A Unique and Fun Experience on Oahu

This weekend I had an amazing opportunity to do something I've never done before. I'm always looking for new and unique coffee shops to try. Well, this weekend I got to go to Oahu's new and only Cat Cafe. It was so much fun!

So anyone who knows me knows I'm allergic to cats. But I wasn't about to let that stop me from having this incredible experience. So I put on my battle armor (a hoodie, long pants and closed toe shoes), took allergy medicine and walked into the cafe.

The Cat Cafe partners with the SPCA. All the cats are available for adoption. In the two weeks and three weekends that they have been open, they've been able to adopt out, I believe, 17 cats. That's amazing!

The cafe itself is cute. Their menu board is shaped like a cat head.

They have various coffees and pastries you can order. I ordered my coffee and paid for my half hour to spend with the cats.

Before going into the cat area, you have to sign a waiver saying that they aren't responsible if you get hurt or if you have an allergy. But trust me, none of these adorable cats were mean in the slightest. I sat at a table and played with a couple of kittens. I mostly spent the time watching them play.

This cat was sleeping. How cute is she?

These are the kittens I played with!

Overall, I had an absolutely amazing time at the Cat Cafe. I would highly recommend visiting.

This is me in my "battle armor."

Hawai'i Cat Cafe
415 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu Hi 96815

What's the most unique cafe you've been to?

More of the Best Coffee Shops on Oahu

Since writing my previous post The Best Coffee Shops on Oahu I've discovered a couple more hidden gems. I mean, I'm sure that comes as no surprise for any of you, since you all know how much I love coffee! 

Honestly, most of these I just happened to drive by and I had to try them. 

• Ali'i Coffee Co

I was driving around downtown and I looked over and happened to see it. I immediately pulled over into a nearby parking area and went in. 

They have tons of unique options of drinks (they're known for their cold brew). I decided to try the  iced Taro Ube Latte. 

The barista shook my drink as though it was a cocktail and handed it to me. The vibrantly purple drink was absolutely delicious! If you're ever in Honolulu I totally recommend trying it. 

35 S. Beretania St

Honolulu Hi 96813

Also, they offer reusable straws for $1. You should totally get one! Help save the environment!

• Drive Thru Joe

Drive Thru Joe is a local coffee truck. They offer unique takes on cold brew coffee, such as Caramel Cream and Hawaiian Tropic.

Caramel Cream Cold Brew

 All of their coffee is delicious! And the owners are absolutely lovely people.

Drive Thru Joe is currently located at Schofield Barracks. You will need base access to try their delicious coffee. 

Here's their Facebook where you can see any updates or changes in location.

• Chad Lou Coffee Roasters

This small, cozy coffee shop is hidden in Kailua Town. It's the perfect place to stop and get a coffee and just hang out. 

 They even offer bagged coffee for purchase, that is roasted in store.

45 Kihapai St

Kailua Hi 96734

• Morning Brew

Morning Brew just opened in downtown Kaka'ako. The coffee shop itself is very modern and clean. They have local art displayed on the walls.

The view from upstairs in Morning Brew

The coffee is amazing! They also offer a pretty large food menu that includes waffles and sandwiches. It's a great place to hang out with friends or even bring you laptop and do some work. 

685 Auahi St 

#113

Honolulu Hi 96813

Have you tried any of these coffee shops?

Have You Ever Had Coffee in Space?

Have you ever had coffee in space ? No? I have! Okay... Well... Maybe not in space, but I have had Rocket Coffee! What is Rocket Coffee you ask? Well, let me go back a bit and I'll tell you all about it.

One day I was driving home from work and a bright orange van on the side of the road caught my eye. Lettered across the top was "Rocket Coffee." Now, if you're an avid reader of my blog, then you know how much I love coffee. I went down the road and turned around and stopped next to this van.

The  first thing I saw when I got out of my car was a big dog laying beside the van. I soon learned his name is Earnie and he goes to work everyday!

Say hi to Earnie! 

I began to look at the menu (which is quite large in my opinion) and the owner, Robby, began talking to me.

He asked what type of coffee I normally get. I told him I normally drink espresso shots. Well, he asked if I like lattes. Of course I do! Robby said he was going to make me the best latte of my life.

