Grandma's Coffee House
About
A View from the Slopes of Haleakala
Stepping into Grandma's Coffee House feels less like walking into a business and more like dropping by a family kitchen in the heart of Upcountry Maui. Since 1918, this institution has been processing coffee grown right here on the volcanic slopes of the Kula district. You will smell the rich, earthy scent of roasting beans long before you reach the counter, a stark contrast to the crisp, thin mountain air that greets you at this elevation.
Coffee Culture with a Historical Pulse
The history here runs deep—Alfred Franco, the original proprietor, began cultivating these beans over a century ago, and the legacy remains etched into the rustic, wood-paneled walls. It is the kind of place where locals linger over mugs of dark roast while the morning mist rolls over the pastures outside. The menu focuses on simple, soul-warming comfort food; the lilikoi pancakes are a mandatory indulgence, pairing perfectly with the acidity of their signature estate-grown coffee.
Practical Details for the Upcountry Traveler
Be prepared for the winding, narrow roads that lead you to this hillside retreat; the drive is part of the charm, though parking can get tight during the busy weekend breakfast rush. The acoustics in the main room tend to amplify the chatter of hikers and local farmers, making it an energetic, lively spot rather than a quiet sanctuary. If you want to escape the humidity of the beach resorts, this is your primary destination for a morning fueled by local caffeine and the storied agricultural heritage of Kula.
Amenities & Features
Location
9232 Kula Hwy, Kula, Hawaii, 96790-7423
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Reviews
Showing 10 of 485 community reviewsRymernim PGoogle Maps
Recently
I have run a few cafes before and I can safely say that this wasn’t good. The girl on the register was rude and passive aggressive. When she turned around to make my friends and I lattes you could very audibly hear her burning the hell out of the milk while frothing. Since she burned all the lattes all of our lattes were sour and piping hot. The drinks were really good on pricing but even then it really was not worth it. The food was good but oh my god my friend was wondering why they didn’t list the prices of the food and we found out quickly. The cheese steak omelette was 30 bucks. It was a good omelette but for 30 bucks I expected it to cure cancer haha. I had a club sandwhich which was good priced at 13 bucks and it was very good on the portions but it’s a very very basic club sandwhich so if your expecting it to be super good I’d go for something else. Overall I wouldn’t come back just because the coffee was really bad. We all threw away our drinks after the first few sips and the service was subpar.
Ryan CampbellGoogle Maps
Recently
Great menu. Food is amazing. There was a line so waited a bit, be prepared to wait if it's busy plus limited seating. Good selection of drinks. Live music playing
Jordyn MGoogle Maps
Recently
We stopped in for breakfast after Haelakala after hearing great things. Super cute spot! They did seem to be short staffed that morning while training new staff so it took a while to order, but we weren't in a rush so we didn't mind. However we ordered and paid for a full order of French Toast and they only brought out a half order, which we realized after the server dashed off. My husband let it go as it was so busy we figured we would have to wait awhile for the missing piece. Food was delicious despite this though so we would return!
lynda marrokalGoogle Maps
Recently
Finally made it to Grandma’s Coffee House for the first time with my neighbor, and it was such a treat! The Upcountry atmosphere is so relaxing and authentic. We loved the views and the cozy, historic feel of the place. It’s definitely a new favorite spot for a morning catch-up. Highly recommend the trip up the mountain!"
Victor ValdezGoogle Maps
Recently
Small place with a warm, family-like feel. The food is simple but full of flavor, and the décor—with its paintings and photos—adds the perfect touch to enjoy a homemade taste full of memories. Every time I’m in this part of the island in the morning, this is a must-stop. Highly recommended after watching the sunrise at Haleakalā.
Abhash Kumar SinghGoogle Maps
Recently
After a morning visit to Haleakala, we arrived here for our breakfast. The place was bustling with people - it has indoor seating and some seating on outdoor covered patio. We ordered cappuccino, iced coffee and veggie cheese omelette. The service was slow and the order took 20-25 mins to arrive. The coffee tasted over roasted to me and I couldn’t finish the cappuccino. The iced coffee was okay. The omelette was on the runny side, although it didn’t have a lot of seasoning. It was loaded with zucchini and mushrooms which was good. The concern I had was that the place is in serious need of a deep clean and felt untidy. It was disappointing for me as it seemed like a decent and friendly neighborhood place with a great history behind the owners.
Michelle ChappellGoogle Maps
Recently
Really cute local vibes coffee shop with counter service serving a full breakfast. They have espresso drinks and a case of house made baked goods as well. Breakfast was outstanding. A bit of a wait to get our food out but it was worth it. There is seating inside and on a covered patio. We visited in October around 9 am on a Tuesday and found parking l, stood in line to order for a few minutes and sat at a table right away-it was moderately busy. Definitely recommend this spot for the food and atmosphere!!!
Christine VuGoogle Maps
Recently
We stopped by after the drive from Haleakalā to get some breakfast. We ordered coffee, some bread pudding, loco moco and Reuben sandwich. It was so warm and filling, just what we needed after a cold walk from Haleakala.
Anburaja BalamuruganGoogle Maps
Recently
If you're coming down from seeing the Haleakalā sunrise, this is the perfect breakfast stop! There's a bit of a wait, but the food was great. You absolutely must try their bread - it was so yummy!
A SGoogle Maps
Recently
Small bakery / coffee shop / breakfast spot on our travels to Haleakalā NP. We tried it all too. A small coffee, a latte, two entrees, bread to go and a day old crisp for the table. The service was kind and quick. Order at the counter and find yourself a seat. They’ll bring out your food to your table. Spent about $55 on everything listed above. Delicious food, great coffee.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Grandma's Coffee House
Common questions from diners about Grandma's Coffee House in Kula.
