Coffee people have a ritual, and it doesn’t pause for vacation. The moment you land somewhere new, the search begins: where’s the good coffee? In Waikiki, that question has genuinely great answers — and a few places that will make you wish you’d booked a longer stay just to work through the list.
The good news is that Waikiki’s café scene has grown well past the hotel lobby coffee maker. There’s craft espresso from award-winning roasters, island-grown Kona poured with real intention, and cozy stops that pair perfectly with an açaí bowl or a James Beard-winning kouign-amann. The tricky part? Knowing which ones are worth hunting down versus which ones are just convenient. This guide covers the best coffee shops in Waikiki right now — with specific addresses, honest order picks, confirmed hours, and the kind of “local tip” details that save 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 again and again — from travel blogs to locals’ group chats. Each one serves a different morning need, so read the descriptions before you commit.
One important update before diving in: Gorilla in the Café is permanently closed. It was a well-loved stop for years, and you’ll still find it on older lists — but it’s gone. All three picks below are 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 answer — and the name you’ll hear most from people who actually know their coffee. Located inside the International Market Place at 2330 Kalakaua Ave, Suite 160, they’re open daily 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and famous for carefully sourced Kona coffee and pastries made in partnership with San Francisco’s b. patisserie — home of James Beard Award-winning croissants and kouign-amann. That last detail matters more than it sounds.
Espresso drinks are built around their signature Waikiki blend, with the option to upgrade to 100% Kona espresso if you want to taste what makes Hawaiian coffee worth the conversation. On the pastry side, the kouign-amann and seasonal croissants tend to sell out well before noon — this is very much a “go early or go home” situation. If you love tasting notes, care about sourcing, and want an elevated experience rather than a grab-and-go cup, this is your place.
- Best order: 100% Kona espresso drink + any kouign-amann option
- Location: International Market Place, 2330 Kalakaua Ave, Suite 160
- Hours: Daily 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Local tip: Popular pastries sell out by mid-morning — if pastries matter to you, aim for 8 a.m. or earlier
2. Honolulu Coffee — Farm-to-Cup at the Moana Surfrider
Honolulu Coffee has genuine agricultural roots: they own a farm on the slopes of Mauna Loa on the Big Island, which means “farm-to-cup” here isn’t a marketing tagline — it’s just how their coffee gets made. For Waikiki visitors, the most iconic stop is inside the Moana Surfrider at 2365 Kalakaua Ave, which puts you steps from the beach in a historic hotel that feels like the real Waikiki experience.
This one is approachable. You don’t need to be a coffee nerd to enjoy it, but the Kona credentials are real. It’s the right pick when you want slow-morning energy — calm, unhurried, with that historic hotel vibe that reminds you you’re actually on vacation and not just running errands on a different island. Order a Kona pour-over if you want to understand what all the Kona fuss is about, or grab a seasonal latte and something from the bakery case and find a spot near the water.
- Best order: Kona pour-over or seasonal latte + a bakery item
- Location: Moana Surfrider, 2365 Kalakaua Ave (plus other nearby Waikiki locations)
- Local tip: Perfect between beach sessions when you want to sit and reset rather than rush
3. Island Vintage Coffee — Coffee + Açaí Bowl Combo Stop
If your ideal Waikiki morning involves coffee in one hand and a proper island breakfast in the other, Island Vintage Coffee is your move. Their Waikiki location is at Royal Hawaiian Center, Level 2 (2301 Kalakaua Ave, #C215) — central, easy to find, and consistently busy for good reason.
The menu is built for groups with different agendas: coffee lovers, açaí bowl seekers, and anyone who just wants a real 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 “linger with a 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 breakfast, Island Vintage Coffee is the diplomatic solution every time.
- Best order: Latte or classic espresso + an açaí bowl
- Location: Royal Hawaiian Center, Level 2, 2301 Kalakaua Ave #C215
- Local tip: Aim to arrive before 9 a.m. if you hate waiting — mid-morning gets crowded fast
For more ideas on starting your Waikiki mornings right, our guide to the best Waikiki breakfast restaurants covers sit-down spots and quick-eat favorites that pair perfectly with a café morning.
