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Hawaii is a hub for Asian cuisines, seafood, and seasonal ingredients. The island chain is also the only place in the U.S. where coffee grows on a regular basis with convincing results. Learn about six places to drink satisfying coffee in Honolulu, the state capital and the biggest city on Hawaii’s third largest island.
Businesses appear in alphabetical order, not order of preference.
4. Gorilla in the Cafe
Gorilla in the Cafe is a modern spot that showcases local beans in Waikiki.
Korean actor Bae Yong Joon opened his glass-fronted Gorilla in the Café in 2012, paying respects to the animal’s strength. The reclaimed wood houses a flashy green La Marzocco espresso machine, Bonmac pourover bar, and a healthy retail presence. A menu near the register touts seven different selections that might include Maui Red Catuai, Ka’u Washed Typica and Kona Magarogype. It’s not often to see coffee varietals featured so prominently on a menu. Clearly, the gorilla enjoys educating customers. The gorilla also serves shave ice, but I enjoyed that Hawaiian treat elsewhere.
MUST ORDER: Pourover Coffee
5. Kona Coffee Purveyors / b. patisserie
Kona Coffee Purveyors teamed with San Francisco pastry star Belinda Leong in Waikiki.
Coffee roaster Raymond Suiter founded Honolulu Coffee Company in 1991 and built a thriving brand that he sold in 2008. He teamed with food scientist wife Jackie on Kona Coffee Purveyors. He roasts single-estate beans from the Big Island’s Kona coast using a Probat G60 and Giesen W15 at a Sand Island facility near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. They partnered with revered b. patisserie pastry chef Belinda Leong from San Francisco on a joint venture in Waikiki’s International Market Place. Baristas brew with flair on a sleek three-group espresso machine, pourover bar, and in cold brew. I enjoyed my espresso tonic and of course partook in Leong’s creative pastries. Her flaky caramelized black sesame kouign amann and double-baked pineapple coconut almond croissant are both unique to this location.
MUST ORDER: Espresso Tonic, Black Sesame Kouign Amann, Pineapple Coconut Almond Croissant
Eric Rose started Morning Glass in Mānoa Valley and expanded to Kaka’ako.
Longtime Starbucks exec Eric Rose debuted his first Morning Glass Coffee in Honolulu’s residential Mānoa Valley. The breezy open-air cafe contains only eight tables, but delivers an ambitious coffee program, complete with a three-group La Marzocco espresso machine, Stumptown coffee beans and a Hawaiian Coffee of the Day prepared via pourover. Morning Glass also has an inspired espresso soda, a small menu of local comfort food, and baked goods. The neighborhood favorite inspired more high-profile spinoffs within the Kaka’ako home goods gallery Fishcake along with Osaka, Japan.
MUST ORDER: Espresso, Hawaiian Coffee of the Day, Espresso Soda, Coffee Cake
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