ARS Cafe

Do not get the royal milk tea. It is simply not what you imagine. I thought it would be similar to the brown milk tea from those canned drink. This was just a cup of milk with a hint of oolong smell. (See the photo). It was not sweetened as well so I wanted to go back and ask for a refund but they were preoccupied and slow. Would not exactly recommend. The vibes are nice but deceiving because the drink was not close to good at all.

The baristas and cashiers are indifferent to your presence. Not only do they make you feel like you’re inconveniencing them but they also don’t even look at you when speaking and sigh when you ask them a question about a drink. When waiting for your drink , make sure you’re listening very carefully because even if the cafe is a bit noisy they’ll call out your drink softly and not repeat it, making the drink water down on the counter. Don’t work in jobs that require customer service if this is your attitude.

we parked on the residential street and walked a little bit. we got matcha lemonade and iced latte. surprisingly the matcha lemonade is very refreshing and good, it fits the hawaiian vibes. similar taste like iced lemon tea. the latte is okay, but the inside is very cute and aesthetic. if you are looking for a place for a break it’s a good place bc it has seats and AC.

Super slow service. We were 2nd ones to order when we arrived. The baristas served the 1st ones almost immediately since they were friends. We waited 30 minutes for an iced latte. I had to go back up to the counter to remind them I was waiting on an order I paid for. They proceeded to just talk to each other and move slowly without any apologies for any inconvenience. They proceeded to just give me something I didnt order. I shouldve listened to the other reviews about dismissive service. Find another coffee shop

Lovely cafe with a warm atmosphere. The baristas were welcoming and even brought water to my friend and I while we were sitting. I’d highly recommend checking this spot out if you’re in town! ARS has a lot of character !

I dropped by this cafe after hiking Diamond Head. It’s walkable from Diamond Head if you like walking. It’s not even close though. The cafe is chill vibe, and beautiful loco arts. It’s perfect place to get relaxed, and escaped the heat outside. I had a limited drink. It was tasty, and beautiful contrast between cold brew and the cream. I enjoyed spending time here.

Was a barista for 8 years and honestly places like this set the industry back. It’s not hard to greet a customer when they walk in or act even remotely interested. Also my drip coffee tasted like spoiled milk—couldn’t even finish it. If the coffee was more elevated I could maybe understand the pompous attitude, but most of the everything was just bad.

If you're looking for a near-perfect coffee house experience, this is your place. They only use compostable paper and "veg wear" plastic. Their menu features a host of menu items that are vegetarian. Items we ordered: avocado toast, croissant, and their "super green" fruit bowl. Both were sublime, and I think the green bowl would be vegan if not for the honey. My only comment is that they seem to burn their shots a bit, but that could be a style thing for them. Their commitment to local arts is fantastic. We arrived one day and there was an art exhibit; the next day it had switched to another. This place is incredible and I wish we lived closer to it. Update: keep in mind that they stop serving food at 1:00. We went back for another round of the super green bowl and were denied. :)

Decided to hang out in Monsarrat area after catching the sunrise at the beach nearby. The fiancé wanted to grab a cup of coffee. I had our dog with us so I waited outside while he ordered. He ended up coming back outside and motioned for me to come in. It's always nice to be able to go places that are dog friendly. My fiancé ordered a cafe late. He requested that it not be piping hot so the barista offered to steam the milk at a lesser temp (135 degrees). We always worry about sipping hot coffee drinks too soon and burning our tongues. This coffee was the perfect temp for us. No tongues were burned in the tasting of the coffee..lol. We also ordered a ham and cheese croissant. It was actually prosciutto, provolone on a croissant that was pressed and drizzled with honey. It was the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Definitely, a great spot to grab a coffee and bite to eat!

Cherry croissant was freshly baked and such a crisp great flavor. Cherry and almond wasn't just a fake flavoring. The ube scone was more of a cookie texture, it definitely didn't crumble the way a scone is supposed to but the ube taste was great. Great pour over coffee! 100% Kona beans coffee! Cute little cafe spot that features a lot of artists. Tiny tables of indoor seating. Breakfast bagel was gigantic and had so many veggies packed inside. Fried rice was really nicely done, and had a good amount of Portuguese sausage. Egg was poached perfectly!

