Hawaii is known for its embrace of food across also aspects of culture and this includes never skipping an opportunity for dessert. From classic island dishes like shave ice to indulgent dishes such as soufflé pancakes, every day in Waikiki is extra, extra sweet.
With so many options, it is hard to know where to start. Our master list of Waikiki’s best sweet treats below, but outside of this list, we do highly recommend taking advantage of Hawaii’s thriving Yelp culture, where locals and tourists alike pool their thoughts and opinions on the latest and greatest.
Leonard’s Bakery
With features in the likes of Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, and on the Instagrams of locals and travelers alike, Leonard’s is no hidden secret. Since it opened its doors in 1952 the bakery has been an iconic staple of Waikiki, serving up fresh, hot made-to-order malasadas each morning. A malasada is a Portuguese doughnut without a hole. Done right (and at Leonard’s, they’re done perfectly), malasadas are hot hole-less doughnuts with a more flavorful, almost chewy dough. You cannot go wrong with their original, cinnamon sugar, or Li Hing flavors, but for adventurous travelers, the Instagram is always posting new limited-time flavors. Depending on timing, one might get to indulge in an ube malasada or even a pumpkin spice malasada.
Leonard's Bakery is open every day from 5:30 am to 7:00 pm
Cream Pot
Japanese soufflé pancakes start with the same ingredients as American varieties — namely, eggs, flour and milk — but they tower above traditional diner versions thanks to the addition of extra egg whites. Stacked high on a plate, they look magnificent and leave diners in awe as they cut into them and experience their fluffy, souffle-style interior. Though some point to Japan as the originator of this style of pancake, the owners of Cream Pot proudly declare that they are the original conceptors of this trendy dessert.
At Cream Pot’s quaint country-style restaurant, diners can enjoy The Original Soufflé Pancakes, where they can cut into pillows of sweet goodness in varietals such as mixed berry, pumpkin, double raspberry, clementine, and blueberry compote with lemon custard.
Cream Pot is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but is open all other days from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Liliha Bakery
Liliha Bakery is an iconic Waikiki staple since 1950, now best known for its famous Coco Puffs: chocolate cream puffs slathered in Liliha's famous Chantilly frosting. These sweet treats provide a unique balance of sweet and salty, perfect for any time of day. The bakery is a must-visit, boasting a lineup of more than 150 different types of fresh, made-from-scratch pastries, cakes and pies. Beyond the classic Coco Puffs, fan favorites include the poi mochi doughnuts, Chantilly cake, apple turnovers, and Jell-O cream squares.
The bakery has three locations within the heart of Waikiki, all of which are busy and sell out of most pastry items each day. In addition to their pastry selection, Liliha Bakery does offer a nice selection of classic Hawaiian savory dishes as well, including Loco Moco, Mac Salad and more.
Liliha Bakery is open every day from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm