Coral Cafe

Cute name and cute kiosk in the medical /​office building on the corner across Blaisdel and never to the new Longs on King Street. The owner is nice and seems friendly from our quick exchange.
The iced tea is quite literally a tea bag of your choice (some Bigelow and some Tazo tea bags– Earl Grey, Passion, Green…) quick brewed on the spot (2min? I did appreciate the quick turn around but would have waited for a stronger cup of tea or would perhaps have enjoyed two tea bags’ strength but maybe that’s just me). Since I drink a lot of tea, I can’t say this was the best $ 2.5 cup but it was good for a quick cold drink if you’re in the plaza.
May try coffee next time based on reviews. I like the idea of the island’s ‘best espresso’ as fellow Unilocaler Jon K. says and am looking forward to finding another delicious coffee spot. :)

If you’re stranded at this medical building (I think it’s called Kamalani) for some reason, you should visit this cute kiosk coffee shop called Coral Café.
I ordered iced coffee for $ 3 and something. The iced coffee was smooth. The lady works at the counter was also nice. There’s a table sitting area if you’re lucky. Otherwise you can sit outside the bench and enjoy.

An oasis in the middle of a coffee desert (the area around Thomas Square /​NBC /​Art Academy). Had a hot Honey Latte with soy. Very nice! ;) Will definitely come back again for coffee & goodies.

Loveeee Coral Café coffee. Becca is super sweet & makes the best coffee! I’m pretty picky with coffee, and I love the beans she uses. I work in the medical arts building so I pay her a visit pretty often

I recently started a new job and am completely thrown off as my normal coffee stops are nowhere along my route. I’m still trying to figure it out but on one of my training days I had time to walk a bit further and using handy dandy Unilocal & reading some excellent reviews I found Coral Café.
This place is an adorable little coffee and bites kiosk located on the first floor in the Medical Arts Building. The menu had a lot of drink options and some limited bites like bagels, simple paninis, muffins & cookies and some healthy energy bites/​oatcakes made locally. I decided to try the Mac nut mocha add a shot and a bagel with cream cheese. Bagels that day were strawberry or blueberry. The woman Rebecca behind the counter was super friendly and sweet. She introduced herself, talked to me about my day & what brought me in and explained how she brews her espresso so my drink would be to my liking. I’m happy to hear she likes it stronger, less sweet which is my style — she also brewed an extremely smooth brew. It wasn’t bitter at all; it was kind of magical. Just the right amount of syrups to taste the flavors without over doing it. It was a pretty good drink! I do wish there were various sizes though, I typically order ⁵⁄₆ shots over ice often so the one size wasn’t my cup of tea. Plus it was a little pricey for the size. The bagels are all toasted and you get a container of cream cheese on the side. My bagel was meh, your typical store bought packaged bagel toasted off. I didn’t hate it but it again felt pricey at $ 3.00.
Overall, I enjoyed my coffee and meeting Becca. Her customer service was on point and she multi tasked very well. She had a zen quality about her. Her kiosk reminds me of the coffee kiosks at the train stations in NY. I’ll be back when I’m in the area. The honey latte sounded unique and I feel I must try. Maybe add a $ 1 off Unilocal check in?!? Just saying…

Best Expresso on the island! I am sick of Starbucks weak shots. My drink is always the same Iced triple Expresso, black and Becca has the best for strength and flavor!
Becca is super friendly and she has other goodies for sale too!

Very below average. Walking into this hole in the wall I was a bit concerned. Not because it being a small local spot but just how dirty the place was. Really not a breakfast place at all. Only bagels, sandwiches and coffee. Won’t be coming back.
Correction! We did not go to the Coral Café. We went to another place down the street. My mistake!

I LOVE the Coral Café downtown! I always make it a point to swing by to grab my morning
in Honolulu and the customer service is 5 star~I rarely give 5 star reviews~but the Coral Café definitely deserves this rating!

