The Curb Kaimuki

coffee lovers! Their brews are consistently excellent, with rich flavors and quality beans. The atmosphere is laid-back and welcoming, making it a perfect place to relax or get some work done. Definitely a go-to spot for good coffee and good vibes in Honolulu!

I had the lavender matcha with oat milk. It’s extremely smooth and didn’t leave the nasty after taste that Starbucks oat milk matcha does. I do think it could use a stronger lavender flavor, but I generally enjoyed it. Not the best matcha on island, but it’s something I would get again. I liked the atmosphere of the café and the mason jar cup was a nice touch. There’s a decent amount of seating both indoors and outdoors. Parking is primarily on the street, as the lot is small, but it’s not too difficult to find a spot by the housing.

My favorite spot! Cozy vibe, amazing coffee, and super friendly baristas. Just wish it were easier to grab a seat sometimes.

Update 5/15/2025: Showed up for an early 8:30am pastry run with a whole crew to cover more ground. Can confirm we absolutely demolished the almond croissants, pandan and matcha Portuguese egg tarts, walnut chocolate mini loaf, and pistachio yuzu swirl. Not pictured but I loved my silky smooth cortado and the breakfast sandwich was delicious but would have loved for the bread to have been toasted a bit. Staff are still so lovely. Love this spot! :) Original review: Absolutely wonderful spot for a bite and caffeine. Really, really enjoyed my iced hojicha latte with blueberry syrup and oat milk. Their toast with house-made ricotta, chili crisp, poached egg and scallion was also phenomenal. The space is bright with plenty of nice shelf products, lots of yummy sounding eats, creative variety of interesting seasonal beverages, and very friendly staff. Looking forward to my future visits!

This is one of my favorite spots for coffee. The pandan syrup is very delicious and The George is a delicious specialty drink. Their normal lattes are great too. Also, the baked goods are out of this world. I hate scones normally because they are bland and boring. However, the cheddar chive scone was so delicious I wanted another. They are expensive though. The coffee cake was also a hot.

Best overall café in Honolulu! Besides usually being very busy, they boast great coffee, a great place to talk, listen to their music, read or admire the busy Waialae traffic out the large curved window on the corner. They have A/C, bathrooms, outdoor seating and an amazing bakery next door. I always stop in (if the line isn’t too long) 🤙🏼

The coffee here is better than most places in Waikiki. It’s solid and the place has a nice vibe. Not the best I’ve ever had, but definitely better than the typical touristy spots. We also tried the Pandan matcha, but Im not sure if recommend it. It tasted pretty watered down, with weak matcha flavor, and ended up just tasting like Pandan milk. I’d stick to the coffee if you’re coming here.

Great coffee, cool, chic vibe, knowledgeable baristas, easy parking, alcoholic beverages served in the evening. What else can one ask for?? This establishment deserves a 4+ rating. Latte and cappuccino were very good. Cortado deep, rich notes with strong coffee flavor; its crema was spot on. Seating is generous with tables of various sizes to accommodate larger groups in a sleek, modern bistro style. A broad selection of books, magazines and board games are available to enjoy which encourages one to linger. We visited early in the day therefore missed what I expect would be a vibrant evening scene. Roasted beans are available on site, which is a big plus for me, along with other products. We purchased beans that are excellent, now being enjoyed at home. Already looking forward to our next visit. This is a top Oahu destination for coffee and deserves a spot on your roadmap.

I stopped by on a whim and ended up with a custom matcha pandan sparkling drink that the staff just kind of made up on the spot and it was solid. I let them get creative with it, and it turned out super refreshing and not too sweet, with that earthy matcha balancing the floral pandan perfectly. Kinda obsessed now. My friends had already tried the pandan and lavender options (both solid), but honestly the best part was the vibe inside. The place has a chill, clean interior, not too cluttered, with just enough plants and soft lighting to make you want to hang out for a bit. Everyone working there was super friendly and down to experiment with drinks, which made the whole experience feel really welcoming. I hear they have events in the evenings and even serve wine if you're into that! But if you're into matcha, floral flavors, or just want to try something new made by people who actually care, give this place a shot. Let them freestyle your drink, you might end up with something weirdly amazing too.

