Cafe Julia Hawaii Reviews
Reviews
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Awards
Weddingwire
42 reviews
Google
336 reviews
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![Trent]()
Trent Sent on 04/09/2026Great Wedding Venue
Thank you so much to Elijah and the Cafe Julia staff! We planned our wedding from outside of the US (and without a planner), and it wouldn't have been possible without them. On top of the beautiful venue, Cafe Julia has some of the best wedding food I've ever had. They provide the perfect variety of options to make the wedding fit your own style and preferences. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a wedding in Hawaii.
Also recommended for lunch! -
![B Tran]()
B Tran Sent on 03/08/2026Beautiful venue
I am beyond happy we went with cafe Julia for our wedding! It was beautiful. Food was absolutely hands down the best wedding food we’ve ever had. We work with Elijah for all of our planning leading up and he was so informative and transparent. They worked beautifully with all of our vendors. They offered so many decor choices which made things super convenient. I would pick this venue 100x over! -
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![Sheldon]()
Sheldon Sent on 08/19/2025Our perfect reception!
Our experience with Cafe Julia and Elijah was nothing short of exceptional. Living in Canada, all of our planning was done over email and one visit to Cafe Julia over 2 years! Elijah and his team were great at communication, ease of planning, open and honest feedback with any questions, we truly could not have had a more pleasant planning experience. -
![Tanya]()
Tanya Sent on 06/25/2025We LOVE Cafe Julia
We're so happy we picked Cafe Julia for our ceremony and reception venue! Elijah, the event manager, was so helpful from the moment we inquired about hosting our wedding here. Scheduling a site visit was so easy, and once you see the beautiful architecture, string lights in the courtyard, and plumeria trees you will be hooked! We were looking for something different than a beach wedding or hotel banquet hall. Cafe Julia was exactly what we were looking for; a gem in downtown. Our budget didn't really allow for a wedding planner/coordinator so what drew us in to Cafe Julia was that 1) a coordinator wasn't required, and 2) Elijah assured us the staff are very helpful so one wouldn't be necessary. He is 1000% a man of his word. With a year to plan, along the way he made sure to check on our progress and sent reminders for due dates. On the day of, Keli'i was our banquet captain and he was so gracious to work with. He and the staff helped set up our reception tables with decorations we had brought ourselves. Our wedding party took cues from him when it came to navigating the venue and sticking to our timeline. The staff made sure that we ate dinner, packed leftover plates and our cake to take home, and provided guests umbrellas when it started to drizzle. We had a totally stress free experience getting married here! We came out feeling so lucky and will never stop singing praises for Cafe Julia. -
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![Andrea]()
Andrea Sent on 05/10/2025Fairytale Wedding
From beginning to end Elijah at Cafe Julia helped us every step of the way! Guiding us towards the best decisions so that we could enjoy our big day without any regrets. He was so professional in always responding to us right away, answering all of our questions no matter how trivial. He has so much experience at this beautiful venue and all of his recommendations turned out to be the best decisions for us. The food was fabulous! Everyone was fed quickly with ample time to go back for more at the buffet. They made sure that we were able to have heaping plates of food so we were able to try it all. They even gave us two bentos of our food for the next day. They took care of set up, clean up, and transforming the venue from the ceremony layout into our reception set up. They provided so many services, so we did not need to hire multiple additional vendors. Our guests all had a wonderful time, sharing that they felt like we in a movie! We highly recommend Cafe Julia! -
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![Melissa]()
Melissa Sent on 05/05/2025A Dream Wedding at Café Julia – Pure Magic!
Words can’t fully express how grateful and overjoyed we are with our experience at Café Julia for our wedding day. From start to finish, everything was absolutely perfect — the kind of day you dream about and hope to relive over and over again.
First of all, the venue itself is breathtaking. The historic charm, the elegant open-air courtyard, and the surrounding architecture made for a picture-perfect backdrop. It felt intimate, romantic, and uniquely “us.” Our guests couldn’t stop talking about how stunning the space was — it truly felt like a hidden gem in the heart of Honolulu.
But what made Café Julia truly unforgettable was the incredible staff. Every single person we interacted with was professional, kind, accommodating, and genuinely invested in making our day special. They took the time to understand our vision and went above and beyond to bring it to life — from the timeline to the table settings, everything was seamless.
And the food? Outstanding. Our guests are still raving about the delicious dishes! From appetizers to dessert, everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The drinks were equally amazing — refreshing, fun, and perfectly suited to the celebration.
We felt so supported every step of the way, and on the actual day, we were able to be completely present knowing we were in great hands. It was everything we hoped for and more.