Four More Waikiki Coffee Shops Worth Your Time
Three cafés aren’t always enough — especially if you’re staying a full week and curious about everything. Here are four more Waikiki coffee stops that deserve more than just a name on a list.
Kai Coffee Hawaii
Kai Coffee has multiple locations scattered through Waikiki, including spots near several major hotels. If you’re staying anywhere near the Hyatt Regency corridor, there’s a good chance one is within easy walking distance. The vibe is fast and reliable — no wait for a complicated single-origin pour-over, no pretense. Just a solid cup made quickly and consistently. Several locations have workspace-friendly setups if you need to get a little work done while caffeinating. For a grab-and-go before the beach or a quick coffee between activities, Kai Coffee is consistently the easiest yes on this list.
Knots Coffee Roasters
Located in the lobby of the Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel, Knots has a café-meets-wine-bar energy that doesn’t feel like any other coffee stop in Waikiki. It’s worth a visit if you’re wandering the Kapiolani Park end of the neighborhood — the character here is distinct and a little unexpected. If you want something that feels slightly off the usual tourist path without actually going off the tourist path, Knots fits that description well.
Halekulani Bakery
Halekulani Bakery is the overachiever on this list: specialty coffee paired with exceptional pastries, operating mornings only. If a beautiful breakfast-bakery experience is your thing, this one punches well above its weight. The catch is the limited window — get there early or you’ll miss both the pastries and the mood. It’s a particularly strong option if you’re staying at or near the Halekulani, where it becomes the obvious first stop before anything else on the day’s agenda.
The Sunrise Shack at the Outrigger Waikiki
The Sunrise Shack is not trying to be a serious espresso bar, and that’s entirely the point. The vibe is cheerful, beachy, and grab-and-go — a fun choice before a surf session or an early morning swim. Think açaí smoothies, cold brew, and a general “we’re in Hawaii and it’s genuinely great” energy. Not where you go to discuss tasting notes. Where you go when all you want is something cold and uplifting to hold while you walk toward the ocean. It earns that role well.
If you end up exploring the International Market Place while you’re visiting Kona Coffee Purveyors, our Waikiki shopping guide has the full rundown of what else is worth your time inside the mall and beyond.
How to Match the Right Coffee Shop to Your Morning
The best Waikiki coffee shop depends on what you’re actually trying to accomplish. Before you commit to a 20-minute walk across the neighborhood, ask yourself one quick question: what does this morning actually need?
- Quick grab-and-go before the beach: Kai Coffee or Honolulu Coffee — fast, reliable, zero fuss
- Coffee + exceptional pastry: Kona Coffee Purveyors — go early, bring patience, leave very happy
- Coffee + island breakfast: Island Vintage Coffee — the all-in-one morning solution
- Calm sit-down reset: Honolulu Coffee at the Moana Surfrider — historic, unhurried, lovely
- Something with personality off the main drag: Knots Coffee Roasters or Halekulani Bakery
One practical tip worth repeating: check the menu online before you commit to the walk. Most places post current menus on their websites or Google Business profiles, and 30 seconds of research prevents a wasted morning. Nothing ruins a slow vacation start faster than arriving somewhere with high expectations and discovering they have two sizes of drip coffee and no latte options.
Planning a longer stay? Our 5-day Waikiki itinerary maps out a full framework for the week — including where morning coffee stops fit naturally without eating into beach time or tour bookings.
What Makes Kona Coffee Special (And Why It Matters Here)
You’ll see “Kona coffee” on menus all over Waikiki, so it’s worth understanding what you’re actually ordering before you spend extra for the upgrade. Kona coffee is grown in the North and South Kona Districts on Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island), on the slopes of Hualālai and Mauna Loa. The combination of volcanic soil, elevation, and the island’s distinct microclimate creates growing conditions that produce some of the most distinctive — and expensive — coffee in the world. It’s not just a regional branding exercise; there’s a real agricultural reason serious coffee people talk about Kona the way wine people talk about specific appellations.
