure we recommended locations of the highest quality. We also came across some of these gems during our hunt to find the best breakfast in Honolulu.
Without further ado, here are the top picks for the best coffee in Honolulu!
Map of Best Coffee Shops
(1) TRY Coffee
TRY Coffee is the perfect spot for a leisurely morning wake-up in Waikiki.
This charming Honolulu cafe has incredible coffee, a picturesque outdoor setup, and a coworking side next to the cafe. This is by far our favorite coffee shop to catch up on some work while enjoying Honolulu.
The menu features classic espresso drinks like macchiato, cappuccino, Americano, lattes, and mochas. Their classic manual brew and cold brew coffees are also excellent.
I typically order a latte with a double shot of espresso, steamed or iced milk, and dark chocolate used as a sweetener.
The atmosphere at TRY Coffee is relaxed, spacious, and inviting. The lanai has plenty of plants – some hanging and others near the tables and balcony – adding a beautiful natural vibe.
Location: 1200 Ala Moana Blvd. Ste 380, 2nd Floor, Honolulu
Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 6:30 am-1:00 pm, Sat-Sun: 7:00 am-3:00 pm
(2) Ali’i Coffee Co.
Ali’i Coffee Co. has three locations in Honolulu, including one at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki – one of the best hotels in Waikiki.
This cafe serves delicious coffee, from signature lattes to classic pour-over coffees, cold brews, and nitro brews.
The atmosphere at Ali’i Coffee Co. is friendly and inviting. The staff is knowledgeable and passionate about coffee and always makes sure customers enjoy their experience.
Our go-to is the Taro Ube Latte, which is sweet and has a purple tint. It’s made with a shot of expresso, taro powder, ube extract, steamed milk, and sugar.
Our barista was the one that recommended the Taro Ube Latte, and we’ve been coming back for it ever since! Not only does the drink look good, but it also tastes incredible!
They also have a great selection of sandwiches, bagels, and flatbreads too, in case you’re hungry.
Location: Multiple
- Downtown: 5 South Beretania St. (Between Fort Street Mall and Bethel St.)
- Hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 am to 2:00 pm; Sat-Sun 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Waikiki: 400 Royal Hawaiian Ave. (Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach)
- Hours: Everday 5:30 am to 1:00 pm
- Ward Village/Kaka’ako: 1200 Ala Moana Blvd. Ste 641 (Ward Centre)
- Hours: Everyday 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
(3) Kona Coffee Purveyors | b patisserie
Kona Coffee Purveyors and b patisserie have become a favorite spot in Honolulu, offering some of the best coffee on Oahu.
The coffee is freshly roasted on-site with 100% Kona Coffee single source, all grown in Kona. It’s top-notch quality and makes for some incredibly delicious cups of coffee.
They have all your favorite classic coffee drinks, but you can’t go wrong with their signature Kona Latte.
The coffee shop has a pleasant ambiance that compliments the coffee nicely. There is plenty of seating inside and outside, making this another great spot to work from or to just grab a coffee while on the go.
They also have a good variety of pastries to choose from. We ordered the blueberry scone, which was good (just like every other blueberry scone), and the classic Kouign Amann croissant award-winning caramelized croissant with sweet nectar at the center. The judges got this one right – this croissant was one of the best pastries we have ever had!
Note: The line here is almost always long, especially in the mornings. However, it moves quickly, so don’t let that deter you. You can also place your order beforehand for pick-up.
Location: 2330 Kalakaua Ave #160, Honolulu
Hours of Operation: Everyday 7:00 am- 4:00 pm
See Also: 33 Best Things to Do in Honolulu
(4) Island Vintage Coffee
If you want to try the finest 100% Kona coffee on Oahu, this is one of the best places to go. Island Vintage Coffee is one of Waikiki’s most popular and busy restaurants and offers a wide range of coffee-based drinks.
Their Kona coffee is our favorite, but you can also find espresso-based drinks and delicious mochas. The macadamia nut latte is a popular choice and comes highly recommended.
We also ordered a plant-based lavender latte made with lavender honey and oat milk, which was creamy and delicious.
Besides coffee, they serve breakfast items, pastries, salads, and sandwiches.
While waiting for your order, you can browse their coffee-dyed shirts and organic granola to take home.
Tip: They get super busy, and the wait times can be up to an hour. It’s worth noting that located right next door is Island Vintage Wine Bar, which has the same menu with the addition of alcoholic beverages. You can make reservations at the Wine Bar but not at the Coffee Bar.
We’ve repeatedly beat the long lines by dining at the Wine Bar. You can also call your order in for pick up if you prefer your coffee on the go.
Location: 2301 Kalakaua Avenue #C215, Honolulu (Royal Hawaiian Center)
Hours: Daily 6:00 am to 9:30 pm
(5) Honolulu Coffee Experience Center
As the name implies, The Honolulu Coffee Experience Center is not your typical coffee shop – it’s an experience.
Their farm-to-cup coffee is 100% Kona Coffee grown on the slopes of Mauna Loa Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. They have been roasting, brewing, and selling top-tier coffee since 1992, so you know it’s good.
