11 Best Coffee Shops Near Waikiki Beach (2026 Local Guide)

You have landed in Honolulu, the sun is already blazing at 7 AM, and you need a good cup of coffee before you hit the beach. Searching for the best coffee shops near Waikiki Beach? The problem is real you are surrounded by hotel buffets, chain smoothie bars, and tourist traps that charge $9 for mediocre drip coffee.

Here’s the good news that Waikiki coffee shops are some of the best you will find anywhere in the United States and most of them are within walking distance of your hotel and Waikiki Restaurants.

The best coffee shops near Waikiki Beach include Kona Coffee Purveyors, Island Vintage Coffee, Kai Coffee Hawaii, Honolulu Coffee, and Bean About Town. Most are within a 5-minute walk of the shoreline and serve locally grown Hawaiian Kona coffee alongside tropical-inspired drinks.

Hawaii is one of the only places in the country where coffee is commercially grown. That means when you order a latte in Waikiki, there’s a real chance those beans were harvested just a few miles away, on the slopes of volcanic mountains, then roasted locally before landing in your cup. That’s a farm-to-cup experience you simply can not replicate in Chicago or New York.

This guide covers the 11 best coffee shops near Waikiki Beach with honest descriptions, addresses, price ranges, what to order and who each spot is best suited for. Whether you are a specialty coffee nerd, a casual tourist or traveling with kids, you will find your perfect Waikiki café here.

What Makes Hawaiian Coffee Different?

Before we dive into the best spots, it helps to understand why Kona coffee Waikiki menus look a little different from what you are used to back home.

Hawaii produces coffee across several regions, but Kona on the Big Island is the most famous. Grown at elevation in volcanic soil, Kona beans develop a naturally smooth, low-acid profile with notes of chocolate, honey and light fruit. It is not bitter. It is not harsh. It’s genuinely excellent coffee.

You will also see Ka’u coffee on some menus. Grown in the southern part of the Big Island, Ka’u is often called Kona’s quieter, more complex sibling. It’s worth trying if you spot it.

And then there’s macadamia nut milk Hawaii’s answer to oat milk. Since the islands produce around 40 million pounds of macadamia nuts each year, a lot of local cafés use mac nut milk as a natural, creamy dairy alternative. The macadamia nut latte has become a signature Waikiki drink that you really can’t get this authentically anywhere on the mainland.

Keep an eye out for these other Hawaiian café terms:

• Taro latte – Made with taro root, earthy and slightly sweet, purple in color
• Vietnamese-style coffee – Strong drip coffee brewed through a phin filter, served over condensed milk
• Cold brew with sea salt – A popular Waikiki spin, usually finished with black lava salt

The 11 Best Coffee Shops Near Waikiki Beach

1. Kona Coffee Purveyors – Best Overall

If you only visit one coffee shop in Waikiki make it this one.

Located inside the International Marketplace on Kalākaua Avenue, Kona Coffee Purveyors was founded by Raymond and Jackie Suiter, who source their beans directly from Kona farmers on the Big Island. The coffee is grown, picked, processed and roasted entirely in Hawaii about as local as it gets.

The espresso drinks are exceptional: clean, balanced, and full of flavor without any of the bitterness you might expect. The flat white is a local favorite. The latte is silky. But the real reason people line up here? The pastries.

Kona Coffee Purveyors partners with b. patisserie a James Beard Award-winning bakery from San Francisco to produce baked goods daily on-site. The kouign-amann (a buttery, caramelized Breton cake) is consistently described as one of the best pastries on the island. The pineapple coconut almond croissant is equally stunning.

Expect a line in the mornings, especially on weekends. Get there early or visit closer to closing to skip the wait.

Address: 2330 Kalākaua Ave #160, Honolulu, HI 96815 (Kuhio Avenue Mall Entrance – International Marketplace) Hours: Daily, typically 7 AM – 6 PM
Price Range: $6–$12 for drinks, $5–$9 for pastries
Best for: Coffee purists, pastry lovers, couples

2. Island Vintage Coffee – Best for Breakfast + Coffee Combo

Island Vintage Coffee Waikiki is the spot for travelers who want to eat and caffeinate at the same time and do not want to leave disappointed on either front.

