Kalapawai Cafe & Deli

It's hard to mesh efficient service in a restaurant and provide a wholesome connection and warmth to the customer. Kalapawai Cafe & Deli absolutely exceeds expectations in both avenues and projects the atmosphere of a small-town gem. The food is fresh, delicious, and reasonably priced. The staff are kind and capable. At the risk of making the line longer for myself, if you're in Kailua, you need to stop here for breakfast or lunch.

Tasty food! Everyone's meal that went by looked delicious. I got the lilikoi sangria, pita & hummus, herb goat cheese & roasted grape bruschetta, pumpkin pizza. Everything was great!

We just got in yesterday and with the time difference we woke up fairly early, I was very happy to get a sandwich at 9am. We were promptly greeted by the sweetest lady, she went over the menu with us. I ordered the chicken pesto sandwich and it was out of this world, the tomatoes were marinated with garlic, the pesto was incredible, and the ciabatta was perfect and not overly chewy, they come with a small tossed greens or chips, I got the tossed greens and it was simple but very yummy. My husband got the Italian and it was also really good. They had a beautifully stocked pastry/dessert case. I was going to get one but I was so full from the sandwich. We will definitely be back and I will be getting some desserts!

My husband and I loved it here! We even got seconds after we ordered because of how good it was! We also sat outside and the view is amazing!

Cute little restaurant. Just happened to be driving by and decided to pull in, so glad we did. Casual dress yet phenomenal, eclectic and super high quality menu and drink options. Very impressed. Our meal was fantastic! Loved everything about the experience!

The service was incredible here and the food did not disappoint! The ordering process was slightly confusing but that honestly didn’t matter once we figured it out! We were so happy to find something fresh on the island! Thank you so much we will come back! The French dip…. YUM!

Atmosphere rating is just because i can't see the beach, cute cafe. I hade the margherita pizza made with cauliflower crust and alamode warmed cookie. The food was yummy and hit the spot.

Everything is amazing!! Make reservations!! Gets busy This is a place where you can taste the love that the chief has for each plate. Outstanding! Daily specials, need to ask. Fresh local ingredients = Happy opu! (Stomach) Our server was very attentive and knowledgeable about each dish.

I don't do reviews but this place deserves one. Nice people, clean place, and amazing food. Everytime I visit Hawaii Kalapawai is the go to.

Ordered take out for dinner. Orders cannot be placed before 4:30 pm. My husband got there about 4, looked over the menu and asked if he placed the orders at 4:30, would it be ready before 5. Cashier/waitress and even the chef assured him it would be ready by then. We ordered the following: Rigatoni alla Bolognese (5 stars) Special: Mai Ka Aina (steak), medium rare Da Geevum Burger Wedge Salad with blue cheese Everything was excellent. So, excellent that we forgot to take photos! The steak and burger was grilled to perfection, great flavors! Will be back!

We went here for lunch on a weekday around 1:30pm. Service was friendly and super quick. You order at the counter and then they bring your food to your table. I got a chai tea latte which was delicious and for my meal I had the hot pastrami sandwich. The sandwich was as okay but not mind blowing. My partner ordered the pepperoni pizza and it was definitely just a frozen pizza that had been reheated. While the place is cute and feels local the food is just okay.

Great service with aunty Paula from Riverside, Ca she was AMAZING. Always had a smile and checking up on all 3 of our tables. Party of 17 delicious food thank you to the lovely cooks as well. Ambiance was good of course you're in Hawaii Sending hugs The family from Oceanside, Ca

Cute cafe in the heart of downtown Kailua with friendly, attentive service. I came with 3 friends on a Friday evening and we made a reservation the day of, which seemed necessary since the restaurant is pretty small. Parking can be pretty hard as the lot is small so we found street parking nearby. I got the Da Geevum burger which I did not expect to enjoy as much as I did. The pastrami on top was delicious and the burger was thick and cooked really well. My friends and I shared the salted chocolate chip cookie with ice cream. Super satisfying dessert and a soft, thick cookie. Would recommend as a casual spot for a meal with friends and family.

