Coffee people have a ritual, and it doesn’t pause for vacation. The moment you land somewhere new, the search begins: where’s the best local coffee? In Waikiki, that question has some genuinely great answers — and a few spots that will make you wish you’d booked a longer stay just to try them all.
The good news is that Waikiki has evolved well beyond the hotel lobby coffee maker. You’ve got craft espresso from award-winning roasters, island-grown Kona poured with care, and cozy café stops that pair beautifully with an açaí bowl or a buttery kouign-amann. The tricky part? Knowing which ones are worth hunting down vs. which ones are just convenient.
This guide covers the best coffee shops in Waikiki right now — with specific addresses, honest order recommendations, and the kind of “local tip” info that saves you a wasted morning.
The Top 3 Best Coffee Shops in Waikiki
If you only have time to hit one or two cafés on your trip, these are the ones that come up over and over — from travel blogs to locals’ group chats. Each one serves a slightly different need, so read the descriptions before you commit.
One important update before we dive in: Gorilla in the Café is permanently closed. It was a well-loved stop for years, and you’ll still find it mentioned on older lists — but it’s gone. The three picks below are all currently open and operating as of 2026.
1. Kona Coffee Purveyors — The Craft Coffee Destination
If you want a true destination coffee experience in Waikiki, Kona Coffee Purveyors is the name you’ll hear most often — usually followed by “go early.” Located inside the International Market Place at 2330 Kalakaua Ave #160, it’s famous for carefully sourced Kona coffee and pastries made in partnership with San Francisco’s beloved b. patisserie. Yes, that b. patisserie. It’s a big deal.
The espresso drinks are made with their signature Waikiki espresso blend, and you can upgrade to 100% Kona espresso if you want to taste what makes Hawaiian coffee so special. On the pastry side, the kouign-amann (including a black sesame version) and seasonal croissants are consistently the first things to sell out. This is very much a “coffee as craft” experience — great if you love tasting notes, care about sourcing, and want something more elevated than a grab-and-go cup.
- Best order: 100% Kona espresso drink + any kouign-amann option
- Location: International Market Place, 2330 Kalakaua Ave #160
- Local tip: Popular items can sell out by mid-morning — if pastries matter, go early
2. Honolulu Coffee — Farm-to-Cup at the Moana Surfrider
Honolulu Coffee has been a Hawaii institution since 1992. What sets it apart from a typical coffee chain is that they actually own a farm on the slopes of Mauna Loa — so “farm-to-cup” here isn’t marketing language, it’s literal. For Waikiki visitors, the most iconic stop is inside the Moana Surfrider, which puts you right off Kalakaua with a perfect sip-and-stroll situation.
This one is approachable. You don’t need to be a coffee nerd to enjoy it, but the Kona credentials are real. It pairs beautifully with a “slow morning” energy — quiet, calm, with that historic hotel lobby vibe that makes you feel like you’re actually on vacation. Order a Kona pour-over if you want to understand what Kona coffee is all about, or grab a seasonal latte and something from their bakery case.
- Best order: Kona pour-over or a seasonal latte + a bakery treat
- Location: Moana Surfrider, 2365 Kalakaua Ave (plus other nearby locations)
- Local tip: Great choice when you want a calmer sit-down coffee moment between beach time and dinner plans
3. Island Vintage Coffee — Coffee + Açaí Bowl Combo Stop
If your ideal Waikiki morning involves coffee in one hand and an island breakfast in the other, Island Vintage Coffee is your move. Their Waikiki location sits at Royal Hawaiian Center Level 2 (2301 Kalakaua Ave #C215) — central, easy, and always busy for a reason.
The menu is built for groups with different agendas: coffee lovers, açaí bowl seekers, and anyone who wants a proper island breakfast before hitting the beach. Their açaí bowls are genuinely photo-worthy and filling enough to carry you through a full morning of activity. Espresso drinks are solid. The vibe is bright and casual — not a lingering-laptop kind of spot, but a great energizing start to the day. If you’re traveling with family or friends who can’t agree on what they want for breakfast, Island Vintage is the diplomatic solution.
- Best order: Latte or classic espresso drink + an açaí bowl
- Location: Royal Hawaiian Center Level 2, 2301 Kalakaua Ave #C215
- Local tip: Gets busy mid-morning — aim to arrive before 9 AM if you hate waiting
For your broader Waikiki food planning, our guide to the best Waikiki breakfast spots pairs well with this — it covers sit-down options and quick-eat favorites that work alongside a café morning.
More Great Coffee Shops in Waikiki Worth Knowing
Three isn’t always enough — especially if you’re staying a full week or just happen to walk past something that catches your eye. Here are four more Waikiki coffee stops that deserve a mention.
- Kai Coffee Hawaii — Multiple locations throughout Waikiki, including spots near major hotels. Perfect for a quick, no-fuss coffee on your way to the beach. Consistent, reliable, and easy to find.
- Knots Coffee Roasters — Located in the Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel lobby, this one has a café-meets-wine-bar energy that’s great for a late-morning coffee with a bit more character. Worth a stop if you’re wandering toward Kapiolani Park.
- Halekulani Bakery — Excellent specialty coffee paired with exceptional pastries, but note that it operates mornings only. If you love a beautiful breakfast-bakery experience, this one punches above its weight.
