Island Brew Coffeehouse — Restaurant in Honolulu

I tried this place for the first time as I had to “kill” some time while my car was being detailed up the street. The doughnut place across the street didn’t have any hot drinks (what?) so I spotted lots of people sitting outside IBC.

Not knowing what to order and facing a large menu on the wall, I opted for a large coffee ($5.95) and a breakfast croissant ($12.95). I received the coffee right away and was given a small fabric potted plant to identify me. I found a table amongst the crowd.

The coffee was just okay; it tasted like an Americano and wasn’t strong enough for me. I should have asked what coffee was used and about options … I saw that on the menu once I was seated. Later, I perused their website and found out they offered Ka’u coffee … That’s one of my favorite coffees.

A server brought my croissant to my table; it was well constructed, with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and I don’t know what else … It was tasty, if somewhat petite.

What did I think? It appears many people use IBC as their “office” because I spent a little more than an hour there and several patrons who were there when I arrived were still typing away on their laptops when I left. It seems to be very popular … For me, a guarded recommendation as I prefer the place that...

Not going to lie. I really like studying/working here. Been here almost every Sunday morning for the past month. Though it is bougie. Lots of couples and their dogs sit outside while all the people studying / working sit inside. Lol Everything is a bit pricey, but in comparison to other coffee shops in the area, it's competitive in pricing. The single origin pour over is alright, don't care for the kau roast. The island brew coffee is not bad. For food, I had the BLTA, and the breakfast bagel. Both are okay, will try the other dishes next time I go there. Though most dishes are like $15 to $20...so crazy. Service is good. If you order a drink, they will call your name. If you order food too, they will bring the food to you. Just need to hold a small flower pot. Wifi is free, the island brew guest one is for all to use. They also play some background music, right now is all Christmas music. Also note, weekends can get very crowded. If you want a seat, try to get there before 8:30 am-ish. After 9:00 am it gets difficult. Last thing to mention. It's the same coffee shop as the one in Ala Moana Center...

I’ve been a regular customer for over a year, and this spot has some great aspects. It’s a good place to get work done, with a generally friendly staff who are always welcoming. The atmosphere can be nice, though sometimes the volume is way too loud with the music, just depends on who’s working that day, as the baristas control it.

That being said, there have been a few issues that led me to stop coming regularly. The price of a large latte with an extra shot has now reached $9, which feels too steep for the value you get. Additionally, the quality of the coffee can be inconsistent, and the food doesn’t quite match up. Another concern is that the bathrooms are often dirty and don’t seem to be cleaned regularly.

There’s also been noticeable staff turnover, which makes the place feel understaffed at times, though the employees themselves are very friendly. I’ve noticed that their original location in Hawaii Kai offers much better coffee and food, and the differences between the two...