FAVORITE COFFEE AND BAKE SHOP ON OAHU! If I lived in Kaimuki rather than the Westside, I would be flat out broke and overweight lol! To be honest, Oahu has a plenty of great coffee options, some which roast their own coffee. Yet The Curb is somehow the only shop I know on island that focuses on the coffee AND the pastries. I love this place so much that whenever I have a random weekday off, as long as I don't have any morning appointment, I make the drive here. The pastries are why I bypass many other coffee shops for The Curb...and I live on the Westside! I make the trip from the Westside to Kaimuki just for The Curb, even if I have to circle around the block for free street parking, even if the seating area availability is hit or miss. Yes, I'd rather save money for high quality pastries than on parking lol. The main drawback about having to drive from the Westside to Kaimuki on my day off is by the time I arrive after sleeping in and waiting out morning traffic, most special pastries are already sold out. Even with what remains, I've never been disappointed in any pastry. I always prepare to ask for my order "to go," but if a seat opens up, bonus! Chocolate croissant? Bomb. Wild blueberries and cream cheese danish? Bomb. Pasteis de nata (Portuguese egg tart)? Bomb. Walnut financier? Bomb. Canele? Bomb. Black sesame Rice Krispie Treat? Bomb. Crispy brown butter chocolate chip cookie? Bomb! I have an idea...maybe my husband should just buy me pastries from here instead of a personal birthday cake. Jk...or am I? I definitely did treat myself to some of the remaining pastries on my birthday earlier this year. When I'm at a good coffee shop, I would love a great pastry to go with it. When I'm at a good bake shop, I'm hoping for good coffee on the side. The Curb somehow achieves both! My review may lead to even more customers taking up seating and more pastries selling out, but oh well. Can't gate-keep such a great business!

@fortunefoodfinds: "Girls just wanna have PAN(dan)! A Pandan Matcha Latte from the CURB KA*IMU*Kī. An iced drink that's satisfying n' has a uniqueness worth trying!" Staff: fully staffed Interior: seating available, products on the side for purchase Exterior: on the corner Wait time: 5-10 mins Parking: metered street or small lot in the back Overall comments: cute n' hip spot. The last time I was here I had less kids, so we were able to utilize the seating area. On this visit, we decided to just order drinks to-go since the place was poppin'. I enjoyed their pandan matcha latte n' would get it again!

It's been awhile since I frequented The Curb. A few years ago this artisinal coffee shop was a unit or two down from their current corner location...a bank(?), previously. Over a decade ago, they were situated between the 7-11 and pho restaurant - where another coffee place resides. Now, espresso bar by day; wine bar by night...on weekends 2p till 8p. A kitchen allows for a greater selection of pastries...I seem to recall a limited selection at the previous incarnation...cookies(?)...I've forgotten. Last week, I had a Peruvian pourover; this Monday morning, I tried the Honduran. I have a preference for coffee with origins from Central America...generally tend to be chocolatey, sweeter in floral notes, balanced, and relatively mild to robust. Music events are periodic and given the larger space, not entirely suffocating. More wine bottles and glassware adorn the walls than art or merch but it is what it is...still an excellent coffee shop.

Was looking for a spot to get some coffee and snacks before our hike at manoa falls. Stumbled upon this little spot and loved it. I got the iced pandan matcha, original egg tart and pandan egg tart. I liked the pandan one better but both were great. Nice little spot to get some pick me ups :) mahalo curb coffee!

I attended a weekend event at The Curb in Kaimuki hoping to enjoy some local culture and good vibes. Instead, I was pushed out the door -- quite literally -- and made to feel completely unwelcome because I'm a haole (the local term for a white person). It was shocking and deeply hurtful. I've traveled all over and love supporting local businesses, but I've never felt so blatantly excluded based on how I look. No one should be treated that way, regardless of where they're from. It's one thing to promote local pride -- that's something I respect -- but it's another to single someone out and treat them like they don't belong. If this is how they choose to treat visitors, especially those who come with respect and curiosity, then I can't in good conscience recommend this place to anyone. Locals and visitors alike deserve better.

