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Café Kaila
Category: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
Market City Shopping Ctr2919 Kapiolani Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 732-3330
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 3 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
407 reviews for Café Kaila
Review Highlights
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"The french toast was amazing and huge." In 86 reviews -
"Malted Belgian Waffle: it was good." In 29 reviews -
"That with some Portuguese sausage and you have a winner." In 26 reviews
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407 reviews in English
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Review from James G.
Updated - 5/24/2012 5 Check-ins Here
I have to give them 5 stars. Especially since earlier this week I ate there 3 times in less than 48 hours. The staff is extremely nice and the food is extremely good. I haven't had to wait the recent times I've eaten here (the only reason I previously gave them 4 stars). I have also turned my boss into a fan of Cafe Kaila. So much of a fan she bought a Cafe Kaila shirt she is going to sport in New York City (where she lives half the year). Previously I had only eaten breakfast here, but their lunch is pretty good. The sandwiches are delicious. They are definitely worth a try.
Tips:
Lunch is usually not as busy as breakfast
Weekdays are less busy than weekends
Sunday mornings are ridiculously crowded
I believe Eggs Benedict is served only on weekends1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/18/2011
First of all let me say this place is definitely 5 stars if there wasn't a wait for breakfast.… Read more »
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Review from Christine A.
San Francisco, CA
Best banana pancakes I've ever had...and not just in Hawaii (5 Stars for the pancakes). We missed the crowd because we got there around 8am, so that was great. It got packed around 9 and there was a wait outside when we finally left.
The minus 2 stars goes to the service. It was horrible. Very slow and our server had a weird attitude. He didn't seem very happy to be there.
When I'm back in town I'll probably come back because I really liked the pancakes=) -
Review from Mel P.
Another mixed emotions review. This really should be 3.5 - stars, but I don't have that option.
The goodness we were still on California time. We arrived at Cafe Kaila at 7:30 AM and there was no line and a number of free tables. We sat down and were handed menus and ice water.
Of course I busted out my iPhone to:
1. Check-in
2. Find out what other Yelpers enjoyed
Based on the pictures alone my sister ordered the pancakes with strawberries and bananas. The order is huge and delicious, loaded with fruit and pancakes so fluffy and moist that you don't need any syrup. I ordered the eggs with Portuguese sausage, potatoes, toast and a coffee. Honestly I wasn't that impressed with my breakfast. It was OK but not anything to really write home about.
OH, I also ordered one slice of french toast for like $3, that too was somewhat of a disappointment. I found it to be dry and dull, not a lot of flavor in that thing. The pancakes are much better!
I wasn't too fond of the restroom situation. They don't have a restroom in the cafe. You have to exit the restaurant, walk two doors down and go into the inside of the shopping center, where Cafe Kaila is located, punch in a code and use one of two stalls (women's restroom). The restroom was clean but I can see how it could turn into a nightmare as the day goes on. Just use the WC at your hotel/home before you go there.
*Note - hostess was super sweet but our server was kind of rude, further supporting my mixed emotions about Cafe Kaila. -
Review from Helene W.
Honolulu, HI
5/18/2012
This used to be my favorite breakfast place, until Sweet E's opened up. They have really tasty food and yummy coffee. The french toast is crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, dusted with powdered sugar... Perfect!
The wait is really long but the staff are friendly. It's very cute inside, but a little cramped... and the wait is always a long one.
The food is all pretty decent, but you can get much better and more creative plates at Sweet E's right around the corner. -
Review from Sharilyn K.
Mililani, HI
5/7/2012
I went to Cafe Kaila for the first time this morning to have breakfast. Today is Monday and I went at 8am - there was still a little wait and a line to get in! I was really excited because I've heard a lot of good things about this place.
Our waitress was very nice - promt and always refilling our drinks. I ordered the vegetarian omelet; you can choose 3 toppings and your choice of cheese for the omelet, toast and potatoes or rice. What a hearty breakfast! The omelet was good; very flavorful and beautifully made. The potatoes were yummy too. My bf had the breakfast quesadilla; you can choose your tortilla type - spinach, tomato or corn, and your type of meat. This was so yummy too :)
Definitely a great spot to go to for breakfast with friends, family and your significant other. Casual yet good food.Listed in: Breakyyyyy!
