O‘ahu’s Tastiest Sweet Treats—and Where to Find Them
The islands of Hawai‘i are heavily impacted and ravaged by overtourism and gentrification. Many indigenous-led organizations have called for tourists and wannabe residents to stop coming altogether. We urge you to heed this call. That said, we know that the harmful effects of tourism won’t end overnight, and we have done our best to sum up our learnings and follow the lead of native communities upon whose land we visit, as well as ways we try to practice antiracism during our travels. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
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- Our Values
- Top Recommended Sweet Treats
- Honorable Mentions
- Places You Can Skip
- Wishlist for our Next Visit
Our Values
Our favorite sweet treat vendors share these characteristics:
- As you might be able to discern from my recommendations, my ideal dessert is bready and not too sweet. Let my child’s palate guide those of you with more of a sweet tooth
- Outdoor seating or takeout available
- Is casual enough of an atmosphere for our family not to feel to constricted
- Locally owned, preferably by BIPOC folks
O‘ahu and the Kingdom of Hawai‘i are stolen and occupied lands of the Native Hawaiian people.
Top Recommended Sweet Treats for the Whole Family
Matsumoto Shave Ice, Haleiwa
$5-$10/person Yes, it’s a tourist trap. But you know we wouldn’t be recommending a tourist trap unless it’s a good one! Matsumoto is family-owned and has been in operation since 1951, so it’s an institution! Our favorite item on the menu is the Ichiban Special, which comes with the typical shave ice, plus ice cream, mochi, azuki beans, and an edible wafer bowl to cut the sweet. Delicious! Prepare yourself to be tempted by all the cute t-shirts (which come in everyone’s size) and other souvenirs.
Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha, ʻĀina Haina (Honolulu)
($4-$10/person) Our friends who are O‘ahu residents could not rave enough about this place, and it’s easy to see why; unlike other shave ice spots that use artificially flavored syrups, Uncle Clay’s makes fresh fruit-based syrups in-house for all their shave ice needs. According to their website, they use “no artificial flavors, no artificial sweeteners, no artificial colors, no artificial anything!” Our four-year-old enjoyed the combination of mango and strawberry flavors, with the added bonus of mochi pieces and fresh fruit.Top it off with a scoop of ice cream, and you’re set. Strawberry/mango combo with mochi from Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha. A half dozen malasadas from Pipeline Bakeshop are called a half-pipe, teehee!
Lemon Chiffon Cake at The Alley, ʻAiea
$5-$10/person You may not believe me when I say that one of the yummiest chiffon cakes I’ve ever tasted is from a bowling alley, but The Alley (also on our top restaurants list) will make you a believer. Their Lemon Crunch Chiffon Cake is a crowd-favorite—fluffy, not too sweet, and with a pop of citrus flavor.
Chocolate Haupia Pie at Ted’s Bakery, various locations
$5-$15/person Of all desserts, I think pie and sweet breads are my favorites, and Ted’s certainly takes the…pie? Ted’s serves a number of pie flavors via various grocery stores and distributors (unfortunately, they closed their North Shore bakery during the COVID-19 pandemic). My all-time favorite is their chocolate haupia pie, which features a layer of haupia (Hawaiian coconut pudding) atop chocolate pie filling. Last time we visited I even brought a pie back to the mainland just so I could keep eating it!
Malasadas
High Tea at Moana Surfrider, Waikiki
$65/adult; $25/child Colonial origins notwithstanding (perhaps something to cover in a future post…), the afternoon tea service on the veranda of this beautiful beachside hotel can feel like such a treat. Plus, unlike other high tea experiences, the Surfrider offers a uniquely island-style menu with tropical flavors like passion fruit curd and haupia roll cake. Of course, it comes with a hefty price tag, but thankfully we were able to save some cash when we opted not to order our kid her own set of tea, instead sharing the two adult tea services between the three of us. Even then it was plenty to eat, perhaps even too much, in fact… Note that afternoon tea is only served on the weekends, between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. Be sure to make a reservation in advance!