This Waikiki staple opens before 7 AM, making it a lifesaver for jet-lagged East Coasters who wake up at 4 AM local time and need something to do. The menu is expansive: acai bowls, breakfast plates, poke, bagels, and vegan options alongside their full coffee bar.

The Hawaiian Honey Latte is the drink to order here a sweetened latte made with local honey that’s become almost iconic among tourists. But if you are feeling adventurous, try the Mauna Kea Iced Coffee: Kona coffee poured over ice with black lava sea salt and a scoop of coconut, vanilla, or macadamia gelato. Yes, really.

Island Vintage Coffee has multiple locations across Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island, but the Waikiki spot is the busiest and most tourist-friendly. Lines can get long mid-morning, so arrive before 8:30 AM or after noon.

Address: 2301 Kalākaua Ave #C215, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Daily from 6:30 AM
Price Range: $6–$10 for drinks, $10–$20 for food
Best for: Families, brunch crowds, travelers who skip hotel breakfast

3. Kai Coffee Hawaii – Best for Grab and Go

Kai Coffee Hawaii is Waikiki’s most accessible local chain with five locations scattered around the neighborhood, including spots inside the Hyatt Regency and near Kalākaua Avenue shopping areas. Wherever you are in Waikiki beach, you are probably a short walk from a Kai Coffee.

This is a grab-and-go operation done right. The drinks are crafted from small-batch Hawaiian coffee farms, and the menu covers all your classics: cappuccinos, cold brews, flat whites, and cortados. But the drink that puts Kai on the map is the Kai Latte two shots of espresso with steamed macadamia nut milk, lightly sweet, smooth, and utterly Hawaiian.

They also offer breakfast wraps and light bites if you need something quick before heading to the beach. The packaging is beautiful too their bags of fresh ground coffee make some of the best souvenirs you can bring home from Oahu.

Multiple Waikiki locations including Hyatt Regency, 2424 Kalākaua Ave #129
Hours: Daily from 6:30 AM
Price Range: $5–$9
Best for: Solo travelers, early beach-goers, anyone needing a quick caffeine fix

4. Honolulu Coffee – Best Legacy Brand

Honolulu Coffee has been roasting and serving Kona coffee in Hawaii for over 30 years. Their beans are grown on the slopes of Mauna Loa in volcanic soil, then roasted right in Honolulu. With four Waikiki locations including spots inside the Moana Surfrider and Sheraton Waikiki they are nearly impossible to miss.

The coffee is excellent and consistent. If you want to taste what Hawaii’s coffee culture has been built on, this is the place. Add a shot of local vanilla to your latte it’s a staff recommendation that almost everyone leaves happy about.

The Honolulu Coffee Rewards Program is worth signing up for: you earn points per dollar spent and get birthday perks. Useful if you are planning to visit more than once (which you will).

Multiple locations including Moana Surfrider, Prince Waikiki, Sheraton Waikiki
Price Range: $5–$10
Best for: Hotel guests, rewards-program lovers, Kona coffee purists

5. Bean About Town – Best Specialty Coffee Experience

Bean About Town is the pick for true coffee nerds. Originally founded in London, owner Oliver Vetter expanded to Honolulu and brought a distinctly non-touristy approach to the Waikiki café scene.

Located at DFS Waikiki on Royal Hawaiian Avenue, Bean About Town serves Sightglass Coffee beans from San Francisco in classic espresso drinks alongside specialty lattes like lavender, charcoal, matcha, and chai. It’s one of the only places in Waikiki doing proper Aussie-style toasties to pair with your flat white.

The vibe is calm, minimal, and decidedly local which is refreshing in a neighborhood full of loud tourist venues. Regulars swear by this as their everyday café, and the flat white is consistently described as one of the smoothest in the area.

Address: 330 Royal Hawaiian Ave, DFS Waikiki
Price Range: $6–$11
Best for: Specialty coffee lovers, remote workers, solo travelers

6. Knots Coffee Roasters – Best Open-Air Café

Across from the Honolulu Zoo in the Queen Kapiolani Hotel, Knots Coffee Roasters offers something rare in Waikiki: a genuinely relaxed, open-air café atmosphere that does not feel like it’s in a rush.

