Gift & Gourmet

My wife and I love Gift & Gourmet! Celia knows her coffee!!!

If you are a coffee lover, you need to come to gift and gourmet. Celia offers a wide range of delicious coffees from all over the world and she hand picks each one for her shop. If you’re not sure what you’re into or want to try something new, the owner provides great recommendations and has little stories to tell about where her coffee comes from. If you don’t have time to make your own in the morning, stop in (after 9am, I learned the hard way) because she also brews it to sell by the cup (French press not drip!). She does a different one every day and will usually serve a darker one in the morning, lighter in the afternoon. She cares about her product and it shows it the quality of coffee that she sells. I hate when I have to buy from anywhere else!

Love her and her cat pictures. Awesome coffee and assorted weird stuff too. Very cool.

Recently my husband and I visited this shop and after having a conversation with the owner about coffee, my husband introduced himself and asked her name, she replied rudely by telling him that she would only introduce herself if he bought something. He told her this is not his first purchase and have in fact been there numerous times before and left.
I do not care if she is so called eccentric, strange or the Queen of England, it is no excuse to be rude to your customers.
It may be good coffee but you still leave with a awfully bad taste. It’s not worth it.
I’ll find good coffee surrounded by nice people somewhere else.

I have worked downtown long enough to know where this place was. In plain sight but hidden is this gem of a store: specialty teas, coffees, and chocolates.
I happened perchance upon this establishment, returning from a lunch run from an adjacent eatery. This particular day, something beckoned me inside. Was it a window display of french presses that caught my eye? Im really not sure.
I stepped inside, out of the hustle of the lunch crowd into a very well stocked store. I ignored the line of coffee items and made a bee-​line to what I classify as «odds and ends». Chocolates: different grades, various brands. Impressed with the chocolate selection, I picked out an item: chocolate with chili pepper, smooth as silk with a kick. «Its two discs, separated into wedges, which makes it easier to eat,» she said. I nodded and carried on a conversation regarding dogs as she rang up my purchase. «Don’t put the bag on your lunch. It will melt the chocolate, «she added tenaciously. I smiled and turned to leave, impressed that she cared enough to mention that, even though I should have known that already.
Ill be back, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. Soon enough, to use the coffee club perks and to explore further into the emporium.

Yes — Gift & Gourmet is a cramped, little store. Yes — Celia is a bit eccentric. Yes — Celia is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about everything that she has in-​store. Yes — the coffee, especially the organics, are incredibly smooth, full-​bodied and full-​flavored — well worth the price. If you are a first timer into the store, be careful about handling the merchandise because there are vagrants in the area and Celia does not want anyone to mess up her products for her customers — — - I love it! You gotta check out all of the little signs on the shelves.
Because I live outside of the downtown Honolulu area and rarely venture into town, I stock up on coffees and many of her other goods (gourmet food stuffs, household and kitchen gadgets, cat food, etc) when I do get there. My wife and I thank my little brother and his wife for their recommendation about Gift & Gourmet. I’m Celia’s customer for life!

I’m not a coffee drinker, but my wife is. So it’s nice to find a place where you can place your trust in someone to pick out the best coffee.
Celia is very knowledgeable and takes pride in seeking the best coffee worldwide. On her recommendation, I picked up a pound of the Santa Barbara coffee for my wife. No, it’s not from Santa Barbara, CA, but from a small village in Central America where a woman named Barbara helped the villagers learn how to grow gourmet coffee. They named the coffee in her honor. Not only is this a great story, but my wife loved the coffee.
Just tell her what you’re looking for and she’ll steer you to perfect blend.
She’s also an expert on gourmet chocolate.

Gourmet coffee at its finest, although you would never guess it peering in from outside. Celia is the sole proprietress and is extremely knowledgeable about coffee. Ask for her help and you will not be disappointed. Join her coffee club for $ 5 a year and get 10% off.
I used to always come here for my «happy» coffee — the Jamaican Blue Mountain — a few sips completely change your day.
Celia selects her beans from all over the world. If you know a coffee connoiseur, this is THE place to buy a gift. (And if you are shopping for me, a quarter pound of the Jamaican Blue beans will do)
In addition to coffee, Celia sells Mrs Meyer’s products, teas, chocolates, locally produced knick knacks, pet food (only good stuff). Celia is very particular about what she sells and is thereby extremely passionate about each product. Yet, she’s not pushy. You have to ask.
The store breaks all the marketing rules you learn in business school, but it’s been in business for well over 10 years, so she must be doing something right.
If you work downtown and have never been here, you’re missing out on supporting one of Hawaii’s unique local businesses.

