The 5 Best Tea Places in Honolulu

According to recent research, Honolulu has over 360 places to enjoy a cup of tea. While there is an abundance of options, not all tea establishments offer the same quality.

In this article, we will explore the top 5 tea spots in the city. We won’t limit ourselves to traditional tea houses. We’ll also highlight regular cafes and even coffee houses where you can enjoy an exceptional cup of tea.

1. Halekulani Afternoon Tea

Halekulani Afternoon Tea, situated in Honolulu, offers a traditional afternoon tea experience. Held either on the Veranda of the main building or in the Orchids restaurant, this tea service provides guests with a selection of international teas and a range of accompanying snacks.

The focus of the tea service is its variety of international teas. Guests have the opportunity to choose from 12 different types, each with its distinct aroma and flavor. The selection ranges from classic blends to unique flavors, including choices like Earl Grey and Pineapple Coconut Rooibos. Guests can smell the teas before making a selection, which adds to the overall experience.

In addition to the tea, the service includes a range of pastries, scones, and finger sandwiches. The presentation and quality of these items are consistent with Halekulani’s standards. Typical offerings might include a mix of savory items like smoked salmon sandwiches and sweets such as raspberry lemon tarts and chocolate mousse cakes.

The setting for the afternoon tea is an open-air space, offering a peaceful environment. The service aims to be attentive, contributing to the overall experience.

Halekulani Afternoon Tea is available from Tuesday through Saturday and is a popular choice, often requiring advance reservations. The experience provides a blend of traditional tea service with a touch of local ambiance in Honolulu.

Pros

• Excellent service with attentive and high-quality staff.
• Beautiful and relaxing atmosphere.
• Wide tea selection, offering a variety of choices with the option to smell them before selection.
• Delicious and well-presented food, including tasty sandwiches, scones, and desserts.
• Unique and enjoyable experience.

Cons

• Difficult to get reservations, often requiring booking a month in advance.
• Limited seating capacity, with the room accommodating around 20 people.
• Service can feel rushed or understaffed.
• Presence of birds and bugs in the open-air setting, causing minor discomfort.

Location: 2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815

2. Daily Whisk Matcha

Daily Whisk Matcha, located in the Kaimuki neighborhood of Honolulu, is a modest-sized café known for its focus on tea, particularly matcha and hojicha varieties. The café offers a small but comfortable setting for customers to enjoy their beverages.

The menu at Daily Whisk Matcha primarily features a range of tea-based drinks. Among these, the iced matcha latte stands out for its authentic flavor, providing a refreshing option for tea lovers. The iced matcha strawberry latte is an interesting fusion, combining the traditional taste of matcha with a hint of strawberry. For those visiting in the autumn, the seasonal pumpkin hojicha latte offers a blend of roasted tea with pumpkin spices.

Other offerings include the matcha lilikoi soda and matcha lemonade, both suitable choices for warmer days. The Hoji-Chata, a blend of Hojicha Horchata, is another unique item on their menu. The café accommodates various dietary preferences by offering alternative milk options such as oat and macadamia nut milk.

Daily Whisk Matcha is a straightforward choice for those in the area looking to enjoy a quality cup of matcha or hojicha. Its unassuming ambiance and focus on tea make it a noteworthy spot for both locals and visitors in Honolulu.

Pros

• Variety of matcha drinks, offering an extensive and unique selection.
• Flavorful and well-balanced drinks, with a good balance of flavors and not overly sweet.
• Pleasant ambiance, with a cozy and cute setting.
• Good service, with friendly and efficient staff.
• Quality of tea, particularly matcha.

Cons

• Limited parking, with a small parking lot and challenges in finding a spot.
• The sitting area outside is small.

Location: 1114 11th Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

3. Tea at 1024

Tea at 1024, established in 1999, is a tea house in downtown Honolulu, offering a blend of British afternoon tea tradition and local Hawaiian ambiance. The cafe provides a comfortable setting for those seeking a relaxed tea experience or a distinctive venue for events.

The focus at Tea at 1024 is its diverse selection of teas. Each variety, from classic to more unusual flavors, is served in unique teacups. The staff, knowledgeable about tea pairings, assists guests in choosing a tea that complements their preferences.

In addition to tea, the cafe serves an assortment of traditional tea accompaniments. Guests can enjoy scones with jam and cream, various small sandwiches, and an array of miniature cakes and pastries. These items are designed to pair well with the teas and add to the overall experience.

