Is Honolulu Coffee Worth the Price? A Cafe Guide
I stopped by Honolulu Coffee today, the one located at 888 Nelson Street, tucked right below a commercial office building and next to Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ (which I’ll review soon!). It’s a cozy spot to grab a coffee and a quick bite, but definitely on the pricier side. Parking can be tricky — only limited street parking nearby, so it’s not the easiest place to swing by for a quick caffeine fix.
Other Coffee Shops
- Le Marché St. George (4.5 Stars)
- PureBread Downtown (4 Stars)
- Mon Paris Patisserie (4 Stars)
Exterior
The café sits off a small plaza with a clean, modern storefront that gives off a minimalist tropical vibe. It’s not flashy, but the “Honolulu Coffee” logo instantly draws your attention. There’s a small patio area where you can enjoy your drink if the weather’s nice — great for people-watching in downtown Vancouver.
Interior / Atmosphere
Inside, the place feels bright and relaxed, with a Hawaiian café charm mixed with West Coast simplicity. The pastry counter caught my eye right away — rows of croissants, guava bread, matcha breakfast cookies, and glazed donuts lined neatly on glass shelves. Behind the counter, you can see the coffee equipment and a few shelves stocked with Hawaiian coffee beans, including their famous Kona Peaberry — though one 12oz bag was priced at a whopping $108, which definitely made me blink twice.
There’s a calm buzz inside — not too loud, but lively enough to feel social. It’s the kind of café where people bring their laptops or meet friends for a light chat.
Food & Drinks
I ordered the Hawaii Latte with oat milk, which came to around $9 after tax. The coffee itself was okay — smooth, lightly nutty, with a mild tropical note — but honestly, not particularly outstanding for the price. It’s pleasant, but I’ve had better lattes elsewhere in downtown for less.
The pastries looked tempting though. The croissants had that golden, flaky sheen, and the matcha breakfast cookie stood out with its deep green color. If I come back, it might be for one of those instead of the coffee.
Service
Service was friendly but straightforward — nothing over the top. What did surprise me, though, was that the tip option starts at 18%. It’s not a dealbreaker, but for a self-serve counter café, it feels a bit much, especially after paying close to $9 for a latte.
Verdict
Overall, Honolulu Coffee offers a cute, tropical-inspired café experience in the heart of downtown Vancouver. The vibe is relaxing, and the pastry display is definitely Instagram-worthy. However, with prices this high, I’d say it’s more of a once-in-a-while treat rather than a daily stop.
If you’re curious about Hawaiian-style coffee or want a place that feels a little like vacation without leaving the city, it’s worth checking out — just be prepared to pay premium prices for that island vibe.
604 Food Critics Summary:
☕️ Nice ambiance, decent coffee, but steep prices.
💸 Hawaii Latte: $9 | Kona Peaberry Beans: $108 | Tip starts at 18%
📍888 Nelson St, Vancouver, BC (next to Gyu-Kaku BBQ)