If you're thinking about having your wedding at Café Julia — do it. You will be blown away. It’s the kind of place that makes magic happen.
With all our love and gratitude,
Kent and Melissa -
![Aileen]()
Aileen Sent on 05/05/2025Gorgeous historic-tropical-courtyard venue
- Beautiful venue! You might not be on the beach but it still has the Hawai'i vibe with the intricate architecture (Julia Morgan who also designed the Hearst Castle), blossoming tropical trees and plants, and across the street from historic buildings including Iolani Castle, the court house/post office, etc. which are great for photos.
- Food was delicious and reasonably priced
- Extra "perks" w/o added cost: chivari chairs (brown or gold!), gold chargers, linens, being able to drop things off a few days early/pick up the following day
- Incredibly responsive coordinator
- Supporting a wonderful cause! Love the YWCA! -
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![Terrance]()
Terrance Sent on 04/24/2025Perfect Day
We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect wedding venue! From start to finish, the team was incredibly easy to work with—organized, professional, and truly invested in making our day special. The venue itself is breathtaking, providing the perfect backdrop for our celebration.
The food? Absolutely delicious! Every dish was beautifully prepared, and the staff ensured a seamless dining experience for all our guests. One of the standout gestures was how they set aside full plates for us as the bride and groom, allowing us to enjoy our meal without waiting in line—such a thoughtful touch!
Even when a light rain surprised us, the venue was fully prepared with large umbrellas for both our bridal party and guests, ensuring the celebration continued smoothly and comfortably. Their attention to detail and dedication to making everything flawless made our wedding day truly unforgettable.
We highly recommend this venue to any couple looking for a beautiful, well-managed, and guest-friendly space for their big day! -
Margarita Sent on 04/17/2025
A Dream Wedding Come True!
We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect wedding day, and so much of that is thanks to this absolutely stunning venue. From the moment we arrived for our first tour, we were blown away by the natural beauty and unique charm of the location. Every corner felt like it was made for magical memories with its grand architecture, lush greenery, and elegant lighting, it created the most enchanting backdrop for our ceremony and photos.
Elijah was an absolute gem. From day one, he was organized, responsive, and genuinely excited to help bring our vision to life. Whether it was answering last-minute questions or guiding us through timelines, we always felt in good hands.
And the food—wow. Our guests are still raving about it. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor. From the appetizers to desserts, everything was delicious and beautifully presented. We even loved having the option of bringing our own liquor and desserts.
We’re so grateful we found this place and to everyone at Cafe Julia—they truly made our special day unforgettable.
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![Brenda]()
Brenda Sent on 11/11/2024Cafe Julia Wedding
We had our wedding at Cafe Julia and it was an absolute dream! The venue is gorgeous and everyone said they felt like they were in an Italian botanical garden. They have beautiful greenery and the arches were a dream for my floral placement. The pool is so nice for pictures too! The venue was a 10/10! As for the staff… they were phenomenal. I didn’t need a wedding planner, Elijah was super helpful and attentive and detail oriented! I just provided my wedding binder with my inspiration and my day of timeline and him and his team made it work and I was so happy. They served our plate before the guest and made sure we had our drinks in hand. The food was so good, all the guests went in for seconds. I could not recommend cafe julia enough!! Thank you for making our wedding day super special & thank you for our wedding gift :) -
![Kim]()
Kim K. Sent on 11/08/2024Cafe Julia was a dream venue!
I knew I wanted a central location that made for an easy commute to all our guest and Cafe Julia was the perfect hidden gem in downtown Honolulu. It was the first venue my husband and I went to visit and immediately we fell in love with the beautiful architecture and all the venue had to offer. The event/catering manager Elijah was amazing to work with as he is so knowledgeable and had excellent communication from start to finish. After our first site visit I had a list of almost 20 questions I forgot to ask and Elijah took the time to call me that evening and answered every question in detail which really put my mind at ease. From that day forward I knew we were in good hands. Whatever I needed, any questions (and there were many) or request from other vendors, Elijah always had an answer which made the wedding planning process such a breeze! Their venue package has so much included for the pricing I promise you it pretty much sells itself. The day of our wedding the whole staff was just top-notch. They flipped the courtyard from ceremony to reception so fast I was truly in awe watching everything come together. The food was delicious and all the rave from our guest confirmed it! And guys, if you aren’t sold already being able to purchase our own alcohol by paying a corkage fee per guest allowed us to provide our guest an open bar! (I bought soju and it was an absolute hit) At night all the lighting transforms the entire space into something even more spectacular. Everything about this place is magic! Thank you to Elijah and all the Cafe Julia staff for taking care of us and our guest on our special day we will cherish forever. Kim&Derrick -
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![Michelle]()
Michelle Sent on 10/31/2024Wedding Review
We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect venue for our wedding than Café Julia. Upon requesting more information from Elijah, the Event Catering Sales Manager, we knew this was the venue we wanted to get married in.