Got iced pourovers with the single origin beans offered. The flavors were on the weaker side, kinda diluted. But the place was cute.

Such a cute cafe with the most wonderful vibes! Baristas super were kind and friendly. Went here for brunch prior to going to the beach. I ordered a matcha latte with lavender syrup and the prosciutto provolone croissant. The matcha was perfect, very grounded without being too earthy or sweet. The croissant was also to die for. It was crispy and flaky, perfectly toasted by the panini press. The savory prosciutto was perfectly balanced with the sharpness of the cheese, but not overpoweringly so. It was topped off with a drizzle of honey which was a delectable addition. My friends were also quite satisfied with their orders. A new favorite, and will definitely be returning.

Nice wooden interior like a mix of an old library and coffee bar. They play good jazz to go along with the coffee.

The interior was very nice, although the dude working at the establishment seemed a bit standoffish. Maybe that's just the vibe at coffee places idk LOL. The matcha latte I got with honey was good but it wasn't spectacular. I always passed by this place but never bothered to visit. I will admit that the space was very aesthetically pleasing and I can imagine myself coming here sipping a drink and sketching things in my artbook. It has that kind of vibe lol

I parked right in front. Just wanted to stop in for a drink. A matcha to be specific. It was a nice little cafe. I do want to go look around next time. It was a cute cafe. I ordered the matcha with mango puree. It was quite interesting. I would go back to get more drinks. Maybe sit in there awhile. Or maybe order food!

6/17/23 this place definitely serves quality coffee. I haven't been here in several years but the space is still beautiful with the wooden details and art. On a Saturday morning there were several customers hanging out inside enjoying the espresso. They have ample seating both inside and outside. Several tables and chairs and also a bar seating along the wall. Customer service was ok. The workers could be a bit more smiley. My cappuccino was smooth and delicious. There's some street parking right in front. I noticed their food menu but will need to come back and try it. Yes, I'll definitely be coming back to this place.

This is such a intriguing coffee shop. Love that it's a small and unique place. Unfortunately the espresso machine was broken so lots of drinks were not available. They still had coffee, teas and cold brews. I actually came in because my 2 year old really had to use the restroom and they were extremely cool about letting us use theirs. I ended up ordering a matcha with macadamia nut milk and two iced vanilla milks for my kids. Both were drank with ease. They also have a selection of baked goods as well as avocado toast and some eggs and such. Didn't have time to try the food but lots of other people were! Service was great and very friendly. They have a bunch of art hanging throughout the shop and a beautiful wood coffee bar. It's a little unfinished and could use some cleaning (if you are going to paint everything white you must keep it white) but over all a great spot. I would love to come back and try an espresso drink and definitely plan on it.

I will definitely recommend. Lovely place. Cozy atmosphere, great service and stuff so friendly.

Cute cafe with unique artwork on the walls. Ordered an iced americano which I highly recommend. If you're looking for a good coffee shop away from the crowds, this is the spot.

Delicious coffee and the ambiance was so good I had a croissant ham and cheese sandwich and it was delicious, also Dana was amazing she made me the best latte ever I will be back for sure

This place has good coffee, art, a cute building, and is in a relatively peaceful location (away from Waikiki), but honestly, that's about all it has to offer. I ordered food and a coffee. The moody barista left my coffee sitting on the counter so I had to go and get it, and the server brought me two forks instead of a knife and fork. Another trip to the counter. While I understand that the vibe is more serve-yourself rather than table-service, I resent being presented with a tip screen if I'm not going to get table service. The food is functional; ie. something you order as an afterthought to snack on with your coffee, but not something you go out of your way for. The prices have also increased about 30% over the last few years, and while inflation happens, and this certainly isn't a unique situation, I still find the whole Ars experience underwhelming. Ars has a cult following with locals and the art scene (so I expect this review to be unpopular), but this is part of the problem; the place has gotten complacent, resting smugly on its faded laurels and doing nothing more. If Ars were a term paper, and I were to grade it, I'd give it a 'C minus: could do better'. So, come for the coffee, and stay for the location, but don't expect anything more.

