Coffee in Hawaii is more of a culture than a morning routine, and the Kailua coffee shop scene is one of the better places on Oahu to experience that firsthand. Kailua sits on the island’s Windward side, about 12 miles from Honolulu across the Ko’olau Mountains, and it has a personality that’s entirely its own. What started as a quiet beach town has become one of the most visited spots on the island, but Kailua has held onto its local character in a way that most popular places don’t. The phrase “Keep Kailua local” isn’t just a bumper sticker. It reflects something real about how the community operates, and the coffee shops in Kailua are a good example of that. You won’t find much interest in the big chains here.
Hawaii is one of the few places in the United States that actually grows coffee. Kona, on the Big Island, is the best known growing region, with mineral-rich volcanic soil and afternoon rain showers that create ideal conditions for the crop. Coffee has been part of the Hawaiian economy and identity for generations, and that seriousness carries through to the cafes you’ll find around Kailua Town, whether through sourcing, roasting, or simply the care that goes into each cup.
A practical note worth keeping in mind: a number of Kailua coffee shops are closed on Mondays or keep limited weekday hours. It’s worth checking hours before you go.
ChadLou’s Coffee Roasters
Latte lovers, this one’s for you. ChadLou’s Coffee is a local and independent coffee company that serves high-quality, farm to cup coffee. And when I say high-quality, I mean it. They serve up some of the best coffee in Kailua. ChadLou’s coffee shop only offers outdoor seating, but each table has an umbrella that offers refuge from the sun. Besides, who wants to spend their entire day indoors when traveling to Hawaii? While you can’t go wrong ordering anything from ChadLou’s menu, their lattes are definitely worth a try. There’s the Kula Latte (latte with lavender and vanilla), the Mānoa Chocolate Mocha latte (Mānoa Chocolate combined with ChadLou’s local espresso), and the Honu latte (latte with caramel and Macadamia nut flavored sweetener).
Owners Matt & Sheila Rosete grew up in Kailua and have experience growing, roasting, and brewing coffee. And this love for coffee shows when you walk thru their door into what has become one of the best coffee shops in Kailua.
Morning Brew
Morning Brew has been serving Kailua since 1995, founded by high school sweethearts Debbie and Pete, who grew up together in Honolulu before coming back to the island to open the cafe they always dreamed about. It has the feel of a place that knows exactly what it is: large windows, high ceilings, local art on the walls, and a crowd that includes everyone from remote workers to families grabbing breakfast before the beach.
The menu covers breakfast and lunch all day, with vegan and gluten-free options throughout. The espresso iced blended shakes and white mocha lattes stand out among the drink options. Coffee is roasted in-house, which is something you don’t always find even in a town with a strong coffee culture. They have a second location at the SALT at Our Kaka’ako complex in Honolulu if you happen to be on that side of the island.
Local tip: Bookends, Kailua’s only locally owned independent bookstore, is just a few doors down. Pick something out, bring it to Morning Brew, and you have a pretty perfect Kailua morning.
The Garden at Boardroom
What started as a coffee truck called Solar Shack has grown into something much bigger. The Garden at Boardroom is now a full outdoor venue in the heart of Kailua, anchored by organic coffee and adaptogen drinks in the morning, then transitioning into cocktails, local beers, wine, and handmade pizza as the day goes on. Think of it as your neighbor’s backyard, except with live music on Thursday through Saturday nights and a happy hour Monday through Friday.
The space is kid and dog friendly, with yard games, Adirondack chairs, and enough room to spread out. It sits right alongside the Boardroom, the more upscale cocktail bar and restaurant next door, so there is something here for whatever kind of morning or evening you are after. If you are in Kailua for more than a day or two, this is the kind of spot you will find yourself coming back to.
Rise & Grind
Rise & Grind started as a little blue coffee trailer that built a loyal following at the Kailua and Kaka’ako farmers markets before opening a brick-and-mortar coffee bar on Oneawa Street in 2023. Owner Leah Garwood and her staff have created the kind of place where the energy is genuinely good, and it shows in the regulars who keep coming back.
The menu leans espresso-forward, with rotating seasonal lattes alongside the staples. Food is kept simple, mostly fresh-baked pastries and bagel sandwiches, which fits the format well. The little blue trailer is still out there on weekends if you want to catch Rise & Grind at the Sunday farmers market at Castle Hospital instead.
The Collective Tattoo Cafe Gallery
The Collective is a tattoo shop, art gallery, and cafe all sharing the same space on Uluniu Street, which sounds like an odd combination until you are actually there and it makes complete sense. It is one of those places that feels genuinely rooted in the neighborhood, with rotating local art on the walls, community events, and live music on weekends at the sidewalk tables out front.
The cafe side is run by Lilikoi Kitchen, a chef-driven operation that has grown well beyond its origins here. The menu covers breakfast and lunch, with paninis, acai bowls, and a baked blueberry French toast that is worth going out of your way for. Lilikoi Kitchen has since opened a larger full-service restaurant on Kailua Road if you want the full sit-down experience, but the Collective location has its own sidewalk charm that is hard to replicate.
ANDO
Ando is one of the more quietly distinctive spots in the Kailua coffee scene. Owned and operated by Hiromi and Josh, who met in Japan and share a background in architecture and design, the cafe sources its matcha directly from farmers in Japan and its coffee from farms in Hawaii and California. The space reflects that sensibility: a small, considered interior with a garden patio out back that feels more like something you’d stumble into in Tokyo than in a beach town on Oahu.
The matcha latte is the thing to order here. It’s made with imported Japanese matcha and has a depth that’s noticeably different from the sweet, powdery versions you find at most cafes. The coffee is equally well sourced and carefully prepared. If you’re someone who pays attention to what’s in your cup, Ando is worth going out of your way for.
They’re closed on Mondays and open Tuesday through Sunday 9am to 4pm, so plan accordingly. You’ll find them at 143 Hekili Street in downtown Kailua.
Holoholo Drive Thru Espresso
Holoholo Drive-Thru Espresso has become one of the more quietly beloved Kailua coffee spots, and it has grown considerably since it first opened. They now have two Kailua locations: a walk-up window at 40 Maluniu Avenue open daily until 2pm, and a new drive-thru location at 1090 Keolu Drive. The menu is built around Hawaiian-inspired cold brews, including the King Kamehameha and Queen Liliuokalani cold brews, both customizable with syrups like macadamia nut, lavender, dark chocolate, and honey vanilla. Italian sodas and non-caffeinated drinks for kids round out the menu.
If you are looking for something quick without giving up quality, this is the answer to that problem in Kailua.
Kailua has one of the strongest locally owned coffee scenes on Oahu, and that’s no accident. The community has made a conscious effort to keep it that way. If you’re visiting, the best thing you can do is lean into that: skip the chains, spend your money at the places on this list, and be a considerate guest in a town that a lot of people call home. Mālama ka ‘aina, respect the land, and the people on it.
