For over 20 years, Kihei Caffe has proudly served as the go-to place for creative local grinds. Located in the Kalama Park Village Shopping Center, this eatery rolls out a magical dining experience by infusing all they do with the aloha spirit. They operate as a counter-serve establishment, although they have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating right onsite. You’re also welcome to grab your meal as takeout and jet across the street to dine right on the waterfront.
Before you get a chance to order, you’ll have to queue up with the rest of the eager patrons. The long line never seems to let up as the day goes on, although 8 am to 10 am gets the most action. You really have no choice but to join the crowd and wait it out, so spend your time making new friends and enjoying the view. You can also browse the menu on their website to get a feel for what you’d like to order.
Once you make it up to the counter, you’ll get to see the menu in all its glory up on the big screen. If you know what you’d like, let them know, and then find a seat and settle in for another wait. As the orders come out of the kitchen, the servers go around their indoor and outdoor dining areas looking for their lucky recipients. You’ll want to keep your ears perked up for your name, so you don’t miss out on your delightful meal.
As soon as your order arrives, you’ll undoubtedly want to take a moment to ooh and aah over the huge portions. They don’t mess around when it comes to satisfying cravings and leaving all their patrons stuffed to the gills. You’re definitely welcome to ask for a doggie bag for your leftovers if you cannot manage to finish it all. Alternatively, you can order a couple of plates to share with your table and undoubtedly end up wholly satisfied with your visit.
Popular menu items include:
Hawaiian Snickers
If you love chocolate-y coffee goodness, you cannot go wrong with the Hawaiian Snickers. This drink begins with fresh-brewed coffee blended into a shake with plenty of ice. Then, they add the chocolate, caramel, and vanilla syrup to highlight the flavors in everyone’s favorite candy bar.
Papaya Delight
For a tropical kick that starts off your day just right, go with the Papaya Delight. To create this breakfast favorite, they cut a fresh papaya in half and remove the pit. In that divot, they add yogurt topped with homemade granola and raisins. Although that’s plenty good on its own, you can also add a scoop of Mueslix for an extra charge.
Irish Loco Moco
The Irish Loco Moco takes a true Hawaiian classic and adds a creative kick unlike anything found anywhere else. This delightful entrée features a bowl of rice topped with corned beef hash. Over that, they add eggs any way you’d like them plus brown gravy over it all. For even more flavor, sub in fried rice for an extra charge.
Calamari Sandwich Meal
A true lunchtime favorite, the Calamari Sandwich Meal is always a great choice when you need a midday pick-me-up. To create this dish, they lightly bread and fry calamari until golden brown. Once that’s done, they put it on a bun with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado. Fries and a drink land alongside to complete your meal.
Want to show your love for their shop wherever you go? Take a peek at their swag to get geared up. From tote bags and flip flops to coffee cups and t-shirts, they definitely have something for everyone. You can even get a postcard and send a little bit of paradise back home to your family and friends.
Insider Tips:
-They serve breakfast all day, but lunch doesn’t start until 11 am.
-As a cash-only establishment, they do not take debit or credit cards. There’s an ATM on site, however, if you forget to grab money on your way over.
-If you’d like an alcoholic beverage with your meal, you’ll need to BYOB and snag a table inside.