Knots Coffee Roasters. at Queen Kapiolani Hotel — Restaurant in Honolulu

The barista spent nearly five minutes preparing my matcha, whisking the ceremonial green powder with the focused intensity of a tea master. This wasn't Starbucks efficiency—it was something more deliberate, more reverent. At Knots Coffee Roasters, tucked into the lobby of Queen Kapiolani Hotel, time moves differently.

This is the first international outpost of a Tokyo-based concept, brought to Hawaii in 2018 as part of the hotel's $35 million renovation. Plan Do See, the Japanese hospitality company behind Knots, chose Waikiki's Diamond Head end strategically, positioning themselves away from the tourist crush but close enough to matter.

The payoff becomes clear on the open-air terrace, where guests sip coffee beneath a pergola overlooking Kapiolani Park's canopy of coconut palms and monkey pod trees. It's one of Waikiki's most serene views, a tropical treehouse suspended between urban energy and natural calm. The retro-chic design—wicker peacock chairs meet Japanese minimalism—feels authentically 1970s Hawaii without resorting to kitsch.

The menu reflects serious ambition: $18 cocktails crafted with local Koloa rum and house-made macadamia orgeat, plus an extensive selection featuring Big Island and Maui coffee roasters. The matcha program showcases Japanese precision, though that five-minute wait can test tourist patience.

Service reveals the operation's main weakness. A single barista often handles the entire café, creating bottlenecks that previous reviews consistently mention. For a concept emphasizing Japanese hospitality, the understaffing feels counterproductive.

Pricing reflects hotel-adjacent expectations: $17 açai bowls and $7.50 specialty lattes position Knots firmly in the premium category. The quality generally justifies the cost, but portion sizes can disappoint.

What makes Knots compelling isn't just the coffee—it's the cultural bridge it represents. Japan transformed from a tea nation to a global coffee powerhouse through patient strategy, and this outpost embodies that same thoughtful approach. While central Waikiki pulses with frenetic energy, Knots offers something rarer: a space designed for actual relaxation.

The grab-and-go offerings serve hotel guests efficiently, while the cocktail program transitions the space from morning café to evening bar. It's an ambitious multi-concept execution that mostly succeeds.

Knots Coffee Roasters works best for those seeking refuge from Waikiki's intensity rather than amplification of it. The view alone—impossible for competitors to replicate—creates an unassailable competitive advantage. Yes, you'll wait longer for your drink, and yes, you'll pay more. But settling into that terrace with properly prepared matcha, watching palm fronds sway against an azure sky, the pace feels...

I wanted to give some food feedback and also some observations on the past two days. First of all baristas are doing great! But theres always more to improve as a whole. There was a situation that maybe could’ve been handled way better of course if there were a team leader present and can make decisions. A Spanish couple that were on their honeymoon just wanted two items to be done for them like it was done I guess the past days this was their last day at the hotel. This is where I come in and ask husband “is it okay I can asssit here”he agreed and I just listed to their concern. I explain to them in Spanish and let them know that the team was doing there best to serve them but I guess today (Saturday) they couldn’t get anything done because it wasn’t the same team operating that was the whole issue. The couple was already heated up and escalated to complain to the hotel front desk which they're separate for my en coffee shop. I offered to buy what the desired they decline which is totally okay with me. At the end I got the free coffee and a pastrie from Shaun who he I appreciate but would’ve preferred the couple had gotten what they were asking and get the situation over with. Give people experiences not moments!

My observation is this if you’re a team leader give options don’t just say no, this will save you a lot of headaches and a bad experience. You always want to comply with the person you're serving not give them what they want, that’s the reason your there to give them a great experience and have them come back, even if your coffee is bad. Today was a different day I asked if there was mocha which there wasn’t, I’m totally okay with now the cashier tells her partner (mustache guy) she wants mocha when I clearly asked, you see the difference not listening at all just responding and going through the motions. I would encourage for the sake of this generation please be a great leader, lead as you want to be led and serve people well your in the industry for a reason and you are seen even if you don’t feel it. If this is not you please don’t stay in a place for a check and give others a hard time go to a place you love. This is not bad review just observation and one to grow from. There is always growth in every...

I was excited to try this place but it quickly turned into the worst service I have ever experienced. The food is awesome but Alice who took our order was extremely rude when taking our order. She ended up getting our order wrong when the food came out which wasn’t a big deal but when we let her know she said “I didn’t know you wanted etc etc” so I asked her if she could put in the order for what I did order and she said that was fine so while I was reaching for my card she pointed over at the register to me and said “I’m not putting the order in until you come pay”..... I told her I was about to come up there and pay. Then when the food came she slammed the plate on the table and got the order wrong again so when I told her I didn’t order extra rice she said “that’s ok.” And walked away. When I went to talk to the manager about what happened nothing was done, I talked to her twice because Alice continued to be outwardly disrespectful. She and the manager came to our table and she told my boyfriend and I “if you have a problem you can talk to me about it” with an attitude of course, but with that comment let alone why would I confide to her about this service issue when we are literally being yelled at by her at our table in front of everyone there? Then she proceeds to tell us “well you didn’t tip” and you’re absolutely correct, I do not tip RUDE servers, that is my one exception. If you are disrespectful I will NOT TIP. Customers tip based on your service and the bare minimum is to be treated with RESPECT from both parties- I have been a waitress for 4 years before so I understand the service industry. What happened here was horrible, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable. Of course I did not tip a single dime because why would I pay $60 + to get disrespected?? She ended up promising to give us a full refund and tried to only refund us $18. Alice if you are promising someone to give them a full refund in the first place then you should do that. We got the refund only because we mentioned it. I would never return or recommend it because of...