Poppy’s Coffee & Espresso Bar

My heart was broken… I decided to treat myself a few weeks ago to a Poppy’s cupcake and fresh brewed coffee. Sadly I walked up to th front of the store to see a sign that says Bambu coming soon. Poppy’s closed and has been replaced by a different coffee bake shop. I guess, I will have to mend my broken heart and muster the ummpphhh to check out the new place. Stay tuned for that review! I am going to miss Poppy’s!

I’m sorry to say Poppy’s is closed for business … :’(
I walked over thinking about their yummy cupcakes and sandwiches only to find the blinds drawn, brown paper lining the windows from top to bottom & «open» sign turned off. Always the optimist, i walked to the door and noticed a white sheet of paper informing us that «Poppy’s» is closed for good. Opening soon, «Bambu».
Now I grieve …

Lemon Drop cupcake is delicous and not overly sweet.

Don’t get me wrong… Poppy is great! He’s a super friendly guy, great customer service. Their homemade paninis are delish!
But their «ice blended» drinks are a huge disappointment! If I wanted to crunch on ice, I would have made it myself. Not worth the $ 4.50 for the large. I’ll stick to the lattes.

In an attempt to find non-​chain coffee shops, I turned to trusty Unilocal to help me out. Boy I sure wasn’t disappointed with @PoppysCoffee!
Centrally located on Keeaumoku in the same plaza as Likelike Drive In, Poppy’s Coffee & Espresso Bar offers coffee, paninis, yummy cupcakes and more!
They have free wi-​fi (be sure to ask for the password). It’s nice and bright in there so it’s great for studying or just hanging out. Oh and most importantly, cold A/​C!
Check these guys out!

Must Order: a cupcake
I came here to use a coupon that I had and let me just tell you, $ 12 can go a long way here! I ended up ordering a caprese panini and 2 cupcakes! Here’s my review on what I’ve ordered and I hope to visit again to include more deets on the rest of the menu!
Caprese Panini: The comes out nice a warm. However, the panini wasn’t up to par with other paninis I’ve had. The mozzarella didn’t taste as if it’s the fresh milky mozzarella and to me, the cheese sets the tone for the sandwich. I would consider this «meh» and probably won’t order it again.
Lemon Drop Cupcake: There’s something with their cupcake that’s so so interesting! The cake part is fluffy and almost angel cake like. The lemon drop has the right taste of lemony flavor to it.
Caramel Macchiato Cupcake: This cupcake came with a nice fresh caramel drizzle on it which was a nice touch. However this one didn’t make much of an impression on me to remember it too much.
Despite my lukewarm reviews, I definitely feel like this is a place I would want to visit again. It also seems as though it would be a great place to do a little work. They seem very nice here and wouldn’t mind my rapid weird 3 finger typing.

I’ve got a new favorite go-​to place for coffee, cupcakes, and free wi-​fi — Poppy’s.
After seeing @melissa808 (Tweeter, Nonstop Honolulu Founder, freelancer)‘s tweets and IG photos of their cupcakes, I decided to find out why she spends so much time here.
The easiest way to find this place is to head for Like Like Drive Inn on Keeaumoku Street and park in their lot. They are mauka of the main entrance to Like Like Drive Inn. It’s a small place, with around 4 or so small tables.
Their coffee is outstanding. Fresh tasting and hot.
Their cupcakes are all made in-​house. I tried the lemon cupcake and it was awesome. It was moist, light, and not overly sweet. It’s over $ 3, but it’s larger than most cupcakes.
I’m definitely coming back soon, with my iPad in hand, because they have free wifi!

