Best Coffee Shops & 100% Kona Coffee in Waikiki (2026): Pour-Overs & Pastries

Hawaii is the only US state with a long-established commercial coffee industry, producing legendary Kona coffee. However, many souvenir-shop bags are labeled “Kona Blend”—which under Hawaii law (until July 2027) need contain only 10% authentic Kona beans.

The Best Coffee in Waikiki, Shop by Shop

The best coffee in Waikiki is no longer just hotel-lobby drip. A handful of cafes roast Hawaii-grown beans with real care, and most sit within a 15-minute walk of each other along Kalakaua Avenue. Hours below come from each company’s own website in October 2026.

• Kona Coffee Purveyors (International Market Place, 2330 Kalakaua Ave #160, by the Kuhio Mall entrance): the purist’s choice. It sells only 100% Kona, including single-estate beans from Hualalai, Mauna Loa and Konawaena, and offers tastings at the bar. Pastries come from San Francisco’s b. patisserie and are layered in the cafe’s open kitchen; the kouign-amann is the one to order.
• Kai Coffee Hawaii: the local chain behind the Kai Latte, sweetened with macadamia nut. You will find it in the Hyatt Regency (2424 Kalakaua Ave) and the Alohilani (2490 Kalakaua Ave), both open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., at a ground-level kiosk at Waikiki Shopping Plaza (6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and at a beachside cart at Queens Arbor (6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
• Island Vintage Coffee (Royal Hawaiian Center, 2nd floor): open daily 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., with lattes, Kona drip and the famous acai bowls. It is right above the Royal Grove, where the Royal Hawaiian Center’s free cultural classes take place.
• Honolulu Coffee: a reliable local roaster with Waikiki cafes at the Moana Surfrider (5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.), Sheraton Waikiki poolside (6 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and the Prince Waikiki (6 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
• Knots Coffee Roasters (Queen Kapiolani Hotel lobby): the Tokyo roaster’s first cafe outside Japan, open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with Basque cheesecake and a quieter Diamond Head-end setting.

What Makes Kona Coffee Special (and How to Buy It)

Kona coffee grows on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa on the Big Island, where sunny mornings, afternoon cloud cover and volcanic soil produce a smooth, low-acid cup. Most farms are small family operations that hand-pick ripe red cherries, which is one reason the coffee is expensive.

• 100% Kona vs. Kona blend: under Hawaii’s labeling law, a bag that says “Kona blend” must show the percentage of Kona inside. The current 10% minimum rises to 51% on July 1, 2027, after the legislature passed a stricter law in 2024.
• Grades: Extra Fancy is the largest, most uniform bean grade, and Peaberry comes from cherries with a single round bean. Both cost more than Prime or No. 1.
• Other Hawaii coffees: look for Kau (also on the Big Island), Maui and Kauai coffees, often a little cheaper than Kona and just as interesting.
• Where to buy: roaster cafes like Kona Coffee Purveyors and Island Vintage sell whole beans, and ABC Stores and big supermarkets carry both 100% Kona and blends. See our Waikiki grocery guide for where to stock up.

Roasted beans travel home to the mainland without trouble in your luggage; ask the cafe to grind it only if you will drink it within a couple of weeks.

Coffee Etiquette, Timing and Pairings

Lines are longest from 7 to 9 a.m., when surfers and early risers converge. Order ahead online at Island Vintage, or go after 10 a.m. when the beach crowd has settled. Adding a tip on the card screen is customary at Hawaii cafes.

• Pair it with breakfast: an Island Vintage latte with an acai bowl, or a Kona pour-over with a kouign-amann. Our best breakfast in Waikiki guide covers the sit-down options.
• Hotel coffee: in-room coffee is usually included in Waikiki resort fees, but the pods are rarely Kona. Bring a bag of beans back to the room instead.
• Iced is the default: in Waikiki’s year-round warmth, cold brew and iced lattes outsell hot drinks for most of the day.

Prices change often, so check the menu board: a latte in Waikiki generally costs more than on the mainland because milk, rent and labor all cost more in Hawaii.

Where to Stay Nearby

Coffee lovers should stay in central Waikiki, where most of these cafes are a few minutes’ walk apart. The Hyatt Regency Waikiki has Kai Coffee inside the building and is next door to the Alohilani branch. The Moana Surfrider has its own Honolulu Coffee cafe opening at 5:30 a.m. For a calmer base by Kapiolani Park, the Queen Kapiolani Hotel puts Knots Coffee Roasters in the lobby.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best coffee shop in Waikiki?

For 100% Kona, Kona Coffee Purveyors at International Market Place is the standout, with single-estate beans and b. patisserie pastries. For convenience and flavored lattes, Kai Coffee has four Waikiki outlets, and Island Vintage Coffee at Royal Hawaiian Center opens earliest, at 5 a.m. daily (handy if you work remotely; see Waikiki hotels for remote work).

Is Kona coffee worth the price?

If you enjoy a smooth, low-acid cup, yes, but only if it is 100% Kona. A Kona blend can legally contain just 10% Kona until July 1, 2027, when the minimum rises to 51%. Single-estate bags at Kona Coffee Purveyors run about $28 to $55, reflecting small farms and hand-picking.

Where can I buy 100% Kona coffee in Waikiki?

Roaster cafes such as Kona Coffee Purveyors and Island Vintage Coffee sell whole beans and let you taste first. ABC Stores and larger supermarkets also stock 100% Kona alongside cheaper blends, so read the front label and the percentage before you pay.

What coffee shops in Waikiki open early?

Island Vintage Coffee opens at 5 a.m., Honolulu Coffee at the Moana Surfrider at 5:30 a.m., and Kai Coffee at the Hyatt Regency and Alohilani plus Knots Coffee Roasters at 6 a.m., according to their websites in October 2026.

What is a Kai Latte?

It is Kai Coffee Hawaii’s signature drink, a latte flavored with macadamia nut for a sweet, nutty island taste. It is served at all Kai Coffee locations in Waikiki, and you can ask for an extra shot if you prefer a stronger coffee flavor.