They roast their own beans locally and serve a full café menu alongside beer, wine, and a house-made Mai Tai making it a great morning-to-evening spot. The grab-and-go options are perfect for beach and park picnics. They are also one of the few dog-friendly cafés in the area, which earns serious bonus points with traveling pet owners.

The monthly coffee membership ($35/month for unlimited coffee) is designed for locals, but it tells you something about the community this café has built.

Address: Queen Kapiolani Hotel, 150 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Price Range: $5–$10
Best for: Dog owners, park-goers, evening café drinkers

7. Halekulani Bakery – Best Hidden Gem

This one flies under the radar, and that’s exactly what makes it special.

The Halekulani Bakery sits across the street from the iconic House Without a Key bar on the Halekulani hotel property. It’s a full European-style patisserie that also serves exceptional Hawaiian coffee. The cappuccinos are beautifully made, and the baked goods think taro-infused items, coconut pastries, and pineapple banana bread are among the most refined on the island.

The space itself is stunning: all-white walls, glass accents, and a communal wood table that makes it one of the few Waikiki cafés genuinely suited to working on a laptop. It’s quiet, elegant and often overlooked by tourists who don’t know to look for it.

Address: 2199 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815 (Halekulani Hotel)
Hours: Typically closes at 2:30 PM
Price Range: $6–$14
Best for: Luxury travelers, remote workers, food-focused tourists

8. Arvo Café – Best for Avocado Toast & Trendy Vibes

Arvo Café has two Waikiki-area locations and a reputation built on three things: excellent coffee, next-level avocado toast, and an atmosphere that photographs beautifully.

Their drink menu leans creative the charcoal latte and strawberry guava mint iced tea regularly make it onto visitor highlight reels. Their toast options run from classic Nutella to smoked salmon to meatball-topped, which sounds strange but works surprisingly well.

This is the café for Instagram-focused travelers or anyone who appreciates a well-designed space with genuinely good food attached. It has an Aussie café energy casual, fresh and flavor-forward.

Price Range: $6–$11
Best for: Social media travelers, groups, brunch enthusiasts

9. Sunrise Shack Waikiki – Best Beach-Adjacent Spot

Steps from Waikiki Beach itself, Sunrise Shack is the go-to for travelers who want their coffee with a side of surf culture.

Their specialty is the bulletproof coffee brewed coffee blended with MCT oil and grass-fed butter for a smooth, energizing drink with zero jitteriness. It’s become a cult item for keto travelers and fitness-focused visitors. They also do excellent acai bowls and smoothies for a full pre-beach fuel-up.

The vibe is casual, outdoorsy, and quick. Do not come here for a quiet sit-down; come here to grab and go before your surf lesson.

Price Range: $7–$12
Best for: Active travelers, keto/health-focused visitors, early beach crowd

10. Ali’i Coffee Co. – Best Local-Feeling Spot

With two Waikiki locations, Ali’i Coffee Co. is a hidden gem that feels less touristy than many of its neighbors. The Hawaiian Latte espresso with macadamia nut milk and a touch of local honey is the drink that keeps regulars coming back.

The cozy atmosphere and friendly service make it the kind of place where you can actually slow down and enjoy your coffee rather than rushing through. It’s popular with both locals and in-the-know tourists.

Price Range: $5–$9
Best for: Repeat visitors, locals, travelers who want to avoid tourist crowds

11. Hideout at The Laylow – Best for Hotel Terrace Coffee

For coffee with a view and a boutique hotel atmosphere, Hideout at The Laylow hotel on Kuhio Avenue is a worthwhile detour. Their open-air terrace is a genuinely pleasant place to sit with an espresso drink and decompress from the Waikiki hustle.

It functions as café, bar, and restaurant all in one so you can grab a morning coffee and transition to a sunset cocktail without leaving the property.

Address: The Laylow, Autograph Collection, 2299 Kūhiō Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Price Range: $6–$12
Best for: Boutique hotel travelers, sunset coffee drinkers

Quick Comparison Table

Best Coffee Shop by Traveler Type

Traveling solo and working remotely? Head to Halekulani Bakery or Bean About Town. Both have calm atmospheres and Wi-Fi, and won’t rush you out the door.