DA GOOD …
— Another locally-​owned + operated coffee shop that’s an alternative to Starsucks
— Free wi-​fi available!
— Happy Cakes are still sold here
— The store owners, Tina + Poppy, are SO personable, down-​to-​earth, and full of aloha! They remember regular customers’ names + orders/​preferences.
— ‘Ono selection of foods, pastries + desserts: breakfast sandwiches, paninis, freshly baked scones, specialty drinks, espressos, coffees, lattes, etc.
DA BAD (IF YOU CAN EVEN CALL IT THAT) …
— Depending on what time you go, parking MIGHT be a bitch (as karma is said to be, right). They share the same parking lot as Like Like Drive Inn. Metered parking is available on Koreanmoku, Rycroft + nearby Kanunu Street (near Pagoda Hotel).
— Smaller tables + chairs than I’d like, but only ‘cuz I’ve got a big ‘okole + love to take up space
DA FREAKIN’ FANTASTIC …
— CUPCAKES! Oh, My Buddha (OMB), I’ve tried Cupcake Couture + Hokulani recently, and both can’t compare. I tried 10 of Hokulani’s specialty cupcakes just last month, and can tell you, they pale in comparison to Poppy’s!
— $ 3.49 per cupcake — for a VERY GENEROUS, fluffy, and delightful cupcake that is freshly baked everyday (even da frosting is made in-​house!). Not as dense, overly sweet + enough to give you a diabetic-​induced coma like Hokulani’s.
— Flavors such as S’mores, Red Velvet, Chocolate, Vanilla-​Vanilla, Lemon Drop, and monthly specials such as Butter Rum/​Eggnog (for X-​mas 2011) + Kona Caramel Macchiato (just released).
Hoku’s has wonderful, wonderful service, but their cupcakes suck. For about $ 2.50 for a regular cupcake + $ 3.50 for a specialty one, you get maybe half of a Poppy’s cupcake. Poppy’s cupcakes are light, fluffy, and filling without being too overindulgent. My bf + I — not SMALL people, by any means! — usually buy one and split it in two, and we’re all good to go. :) I’ve given these out to gifts to friends + neighbors, much to their unsuspecting delight (one friend later asked if Poppy’s sold gift cards when I presented her with 5 of their cupcakes as a «mahalo» gift).
They’re definitely a force to be reckoned with on the burgeoning cupcake scene in Honolulu!
REVIEW #202

Stopped by this nice cozy spot for the first time. Had lunch with my friends and stumbled upon this place.
I ordered a small caffe latte ($ 2.79). It was about the size of Starbucks’s tall coffee. One of my friend’s tried their new raspberry flavored ice tea lemonade ($ 1.99). It was okay. My other friend ordered a plain iced coffee.
We hung out for two hours. Very mellow, cutsie place to chill with your peeps. Will definitely go back again.

O. M. G.
Whatever you are doing, stop. Go to Poppy’s NOW! I’m serious. You will not regret it! I know cupcuakes and these are the BEST cupcakes on the island. Hands down! My favorite has to be the s’more cupcake.
People may think it’s a little expensive but the cupcakes are pretty big and for the taste, it is well worth it. Stop in today!

I thought i reviewed this place already but I guess not. I think i was too busy chowing down on their delish cupcakes!
Ive been here twice and this is my goto place for my cupcakes. They cost about $ 3.49 each BUT the size is well worth it. Other places are charging like $ 2.50−2.75 for what it seems like Mini cupcakes compared to Poppy’s.
My favorite would have to be the Lemon Drop Cupcakes. Each bite is filled with lemon bliss!
The ambiance is hella chill and quiet. Kinda small place but its a great place to take a break from the crazy outside and come in here and chill.
The owners are VERY VERY friendly and thats what I love about this place. For sure, i’ll support this local shop before the big bigger name guys.

LOVE POPPY’S!!! Great service, great coffee, BEST CUBAN SANDWICH on the island i’ve had so far. And I know Cuban sandwiches! It’s great to support a local business… it’s always money well spent. The desserts are homemade from scratch and amazing. The cupcakes also made from scratch and was ranked SECOND BEST CUPCAKES in December 2011 Honolulu Magazine.
Please support your local shops!

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Came here because i’ve been meaning to try it AND I also had a coupon anyway. I wanted to try their sandwiches so I got the cuban panini for $ 7.99+tax, which consisted of ham, roast pork (which tasted like kalua pig), swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard. I also wanted to try their big cupcakes so I got their red velvet for $ 3.49+tax. The sandwich was delicious although a bit small for $ 8. The red velvet was good, big and dense so just a tad bit dry. This little coffee shop is cute and with a good amount of seating. The workers here were also nice. I’d definitely like to come here to try their drinks.

