Located at 669 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States, Insomnia stands as a distinctive destination for those seeking a refined dining experience in the heart of the city. The restaurant captures the vibrant spirit of its surroundings, offering a space where culinary craftsmanship meets a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you are a local resident or a visitor exploring the beautiful landscape of Hawaii, Insomnia provides a sanctuary designed for comfort, conversation, and the appreciation of high-quality ingredients. Our philosophy centers on the belief that dining should be an immersive experience, one that engages the senses and leaves a lasting impression on every guest who walks through our doors.
The architecture and interior design of the space reflect a modern aesthetic that balances sophistication with a relaxed, approachable vibe. We have curated an environment that feels both intimate and expansive, making it an ideal setting for a wide range of occasions, from quiet dinners to celebratory gatherings. At Insomnia, we prioritize the integrity of our ingredients, working closely with local suppliers to ensure that every dish served is a testament to the quality and diversity of the region's produce. Our commitment to excellence is woven into every aspect of our operations, ensuring that your time with us is nothing short of exceptional.
What Sets Insomnia Apart
Commitment to Local Sourcing: We believe that the foundation of great food lies in the quality of its components. By prioritizing partnerships with regional farmers and producers, we ensure that our menu remains fresh, seasonal, and supportive of the local agricultural community. This dedication allows us to bring the authentic flavors of Hawaii directly to your table, highlighting the unique characteristics of our island's harvest.
Atmosphere and Design: The ambiance at Insomnia is carefully crafted to provide a respite from the bustle of daily life. With a focus on clean lines, comfortable seating, and thoughtful lighting, our dining room is designed to enhance your culinary journey. It is a space where the environment complements the meal, allowing guests to fully unwind and focus on the company they keep and the flavors they enjoy.
Focus on Culinary Artistry: Our kitchen team approaches every plate as a canvas, blending traditional techniques with contemporary innovation. We emphasize the balance of textures and flavors, ensuring that each creation is not only visually appealing but also deeply satisfying. This meticulous attention to detail is what defines the Insomnia experience, elevating simple ingredients into memorable culinary moments.
Community-Centric Hospitality: We view our restaurant as a vital part of the Honolulu community. Our service philosophy is rooted in genuine hospitality, where every guest is welcomed with warmth and professionalism. We strive to create a sense of belonging, ensuring that our patrons feel valued and cared for from the moment they arrive until the conclusion of their meal.
Beyond the plate, Insomnia is dedicated to fostering a culture of sustainability and mindfulness. We understand the responsibility that comes with operating in such a beautiful and ecologically significant location. Therefore, we continuously evaluate our practices to minimize our environmental footprint, from waste reduction strategies to energy-efficient operations. This holistic approach ensures that we are not only serving our guests but also respecting the land that sustains us. We invite you to join us at our Auahi Street location to experience a dining philosophy that values quality, community, and the simple joy of a well-prepared meal.
As we continue to evolve, our goal remains steadfast: to provide a consistent and high-quality dining experience that resonates with our guests. We are constantly inspired by the feedback and support of our patrons, which drives us to refine our offerings and maintain the high standards we have set for ourselves. Whether you are joining us for a special occasion or a casual evening out, we look forward to sharing our passion for food and hospitality with you. Thank you for considering Insomnia as your destination for your next meal in Honolulu; we are honored to serve you and look forward to welcoming you to our table soon.
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Reviews Insomnia
RJ
30-05-2026
Probably the best Chicken pho on the island. Light, hearty and filling. Way worth the price. The coffee is super saiyan strong. Had to dilute it a couple of times. Gave me brain jolts from drinking 1/8 of the cup. The cafe lives up to it's name. More
Nina
30-05-2026
We didn't have food. Just coffee and Thai tea. The name of the place isn't lying, the coffee was very strong!
I loved the owners and the choice of food. I will definitely come back! More
Sayuri Blondt
30-05-2026
I had a super uncomfortable experience here and it was because of a language barrier. I ordered a Vietnamese coffee and an older gentleman behind the counter made it. It was so sweet I couldn't drink it so I asked for a less sweet coffee. … More
R. Lee Donaldson
30-05-2026
This is a really cute place with both indoor and outdoor seating to grab a cup of coffee or a light bite to eat. It is located in the back corner of Salt, so you need to hunt for it. … More
Anna Stinauer
30-05-2026
The nicest owners who helped us pick out the best option for us. First time having Vietnamese iced coffee, we loved it!
Karina Cortez
30-05-2026
Run by an elderly couple, very kind. The prices are very decent considering the location. I have found a go-to during my lunch breaks!!!My meal cost a little over $8, perfect for college students😄 … More
Zachary Easter
30-05-2026
Best Vietnamese coffee I've ever had!
Order type
Take out…
More
Zain Z
30-05-2026
The best Vietnamese coffee I’ve ever had! Not too sweet it’s perfect, and the owners are so kind!
Ord…
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Karen L
30-05-2026
~30 minutes after eating their beef pho, I started puking my guts out. It's been +3 hrs and I'm still indisposed. I was completely fine before eating lunch here. Note: I've NEVER had this happen at other restaurants. Be careful, especially if you're visibly queer. More
Rylee Johnson
30-05-2026
I would give 10 stars if possible. upon entering insomnia we were greeted by the two people working with so much enthusiasm & kindness that I would come back just to be greeted by them alone (im assuming they’re the owners but not entirely … More
Preston Aspalty
30-05-2026
Amazing little coffee shop with a very sweet couple. They make you feel like family when you dine there. The sandwich in French bread had amazing flavor. More
Sabrina
30-05-2026
This place has incredible coffee and really great Vietnamese food. The owners are so sweet and friendly and I've never been greeted with anything less than a smile and encouraging conversation.
