Collab Cafe — Restaurant in Kauai

We are in Kauai for a week on vacation and came here for lunch - we had the breakfast sandwich and one of their toasts. I can’t comment on the coffee, as we didn’t have any. The food tasted good, but was certainly pricey for the amount - definitely a quality over quantity kind of place, as they were relatively small bites. The best part of the meal by far is their bread, which we really enjoyed. They also have plant-based ice cream that people seemed to like.

The cafe itself is part of a strip mall - there’s limited seating inside and outside you’re just right by the parking lot. If I’m visiting a beautiful place like Kauai, I’d tend toward cafes with better atmospheres and views.

They also add an 18% “equitable service charge” to your order to provide a “livable wage” for their team (in lieu of tipping). This really left a bad taste in my mouth. I already paid close to $30 for a breakfast sandwich and toast, and now I’m required to pay extra so that employees have a higher salary? I don’t understand why that is coming out of my pocket? I’ve never been to a cafe that does this, and it felt (for lack of a better term) kind of slimy…I’ve seen service charges at nice restaurants or with large groups, but not at a coffee shop where you place an order at the counter and the extent of service is the food being brought to your table. I don’t think most people will realize they’re paying this, as it is in fine print at the bottom of their menu, and easily missed - it should be way more transparent and posted next to where you order. It should also be optional.

I’d suggest removing this surcharge, expanding the food menu a bit (maybe a yogurt bowl?), and adding some more seating inside. Until then, I’m not sure I’d recommend coming here if you have limited time...

My fiancé and I wandered in here for breakfast while visiting Kauai for our Babymoon. We’re from Maui. Super impressed with this establishment and menu choices and service. Love the interior. Simple and calming with nice wood touches. Love the mint green color scheme.

The food! I had the Macadamia nut pesto toast and my fiancé had the mushroom toast. Wow. All well worth the price. Just for reference, avocado toast in so over priced, imo, for what is actually offered and for the first time, I felt Collab’s toast options were what fancy toasts are supposed to be about and priced appropriately! Like I said, worth it. Fresh, super thick cut, nutty bread, super fresh ingredients that you can taste and lovely flavors put together. Add the poached egg! You’ll be satisfied and happy. Just all really delicious.

Coffee was also delicious. We both just got a regular drip and they made sure to let us know we could have a top off free of charge bc the mugs weren’t quite 16 oz. Also, when our food was brought out they brought out 2 mushroom toasts instead of the Mac-nut that I ordered, I let them know and they were super apologetic, took it back, remade what I ordered swiftly and brought it back out. We didn’t even ask for this, but later they let us know they refunded us $2 because of the mixup. Wonderful service.

When we visit again, we’ll be back and we’ll tell our friends when they island hop. Support local....

As an Australian visiting, this place gives me Newtown vibes. The staff were all so friendly and the food and coffee tastes just like home. Finding a good coffee (by young Australian standards) is hard in the US.. you know, because we like that non lactose, organic caramel frappe half latte half cappuccino sugar free in an eco friendly reusable cup type of coffee... Jokes, but we like coffee not in a drip.. this cafe has all your standard options you’d be used to in Sydney. No almond milk but just substitute it out for oat milk. It’s a farmer collective cafe so expect the best farmer quality ingredients 🤌🏼 I got some smashed avocado toast (without the works) and it was so delicious on thick dense bread (see image). My partner got the honey toast which had tangerine (orange?), cream cheese and honey on the same dense bread and he loved it. He’s not much of a breakfast person so that’s a big kudos. Price point is pretty standard for the area which coverts to expensive for our exchange rate 🥲 but it is what it is I guess. Anyway, whether you live here or are visiting here, this cafe is worth stopping by to try some local food and coffee and get a good feel of Hawaii, especially if there is the live music playing. A couple guys were playing some music when we went on a sunday and it was so nice. Love your work, thank you for welcoming us and making me a good coffee which...