ARS Cafe and Gelato

4.5 ( 346 reviews )
Checking... 6:30 AM - 4:00 PM See Hours
$1–10
3116 Monsarrat Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States
+1 808-734-7897

Located on the picturesque Monsarrat Avenue in Honolulu, ARS Cafe and Gelato emerges as a premier destination for coffee enthusiasts and casual diners alike. Customers rave about the cafe’s exceptional iced coffee, noted for its smooth texture and bold flavor profile, free from sourness or bitterness. The rotating seasonal roasts ensure a delightful experience every visit, with guests like Edmond Chong applauding the unique flavor notes that speak to Hawaii's vibrant culture.

The cafe excels not just in coffee. Patrons enjoy an array of vegetarian options, such as the sublime avocado toast and the refreshing “super green” fruit bowl, which Ellen Moore describes as near-perfect. The commitment to sustainability is commendable, with compostable materials used throughout the cafe. The ambiance is distinctively dark and moody, creating a unique space for relaxation with an ever-changing display of local artwork.

ARS Cafe also stands out for its community-driven ethos and the friendly staff, who readily share their coffee expertise. Whether you're seeking a pre-hike breakfast or a cozy retreat from the Honolulu heat, ARS Cafe and Gelato promises a memorable experience worth savoring time and time again. Don’t miss out on this gem!

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Service options
    • On-site services available
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
    • No delivery
  • Highlights
    • Serves great coffee
    • Serves great dessert
    • Has great tea selection
  • Popular for
    • Popular for breakfast
    • Good for solo dining
    • Good for working on laptop
  • Offerings
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves healthy options
    • Quick bite
  • Dining options
    • Serves breakfast
    • Serves brunch
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dessert
  • Amenities
    • Has toilet
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Popular with tourists
    • Popular with university students
  • Planning
    • Doesn't accept reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Has kids' menu
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Plenty of parking
  • Pets
    • Dogs allowed outside

Reviews For ARS Cafe and Gelato

Edmond Chong
Jun 15,2025
Lovely place to get some coffee to beat the summer heat. I appreciated that ARS cafe closes much later than other coffee shops/cafes. I got an iced coffee during an afternoon walk. I usually am a hot latte person as sometimes the cold temperature changes the flavor of the latte, but to my surprise, it was bold in flavor and smooth in texture. It wasn't sour/acidic forward, nor was it bitter. In one of the attached images, there is a card where it describes the flavor profile of the roast used for their espresso drinks. I enjoyed the salted dark chocolate notes, and it was mocha-esque and not gritty. I also found that the name "rainbow falls" fits Hawaii. The roasts rotate depending on the season, so that they might have a different roast in a couple of months. After I finished my drink, I had a chat with the barista, Rose. She was well informed about the different roasts they have, and we chatted about different coffee shops and shared our enjoyment of coffee. I usually try the latte to get a gist of what the shop offers, and she likes to try out a shop's cold brew. I'll be returning to ARS Cafe to try out their hot latte.
Ellen Moore
Jun 11,2025
If you're looking for a near-perfect coffee house experience, this is your place. They only use compostable paper and "veg wear" plastic. Their menu features a host of menu items that are vegetarian. Items we ordered: avocado toast, croissant, and their "super green" fruit bowl. Both were sublime, and I think the green bowl would be vegan if not for the honey. My only comment is that they seem to burn their shots a bit, but that could be a style thing for them. Their commitment to local arts is fantastic. We arrived one day and there was an art exhibit; the next day it had switched to another. This place is incredible and I wish we lived closer to it. Update: keep in mind that they stop serving food at 1:00. We went back for another round of the super green bowl and were denied. :)
Taylor Urban
Jun 7,2025
This coffee shop is a bit fancier than I had expected! It’s interesting that they don’t allow Wi-Fi, but that is probably a smart business move to get customers in-and-out and a pretty well-trafficked area. The vibe is very cool and quite unique to a lot of coffee shops that I’ve been to. A bit more dark, moody. Very dark-academia for the most part, lol. There’s a bit of extra seating in the back part of the cafe which is convenient. We got the avocado toast (very yummy!) and banana bread (not bad). Our coffees (not latte and iced latte) were quite tasty as well.
Christina Henline
Apr 22,2025
The vibe here is super rad. My first time here, just googled a cafe and this one popped up. Had a small americano and it was smooth and delicious. I also ordered the avocado toast and it was perfection. Just the right amount of feta, and sprinkled with beets (my fave!) with a side of fresh rocket/arugula (also my fave!) I wish I took a photo before I mopped it all up. I’ll definitely be back here. Cool art, friendly staff and a relaxed chill atmosphere, what more could you want for your morning coffee break!
Nathalie Hudson
Apr 4,2025
Perfect breakfast spot before hiking Diamond Head. Great iced cold brew. Matcha latte was more milk than matcha, but better with simple syrup. We had the smoothie bowl and salmon bagel. Realized the bagel was missing the poached egg, but it was great without. Beautiful cafe with a classic feel and watercolor art on the walls.
C M
Mar 26,2025
Ars is my go to coffee spot during the school year. The barista’s are amazing at what they do and very friendly. Ars also showcases various artists work throughout the cafe all year long. My favorite drink to get is their honey latte either iced or hot AND you can’t forget about the various rotating pastries they put out daily. It changes often and they sell out fast, so it’s best to go early.
Diego AM
Mar 24,2025
This was my first time trying this place, and it seems like a great spot to gather. The staff is friendly, and there’s an outdoor seating area with an amazing view of Diamond Head. It’s pet-friendly too—we saw an adorable dog inside! The art displays around the space are pretty cool. We had iced mochas, which were okay, but we really enjoyed the overall ambiance.
Not Squidword
Mar 22,2025
Small, eclectic, jazzy, artistic cafe to the truest sense. I enjoy the non-WIFI vibe and good espressos drinks and food. Parking on Monsarrat and they have both interior & exterior seating. No gelato by still recommend

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