Kalapawai Cafe & Deli
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Hours
Sun
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Mon
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tue
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wed
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thu
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Fri
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sat
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Reserve a table

What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, American, Polynesian, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Is this a Polynesian restaurant?
Details
About
Kalapawai Cafe & Deli offers residents and visitors to Kailua a friendly place grab anything from a morning cup of coffee, a delicious deli sandwich or pizza to an award winning full service dinner that includes burgers, locally caught seafood and the freshest salads. We are proud to feature locally sourced ingredients whenever possible on our menu and we focus our wine and beverage program around small, family owned wineries and breweries.<br />
CUISINES
American, Polynesian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Contribute
4.5
700 reviews
Excellent
447
Very good
189
Average
41
Poor
15
Terrible
8
d1domino
Gilbertsville81 contributions
May 2023 • couples
Great atmosphere, easy to find. Indoor and outdoor dining available. Food choices good. I had the French dip. Served on a garlic roll, which was tasty. My wife had the grilled chicken sandwich. It was served on ciabatta bread, which she isn’t a fan, but enjoyed the chicken without the roll. Sides were limited. Greens, sea salt chips (in a bag) and one other. I had the chips, she had the greens. Chips were chips, but she enjoyed the greens. Biggest plus was they told us hot food was 40 minutes, but really came in less than 15. Service was pleasant and good. Issue we had was rectified quickly. Would recommend.
Written May 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura C
Sidney128 contributions
Nov 2023 • family
We reserved a table outdoors which we enjoyed! Food was good, somewhat limited and quirky (in the style of a cafe); husband is a picky eater and ordered the pork schnitzel which he liked. I had the wago burger, good but a touch overcooked. We had sangria which was quite tasty.
Menu selection is seasonal, my son had a crab dip he was wild about here hut wasn’t available the evening we went. If you have picky eaters, check the menu before heading over.
Written November 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bev8789
Roswell520 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
We come here each time we visit and it is still one of our favorite places. It has a front porch, back patio and inside dining to choose from. During the day you order and pay up by the bar and in the evening you are served at your table. We came for lunch and enjoyed the Kalapawai Beach Burger cooked as requested to medium with tossed green salads and chips (slight upcharge). They have some fun wines and we had the sparkling GL Segura Viudas. We came back for our anniversary dinner and had the sparkling GL J rosé with the New York Steak cooked medium rare. The steak was good, but not quite as good as our memory of our last visit. To be fair it was Valentines Day and very crowded, but it just didn’t have the flavor we remembered. Topped off with the cheesecake it was a nice experience
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John L
Tacoma62 contributions
Jun 2023 • family
We have visited this local cafe previously on prior trips and have always had good experiences here. The food, atmosphere, and value were still as good as we remembered. However, the service crew was always present and seemed to be rushing us for most of the meal. We indicated we wanted to enjoy our drinks and appetizers first, and yet our server, who was very friendly, kept coming by asking if we were ready to order yet. The table cleaner tried removing food we hadn't completed. And one member of our family wasn't served until about ten minutes after the rest of us had received our meals. While the food is very good with generous portions which makes this a good value meal, the pushy staff made our experience less than enjoyable this visit. We will try to dine here again when we return to this area, but we will be more up front with our expectations with the staff.
Written June 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
265az82
Gilbert102 contributions
Apr 2024 • family
If you're looking for authentic local fare with a flare, this place is for you!
We stopped in here for lunch one afternoon while we were seeing some sights and visiting my daughter who lives on the island.
The place is somewhat small, and you order from a counter. Seating is first come, first served. I ordered the Fish Bites and Bruschetta. They were both amazing!!!
As we were leaving, I happened to thank the chef. Amazing food!
Written April 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johnny41958
Orchard Park71 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
My wife and I stopped here for a late lunch after touring the Manao Chocolate Factory. It is a lovely little restaurant which serves sandwiches and pizza at lunch time. Both have a local flavor to them and we found the service great the atmosphere very casual and food well very good. So good that on a following day while driving the coastal road back to diamond head we just had to make it again our lunch stop.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AcornOwl
Portland270 contributions
Feb 2022 • none
What a gem of a restaurant. We had breakfast and the Avocado Toast and latte were excellent. The staff is helpful and friendly and the place is very clean. The tables are spread apart and semi-out doors, so we felt safe. I always prefer a local restaurant and Kalapawai Market, with it's collection of local art for sale on the walls, and a diverse menu with ingredients coming from local vendors, fit the bill. We will be back!
Written February 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan S
California81 contributions
Feb 2020 • family
I visited family in Kailua for several weeks and could be seen in the Kalapawai Cafe several times a week. Either it was getting a latte and oatmeal bar, a biscuit breakfast sandwich, cookies or the fire-roasted double-cut pork chop (outstanding) dinner, etc. Such good food. Small and crowded during popular times of the day but worth it to adjust your schedule.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronald T
Honolulu4 contributions
Mar 2022 • couples
Please grill the Eggplant parmesan a little longer. It was hard and tough. We have eaten here many times over the previous 15 years. Every other time, it has been great. My wife really enjoyed the special of the night. The service was fantastic. The staff is friendly, talented, and efficient. I am writing this review because we have a high regard for your restaurant and want you to be successful. If you are a guest in Hawaii and reading my review, I highly recommend this restaurant.
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Poodletoes
Dayton557 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
This lovely little restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We had stopped at a local brewery and asked for dinner suggestions and were told about this place. The dinner menu lists a good selection of appetizers, pizzas and main dishes. I had the Herb marinated chicken breast with mushroom-farro risotto, grilled asparagus with lemon and roasted garlic and cream sauce. It was very good, but to me the risotto was the real winner here. I could have eaten a whole bowl of it.
They have a vast deli menu also. I only wish we could have eaten lunch here, too. Everyone was friendly and helpful. I believe there was a parking lot to one side tho we did not know and parked on the street.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EllCeeMoney
Boston8 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
I spent a month in Hawaii, and had dinner here at least 3 times. The food is excellent, and the service is great. Their crab & artichoke dip appetizer is chock-full of crab and super delicious. The fish special (mahi mahi over lemongrass risotto) was one of my favorite meals in Hawaii.
They're open all day, serving breakfast and lunch as well. I tried a salad and sandwich for lunch which were ok, however not nearly as great as the dinner experience there.
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
White_Shadow_2001
Boston252 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
Stopped by for lunch while we were touring the island. Good variety of sandwiches to choose from. Finally decided on the fish tacos and the Kapolei club. They were both excellent. Ample sized portions so you will not go hungry. The atmosphere is very casual and relaxed which was really appreciated.
If you are in the area, it is a great spot for lunch. Highly recommended.
Written March 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reggie S
77 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
Six of us dined here Jan 2020. We were all very much enamored with the quality of the food. Excellent variety and ALL home made. Mouth watering goodness in every bite. Manager/owner was a delight and quite friendly. Highly recommend for dining on this side of the island!
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SS
United States65 contributions
Nov 2023 • family
This was a great mini-cafe in the back of a market on the east side of the island. We got good vegetarian veggie and rice bowls. The portions were generous and the people were friendly. This is a good stop between Waikiki and Kualoa Ranch.
Written March 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OCReporter1
Boerne6 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
Fun little cafe in the back of a neighborhood market. Sandwiches are fine (kudos for the French Dip sandwich). Outside dining under a porch next to the store. Just a short walk to the beach as well so this is a great spot to grab some quick food on the way. Friendly staff.
Written January 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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