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Review from Kelli M.
Honolulu, HI
5/11/2012
Most of the reviews mentioned having to wait in line, so I was prepared for that. It was about a 20-minute wait during which it rained. Thankfully, it wasn't a heavy downpour and I was somewhat protected by the roof. I went to Foodland afterward and the clerk seemed to notice my box of leftovers, so she asked about the line and said that it's better to come on weekdays.
Once seated, I was eager to look at the menu and order. And even though the restaurant was packed, it wasn't too noisy and the tables were spaced out well.
I ordered buttermilk pancakes that came nicely garnished with strawberries and an orange slice. Cost: $6.95 (optional bananas, blueberries, caramelized apples or strawberries for $1.50 each).
The food was delicious. The pancakes are so fluffy and the powdered sugar makes them sweet enough to enjoy with only a little syrup. I never butter my pancakes or waffles, anyway, so that's one less thing to worry about.
I'd definitely go back, but perhaps I'd try a weekday or going later on the weekend. After all, they serve breakfast all day! -
Review from Bobby G.
Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
5/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Fantastic French toast!
I was really impressed from the moment I walked in. Clean, quaint, and water was already waiting for us on the table.
The French toast with bananas was easily the best French toast I have ever had. It was made on a thick and fluffy Hawaiian sweet bread that was quite filling.
Equally important to me in a breakfast place is the COFFEE! It was delicious, but it sure did pack a wallop. Coffee amateurs beware.
Reasonably priced and the servers weren't bad to look at either. I highly recommend. -
Review from Shirlene T.
Aiea, HI
5/9/2012
Love their breakfasts, especially the Belgian waffles, BLT, French toast, and pancakes. Actually anything you order there is very good.
The staff is friendly and keeps the water and coffee mugs filled without asking. They are spot on.
If you go on the weekend, forget it because you better have time to wait and wait in the long line outside. And while you're waiting, they bring out samples for you to munch on. Trust me, the wait is worth it because the food is delish. -
Review from Jake C.
Fullerton, CA
5/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Water was waiting at the table. Nice homey feel for the decor.
The French toast was great! Large portion with fresh fruit. I got the strawberry French toast, scramble eggs, and roasted potatoes. It was so much food I didn't finish it. Barely half way.
The coffee had a strong kick to it. It was alright. Nothing special.
This place definitely deserves the 5 stars.
It's probably even better than Kimmie's Coffee Cup (My favorite breakfast place ever).
Make sure to have breakfast here if you're ever in Honolulu. You won't regret it. -
Review from M K.
Honolulu, HI
5/21/2012
Hit up Cafe Kaila's on this Monday morning around 11am and still waited about 20 minutes to get seated. Not a problem, thats expected here. I am a Cafe Kaila fan and I love my Breakfast but it's been awhile since I've been back. My GF ordered the Lox & Caper Scramble (for the 2nd time) and I had a custom Omlette. We were both pleased with our choices but I do want to try the pancakes next time. The service is usually great, my only complaint is the lack of personality and attention from the Host/Server. Felt rushed when ordering and attention was elsewhere while taking our order. I then had the check tossed infront of me without a single word. Hope it was just a bad day! $25 bucks for breakfast for two.
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Review from Tracy M.
Wahiawa, HI
5/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Bruyson had the vegetarian omelette with fried rice and I had the Eggs Florentine.
My son thought the vegetarian omelet was very good with the fried rice. All of the ingredients were very fresh and it was very flavorful.
I had the Eggs Florentine. The sauce was amazing, however, the English Muffin was undercooked and made it too chewy (this is a major novice error)...thus the two stars less.
I also brought home their waffles for my family. They are very attentive to these because they cook them until they are crisp and crunchy with a lot flavor, yet not burnt. Also we strawberries with the take out order Rest assured that their fruits are very fresh and sweet plus they are very generous with the portions. -
Review from C B.
Honolulu, HI
4/7/2012
Great for breakfast! Food is not too greasy, buttery, or oily like most Honolulu breakfast spots. Service is attentive, but expect a small line. Inside, the aroma of breakfast overtakes you. Very good atmosphere... bright, clean.
Try: breakfast wrap, omelet, french toast, waffles -
Review from Kim T.
