Hawaiian Island Cafe
About
A Taste of Old Waimanalo
Tucked away on the windward coast, Hawaiian Island Cafe serves as a quiet refuge for locals and travelers passing through the lush scenery of Waimanalo. This spot captures the essence of Hawaii’s plantation-era soul, where the air smells faintly of roasted Kona coffee beans and sweet, freshly baked banana bread.
Island-Style Comforts
The kitchen leans heavily into the flavors that define the islands. You will find the menu focused on hearty, soul-warming plates. Their signature smoothies and acai bowls are a go-to for those coming straight from the nearby white sands of Waimanalo Beach. If you lean toward the savory side, the kalua pork dishes arrive steaming, providing a salty, tender contrast to the tropical fruit profiles found in their breakfast offerings.
The Local Rhythm
Stepping inside, the atmosphere is unpretentious and stripped back. It is the kind of place where flip-flops are the standard footwear and the background noise consists of local chatter rather than curated playlists. Be prepared to slow down; the pace here follows the windward rhythm. Parking can be a bit of a scramble during peak morning hours when the surf is up, but the trade-off is a breakfast or lunch that feels authentic to the community rather than designed for a brochure.
Why It Fits Your Day
Whether you are planning a beach day or a drive along the coast toward Makapuʻu, this cafe serves as an ideal pitstop. It is perfect for those who prefer their coffee with a side of genuine local color rather than a polished, corporate aesthetic. Bring cash, keep your schedule flexible, and enjoy the authentic flavors of this quiet Waimanalo community staple.
Photos
Amenities & Features
Location
41-865 Kalanianaole Hwy, Waimanalo, Hawaii, 96795
More to Explore
More cuisines in Waimanalo
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Reviews
Showing 10 of 96 community reviewsDon johnsonGoogle Maps
Recently
Plenty of fresh tasty options available for breakfast or lunch. Great friendly service also
Jacob DoddGoogle Maps
Recently
The mango sticky rice smoothie was 10 stars, i would come back just for that. I ordered the kailua pork plate and it was decent, kinda skimpy on the pork, but the mac salad and potatoes were 5 star. Will be coming back here when i'm on this side of the island.
Jeff LandGoogle Maps
Recently
Just happened to stop in, and I’m so glad we did. The juices were delicious, especially the Ginger Crush. And today’s special - mango sticky rice smoothie - was phenomenal. And best of all the owners/staff were so nice and welcoming.
Therese HoweGoogle Maps
Recently
Can’t believe I’ve slept on this hidden gem in Nalo! Wide variety of drinks, solid breakfast menu and I hear the plate lunches are great. I hadn’t had Hawaiian food in a while, so I went for the Aloha Plate: laulau, kalua pork, rice, potato mac salad, salad with lilikoi dressing Okinawan sweet potato, haupia, and a pineapple slice - everything so ono, although the sweet potato could have been cooked a wee bit longer. My friend said they get tour buses some time but luckily we came when only locals and a few tourists stopped for lunch, and the dining space was more than ample. 10/10 would come back again and recommend to anyone!
Lynne PrsaGoogle Maps
Recently
An amazing little spot! Friendly staff and fantastic food! We had the Kalua Pork Moco Loco and Mac Nut Kona Mocha Frappe...so glad we tried this place!
Katie NielsenGoogle Maps
Recently
This was the most magical experience. Everything from the food to the service to the lively atmosphere was magnificent! We ordered a breakfast plate with the organic apple chicken sausage and eggs, the tropical acai bowl and the sunshine smoothie. Loved all of it!! There were a group of locals who played their ukuleles and sang a number of lovely songs. They were so full of joy and happiness. Apparently they visit the cafe once a month. If you can catch them, it was the most stunningly beautiful experience to witness. We can not recommend this cafe enough!! We can't wait to come back next year! 🫶
HGoogle Maps
Recently
Loco moco delicious with perfectly cooked patty and flavorful gravy with over easy eggs on the top. Açaí bowl is a nice refreshing treat with lots of fruits and cocoa nibs. Lots of options to choose from.
Andrey BirchallGoogle Maps
Recently
Nice place overall. The pizza was tasty and fresh, definitely one of the better ones around. Prices are on the higher side, so it’s not a cheap stop, but the quality is decent. The only real downside is that there’s no restroom available for customers, which is quite inconvenient. Other than that, it’s a pleasant spot to grab a bite.
emily noelkeGoogle Maps
Recently
If you’re around and don’t come to this cafe, you are missing out. We’ve been on the island for a week and this is the best food we have had our entire trip- we got the cheeseburger, an acai bowl, and Portuguese sausage plate. There’s a plentiful parking lot, indoor and outdoor seating, and some other treats and goods to look at and shop at while you’re in there.
Big Fish Dive ClubGoogle Maps
Recently
My creamy garlic chicken sandwich with lightly toasted taro bun was excellent, maybe one of the best sandwiches I’ve had on the island. The white meat was tender and the garlic mayonnaise was perfect for this sandwich. My wife’s Gorg chicken sandwich was okay, but the croissant was on the soggy side. The sandwiches were about the right size for us seniors. Both came with a bit of chips. The latte we had was also decent, but it was not hot since it was given to us after our sandwiches were ready, which was around 20 minutes. People were friendly here, so a bit of longer wait was fine.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hawaiian Island Cafe
Common questions from diners about Hawaiian Island Cafe in Waimanalo.
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