I work across the street from this shop. And quite honestly, it never occurred to me to stop in the store. From the outside, you can’t really tell what specific niche this little gem fills. I’ve walked pass it several times to grab lunch from one of the many eateries.
That was until I got a gift certificate from one of my coworkers for a ½ lb bag of coffee. I was told the store keeper is very knowledgeable and somewhat of a coffee snob. Instantly, I knew I should’ve gone into this store sooner. I believe her name is Celia (based on other posts). She also has some killer coffee and food items to purchase. I spoke with her regarding what type of coffee to use my certificate for and settled on the Zen. Smooth as silky yumminess. Celia was spot on in her recommendation.
Of course I couldn’t just go in for the coffee. That would be so unlike me. I had to get something else. I ended up picking the Mexican Chocolate with Guajillo peppers (more fruity and not as spicy as the chipotle) to make some hot chocolate.
I wouldn’t be able to tell you what she has on her shelves. She’s got a lot. But I can tell you I will definitely be going back for some more gourmet goodies.
Man, I love Food. and Coffee. And a store that has GOURMET food and coffee? Not to mention the owner is extremely knowledgeable and more than willing to hold a discussion over the different nuances of coffee and chocolate.
Dudes. I’m all over it.

Walking by, seeing all the knick-​knacks in the window you wouldn’t really think this a place to get a cup of coffee but you would be mistaken. This is probably THE BEST cup of coffee you will get downtown, and at a great price too!
The shop is a little eccentric and there is no where to sit as this is not a café. But if you know a true coffee lover, and want to get them a gift or a gourmet bag of coffee, this is the place.

Gift & Gourmet is a small specialty shop located across from the Subway in the little alley of restaurants between King and Merchant St.
This place probably has the best selection and variety of gourmet coffees. For our important work meetings (ones that upper management attends) we get the «Salvador» or «Mexico» coffee. Both are on the stronger side, not bitter, and easy to drink without any added cream or sugar. If those aren’t available, Celia (store owner) recommends something similar, and it’s always a great choice.
You may sometimes see some interesting signage in or around the store. The other week, one on the closed door read, «Only come in for quick purchases. $ 10 charge for coming in without buying anything» (!!!) …Ah, don’t you just love the quirkiness of downtown Honolulu? :-p
If you end up going inside the store, be careful about how you touch things, and definitely remember not to open the refrigerated cases! Celia is very particular about preserving the quality of her merchandise.
Aside from all that (and her odd business hours), it’s worth a visit if you’re a coffee connoisseur!

I come hear when Im in town from CA. Celia has great coffee and always some nice Kona’s and other coffees to sell. I always enjoy a cup of Jamaica Blue Mountain for a jolt.
She carries a wide variety of gift items which is always fun to browse through!

I finally walked in here after two years of working downtown and passing by every few months or so. It was fun just to look around at the variety of unique items.
My friend and I met Celia who has an enthusiastic passion for everything she sells. Even the cat food. We each picked up a sample bag of cat food… which has no fillers such as corn.
She gave us some samples of delicious coffee and we left feeling happy, palates cleansed. I’ll definitely come here to purchase gifts for foodie friends and coffee lovers.

This is one eccentric little spot, filled to the brim (pun intended) with a little of this and that. Meyers soaps, green cleaning products, specialty teas, healthy cat food, instant gourmet soups and dips, hand-​screened t-​shirts, recipe books, trail mix, dried berries, imported olive oil and vinegars, licorice, cocoa, cooking and eating chocolate, kitchen gadgets, and on and on.
Celia is the most interesting owner. Her passion is coffee. She goes to food and gourmet shows regularly and lovingly hand selects small batches of organic, hard to find coffee. She’ll always give you a taste. You can join her coffee club and get discounts off bags and other purchases.
I love her emails that come intermittently, featuring some of the products mentioned above and usually always accompanied by photos of her award-​seeking show cats. Also intermittent are her hours. Sometimes she’s open, sometimes not. Suggest you call first if you are making a special trip.
I appreciate Celia and her passion, and think it’s amazing that her little wacky oasis sits in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Downtown Honolulu (Kind Street, near Alakea).
Visit her. And see if you can resist picking up a little something to taste!

Kind of a hidden place close to HECO’s downtown office. Good coffee to drink and/​or buy. Celia cares about the coffee she sells, after she bags the beans, its kept refrigerated. Bought a bag of Java, she explained to me that the beans in the bag is how the name Java came about, interesting. Great place to buy coffee beans for friends who are into coffee.

For those of you, like myself, who despise bad coffee disguised as «gourmet» look no further. This store offers a wide array of coffee from all areas of the earth carrying all forms of caffeination (espresso through decaf).
I’ve found the organic blends, especially the decaf, to be smooth and extremely rich in flavor without any form of that nasty bitterness you get at some other places.

I would never of walked into this store if it weren’t for the sign that said «over 1,000 gourmet coffees». Honestly, G&G sells a bunch of random items ranging from cooking pots to chocolate candy, but the coffee is what makes it stand out.
Owner Celia Kim definitely has a passion for quality coffee, and enjoys finding beans from around the world. I absolutely love the variety Kim offers and I’ve been going back nearly monthly for something new.
Favorite so far: Mocha Java