Austin, TX
4/29/2012
One of the few places around this area where you can get some breakfast. So for that, yay!
Food: The food is pretty good. Not amazing and not horrible. The first time I went here I had a Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict (a special) which was delicious. The Eggs were done to perfection and it was oh so good with the smoked salmon. I also had a side of fruit and the papaya was to die for. The coffee was rather horrible. The second time I went I got a fruit plate and a side of eggs. This resulting in a high bill so I didn't think it was worth the money.
Atmosphere: The waiting area is outside which makes for some issue when it's raining in the morning. And there is always a wait. So if you go, make sure the weather is nice. The decor, etc of the restaurant is nothing to write home about.
Other: The service is a little slow.
Overall: A little hit and miss. I would suggest sticking with the specials if you can. -
Review from Tyra K.
3/28/2012
Very tasty Breakfast!! I must come back and try more of their delicious dishes...
There will always be a wait here, so if you have time then wait a little and enjoy, but make sure to give yourself plenty of time..
What I love about this place is no substitute eggs when making omelets, everything is fresh and organic its good to eat a healthy breakfast..
The service is so-so, I understand they are busy, but the last time I went I asked for brown sugar the server replied a bit rudely 'you already have sugar' I obviously wouldn't be asking for brown sugar if i had some on the table.
They have some very tasty dishes, but I'm not a fan of some of their omelets, like for example on of their veggie omelets they put basil seasoning, they could of put real basil instead since they promote a healthy organic place, that's just my recommendation...
I will return when I have more free time in the morning for breakfast..Since its really hard to kno how long you'll actually have to wait for a seat. -
Review from Jody S.
3/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Since I had a vacation day I needed to "take or lose" I of course took the former and spent Friday with a friend. After hanging out and enjoying each other's company, the rumblings of the stomach monster set in.
Hungry for a good soup and sandwich whet our appetite so we made the short journey over to Cafe Kalia. The place was semi -crowded because we arrived on the later side.
The ambience was a little kitsch but perfect for what they seemed to be going for. I ordered a grilled veggie sandwich with chips and my cohort ordered a BLT with chips and a side bowl of the soup of the day, chicken tortilla.
Both meals came fairly quickly and I must admit, was delicious, fresh and savory. The kettle chips were crispy and crunchy and overall the meals were excellent!
The only downfall, they only accept cash and local checks. -
Review from Brad G.
5/7/2012
This hidden gem serves a fantastic breakfast! So well worth the wait to get in. Food is tasty, great variety and it's served hot and fast!!
Definitely put it on your "breakfast list". My only disappointment was that I discovered it on the last day of my holidays :( -
Review from Shay F.
3/17/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I really don't feel the hype. Ya, it's not bad food, but it's not WoW, Awesome, Great food. I think there's just a lack of good breakfast places in Honolulu that we're just stuck with a few options...I think. Idk...
Anyways, I had the waffles and thought they were ok. I got a side order egg and potatoes, and OMG the order of potatoes was massive!!!
Yelp 365 Challenge #231/365 -
Review from Spidey S.
Honolulu, HI
4/18/2012
long wait. inconsistent service. mediocre food. you make the call. when this establishment first opened, i used to love it because of the convenient location, ample parking, and affordable prices. also, the coffee is decent and the food is mediocre (as stated before). since they've become more popular and started catering to the japanese tourist market, it's severely lacking. not sure if they're understaffed or have a high turnover of cooks, but as a former restaurant employee - I CANNOT AND WILL NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO ENJOY A GOOD BREAKFAST.
if you have a car, drive out to kailua and eat the lilioki pancakes at moke's instead. i've heard they are pretty bomb. -
Review from Justina L.
Fremont, CA
3/31/2012
I got the Hawaiian Breakfast for 9 bucks. I thought it was worth it. The banana bread was SO good. It was probably the best banana bread I have ever eaten.
The plate also came with SO many different fruits! It made my plate so colorful and beautiful and healthy! It put the other plates at my table to shame! hahaha jk. but seriously though, I think the Hawaiian breakfast is a good breakfast choice because from a nutrition point of view, you're getting your fruits and some starch and very little protein. but hey, it was a good start to my day. :]
Oh, and come early. There's a 15 minute-ish wait. Put your name on the list. -
Review from Mike O.
