When you want to start your day off right before adventuring across East Side Kauai, all it takes is a quick stop at Small Town Coffee Co. Although they operate out of a small red truck in Kojima’s parking lot, they have a big presence all their own. As you waltz right up on the patio, you’ll instantly get swept away by their friendly vibe and the pleasant scent of fresh-brewed coffee.
Starting at 6 am each day, they start brewing up espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, and every other coffee drink imaginable. Then, they go above and beyond by creating a ton of non-coffee beverages, like hot cocoa, strawberry lemonade, and Italian sodas. Their house specialties fly out the window as fast as they can make them as locals and tourists alike line up for a taste. They work tirelessly until 4 pm each day, ensuring everyone can get the boost of energy they need for all their beachside excursions.
In addition to all their phenomenal beverages, they can satisfy your cravings for decadent baked goods as well. Their offerings change on the daily, although they typically have a wide variety of Aunty M’s pies on tap at any given time. Since these offerings change so often and typically sell out fast, they don’t even list them online. Instead, you have to walk up to the window and ask what they have available to have a chance at enjoying one of these amazing treats.
Once you get your selections, you can chill at their umbrella table on the patio if it’s open or take your items to go. With Kapaa Beach Park right next door, it’s easy to find a beautiful spot to chill while sipping your coffee, eating your pastries, and enjoying the view.
Fan favorites on their menu include:
Kevlar
When you want a lovely pick-me-up that leaves you feeling wholly satisfied, only the Kevlar will do. This house specialty starts with 12-ounces of hot espresso that gets blended with grass-fed butter and coconut oil. You can then add whatever flavors you’d like, including Mexican Chocolate, Rose, Coconut, or Jasmine. Then, choose your cream from their many options, like whole milk, breve, oat milk, and macadamia nut milk.
Espresso Soda
The Espresso Soda brings together two classic drinks to create an iconic beverage you’re sure to adore. This drink features an Italian Soda base dressed up by two shots of espresso plus your flavor of choice. Then, you can smooth it all out with whatever cream you fancy, including almond milk, coconut milk, or organic whole milk.
“The Andrew”
If you’re looking to go beyond coffee, you cannot go wrong with “The Andrew.” Available in 16- and 20-ounce sizes, this drink is made with one-half iced tea and the rest is filled with sweet mango juice. The whole lot goes over ice to take it up a notch and cool you off in an instant.
If you’d like to brew up your own drinks at home, you can take home a bag of fresh beans from their supplier, Imua Coffee Roasters. You just have to decide whether you’d like whole or ground beans in espresso or medium roast. When going with the ground variety, you can get fine for espresso machines, medium for drip coffee, or coarse for your French press. After that, it’s just a matter of selecting between the ¼, ½, and full pound bags.
Insider Tip:
Although they have many cream options available, expect to pay an extra charge for anything beyond regular old-fashioned whole milk.