Koko Head Cafe

We looked for a place to eat in the Kaimukī area, and came across Chef Leeanne Wong's Koko Head Cafe. Great choice!This location used to be a Columbia Inn up until 2014 (or so) ... went there a few times with my grandparents for dinner, then a couple of times in the 90s with friends. It's amazing how this place was transformed into the Koko Head Cafe.The food we had was excellent, and so was the service! Definitely will go back to try some of the other dishes on the menu.

Street parking by meter or garage parking next to the building.We were seated quick. Service was good. Food was delicious. The environment was clean. A plus for having a family restroom for the baby. Ordered the dumplings, garlic rice and koko moco. Delicious.

We ordered the french toast and their loco moco. We asked for medium and over easy eggs. The patty came out and it was still raw in the middle and I was not going to feed it to my 3 year old. We kindly told our server who told us they'll make another one and COMP the dish. We did not ask for it to be comp or expected the gesture. The dish comes out again and this time the dish is salted so aggressively you can crunch on the granulated salt. It was so salty it was unbearable. My husband and I decide to not say anything and try to eat it because we didn't want to bother them again and they said they'll comp the dish. But after several more bite we could not eat it any longer. I decide to give a nice constructive feedback and told the manager maybe you should try it. The dish is so salty it inedible. The manager who thinks he's being snarky replies. "I'm not going to try your half eaten food. Thank you very much." That's understandable he doesn't want to eat our germ ridden dish. However , I own a restaurant and if anyone gives feedback I would take it into account even if I did not agree, I would still answer PROFESSIONALLY, for example, ok let me look into it. I told him nicely and he became hostile. This restaurant may be popular but it doesn't not mean the manager cannot hear negative comments. Maybe he's being a baby and can't handle any "bad" comments since he sells thousands of loco moco. The bill came and the dish was charged on the bill. We asked the bratty manager and he said we comped the first dish and remade it for you. And if you thought it was bad why did you eat half. And I sell loco moco all day. I told him I didn't appreciate his attitude and he ask me what attitude like he was confronting me to raise my voice. The first dish should be comped it was raw inside and you took it back. Why would we pay for that dish. Who tells a customer the dish will be comp and then say it was the returned dish. Second. The dish is a size of a tapa dish 2 bites and it's half gone. If it was edible the whole dish would be eaten. Why is this unhappy manager in an aloha shirt working in paradise trying to ruin other patrons day. Some of your patrons are here on vacation there is no need to make it bitter like his attitude. The prices at this breakfast place is absurd for the quality. Inflation is high but this place takes the award for trying to take advantage of "inflation." And add in a side of middle age bratty thinks he's being snarky, bitter, hostile manager. 1 star is too generous.

It had been a while since I've been to Koko Head Café. Since my last visit, they moved to a different location, still in Kaimaki but much bigger. There is a municipal paid parking lot next to the café.This time we came for brunch and had the skillets. Don Buri Chen (as a skillet) and Breakfast Bibimbap. Food was OK, I remember it being better the last time I was here. Service was friendly and fast.

First time here and we had such a great experience. Came at the right time, since there was no line. Server was super friendly and helpful. Food came out quick and was delicious!! Highly recommend!! See pics!

The pancakes were extremely fluffy, with mascarpone cream inside. The fruit topping was lovely Hawaiian fruit, and it tasted so rich! The Korean bibimbap came out on a skillet which is an ingenious way of replicating the traditional stone pot. This dish is only good if you really like crunchy rice that sticks to the sides of the skillet. There was a nice smattering of bacon, Portuguese sausage. The mix of vegetables was absolutely incredible, and tasted great with the rice all mixed. Very popular in the morning, and they have a digital waitlist you can join! We were served very quickly, and the food came out hot. Paid metered parking. Indoor and outdoor seating.

The food was decent and the service was friendly. I don't mind coming here if friends or family wanna come here because they like it. But I personally would not choose to come here because although the food was good, the ingredients they serve don't justify the price at all. Looking through the menu, most of the breakfast dishes are above $20, and they're just serving eggs with some sauce or some simple protein and veg. The best part might be the crispy rice at the bottom of the iron skillet, but that would still not justify the price imo. Mind you they tag on a 5% kitchen charge and a minimum suggested tip of 20%. So they're expecting customers to pay 25% more on top of the already inflated menu prices... for example, this time I tried their luau and eggs. Decent but not memorable. It's rice, some tempura veg, egg and luau (mashed taro leaves with coconut milk). They charge $25, with the extra 25%, you're paying $31 for it. Meanwhile, you can get a large plate lunch of luau somewhere else for less than $20. That's my point. I dined at some $$$$ restaurants before and walked out happy. I don't mind paying more if the value is there. The service was at least friendly and the dining atmosphere was comfortable. I also liked their somewhat open kitchen and there's a smaller dining room suitable for groups.I hope they could reevaluate how the charge customers. I don't think I'm the only reviewer saying this.

What I like the most about this place was the amount of good and creative options you had.I took the luau eggs that included a luau leaf stew over garlic rice with an egg on top. It also included some pico de gallo. It was OK. Unfortunately, my egg was overcooked. We also tried the Pani Popo cinnamon roll. That was really good. Service is pretty good, the vibe was nice, and it was pretty clean.

I love my Ohana that they Showed me the very best of Oahu foodies place to visit. Love how he gave me a brief history of Koko Head Cafe. Owner of this restaurant was a great chef at Hawaiian Airlines..That made me more exited as cousin has been telling me..Oh each time i visit the Aina. This place is a must visit.I let him do the order as im excited to try . It Didn't disappoint me . A True to what my cousin had been telling me is all TRUE. Let's start with the Breakfast Bruschetta. (Immaculately good) . Spring Roll is another big plus. Koko Mono was awesome.. Best of the house was our Server Jayleen. who was very attentive.. A True Aloha in Heart. She constantly check that we're doing great. The Manager who i forgot her name was very welcoming too. Best Food with Best people who works here clearly is a True Aloha. No wonder this place is pack....A Hui Hou...Koko Head Cafe

Yummy! Yummy! Smoothies in my tummy! Yes the food is good and the service is friendly and comes with lots of pretty smiles but the standout for me are the lemonade slushes. Well the plates are great too and well the smiles go a long way. Can't go wrong here which is a lot of the charm. This place has no harm for your wallet, waste line or mood. Come in and leave better than you found yourself.