Chocolate Gecko Espresso

This is a tough review, as the coffee itself was epic, but the service not so much.
First off, I’m not sure how a coffee shop can not open until 10, I mean I know the North Shore is pretty chill and most people don’t get going until then, but it’s coffee people use this to wake up.
We had driven by this a few times and was never open, after really wanting a chai latte and the Coffee Gallery having a ridiculous line we were just going to head back to our cottage, when I noticed the open sign was on. I quickly popped in, and there was no line. I asked for organic milk, which they didn’t have, she offered me soy, which I can’t drink, after a super long pause and her looking very confused I asked what other types of milk they had. I went with fat free, as I can usually handle it. As mentioned the chai latte, was so good! One of the best I’ve had for a while. And the price was super cheap (well from what I’m used to). If you want an afternoon coffee, check it out. Prepare for it to not be open though.

After a lunch at the North Shore Marketplace, I went to Café Gallery to get a coffee, but when I saw the crowd I decided that I should try somewhere else along the road. So when I saw «Chocolate Gecko Espresso», I stopped. I didn’t regret my decision. That place is awesome, I love the way it’s setup and the lady that owns the place is very nice and you can tell she is passionate about coffee and chocolate!!.
Oh, and yeah, great coffee, made right with the right machine. I tried a couple of the chocolates too, excellent!

So after having lunch at Café Haleiwa we strolled over to this cute little chocolate store for dessert.
Not only do they have delicious chocolates at $ 1/​piece, they also had cute shell jewelry and lua clubs. It’s a bit disorganized but they did have some cute stuff.
The chocolates were well worth the price. I’m a dark chocolate or white chocolate fan. No milk Chocolate for me. Every piece that I had was amazing. Not too sweet and not too rich. Just the right touch to satisfy the sweet tooth.
Will be back to get some coffee.

Awesome chocolate! Staff extremely friendly!!!
We never miss an opportunity to visit and get coffee and chocolates!

Cute little coffee, chocolate place across the street from Mickey D’s.
The lady that owns the shop is really nice. She was making chocolate when I walked in.
Ordered the richest chai tea latte I’ve ever had, and some yummy chocolate macadamia nut balls.

Went there around noon on a Monday. They had little bags of macadamia nuts covered in Kona coffee-​flavored dark chocolate for $ 2.50. The chocolate was rich, with just a hint of coffee and a wonderful fruity aftertaste. Their truffles weren’t bad either.

This place is one of those shops that makes the North Shore so special. Great coffee, great chocolate, all hand-​made and local. The service is fantastic, the hours are quirky (eh, its North Shore), the prices are fair, and the quality is superb! Chocolate Gecko is a new must-​have when we go up to the North Shore for a weekend retreat!

I never heard of the Chocolate Gecko until one of my co-​workers said, «hey let’s go to the Chocolate Gecko!» and I said «OK» — and after that I was hooked… IF I am lucky enough to find them open. It’s always a gamble. Flip a coin. that’s about as good as your guess. Either that, or call ahead.
The Gecko doesn’t have regular hours. At first, I thought the sign in the window was a big joke «Hawaiian Time» hours: Open on some days from 9 or 10, sometimes 11, mostly 12 or 1. Close 5 or 6, sometimes 4, mostly 2 or 3. Closed for big surf, luaus, no like work. My co-​worker insisted this was truly the case. I told her the sign in the window was a joke — it had to be! How can you run a business like that… however it turned out that THIS WAS NOT A JOKE. Of course, the sign is not exactly the one in the window, because finding a pic of the Chocolate Gecko or their work schedule on the web was almost impossible. I never seem to have my camera handy when they are open (or closed).
Drove by one day at 12:15 PM on a Tuesday, they were closed. Drove by again at 12:40 PM and they were open (same day). Drove by on a Sunday at 2 PM they were closed (my son actually cried because he wanted a chocolate smoothie and they were closed… ugh…Matsumoto’s here we come). Drove by on a Monday at 11:45, they were open… SCORE!
If you are lucky enough to find them actually open for business, you’ll find the small home-​like store a chocolate lovers delight. The chocolates in the refrigerated chrome and glass cases show off dainty puffy truffles, chocolate ingots, chocolate-​covered fruit, tiny chocolate sculptures of tea pots and yes… even the celebrated gecko. The owners will offer you samples of different blends of chocolate grown right in Waialua… milk-​chocolate blend all the way up to 72% dark chocolate. Amazing!
Most of my co-​workers come for the smoothies primarily and the chocolates second (I am the other way around). I always get the piña colada smoothie but there are several different flavors to choose from. The smoothie even comes with whipped crème. Yum! A pretty decent sized smoothie will cost about $ 3.85…what a deal!
My favorite part is walking out with a smoothie in one hand and a bag of dark Waialua chocolate truffles in the other hand (about $ 10.00 and worth every penny)…it’s sheer utter superbness! Dark yummy chocolatey velvety goodness with a smooth silky mouthfeel of perfectly blended bitterness smothered with sweet cocoa powder that slides around in your mouth like a penguin on ice!!! If you are depressed, I seriously recommend this treatment; it will raise your endorphins several levels to make you temporarily forget your woes.
Chocolate Gecko also has some unique gifts like stained glass turtle art, shell jewelry, Hawaiian pictures, lotions and soaps… so if you want to do your one-​stop-​shop of chocolates, smoothies and grab an antique Hawaiian shark-​tooth club, you can get it here. I don’t believe the Kahilis are for sale, though.
I would have given this place a solid five-​star for their friendly service, excellent smoothies and their amazing chocolate truffles but that’s only if they kept regular hours… perhaps them not keeping their hours is a part of their charm; I suppose it also helps, otherwise I’d be several pounds heavier.
Tips = Call first! (808) 637‑9104, park next door at where the Shrimp and Thai food trucks are… easier than trying to back out of the Chocolate Gecko parking lot, its tiny. Empty your bladder before you go — they don’t have public restroom or use the MacDonald’s toilet across the street. And lastly, do not promise your six-​year old that he’ll get some lovely chocolately treats unless you drive up and confirm that the store is actually open.