The interior of Tea at 1024 is decorated to evoke a quaint, bygone era, contributing to the tea house’s serene atmosphere. A distinctive feature is the opportunity for guests to select their teacup from a global collection, adding a personal element to their visit.

Recognized for its quality service, including an award from Honolulu Magazine for “Best High Tea,” Tea at 1024 has established a reputation in the community. It caters to both individuals seeking a peaceful afternoon and groups celebrating special occasions. While its approach to afternoon tea is traditional, the cafe maintains a relaxed and welcoming environment for all guests.

Pros

• Great variety of tea flavors.
• High-quality and tasty desserts.
• Exceptional service from staff.
• Pleasant and unique ambiance.
• Opportunity to purchase tea leaves.
• Offers good value for money.

Cons

• Occasional slow service, especially in refilling tea.
• Room temperature control issues (too hot in some cases).

Location: 1024 Nuuanu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96817

4. The Veranda at the Beachhouse

Located in Waikiki, Honolulu, The Veranda at the Beachhouse is a venue that provides an afternoon tea experience with a view of the ocean. This cafe, set within the Moana Surfrider hotel, offers a blend of historic charm and modern style, creating an environment suitable for both social gatherings and quiet moments.

At The Veranda, the ambiance is a mix of elegance and comfort, characterized by outdoor seating that allows for scenic views. The interior decor, with its understated elegance, offers a welcoming space for guests.

Tea is a central aspect of the experience at The Veranda. The selection includes a variety of options, catering to different preferences. Choices like the Hawaiian Coconut tea and Jasmine tea are among the offerings, each with its unique flavor profile. The tea menu is complemented by an assortment of food items. The savory sandwiches, such as the truffle egg sandwich and the Asian Crab Potato Salad sandwich, provide a range of tastes. Scones, particularly the blueberry orange ones accompanied by lilikoi curd, are a highlight for those who enjoy sweets. The Moana Classic Tea set, which includes sandwiches and pastries along with pineapple sorbet, is a notable option on the menu.

Service at The Veranda is attentive, with staff members aiming to ensure a comfortable experience for guests. The cafe’s popularity can lead to busy periods, yet the commitment to service remains a priority.

The Veranda at the Beachhouse in Waikiki offers an afternoon tea experience that combines a selection of teas and accompanying food items in a setting that balances historic charm with contemporary style, all set against the backdrop of the ocean. It’s a place suitable for various occasions, from special events to casual visits.

Pros

• High-quality food, particularly scones, sandwiches (truffle egg, mushroom, crab croissant), and pastries.
• Excellent service.
• Relaxing and pleasant ambiance with lovely views, including the beach and ocean.
• Special touches like gift bags, souvenir fans, and complimentary valet parking enhance the experience.

Cons

• Valet parking can be busy, leading to delays.
• Limited tea selection.
• Pricey.

Location: 2365 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

5. à la maison by MAnYU Flowers

à la maison by MAnYU Flowers, located in the King Street area of Honolulu, combines a tea and coffee experience with a gift shop ambiance. The café’s primary focus is on its tea offerings, which include a variety of both traditional and unique blends. The selection ranges from classic teas like chamomile and sencha to more distinctive flavors such as peach purée with sparkling ume kobucha.

The café also hosts monthly themed afternoon tea events, featuring a combination of savory and sweet items alongside a selection of teas. These events are curated to provide a varied culinary experience with changing themes and menus. The décor of the café reflects a blend of vintage and contemporary styles, contributing to an atmosphere that is both relaxed and engaging.

In addition to beverages, à la maison also offers a range of home décor items and gifts. The shop section of the café presents an assortment of products from quaint trinkets to vintage furniture and tableware, catering to a variety of tastes and preferences.

The café aims to provide a tranquil setting for customers looking for a break from the city’s busyness. It serves as a space where visitors can enjoy a cup of tea while browsing through an array of unique items, offering a calm and inviting experience.

Pros

• Unique and personalized experience, with attention to detail in food and drink preparation.
• Variety and freshness of menu items, with seasonal changes.
• High quality of tea and matcha, with a range of unique flavors.
• Pleasant and calming atmosphere, with a focus on creating a special ambiance.
• Attentive and welcoming service from the staff.
• Interesting and diverse decor, enhancing the overall experience.

Cons

• Limited parking options and access difficulties.
• Lack of air conditioning, potentially affecting comfort during hot days.

Location: 2080 S King St, Unit 203, Honolulu, HI 96826