Java Kai /// Kōloa — Restaurant in Kauai

Must stop here!!!

Java Kai in Old Koloa Town is straight-up awesome, and it made our engagement trip to Poipu so much sweeter! We rolled up to this cute white building, and the place was buzzing with island energy—think chill courtyard, funky tattoo-art vibes, and baristas who keep the good vibes flowing. It’s the kind of spot where you wanna kick back with a smoothie and plan your next Kauai adventure. We were all about the smoothies, and holy cow, they delivered. My fiancé got the Sunburst, this crazy-refreshing mix of pineapple and orange that was like drinking a sunny day—bright, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet. They kept saying it was their new favorite. I went for the Tropical Haze, a smoothie loaded with coconut, mango, and a bit of banana that tasted like a beach getaway. It was creamy, smooth, and I was legit bummed when I finished it. We also split another smoothie—pretty sure it was something like their Mango Madness—bursting with fresh mango and pineapple that tasted like it came straight off a Kauai farm. Those smoothies were hands-down some of the best we’ve had. I also grabbed a Local 100% Kauai Pour Over, and man, it was something else. Super rich, with this chocolatey, kinda flowery taste that felt special knowing the beans were grown right here. We chilled in the courtyard, sipping and toasting our engagement while soaking up the Koloa breeze. They’ve got breakfast sandwiches and pastries on the menu—those gluten-free muffins looked unreal, so we’re definitely trying them next time. Only thing? The line was a bit long since this place is a total hotspot, but it moved fast enough. Could’ve ordered online to skip it, but it wasn’t a big deal. Yeah, it’s a little pricey ($7–$8 for smoothies, like $6 for the pour-over), but the fresh, local flavors make it worth it. Just a quick drive from Poipu’s beaches, Java Kai’s our go-to for a tropical buzz. Big mahalo to the crew for making our morning epic—we’re already hyped to...

We ate at Java Kai Kōloa a few times during our stay in Poipu, and it quickly became a go-to spot. It’s always busy (a good sign!), but the service moved along pretty well.

For breakfast, we both enjoyed the Surfer Girl sandwich—a great start to the day. For lunch, I tried the pork sandwich with purple potato salad, while my husband went with the turkey club. Both were satisfying, though the highlight for Mike was the hibiscus tea. Unfortunately, it was sold out when we came back the next day, which says something about its popularity!

We also sampled the limeade, which was refreshing, though personally, I prefer the fresh juices from Kauai Juice Co. across the street.

Overall, Java Kai Kōloa is a solid choice for a quick bite in the area, with tasty sandwiches and a...

This is the cutest coffee shop ever. We came across this place while passing by with the car. It was crowded in the morning so it drew our attention. They were fast so, even though there was a line, the wait was not long. They have a great coffee selection along with great food menu. The first time I got there, I ordered the light roast coffee. That coffee was super strong so beware... the second time around I ordered a latte and a breakfast burrito. Both were amazing and delicious. The coffee shop itself is very cute. There is only outdoor seating. It is inside an outdoor mall (there are other shops around) i felt like it was a great local spot. Next time, I am definitely getting my breakfast there every morning. I definitely recommend the breakfast burrito and...