Saturday night dinner at Kalapawai Cafe. We didn't have a reservation but the nice host squeezed us in after only a 5min wait. Place was pretty busy. Lots of local art for sale on the walls. Our friendly server took our order and our food came out hot and as ordered. We had Ahi tuna on Lemongrass risotto, a Margherita pizza, Maui onion soup, and a Da Geevum burger (8oz wagyu w/ pastrami). Food was top notch....not a crumb left on anyone's plate. Glad we saved room for dessert. The daily "crisp" of apples & blueberries was served piping hot, with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Plenty for the 4 of us to enjoy. All in all a very nice dinner. Will definitely try this place again.

If you're looking for a great spot to enjoy a casual meal in Kailua, look no further than Kalapawai Café & Deli. We popped in for a weekend lunch and managed to score parking in their small lot, which was a lucky break. There's also street parking available, and both indoor and outdoor seating options. For lunch, we decided on the Caprese sandwich and the Kalapawai Beach Burger. The Caprese sandwich was delicious, featuring fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, mixed greens, and a generous drizzle of balsamic reduction on toasted ciabatta bread. The basil pesto added a bright, herbaceous note that tied everything together perfectly. The Kalapawai Beach Burger was equally satisfying, with a perfectly grilled 1/3-pound wagyu beef patty that was tender and juicy. Topped with melted American cheese, crisp lettuce, red onion, tomato, pickles, and a delicious basil aioli, it hit all the right notes for a classic yet elevated burger experience. The basil aioli gave the burger a nice, unique twist, balancing out the richness of the beef and cheese. Both sandwiches came with a simple but satisfying bag of salty chips. To drink, we enjoyed an iced coffee and a matcha latte. The iced coffee was smooth and refreshing -- perfect for a warm day -- while the matcha latte was creamy and subtly sweet, with a nice earthy flavor that wasn't overpowering. Both drinks were a great complement to the meal. Kalapawai Café & Deli is a fantastic spot for a casual, delicious lunch in Kailua. The service was friendly, efficient, and welcoming -- the staff checked in on us regularly to make sure we had everything we needed. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this is a must-visit for fresh, flavorful food and a laid-back atmosphere. We'll definitely be back!

A good casual breakfast spot with cheap coffee and yummy pastries. Got the bagel avocado, bacon, and tomato and added egg. It was standard, nothing mind blowing. Service was quick and professional.

We went to Kailua beach and passed by a cute market-looking store and decided to check it out for a beach lunch. I definitely recommend ordering online instead of ordering in person because it gets crowded, especially on the weekends and holidays. We ordered the French dip, Italian, and Kailua club and they were all delicious. The beef in the French dip was tender, the Italian had sharp deli meats, and the Kailua club was full of fresh veggies. Each sandwich ranges from $11-15, which isn't bad considering the quantity and quality.

Omg!!! I love love love this place they have the tastiest burger. You need to try the beach burger. The secret sauce they use is amazing!!! The brioche bun is amazing!

I'm a regular customer at the kapolei location and happened to be in Kailua so we ate at this location. The vine is chill inside and the staff are friendly. They have an extensive coffee and wine bar as well as a delicious selection of locally inspired breakfast and lunch dishes. The avocado toast is my fave. I forgot to take a pic because it looked so good I dug right in.

Great breakfast place our 1st stop upon our return to Kailua!!! Our all time fav lox & bagels! Yummy and always made perfectly!

We're back...starting at Kalapawai and working our way to waimanalo, hawaii kai, etc, scenic tour before child goes back to college...had their chai and matcha latte came in the cutest cups, they said they get them once in awhile and not always, see picture, not to mention their latte are good. Place was packed as always and we wanted to eat in but was full so we sat outside and it was getting HOT, one of the workers were kind enough to move us inside as soon as a table opened up, so nice of them, considering its self-serve seating. This just made it a brighter day when they go out of their way to assist you. Did our normal pastrami, reuben and chicken with pesto, can't say anything negative the good is always on spot and consistency is what brings me back over and over again. Parking on weekends is a real hassle but if you wait someone comes out of the tiny lot.

