Ali'i Coffee Co.
400 Royal Hawaiian Ave, Honolulu, HI
Crema's Take
“Ali'i Coffee Co. has earned its reputation as Honolulu's gold standard by delivering genuinely excellent coffee without the tourist trap pretense, with visitors raving about signature creations like the salted honey cinnamon latte and ube taro latte that keep them coming back day after day. The team here balances serious espresso craft with creative, island-inspired drinks, all executed with prompt, friendly service and reasonable pricing that feels like a win for both locals and visitors. Whether you're grabbing a quick pour-over or settling in with one of their thoughtfully made specialty drinks and a sandwich, you'll find the kind of coffee experience that captures what makes Honolulu's specialty scene special.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
The Gold Standard of Island Brews If you’re looking for a coffee experience that captures the true spirit of the islands without the "tourist trap" vibes, Ali'i Coffee Co. is the place. I’ve visited a lot of cafes, but few manage to balance high-end craft with such a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere. The Signature Drinks: You haven't lived until you've tried the Taro Ube Latte. It’s not just "Instagrammable"—the flavors are balanced, earthy, and perfectly sweet. Their cold brews are also incredibly smooth, packing a punch without the bitterness. You can tell they take their roasting seriously. Whether you’re getting a simple pour-over or a fancy specialty latte, the quality of the bean shines through. The staff is consistently upbeat and knowledgeable. The interior has a sleek, modern-industrial feel but stays cozy enough to actually sit and enjoy your drink. It feels good to support a business that genuinely leans into local flavors and culture. Pro Tip: Pair your coffee with one of their flatbreads or a fresh pastry. The food menu is surprisingly robust for a coffee shop and everything tastes incredibly fresh. Whether you're a local looking for your morning fix or a visitor wanting a authentic taste of Hawaii's coffee scene, Ali'i is a 10/10.
I stopped by here due to recent reviews & one review stating they had the best coffee. Wow! The reviews were right. I ended up going here every day of my stay. You are greeted promptly by friendly staff. Their coffee is delicious. I also tried the Veggie sandwich (twice) & Avocado toast. Fresh ingredients. The veggie sandwich was so big, I couldn’t close the top of container. The Avocado toast was flavorful. If you like rosemary, I would highly recommend. The one day I stopped by for the Honey Latte that I had read about. Smooth, creamy & just the right amount of honey flavor. My husband does not usually like flavor drinks. I had him try it & he really loved it. I usually like to try different places but when you find something you love when change :)
I have been twice no with absolutely no disappointment! The salted honey cinnamon latte is the best latte I have ever had. The sandwiches are incredible (I’ve tried three) and the service is fast and friendly! It’s a little on the pricey end, but well worth it in my opinion. Not a whole lot of seating inside but plenty of outdoor seating in the hotel it is located in. I highly recommend you check out this place as the perfect breakfast/brunch spot. It’s amazing!
I was in Waikīkī for a week and trying to go to as many local coffee shops as I could hit in that time, and I ended up coming here 3 out of the 7 days I was here because the coffee was just that good. I got the Hilo honey latte and it was absolutely delectable and liquid perfection. The inside of this shop is quite small but it has seating, and is very tastefully decorated in an island style. The buttermilk breadstick which was essentially a donut was also extremely soft, fresh, and delicious. Highly highly recommend this shop for a fantastic high quality latte. Also recommend the ube latte, which tasted a bit like a high quality hot cocoa, but extremely tasty.
Came based on rave reviews for their ube taro latte. Did not disappoint. Coffee flavours were strong, and very strong ube Taro syrup. Pricing is also reasonable. $7.50 for 16oz. Better than Honolulu cafe. Small shop, lots of traffic since it's inside Marriot hotel. Friendly staff who recommended the Uber Taro latte. They know what they're known for and it's good.
Crema Reviews
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