Talk Kaimuki — Restaurant in Honolulu

Beware: Not allergen/dietary restriction friendly or knowledgeable.

My second time visiting, I asked for a non-dairy recommendation. The employee suggested a matcha drink with oat milk instead of dairy milk. A few sips in, I realized it tasted like it had dairy, but I wasn't certain. I took it up to the counter and asked (a different worker) if it could potentially have dairy, and she said the matcha powder has dairy. So even if it was made with oat milk (and it didn't taste like it), it would still have dairy. Thankfully I was only a few sips in so it wasn't enough to make me sick, but it was disappointing that I had a whole conversation when ordering about having a non-dairy drink and was still given a drink with dairy...

I get the sense based on the very limited menu that this place just generally isn't that conscious of the fact that some people can't or don't consume some foods. The last time I was there, the employee who helped me struggled to come up with a non-dairy option when I asked for a recommendation.

On the plus side, the employees are friendly. They did make me a new drink for no charge. Overall, the menu is just really limited to people with no dietary restrictions though. If you have dietary restrictions, be cautious at this establishment. They have about 2 vegan food options on the menu (oat cake and acai bowl). The acai bowl is okay but pretty overpriced for what it is. $20 for a coffee and a small acai bowl is a bit steep. I haven't tried the oat cake, but it looks tasty. Cute local place with a fun busy atmosphere, but...

The owner was.. yikes. Karen vibes from the owner isn’t something you see often.

We ordered our drinks “for here” and the person serving them put them in plastic cups. They didn’t check our vaccine cards (I am vaccinated) and didn’t explain any time limits.

The owner approached us and said “how are we doing on the time limit?” I had no idea what she was talking about—honestly I thought she was talking about parking or something. She asked me who served the drinks but I didn’t want to get anyone in trouble so I said “I’d rather not say.” She said “you need to tell me bc we have a PROBLEM.”

She then rudely implied that we moved the notice off the table explaining the time limit. Instead of kindly asking us to purchase something else she said “it’s kinda lame to come in and sit here using the a/c and wifi without buying anything else.” Had she politely explained their policy, I OF COURSE would’ve bought something else but her reaction was so gross I didn’t want to give this business another dollar and without an apology I won’t be back.

It’s funny bc earlier a friend has responded to my Instagram post saying “their coffee is gross” and I was defending it like “yeah but the vibes are on point” but I was mistakennnn. Save yourself the trip and go somewhere where you’re not treated poorly and like a burden.

P.S. The rest of the staff was really nice I hope this mean lady doesn’t treat...

I loved this place, because of tuna sandwich and nice pics on the walls, but I can’t be a client anymore, don’t feel welcome there and tired of mistakes in service.

1st we have situation with melted box from sandwich in microwave and guys didn’t find a solution, even didn’t suggest a new one for free

2nd I asked hot matcha latte 2 times, the lady gave me cold one

3d time I was order cappuccino and it was so strong that I left it in cafe, can’t drink it

Last time when I was there they start cleaning and collecting chairs when everyone was in cafe. It was 30 min before closing. I feel like they tried to say: “Hurry up dear clients we are leaving”.

Can’t feel there comfortable and welcome, I switched to another coffee near by. Why I quite as a client? New coffee: always smiling provide service quite place they did a mistake and immediately ask me should they changed a coffee, suggest a free one they want to know how are you and do you like their products they act like a people who sell something to you and they are happy about that good communication skills

BUT: I like owners, few times they sell to Me coffee and it was good I like chairs outside I like tuna sandwich, it’s the best really :)

Hope you won’t have that...