The latte was made from his cold brew concentrate. Now, I love coffee but I'm not a huge cold brew fan. It's usually too bitter for my liking. But Robby quickly changed my mind. This cold brew latte was so smooth and delicious. Seriously. It wasn't bitter at all!

Robby preparing my latte

As I talked to Robby, I began to learn more about him and his coffee truck experience.

He and his wife owned a shop on the mainland for 6 years. They took a vacation to Hawaii for a month and fell in love with it. Hawaii had always been their retirement plan, so they decided to just move to Hawaii and do what they were doing on the mainland.

He loves that his coffee truck puts him out of his comfort zone and engages him with other people. His goal is to offer not only a great cup of coffee, but an experience that people love. And believe me, he does just that.

Rocket Coffee offers a variety of menu options. You can have it as a cold brew or a cold brew latte. He uses only quality ingredients in the making of his cold brew concentrate. There is also the option of whole milk, almond milk and soy milk for your drinks.

Robby believes that the future of coffee is not coffee shops. But instead, someone being able to make great quality coffee that you can take home and make yourself. That's why he sells his concentrates also! So that you are able to put the exact amount of cold brew and water/milk ratio that you choose.

 If you're interested in having not only a great cup of coffee but also great conversation, then you should totally check out Rocket Coffee. To see where they are located for the day, simply go to their instagram page @rocketcoffeemobile. I promise you won't regret it!

Robby and his Rocket Coffee Van

And when you do try it, or if you have already, drop a comment below and let me know what you think!

Best Coffee Shops on Oahu

As I'm sure many of you know by now, I absolutely LOVE coffee. When I travel, I always try out local coffee shops. I have stumbled upon the most amazing people in these shops and, of course, some super delicious coffee.

When I first moved to Hawaii, I set out to find the perfect cup of coffee. In my search, I have discovered some amazing places that often people wouldn't find. So here's my list of the BEST coffee shops on Oahu!

• Local Joe

It's the only coffee shop on the island where you can put any picture on your latte.

Pretty neat huh? And the coffee is delicous.

If you don't have a picture, you can choose from some they have

Phone: 808-536-7700

110 Marin St
Honolulu Hi 96817

Mon-Fri: 6:30 am - 5 pm
Sat: 8 am - 1pm
Sun: Closed

• Surfer's Coffee Bar

Surfer's is one of my favorite places to just go and hang out. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the coffee is super yummy.

The coffee shop is a non-profit coffee shop and all the employees are volunteers. 100% of the proceeds go to local and global non-profit organizations.

Phone: 808- 439-3644

63 Kamehameha Hwy
Wahiwa Hi 96786

Mon:  Closed
Tues- Thurs: 7 am - 7 pm
Fri - Sat: 7 am - 9 pm

• Brew + Foam

A friend actually found this coffee shop online and we decided to try it out. It's a little shop but the flavors are big. They have a Haupia Mocha. Try it. You won't regret it! And if you do try it, comment below and let me know what you think!

Also, they have super delicious Acai bowls.

Haupia Mocha

Phone: 424-234-2244

67-292 Goodale Ave # 105
Waialua Hi 96791

Mon-Fri: 6 am - 3 pm
Sat- Sun: 7 am - 1 pm

• Green World Coffee Farm

This was the first coffee shop we tried after moving to the island. It's pretty large. They even have a gift shop that you can buy local goods and tons of different flavors of coffee that are made in house.

Walking through the rows of the Coffee Farm

You can also walk out back and walk through the Coffee Farm itself. Before going here I had never seen a coffee cherry.

Phone: 808- 622-2326

71-101 Kamehameha Hwy
Wahiawa Hi 96786

Mon - Fri: 6 am - 6 pm
Sat - Sun: 7 am - 7 pm

• Glazer's Coffee

This coffee shop is small and cozy. It's a great place to bring a laptop and just chill.

The coffee is delcious! (I wouldn't steer you wrong, now would I?)

2700 S King St

Honolulu Hi 96826

Mon - Thurs: 7 am - 10 pm

Fri: 7 am - 9 pm

Sat - Sun: 8 am - 10 pm

These are just a few of my favorite coffee shops that I've tried on Oahu. What are your favorites? Have you tried any of these? If so, what did you think?