Hip vibes and good coffee. I'd wait to order till you're upfront vs online because they have specials not listed on their website. I got a guava espresso type drink and normally I'm not a super big fan of juice and espresso style drinks but guava went well with it. Great spot before going to Cromwells which is right around the corner. Also lots of space to study or work.

It's no secret about how amazing this place is. The interior is very posh and chill. Nice music playing throughout the cafe, and baristas are quick/helpful. It has become a safe haven for me to come here and decompress. There is no wifi, but somehow this place is always packed. LOL. This is definitely not a place to take coffee to-go, but somewhere you sip your coffee leisurely and just relax. It's honestly one of my too favorite places for coffee or matcha. Hana Quon exclusively sells her pastries here and she's an extremely talented baker. They always sell out so I make it a point to try my luck and see if it's still available. LOL

One of the best places to get matcha! This coffee shop is situated on 8th Ave and Waialae, and there's two entrances to the shop (one off the main road, one through the parking lot). There is a private lot where you can get your parking validated, and there is street parking available. The cafe itself has a modern industrial feel, and yet it feels cozy with music playing in the background and plenty of community flyers decorating the board on the wall when you first enter. Plenty of seating is available, but be aware there isn't free wifi here! I visited on a weekday afternoon and had to wait around 10 minutes to order, so expect it to be busy! I got the pandan matcha latte with oat milk, and I appreciated that the cashier taking my order was very friendly! My order came out pretty quickly, around ~5 minutes, despite there being quite a few people in front of me. I honestly loved my drink. It had all the components of what I love about matcha -- creamy/silky with a smooth bitterness, and the sweet pandan flavor was a perfect complement. I've only visited Curb Kaimuki once, but this is now on my list of favorite cafes in the area!

I was so excited to come in and take my cousin for some great coffee on his birthday while he visits from Maui today. His girlfriend got a macadamia nut iced latte and we both got the George. I was sure to leave a good tip. Anticipating a far drive ahead on a hot day, we politely asked one of the baristas, a blonde woman, for some extra ice to fill up our cups. This seemed to upset her since she proceeded to slam down the ice scooper after she messily filled our cups and left ice scattered on the counter. Thankfully the coffee was decent, but the encounter left a bitter taste in our mouths. As someone who works in the industry, I sadly cannot recommend this place to anyone because of such a rude encounter with that barista. Hopefully they hire people who actually want to be there in the future.

I was looking for a local specialty coffee shop and glad to have found this place. The staff were very nice in providing recommendations. I tried the mac nut latte. The milk was very smooth and the syrup added just enough flavor without making the drink too sweet. I enjoyed it a lot.

What a gem! I love both of their latte (light, flavorful and creamy) - macadamia nut and Pandan. The staff were very nice and help us with suggestions. Ambiance is cozy, comfortable and relaxing if you want to work here for a few hours. Highly recommended!

I went in for a wine night, the bouncer was extremely rude, disrespectful, and denied me with a 1000% REAL ID. I left feeling hurt and annoyed. While I am a local born and resident, and love supporting local businesses, this was extremely disappointed with the service I received.

Seems like others have had similar experiences to me so this review feels somewhat redundant which is unfortunate.....but unless enough is said, seems like nothing will be done. So, what used to be a friendly cafe serving some of the best specialty coffee on the island has become one of the most pretentious, cold, and hi maks hang outs. The place has lost its warmth, character, and aloha spirit. While they still have some decent coffee and became a hybrid bar cafe to adapt to the times, there are plenty other places to hit up instead. Just across the street is Bean Around Town and Coffee Talk, both places with much better vibes, good coffee, and aloha foward baristas and owners. Both Try Coffee and Drip Studio have exceptional specialty coffee, daily dialed in drinks, and wonderful owners who live their love for the industry and pass that to their customers. Downtown Coffee is the only cafe to serve all authentic Hawaiian coffee with such friendly vibes and amazing fresh roasted beans and coffee, it's worth the trek to downtown. Can't say the same for what I witnessed at The Curb. Maybe some cleaning house needs to be done. Maybe get back to your roots. Maybe you just need better people, period. As a local who grew up in Kaimuki, it's so sad and unfortunate to see what such a special place has become, especially when their neighbors are doing the community some good. What the Curb started back in the day seems to be lost with the current staff and owners. Such an epic disappointment and deep shame to see in such a vibrant community.

