I grew up in Kailua-Kona, just a short walk from the beach, and like most people raised here, my first introduction to Kona coffee came early. Back in high school, my coffee-drinking habits were pretty simple—whatever was available, usually with way too much sugar, and even more tragically sometimes from Starbucks.
But then when I graduated I moved to Australia, a place I called home for 15 years, and that changed everything when it came to coffee. Australia’s café culture is on another level—the baristas, dialed-in espresso, and an obsession with getting every detail just right. Without meaning to, I became a bit of a reluctant coffee snob.
So when I moved back to Kona with my family in 2018, I knew I needed to find the best spots for a cup of coffee. Luckily, Kailua-Kona has some great cafés, many of them highlighting the island’s own Kona coffee. Though I have to start off with a confession, I personally dont like the taste of Kona coffee and lean towards Ethiopian and South American beans.
Anyways here are my go-to coffee shops in Kona.
White Nene Coffee Roasters
📍 Location: 76-5905 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa, HI 96725
Located in the heart of Holualoa, a small town nestled in the coffee-growing hills above Kona, White Nene Coffee is a must-visit for anyone serious about coffee. Holualoa has a rich history in Kona coffee farming, and this coffee cart embraces that tradition while bringing in a modern specialty coffee approach.
White Nene sources high-quality, locally grown Kona coffee and expertly roasts it in small batches. Whether you’re grabbing a pour-over or an espresso, you know it’s been crafted with precision. The setting is also unbeatable—Holualoa’s cooler elevation and artistic small-town feel make it one of the best places to sip coffee and slow down.
Kona Coffee & Tea
📍 Location: 74-5588 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
If you want a true farm-to-cup experience, Kona Coffee & Tea is the place to go. Locally owned and operated by the Bolton family, they grow, mill, roast, and brew their own single-estate Kona coffee, meaning you’re drinking some of the freshest and highest-quality coffee in town.
Beyond the coffee, the café itself is a great spot to meet up with friends or get some work done. The setting is relaxed, there’s plenty of seating, and they even offer a solid lineup of teas if you feel like switching things up. My go-to order? A classic pour-over to really taste the quality of their beans.
HiCo Hawaiian Coffee
📍 Location: 74-5599 Pawai Pl #B3, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
HiCo Coffee is one of the newer spots in town, but it’s quickly become a favorite. Their focus is showcasing Hawaiian-grown coffee, and they do a great job featuring a rotating selection of 100% Kona coffee and other Hawaiian varieties.
It’s also one of the best Kona coffee shops for a laid-back atmosphere. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, plus a menu that includes unique drinks like their “Hawaiian Latte”, which is made with macadamia nut milk and honey—definitely worth trying.
Bonus: Surf Camp Coffee (A Bit of a Drive, But Worth It!)
📍 Location: 65-1227 Opelo Rd A-1, Waimea, HI 96743
If you don’t mind a 40-minute drive up to Waimea, Surf Camp Coffee is worth the trip. Not only do they serve some of my favorite coffee on the island, but they also share a space with my favorite surf shop, which makes it even better.
Waimea’s cooler climate gives it a completely different feel than Kona—it’s misty, green, and feels almost like a different island altogether. Grab a latte and browse the surf shop, and you’ve got the perfect morning stop before you head around the island.
What do I drink at home?
As I mentioned my personal preference isn’t actually Kona coffee beans themselves—while the region produces some amazing coffee, I tend to gravitate toward different flavor profiles for my daily brews. So when it comes to brewing coffee at home, I stick with a coffee subscription called Trade.
Trade curates high-quality beans from top roasters across the country, making it easy to try new coffees while staying stocked with freshly roasted beans that match my taste. If you’re like me and love exploring different styles of coffee, it’s worth checking out. You can also grab a free bag of coffee using the link below.