As a coffee connoisseur, I was excited to visit Kona coffee shops on our recent trip to Hawaii’s Big Island.
Kona coffee beans are well-known across the United States and beyond. The weather and soil conditions in Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii, create the perfect growing conditions for world-class coffee. Read ahead for my thoughts on the different cafes we enjoyed, along with suggestions for other highly-acclaimed Kona coffee shops that we didn’t get to visit due to lack of time (but plan to check out next time!).
For reference, when on our budget trip to Kona, my husband and I ordered the same thing every time. (In the name of science.) He ordered a cappuccino and I ordered an iced, sugar-free, vanilla, nonfat latte at each of these cafes. And savvy travelers be warned: frequenting coffee shops while on vacation in Kona isn’t exactly budget-friendly. I’ll break down pricing of each option below so you can find the perfect place to go on any budget.
Kona Coffee Café
We came across the small Kona Coffee Café while walking through the Kona Inn Shopping Village. Not only an espresso bar, the Kona Coffee Café also offers complimentary tastings and free shipping of coffee beans. We enjoyed sampling 100% pure Kona coffee and found it very convenient that we could buy and ship beans home without having to make room in our luggage (since we use a minimalist packing strategy when traveling).
We ordered our coffee to go and enjoyed the beautiful ocean view from behind the café.
The Kona Coffee Café is open daily 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.. Total cost for our two drinks + tip? $12.
Kona Haven Coffee
Kona Haven was the closest coffee shop to our resort and offered food in addition to coffee, which meant it became a vital stop on our breakfast-and-caffeine-fix rotation.
This open-air café is adorable inside and out, and patrons can sit on the front patio for an ocean view. My husband and I both really enjoyed the breakfast sandwiches. If you’re coming with a bit of a sweet tooth, Kona Haven is also a great option for smoothies and ice cream, too.
Open daily 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Kona Haven Coffee was recently named one of the top 40 coffee shops in the United States by Men’s Journal! Total cost for our two drinks + tip? $13.
Kona Coffee Bar: San Francisco Bay Coffee Company
There is nothing about the San Francisco Bay Coffee Company that screams “local, Kona coffee shop here!” But we decided to stop by as we are fans of the San Francisco Bay Coffee Co. brand back on the mainland.
Even with the San Francisco Bay name, the Kona Coffee Bar offers coffee made with locally-sourced Kona beans. The café itself is large in size and was the most affordable option of the three Kona coffee shops we visited on our trip. Which is probably why we kept going back!
The Kona Coffee Bar is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Total cost for our two drinks + tip? $11.
Other Noteworthy Kona Coffee Shops
While our Big Island itinerary didn’t give us a chance to grab coffee at the below locations, they come highly recommended and are worth considering if you are looking for a coffee shop in Kona:
- Kona Coffee & Tea: I saw this café on our Uber ride from the airport to our hotel and was so bummed we didn’t get an opportunity to check it out. This family-owned coffee shop also serves beer, wine, and even mimosas, which makes it my kind of café! Unfortunately, it’s not located on the main drag in Kona, Ali’i Drive, which is where we were staying without a car. While only about one mile from there and near groceries stores like Walmart and Safeway, you can easily take an Uber to get to Kona Coffee & Tea if you don’t want to walk. If you do have a rental car, there is plenty of free on-site parking, which can be hard to find in Kona! Open daily 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Daylight Mind Coffee Company: Amazing waterfront location in the heart of Kona. We did not visit because it seemed like more of a restaurant vs. a coffee shop. If you are looking for a sit-down dining experience while enjoying your Kona coffee overlooking the ocean, then this a great option!
- Kona Mountain Coffee: Located off Highway 19 between the airport and downtown Kona, this is a great option to stop at if you have an early morning flight in or out of the Big Island. Open Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Enjoy your trip to the Big Island—I hope you find some Kona coffee that you love. Be sure to check out my Kona on a budget post to ensure a trip that won’t break the bank!
Cheers, and happy caffeinating!