The important catch: not everything labeled “Kona” is 100% Kona beans. Hawaii state labeling rules require blends to disclose the percentage of Hawaiʻi-grown coffee and the origin of the remaining beans — which means a “Kona blend” might legally contain only a small fraction of actual Kona coffee. If you want the real thing, look specifically for “100% Kona” on the label or menu, and pay attention to how the café describes its sourcing. Kona Coffee Purveyors and Honolulu Coffee are both transparent about where their beans come from — they’re the right places to understand what the Kona conversation is really about.
And if you want to take some home, most of the cafés on this list sell whole-bean bags to go. Kona coffee makes one of the better Waikiki souvenirs — lightweight in your luggage, genuinely good, and a tangible morning memory of the trip for weeks after you’re back. When you’re buying a bag, “100% Kona” on the label is the key phrase. Don’t settle for a blend if you want the real thing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee Shops in Waikiki
What are the best coffee shops in Waikiki right now?
The top three for 2026 are Kona Coffee Purveyors at the International Market Place, Honolulu Coffee at the Moana Surfrider, and Island Vintage Coffee at Royal Hawaiian Center. All three are currently open and consistently well-reviewed. Kai Coffee Hawaii, Knots Coffee Roasters, Halekulani Bakery, and The Sunrise Shack at the Outrigger Waikiki round out the full list.
Is Gorilla in the Café still open in Waikiki?
No — Gorilla in the Café has permanently closed. It’s still mentioned on older travel lists and blog posts, but the Waikiki location is no longer operating. All seven picks in this guide are currently open as of 2026.
Where can I get 100% Kona coffee in Waikiki?
Kona Coffee Purveyors is the strongest pick for a 100% Kona espresso experience — they’re transparent about sourcing and offer single-origin Kona upgrades on their espresso drinks. Honolulu Coffee also serves Kona grown on their own Big Island farm. If you’re buying beans to take home, look specifically for “100% Kona” on the label rather than a generic “Kona blend,” which may contain only a small percentage of actual Kona beans.
Which Waikiki coffee shop is best for breakfast too?
Island Vintage Coffee is the go-to for coffee plus a full island breakfast in one stop — their açaí bowls are popular, filling, and worth the trip on their own. If your breakfast is really just excellent pastries alongside an excellent espresso, Kona Coffee Purveyors handles that beautifully. Halekulani Bakery is also worth noting for its morning-only pastry and specialty coffee experience.
Are there Waikiki coffee shops with good wifi for working remotely?
This changes frequently, so it’s always worth confirming before you settle in with a laptop. Honolulu Coffee tends to be a calmer environment that suits working, and some Kai Coffee locations have workspace-friendly setups. Island Vintage Coffee and Kona Coffee Purveyors tend to run at a higher pace — better for a quick stop than a long session.
How much does coffee cost in Waikiki?
Plan on Waikiki prices — slightly above mainland averages. A standard latte typically runs $6–$9. Specialty drinks like a 100% Kona espresso upgrade push higher. Pastries at Kona Coffee Purveyors are priced in line with upscale bakeries, usually $5–$9 each. Budget $12–$18 for a drink and a pastry at most spots on this list and you won’t be caught off guard.
Final Thoughts
Waikiki’s coffee scene has earned its reputation — and it keeps getting better. Whether you’re after the craft-focused experience at Kona Coffee Purveyors, the farm-to-cup story at Honolulu Coffee, or the all-in-one convenience of Island Vintage Coffee, there’s a morning here that fits your style. Go early, try the Kona, and bring a bag home. You’ll thank yourself every morning after you’re back. For a full picture of where to eat and drink throughout your stay, our complete Waikiki dining guide has everything else covered.