Haven't been here in quite a while and was curious to revisit it. Like other businesses around town, this one felt different post pandemic and seemed like they could have used another body behind the counter. It's still cute, but the vibe felt less charming and cozy than it did prepandemic for some reason. I can't remember if it's because they used to play music or if it was that they had more art on the walls or maybe it's because the food is still being served in disposable take out containers. At least the food and drinks are still good! My super green bowl was a generous bowl of frozen ??? Even though I wasn't sure what it was, I ordered it because all the ingredients listed on the menu sounded delicious and healthy like an açaí bowl but without the açaí. It was beautifully topped with colorful strawberries, blueberries, bananas, and granola, but even after eating it I'm still not sure what the cold "green" stuff was. I know it had spirulina and spinach but the rest remains a mystery. A yummy one though. My friend had the Panini French toast made of sweet bread which was also beautifully presented but daintier than a traditional French toast. Prices are fairly reasonable and ARS is a nice alternative to the other businesses down the street.

The food was delicious here, however the staff behind the counter was pretty rude and pretentious. It was clear that they were very friendly with locals and regulars, however there was quite a bit of attitude towards us "out-of-towners." Given that this is a tourist town, I was rather put off by their general demeanor. The judgment was palpable. The food was great, but don't expect superb hospitality unless you have a Hawaiian license plate.

Coffee is nearly undrinkable. Ordered a breve latte and tasted like it was made with pinesol. Bitter, off-putting aftertaste, poor quality coffee. It was also $7.33. You can be terrible, but terrible and expensive? Wow. I'd suggest going to a cafe run by coffee people instead, such as The Curb, Try Coffee, 9Bar or DripHNL. I couldn't even finish half of my coffee from this place it was so bad. Sucks there's not a better option in my neighborhood here. Would be one star but I like the location. Two stars.

So cute! Service was fast and food was fresh. Two breakfast bagels were reasonably priced, filling, and super yummy! The inside of the cafe has cool art and a cool vibe as well.

They don't have iced coffee... what coffee shop doesn't have iced coffee...anyways, other options were cold brew or iced americano. Got the latter and it was alright

*Warning: no Wi-Fi! Checked this place out because we needed Wi-Fi to work and coffee as it says free Wi-Fi. It turns out they don't offer Wi-Fi. As for their coffee and food though, I have to give 4 stars! 12oz cappuccino - comes with 4 shots and tastes good. Mango scone - I like how they warm it up for you. The taste wise it has a very subtle flavor. I personally like it, but some people may think there is not much flavor to it. Super Green Bowl - really good! Eating it while enjoying the view of diamond head is a plus!

Cute nook to chill and getaway from adulting... That was what I really wanted to do and this unfortunately isn't the place...don't get me wrong it's amazing but the parking and literally like six tables maybe makes it almost impossible. Such a super cute place that seem to be lost in time is the mode this place sets that I love. I got their matcha latte with oat milk lightly sweetened with honey with their suggestion turned out amazing the best considering it's an unsweetened matcha what a wonderful grade they used I just loved it. I also got their veggie bagel sandwich which I had to take with me because there wasn't a table I was given a number so that when the kitchen staff that prepared it brought it out they knew who to give it to and not knowing I grabbed it and left...no bag, no napkins, nothing....the bagel wasn't even cut in half which made it impossible to eat without being a hot mess so I decided not to eat it. Great place...staff was super polite and friendly but too small for me to make the trouble to stop by.

Never thought I'd be the type of millennial that spends $10 on an avocado toast but I had a sink full of dishes and it came came highly recommended. Been coming here for years to get my coffee beans and occasional pastry (highly recommend the cinnamon roll) but never tried their food menu. The avocado toast was the bomb, I added an egg for $1 which was a good call. Will definitely buy again!