The team at Café Julia including the waitstaff, bar staff, and manager were incredible. They were attentive, friendly, and ensured that all our guests felt taken care of.
Now, let’s talk about the food! The meal was simply outstanding.
We got the THREE ENTRÉE BUFFET WITH APPETIZERS AND DESSERTS
3 Appetizers: MARINATED BEEF SKEWERS, SHRIMP COCKTAIL SHOOTERS, GARLIC CHICKEN DRUMETTES
3 Sides: WHITE RICE, GARLIC MASHED POTATO, FRIED NOODLES
3 Salads: CHINESE CHICKEN, PASTA SALAD, GREEK SALAD
2 Desserts: CHOCOLATE DIPPED STRAWBERRIES, LILIKOI CHEESECAKE SHOOTERS
3 Entrees: KOREAN STYLE SHORT RIBS, MACADAMIA NUT CRUSTED CHICKEN, CHINESE STYLE STEAMED MARKET FRESH FISH
Every dish was delicious, and our guests are still raving about it! The presentation was beautiful, and it truly added to the overall experience. We also got the late night snack that EVERYBODY LOVED!
We also want to commend Elijah, who was our main point of contact throughout the planning process and on the day itself. His communication was top-notch, addressing all our needs and wants with ease. They made sure that everything was executed flawlessly, allowing us to focus on enjoying our day.
Overall, Café Julia provided us with an unforgettable experience. We highly recommend this venue for anyone looking to host a wedding or special event. Thank you to the entire team for making our day so memorable!
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![Stacy]()
Stacy Sent on 09/19/2024Cafe Julia is the bomb! And so is Elijah!
I would like to thank the staff at Cafe Julia for such an unforgettable night. From the very beginning Elijah was there to help us throughout the whole process. He gave us a tour of the cafe, explained the pricing, gave food suggestions, communicated with us every step of the way, gave clear instructions and was not pushy at all. The venue really sold itself to us and for the amenities that you get, it was totally worth it. The venue has a rental fee but it includes the tables, table linens, fancy chairs, silverware, a nice projection on the wall, uplights and you can use their PA system if you dont have a DJ which is also really nice. The venue is a beautiful place to take photos and the staff are so helpful. They do not
charge extra for cake cutting or for bringing in your own cake, which I appreciated. They did not charge me extra for bringing in my own vendors either! I did not hire a wedding coordinator because my wedding was very simple and because Cafe Julia didn't require one. Saved me money right there! Elijah helped me alot and i didnt stress much because of my simplistic wedding. The food was amazing and the guests really loved the appetizers (we had the dim sum assortment and the sushi boat). For dinner we had the braised beef and the salmon which everyone seemed to enjoy as well as the salads. The lilikoi shooter was also a hit. Overall it was an amazing experience and Cafe Julia was the perfect venue for my wedding, all thanks to Elijah who really helped me along the way. He was great at helping me w the amt of alcohol to get, the layouts, the food selections,etc. His staff also helped me with setting up all the tables and chairs for the wedding, cutting up the cake, and just making sure that all the guests were taken care of. I really appreciate them all and can't thank them enough for making our wedding so special. It did rain on our wedding, but I'd like to think it was a blessing from above. At the end of the night, they helped to pack up all our leftover alcohol and cupcakes and off we went to the after-party. 😀 -
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![Meagan]()
Meagan Sent on 09/02/2024A Stellar Review Long Overdue
2 months. Only 2 months to plan the wedding of my dreams - a feat that would not have been possible without Cafe Julia, Elijah Samuel, and the entire Cafe Julia team. From my first email inquiry in November 2023 all the way 'til the end of the night on January 21, 2024, Elijah was an absolute God send. He helped us every single step of the way, and truly went above and beyond for us on our special day. He may be Cafe Julia's event/catering manager, but his actual position should really be event/wedding extraordinaire. Our wedding was almost 9 months ago, but our family and friends are still talking about it til this day. The courtyard, food, ambiance - all truly spectacular. We loved every single minute of our wedding, and we cannot thank Cafe Julia enough for everything!! -
Athina Sent on 08/21/2024
Look no more!