This place rocks. The pandan matcha and pandan lattes are sooooo good. Flat white was also solid. I came twice in the 5 days I was visiting Oahu. They also have pastries from Hana Quon, who is an absolute genius. Her laminated Wagyu hot dog was the best thing we ate in our 10 day trip. We also really enjoyed her chocolate eclair. I cannot WAIT to come back and I follow Hana Quon on Instagram to live vicariously through her lolol.

I love The Curb! Anytime I visit Hawai'i I make sure a stop at The Curb is the top of my list! All the baristas are well trained and friendly! Shout outs to Deo who always makes the best drinks and checks on you and asks your thoughts on the drinks. The pastries are SO SO SO SO GOOD. Ugh!!! Mahalo The Curb! the best of the best

The Curb Kaimuki is on the corner of Waialae and 8th Ave. They share a private parking lot with other establishments in the building but there are limited stalls for this busy spot. If you can find street parking in the residential area then you are lucky. Make sure the read the signs! The place is bright from all the natural light but it is a relatively loud place. There is lots of tables that you can sit on. Customer service is always friendly and they serve caffeinated drinks along with wine! Two of the best things in life. I saw some food items being consumed by others but most people were there for either the wine or a cappuccino. Surprisingly, the cappuccino was the most popular order of the times I've visited. It's a good spot but they do not offer WiFi. They do have a clean restroom though so that's a plus! Cool spot in the Kaimuki area to support.

The curb is a Saturday morning staple in our household (and an every morning weekday stop for my honey when i forget to replace coffee beans at home). They're busy and draw a local crowd in the kaimuki neighborhood, but are quick and provide a quality drink every time. My favorites are the lavender matcha latte or pandan matcha. They also have rotating seasonal menus and delicious bites. The inside of the shop is trendy but non pretentious. There's a small parking lot at the back of the building but it's quite crowded as it shares space with other establishments.

Pandan matcha latte FTW! Note that there is parking in the back. We ended up parking street but it was pretty crammed in there. The wait took very long but the drink made up for it. I will be back!

Great neighborhood coffee shop (that also sells wine)! Unique coffees and other morning drinks to start your day. The line out the door on Christmas Eve morning was unexpected, but certainly a good sign that this place is not only really good, but also has excellent service. Friendly staff even though it was packed and they easily provide expedited check out if you are buying wine, so you don't have to stand in line. Easy to find with a parking lot in the back and one hour of free parking. I'll definitely be back just to check out their unique selection of wines.

Cute little coffee shop! The baristas were nice, kind, and informative. I enjoyed the mango tart and the coffee that was ordered. Appears that a lot of locals hang out at this place. The line does get long but the coffee is good! Good AC and a nice place to hang out, study, or catch up with a friend. My order came out really fast! Would come here again

Pandan matcha latte of my dreams. 5/5 It's perfectly sweetened with just enough Pandan to make you want another sip! Iced latte with macadamia nut syrup 5/5 The best latte I've had while here. The streets are pretty crowded for parking but there is a small lot behind the storefront that is free!

This review is for Hana Quon sandwich and baked goods only. For every four HQ items you order, you must purchase one of The Curb's drinks. I really liked the roast beef sandwich ($18) on potato bun and the turkey bacon avo sandwich ($18) on your choice of HNL Breadshop ciabatta or sourdough. Both sandwiches were well layered, saucy, and loaded. The ciabatta bread made the sandwich a bit hard to eat as it was chewy, but did pair well otherwise. The earl grey cannele ($8) had a sweet and crispy exterior and soft eggy inside. Would love to try more!

Great espresso and drip! Chill vibes, no wifi, nice counter bar for to hang and they also have wine. Chill baristas

I tried the jammer this time and it was really good! I love that it isn't overly acidic and bitter. I think the oat milk and raw sugar syrup really balanced out the taste for me! I would definitely get this again and I love the portion/size for this!