ARS Cafe has become our go-to stop after a 6am surf session. Although this place is small and unassuming, the vibe when you walk in is...~avante garde ~ Apparently it's an art gallery as well! The coffee bar counter looks super hipster, with all their fancy machinery and espresso stuff out in the open. Reminds me a bit of the Starbucks Reserve, but packaged in a tiny area. I've gotten both the Oat Milk Latte and the Americano here. Both tended to be on the stronger, more bitter end. I personally don't really care for coffee that is too strong, but I didn't mind it all too much. I thought the Oat Milk Latte would actually be sweeter (which is my preference!), but this one tasted strongly of coffee still. We've tried a few of the pastries here as well. Although they look delicious, we didn't think the cinnamon roll or blueberry cream scone was anything to write home about. The cinnamon roll was a bit stale, and the scone felt a little too soft and not that sweet either. I think they were probably on the older end, because scones tend to have the crisp outer shell paired with a soft fluffy inside. I do like that they switch up their desserts though. The staff is usually very nice. On a completely unrelated note, I feel like their hand sanitizer at the counter smells SOOOOOO good. LOLOL. Service can be a bit slow. The cafe wasn't very busy when I came in around 1pm on a Sunday, but it still took me around 15-20 min to get my bowl. I think there's only one person in the kitchen, so they get backed up easily :/ Definitely not a place to come to if you're in a rush. I also got the Green Bowl here - highly recommend!! The green smoothie base is thick and creamy, and has lots of flavor! Sweet and enjoyable, unlike that at Lanikai lol. They also give you a generous amount of fruit (blueberries, strawberries, banana), and granola. For the portion size, the value is AMAZING. A bowl like this will cost you upwards of $13+ elsewhere, but it's only $9.50 here. I hope I didn't jinx it by stating it out loud. This is definitely one of my favorite bowls on the island. Parking hasn't been too difficult for us (yet) in our experience. There are often several street parking spaces nearby.

I stopped in here with my parents while they were visiting on the way to Diamond Head to grab some caffeine in a bite to eat. I had driven by a few times and been interested because of the outside design. When I stepped inside, I was not disappointed. Not only was the quality of their coffee, superb, but the food options. Just perfect. my parents and I split two sandwiches (salmon and a veg with egg added) and two pastries and none of them disappointed. All of our coffees were even better, with the perfect balance of flavor across the coffee, dairy, and sweetener. This is the perfect spot on your way, or after hiking Diamond head to perk up and grab a quick snack. Oh! And try the cold brew. You won't be disappointed.

Atmosphere is cool and cozy. No Wi-Fi access though. Service was a little slow. And I absolutely did not like my drink. Chai latte is always my go too. It tasted like watered down cinnamon oat milk. Not good at all.

Wow I've lived in town for years and had never been here... what a hidden gem! Coffee is strong and tasty, and the food is amazing/ very reasonably priced. My salmon bagel was outstanding (Jewish boy approved) and only 7.5$ are you kidding me?? Huge portion. I've been paying double that for worse versions all over town. The barista was really knowledgeable and was able to talk story with guests while simultaneously making all the orders and running the register... impressive. Also makes for a very enjoyable atmosphere. The beautiful wood bar and overall aesthetic here rocks! I just wish I lived close by....

-Wonderful and kind staff here -parking is found on the streets. No private lot -no WiFi, so I recommend using a personal cell hotspot -their sandwich is soo yummy here. We had the caprese sandwich and it was soo good I've gotta come back here -open seating

One of my favorite coffee spots in Honolulu. Coffee and service are excellent, and also the location is perfect, since it is not as busy as by the beaches, so easier to park a car.

My drink was great, no complaints. Problem is that the server was obnoxiously condescending. When I ordered a macchiato, he responded with, "It's not gonna be like a Starbucks macchiato." As if I didn't know what a legit macchiato from anywhere but Starbucks is like. I've ordered a macchiato probably two hundred times without anyone feeling the need to debrief me on what it is. Great shop, cool vibe, just prefer service workers who don't peg me as some valley girl who doesn't know what she's ordering. So to the bearded man with ugly crocs, maybe try not treating your customers as if they're morons? Made my morning just a little less bright.

Great coffee and beans. I came here by recommendation from a fellow coffee loving friend and I was not disappointed. The barista that helped me was extremely friendly and welcoming and seemed to remember a couple customers who came in. He definitely know how to strike a conversation and make people feel welcomed. I can't leave the island without grabbing a bag of their Maui beans to take back to LA.

