I recently heard about a new coffee spot specializing in Hawaiian cold brew, which sounded unique from what other Norfolk coffee shops offer. While new coffee shops, cold brew coffee, and all things Hawaii are topics that pique my interest, this culmination into one spot was a no-brainer to try.

When I first stepped into Voyager, located next door to Elation Brewing on North Colley, I was welcomed with the sensation of Hawaii meets cozy coffee shop. Friendly faces working behind the counter greeted me as I took it all in, and a relaxed atmosphere that perfectly blended notes of Hawaii with the warmth of a coffee shop invited me to sit and stay a while.

The Hawaiian Coffee Craft

It took me a while to decide what to order since the vast array of Hawaiian coffee options on the menu sounded tasty. I finally settled on the Koko Head, a medium-dark roast named after an insanely steep hike on the island of Oahu. This coffee lived up to its name, providing a taste bud journey that was bold, steep, and exciting, with a relaxed finish at the end of each sip.

While Voyager’s high-caliber cold brew coffee doesn’t need any extra bells or whistles, I can’t wait to head back to try some of their new summertime lattes. The Lanikai Latte, named after the pristine Lanikai Beach that Kailua locals frequent, has hints of warm macadamia nut and toasted coconut. The Flower Power Latte combines notes of lavender and hibiscus for a relaxed and refreshing floral combination, perfectly embodying the Hawaiian atmosphere.

No trip to a coffee shop is complete without a tasty snack, so I tried an apricot pop-tart handmade from The Bakehouse at Chelsea. This sweet and flakey pastry was the perfect balance to enjoy with a bold Koko Head cold brew.

Voyager was also the first stop for me on the Coastal Coffee Trail, where select coffee shops in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake are participating through August 15th. Coffee enthusiasts can pick up a punch card at any location, and those who visit all 12 shops will receive a special prize!

This Cold Brew’s Been Around the Block

While this veteran-owned and operated business just opened its storefront in February, Voyager has mastered 100% Hawaiian single-origin coffee since March of 2021. They started their craft coffee journey with nitro cold brew from the tap and canned cold brew at farmers’ markets around Hampton Roads. When locals couldn’t get enough of Voyager’s cold brew, they decided to make it more official with their brick-and-mortar shop that patrons can rely on for their morning cup of coffee with a touch of the tropics. Don’t worry, though; Voyager still shares their specialty cold brew coffee at farmers’ markets each week. To find out where they’ll be next, keep an eye on their Instagram and Facebook pages.

Tiffany Frazier

Ghent, NFK

Tiffany grew up in Chesapeake but has called Norfolk home for the past seven years. She fell in love with the city while working with Festevents during college summer breaks. She graduated from James Madison University (Go Dukes!) with a degree in corporate communication. Tiffany now works as a digital marketing specialist and enjoys strolling and rollerblading her way around Norfolk. She lives in Ghent with her husband Trevor, and their two cats, Tux and Joe.