Kalapawai has been in this Kailua location for as long as I can remember. I've passed by it's iconic green building so many times on my way in or out of Kailua town. Surprisingly, I've only dined here two or three times. Then Kalapawai opened a new location in Waimanalo and that's closer for me so I've been there more than I've been to the Kailua location. The menus are different at the different locations. I think I like the Waimanalo menu more--there seems to be more options. At this Kailua location, I recently went for lunch and got the Kailua Club Sandwich with a bag of chips. I paid around $20 for a sandwich, bag of chips and a drink, so it's a little pricey. My sandwich was good, but not like the most amazing sandwich I've ever had. I liked that it was packed with lettuce and sprouts and that the bread was soft and fresh. At the end of the day, it's just a sandwich. I kind of wish they had more exciting sandwich flavors like curried chicken. Maybe I was just craving curry that day... The service is minimal. They have a counter where you order and you are given a little table number. They bring the food out to you in little plastic diner baskets when its ready. For dinner, it looks like the menu is a little ore than just sandwiches and pastries. They also serve wine and beer and cocktails, so I'd guess this is a pretty happening place. Kalapawai is just A-OK for me. If you want a decent sandwich with a bag of chips, this is your place. I guess I've found that I like eating non-sandwiches when I go out for lunch.

Awesome local cafe with a vast variety of delicious food for anytime of day. They also have many made in house bakery items, even some that are gluten-fee! This wonderful local cafe is nestled in the downtown area of Kailua, serves up some of the best grinds in town! The service is friendly but you must order at the counter for to go or dine in option. There is limited outdoor deck seating or small table seating inside. The walls are decorated with a variety of local artists paintings that are for sale. Five Fabulous Stars for Fresh, Healthy, Taste, variety and Aloha Customer Service with a smile!

My favorite things to buy here are their Hazelnut whole beans. Their beans remind me of Philtered Soul from Philz (IYKYK). I drink it black because there's so much flavor. Also their chocolate chip cookies with salt are FIRE. Definitely top #5 on the island. Haven't had dinner there yet but I know it's on my checklist.

Cute little spot for breakfast! My breakfast biscuit with eggs was delicious and was eh overact size for a light breakfast. We sat outside where it has nice shade l.

First time dining here and it was a great experience! Food was delicious and freshly made, servers were attentive, and loved the people watching from the patio. Parking is a bit limited in their lot so might want to just find a spot on the street.

This spot is like a little chameleon hiding right in the middle of Kailua town. There are a couple other locations but this one is definitely my favorite. I've had every meal here and I have to say I've never been disappointed. The service is always above and beyond and the staff is super friendly. Go in the morning for brunch and pastries to go or stop in for a classy dinner with the family in the evening. An absolute must try for anyone local or visiting.

This is a cute little café/deli. I came in on a Tuesday morning and quickly ordered a breakfast sandwich and sat down at the bar area. I got the B.T.A. Bagel, which came on my choice of a plain bagel or everything bagel. I got the everything bagel and it was quite good. The staff was friendly and fast.

Ended up in Kailua because I got the dates confused for an appointment that is actually in October, decided to stay since I already paid for parking and grab breakfast. I haven't been to Kalapawai in probably 4 years as I lived on the other side of the island and tend to avoid this area (crowds, limited parking) This place is just as awesome as I remember- great house brew coffee. Small and somewhat cramped dining area but it creates a really charming, acoustic atmosphere that is amplified by the open concept kitchen. This is the first time I've ever seen a lox bagel offered as a sandwich instead of an open bagel and it was soooooo good. Toasted to perfection, just the right amount of cream cheese Sit and go style, rustic interior, popular spot. They do have a small parking lot but it fills up quickly. I just love this place, staff is always friendly, food is consistently delicious. Prices are reasonable- which makes it a gem in Kailua!

Service was superb!! She gave me a great recommendation for the next stop! The drink I got was stellar!!

Quality of the food was outstanding, people were very nice. We had a Rueben sandwich, side salad, and seriously the best clam chowder I have had in years. Thank you Ese their chowder cook for making a light and flavorful chowder that was better than my favorite from Boston or San Francisco!

Ono food and salads are creative. Need one in Aiea/pearlcity Or Kaka'ako area Good food but locations not near Aiea/Pearl City

Cool vibe and nice staff. Selection for sandwiches was less than expected and the sandwiches tasted good but weren't filling considering what you're paying. I've been here a couple of times and the coffee is good but I'm not going to spend that much for regular sandwiches. I bought some random flowers they were selling outside so that was cool

Referred here by friends. A small quaint little place with indoor and outdoor seating. Wood paneling, and tables adjacent to the serving area. Ordered the gumbo, the wife had the 3 fish mai ke Kai. Both were excellent. Parking was a little wonky, but plentiful. I recommend this place.

One of our favorite restaurants in Kailua. Food is always amazing. Drinks are always great. Staff is very friendly. Local art on the walls is for sale as well.