2/19/2012
Coming here on a week day after 11am is the way to go. You get to order off their lunch menu as well as serving breakfast all day. There is also no wait.
I usually eat their italian sausage ravioli. It was no different on this visit. I really like this dish as their marinara sauce with small piece of italian sausage rich and flavorful. The ravioli is firm and nicely filled with cheese.
My wife had french toast with strawberries. She says its really good. Her only complaint about this place is she says the coffee is only luke warm. -
Review from Megan R.
BRUNCH TIME! (Good for breakfast, brunch, & lunch - but breakfast is served all day!) Had to think of a good place to bring my Papa and my boyfriend. I chose Cafe Kaila the night before, so my boyfriend and I made sure to go half an hour earlier to put our name on the list. There is ALMOST ALWAYS a wait - but the food is worth it! Fresh good old home cooking. Just be prepared to do something while you wait, I hit up coffee bean. There is not much seating :/ & CASH ONLY! (I wish all places took card ]: )
I always have such a hard time deciding what to order - their omelets are scrumptious! Plus they come with potatoes which are seasoned perfectly! The potatoes are normally what pulls my decision to order omelets. Hehe :] But most of the time my sweet tooth gets the best of me! Can't go wrong with BELGIAN WAFFLES TOPPED WITH FRUIT!!!! Yummmy! & Their french toast is also super dee duper delicious, not too sweet with the perfect amount of cinnamon. If you like it sweet you have the option to drench it in syrup!
The staff is very friendly & attentive - always refilling coffee and water! Checking up on their customers. The interior is a bit small - but still cute, very clean & bright... making it feel more open.
Always in the mood for K A I L A! -
Review from Michelle S.
Delray Beach, FL
4/29/2012
Great little place. Locally owned and operated. This is where the locals eat! Line out the door before 8am but worth the wait! Fast friendly service. We had the pastrami (they make their own) eggs benedict. It was fantastic! Everything is cooked to order. We even had a bit of food envy as other dishes were being brought to neighboring tables everything looked really good and the portions are big enough to share. We'll definitely go back before we leave the island.
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Review from Rachel M.
Honolulu, HI
3/12/2012 3 photos
Finally writing a review for this place...
The only downside is that this place gets CRAZY crowded! One day my boyfriend and I both had requested a Tuesday off and decided to grab a hardy breakfast somewhere since on a usual weekday the closest to breakfast we get is coffee or a small box of cereal. We got there around 10:30am and it was PACKED! What the...? Umm does no one go to work anymore? We had been here once before on a Saturday morning (holy moly which was even MORE crazy) but we hadn't expected it to be so crowded like that on a weekday.
Anyways service here is "alright." Same with the amount of time it takes the food to come out. It's way too small and way too busy to be anything else better then that though so I don't really hold it against them. HOWEVER the food here is DELISH! I don't usually take pictures of food with my phone like some of you crazy yelpers but the last time I came here I just HAD to do it! I HIGHLY recommend the Lox and Bagel with Cream Cheese AND the WAFFLES! Unfortunately waffles can't be ordered as a side but it is VERY worth it to get as a main dish. Yum yum yum, I want to go back just thinking about it! :) -
Review from Maria K.
Honolulu, HI
2/20/2012
My favorite thing about Cafe Kaila is the variety of menu items. I always spend way too long a time trying to decide what to order!
So first I gotta decide if I'm feeling sweet or savory. There's the fantastic steak and eggs plate. Forget the rice...the herb-roasted potatoes are flavorful with the skin still on. And then of course you've got all the egg plates: frittatas, omelettes, sides. Oh, and paninis and sandwiches and salads. If I'm feeling sweet, I have to decide between pancakes, belgium waffles or to-die-for french toast. My goodness, each decision just leads to another fantastic decision...and the coolest thing is, I could basically close my eyes and pick out an item on random, and I KNOW it'd be good.
On my last visit, I got a side of French toast and the chicken special plate. The French toast was fantastic, soooo filling even though it was just a fluffy side, and the bananas and strawberries were fresh. The chicken plate was also good. My only complaint would be that the chicken doesn't microwave well for the second time around -- slightly dry, even though it was juicy the first time.
