Island Brew Coffeehouse — Restaurant in Honolulu

Today was my 4th time here, despite not having a good experience each time. I truly just wanted to give this place a chance because it’s close by and the only non-corporate coffee house in the area.

The space is very cozy with a lot of seating, cute swinging chairs, and lovely art. The Spicy Avo toast with an egg was delicious and filling. The line can be a little chaotic and long, but that is to be expected in a popular spot in a major tourist area.

The thing that bothered me was the coffee service. I don’t know what I did, but I feel like the baristas don’t like me and purposely put my drinks in togo cups even after asking each time for a mug. I truly just wanted to sit with a warm mug of drip and stare out at the water. Even today I went in with family to have lunch after a hike, we all ordered drip and avocado toast. They ordered right before I did. When I ordered a cup of coffee I politely asked if I could please have it in house in a mug, but felt I needed to emphasize it a little since the last few times that request was not fulfilled. Both people I was with received their order in mugs, and mine was in a paper cup, once again. When I picked up my order I didn’t complain or say anything because I hate to be a bother or a Karen, but I definitely paused and thought about it because this felt personal. I noticed the barista was the same barista/cashier that has been there each time I’ve come in. I’ve never been rude, and always tip. It just felt like me making this request to simply have my coffee in a mug was so annoying, which is strange because I look around and see that most people there have mugs and other in house containers.

I know to some it may seem like a silly thing to be upset about, but for me it’s important. Everyone can agree that coffee tastes and feels better when it’s in a mug. I also spent $30 after tip on these two items, so I feel like it shouldn’t be a wild request to want to enjoy it in a way that feels special and worth it. I’m also a barista and a coffee roaster so I understand the importance of the experience. I’ll also add that I decided to stick with drip because the way the espresso beverages are made will be disappointing to anyone who enjoys a good americano or cappuccino. When I initially ordered an Americano, I asked for way less water, but got a big cup of hot water with a single shot. It tasted that extremely watered down poorly extracted espresso. My partner’s cappuccino was also too large(a true cappuccino is about 10 oz) and it was piping hot. It really just tasted like steamed oat milk. We didn’t make a fuss though, and I decided to just stick with the drip which I did like.

I actually never leave reviews, but the whole paper cup thing was really frustrating and low key hurtful. I know for a fact the barista that was working today heard me order my drink in house. I made sure of it and also noticed her noticing me order. It felt petty for no reason, and why would you want to do that to someone on purpose? It was just very weird and I couldn’t help but feel unwelcome. I don’t think I’ll be coming back because hospitality matters, and people generally spend a good chunk of cash on the food and beverages there.

My advice would be to pull a standard double shot for all espresso drinks unless asked otherwise, also milk beverages should be the appropriate size based on the drink ordered. There is no reason I should be asked “what size do you want your cappuccino?”. The difference between a macchiato, cortado, cappuccino, and a latte is literally the amount of milk; going in that order from the least to the most oz of milk. A latte is 12 oz. An Americano can vary from 8 to 12 oz depending on preference, but a tradition Americano is 8oz, and that’s why I asked for less water because that’s how I like them. It’s not a difficult request at all. I know because I make them all week long. Okay rant over. I truly hope I’m wrong about the pettiness, but my intuition is strong when it comes to...

This place was a terrible choice and I wish I didn't come here in the first place. Service is waaayyy slow here. Doesn't make sense why I had to wait almost 1h20min for a lackluster bistro burger for no particular reason. The food we ordered was straight forward.

Waiting over an hour for our food I had time to study the back of house process and recognize the fault in the setup. The one young person operating the grill station had to prep the ingredients, cook, and assemble all on her own. She tried to keep up with orders by doing sets of food choices together (all paninis came out at once; etc). As a result, if youre the lone person ordering a burger, you'll inevitably fall behind. To make matters worse, there's no one checking to make sure orders are closed out or that earlier ones are prioritized. Clearly this is a fault of bad management. And culture rolls down from the top.

There's easily 10 young adults chatting away in the kitchen and behind the coffee bar.  Not sure if the extensive menu was too complicated for the staff to manage. Or the work too lackluster to focus on task.

I asked the staff when I had waited about 40 mins when our other item, Loco Moco arrived. They said my burger was up next.  I waited a little longer, 65 minutes now – I walked up to the drinks pickup station and asked the staff, who told me, mine was up next.   At an 1h15m I confirmed with my wife that my meal wasn't worth waiting for. I marched to the front and spoke to any staff member seemingly above 21 years old and demanded a refund and cancel my order. That waiting this long for a burger just wasn't reasonable.

The staff apologized went 'to the back' brought out a plate that looked dismal for a sandwich and asked if they can box it up for me. Seriously? Two pieces of poorly sliced & toasted brioche (ever hear of a serrated knife?), a patty and some spinach/tomato…doesn't take an hour to make.  One staff person chased me and handed me a dish of chips. Probably opened from a bag, tossed on a plate. Too little too late. I sat, ate the burger with the family, wrote this review, and left.

Also smoothies need work. Their special of the day – mango passion fruit - tasted heavy of banana 🍌.  When I asked the staff, they said they make it with banana. Since we waited so long I went to order another one as soon as I finished my coffee. Asked for no banana, just mango passion fruit. This next one came heavy of apple 🍎 flavor. Seems like this place

I rarely write a review criticizing a business so poorly. But I really regretted the experience I had here and I wish this cruelty on no one. Please don't come here. ...

Island Brew Coffeehouse is a solid spot for a laid-back outing, especially if you’re looking to enjoy the beautiful views of Koko head and a fun, rotating menu. While the food and drinks are good, the pricing can feel a bit steep for what you get. If you’re after a unique experience and don’t mind splurging a little, it’s worth a visit, but it might not be a place you’d frequent regularly if you’re seeking more value for the price.

Video Review will be posted on Tik Tok and Instagram soon @Foxyappetite

In depth review:

Island Brew Coffeehouse offers an idyllic spot to relax, with a breathtaking waterfront seating area that provides gorgeous views of the water, making it a perfect setting to enjoy a leisurely meal or drink. The atmosphere is laid-back and welcoming, with a cozy vibe that’s ideal for unwinding. Whether you’re enjoying the breeze from the outdoor seating or nestled inside, it’s a place that invites you to take your time and savor the moment. The peaceful yet vibrant environment is definitely a standout feature of this café.

The menu at Island Brew is extensive, with a seasonal selection that’s both fun and a bit overwhelming. With a constantly rotating array of items, there’s always something new to try, but the sheer number of options can make it tough to settle on just one thing. While it’s nice to have variety, it can feel like a lot to choose from, especially if you’re trying to narrow it down to just one dish or drink.

I opted for the chicken with spicy garlic aioli and a strawberry matcha drink. The chicken was tasty, grilled well, and paired nicely with the zesty aioli, giving it a pleasant kick of flavor. The strawberry matcha, though refreshing and nicely balanced in flavor, wasn’t the most unique or memorable of its kind. Both items were satisfying but didn’t stand out enough to justify the higher price tag.

Speaking of pricing, Island Brew is definitely on the pricier side. The food and drinks are good quality, but for the price, I expected something a bit more exceptional, especially in comparison to similar spots in the area. While the seasonal menu offers fun choices, the cost makes it a bit harder to justify going often, especially if you’re looking for more of a casual meal or drink.

Pros: • Gorgeous waterfront views and peaceful ambiance. • Seasonal menu offers fun and unique items. • Great vibe for relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere.

Cons: • Food and drinks are on the pricier side. • Seasonal menu, while fun, can be overwhelming to choose from. • The food, though tasty, doesn’t fully...