Visiting home for a week and we had to stop by here. The hospitality is 100% amazing! From Aunty Paula helping us outside find parking to the moment we left. Nothing but ALOHA! The food taste just as amazing as home should taste! If you're hungry for whatever your heart desires please come by here! The ambiance is blessed! ONO GRINDZ for sure! Thank you Aunty Paula and Staff!!!!

We went from brunch/lunch on a Saturday, small parking lot, lots of tables available. Lots of coffee selections. Order at the counter and food will be brought to the table. Casual vibes, quick service. Check it out if you're in the area!

Great stop on your way to Lanikai for some brunch. Breakfast burrito and Pastrami Reuben very tasty and fresh. Also very reasonable prices and average serve sizing which is a nice change as other places make a habit of overcharging and making serves too big for a lunch. Friendly service too!

Came in on New Year's Eve day at 6:28 PM for a pick me up. Ordered a drip coffee but was told that they are not doing drip coffees as the dinner menu had started. So instead ordered an Americano, Chai tea latte, apple juice, Nutella brioche, a banana bread slice. Asked if they could heat up the banana bread and the nutella brioche, but the barista said they couldn't warm it up. Which was a bummer because i wouldn't have ordered it if they couldn't heat it. Initially when asked to heat it up, he said he wouldn't recommend it. Then i asked i would like it heated anyway. That is when he said that the dinner menu has begun and he can't go to the kitchen and heat it up.

First of all, forget their parking lots. Just park on the street and walk, really work up that appetite. We shared a bunch of dishes but I want to rave about the grilled peach bruschetta (!!!) and the brussel sprouts. If you're a sprouts girlie or king, GET THEM. The pickled onions are a nice touch. The bruschetta was such a good appetizer that I think I'd be fine having it as a meal. I also had the gnocchi, which was good (and I believe it was vegan or at least vegetarian?), but I don't know that I would order it again when going back. I can't recall the name of the drink, which should tell you it as well made. I do know it had gin in it and you have to mix it up (it turns gray) before drinking. Our server was so incredibly sweet, knew everything about the specials and the menu, and never left us hanging. There is indoor dining and outdoor -- it feels a little cramped and the tables for 2 look like they'd have some surface trouble if an appetizer, two entrees, and drinks were out at the same time. We had a party of 3 so we had extra space but if we added a 4th person I'm not sure how it would've gone.

Stopped in for lunch and was pleasantly surprised. Friendly staff, cozy vibe and tasty sandwiches (French dip & Reuben). Highly recommend!

This is a hometown restaurant that you don't want to change. The ambience, service and food are top notch. If you are missing local cooking like your grandma used to cook on a Sunday morning this is the place for you. My favorite is the lup cheong fried rice.

I had ordered a Hot Pastrami Sandwich and a French Dip. Sadly to say, they were both very disappointing. Their sandwiches used to be so delicious; hadn't been there in a while. Both sandwiches were bland and not tasty at all. We will be returning to Zia's for our sandwiches soon.

We stopped by for lunch while sightseeing. Having climbed Diamond Head earlier that morning, I was hungry. I ended up having a wonderful cup of coffee and a breakfast burrito with sausage. We sat outside on the small patio in the back, as all other tables were being used. The pastries looked amazing. My son enjoyed his chocolate chip muffin. Service was quick and friendly.

Ask for chase if you go in for dinner! If it's on a Monday, he'll give you deals on bottles of wine!!!

Steak bento was pretty good cooked well with good flavors.. Super easy to place order and they have a nice outside dining are to enjoy the meal.

Their burgers are some of the best I've ever had, regardless of location. Meals were expensive, but did not disappoint in terms of flavor, quantity, and quality. Really appreciate the quality of the gfree buns as well. Ambience is perfect. Clean, rustic, lush, and colorful. Service is average. Have not had a long wait for food here though, which is a big plus.