But then, what kind of a complaint is that? MY FAULT FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO FINISH IT ALL!! -
Review from Vicky L.
Thanks to other Yelpers recommending this over Sweet E's, I found myself downing another large breakfast - perfect after a morning of snorkeling and hiking - at Cafe Kaila.
No wait (we had THE best timing this trip), and friendly service. Unlike Sweet E's, the menu had a wider variety and so I couldn't decide what I wanted because more than one thing looked delectable.
I ended up with an omelette with Portuguese sausage, mushrooms and salsa, and it came with roasted potatoes (or rice). When it came out, I was shocked at HOW BIG the portion was - who eats this much at breakfast?!
As a fatty, I can pack away a bunch of food at once, but even this was too much for me, and I couldn't get through my whole omelette and only ate half of my potatoes. I think the Portuguese sausage really filled me up - if I'd gotten something less greasy, I may have been able to finish.
Definitely recommend this place over Sweet E's. I will most definitely be returning here when I visit Hawaii again.Listed in: On a vacation HI
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Review from Natasha L.
Kailua, HI
2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Went to Cafe Kaila for the first time a couple weeks ago based on the reviews I found on Yelp. Was actually looking for a good breakfast/brunch-y kinda place since I had just gotten smashed the night before and I didn't want an overly-greasy breakfast a.k.a. something other than McDonalds in the immediate area.
Arrived around 11 am on a Sunday to see a crowd in front of the little cafe (about 15 people) so I expected to wait at least 30 minutes. The actual wait time was about 15-20. The second time we came here it was the same story with the same amount of people and again, we didn't have to wait too long. So props on being able to keep the flow of customers pretty good.
It's small indoors, but the decor and ambiance make it very personal, not too crowded.
Now for the food... Wow. I will never eat at Yogurstory again. This place beats them hands down in quality, quantity and price ten times over. Yogurstory is like, a novelty, and an overpriced one at that. You can have your $10 waffles - I'll have mine with bacon and eggs.
On my first visit, I had their breakfast croissant. It was absolutely tasty. I couldn't believe how much flavor there was. The croissant wasn't too flaky either. I was worried about making a mess, but the damage was surprisingly minimal.
My second visit, I had the french toast combo with scrambled eggs and bacon. YUMMY. First of all, it's sweet bread. You just can't go wrong. And the bacon is just so well-cooked to a crisp. I also had a coffee float which I'll probably order every time I go. So delicious.
I look forward to eating here weekly. :3
Be aware though, this place is so good, it's a tourist hot spot. -
Review from Jana T.
Honolulu, HI
3/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is my absolute favorite breakfast and lunch place. If you order the omelette, it will always come out fluffy. I haven't tried their french toast or waffles, cuz whenever I go there I remember how great their omelets are and i end up eating that instead.
For lunch I ordered their caesar salad with shrimp, and their salad is awesome, not drenched in their Caesar dressing.
One thing, not a place to sit a long while and talk story, always people waiting. -
Review from mia o.
Costa Mesa, CA
4/18/2012
Very disappointing.
Server was so rude, not only unfriendly, but he was RUDE to the table next to ours.
It was very uncomfortable just by seeing how badly the lady was being treated next to us. All other servers or whoever were there, there were 7 people working, none of them do not even smile to customer, only to each other.
Very slow service. We were there while only four tables being seated.
Food was just OK.
I wonder what is so special about this place. I will never go back.
There are much better places near by. -
Review from Kristen S.
Chicago, IL
3/9/2012
Wow! You know it's great when there is a waiting list for a cafe at 8:15 am! Great food, great service - EAT LOCAL!
Show up, write your own name down on a piece of paper and wait to be called. We only waited 10 minutes and had a spot at the bar.
Excellent coffee. Terrific, fresh, local fruit. Portuguese sausage. Eggs. Rice. Such a wonderful meal. I was surprised and thrilled at the attention put on local and organic ingredients.
We will be back!
Parking is easy in the little shopping center. This place is a gem. -
Review from Jaimie K.
Honolulu, HI
4/10/2012 1 photo
Delicious loved my banana pancakes. It reminded me of banana fosters when dipped into the syrup. I didn't realize how full I truly was till I finished off one pancake, my eggs, and bacon. I can't wait to go again! Plus the workers were sweet and pleasant. P.s. if your lucky samples of the waffles and French toast were given out.