- The Sunrise Shack (Outrigger Waikiki) — A fun, beachy grab-and-go stop with bright, happy energy. Not a serious espresso bar, but exactly right when you want something cheerful before a surf session.
Looking to build a full morning around food and coffee? Check out our complete Waikiki dining guide for restaurant recommendations across every meal and mood.
How to Choose the Right Waikiki Coffee Shop for Your Morning
The “best” coffee shop in Waikiki depends entirely on what you’re trying to accomplish. Before you commit to a 20-minute walk, ask yourself a quick question:
- Quick grab-and-go before the beach: Kai Coffee or Honolulu Coffee (fast, no fuss)
- Coffee + pastry pilgrimage: Kona Coffee Purveyors (go early, bring patience, leave happy)
- Coffee + island breakfast: Island Vintage Coffee (solid all-in-one morning stop)
- Calm sit-down reset: Honolulu Coffee at the Moana Surfrider (historic, unhurried vibe)
- Something with character off the main drag: Knots Coffee Roasters or Halekulani Bakery
Also: always scan the menu before you go. Nothing derails a morning faster than showing up with your laptop and big plans only to find out they have two sizes of drip coffee and zero latte options. Most of the spots above have menus posted online, and it’s worth a 30-second check if you have specific expectations.
Planning a longer stay? Our 5-day Waikiki itinerary maps out where to slot coffee stops throughout a full week — it’s a helpful framework if you want your mornings to actually flow.
What Makes Kona Coffee Special (And Why It Matters Here)
You’ll see “Kona coffee” everywhere in Waikiki, so it’s worth knowing what you’re actually looking at. Kona coffee is grown on the slopes of Hualālai and Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona Districts on Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island). The combination of volcanic soil, elevation, and climate creates conditions that produce some of the most distinctive — and expensive — coffee in the world.
The catch: not everything labeled “Kona” is 100% Kona beans. Hawaii’s labeling rules require blends to disclose the percentage of Hawaiʻi-grown coffee and the origin of the rest. A “Kona blend” might contain only a small percentage of actual Kona beans. If you want the real thing, look specifically for “100% Kona” on the label or menu, and pay attention to sourcing transparency. Kona Coffee Purveyors and Honolulu Coffee both lean heavily into this — they’re good places to taste what the fuss is actually about.
If you want to take some home, most of the cafés listed above sell whole-bean bags. Kona coffee makes one of the better Waikiki souvenirs — lightweight, delicious, and a tangible memory of the trip every morning after you’re back home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best coffee shops in Waikiki right now?
The top picks for 2026 are Kona Coffee Purveyors (International Market Place), Honolulu Coffee (Moana Surfrider and nearby locations), and Island Vintage Coffee (Royal Hawaiian Center). All three are currently open and consistently well-reviewed. Kai Coffee, Knots Coffee Roasters, Halekulani Bakery, and The Sunrise Shack at Outrigger Waikiki round out the honorable mention list.
Is Gorilla in the Café still open in Waikiki?
No — Gorilla in the Café has permanently closed. It’s still listed on older blog posts and travel sites, but the Waikiki location is no longer operating. The three primary picks in this guide are all currently open as of 2026.
Where can I get 100% Kona coffee in Waikiki?
Kona Coffee Purveyors is your best bet for a 100% Kona espresso experience — they’re transparent about their sourcing and offer upgrades to single-origin Kona shots. Honolulu Coffee also serves Kona from their own farm. If you’re buying beans to take home, look specifically for “100% Kona” labeling, not just “Kona blend.”
What Waikiki coffee shop is best for breakfast too?
Island Vintage Coffee is the go-to if you want coffee and a full island breakfast in one stop — their açaí bowls are popular and filling. Kona Coffee Purveyors is the move if your “breakfast” is really just excellent pastries from b. patisserie alongside a great espresso. Halekulani Bakery is also worth mentioning for its morning-only pastry and specialty coffee experience.
Are there coffee shops in Waikiki with good wifi for working?
This changes, so it’s always worth confirming before you settle in. In general, Honolulu Coffee tends to be a calmer environment suited to working, and some Kai Coffee locations have workspace-friendly setups. Island Vintage Coffee and Kona Coffee Purveyors tend to be higher-traffic and faster-paced — better for a quick stop than a long laptop session.
How much does coffee cost in Waikiki?
Expect to pay Waikiki prices — which means slightly above mainland averages. A standard latte typically runs $6–$9. Specialty drinks (like a 100% Kona espresso upgrade) can push higher. Pastries at Kona Coffee Purveyors are priced in line with upscale bakeries, usually $5–$9 each. Budget travelers should note that hotel lobby coffee and convenience stores exist, but for a genuine café experience, plan on $12–$18 for a drink and a pastry at most spots on this list.
Final Thoughts
Waikiki’s coffee scene is genuinely good — and it keeps getting better. Between the craft-focused experience at Kona Coffee Purveyors, the farm-to-cup story at Honolulu Coffee, and the convenient breakfast-and-coffee combo at Island Vintage Coffee, you have solid options no matter what your morning looks like. Add in the honorable mentions and you’ve got enough variety to make coffee-hunting a small but delightful part of your trip.