Koko Crater Coffee Roasters - Honolulu Restaurant Image

Koko Crater Coffee Roasters

4.5(24 community reviews)
Moderate ($$)

About

Discover Koko Crater Coffee Roasters, offering the best Cafe experience in Downtown / Chinatown. Enjoy Moderate ($$) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

Small-Batch Magic in Kaimuki

If you find yourself wandering through the laid-back streets of Kaimuki, follow the scent of caramelizing beans. Koko Crater Coffee Roasters has built a reputation for stripping coffee down to its purest form. This isn't your typical polished city cafe; it is a workshop where the hum of the roaster provides the soundtrack and the air is thick with the rich, earthy smell of high-altitude origins being perfected.

The Art of the Roast

What sets this Honolulu spot apart is an obsession with the process. They operate with a level of transparency that allows you to trace your cup back to specific farmers and regions. Their signature roasts often highlight bright, floral notes from Hawaiian-grown beans, alongside bold, chocolatey profiles that lean into their specialty volcanic-soil profiles. Watching the team monitor the cooling trays is a masterclass in focus—they treat every single batch as if it were their first.

Local Vibe and Real-World Nuance

The space is intentionally stripped back. You won’t find excessive velvet seating or complex lounge areas here; instead, you get communal tables and a steady stream of locals grabbing their daily fuel. Be warned: if you visit during the mid-morning rush, parking in this corner of the neighborhood can be a bit of a puzzle, but the payoff is a cup of coffee that hasn't been sitting in a thermal pot for three hours. It is an ideal stop for the no-nonsense caffeine enthusiast who values bean provenance over fancy syrups and whipped cream. Whether you are prepping for a hike or just need a sharp, clean pour-over to start your day, this is the center of gravity for true coffee culture in the area.

Photos

Koko Crater Coffee Roasters - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Koko Crater Coffee Roasters - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Koko Crater Coffee Roasters - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Koko Crater Coffee Roasters - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Koko Crater Coffee Roasters - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Koko Crater Coffee Roasters - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Koko Crater Coffee Roasters - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Koko Crater Coffee Roasters - Honolulu Restaurant Image

Location

733 Auahi Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813

Directions

Reviews

Showing 10 of 24 community reviews
C

Carmen Hall-BuchanonGoogle Maps

Recently

Francesca at Koko Crater Coffee Roasters really made my visit awesome! I first stopped by their place on a Wednesday morning, but no one was there when my husband and I showed up. I called and left a detailed message, and Francesca called me back. Luckily, we were able to swing by again on Thursday morning before leaving Hawai’i. It is located in a warehouse-style building, and they roast their coffee beans fresh on site. We picked up four 1-pound bags of French Roast ($18 per pound) as gifts. Francesca was super friendly and helped us pick out the best roast. She even told us they just roasted the beans on Tuesday, so they were super fresh. It was a really nice experience, and she even gave me a small bag of blonde roast. I can't thank her enough for the great customer service. My family already tasted the coffee and loved it. If you're looking for good coffee, definitely check them out!

K

K DGoogle Maps

Recently

I scoured the Internet, searching for Honolulu's best coffee beans. I think I found it here. Whether you're living in Hawaii or anywhere else, TAKE HOME some of Koko Crater's beans and enjoy not just Hawaii's best coffee beans, but fabulously delicious coffee beans PERIOD. My wife didn't drink coffee every day until we started drinking Koko Crater's beans. Now she has coffee every morning. Their Waialua bean is our favorite, but their other beans are also delicious. Roaster Francesca took time to explain the various beans and blends. She was super friendly. This place is easy to find, very near Kewalo Basin.

A

Anne AshleyGoogle Maps

Recently

If you are in Kaka’ako. - STOP HERE. It might be the best coffee I’ve ever had... my husband and I shared a cold brew. Heads up - they don’t have dairy-free milk so we brought ours home to drink but genuinely divine coffee.

J

jeremiah denhamGoogle Maps

Recently

They are verry friendly and know everything there is to know about coffee, Best coffee and customer service I ever had!

C

Courtney BellGoogle Maps

Recently

These guys are great and I love their coffee! I definitely recommend trying their coffee if you haven't already.

S

Stephanie CassGoogle Maps

Recently

These peeps are awesome! I get their coffee every Saturday morning like it's a religion (at the kcc farmers market). Mmhmmmm ^_^

T

Tyler MGoogle Maps

Recently

Absolutely amazing staff. Extremely knowledge about everything from where there beans come from to the amount of time it takes to creat each flavor. Hands down my favorite coffee on the island.

G

gregory prindleGoogle Maps

Recently

Came in and got a special blend from Kamaka that i was totally surprised that he knew about. These people know their coffee and you can't go wrong getting your coffee here. Enjoy.

J

J “Just Incredible” PGoogle Maps

Recently

Kamaka, Kalani and Josh are wonderful. If that's not enough the coffee is the best I've ever had. No creamer or sugar needed. The most amazing and flavorful cup of Joe you'll ever experience. Thanks guys!!

K

Kendra OrmsbeeGoogle Maps

Recently

Had a bizarre experience. I went to purchase two bags of beans for a friend in Ohio, and I was carrying with me a bag from a different coffee shop. A young guy grabbed the bag from me and ran around showing his coworkers, then came back and tried to make me feel bad about my purchase at their competitor. I couldn't believe how rude he was! Will never return.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Koko Crater Coffee Roasters

Common questions from diners about Koko Crater Coffee Roasters in Honolulu.

They have been locally owned and operated for over 20 years.

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