I visited my old neighbourhood in Chelsea recently and caught up with my good friend J. She suggested that we check out a newly opened cafe in the area called Kona Coffee! Kona's coffee is grown in Hawaii but roasted here in NYC. They have locations in the East Village and Chelsea.
The owner was born and raised in O'ahu, Hawaii where his family started a restaurant. When he moved to NYC, he missed the easy-going and slow lifestyle of his hometown, and the coffee that he grew up drinking. He opened up this cafe in NYC with the goal to bring a piece of the Big Island over to the bustling city. Kona Coffee & Company was founded on the philosophy that a great cafe isn't just a place to enjoy high quality coffee, but a space where New Yorkers from all walks of life can connect and unwind from their busy lives with a cup of coffee.
The cafe is designed to bring a sense of peace and serenity when you step through the doors. The open space and chill vibes allow people the space to relax and catch up with friends, get cozy with a book, or catch up on some work.
I had the signature Hawaiian latte which was infused with coconut and macadamia nut. Pro tip: ask for it with half the amount of syrup so the sugar / flavours don't overwhelm the taste of the espresso! They also offer a few other signature drinks such as their Coconut Matcha and Oat Milk Draft and of course they serve classic coffee, espresso drinks non-coffee drinks and tea. The also serve sandwiches and pastries from local bakeries. My friend enjoyed her blueberry scone with her latte and we will definitely be back!