Came here after a hike for breakfast. There's a small parking lot in the back and also plenty of street parking around. Their breakfast sando has probably been one of my favorites. Made on their delicious housemate shio pan bread, the sandwich is unique with its thick egg soufflé and the mac nut romesco really adds a great unique flavor. I also love their pandan matcha latte, a fantastic twist to the usual matcha. Also got the black sesame honey rice krispies treat as a snack to-go. Loved this place. Great people, great ambience, great food, great drinks. Especially love their creative menu options to the usual cafe fare.

3.75, The people are super nice, and the shop is really cute. However, their cook was out so there was no food, so I can't speak to that. Their coffee I think was a bit lacking. With such amazing reviews, I was definitely expecting more. I got an iced latte, which comes 2 shots espresso, so I added another double. Even with 4 shots it somehow tasted super milky and the color was quite light. It definitely spiked my heart rate but flavor profile was, wasn't my favorite I've had on the island.

We came during a rush and the barista was so kind! She gave out good recommendations and when we did order our drinks it came out under 10min! Highly recommend if you want to grab something fast or get some assignments done.

I have been coming here for years and they have my favorite matcha. I'm not a coffee drinker but My friends have told me they love their coffee here as well. I love that they have a bakery too! Usually coffee places will outsource their baked goods but everything is made in house. Their chocolate chip cookies are amazing and the last time I was here they had pandan toast! It was my first time trying this and every since I've been hooked. I love that I am supporting a local business and as a bonus you can get amazing bread next door!

I've been wanting to come here for a while since hearing of the baker, whom I recognized also from Boston. We got the coffee cake, Wagyu Hotdog as well as a scone, understanding that most things would be out or close to it since we arrived around 11:30am or so. The baked items were delicious, the matcha pandan was sucked down quickly. Like any place that has a solid following it was understood why there wasn't seating, it's a smaller, but quaint and has tons of things to look at. What wasn't expected was the lack of customer service and overall unwelcoming attitude that we received from the young red haired girl taking our order. My apologies, it's our first time in, there's a ton to look at and we are just making sure that we understood the menu before choosing our vices. Not cool fam.

I ordered the pandan matcha latte - it was pretty good, but the matcha was too weak. Could use more matcha powder. The space itself is nice - it can get a little noisy with chatter, but there are a few seats outside, under a covered area near the parking lot, so that's another option. Speaking of parking, it's pretty limited if it's crowded when you go. Lastly, they do have a bathroom for customers which is great!

Tried two drinks: pandan and lavender matcha. The lavender is a drink I usually make at home with a store bought syrup but their syrup was light and you can tell it's house made! I loved the flavor. Similar for the pandan, there's a lightness to it which I enjoyed as well. My husband wanted food from this place but they didn't have any available for the time being. It would have been helpful to post that somewhere. The seating is actually pretty nice with bar seats and chairs. I'd like to work here if I lived in the area. However, parking is quite challenging. We were lucky to snag a stall.

I love coming here to get an iced lavender matcha. It's not too sweet and the lavender isn't overpowering, at all. I don't like lavender, so it's not typical for me to order this. What I do appreciate is they don't stack your cup with a lot of ice. Sometimes the service is great here and other times, it's just okay. Some days are better than others and some staff are friendlier than others. Either way, I haven't gotten an order wrong, so far. It's always busy here! So definitely get there a little early if you're looking to sit down and enjoy your drink inside their cafe.

Cute corner street coffee cafe. You can tell this place stays busy. The pastries look amazing but I didn't try. I was too full. But I will be returning another time for the in house homemade pastries.

Love the matcha latte. Just the right amount of sweetness. Can't say enough about the Hana Quon goodies. I flew all the way to Lisbon to eat Portuguese egg custard tarts. They were not as good as the ones I bought at The Curb!

This place has some of the best matcha on the island. All their baked goods are fresh and delicious. The decor on the interior is fun and spunky. It is easy to find a gift for a coffee or wine lover here. We sat at the bar and liked the bustle of noise. The service is quick, but there's always a a line out the door (and for a good reason).

Great little cafe in Kaimuki! I got The Vog and it's reminiscent of a London fog with a little lavender aftertaste. Also love that their syrups are made in house. The service was great and I got my drink very quickly. I'm excited to come back and try their other drinks!

I tried the pandan matcha and it tasted pretty good, just wish the matcha was a little bit stronger. However I was not very fond of the food. Maybe it's just not my cup of tea ‍. Service was ok and place seemed pretty busy. Interior is nice and clean.