Cafe Julia is an exceptional venue if you are searching for the perfect place to exchange your vows. Situated in a great location, the property is filled with beauty and charm. The food served is absolutely delicious, and the staff members are simply awesome. I would like to extend a special note of gratitude to Elijah, Kelii, and the entire staff for their outstanding service. It's difficult to put into words how thankful we are for everything they did. Thank you all so much, and God bless! -
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Shayna Sent on 07/23/2024
7/20/24 Wedding
Our wedding at Cafe Julia on 7/20/24 was wonderful! The venue was absolutely beautiful, all the staff were amazing, and the food was delicious! My guests also loved the convenience of the venue being in downtown Honolulu and not having to drive through Waikiki traffic or all the way to the North Shore/further areas of the island.
The event coordinator, Elijah was the best!!! He was so helpful and generous with his time and services (from our site visit and countless emails, to the alcohol/beverage drop off to guest parking, etc). He was always there to answer our questions and offer tips and advice to make sure our special day was as stress-free as possible! He worked so well with all our vendors and was very accommodating. He even offered us the use of his super cool new electronic sign - it was amazing and a very nice touch; we received so many compliments on it! We can’t thank Elijah enough for all his help! It was truly the best day ever! We loved everything about our wedding and are so thrilled we picked Cafe Julia!
~ Shayna & Riki -
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![Stephanie]()
Stephanie Sent on 05/26/2024Beautiful!!!
We planned this wedding from the Mainland without ever seeing the venue in person until our rehearsal. We had my local relatives do a tour and booked once they gave us their opinions. Cafe Julia is just as beautiful and dreamy as it is in the pictures. We had our ceremony and reception in the courtyard and it was picture perfect.
Elijah was so easy and nice to work with. He answered all of our questions at a timely fashion. His staff were so kind and took such great care of us and our guests. We have no complaints.
The food was great, we had so many guest tell us it was the best wedding food. Overall, if I were to do this again, we would 100% choose Cafe Julia again and again. -
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Ham W. Sent on 04/12/2024
Great venue, great coordinator, great food, great price!
We had such an amazing wedding at Cafe Julia. First and foremost, the coordinator Elijah was so fantastic from the first point of contact until the day after when we picked up all of our stuff. He was so accommodating for making our vision come to life, and the staff did such a great job all throughout the wedding. Also, since they are primarily a restaurant, the food was amazing. We had multiple people come up to us during and after the wedding to tell us about how good the food was.
Would definitely recommend booking this venue for your wedding! -
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![Renee]()
Renee Sent on 11/22/2023Breathtaking
Elijah was very accommodating, very flexible, and made sure our wedding day was very special. The venue was breathtaking, the food was unbelievable, and the attention to detail, and the professionalism of the staff was worth booking. Thank you Elijah for everything you did. When you visit the venue you will fall in love with it. I would highly recommend Cafe Julia. -
![Lectie]()
Lectie Sent on 06/26/2023Hidden gem In Honolulu
Elijah is amazing! Cafe Julia is a hidden gem in Honolulu, you won't be disappointed with the location, architectrue, service, food, ambiance, EVERYTHING. We didn't have to bring in almost any outside vendors for our wedding (but you can). The vibe there is top notch! Couldn't recommend it any more. Can't wait to go back and celebrate our anniversary everyear. Such a secret spot in Honolulu and we couldn't have been more happy -
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Michael Sent on 06/11/2023
Amazing venue, amazing staff, incredible night
Cafe Julia is the best kept secret in Honolulu for weddings and events. Elijah and his staff are super responsive, professional, and take the and attention to detail to thinking of the smallest detail, and really take on your event like it’s their own. The food was very very good, appetizers, main course and desert.
Bartenders kept the lines short and everyone refreshed.
It was amazing, highly recommended. -
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![Odeelo]()
Odeelo Sent on 06/05/2023Exceeded ALL expectations
We can’t say enough great things about this venue and its staff. Beautiful, affordable, and the most accommodating catering manager you’ll find. Because of Covid restrictions, they had to split our wedding into two events on the same day and made it all happen seamlessly. Elijah, the catering manager, went above and beyond to fulfill our every request and eased our worries during a stressful time with the last minute changes to Covid restrictions. We would highly recommend this venue and the staff to deliver a memorable wedding day that’s stress-free. -
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![Alison]()
Alison Sent on 06/02/2023The best venue!!
Cafe Julia was the perfect wedding venue. It is already so beautiful with so much greenery that it saved on decorations. The staff was amazing throughout the whole process and Elijah was very responsive and great to work with. The most perfect place for a special day. -
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Leina Sent on 05/28/2023
Simply stunning venue🤩
I don’t normally write reviews but I felt compelled to write one because I was so impressed with the venue. I attended a wedding at Cafe Julia and I was not only stunned by how beautiful it was, but also the service and food were top notch.