The Best Coffee Shops in Kentucky

As you may know, when we travel we always try local coffee shops. We've visited over half of the country and have been to coffee shops in each place we visit.

I grew up in Kentucky and it will always be my home. So when we were there visiting family, I decided to try out some of the coffee shops around my small town. There are so many hidden gems you can find if you just look.

• Kentucky Coffee Tree

When we are in town we always make sure to make a stop here. It's one of my favorite coffee shops out of all the ones I've visited. The coffee is always delicious and the employees are so kind. 

Inside the coffeeshop, they have tall bookshelves that line the walls. All of the books are available for purchase next door at Poor Richard's Books. You can actually acess the bookstore through a joining door in the coffee shop. Poor Richard's Books has two floors. The upstairs floor is filled with antique books. There's even a huge window where you can look out over historic downtown Frankfort. 

There is another joining door that leads to store that sells local artwork. It's called Completely Kentucky.

If you're ever in Kentucky, you should definitely make a stop by.

235 W Broadway St
Frankfort Ky 40601

Mon - Wed: 6am - 9pm
Thu- Fri: 6am - 11pm
Sat: 8am - 10pm
Sun: 8am - 9pm

Phone: 502- 875- 3009

• Coffee Times

I tried this coffee shop for the first time in high school, when a good friend of mine took me. Even though I no longer live in the state, when I make it back home, I always stop by.
I absolutely love the coffee here and the employees are so helpful and friendly. They offer quite a few pastries (might I recommend the macroons?).
They even have a wall that has big jars filled with various types of teas.So there's a little something for everyone.

They have a community journal where anyone can write in it.

Connected to it, they have a shop where you can buy coffee mugs, coffee beans and pretty much anything else you need to make delicious coffee at home. Connected to their little shop, is a store called Street Scene. It's filled with all things vintage. Definitely a cool shop.

2571 Regency Rd
Lexington Ky 40503

Mon-Sat: 7:30am - 9 pm
Sun: 11am - 6pm

Phone: 859- 277- 9140

• Daily Offerings Coffee Roasters

We went to this coffee shop and we really enjoyed our time there. They roast their own coffee beans in store. They have a fairly large variety of drinks you can choose from.

The coffee itself is delicious and the employees are so kind and helpful. 

529 W Main St
Lexington Ky 40507

Mon-Fri: 7am - 8pm
Sat: 8am - 5pm
Sun: 9am - 5pm

Phone: 859- 368- 7906

• Highland Coffee Company

I first learned of this coffee shop because of a bumper sticker on a car. It said "I know where Highland Coffee is." I thought it was so witty that I just had to stop by. 

The atmosphere is super welcoming and warm. The coffee is delicious. They even offer three variations of Nitro Coffee. If you've never had Nitro coffee you should definitely try it. 

1140 Bardstown Rd
Louisville Ky 40204

Mon-Thurs: 6am - 10pm
Fri: 6am - 12am
Sat: 6:30am - 12am
Sun: 6:30am - 10pm

Phone: 502-451-4545

• Sixth and Main Coffeehouse

This coffee shop has some delicious coffee and honestly, some of the kindest employees. We sat and talked with Kathryn for quite a while.

There are shelves of books available for purchase, as well as various coffee mugs and local artwork. There are even two pokestops in the shop.

547 Main St
Shelbyville Ky 40065

Phone: 502- 647- 7751

• Southland Perk

This coffee shop just got a new owner, Luke Gifford. He is super friendly and makes delicious coffee. Cody actually got the opportunity to show him some magic tricks. We stayed and talked to Luke for well over 30 minutes. He even let us know of some local events that were going on.

There is a "Pay it Forward" bulletin board where you can purchase a coffee a coffee for someone and pin it to the board.

In a back room, they have an aquarium and the walls were chalkboards!

472 Southland Dr

Lexington Ky 40503

Mon-Thu: 7am - 6pm

Fri: 7am - 3pm

Sat: 9am - 3pm

Sun: Closed

Phone: 859- 260- 2005

What are your favorite coffee shops in Kentucky?