Coffee in West Maui

Cawfee Tawk

After spending two minutes with me, you will learn two things very quickly; I love coffee and I pronounce it caw-fee.  It is hard to hide the fact that I grew up in New York City, despite the fact that I have now lived on Maui for over 20 years. I guess you can take the girl out of Queens…

Coffee has become an important part of my life. Getting to know new friends, meeting a client, or just an excuse to get together. There’s nothing like having a cup of coffee as an excuse to be social. And despite the fact that I brew my own cold brew and have plenty of coffee at home, I love to find a sweet little coffee shop and spend my hard earned money to caffeinate.

West Maui – From Lahaina to Kapalua

I live in Lahaina, the sweet little beach town on the west side of Maui. There are many shops and restaurants lining Front Street, the central part of town. Lahaina is an old whaling town, rich in history. To my delight, there have been many new coffee shops popping up over the years, and I have tried them all.

Often times, I am meeting a friend for a walk, which naturally ends with a coffee. The Kapalua Walking Trails is my favorite place to meet a friend for a hike/walk. It’s a little cooler in Kapalua and there’s a large selection of places to hike.  I often walk up to the duck pond amongst the Cooke pine trees. Near where you park is the first coffee place I would like to share.

Kapalua and Napili Coffee

Kapalua Walking Trails

The Honolua Store is located on Office Road in Kapalua. The store has been there since the pineapple days of Kapalua, and is considered a landmark. There is a full service espresso bar and a beautiful deck to hang out and chat with your friends. I have solved many of life’s biggest problems on that deck. There’s a lovely view of the Kapalua Bay Course, and walking distance to the Ritz Carlton. The Honolua Store is also a great place for breakfast and lunch after a day at the beach up north.

There is a new coffee cart in Kapalua that I think I must mention. Located very close to the Honolua Store is a delicious restaurant, The Pour House. Recently, they have added a coffee cart in front of the restaurant in the mornings, offering crepes and a variety of espressos. Although, admittedly, I feel committed to the Honolua Store because of years of coffees, I do see many friends enjoying crepes and matcha lattes after tennis or pickleball at the Kapalua Tennis Garden. I do love their salads for lunch!

My children attend Maui Prep, located in Napili, just two minutes south of Kapalua. Many a school activity involves a quick stop at the Coffee Store in Napili first. You have not lived until you have had their Mexi latte!

Lahaina Town Coffee

Coffee locations in Lahaina town are dangerous for me because they are so close to where I live. I love an afternoon pick me up from these local locations. Front Street in Lahaina does have more and more coffee locations, but here are a few of my favorites from this oceanfront town.

Pam cruising around Lahaina with a latte

Vigilatte Artisan Coffee is located in a little alleyway at 844 Front Street. They have recently made Yelp’s top 100 list for coffee shops! They ranked #15 overall, and the only coffee shop on Maui to make the list. One of the most unique menu items is the cereal milk latte. Every day is a different type of cereal milk. These are tasty.

MauiGrown Coffee Company Store is located at 227 Lahainaluna Road, right near the Lahaina smokestack.  MauiGrown Coffee is 100% Maui grown coffee. The coffee is grown just up the road in the Ka’anapali Coffee Farms. The store sells an assortment of the Maui grown coffees, as well as offers a delicious mocha. Also, here’s a quick real estate pitch. You can actually live amongst the coffee in the Ka’anapali Coffee Farms. Part of your land is farmed as part of an agreement with the coffee growers. These spectacular homes and lots offer incredible ocean views. Contact me for more info on that!

Last but not least, I am going to put in a plug for probably my most frequented coffee spot. As much as I love to support local whenever I can, I am a working mom, so a drive-thru comes in clutch many days. The drive-thru Starbucks on Keawe Street in Lahaina has saved my day many times.

Out-of-Town Coffee

I have to admit. My favorite coffee spot is actually not in Lahaina. I know, I wrote a whole blog about coffee in West Maui, and I am confessing this now. But this amazing coffee spot deserves to be mentioned.

Espresso Mafia is located on Baldwin Avenue in Makawao. I was first introduced to them during the pandemic when a friend had their cold brew delivered to my doorstep. Wow, I was sold. They soon opened a coffee truck and it quickly became a stop every time I am in Upcountry Maui. Now they are going to be opening a cafe right in Makawao town. Thanks to the joys of permitting on Maui, the cafe is taking some time to open, but they have a temporary spot right next door in the mean time. I do not know what kind of magic Anthony brews, but everything I have had there is delicious. The Honey Cream Latte is a must-try.

The Espresso Mafia menu