The extensive menu ranges from pour-overs and drip coffee to lattes and cappuccinos. We usually order the local latte with macadamia syrup and a double shot of expresso.
They also have breakfast and brunch options such as acai bowls, breakfast sandwiches, burritos, desserts, and more.
The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with plenty of seating to enjoy your coffee.
They also have a gift shop where you can buy pure Kona coffee, gourmet chocolate, t-shirts, caps, tote bags, coffee drippers, tumblers, and more.
Location: 1800 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu
(6) Surfjack Shop & Coffee Bar
Surfjack Hotel’s coffee shop seems to be a hidden gem in Honolulu, but it sure is delicious.
The menu features classic coffee drinks like cappuccinos, lattes, and mochas. Our go-to order is the vanilla latte and iced macadamia nut oat milk latte, and they’re always made to perfection.
Their coffee is freshly roasted, and the flavor is exquisite. Their classic coffee is also another one of our favorite drinks.
Location: 412 Lewers St, Honolulu
Hours: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm (open daily)
(7) Ars Cafe
What better way to enjoy a cup of coffee in Honolulu than with gorgeous views of Diamond Head?
Ars Cafe in Honolulu has something for everyone. They have everything from Kona coffee to Columbian, Ethiopian, and specialty drinks.
We usually order local or Ethiopian brew, but their lattes and cold brews are also delicious. Our favorite cold brew is the iced Americano.
Aside from their coffee, they also offer breakfast and lunch options. Their breakfast sandwiches and baked goods come highly recommended.
We usually order the Caprese sandwich and cajun fried rice for breakfast or lunch; the flavors are always spot-on. The banana bread is also fantastic.
Location: 3116 Monsarrat Ave, Honolulu
Hours of Operation: Mon to Thu, 6:30 am – 4:00 pm; Sat, 6:30 am – 6:00 pm; Sun, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm (open daily)
Tip: Ars Cafe is located a few minutes from Diamond Head and is the perfect spot to grab a coffee before or after your hike.
(8) Da’ HI Brew
Da’ HI Brew is a small coffee house located in Discovery Bay Center shopping complex in Waikiki.
They are known for their artisan espresso coffee, bagels, and panini made to order. The turmeric latte is one of their most popular offerings and one of our favorites.
We have ordered their lattes several times and have always been satisfied.
They also have an extensive breakfast menu and always use fresh ingredients. The Breakfast Bagel Sammie is perfect if you’re craving something a little spicy.
Location: 1778 Ala Moana Blvd Suite 216, Honolulu
Hours: Mon to Sat, 6:30 am – 2:00 pm; Sun, 7:00 am – 2:00 pm
(9) Arvo Cafe
Located within the Salt restaurant area in Kaka’ako, Arvo Cafe has a chic vibe with hanging plants and wooden tones. They also have a small retail area inside the cafe where you can buy t-shirts, caps, tote bags, incense, and tea.
They proudly serve Sightglass espresso from San Francisco, and it’s always tasty.
If you want something other than espresso, try their lavender latte, charcoal latte, or chai latte. Their mochas are also delicious and come in various flavors. Our go-to is always the lavender latte.
Location: 324 Coral St, Suite 1A-104b, Honolulu
Hours of Operation: Daily, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
(10) Brew & Foam
Brew & Foam has a couple of locations on Oahu, but we frequent the Ala Wai location due to its proximity to Waikiki.
If you are a latte lover (like me), then Brew & Foam is your spot. They are known for their delicious lattes, among other things.
We also love their cappuccino and 100% Kona pour-over. Our go-to order is the macadamia nut latte, but they also offer a variety of flavored lattes, such as vanilla and caramel.
They also have an extensive breakfast menu with the best acai bowls, smoothies, croissants, breakfast sandwiches, and more.
You might also appreciate the vegan and gluten-free food options made from organic, locally-sourced ingredients. The housemade almond butter is a must-try too.
Location: Multiple
(11) Morning Glass Coffee + Cafe
Last but certainly not least is Morning Glass Coffee + Cafe in Manoa. This cafe has a cozy and inviting atmosphere, and the staff is always friendly and welcoming.
It’s a small cafe with outdoor benches serving local and international blends, such as Vietnamese iced coffee, Hawaiian coffee, Americano, cortado, and more.
Their ginger latte made with local housemade syrup is a must-try and one of the most popular items on the menu.
They also offer a variety of pastries such as the Lilikoi Loaf, banana bread, coffee cake, and bread pudding.
Tip: Make sure you don’t accidentally end up at their Chinatown location (on Nuuanu Avenue). It has been permanently closed. The correct location is on Manoa Road, which is on the way to Manoa Falls Trail.
Location: 2955 East Manoa Road, Honolulu
Hours: Tues-Sat, 7:00 am – 10:00 am; Sat-Sun, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
The Wrap Up
So there you have it, the best coffee shops in Honolulu! Whether you’re looking for a place to get your caffeine fix while on Oahu or want to relax and enjoy a cup of joe, these spots are sure to please.
Mahalo for reading, and happy sipping!
Until next time, Aloha!
