Little Fish Coffee

Cardamon latte is one of the best espressos we’ve had on Kauai. Daniel Lane photo.

Little Fish Coffee is tucked inside a yellow two-story building on Hanapepe Road. There is limited seating inside, but there are tables with umbrellas out back. A lengthy drink menu includes espresso made with coffee that’s organic, fair-trade and roasted every week in Waimea. The staff was trained by an award-winning barista and a grinder insures that beans are the perfect consistency.

Hand brewed options include Moloaa Bay Coffee and 100 percent Kau coffee from Hawaii Island. About a handful of espressos are flavored, but you can add house-made syrups such as cinnamon, hazelnut, caramel, almond and mint. The cardamom latte, with cardamon syrup, is well balanced and strong. The cardamon cuts through but it’s not overpowering, just great presence. I believe it’s one of the best espressos on the island.

Ethan Page behind the counter at Little Fish Coffee. Daniel Lane photo.

“We really take our time with the coffee and focus on making sure the quality is consistent,” says owner Ethan Page.

Other beverages include tea, house-made chai and Italian sodas, such as the Sparkling Toddy, with cold-brew coffee, sparkling mineral water, house-made espresso syrup and a splash of cream. It’s so sweet and decadent, it could be dessert.

Meals include salads, bagels and sandwiches. The Hippie Bagel is made with house-made hummus; the Cobb Salad is dressed with a house-made vinaigrette and the Club-Zilla slathers house-made cilantro-pesto cream cheese on wholegrain bread.

Poi Bowl with sweet poi, fresh papaya, pineapple, blueberries, house-made granola, coconut cream and coconut shavings. Daniel Lane photo

The menu also includes smoothies and acai bowls, but I think the Poi Bowl is a delicious idea. A generous scoop of sweet poi is topped with fresh papaya, pineapple, blueberries, house-made granola, coconut cream and coconut shavings.

“Poi is such a good food,” explains Ethan. “It’s hypoallergenic and healthy. We use Hanalei Poi Co., which is pasteurized, so it stays sweet.”

Judy Page, Ethan’s mom, bakes in the coffee shop’s small kitchen. Her cinnamon rolls, pastries, banana bread, spiced vegan walnut bread, scones, cookies and brownies line the front counter.   

“We try to use products that aren’t shipped in,” says Ethan. “They taste better, it’s more affordable and there is less of a carbon footprint.”

Little Fish Coffee
3900 Hanapepe Rd., Hanapepe
Facebook: Little Fish Coffee
808-335-5000
Mon. – Fri.
6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sat. and Sun.
8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Open until 9 p.m. of Friday nights for Hanapepe Art Night

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