Croissants and kouign-amanns at Kona Coffee Purveyors, Waikiki
$5-$15/person Honestly? I would go to Kona Coffee Purveyors/bpatisserie every day if I could. Delicious espresso drinks paired with buttery pastries made with island flavors? Yes, please! I was tempted to get one of each pastry (especially after standing in their long line to order), but thankfully I was able to pace myself and managed to only walk away with only five of them Our favorites were the kouign-ammans (both the guava and black sesame, ~$5 each), as well as the chocolate banana almond croissant (which is also available at bpatisserie’s San Francisco location). The coffee-nerd in me loved watching the baristas at work in this very popular coffee chain/bakery. Be sure to dine in on the patio so you can savor every sip your coffee in a lovely mug.
Leonard’s Bakery, various locations
$2-$10/person Leonard’s, circa 1952, is the most iconic malasada-maker on the island, complete with its pink boxes and retro neon signs. We like Leonard’s because it’s fairly accessible with locations all around the island, plus their malasadas are pillowy-soft and doughy perfection. I personally like getting the plain sugared malasada, but they also offer li hing mui and cinnamon coatings. My four-year-old can finish almost an entire one on her own! I find that the filled malasadas are a little too heavy for my tastes.
Pipeline Bakeshop, Kaimuki (Honolulu)
$2-$5/person Another popular option for malasadas is Pipeline Bakeshop. Our friend described their malasadas as the less-greasy version of Leonard’s, and I would have to agree. Pipeline’s malasadas are also more brioche-y than Leonard’s, and seem to have more of a delicious yeasty smell as a result. Pipeline also offers much more baked goods than just malasadas–our kid’s favorite was the Fruity Pebbles-covered cookie!
Ice Cream
Kalo Bombs, Wai‘anae
$5-$15/person This Hawaiian family-owned shop offers unique sweet treats featuring their star ingredient, kalo (taro), which is locally sourced. Their namesake, the kalo bomb ($8), includes their made-fresh-daily paʻiʻai (pounded taro), topped with coconut cream and coconut flakes. Upgrade your kalo bomb with your choice of ice cream (+$4). My kid and I loved visiting Kalo Bombs so much that we took some fresh paʻiʻai (sold by the quarter-pound) home with us to keep the party going!
Magnolia Ice Cream & Treats, various locations
$5-$18/person Pilipinx-owned Magnolia, the quintessential maker of Philippine-inspired ice creams, serves up sweet treats at their various scoop shops on the island (and on the mainland, for that matter). Get the Mahalo-Halo (get it?!)—the quintessential dessert of the Philippines that has a mix of ice cream, fruits, and sweet beans with crushed ice. Or, opt for halo-halo in good ol’ ice cream form! Our other favorite flavors are ube, mango, and boba.
Double Fat Ice Cream, Waikiki
$5-$10/person Double Fat Ice Cream is a literal hidden gem, tucked away on Kealohilani Avenue and up what feels like a loading dock ramp. We were navigating in the evening and definitely missed it, and even the kind folks at ‘Alohilani Resort—of which Double Fat is a part—had a tough time helping us find our way. But fear not, this story has a happy ending in the form of Double Fat’s Crack Seed Delight sundae ($9), complete with strawberry and sweet cream ice creams topped with li hing mui powder, mochi rice crackers, condensed milk, and whipped cream. The sprinkles were added by special request. Be sure to try their other small batch seasonal flavors!
Final Thoughts
Every trip has its highlights, surprises, and lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re exploring a new city, relaxing in nature, or discovering local attractions, the memories you create together are what make the experience truly special.
Traveling with kids may require a little extra planning and flexibility, but seeing a destination through their eyes often makes the journey even more rewarding. From favorite activities to unexpected moments, every adventure becomes part of your family’s story.
No matter where your travels take you next, embrace the experience, enjoy the small moments, and make time for the things that matter most—being together and creating lasting memories.
Have you visited this destination? What was your favorite part of the trip?Share in the comments below.
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