Stumbled upon this tucked away little kiosk while waiting to be picked up from an appointment at the medical arts building. Been to this complex multiple times for doctors appointments, but first time not having to rush out of the busy parking lot. Nice oasis to discover if you have time between medical or other appointments. It’s located in the main level lobby, in the ‘elbow’ of the L-​shaped building. It is the only coffee/​barista type establishment in the complex. The next closes is Starbucks in Ward area. The menu: It was hard to settle on just 1 of the many interesting combinations for coffee drinks, but the iced Thai mocha was delicious! And, decaf for all selections was available! (Bonus for a nursing mom). The brownie was a little dry, but there were other baked goods to choose from. $ 5.00 is comparable for other mochas around town, however $ 2.00 was a bit much for the quality of the brownie. Nicely convenient however was the fact that they accept plastic of all types, especially for those of us that don’t usually carry cash.
Now that I know it’s there, I’d go back, but honestly only if I have time before or after an appointment (you have to pay to park in the medical arts building).

Coral Café is a cheerful coffee kiosk in the Medical Arts Building. Owner Becca is happy to talk you through the different choices and make a cup of coffee you’ll like. In general, the coffee is on the sweet side, try the Thai Espresso or ask for a Honey Latte.
Regulars ask for a Stamp Card, 10 stamps earn you a free drink. Coral Café has the best espresso drinks in the area, now you know.

Great contribution to the medical arts building. What would everybody do at work without coffee!!! Perfect location and very convenient. I’m so happy to have found a place in Honolulu with a good espresso because there is almost nowhere! Becca’s thai coffees are my favorite!

White-​cup-​with-​the-​brown-​sleeve who? Move over mermaid lady!!! Coral Café is the cutest coffee kiosk everrrrrrrrrrrr… The iced ZEBRA mocha is highly addictive!

Becca is super friendly and always a delight to talk to when I pick up my morning coffee. She is full of helpful advice and delicious coffee and muffins to get me through my busy day!

Becca is amazing. She makes, in my opinion, the best coffee on the island. I always grab coffee from Coral Café on my way to work. It’s the medical building’s best kept secret. More people need to know about this place! It’s the best way to kick off your morning. The coffee is always on point. Becca always engages her customers, and I cannot imagine what I’d do if Coral Café didn’t exist.

TIA CARRERA & YUM MOCHA!
What ever happen to Tia Carrera? Remember her? Local beauty turned Hollywood Hawtness!
Well, I think she retired, changed her name to «Rebecca», and decided to open a coffee kiosk, in the lobby of the medical building at S. King & Victoria St. It’s located directly across of the Blaisdell Concert Hall parking lot.
Yup, I’m convinced that’s «Tia» in disguise. The menu is basic: Sandwiches, cookies, muffins, snacks, and the like. Nice selection of drinks from coffees, teas, different types of mochas (which seems to be the most popular), to bottled juices, etc.
I decide to get the:
–Hot Turkey/​Cheese Panini Sandwich
–Ice Macadamia Mocha
While making my drink and hot sandwich, «Tia» and I talk story. She’s not only super gorgeous, but also super nice, which sometimes is difficult to find in chain businesses. «Tia» told me she was the owner, barista, and general «do everything» at Coral Café. She’s been doing it for a few years now and you can tell she enjoys what she does.
I notice the one tiny lawn table occupied with a mom and child. That’s it. So unless you’re super lucky, be content with taking it to-​go, standing, or sitting on the steps outside. I’m sure there’s a bench somewhere, but was content with standing and chatting with «Tia». Duh.
The total cost was $ 9.50 for the Panini and Mocha. The panini was okay, but I prefer if the cheese was fully melted. You also have the option for mustard which I declined. Still all was fresh. The mocha was the bomb! Obviously top quality coffee is used and carefully crafted by «Tia».
Again, it’s not a café, per se, but rather a charming locally owned kiosk in a medical building lobby. So it’s awesome for a quick bite or to-​go, but don’t expect to «hang out» there.
What separates this kiosk from most like places is the quality of the drinks and the awesomeness of the owner/​barista/​do everything «Becca», who I am still convinced is «Tia Carrera».
So, if in the area… Blaisdell, Honolulu Arts Museum, Thomas Square, Kaiser, etc. take that short stroll to Coral Café for a refreshing quality drink. Tell her «Eric Robert», no relations to «Julia Roberts», sent you. I’m sure she’ll give you a «Tia Carrera» smile. 100% Supporter of Local Businesses.
Unilocal REVIEW #125

Great coffee and excellent service!

