Coffee Farm

Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe

A decadent Hilo town gem where the real magic happens when you combine the local cocoa and coffee.

Hilo, Big Island Google 4.6 (389 ratings)

Buy beansShips direct

Visit / taste: Hours listed
Buy beans: Online shopships direct
Farm visit: No listed tourbooking link
Coffee source: Origin not verified
Character: Boutique

Directions Official 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

Upscale boutique Chill Locals + tourists

A decadent Hilo town gem where the real magic happens when you combine the local cocoa and coffee. The mochas—especially the Paniolo mocha with its subtle Mexican kick—and the banana chocolate smoothie are the absolute standouts here. It's a polished, cozy space that doubles as a gift shop and a cocktail bar, making it it's a great spot for a treat or a late-night drink. If you're looking for a quiet place to work with wifi, or if you want a traditional, minimalist coffee house, this isn't it.

KopeMaps, field notes

Which one is this?: the polished town cafe — go here for treats and cocktails, not the Holualoa farm tour
Where it is: downtown Hilo town
What's unique: decadent mochas and a chocolate cocktail bar

Plan the stop

What you can do here

Drink: Confirm tasting access
Buy: Online shop
Tour: No listed tour

Who it suits

Best for

Purposeful outing
A 'decadent Hilo town gem' with a boutique gift shop and cocktail bar, making it a destination.
Date spot
Polished, cozy space with vinyl playing and 'sophisticated and unique' cocktails for couples.
Chill solo
A 'chill' crowd and 'cozy and stylish' atmosphere that is welcoming for a treat.
Bean shopping
Reviews mention 'all different types of local coffee' and 'single estate bean' for purchase.

Receipt

The facts

Size: Smallcozy boutique space with a bar
Wi-Fi: No
Outdoor seating: Yes
Kid-friendly: Yes

Same brand

The other Puna Chocolate Companys

Not every branch is the same. Pick the one that fits the day.

Brand page

Puna Chocolate Company Farm - Kona Cocoa & Coffee Orchard Tours (by reservation only)

Location 01 · Hidden gem Holualoa, Big Island

the immersive farm experience — unlike the polished Hilo boutique cafe

Brand page

In their words

The story

Puna Chocolate Company was started in 2012 after Ben and Adam purchased a whopping 70 acres of land in a town called Pahoa, the county the seat of Puna District. In Pahoa, they encountered a fruitstand and discovered weird football-shaped squashes and asked the wonderful shop owner what they were. Not only did she proclaim that the that football "pods" were where chocolate came from, but also how to make chocolate by fermenting the cocoa beans inside. Having been raised on chocolate, it was a simple stretch from there that they could conserve the existing landscape in Puna by planting cocoa trees among the existing trees with minimal disturbance. Benjamin Vanegtern earned his Tropical Plants and Soil Science degree from University of Hawaii then went on to head the farming and planting operations across all cocoa farms. In 2016, Puna Chocolate purchased a 30 acre pasture to convert into cacao and in 2022, 20 more acres were added in Holualoa and Kainaliu which also include the 3,000 coffee trees which are the source of their cafe coffee.

Stewards: Benjamin Vanegtern and Adam
Since: 2012

117 photos

Photos

Puna Chocolate Company sign hangs from a covered walkway above a street of shops and parked trucks.

Cafe interior with wrapped pies on a front table, retail shelves along the wall, and staff behind the order counter.

Two dark chocolate bars on white, one embossed with CACAO and a cocoa pod, with pale chunks, cacao pieces, and round nuts.

Wooden shop interior with shelves of hanging carved ornaments, soap bars, and black mugs beside a glass door.

Cafe interior with a digital drink menu, coffee-bag shelves, and Big Island coffee signs.

A clear plastic cup of brown blended drink with whipped cream, a white straw, and a red flower sits on a wood table.

Cafe dining room with a wood counter, wood tables, black metal chairs, a ceiling fan, and framed art.

Shop interior with wooden shelves of packaged goods, cacao pods, and wall boards on drying, bean selection, and roasting.

Storefront window lettering reads Puna Chocolate Company Cafe & Parlor beside a gold Open sign.

Covered storefront of Puna Chocolate Company with sidewalk tables, wood doors, and a window into the cafe.

Shop interior with packaged chocolate bars, bags labeled chocolate-covered espresso beans, and signs for Hawaiian coffee.

Bar interior with a wooden counter, bottle shelves, hanging lights, and a Puna Chocolate menu board.

12 of 117 shown

Common questions

Visiting Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe

What are the hours at Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe?

Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe is open Monday through Wednesday from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Thursday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

What is Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe best known for?

The cafe is known for its mochas made with local cocoa and coffee, including the Paniolo mocha with a subtle Mexican kick. The banana chocolate smoothie is another standout. The space also doubles as a gift shop and a cocktail bar for late-night visits.

Does Puna Chocolate Company offer farm tours?

Yes, they offer cacao and coffee tours as well as 4-course luncheons at their South Kona Farm. Check their website at punachocolate.com for current tour availability and to book in advance.

Can I order Puna Chocolate Company products online and ship them to the mainland?

Puna Chocolate Company operates a retail gift shop alongside the cafe at 277 Keawe St in Hilo where you can purchase chocolate and coffee products in person. Their listed information does not confirm online ordering or mainland shipping; visit punachocolate.com for current options.

Is Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe good for working on a laptop?

No — the cafe does not offer wifi and is not set up as a quiet workspace. If you need wifi or a calm environment to work, you'll want to look elsewhere.

Is this a good spot for a date or an evening out in Hilo?

Yes — Puna Chocolate Company is well-suited as a date spot, with late hours (until 10–11 PM most nights), a cocktail bar alongside coffee and chocolate drinks, and a polished, cozy atmosphere in Hilo town.

Collections

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