Even when you’re on vacation in a tropical paradise, you’re still going to want to start your day off right with a perfect cup of coffee.
Luckily for you, in Maui there are plenty of gorgeous cafes, roasters and coffee bars to choose from, each with their own unique feel, ambience and offerings. Whether you want something quaint and cozy or modern and unexpected, there’s plenty to discover on this stunning island.
From beloved local spots to renowned tourist attractions, at least one of the seven coffee shops highlighted here are sure to take your fancy. Just make sure you take note of the opening hours!
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Maui Coffee Roasters
Whether you’ve just landed in Maui via plane or you’re there for a layover before moving on to the next spot, Maui Coffee Roasters is a perfect place to stop for some delicious refreshments, from gorgeously roasted coffee to freshly made sandwiches and snacks.
Often dubbed the best coffee in Maui by locals and tourists alike, they’ve been open and serving since 1982, so with nearly four decades of experience you’re sure to enjoy your visit.
Location/Opening Hours
Found at the crossroads between Dairy Road and Hana Hwy, you’ll be able to enjoy a gorgeous cup of coffee at 444 Hana Hwy, Kahului, Maui HI 96732
- Monday – 7AM – 6PM
- Tuesday – 7AM – 6PM
- Wednesday – 7AM – 6PM
- Thursday – 7AM – 6PM
- Friday – 7AM – 6PM
- Saturday – 7AM – 5PM
- Sunday – Closed
Atmosphere
With eclectic artwork adorning the wall, vivid painted tables and a warm, inviting ambience, you’ll certainly feel welcome in Maui Coffee Roasters. Don’t miss Happy Cappy Hour from 2pm-close, where every cloudlike cappuccino is at a reduced price.
Menu
MCR has a huge range of coffee beans and grinds to choose from, including their popular Kona Blend, the Sumatra and a creamy coconut. Nitro, espreso, cold brew, pour over… any way you like it, they can do it! Plus, they also have smoothies, frappes and other iced drinks to cool you down in that Hawaii heat.
Foodwise, they have a marvellous menu of bagels, sandwiches and wraps, as well as eggs benedict and a selection of salads. There’s meat, veggie and vegan options available, so you should be able to please anybody eating with you.
Customer Reviews
From TripAdvisor to Facebook, the majority of customers agree: Maui Coffee Roasters offers great coffee at a good price and the staff are always friendly, happy to help and there with tips on ways to spend your vacation.
It is pointed out that at peak times, things can get pretty busy with tourists, so be prepared for a short wait but rest assured it’s worth it.
Akamai Coffee Co
Founded back in 2007 as the island’s very first drive-thru coffee spot, Akamai is another legendary spot beloved by locals, known for their exceptional service and even better beverages.
Serving simply 100% home grown Maui coffee, they offer the famous Maui Mokka, winner of the Best Coffee in the State of Hawaii award from the prestigious Coffee Association cupping competition.
Location/Opening Hours
Cafe: 1325 S Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753
Drive through: 100 Pakaula Street, Kahului, HI 96768
- Monday – 6AM – 4PM
- Tuesday – 6AM – 4PM
- Wednesday – 6AM – 4PM
- Thursday – 6AM – 4PM
- Friday – 6AM – 4PM
- Saturday – 6AM – 4PM
- Sunday – 6AM – 4PM
Atmosphere
A clean modern aesthetic, with white counters, wooden bar tops and plants across the whole shop, you’ll certainly be able to snap plenty of shots for Instagram in their gorgeous setup. Do be aware that they purposely don’t offer Wifi
– the sign declares “this space was designed for our community to connect on a human level, catch up with a friend, meet someone new and even read a book!” so if you’re going to work then you better have mobile data.
Menu
At Akamai, there are several ways you can have your coffee prepared: offering Aeropress, Chemex, Drip, French Press, Espresso and Hario V60 Pourover, whatever your favorite way to enjoy your beans is, you’ll be able to enjoy it here.
In terms of having a bite to eat, their regularly updated menu features plenty of tasty breakfast and brunch options for meat eaters and veggies alike. You won’t be able to have dinner, but you can certainly start your day off deliciously.
Customer Reviews
Again the majority of customers seem to agree that this is a fantastic place to get some coffee whatever your preference, at great prices (considering it’s a tourist honeypot) with a gorgeous outdoor patio for enjoying al fresco dining.
Several reviews specifically mention how divine the scones are, so if you’re a fan of their jammy creamy goodness, those are certainly worth checking out.
Bad Ass Coffee
As it’s tongue-in-cheek name suggests, Bad Ass Coffee is a unique cafe that offers “exceptional Hawai’ian coffees… with an attitude!” – from all of your typical barista drinks to a whole menu of signature lattes, from chocolate cherry cordial to pecan pie. Be sure to take your sweet tooth, as they all sound so tasty you’ll want to try a few!