Must Order: mocha
It took us an extra lap around the block to find it but the best way to describe it’s location is that it’s on the corner of King and Victoria, in the same building as Le Guignol the french restaurant on that corner.
Everyone’s right, the mocha here is great! I got the zebra mocha (I can’t remember if that’s what its called… did I just make up that name??) which is a black & white mocha. It had the right amount of mild bitterness of the coffee and sweetness of the chocolates.
I’ll also remember this place because we came here just before my fiancé proposed! So definitely happy memories associated with a delicious mocha!

Meant to write something some time ago but just wanted to add my vote for the place. Like everyone says, Rebecca is attractive, polite and she is what is most special about this place. She excels at making the customer feel special and it’s something that is sorely lacking at most establishments.
Only giving 4 stars cuz parking is a bit of a challenge and there aren’t a lot of tables for kicking back. Not a big deal.

A true diamond in the rough! This place may be a bit hard to find if you’re not looking for it but if you do find it, you are definitely in for a treat. Once you step through the doors you immediately notice the clean sleek-​looking décor.
Now on to the goodies! They have an amazing variety of drinks. My personal favorite is the Thai Tea Latte. It has just the perfect amount of richness and sweetness to it mmMm good! Its a very unique taste. The desserts they feature are pretty tasty too. The cool thing about their dessert menu is that it is constantly changing. They have their staples of course but there is also always something new to try whenever I come in.
The staff here are also super nice. I chatted a bit with manager on occassion and he seems to be a pretty cool and friendly guy that loves his coffee. I definitely recommend checkin this place out if you’re in the area.

Always friendly & prompt service. Never had a bad drink here. The espresso is strong, just how I like it.
This isn’t a café that you could go to sit around and hang out all day, though. I think there’s one table in the corner and few benches outside. I just come here after every time I have an orthodontist appointment upstairs and grab a drink to go on my way home.
Oh, and there is street parking. I think it’s metered but I’m not so sure. I’d say just park in the parking lot (entrance on Young st) because there is a 15-​minute grace period (last time I checked) and you can be in and out well under 15 minutes.

Pros:
Unreal Café Mocha
Rebecca, who works there, is extremely nice.
Free Wi-​Fi
If you buy 12 drinks, your 13^th is free. And if you buy a drink on Monday, it counts as two stamps.
I saw some reviewers complain about the prices, but I think they pretty comparable to Starbucks or any other coffee place.
Cons:
I am addicted to Café Mocha’s and probably soon the rest of the coffee variations Rebecca serves.

Rating: ⁴⁄₅
Dates visited: 3÷13÷2012, a few times through 2009 – 2011.
Services: ⁴⁄₅
Atmosphere: ⁴⁄₅
Price: ³⁄₅
Parking: ⁴⁄₅
I love supporting small businesses. Especially one with such a friendly owner/​operator.
Services:
Provides various drinks, snacks & some sandwiches.
Atmosphere:
Great location. A few steps from the Café, you can see Blaisdell Center & Thomas Square Park.
Here’s my review of Thomas Square Park:
Price:
Reasonable for the convenience it provides.
Parking:
Both private lot & street parking is available.

I came to Coral Café originally because I heard it had the best mocha ever but I stay because of the SUPER friendly service. Rebecca is easy to talk to and makes the place feel like a neighborhood café, which is always one of the best things about local businesses.
But honestly, when it comes to the mocha, there are so many delicious varieties to try! Me, I’m a mint man, I love Andes chocolate, mint ice cream, and I look forward to St. Patricks day so I can get a mint shake at McDonalds. So I especially love the peppermint mocha and Irish crème mocha here.
In addition, there’s a zebra (white and dark) chocolate mocha and a thai mocha that I order if I’m not getting something with mint. And if that’s still not enough, you can try some of Coral Specials, such as the Honey Latte or Candy Cane Latte.
Yups, I’m a big fan of Coral Café and I hope you become one too. I have a $ 1 off discount card that I’ll leave at the place so you guys can try it too.

This is one of my favorite places for coffee and I think this Coral Café has some of the best coffee on the island. I’m not a coffee connoisseur but I drink my coffee black so it’s easier to tell when the coffee is fresh and good. Another good drink I like from here is the dirty chai.
Rebecca is also awesome and friendly. How many places do you go where you know the name of your barista and they know yours. This place is like Cheers without Norm and the beer.