We've tried Honu a handful of times since we moved to the SCV a few years ago. We're not anti-the big chain coffee places, but happy to support a local spot if the product is good.
Re the good, the donuts are fantastic. They definiitely live up to the claim of at least among the best donut over. Nothing crazy like you might find at Voodoo, just super good donuts on a variety of basic flavors. They put to shame any other nearby chain donut.
The coffee, however, has been hit or miss for us. The first time we ordered the Nutty Hawaiian it was great, strong coffee presence with the Hawaiian flavors creating a unique, bold and tasty coffee experience.
The second time we ordered it, the coffee felt absent and it tasted like warmed milk and sugar. Bummer! Especially after loving it so much the first time. Okay, maybe they had an off day...we waited a while, came back several months later to cap off a Farmer's Market experience and ordered it again. Donut -- on point, but same disappointing Nutty Hawaiian. My wife even specified to make sure the coffee presence was strong in the drink, which was responded to with sort of a non-committal "okay." Same result...warmed milk and sugar, no coffee flavor, and not really any discernable elements of the Nutty Hawaiian flavors of one of their "signature drinks". So now I'm thinking that's the norm and not the amazing one we first had.
A coffee-forward coffee shop should have excellent coffee. Unfortunately, that hasn't been our experience.
We'd definitely come back for more donuts, though.
Service
Take out
Food: 3
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Team meeting done right. Our team used to go to the other location for any team meetings and we moved to this one and it’s still a great vibe.
The coffee is great and the environment is even better
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