Oh, how I love this market! Not only is it a cafe & deli, but it's also a convenience store that has just about everything under the sun - from drinks and snacks, to beach accessories and store merch. I always stop by this particular Kalawapai market whenever I head to Lanikai beach since it's on the way. The only problem is the parking sitch. There's about 8 stalls in the front, which certainly isn't enough to accommodate all the customers, so you'll need to find street parking if it's filled up. It's also hard to get in and out of that area due to the oncoming traffic that's driving through the roundabout. Regardless of that, it's still worth the effort to stop by! On my most recent visit, I decided to get their Hot Pastrami sandwich for $14. It came with pastrami, Swiss cheese, pickles & mustard on toasted marble rye bread. They were extremely generous with the pastrami, and it was surprisingly one of the best pastrami sandwiches I've ever had! I also got a bag of chips and an Aloha Sun guava drink, and I had myself the perfect lunch. They have benches on the side of their store where you can sit down and eat, or you can do what most people do and take your food to the beach for a nice little picnic! This is a definite stop if you're in the Kailua area on your way to the beach.

Visiting Kailua and had dinner first rime at Kalapawai Cafe. Food was excellent and the service was phenomenal. The server was so nice and helpful and her advice on what to order was right one.

We went on a Monday night and it was relatively busy. Not a large cafe, enough space to sit and enjoy dessert. The staff was friendly and the food was really great. Highly recommend for anyone looking for an alternative to Starbucks!

If I could give 0 stars, I would. Nice ambiance, but VERY poor service. The guy who took our takeout order was rude and made us get out of our (unmarked) seats to wait somewhere else with no apology. It was not very busy at this time, so we weren't taking away a table from anyone. When we tried to explain later that service was rude, one of the girls (maybe the manager?) would not listen and ushered us out. Customer service is extremely lacking. It's shameful that employees treat local customers supporting a local business like this. I work in the food service industry, and our experience this afternoon would have been unacceptable elsewhere. Not to mention, our takeout meals for three came out to $80. Maybe dine-in service is better? Either way, I haven't even tried my food yet, but we will NEVER come back.

This was the best meal of our trip to Oahu, no kidding. Here's the thing -- there are different locations and they are very, VERY different. We tried two: the Kapolei location was good for a quick lunch bite but it didn't have a ton of ambiance. Order at the register and take a number to your table, but the quality of the food was excellent. Which led us to the real deal -- we went to the Kailua TOWN location for dinner. Note town, not beach. The Kailua beach location is basically a quick service deli that is adorable...but not like the sit-down, wait-service dinner location in town. The Kailua town location is still beachy-funky-cute, don't get me wrong. You aren't going to dress up for this. Reservations are recommended because there aren't many tables -- inside and outside there are probably less than 20. We stumbled in on Saturday night, not realizing it wasn't as casual as the Kapolei location, and not realizing that the locals were already on to it. The dinner menu at the TOWN location is highly elevated and it is priced at about $30 for an entree. Full bar available. I ordered the fresh auction catch, which was a generous portion of grilled ahi on lemongrass risotto with bok choi. The ahi was perfectly done, a yummy char on the outside and melted in my mouth. I have no idea what was in the sauces but they were divine. The risotto was addicting. My husband ordered rigatoni bolognese and said it was the best he'd ever had. But the best part was yet to come: something not even on the online menu: a large crock of sizzling cinnamon fresh peach crisp topped with vanilla bean ice cream. Plenty to share. No question this was the best meal on the windward side of the island. Advice: make sure you choose the right location to match your intentions, and get reservations if you do dinner in town.

Enjoyed Easter dinner here, a lot. Started with the bacon wrapped figs (salad in middle of plate was delicious) and a margarita pizza. Both good with the pizza being the better choice. I had the burger MR and wife had gumbo. Burger was perfect, side chips ok. Gumbo was excellent. Scallops were cooked perfectly and it was a solid dish. I had asked to sit inside but they sat us outside. Innocent and cool mistake. We'd never eaten outside on the lanai before and are glad we did. Much better, less hectic, quieter. Waitress was excellent, didn't catch her name but she kicked ass. Everything was on point. It was great having excellent dinner service on a special night. Really looking fwd to going back.

We ordered Da Geevum and Da Aina . . Both were really good . . I also had the lychee martini which was really good . . Make sure you save room for the chocolate chip cookie

Delicious French onion soup, I just cruise in for that sometimes. Best I've ever had. Always a good source of deliciousness here.

The food was super good. The wait was a big long, but I will definitely give them the benefit of the doubt and say that it was lunch time so completely understandable .

Love Kalapawai but would not personally recommend this location. The parking is terrible and tight. The cafe is cute and tiny on one side but only good if you've got a parking spot. The other side has coffee and little things to go. I prefer the spot at Kailua Beach.