Tung Pham
30-05-2026
They were very busy. I only saw uncle, aunty, and one runner working. Be patient if you wanted your food to come out tasty. They have been opened for 14 years. The prices are so cheap compared to other Vietnamese restaurants. As a … More
Dave Dave
30-05-2026
the owners are so cute and friendly it's like going to see your grandparents. the food was pretty good for vege options. they will take care of you and make sure you are happy with what you order More
Jonathan Tribble
30-05-2026
Cute Vietnamese tea shop with friendly owners. The drinks were good but we had to wait 25 minutes to get them. The two owners are the only ones working so bring your patience pants.
Mei Wu
30-05-2026
4 stars for hospitality! Extremely caretaking and sweet owners 💕. Bless their sweet soul for still serving the community here!
The beef pho was not as flavorful as I wanted. It did not have the depth of salty umami I needed for pho broth and the beef.. well.. it had a funky taste so I avoided it entirely. I only ate the beef meatballs. I found myself wondering if the broth was just water and salt + pepper in a quick boil with some beef slices to give some flavor versus a rich beef broth simmered with bones. I really tasted the starch from the rice noodles in the broth, which tells me probably it was not cooked separately nor drained. 🙈
Food: 1
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Mira Serrill-Robins
30-05-2026
Not loving my iced latte and they seem to do a brisk lunch takeout business so even an iced latte can take some time midday. The iced latte may be powdered and it’s definitely bitter—probably nice in Vietnamese coffee, but not my favorite … More
Even Bose
30-05-2026
I love Insomnia! The Aunty and Uncle who run this place are very caring and attentive and make you feel at home. The prices are so cheap compared to everywhere else which doesn’t make sense cause the food is sooo good and they are in SALT! … More
Robert Tarroma
30-05-2026
Morning walk to a nice refreshing iced insomnia coffee! Love this warm and cozy place... just like having conversations with Aunty and Uncle in their home kitchen 😊. Thank you so much Aunty and Uncle! … More
Not Squidword
30-05-2026
Strong Vietnamese coffee served from a very kind & happy to serve family. I will have to come back and try some food & enjoy the atmosphere & decor soon… More
G mods
30-05-2026
Perfect.... that is all I have for you. The owners are beyond positive and polite, the food was fresh and bursting with flavors and aroma. The atmosphere was relaxing and delightful. The bathroom was clean and organized. I'll be sure to … More
C M
30-05-2026
I've been coming here for years and always have a great experience. Their Vietnamese coffee is phenomenal, and the owners are always so welcoming and friendly. Highly recommend. More
Nicole Wang
30-05-2026
Very home cook style operated by a friendly Vietnamese couple. Good place to enjoy traditional Vietnamese food and quiet corner. Like the decor style. More
Nicholas Sunshine Haas
30-05-2026
The auntie and uncle that run the place are as friendly as other reviews have described. The indoor space is very nicely decorated. Most importantly, the food was delicious! Definitely will be back
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Group size
2 people, 3-4 people
Seating type
Indoor dining area, Outdoor patio / terrace
Parking options
Paid parking lot, Paid street parking, Paid parking garage
Parking
Parking within 1-2 blocks
Erik Krausen
30-05-2026
Phenomenal family run gem in Kakaako! The owners are simply delightful and they offer tremendous customer service alongside delicious food, wonderful iced teas, and coffees guaranteed to start your morning off on the right foot.
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Group size
1 person, 2 people, 3-4 people
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Sharif Matar
30-05-2026
The Vietnamese owners are friendly and wonderful. I love the iced Vietnamese coffee and they always remember how I like it, not too sweet. This little cafe is great for a quick pastry or drink or a casual meeting or meal. Nice inside and outside seating by the street. I go here almost every morning when I’m in town and it always brings me joy. ☕️ ❤️ 🏝
Sarah Horng
30-05-2026
I have not tried the food bc I come here regularly for Vietnamese ice coffee! This is the best one I’ve found for Vietnamese ice coffee on the island! Def strong in caffeine 😍 The owners are super friendly. There is a wait sometimes since they make everything themselves so call in your order ahead of time if you want! They do have tap pay! Street parking or parking garage available!
Order type
Take out
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Vegetarian options
They have tofu banh mi!
Magical Pancake
30-05-2026
The couple that runs this Cafe are incredibly hospitable. Atmosphere is good and ac feels comfortable. Coffee is next level and jet fuel as far as I'm concerned. Strongest coffee for the money on the island hands down. The banh mi is pretty good and we had the lemon grass chicken. The lemon grass chicken was flavorful and had a bit of heat. Overall lovely experience and would recommend to any coffee lover looking for different food offerings.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Yenny
30-05-2026
Delicious coffee and breakfast options. I had the breakfast special with bacon on the side. I also ordered the Vietnamese coffee (dark roast), which is very smooth and strong. The owners were the sweetest! Thank you 🌺
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Tony Francione
30-05-2026
OMFG, love this place. It's a wife & husband team and they are the absolute BEST! The food is served with Aloha and you know you are being well taken care of the moment you walk in. Also great to see so many regulars dining in and grabbing takeout. They also have cute like coffee machines and moka pots decorated on the walls of the restaurant. Love this place and be sure to check their hours into the afternoon.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Wait time
No wait
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Vegetarian menu or section
Parking space
Not sure
Parking options
Paid parking lot, Free street parking, Paid parking garage
Reviews Insomnia