ARS kicks major ars! I moved away from Oahu several years ago before this cafe even existed. Being back on island recently for a wedding, my husband and I were walking back to our hotel from a nearby "old favorite cafe" and happened to walk right past ARS. Well we stopped in our tracks, of course, to check out this 1920s looking espresso bar, and realized it was not only a cool looking coffee shop, but that their menu had our names written all over it! In addition to the usual espresso and coffee beverages, they also had matcha lattes, avocado toast, and an awesome smoothie bowl made with Spirulina. Yup, we're all about that! We went back the next day for breakfast...and then again the day after that! Not only were our lattes on point, but the avocado toast and Super Green Bowl were delish, and we thoroughly enjoyed the 1920s vibe and soothing music they were playing each day. Even the restroom was nice and stocked with Aēsop brand hand soap and lotion. Can't wait to come back to the island and revisit ARS Cafe again!

Great pour over coffee, great vibe and great art! Looking forward to my next visit! Curious who curates the art... well done!

Came here with a friend for the first time and was amazed at the beautiful interior, it didn't even feel like I was in Hawaii! There was only one person working when we got there, and she looked a little frazzled, but she was super sweet when taking our order. My friend's coffee and banana bread came out very quickly, but I had to inquire about my Royal Milk Tea about 15 minutes after ordering, when I saw the three people who ordered after me get all of their drinks. The worker said she was still working on it, and it came out shortly after. The Royal Milk Tea (Earl Grey - $4.50 for a small) was filled to the brim in a beautiful ceramic cup, and was absolutely delicious. Not sweet (just how I like it), very aromatic, and the milk was steaming and creamy as well! The slice of Banana Bread that we shared was very... hard..? It wasn't bad, I've just never encountered a banana bread that wasn't soft and moist. There were loads of walnuts baked into it, and spices that elevated the flavor. I didn't hate it, but hmm. I don't think i'd get it again.

Starting the day right...in Honolulu! My friend and I were going to the Rotary's Annual Garage Sale at Waikiki Elementary School and we wanted a snack since we were early. (Doors open at 7am. We arrived by 6am to stand in line, but there was none... yet.) Wanting to support a small business, a search on my Yelp app brought us to ARS Cafe because they open at 6:30am. We parked right in front of the shop...on the street. The gal opened the door a little before 0630. She was sweet and patient with my friend who has a tendency to overwhelm the server with questions. Haha! The interior was very unique. This coffee shop doubles as an art gallery and features a different artist every month. Artwork is available for purchase! I enjoyed looking at interesting creations while waiting for my snack. (We also used the clean and convenient restroom. Thank you!) I kind of like surprises, so I just order blindly. "Bowl of Granola" sounded "normal" to me, so I took a chance... wow... This is no ordinary bowl of granola! It had a thick layer of yogurt, topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries! Mixed with the granola were dried cranberries, almonds, and pumpkin seeds! Yum yum! It was better than I expected! I would return again and get a cup of chai because my friend said it was the real deal - not powder and not syrup. She was really satisfied with her order! The gelato and salmon toast platter also interest me! This is an ultra cool find. Please check it out if you're in the Diamond Head area!

Wasn't the best coffee but it satisfied our fix. Probably one of the better coffee joints we tried in Honolulu. Plenty of room to sit inside. We recommend the avocado toast, they add pesto + goat cheese which makes it super tasty!

Not a fan of this wanna be trendy coffee shop. It feels very LA with the attitudes to go with it. This place is unfriendly, unwelcoming and the lattes and coffee suck. Espresso tastes sour and no flavor. Tried this place on a whim because it had decent yelp reviews.... But not sure how? Not worth it!

BEST hidden Gem in town...!!! Not too bad of a walk from where we were staying and it's gotta be the best of 2 coffee spots in town, I promise! The food was unreal and everything was fresh! It's definitely a must when in town and worth every step to ARS!

I absolutely love the vibe at ARS cafe. We were driving back from Lanikai and wanted to make a pit stop for coffee, so we found ourselves here! I think what I enjoyed most was the set up of the art gallery. Upon entering, you can order your drinks/food from the bar area. There is also a bar seating area near the entrance. But if you want to admire some art while you sip on your coffee or tea, keep walking in. Different small art installations line the walls next to the tables. I ordered the Matcha, very potent, not sweet! I say give this place a visit if you're in diamond head area.