The design of the venue is so timeless. There are numerous picture perfect spots to capture gorgeous photos.
The food was exceptionally delicious and we actually came back to eat at the restaurant for lunch.
I highly recommend Cafe Julia for anyone considering a wedding on Oahu! -
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![Aljane]()
Aljane Sent on 05/26/2023Stress Free Wedding at Cafe Julia
Wedding Review: Cafe Julia
I recently had the pleasure of hosting my wedding at Cafe Julia, and I must say it was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. The event manager, Elijah, did an outstanding job in ensuring that everything went smoothly and that all our needs were met. I couldn't have asked for a better person to oversee our special day.
One of the highlights of our wedding at Cafe Julia was undoubtedly the food. The culinary team did an exceptional job in preparing a delightful menu that left our guests raving about the flavors and presentation. From the appetizers to the main course and desserts, everything was delicious and exceeded our expectations. The attention to detail and the quality of the ingredients used truly made the dining experience memorable.
What made Cafe Julia stand out for us was the fact that everything we needed was provided for us. The venue itself was beautifully decorated, and the ambiance created a warm and inviting atmosphere for our guests. We didn't have to worry about sourcing additional decorations or equipment because everything was readily available. This ease of use made the planning process much smoother and allowed us to focus on enjoying our special day.
One of the biggest benefits of choosing Cafe Julia for our wedding was how it took all the stress off our shoulders. Elijah and his team were incredibly attentive and responsive, ensuring that every detail was taken care of. From coordinating with other vendors to managing the timeline of events, they were always one step ahead. This level of professionalism and dedication allowed us to relax and fully immerse ourselves in the celebration, knowing that we were in capable hands.
Overall, I cannot recommend Cafe Julia enough for anyone looking to host their wedding or any other special event. The exceptional food, the provision of everything needed, and the ability to alleviate the stress of planning made it a truly remarkable experience. Thank you, Cafe Julia, and especially Elijah, for making our wedding day a memorable and joyous occasion. -
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Richard Sent on 05/26/2023
Cafe Julia 100%
Wow! What can we not say about Cafe Julia!
Covid really ruined our time to get married. We had to postpone from 2020 to 2022. We decided around December of 2021 and looked at potential venues. We reached out to Cafe Julia and Elijah, the Banquet Manager got back to us real quick! We were able to do a site visit within the week and he explained everything to us and even gave us recommendations for potential wedding contractors like florist, DJ, dessert and even decorations! We were able to set the date that day and reserved for May 2022!
They have 3 different areas to offer depending on the size of your party. The outdoor Courtyard, the indoor Banquet Hall and the actual Cafe itself. We did our Ceremony on the Courtyard, had our cocktail hour in the Cafe, then the Reception back out on the courtyard. The Banquet hall was there just in case it rained.
For Catering, they literally did all of our food for us! We had the 2 Entree Buffet Style of course for 170 Guests. Their selection of food items were phoenomenal! We even had to do a prime rib carving station and sushi platters of course!
For the Bar, we decided to purchase all of our alcohol from Costco. They even held on to the extra alcohol for us until the next day. They also provided the bartender, barback, glassware, straws, napkins and a digital menu! If you don't want to purchase your own alcohol, they do provide that as well and have a pretty good selection.
For Supplies, they also provide everything! They have staff on hand to serve, bus, restock food and even a security! They provide all the tables, chairs, silverware, plates, napkins and even table numbers! Their staff will do all the heavy lifting which includes set up, breakdown and literally everything in between. It makes it such a huge relief to not have to worry about any of that on your special day.
For parking, there is street parking as well as a United States Post Office Meter Parking close by. We just got dropped off in front by a limo and plenty of people took an Uber. Our event was also on a Sunday, so parking was free!
We would highly recommend Cafe Julia for your wedding venue. They will definitely take all your stress away and have a high standard for catering towards their guests. You can even book them for any type of events whether it be birthdays, graduations, company parties or even a place to meet and greet! -
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Kea P. Sent on 10/24/2024
Hidden Gem of Downtown Honolulu
From our initial inquiry Elijah was extremely helpful in answering our questions and guiding us through the process. We did use an outside coordinator that worked with Elijah on day of scheduling and organization. They were very flexible and accommodating with our requests from the ceremony/reception floor plans to food options and guest entertainment areas. We highly recommend this hidden gem in downtown Honolulu. -
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