Prime Roast Cafe
212 Merchant St R-2, Honolulu, HI
Crema's Take
“This cozy downtown Honolulu spot punches well above its size, pairing impeccable espresso and pour-overs with classically trained cooking that elevates everything from prime rib paninis to fresh pastries. The intimate, tucked-away space draws everyone from casual coffee lovers to groups celebrating special occasions, all united by the genuine warmth of a place that clearly cares about both craft and community. Whether you're stopping by for a methodical pour-over or a leisurely meal, this is where serious coffee meets seriously good food.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
We stumbled upon this spot just walking around downtown and decided to order takeout after looking at the menu. Insidr is small and cozy, and great feel to it. We ordered the salmon and the rime rib French dip. Both were amazing, cooked perfect, and well seasoned. The French dip was probably the best I've had in a long time and all the food was so filling and the service was awesome. This is a great find and we will definitely be going back!
We just had a private party there for 25 of our closest friends over the holidays. I’m also eating there before during their normal restaurant hours. Either way, it’s an amazing deal for the quality of food that you get. But beyond the value, they really treat you like they are family bending over backwards to make a terrific meal. Cannot recommend having a private event there enough. Some of our friends are serious foodies who supply restaurants in the city and also members of an international eating club. They all know the restaurant and were happy to come.
On behalf of my family, I want to highlight this restaurant. We’re tourists visiting from California, and we were absolutely blown away by the food. Every dish was top quality, with flavors that were truly unique. We were not only impressed by the cuisine, but also by the warmth of the owners—an exceptional couple. They took the time to show our young kids around the kitchen, shared stories about their culinary roots, and even revealed a few of their secrets. Such wonderful people! If you get the chance, don’t think twice—go. We tried the French onion soup and the prime rib cut (yes, it’s truly prime quality!). And whatever you do, please save room for the apple tart tatin—it’s incredible!
Cute little place tucked into the corner. Service was very prompt, and attentive. Meals were all delicious, I had the prime rib french dip, full on slices of real prime cooked perfectly. Combo came with a nice little salad and the desert was the matcha with strawberry, very tasty. Would 100% come back.
The chef and patissier are classically trained, and it shows in the quality. We ordered the prime rib panini set; the beef was perfect, and the salad was fresh and delicious. The set includes a drink + mini dessert (we chose crème brûlée, and they gave us an extra!). They even split the meal for easy sharing and offered candied orange peels. Regarding price: I can see how it can be considered expensive but it is absolutely worth the price. Service was excellent; we enjoyed a lovely conversation with the staff. The head chef greeted us and wished us well as we left. A wonderful lunch experience!
Crema Reviews
You might also like
Drip Studio
★ 4.9 (198)
Drip Studio is a chic downtown Honolulu spot where baristas like Kengi and…
Local Joe
★ 4.7 (452)
Local Joe is a roastery-focused coffee shop in downtown Honolulu that's earned…
The Curb Kaimuki
★ 4.7 (483)
Tucked into Honolulu's Kaimuki neighborhood, The Curb is a genuinely beloved…
9Bar HNL
★ 4.7 (248)
9Bar HNL is a beloved third-wave coffee destination in Honolulu where expertly…