Location/Opening Hours
Honokowai – 3636 Lower Honoapi’ilani Road, Suite 1, Lahaina HI 96761
Downtown Lahaina – 671 Front Street, Lahaina HI 96761
- Monday – 6AM – 1PM
- Tuesday – 6AM – 1PM
- Wednesday – 6AM – 1PM
- Thursday – 6AM – 1PM
- Friday – 6AM – 1PM
- Saturday – 6AM – 1PM
- Sunday – 6AM – 1PM
Atmosphere
With incredibly personable baristas who really know their stuff and a cozy, family-friendly environment, this is (despite the name!) definitely a place for parents and kids alike to unwind, though giving your children access to caffeine is certainly not recommended! Albeit a little on the small side, there’s something for everyone and you’ll certainly feel satisfied after.
Menu
As already mentioned, Bad Ass Coffee offers all of the usual drinks you might expect from a cafe, with a huge board of specialty lattes and additional cold drinks to choose from if you’re not feeling a cup of joe.
Whilst they only offer an assortment of snacks and pastries in terms of food, they’re very reasonably priced and taste even better than they look.
Customer Reviews
It’s clear from the positive feedback across all review platforms that most customers who visit Bad Ass Coffee have an excellent experience and leave looking forward to their next trip back.
Maui Coffee Attic
Cute and quaint with adorable 1950’s-style Mom and Pop decor, Maui Coffee Attic is a refreshing change from the modern coffee shops that the island has to offer.
As a neighborhood cafe run by plenty of volunteers, their three primary concerns are coffee, music and community – what more could you ask for? Whether you want to study, relax or just catch up with a friend, this is the peaceful place to do it.
Location/Opening Hours
59 Kanoa St, Wailuku, HI
- Monday – 6AM – 4PM
- Tuesday – 6AM – 4PM
- Wednesday – 6AM – 4PM
- Thursday – 6AM – 4PM
- Friday – 6AM – 4PM
- Saturday – 6AM – 4PM
- Sunday – Closed
Atmosphere
Comfy, cozy and packed to the rafters with music, one of the best things about Maui Coffee Attic is their instrument wall – just grab yourself a guitar, a ukelele or one of the other marvelous music makers and start jamming.
Though it’s on the smaller side, the space feels nice and inviting, and the constant smell of delicious food will have your tummy rumbling for sure if it wasn’t already!
Menu
Serving breakfast and lunch all day long, there are plenty of delectable dishes to take your pick from, with popular choices including the BBQ Pulled Pork Lilikoi Sandwich, Avo Toast and Kimchi Quesadilla – delicious, in-house baked pastries are also popular, with signature scones and Lilikoi bars that tourists and locals alike adore.
As for coffee, they’ve got all of the classics, plus plenty of icy drinks and frozen blended treats to suit all tastes and palates. Their menu is updated daily so you’ll always have something new to check out.
Customer Reviews
It’s clear that everybody who steps foot into this time warp immediately falls in love with its charms – and the live music they regularly have on is even more of a reason to make sure you visit whilst you’re on the island.
Mauigrown Coffee Co Store
Established back in 2003, Maui Grown Coffee grow their own beautiful beans at the five hundred acre Ka’anapali Estate on the West Maui Mountains, with a range of Arabica coffees to ensure that you get a quality experience from seed to cup.
Head down to their store and try the world famous Maui Mokka from their popular coffee bar where you can also purchase bagged grounds or whole beans for at home use.
Location/Opening Hours
277 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761-1524
- Monday – 6:30AM – 5PM
- Tuesday – 6:30AM – 5PM
- Wednesday – 6:30AM – 5PM
- Thursday – 6:30AM – 5PM
- Friday – 6:30AM – 5PM
- Saturday – 6:30AM – 5PM
- Sunday – 6:30AM – 5PM
Atmosphere
Although on the small side, this adorable coffee shop has friendly staff ready and waiting to make you a coffee, chat to you about their beans or offer samples so you can figure out which is your favorite before committing to an entire cup.
Plus, with the beautiful Pioneer Mill Co smokestack and some cool sugar mill equipment right outside, it’s a cool place to soak in some Maui culture and learn about Lahaina’s history.
Menu
There’s plenty of fresh coffee and stylish merchandise to check out, but unfortunately they don’t offer any food or snacks.
That said, everything is affordable and delicious, so it’s well worth making a pit stop to grab your caffeine fix from here, or even gifts to take home for family.
Customer Reviews
Considered quite the gem when it comes to their coffee, although it doesn’t have quite the same hustle and bustle of some of Maui’s other spots, that’s part of the reason that folks love visiting MauiGrown’s company store to sample the fruits of their labor.