This is a cute cafe with lots of art work on the walls changes monthly. Earl grey royal milk tea was just okat....they put way too much milk, I could barely taste the tea. I think thier drinks, particularly coffees are priced bit too high ($5 for 8oz). However I love their food items. Avocado toast was very good and their pastry, particularly the scone with fruits and cream cheese was awesome. All the pastries in the show case are $1 after 2pm.

Trendy little coffee shop about a mile walk from Diamond Head. Adorable staff with all kinds of yummy food and specialty coffee drinks. Don't miss the Nutella panini!

Stopped by here before heading to Diamond head in the morning. This fun coffee shop had a very locals feel to it. Inside it had cool, eclectic decorations and two very competent baristas. Although the kitchen was closed, we were able to order pour over coffees and premade pastries. The food was delicious, but the coffee was the real standout. Fresh made with immense care, it was a pleasure to watch them use all the cool gear to make the perfect cup. Glad we stopped by and would definitely return!

Excellent coffee. Great cafe vibe to hang out and chat. No wifi though. Service is good.

Such a cute cafe! I've been meaning to stop by, but parking in the area can be a hassle so I'd never bothered to check the place out. I figured since we were going to take a reformer class nearby, that we'd stop by for coffee, food, and to get some work done before heading back home. Omg I'm so glad we did. I went in blindly and was expecting just a normal avocado toast.. but the avocado toast that came out had a side salad, not to mention beets and blue cheese! Love! My boyfriends mushroom toast was super yummy too! The service was quick and friendly, and our food and coffees were good! We'll definitely be back when we're in the area~

Nice, slightly quirky coffee shop on Monserrat. I saw some reviews where the barista may have had a bit of an attitude, but he wasn't here today, and the barista here was cordial and nice.

Having owned pioneer saloon, the owner opened ARS Cafe Gallery to compliment their heritage in food. From fresh baked delights to breakfast classics, it's truly a place to start off your morning. On the contrary, @ars.cafe is adorned with creative mediums on a monthly calendar basis, and the inspiration first rooted in the name ARS itself. Ars; short for Artis, is rendered as "Art is long, and life is short". Pretty expressive you think? We're obsessed with their freshly brewed drinks and their Cajun rice find them on Monsarrat, a block away from @pioneersaloonhawaii

This cafe is right down the street from where I live so I just walk down and get some coffee there when I feel like getting some caffeine in me. Nice little cafe with great atmosphere. Can spend some time doing some work on the laptop or phone while I'm there. Very quiet setting so you can work without it being too noisy.

Delicious coffee, 4 shots for the large latte?? YESSSS PLEASEEE great staff n the pastries are so yummy n delicious, hidden tho inside the counter, a gem in Hawaii

ARS is the perfect place to hangout and chill with a friend, lover or good book. They have a variety of gelato options, cafe choices like Sandwiches, toasts, salads and bagels. The servers here are all quite friendly and personable. The interior has several seats and a bar area that you can park on to enjoy your drink and meal. Drink-wise a boat load of several teas, coffees, expresso's and cold drinks. Parking is outside in the street. Enjoy yourself!

Vibe: 5/5 Service: 2.5/5 Taste: 4/5 Doppio (able to add sugar on own) Hot Latte with honey Hot flat white with lavender and oat milk

My family and I decided to stop in after we had a late lunch after the being at the Zoo, all day. Plus, I was in dire need of some "iced" coffee. IT WAS HOT OUT!! Since ARS was next door to where we had lunch, we said "why not try it out". My husband and I, had their "Green tea iced latte with some honey" and it was delicious. It kinda reminded us of the "green tea KitKat" from Japan. Which we absolutely love. My daughter had the "strawberry gelato" which she "swears she absolutely loves". Lol...TRUST ME!! She's a picky eater!! Definitely glad, we stopped in this little "cute and unique" coffee shop. We will definitely be back!! The price here, very reasonable. As for the parking, you can find parking along the street. Definitely, give this place a try!!