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Review from Cassie T.
I really like this place but come on...POST IT SOMEWHERE THAT YOU DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS!!!! At the end of our meal we pulled out the credit card to pay only for the waiter to tell us they accept local check or cash. That would have been nice to know while we were waiting!
I finally got my husband to try a breakfast place other than Yogurstory. He loves that place for the "Best juice in the world" as he describes it. Come on Café Kaila don't let me down!
I had read other reviews on here that the line can be a little long on the weekends. When we found parking we noticed the line. There wasn't an employee outside only a podium with a sign on the window that said seating is first come first served but if they are busy sign in and wait to be seated. So, we added our name to the list.
Cute place inside. While we waited I went in a ordered an iced coffee and a pin-orange juice for my needy husband. When I saw the employee pouring the juice I knew it would not live up to the "Best juice in the world". Crap!
We only waited about 20 minutes until we were called. We were seated next to the window and against the wall. Not a bad spot considering that the restaurant was full and a table in the walk way would have meant that people would constantly be walking by. I have to say that sitting next the window is a little distracting. People who were standing outside kept putting their faces to the window to look in. Now I know what the animals in a zoo feel like.
I ordered the Frittata which was 3 eggs with potatoes, choice of meat, onions, and pepper jack cheese. It is served with rice and toast. My hubby ordered the Classic Eggs Benedict served with potatoes. We also ordered one piece of French Toast since I had read such great reviews. Thanks Yelp!
My Frittata was delicious! I only wish it had some sort of sauce as it was a little dry. Husband enjoyed his eggs benedict and gave this place an O-K for next time. The French toast was amazing. Light fluffy and huge! A little powdered sugar and served with syrup on the side. I will be coming back just for French toast!
My tip is-be prepared to wait and order the French toast!
Total: 30.79 with out drinks -
Review from Naoko M.
Honolulu, HI
4/6/2012
I have been there several times but no more.... It was used to be perfect for girls breakfast or branch. But people who works there are soooooo unfriendly. They are reluctant to serve! and the portion is getting smaller as other famous breakfast places (eggn things, boots and kimos etc...) Oh well now it is getting so famous and people comes anyway (especially Japanese tourists) so maybe they don't just care.
I hope they remember the days when they started. It was nice... -
Review from Kirk W.
Honolulu, HI
4/13/2012
Been going to Cafe Kaila since they opened. Lines just get longer every month. That shows you how good it is. It is probably worth a 1hr wait to get in. But not sure I can wait that much longer. Wait staff are great, friendly and attentive. Food is awesome. Always cooked perfectly. Hands down the best breakfast place in Honolulu.
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Review from Alysha M.
Maybe I'm spoiled cuz I lived in San Francisco for 8 years, but I have still yet to find myself a really good breakfast place in Hawaii (and no, I have not tried Cinnamon's or Boots & Kimo's yet).
Don't get me wrong, what I ordered was tasty, nothing wrong with it. I got the smoked salmon eggs bene with potatoes. However, I didn't think it was worth the wait ~45-60 mins + 5 of us squished on a tiny table.
It was so hectic inside that they messed up part of our order too. (I wanted rice instead of potatoes). But I didn't bother to change it cuz I could feel the stressed out energy from the waiters.
I do like how they gave out free samples of waffles while we waited though. That's a plus! -
Review from Jonathan P.
Honolulu, HI
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet for some reason I can barely get myself up in the morning. But for some reason there was a rooster and I was up at the crack of dawn, so I figured since I'm up I should try to eat breakfast. The only problem was that I was too lazy to make anything, so I asked a friend where they eat out for breakfast and she said Cafe Kaila.
So after getting to Market City on a Saturday morning I was surprised to see how crowded it was. A table for two took about half an hour but it was okay since I got extra time to figure out what I wanted from the menu.
I ended up ordering the Cinnamon French Toast with Strawberries ($7.50+$1.50 for fruit) http://www.yelp.com/us...
and I tried some of my friend's Buttermilk Pancakes with Banana ($6.95+$1.50 for fruit) http://www.yelp.com/us...
