12 Best Coffee Shops in Honolulu

This post contains affiliate links, which help support my blog at no extra cost to you!

As someone who’s visited Oahu countless times and even spent a summer living there, I can confidently say Honolulu is home to some seriously good coffee shops. And if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I will absolutely build a whole morning around a cute cafe, a fun latte, and a pastry that has no business being that good.

As someone who’s always on the hunt for great local spots (and never saying no to more coffee), here’s my roundup of the best coffee shops in Honolulu, from Waikiki favorites to Kaimuki gems, that are worth adding to your Oahu coffee crawl.

Best Coffee Shops in Honolulu

1. Ars Cafe

Ars Cafe is one of those Honolulu coffee shops that instantly feels like more than a quick caffeine stop. It’s right near Diamond Head, and has a little personality beyond the coffee counter. Part cafe, part art gallery, part gelato stop? Yes please.

Go here when you want a slower, more creative-feeling morning. Their coffee hits the spot, and they have breakfast options if you need something more substantial before the rest of your Oahu plans.

2. Island Vintage Coffee

Island Vintage Coffee is definitely one of the more well-known coffee shops in Honolulu, and for good reason. There are several locations, but the Royal Hawaiian Center one is my favorite because it gives you that easy Waikiki energy with a second-floor patio, fresh air, and a great little perch for people-watching.

This is a good one to save for a morning when you actually want breakfast too, because the menu is way more exciting than just pastries in a case.

They have plenty of vegan and vegetarian options; their macadamia nut cappuccino or latte is such a classic Hawaii coffee order, and their bowls are absolutely worth making room for. Don’t leave without trying one of the best acai bowls on Oahu!

3. Hala Tree Cafe

Hala Tree Cafe is located at The Lilia Waikiki and serves 100% Kona coffee from their family farm on the Big Island, along with a full in-house bakery.

My best friends actually went to check it out for me and gave it a full raving review. Their drink must-orders were the Mango Matcha, which they said was smooth, refreshing, and not overpowered by the mango, and the ‘Uala Latte, made with Kona coffee and purple sweet potato, which was creamy and unique.

Food-wise, they loved the Waialua Avocado Toast, the Tuna Melt, and basically every pastry they tried. The raspberry and Nutella cruffins sounded amazing, and they said the chocolate croissant felt more elevated than your average cafe croissant.

Bonus points: they also said it was very stroller-friendly, which is so helpful if you’re doing Waikiki with little ones.

4. Local Joe

If I had to pick the Honolulu coffee shop that made me the most excited after one sip, it would be Local Joe. The coffee is so good, especially if you’re into macadamia nut flavors, and their latte art is honestly wild.

We tried the macadamia nut latte and a vanilla cappuccino, and both were dreamy. This is the kind of spot I’d send you to if you care about the actual coffee but still want something cute and fun.

They also have a location on Oahu’s west side if your itinerary takes you that direction.

Related read: Check out Must Eat Foods on Oahu

5. Hideout Coffee

Hideout Coffee is such an easy Waikiki win, especially if you’re staying nearby or already planning to wander around the area. It’s tucked inside The Laylow, and the whole setup feels cozy, stylish, and a little more tucked away than you’d expect in such a busy part of Honolulu.

Their vanilla cappuccinos are perfection, and I love that they use housemade syrups because it makes even a simple order feel a little more special.

If you’re craving something beyond coffee, they also have a small breakfast menu.

6. Arvo

Arvo is one of the prettiest coffee shops in Honolulu, but thankfully it’s not just cute for the sake of being cute. The outdoor seating area is adorable, the drinks are good, and it has that relaxed “I could sit here way longer than planned” feeling.

The coffee and avocado toast are both solid picks, but if you want to switch things up, I also recommend the strawberry guava mint iced tea. And this is coming from someone who normally does not enjoy iced tea, so you know I mean it.

7. Da Hi Brew

Da Hi Brew was one of my favorite coffee stops in Waikiki, especially for a casual morning when you want plenty of options without overthinking it. They serve hand-crafted espresso drinks, hot and iced coffee, smoothies, and several breakfast and lunch bites.

My breakfast bagel sandwich was delish, but I absolutely got a little jealous when I saw the table next to us with waffles and fruit. This is a good pick if you’re traveling with people who all want different things because the menu has enough variety to keep everyone happy.

