Kalaheo Café and Coffee Company offers a warm and inviting, casual, family-oriented dining atmosphere with terracotta painted walls, fresh floral arrangements, local art, and an incredibly friendly staff.
Located in Kalaheo town on the makai side of the highway, heading west, the café’s signature golden sun sign will point you in the right direction.
Owners Kris and John Ferguson have a motto of “fresh food and friendly service.” This begins with the café’s use of fresh and local produce and ingredients when possible. The couple has worked with the same local, Kalaheo farmer since the restaurant’s inception nearly 17 years ago, a unique quality in itself.
“Charlie’s been growing our lettuce, baby mixed greens and other specialty items,” said John.
In regard to friendly service, you will feel genuinely cared for the moment you enter the café.
“Our employees are great. They make the restaurant in the way we enjoy returning customers,” said Kris.
A couple of customers have even created art pieces and given them to the café, something which illustrates the heart, loyalty and sincerity of the café’s relationship with its customers.
Kalaheo Café and Coffee Company offers a full espresso bar which features lattes, mochas and espresso drinks with a selection of international, organic and Kaua‘i coffee. Be sure to try the café’s famous Mochalotto for a rich, chocolatey, espresso and ice cream laden experience.
If you’re not a coffee drinker, the café offers mineral water, juice and fresh fruit smoothies as well as Waialua sodas including the new Kona Red. A selection of bagged herbal teas and loose-leafed teas including Earl Grey, Darjeeling and Mandarin Orange Green are also available.
“Freshly baked morning pastries include our famous cinnamon knuckles, macadamia nut sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, fruit scones, blueberry and oat bran muffins, along with coffee cake. All are made in house. The café recently began making its wheat and rustic French bread in house,” said John.
One of the café’s favorite breakfast menu items is the Lawai Farmer’s Omelet with fresh spinach, onions, mushrooms, bacon, tomatoes and melted feta cheese. Of course, waffles, pancakes and French toast will satisfy any sweet tooth.
On the savory side, “If you’re looking for a belly buster, The Bonzo Breakfast Burrito with scrambled eggs, peppers, black beans, mushrooms, olives, ham, melted jack and cheddar cheese in a tortilla wrap topped with salsa and sour cream… will satisfy. Another lunch favorite is the Italian Turkey Pesto Melt with provolone cheese, onions and mushrooms, lettuce, tomatoes and sprouts. And, don’t forget the garlic, cilantro fries,” said John.
Kalaheo Café and Coffee Company’s commitment to the environment is evident as it recycles plastics and donates glass and cans to a local church. Coffee grinds are reused as compost material and food waste goes to local pig farmers. The café also started using biodegradable take-out containers nearly two years ago. “It’s more of an expense, but we are looking to the future of Kaua‘i,” said John.
Something to look forward to in the near future at the café is dinner! “We will be expanding the menu in mid-March when we will be coming back with a casual dinner menu reflecting our fresh and friendly service,” said John. Dinner will be available Tuesday through Saturday nights from 5-8:30pm.
From its warm service to the fresh, local ingredients that are featured in its menu, Kalaheo Café and Coffee Company is sure to keep you coming back.
Located at 2-2560 Kaumuali’i Highway in Kalaheo town. Call 332-5858 for more information.
Kalaheo Café and Coffee Company is open from 6:30 a.m. – 2:30p.m. Mon. – Sat. and from 6:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sunda. Cateringavailable. Call 332-5858 or visit www.kalaheo.com. Expanded hourscoming in March.
Cost: $ (5-15 per person)
Green: 3 leaves
(Recycles, biodegradable to-go, local ingredients.)