My french toast had 3 big slices of toast with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla with powdered sugar on top. It was okay but the bottom was a little burnt. But I figured I could just cut it off. Thank goodness it had a cup of syrup and a cup of whipped cream on the side! I just wish there was a knife! It was hard getting that whipped cream out of the shot glass looking cup with a fork. The pancakes were definitely a lot better but there never seems to be enough syrup since the pancakes kept absorbing all of the syrup!
Just as I thought everything was going alright my meal took an unexpected turn for the worse. After the one and only waitress (who was really nice) took away our plates we flagged down one of the waiters and asked him for our check. It honestly took forever for him to return and I watched him take checks to other tables that asked for their checks after me! After awhile I figured I should ask another waiter, so I asked and he went around and took plates and checks to other people. Eventually our eyes finally met it looked as if a light bulb inside his head went off and he remembered to bring the check.
The food was decent nothing spectacular yet it didn't really disappoint me. It was a "cash only" place though. I think it's just because I have a slight pet peeve for customer service and besides I was forgotten! And no one likes to be forgotten in any situation, whether it be food, life, etc. Maybe I'll try Cafe Kaila again, that is if I can wake up!Listed in: Sorry, we are CASH ONLY
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Review from Kimberly B.
San Jose, CA
3/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
This was the first breakfast place we went to when we arrived on the island and it was pretty good. I ordered their strawberry malted waffle, and it tasted delicious. I don't think this cafe has a specialty though, unlike other places like Boots & Kimo or Cinnamon's. This place is small though, so I can see why there would be a wait to get seated.
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Review from Michelle U.
Honolulu, HI
12/8/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is my new discovery for AMAZING breakfast (served until they close at 3pm)! A friend and I ventured here after seeing the 330something reviews and 4 star rating. That has to mean something, right??
I was so set on ordering their french toast (because a million people mentioned how good it was), but as soon as we were seated, I was staring the couple next to us. They were eating the most beautiful plates of eggs benedict I had ever seen. Ok, I'll admit I was hungry, and everything looked good... but still! I was sold. I ordered the smoked salmon eggs benedict, and decided to save the french toast for next time (yes, I already decided that I absolutely had to come back).
This may sound a bit weird, but I think I'm in love with their potatoes. Don't get me wrong, the smoked salmon eggs benedict was mega-oozy and REALLY GOOD, but their roasted red potatoes were perfectly cooked and seasoned to perfection. I found myself wiping my plate clean with each little potato!
It's important to know that they only serve eggs benedicts on weekends. This will definitely keep me coming back! My parents came here for breakfast the day after my first visit because my mom LOVES breakfast foods (especially eggs benedict) and after hearing me rave about it, she wanted to try it for herself! She ordered their regular eggs benedict (with ham or turkey I think?) and she absolutely loved it. Mom's seal of approval! Yes! You can't get any better than that!
During my 2nd visit, I knew I had to try their french toast. I got mine with apples and bananas and WOW... I sincerely hope people who read these reviews on Yelp actually listen to them. THE FRENCH TOAST IS AMAZING. I also had their chai latte, which was definitely better than Starbucks!
Some other tidbits on Cafe Kaila:
- I went before 7:30am on my 2nd visit and there was already a crowd. By 7:45, people were already waiting outside.
- Parking can be pretty hard to find since this place seems to be packed all the time on the weekends.
- Service is okay, but often pretty slow. The servers are really friendly and helpful, but they tend to forget you when it gets super busy. They should hire more help on the weekend mornings!
- CASH ONLY!!! -
Review from Hannah K.
3/5/2012
I'll make this short and sweet. My friend showed up 15 minutes early to put our name down on a list. Our party continued to wait another hour until we were seated. I ordered the eggs florentine and shared a little with my boyfriend. We got food poisoning. That being said, the sample waffles they served were actually very good.
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Review from Geezer B.
Honolulu, HI
3/8/2012
Pancakes were Luke warm and tasteless, syrup wasn't much better. I fail to see the hype on this spot. Service was mediocre.
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Review from Vance J.
Las Vegas, NV
4/7/2012
Solid food, and our waitress was super nice. Had an omelette, and pancakes, and was stuffed and satisfied. Would surely go back to try some different dishes.