8. Talk Kaimuki

We stopped at Talk Kaimuki on our way to hike the Wiliwilinui trail, and it was exactly the kind of pre-hike pick-me-up I needed before tackling that 4.7-mile trail. It also had a surprisingly good work setup, so I’d keep this one in mind if you need a cafe where you can sit for a bit and be productive.

The drink menu is playful without feeling overwhelming. Along with classic latte flavors, they usually have more fun options like red velvet, cinnamon roll, and cake batter.

Their food and pastries are made fresh daily and can include things like popovers, scones, sandwiches, and croissants. Flavors and varieties change, which honestly makes it more fun because you never totally know what you’re going to spot in the case.

9. Cafe Daisy

Cafe Daisy is for the person who gets excited by a drink menu that feels a little extra. They have such a fun mix of teas, juices, and coffee drinks, including taro lattes with matcha foam, ube cheesecake lattes, tiramisu cold brews, and fruity lattes like strawberry or blue ocean.

I had the hardest time choosing, which is always a good sign. This is where I’d go when I want something colorful, unique, and totally different from my usual order.

Trust me, you’ll be glad you ventured out of your comfort zone here!

10. Knots Coffee Hawaii

Knots Coffee Hawaii is located inside the Queen Kapiolani Hotel in Waikiki/Honolulu, which makes it an easy stop if you’re staying near the zoo, Kapiolani Park, or the Diamond Head side of Waikiki. Bonus points because they’re dog-friendly!

We only made a quick pit stop here for coffee, but I immediately wished we had gone hungry because the food menu sounded so good. It’s also a nice option if you’re with someone who isn’t a huge coffee person, since they offer more than just espresso drinks, including beer, wine, and cocktails.

For my locals reading this, it’s worth checking their monthly membership options too. If you live nearby or visit often, that could be such a fun little routine to build into your week.

11. Neko Koneko

I knew I’d found something special when my Uber driver asked how I even discovered this place. Neko Koneko has that tucked-away, mom-and-pop feel that makes a coffee stop instantly more memorable.

It’s a comfortable, Japanese-inspired cafe known for its bottled specialty coffees, and those bottled drinks are what immediately caught my eye.

One of my favorite things about their setup is that the bottles are listed in order of sweetness, which makes choosing so much easier if you’re particular about your coffee. You can even sample before deciding!

The shop itself is small but cozy, and the staff couldn’t have been friendlier. We decided to enjoy our drinks in the cafe, and they gave us cups of ice to pour the coffee over, which was perfect since the bottles are large and only come in one size.

The best part is that if you can’t finish it there, it’s already bottled and ready to take with you. Neko Koneko is one of those hidden gems that feels personal and welcoming, and it’s such a good addition to your Oahu coffee list if you love finding spots with a little extra character.

12. Better Daze

Better Daze is the kind of spot that instantly brightens your day. It’s an adorable little coffee stand with a female-owned, community-minded feel.

The owner is a passionate herbalist, and you can feel that love for the natural world in the way the drinks are put together. Their housemade syrups are what make the menu stand out, with flavors that feel balanced, creative, and crafted with care.

This is a great stop when you want a latte before the beach or just need a little pick-me-up that feels more personal than your average coffee run. Better Daze is small, but it has such a sweet sense of place.

BONUS: Surfers Coffee

Okay, this one isn’t actually in Honolulu, but it’s too cool not to include as a bonus. Surfers Coffee is in Wahiawa near the North Shore, so it’s an easy add-on if you’re already heading that way.

They focus on community as much as coffee, and the shop is a nonprofit owned and operated by Surfing The Nations.

Surfers Coffee gives Local Joe a run for its money as one of my favorite coffee stops on Oahu. I ordered the strawberry shaka off their underground menu, and it was unlike any coffee drink I’ve ever had. The shop is cozy and homey too, so it’s the kind of place where you could easily settle in for a slower morning before exploring the North Shore.

Related read: Check out the Best Things to Do in Kaneohe and Kailua!

Which Honolulu coffee shop would you stop at first?

From unique lattes to tropical-inspired brews, there’s no shortage of amazing coffee shops in Honolulu to fuel your adventures. So next time you’re on Oahu, make sure to grab a cup (or two) at these local gems. If you have another favorite that I missed, let me know in the comments so I can add it to my never-ending coffee list!

Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other Hawaii blog posts:

9 Oahu, Hawaii Acai Bowls You HAVE to Try

Must Eat Foods on Oahu

17 Fun and FREE Things to Do on Oahu