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Outdoor wooden coffee kiosk with open shutters, Cuban Coffee lettering, and an Alba's Cuban Coladas sign.
A frothy light-brown drink in a white paper cup sits on wood above an Alba's Cuban Coladas sticker.
Orange coffee-cup sign for Cuban coffee and food stands on grass in front of picnic tables and a food truck.
54 photos

Coffee Shop

Alba's Cuban Coladas

A tiny, passionate owner-led cart in Makawao that delivers a genuine taste of Havana in the middle of Maui.

Makawao, Maui Google 4.6 (45 ratings)

Drink here
Drink here
Hours listed
Buy beans
Check before buying
Farm visit
Not a farm stop
Coffee source
Origin not verified
Character
Hidden gem
DirectionsOfficial website

Data collected 5 months ago (May 16, 2026). Spot an error?

Outbound booking, shop, and website links may be measured with referral parameters. Paid or sponsored placements do not determine KopeMaps rankings.

The verdict

Field notes

Hidden gem Bustling Locals + tourists

A tiny, passionate owner-led cart in Makawao that delivers a genuine taste of Havana in the middle of Maui. It's genuinely good for those seeking a potent, authentic Cuban cafecito or a homemade empanada, often praised by Miami locals as being as good as home. If you're looking for a polished cafe with indoor seating, dairy-free milk alternatives, or a reliable 7-day-a-week schedule, this isn't it.
KopeMaps, field notes
Where it is
across from the Upcountry Farmers Market
What's unique
authentic Cuban cafecito and empanadas praised by Miami locals
When to go
early Saturday mornings before they sell out

Plan the stop

What you can do here

Drink
Plan a cup or tasting
Buy
Check before buying
Tour
Not a farm stop

Who it suits

Best for

  1. Purposeful outing

    Customers drive from Kihei to Kula and call it a 'must visit' destination on Maui.

  2. Quick grab

    A 'tiny' cart offering 'take out' coffee and empanadas for a fast caffeine kick.

  3. Morning ritual

    Faithful customers visit 'every Saturday morning' as a 'Saturday morning tradition'.

  4. Insta moment

    Reviews explicitly mention the truck is the 'CUTEST for photo’s' and has 'aesthetic charm'.

Receipt

The facts

Size
Tinytiny owner-led cart
Wait
Walk right up
Setting
Roadside
Parking
Free parking
Wi-Fi
No
Outdoor seating
No

In their words

The story

Aloha, Hola, Hello! Welcome to Albas Cuban Coladas! Established in 2016. Albas Cuban Coladas has taken the beautiful island of Maui by storm. Being the very first authentic Cuban Coffee and Cuisine, Alba's has brought the sazon (flavor) of Cuba and culture to many of the locals and tourists that visit the island. Cuban coffee is known around the world to be one of the strongest yet most unique espresso there is. Served in small portions due to the strength and potency, a thimble sized shot of Cuban espresso (a buchito) will be enough to get you through a long day, or a long night! Albas Cuban Coladas was named after our grandmother Alba who meant the world to us and her family. FUN FACT : The company logo contains Albas original signature that was postcard from Cuba. She becomes alive again through her recipes we use and through the food we serve. Come have a delicious taste of Cuba.

In the press
  • The Maui News
  • Pride of Maui
  • pressMentions
  • mauitime
  • Top 7 Travel
  • HawaiiianIslands.com

54 photos

Photos

Outdoor wooden coffee kiosk with open shutters, Cuban Coffee lettering, and an Alba's Cuban Coladas sign.
A frothy light-brown drink in a white paper cup sits on wood above an Alba's Cuban Coladas sticker.
Orange coffee-cup sign for Cuban coffee and food stands on grass in front of picnic tables and a food truck.
Two halves of a fried pastry filled with ground meat, peas, potato, and tomato rest on a white plate.
A white paper cup labeled Alba's Cuban Coladas holds a light brown drink beside a trailing plant on a wooden table.
Ring-shaped brown cake with white glaze and chopped green and brown nuts on a wooden board.
Opened baked pastry filled with crumbled browned meat and green peas, on a napkin, with pink flowers and a woven basket behind it.
A black espresso machine dispenses coffee into a metal pitcher on a wooden counter.
A metal tray of golden-brown crimped pastries is held in front of an outdoor stand signed Cuban Coffee.
Two golden-brown fried pastries, one broken open to a brown filling, rest on paper against patterned tile.
Sliced pale-green cake with white icing and chopped nuts sits on a wooden board.
Foil pan of ridged pale cream dusted with brown powder, with one red cherry in the center, on a speckled counter.

12 of 54 shown

Common questions

Visiting Alba's Cuban Coladas

What days and hours is Alba's Cuban Coladas open?

Alba's Cuban Coladas is open Friday from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM and Saturday from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM. It is closed Sunday through Thursday, so plan your visit on one of those two days.

What does Alba's Cuban Coladas serve?

The menu centers on authentic Cuban-style cafecito and homemade empanadas. It's a small, owner-led cart known for delivering a genuine taste of Cuban coffee culture in the middle of Makawao.

Is there seating at Alba's Cuban Coladas?

Alba's operates as a small cart rather than a traditional cafe, so there is no indoor seating. It's best suited for a quick, grab-and-go visit.

Is parking available?

Free parking is available near the Kiopaa St location in Makawao.

What makes Alba's Cuban Coladas different from other Hawaii coffee stops?

Alba's is one of the rare Hawaii spots serving an authentic Cuban-style cafecito, and it has earned praise from visitors originally from Miami who say it rivals what they find back home. The small, passionate owner-led setup gives it a distinctly personal character you won't find at a larger cafe.

Should I arrive early, especially on Saturdays?

Yes — Saturday hours end at 11:00 AM, so arriving early is important to avoid missing out. Friday hours run until 1:00 PM, giving a bit more flexibility.

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Nearby Coffee

Alba's Cuban Coladas

Makawao, Maui
Directions