Move over Cake Couture. Slide over Hokulani. I love you both but… O M fluffy frosting goodness! There is a new cupcake master in town!
These 5-​stars are for Poppy’s cupcakes. Truthfully, I haven’t stepped into this newish establishment since it opened a couple months ago. BF left two cupcakes on the counter last night as a peace offering for his going to Yakiniku Hiroshi without me.
As IF he can wipe my pout off with mere red velvet and s’more cupcakes. Does he think I’m that simple? Humph. I sample the red velvet. Oh wow. Hmmm… I sample the S’more. Wow wow.
Poppy’s cupcakes have won my heart. Super fluffy frosting, dense yet light, crumb-​clinging moistness. I especially appreciate their fine balance of sugar and butter. Yum!
Men, forget roses this Valentines Day. Go grab a container of cupcakes from Poppy’s and she’ll see you as the stud muffin you truly are!

You know what I hate? Paninis that are so hard they cut up the roof of your mouth when you eat them. This describes about 90% of the paninis I’ve had.
The paninis at Poppy’s are grilled perfectly — toasty and dense but not dangerously so. The Cuban is delicious, though weirdly drippy. Lots of meat, really good Swiss cheese.
I’ve had the latte and the café mocha, both of which are just plain great. The mocha, in particular, is outstanding, with a good balance between strong coffee and chocolate flavors. They use a good quality chocolate syrup so you don’t get the grainy texture that a lot of other mochas have, it’s just smooth and heavenly.
The people who work there are so NICE! They could pretty much write the handbook for good customer service.
The sandwiches come with a pickle spear, but I wish there were more options for sides. Maybe a few cold salad options (like pasta, bean, or pea salad) and a simple garden salad? The menu is small (which I think is important to keep quality high) but items that accompany the sandwiches besides chips would be nice.
Some people say the prices are a little high, but considering the location (a couple blocks from Alas) and the quality, the prices are pretty reasonable.

The mozzarella and basil with tomato sandwich was amazing… with a really good chai tea by my surprise. i loved it but when i order my food initially i ask them a legit question. i ask if i could no ham on my breakfast sandwich. they gave me a really stupid look and say no they come pre made. when they could of said it came premade in nicer way and say sorry just for some respect. that what i would of said… but no they made my experience kind of unwelcoming… just a bit. no body brings me down. s, o i sit the down. in their too tiny café and enjoy a nice light brunch with my boyfriend who also enjoy the non premade sandwiches they do make. i think it not né ways. i think i caught them on a bad day i hope.

What a great place :)
The Good
* Great service. very personal with customers. they made me feel like home :)
* Great coffee, Great tea!
* My panini came with a pickle!
The Bad
* The bad things about cafes/​coffee shops is that they give little for a $ 8 sandwich, but it’s still delicious… they just give a small portion
* Odd location, I pass this area a thousand times, but not have I once noticed it was there… but now that I know its there… I will be coming back :)
The Weird
* They have a spoon as large as me in the shop. SO COOL!

Being the cupcake junkie I am, I just had to go and try out Poppys on Keeamoku St. It replaced the Happy Cakes which sadly closed a few months ago.
They had cupcakes, paninis, coffee, cinnamon rolls, and muffins. I was there for the cupcakes though so I didn’t even really look at their other options and went ahead and ordered a red velvet cupcake. They also had a chocolate and a s’mores cupcake
They were by no means small, definitely can be eaten by split by two people. $ 3.50 which seems about right. The cake was on the spongier side, a little bit like a chiffon cake. Not as dense as other cupcakes. The frosting was sweet, but had a good cream cheese flavor to it. Would be nice if it was a little bit fluffier.
The owner was very friendly which is always great. I will definitely be back to try out some of their other baked goods.
Unilocal 365: ⁰³⁹⁄₃₆₅

Great place to coffice! Air conditioner, Wi-​Fi, and electricity. The tables are a bit small, but it’ll do if it’s just you doing your own business.
There’s cupcakes, muffins, cinnamon rolls, veggies, fruits, sandwiches… and of course coffee and espresso!
I got the s’mores cupcake it was yummy! I couldn’t finish it all though so I shared!
Poppy…the guy that runs the store is very friendly!
P. S. It’s the old Happy Cakes location. Same parking lot as Like Like on Keeaumoku.
Unilocal 365 Challenge #108/​365

I am so happy Poppy’s moved into the neighborhood where I work. I hate supporting Starbucks and all I needed was a convenient option to make the change from the big corp monster to a nice local business.
Service is great and friendly. They make a very nice Chai.
Cupcakes are yummy but awfully big. a little much for me, but tasty.
Definitely worth checking out, it will become your new favorite coffee stop.