




About
A Morning Ritual by the Kona Coast
Coffee @ Kai serves as the essential wake-up call for those wandering along Ali’i Drive. Positioned right on the water in the heart of Kailua-Kona, this spot trades the stuffy, hushed atmosphere of traditional cafes for the rhythmic crash of Pacific waves and the scent of salt air mingling with dark, local roasts. It is the kind of place where your sandals might still have sand on them while you wait for a pour-over.
The Island Caffeine Experience
The menu leans heavily into the regional pride of the Big Island, featuring authentic 100% Kona coffee that offers that signature smooth, bright profile locals swear by. Beyond the beans, you will find a rotating selection of iced lattes and blended drinks designed to combat the tropical humidity. It is an unpretentious, open-air setup—expect a bit of a breeze and perhaps the occasional passerby stopping to check out the surf, which makes it perfect for people-watching rather than quiet study sessions.
Why Kona Locals Stop In
While the pace is decidedly laid-back, the baristas move with purpose. It is a fantastic choice for early risers who want to grab a cup before heading out for a snorkel at Kahalu’u or a drive toward the mountain. Be mindful that seating is sparse, as the focus here is on the grab-and-go energy that defines the Kailua-Kona lifestyle. If you find yourself craving a sharp, clean espresso while looking out at the deep blue expanse of the Pacific, this is your go-to corner on the strip.
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Location
75-5776 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740-1758
More to Explore
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Reviews
Showing 9 of 6 community reviewsAmber TorellGoogle Maps
Recently
Amazing food, great service, ambiance was phenomenal! Special shoutout to the host and Sean for making our experience so great! We came here for our honeymoon (and coincidentally a birthday!) and they sat us right by the water. Sean was helpful, funny and provided fantastic service. Highly recommend the Ube lemonade cocktail, fish and chips and build your own pasta! The cheesecake at the end was to die for!!
Corrin CokerGoogle Maps
Recently
Kai has such a variety that they offer from morning to night. Their brunch, lunch & then dinner menus switch off to provide a great selection. The staff are always so friendly and attentive, they appreciate and share the Aloha spirit. The views and oceanfront access are amazing! If you’re in Kailua-Kona it’s a must try. (my fave is the build your own pasta at dinner with gnocchi, chicken & a pesto cream…yummm)
P HGoogle Maps
Recently
Kai Eats + Drinks delivers a great overall experience—the food is flavorful and well-prepared, with a nice variety that caters to different tastes. The service is friendly, attentive, and welcoming, making you feel comfortable right away. The drinks are a standout, with a wide selection of beers and well-crafted cocktails that perfectly complement the laid-back island vibe.
Savya ThayGoogle Maps
Recently
Came here hungry and left HAPPY. The food was straight up comfort food done right. The burger was juicy, flavorful, and stacked perfectly with crispy bacon and fresh toppings, and those fries disappeared fast. The steak and shrimp fries with chimichurri were loaded and packed with flavor — savory, rich, and honestly addictive. The atmosphere was chill, drinks were cold, and everything just hit the spot. One of those meals where everybody at the table is quiet for a second because they’re too busy eating. Definitely coming back.
AmyKGoogle Maps
Recently
Possibly the best happy hour spot in Kona. The pizza is well known to be excellent! On my last visit the pizza oven was down after the storm (fixed now). We got the meatball sub which was very good. Many many beers on tap. Happy hour bar area only but there is a table there besides the bar seating. And of course, the gorgeous ocean view!!
Nerissa RayneGoogle Maps
Recently
My family and I went to Kai Eats + Drinks for dinner one day and had a pretty good experience! Food and drinks were good. Many members of my party ordered pizza and they said it was delicious. Another person ordered gluten free calamari and said it was amazing! One thing to note, happy hour is bar side only so keep that in mind!
Michael KneznekoffGoogle Maps
Recently
The dining area and bar was fun and lively with nice views. Focaccia served before the meal was drenched in butter. The lobster with pasta and cheese was bland but the veggies that came with it was very good. The entrees were good sized portions. Osso bucco was very tasty as was the fish. The drinks were flavorful and well made. The parking garage adjacent has ridiculously small spaces and the ramp to go in will scrape your car bottom if it is long (minivan). Make sure that you give your car license plate to the host for 2 hour validation.
V PGoogle Maps
Recently
It's a beautifully located restaurant with great interiors and friendly staff. Customer service is great with the servers checking in consistently andaking sure all is good. The restaurant is on the beach offering great views from your table. Given this, we were kind of disappointed with food options available for vegetarians with no options to add a side of veggies to the build your own pasta which is basically just pasta and sauce. The salad we ordered was good. We ordered the only vegetable pizza that was available - margherita pizza what ch came in cold so not sure how it should have tasted but was very disappointed.
Al HaysGoogle Maps
Recently
Beautiful restaurant and bar located right on the water! Very nice atmosphere and a favorite for breakfast. Soothing sounds of ocean, great food, it's a win win. We were treated to a nice show of spinner dolphins playing right off coast the last time. Definitely Island Style. Plus validation for the parking!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Coffee @ Kai
Common questions from diners about Coffee @ Kai in Kailua-Kona.