Coffee is great! There is usually a bit of a line so make sure to make time for that. They also serve wine later in the day which is fun and it gets lively.

When we got there around 9:30 am there was already a line out the door. We got the VOG and Pandan Matcha Latte. Both drinks were refreshing and delicious. The VOG tastes kind of like a London fog. The Pandan matcha latte had a good Pandan flavor as well that was well balanced with the matcha. Can't wait to try more drinks!

This shop really needs to work on their "nitro" cold brew. Little to no nitro to the point it's basically just cold brew. Also some weird Scum or some other layer of Gunk in the coffee. Possibly from hard water deposits. Coffee was mid. To top it all off the plastic cup was cracked and leaked all over the car. 0/5 stars

Small but cute coffee shop with tasty selections! I ordered an iced vanilla latte and my partner got a pandan matcha latte. Both were super tasty and hit the spot! We had a bit of trouble finding parking and opted for street parking. Overall would come back here again for a nice pick me up!

The curb was highly recommended to me. Unfortunately, I did not like the coffee at all. The bean itself did not taste quality as it had that sour-ish taste which really shocked me as I have not had that experience at other coffee shops across the island. I ordered the nitro cold brew which is standardly not served over ice. I received a nitro cold brew that was very evidently not infused with nitro as there was no nitro foam/creaminess and the coffee was poured over ice. #no My boyfriend got the George and it was weirdly served in the largest cup but only.. 1/3 full? it didn't make sense. the coffee was pretty bitter as well even though the drink was supposed to be chocolate. This place confuses me in general because their website and in store menu do not match. The line also took forever even though we were 3rd in line ( when we were leaving it was out the door??). In addition, there was no food being served. I guess this day only the kitchen was closed? I don't know. This place just doesn't make sense. It's a no from me chief!

We were greeted as soon as we walked in. This is a very, very small shop. They have the normal coffee drinks that can be customized to your tastes. The drinks we got were great! They also sell whole beans, they have large variety of beans available. I can highly recommend any drinks they make.

Great place to get coffee in the morning before heading to work. The baked goods are always delicious here too. Staff is always friendly. Also just a really relaxing place to meet up with friends. Excellent local business we should all support!

Love the cafe to wine concept of this spot as this would be a type of place I would love to own one day. Not sure how people study here since there's no wifi, but there's usually a good amount of people on their computers--or just here in general. I always feel lucky when I can get a spot to sit inside. It's comfortable and they have nice bathrooms. I have no real complaints about the space. Their drinks are good, standard. Nothing too too crazy in my opinion but I do enjoy it! It keeps me coming back. What I am hoping to snag are some of the stunning pastries they've been selling. I've had some of their items before, mainly cookies, which I've loved and would order again. Overall a solid spot. Have had an instance or two of wrong drinks but the people who work here have been polite and nice so no real complaints. I'll be back! I definitely need to come back for another glass of wine. Please keep this going!

Always great coffee, service and atmosphere. And parking! Continues to be best specialty coffee bar in Honolulu.

Small cafe around the corner from Waialae Ave and 8th. It's in the brown Finance Factors building. There's a small parking lot in the back. I was getting my car done across the street at Kaimuki Auto and the owner sent me here for good coffee. Didn't see me wrong! It's a nice cafe with tables and at seating- when I came at 10 on a weekday, it was bustling and I got the last table. The baristas are friendly and welcoming even though they were busy. They greeted the regulars by name and made nice small talk. You can either online and give your name at the pickup area or go towards the back to order and pay. The menu offers a bunch of options, including tea. I got a cappuccino with honey and I gotta tell you it was nice and smooth. No bitter aftertaste. I want to cone back and try their pandan matcha that the other Yelpers are talking about and also their small bites. The only downside is there is no WiFi and the music is a bit loud for conversation or work.

Super cute cafe in Kaimuki with parking in the back as well as street parking. Baristas were friendly and atmostphere is chill. Had a delicious decaf soy milk latte and then ordered the savory Chili Crunch Toast, yum! I can't remember all the things that were spread or sprinkled on the sesame sourdough toast but it was very tasty with a kick! Highly recommend!