O‘ahu Cafes that Let You Plug in Your Laptop Over a Good Cup of Coffee

Yes, the search for remote working spaces has gotten harder, but these places still exist.

Thanks to the pandemic, the struggle is real when it comes to finding coffee shops where you can plug in your laptop and get some work done. If you’re like me, you’re constantly asking your friends for leads on places with power outlets and a good cup of joe. So we’ve done the legwork for you: Here’s a roundup of coffee spots on O‘ahu where your laptop is as welcome as you are.

Cafe Kopi

Kailua

My favorite thing to do at Cafe Kopi is to order a hot matcha latte and find a sunny spot in front of the windows, where there are outlets below the counter. The cafe is known for its rainbow lattes, croissants and beautiful and vibrant latte art. There’s a small parking lot in back and street parking in front.

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 45 Kihapai St., (808) 262-9050, cafekopihawaii.com, @cafekopihawaii

Cafe Villamor

Kaka‘ako

A small coffee shop inside HiClimb, Cafe Villamor has outlets along the walls and an extremely friendly owner. My favorite items are the Stairway to Heaven acai bowl, chia smoothie, matcha smoothie and above all the iced vanilla latte—the owner makes her own vanilla syrup and it’s absolutely delicious. Nearby street parking is available.

Open Tuesday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 1p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 825 Ilaniwai St., (808) 633-1423, cafevillamor.com, @cafevillamor

Coffee Talk

Kaimukī

OG Coffee Talk has become a popular spot for students to study and grab a coffee. Outlets are located throughout the shop, and seating options include semi-private nooks. I love ordering a Lox, Bagel and Cream Cheese Platter because the salmon portion is generous and I can build my bagel sandwich to my liking. When I’m looking for something sweet I gravitate toward the Fresh Squeezed Govinda’s Juice (my fave: liliko‘i). On mornings when I need to pick myself up, I go for a cold brew iced coffee with a splash of non-dairy milk. Metered parking is around the corner. Don’t forget to bring your quarters!

Open daily from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., 3601 Waialae Ave., (808) 737-7444, coffeetalkkaimuki.square.site,  @coffeetalkhawaii

Glazer’s

Mō‘ili‘ili

Down the street from the University of Hawai‘i’s Mānoa campus, Glazer’s is a go-to coffee shop for college students who need a place to work. Although seating and parking are limited, Glazer’s creative latte art and consistently good coffee keep me coming back. There are outlets near the sides. Make sure to check out their specialty drinks in the winter!

Open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 2700 S. King St. #D101, gentle-cove-18918.herokuapp.com

Honolulu Coffee Co.

Ala Moana, McCully

Above Center Stage, Honolulu Coffee at Ala Moana Center offers an expansive view of the mall while you sip and work. The cafe is known for its deep, rich, 100% Kona coffee. The Hawaiian Iced Latte is a popular choice; my go-to food item is the classic acai bowl or a croissant sandwich. There’s an option to order online ahead of time both here and at Honolulu Coffee’s Experience Center across the Hawai‘i Convention Center, with power outlets available at both.

Multiple locations, honolulucoffee.com/pages/ala-moana-store, @honolulucoffee

Island Brew Coffeehouse

Ala Moana, Kaka‘ako, Hawai‘i Kai

Island Brew has become a go-to spot for me to get work done while enjoying a delicious breakfast sandwich. All three locations have outlets, large menus and great parking. It gets busy, especially at Ala Moana Center, so go early if you need a spot to work. My go-to orders are the breakfast bagel sandwich, with bagels sourced from Lox of Bagels, and Da Elvis Shake with chocolate, peanut butter and fudge drizzle. Online ordering is available for all three locations.

Multiple locations, islandbrewcoffeehouse.com, @islandbrewcoffeehouse

Kai Coffee Hawai‘i

Waikīkī

Kai Coffee serves exclusive blends that are grown in Hawai‘i. Inside the Alohilani Resort, this coffee shop has limited outlets but if you can score one, it’s a great place to enjoy tbe coffee and get some work done. The macadamia nut latte is popular; my favorite dish is the deluxe breakfast sandwich on ciabatta. Picture a toasty sandwich with cheddar cheese, bacon, ham and a fried egg. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Open Sunday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., 2490 Kalakaua Ave., (808) 926-1131, kaicoffeehawaii.com, @kaicoffeehawaii

Knots Coffee Roasters

Waikīkī

Inside the Queen Kapi’olani Hotel, Knots has couch seating, a center table, counter seating and numerous outlets throughout, which is why this spot is a personal favorite. There’s a Fresh Knots Kona Blend and Knots Daily Offers, which are deals for customers. The shop is known for its Butterfly Pea Latte and Soft Serve Tokyo Style, a vanilla soft serve with espresso sauce that is absolutely a treat.

Open daily from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., 150 Kapahulu Ave., (808) 931-4488, knotscoffee.com, @knotscoffeehawaii

Manifest

Chinatown

Manifest is a nightclub, cocktail bar and cafe—a triple threat! Food options include a B.A.T. sandwich and Italian Beef Smash. The cafe’s espresso beans are sourced from a farm in Waialua, there are plenty of outlets, and parking is typical Chinatown parking, which means street parking and municipal garages.

Open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., 32 N. Hotel St., manifesthawaii.com, @themanifest

Mirage Art & Coffee

Kaimukī

Mirage is a small cafe and art gallery with specialty drinks and food options like avocado toast, muffins, acai bowls and local gelatos and sorbets. There is indoor and outdoor seating and a decent amount of street parking, but outlets are limited in number. My rec for coffee: Try the Honey Rose Latte.

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 1425 10th Ave., (808) 888-5968, mirageartcoffee.com, @miragehawaii

Morning Brew

Kaka‘ako, Kailua

Both locations of Morning Brew have outlets throughout the cafes. My favorite orders are the smoked salmon bagel and an iced latte with hazelnut syrup and a dash of soy milk. What I love most is the option to order online: I place my order before heading over, then grab a seat upon arrival. Morning Brew will validate if you park in the SALT parking structure.

Multipls locations, morningbrewhawaii.com, @morningbrewkakaako, @morningbrewkailua

Plantoem

Kaimukī

Plantoem is a plant shop and cafe rolled into one. Drinks include cold brew coffee and a popular lavender spritzer, for which the owner makes her own syrup. Behind the plants, outlets by the tables and counter invite lingering. Parking is up a ramp—the shop is on the second floor with no street frontage.

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 3457 Waialae Ave., (808) 807-7826, @plantoem

Try Coffee

Kaka‘ako

On the second floor of Ward Centre inside Box Jelly, Try Coffee has separate seating for people who go for its coffee. Outdoor seating offers outlets near the walls and railing. I typically order an iced latte, which is cheaper at Try. There is abundant parking in structures in the neighborhood, but if you want to use Box Jelly’s Wifi, you need to be a member of Box Jelly (you can still use Ward Village’s Wifi).

Open Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1200 Ala Moana Blvd. 2nd Floor, trycoffeehi.square.site, @trycoffeehi

ARS Cafe & Gelato (temporarily closed)

Diamond Head

ARS’ house-made gelato and tasty lattes are complemented by a good selection of sandwiches and tartines. My go-to orders are the salmon toast platter or the prosciutto bagel sandwich, with an iced honey latte with mac nut milk or a yerba mate. Outlets are available in the main seating area toward the back of the cafe. Parking is extremely tricky—sometimes there’s street parking if you’re lucky.

Open Monday to Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 6:30a.m. to 6p.m., Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 3116 Monsarrat Ave., (808) 734-7897, ars-cafe.com, @ars.cafe