Plus, you’ll always be able to get some great advice from their knowledgeable employees about which beans might be best for you.
Lava Java Coffee Roasters of Maui
Just a few steps away from the beautiful blue ocean and tropical sands, and only across the street from the amazing Kalama Park, Lava Java is a beachside haven for coffee lovers. No matter if you’re after hot or cold drinks, you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll enjoy.
And hey, you can take it right down to the beach to enjoy – what’s better than coffee with a view? Don’t forget to try the frozen mocha!
Location/Opening Hours
Kihei Kalama Village, 1941A S Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753
- Monday – 6AM – 8PM
- Tuesday – 6AM – 8PM
- Wednesday – 6AM – 8PM
- Thursday – 6AM – 8PM
- Friday – 6AM – 8PM
- Saturday – 6AM – 8PM
- Sunday – 6AM – 8PM
Atmosphere
Bold, bright and beautiful with their unique logo, Lava Java is a modern and inviting coffee shop with top notch service and staff who always have a smile and some advice for you.
Their outdoor seating area is rustic and charming: the perfect place to unwind after a long day of shopping, or the ideal spot to stock up on caffeine and energy before you head out on your adventures.
Menu
When it comes to coffee, you’re absolutely spoilt for choice, from icy frozen drinks to piping hot espresso or fresh drip coffee.
Food is limited to pastries and snacks, but those who have tried suggest these make for delicious accompaniments to whichever drinks you end up going for.
Customer Reviews
It is widely agreed that Lava Java offers fantastic food and drinks, service and value, with a lovely community atmosphere to match.
Plenty of customers make a point of recommending the Maui Peaberry drip coffee, so if that sounds like your cup of, well, coffee – give it a try!
Cafe @ La Plage
Serving as the perfect beachside breakfast and lunch spot, as well as a great little place to access computers if you need, Cafe @ La Plage is a beloved local coffee spot that boasts everything from breakfast and sandwiches, hot and iced coffees, fruit smoothies… all you could ask for on your dream tropical vacation (or for a local caffeine spot if you’re lucky enough to live on Maui)
Location/Opening Hours
Dolphin Kama’ole Beach Park One, 2395 S. Kihei Road #155, Kihei, HI 96753
- Monday – 7:34AM – 1:30PM
- Tuesday – Closed
- Wednesday – Closed
- Thursday – 7:34AM – 1:30PM
- Friday – 7:34AM – 1:30PM
- Saturday – 7:34AM – 1:30PM
- Sunday – 7:34AM – 1:30PM
Atmosphere
A relaxed, comfortable and homey ambience is made even more delightful by the attentive and friendly staff who are always on hand to assist you in making your day even more delightful.
Because it’s so popular and has shorter opening hours, as well as only being open two days a week, things usually get pretty busy – so prepare yourself for a wait if you’re going at peak visiting times.
Menu
The coffee here is certainly prepared with a no-frills approach: if you’re keen for a good quality cup of joe without faffing around with anything fancy, you’ll certainly find it here. When it comes to food, you’re spoilt for choice at Cafe @ La Plage – breakfast bagels, specialty sandwiches, paninis, soup and salads, with a specific kids menu, so there’s sure to be something for everyone in the family.
Customer Reviews
It’s difficult to find anything remotely negative to say about Cafe @ La Plage – just about every review is a five star one, and anybody who visits leaves satisfied with a full belly and a large smile on their face from such friendly and attentive service.
If you’re heading out for a beach day, you should definitely make this one of your stops – but remember, things are likely to get busy quick!
Coffee In Maui – What You Need To Know
When it comes to coffee, the island of Maui dedicates nearly 600 acres (approximately 243 hectares) for total production, with 500 acres for commercial and 100 acres of independently owned farms who hand-pick their beans.
Regularly ranking as some of the best coffee on the island during Hawaii Coffee Association’s (HCA) annual Statewide Coffee Cupping Competition, you’ll find Maui coffee is grown in several different varietals, from Typica and Catuai to Caturra, Bourbon and the world renowned Mokka.
Perhaps the most prestigious grower is MauiGrown Coffee, who happen to be the largest individually operated grower in the US, as well as the original and only producer of 100% Maui coffee in the entire world. They cultivate the Maui Mokka, as well as Yellow Caturra, Red Catuai and a Guatemalan Typica. As you’ll have seen, their company coffee shop made the list above, so you can try any you’d like before you buy.
Several different microclimates are found around the West Maui Mountains and on the slopes of Haleakala, allowing for various processing techniques. Farmers experiment with wet-ferment, honey processed, semi-washed and honey processed growing techniques, as well as other natural methods, which create a range of flavors and allow Maui to stay on the cutting edge of coffee development.