Traveling with kids? Island Vintage Coffee is your best bet — the food menu is extensive, the acai bowls are kid-approved, and the space accommodates strollers and larger groups.

Fitness-focused traveler? Sunrise Shack’s bulletproof coffee and clean breakfast bowls are made for you.

On a budget? Kai Coffee or Ali’i Coffee Co. consistently deliver great drinks under $8.

Want the most authentic Hawaiian coffee experience? Kona Coffee Purveyors, full stop.

What to Order: Hawaiian Coffee Drinks Explained

Walking into a Honolulu café near Waikiki for the first time can be slightly overwhelming if you’ve never seen macadamia nut milk or taro lattes on a menu before. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Macadamia Nut Latte — Espresso with steamed mac nut milk. Creamy, slightly sweet, and nutty. The quintessential Waikiki coffee order.

Hawaiian Honey Latte — Espresso, steamed milk, and local Hawaiian honey. Simple, sweet, and crowd-pleasing.

Mauna Kea Iced Coffee — Kona coffee, black lava sea salt, and a scoop of tropical gelato. An Island Vintage Coffee signature.

Bulletproof Coffee — Coffee blended with MCT oil and butter. Smooth, rich, and great for sustained energy without a crash.

Taro Latte — Espresso with taro powder and milk. Earthy, purple, and mildly sweet.

Kai Latte — Macadamia nut milk latte from Kai Coffee. Two shots of espresso, not overly sweet, perfectly balanced.

Common Mistakes Tourists Make

Showing up at 9 AM on a Saturday. The most popular spots especially Kona Coffee Purveyors and Island Vintage Coffee have significant lines from about 8:30 AM to 11 AM on weekends. Arrive before 8 AM or plan a mid-afternoon visit.

Ordering drip coffee at a specialty café. If you’re at Kona Coffee Purveyors or Bean About Town, branch out. These places are built around espresso-based drinks and Hawaiian specialty brews. Drip coffee undersells the experience.

Skipping the food. Nearly every top café on this list serves exceptional food alongside their coffee. Leaving without trying a pastry at Kona Coffee Purveyors or an acai bowl at Island Vintage Coffee is a real missed opportunity.

Ignoring non-Waikiki options. If you have a rental car or are willing to take a 15-minute ride, Kaimuki and Kakaako have a thriving independent café scene spots like Morning Glass Coffee, TRY Coffee, and Arvo’s original Kakaako location give you a more local, residential feel.

Only going once. Seriously. The best strategy is to try a different café each morning. You have enough options to do something new every single day of a week-long trip.

Expert Tips for Coffee Lovers in Waikiki

Buy beans to bring home. Kai Coffee and Honolulu Coffee both sell beautiful packaged bags of Hawaiian beans. They make excellent gifts and last well in a carry-on. Kona coffee is typically around $25–$45 for a bag of quality beans significantly cheaper than buying it online stateside.

Ask about single-origin options. At Kona Coffee Purveyors and Honolulu Coffee, the staff can often walk you through what farm a batch came from and what flavor notes to expect. It’s a genuinely cool experience if you enjoy learning about coffee origins.

Visit the Honolulu Coffee roasting facility. It has a walk-up window and offers some of the freshest coffee on the island, since you’re getting it right at the source.

Try the coffee, then try it again iced. Kona coffee is excellent both hot and iced, but the cold brew and iced versions tend to amplify the smoothness and reduce any bitterness even further. On a hot Waikiki morning, an iced macadamia latte is genuinely one of life’s pleasures.

Conclusion

Waikiki is known for surf, sunsets, and the slow magic of Hawaiian mornings and its coffee scene fits right into that rhythm. Whether you are after the island’s finest Kona beans, a creative macadamia nut latte, or just a good espresso before you hit the sand, you won’t struggle to find it here.

If you only have time for one stop, go to Kona Coffee Purveyors. If you want breakfast with your coffee, head to Island Vintage Coffee. If you need a quick grab-and-go, Kai Coffee Hawaii will never let you down.

The best advice? Don’t limit yourself to one. Waikiki’s café culture is one of its most underrated pleasures, and with eleven outstanding options within walking distance of the beach, there’s no reason not to try a different one every morning of your trip.

Your perfect cup of Hawaiian coffee is waiting. Go find it.