Our favorite places: Kona Coffee & Tea

In this series of blogs we explore our favorite places on the Kona Coast and around the island. This one is an easy one – our favorite cafe. Kona Coffee & Tea is a community-focused cafe that makes great coffee using its very own Kona coffee beans, serves a selection of small meals and snacks, and is a great place to relax. If you’re searching for a cafe beyond the big chains then Kona Coffee & Tea is it – we’re there at least once a week! 

Kona Coffee & Tea has a spacious air-conditioned interior with a number of tables. Order at the counter from a large selection of beverages, snacks and small meals

Their drinks menu has everything you’d expect and the snacks menu includes delicious salmon bagels, granola, oatmeal and papaya with yoghurt. There is also a cabinet of bakery items – locally made pastries by Twisted Danish, Julie’s Doughnuts and Sundog Bakery. 

Their tea menu is also extensive. Mamaki Mint is a favorite of ours, but they also do chai tea and kombucha. They are licensed, and have a selection of beers available.

Coffee!

Kona Coffee & Tea grow, roast and brew 100% Kona coffee from their family farm and have done so for over 25 years. The farm is located on the slopes of Mount Hualalai above Kailua-Kona. You can even tour the farm with a 2 hour tour that begins and ends at the cafe (they provide the transportation).

The baristas create amazing coffee art!

Seating

As well as tables inside there are plenty of tables outside, to the left as you ascend the steps, and to also to the right.

There is a large outdoor space further around to the right, with more tables. Be sure to check there, even if the cafe seems full.

Gift ideas

Kona Coffee & Tea has a great selection of in-store merchandise which make for perfect gifts or mementos. There’s also an online shop where you can buy coffee on subscription www.konacoffeeandtea.com

Kona Coffee & Tea is something of an institution in the local community and is our go-to coffee spot when we’re in Kona. The coffee is good, the service friendly, and it’s a great place to relax on the patio on a sunny Hawaiian afternoon.

Kona Coffee & Tea Big Island Kona Hawaii

Kona Coffee & Tea

74-5588 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740

Ph. 888 873 2035

Hours: Mon – Sun, 6am – 6pm

https://www.konacoffeeandtea.com

Top 3 coffee farm tours on the Kona Coast

Photo credit: bigislandguide.com

The Kona Coast is home to a thriving coffee growing industry. The Kona Coffee Belt stretches from the hills above Kona down the coast into South Kona. Learn all about Kona Coffee and how itʻs made! We’ve selected our favorite coffee farms to visit on the Big Island.

Kona Coffee Belt Big Island Hawaii
Photo credit: our38ftlife.com

What makes it Kona coffee?

Only coffee grown in the districts of North and South Kona is defined as Kona coffee. The coffee trees grow well on the slopes of the Hualalai and Mauna Loa Mountains, in rich volcanic soil, afternoon cloud cover, and cooler temperatures.

Check the label to be sure it’s 100% Kona coffee. If it’s labeled as Kona blend it means that it contains as little as 10% Kona coffee beans with the rest being a mix of beans from Brazil, Central America, Africa and Indonesia.

How does the coffee process work?

Kona coffee is picked by hand, then pulped, dried and hulled. The beans are then dried and roasted. The key to good coffee is perfecting the art of roasting. After roasting is when oxidation begins and the coffee is at its freshest.

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Photo credit: heavenlyhawaiian.com

1. Heavenly Hawaiian Farms

Located 20 minutes from downtown Kona, Dave & Trudy Bateman have been operating their coffee farm since 2005. Take the tour, and enjoy a free sampling of their coffee, or enjoy a coffee in their very own coffee bar on the property – the first farm side coffee bar in Kona!

The Tour

Monday – Saturday, every hour from 9am – 4pm. All Ages. Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm.

Tour Length: 1 hour

Cost: $6 each

Heavenly Hawaiian Farms

78-1136 Bishop Rd.
Holualoa, HI 96725

(808) 322 7720

https://heavenlyhawaiian.com

Heavenly Hawaiian
Photo credit: our38ftlife.com
gw-view-of-farm
Photo credit: greenwellfarms.com

2. Greenwell Farms

The Greenwell Family has a rich history of farming and ranching in Hawaii dating back to the 1850s. Greenwell Farms is also renowned for Kona Coffee. Spread over 80 acres, the coffee farm is one the biggest on the island.

Greenwell Farms has a free 45 minute guided tour, daily from 9–3pm. The tour includes a sampling of Kona Coffee. Private and group tours are also available. The farm is located 25 minutes south of Kona.

No reservations are required for these tours. Make sure you arrive 10-15 minutes before the start of the tour.

The Tour

Farm Tours: 9am – 3pm 
(last tour departs at 3pm)

Tour Length: 45 minutes

Cost: Free

Greenwell Farms

81-6581 Mamalahoa Highway
Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750

(808) 323-9616

https://www.greenwellfarms.com

free_farm_tour
Photo credit: greenwellfarms.com
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Photo credit: inspiredimperfection.com

5. Hula Daddy Kona Coffee

Lee and Karen Paterson have been running Hula Daddy since 2002. Take the private 1 hour tour with coffee tasting or book a private group tour. Visit the orchard and the roasting room. Hula Daddy coffee comes very highly rated by coffeereview.com.

The Tour

Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Hours: 10am to 1pm (except for major holidays)

Closed: Monday, Friday and weekends. Minimum of 2 people to book a tour. 

Tour Length: 60 minutes

Cost: $20 each

Hula Daddy
74-4944 Mamalahoa Hwy
Holualoa, HI 96725

(808) 327-9744

huladaddy.com

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Photo credit: huladaddy.com

There is nowhere better to enjoy coffee in Hawaii than the heart of the Kona coffee belt. So if you’re a coffee addict then be sure to make time to visit one of the many coffee farms along the coast and enjoy the unique taste of 100% Kona coffee.

Author: Angus Meek