Best Bakery in Honolulu 2023
Travel the world by visiting the top 4 bakeries in Honolulu! (The diverse pastry flavors you must try.)
Being excited about our trip to Honolulu would be an understatement! My boyfriend gets very limited vacation time each summer – so I planned and researched this trip as much as possible.
Honolulu has a famous food scene, so I was particularly excited to satisfy my inner foodie!
My boyfriend and I love pastries and baked goods. To me, the ideal breakfast has a warm bun, and the perfect sweet snack is a cookie or a donut.
On this trip, we tried some wonderful bakeries, from familiar home favorites to new and flavorful options from around the world. We tried everything Honolulu had to offer.
On this list, you will find every option you are craving and some you didn’t know you couldn’t live without!
Let’s check out the best bakeries Honolulu has to offer based on freshness, variety, service, and overall tasty options.
#1. Leonard’s Bakery – The Most Famous Bakery for Malasadas
This place smells heavenly! You feel the strong urge to try everything as soon as you enter. They make pies, donuts, muffins, cupcakes, and cookies! But the thing to try is the malasadas (Portuguese donuts).
For those who haven’t tried them before (like me), this is a fluffy sugar-coated donut filled with all kinds of different fillings. You can order ahead of time for takeaway or stop by (if you do not have a specific order in mind).
We tried the custard, chocolate, and guava-flavored malasadas. All were super light and tasty. They are fresh and extremely well-baked. My boyfriend also had some chocolate macaroons and a chocolate chip cookie. The chocolate chip cookie was chewy and crumbly at the same time (yes, I ate most of it).
Asides from the main bakery, they have multiple bakery food trucks, so check out the location nearest to you.
We loved Leonard’s Bakery for its original baked goods and incredible flavor. Here’s why you will too:
- All the baked goods are fresh and full of flavor.
- There are many baked options, including traditional baked goods and their famous malasadas.
- You can order just about anything ahead of time, and it will be ready in an hour or so for pickup.
- They have many locations, which makes it convenient to grab on the go.
Address: 933 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816, United States
#2. Nanding’s Bakery – Best Filipino baked goods and pastries
This was such a memorable experience for me. Back home, we do not have many opportunities to try out Filipino baked goods. Everything I tried was fresh and flavorful.
The shop is not fancy, and there is limited parking. We parked a bit further and walked from there. The smell of baking goods reached me at the door, and I was hungry immediately.
The locals recommended this place, and we came for the Ube Pandesals (with cheese) and Spanish Rolls. But my favorite was the Balintawak (or Pan de Pula). It is a soft and sweet pastry filled with a red pudding-like mixture. Not only is it beautiful, but its taste is also unique and pleasing.
My boyfriend loved the Spanish rolls, which (I swear) just came out of the oven and were fluffy and buttery at the same time. They are hardy and filling.
All their baked goods can easily be made into a meal. We took some with us for our picnic (added a salad) and loved it.
It is a must-visit for all lovers of savory baked goods because:
- This authentic Filipino bakery has many creative sweet and salty baked goods.
- The staff is friendly and ready to explain their products to those not familiar (like me).
- Everything is fresh and fluffy as if it just came out of the oven.
- They can do large orders or grab some snacks to take on your hike.
Address: 918 Gulick Ave #1, Honolulu, HI 96819, United States
#3. Lee’s Bakery & Kitchen – Best Chinese Bakery in Honolulu
This is a small, unassuming Chinese bakery famous for its pies. The interior is not made for tourists, and there is nothing fancy. You can see a small display with baked goods like Hong Kong buns, apple donuts, custard Danishes, assorted cookies, and hotdogs in a bun.
Everything is clean, smells great, and is super fresh. The workers bring out new batches to fill up the displays only when they are almost all out. The bakery workers were kind, friendly, and willing to tell us about the food.
We came for the pies, so we bought a custard pie and a bag of almond cookies.
We ate the pie very quickly! It was fresh and rich smelling. The custard was smooth and not too sweet. The crust was crumbly and the right thickness (so I could add the right amount to each bite!)
The cookies had the perfect crunch and were delicious and crumbly. I regret not getting the peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies as well since the price was great.
Here’s why this is a worthwhile stop on your vacation:
- Everything is fresh and right out of the oven.
- The staff is friendly and informative about their products.
- The pies are extremely tasty and one of a kind for foodies to try.
Address: 125 N King St, Honolulu, HI 96817, United States
This trademark pineapple-shaped cookie is delicious and a great gift for friends. Walking into the Honolulu Cookie Company (any of their many locations) is similar to walking into a perfume shop. It is well-arranged elegant and beautiful to explore. We visited the shop in the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
I am a big fan of shortbread cookies. But these are some of the best I have ever had. I bought several Pineapple Window Box packages that come with 8 cookies each. The Mango Macadamia and Dark Triple Chocolate Macadamia were my favorites. They are very tender and crumbly as if they baked them fresh.
My boyfriend enjoyed the White Chocolate Coconut and Guava the most. They had a tasty fruity flavor.
For our family and friends, we also got some Pineapple Tins with 9 pieces each.
I would be excited to try some of the seasonal flavors in the future, like white chocolate pumpkin and Gold Chocolate Dipped Kona Coffee.
It is a great place to visit because:
- You can pick up some trademark pineapple cookie souvenirs for your friends.
- The shop is beautifully decorated and fun to explore, and the service is friendly.
- The shortbread cookies are high quality with original flavors and quality chocolate.
Address: 2005 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States
Conclusion on best bakeries in Honolulu
Honolulu, HI, known for its beaches and trails, also surprises visitors with its array of top bakeries. Liliha Bakery and Kamehameha Bakery rank high among the best pastries Honolulu offers. For those who love a fusion of flavors, Honolulu pastry shops bring in delights from Portugal and the Philippines alongside authentic Hawaiian bakery specialties.
Nene Goose Bakery is perfect for those craving blueberry scones, while Boulangerie Bakery offers delightful croissant sandwiches. Looking for a sweet treat? Dive into coco puffs with chantilly frosting from Pu’uwai Aloha Bakery. And don’t miss the banana bread with a hint of green tea at Elvin’s Bakery.
Nanding’s Bakery serves fresh bread Honolulu lovers rave about, and Leonard’s Bakery is the go-to for Portuguese donuts sprinkled with sugar and filled with chocolate. With so many Honolulu bakery reviews praising establishments like Honu Bakery, Brug Bakery, Otto Cake, and Ted’s Bakery, it’s clear that Honolulu gourmet baked goods are a must-try.
So, if you’re looking for the best pies in Honolulu, artisan bread on Oahu, or even the famed poi donuts and furikake focaccia, these bakeries won’t disappoint. Dive into the sweet treats of the city and enjoy every bite!
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is a coco puff in Hawaii?
A coco puff is a name given to a specific chocolate pastry in Hawaii. It’s a flaky golden pastry filled with a nougat or chocolate pudding-like filling. They are usually covered with some frosting, like vanilla or even coconut. They are served cold.
What pastry is Hawaii known for?
Hawaii has adopted the Malassadas as its iconic pastry. This Portuguese donut has evolved to suit the Hawaiian culture and taste. This rolled-in sugar donut is usually filled with different custards like chocolate and vanilla or fruit fillings like peach or apple.
Are Hawaii bakeries worth visiting?
Yes. Hawaii is a beautiful melting pot of cultures and flavors. This means that the bakeries are influenced by tastes and baking techniques from all over the world. When in Honolulu, make sure to visit some of the best bakeries influenced by Filipino, Portuguese, and Chinese baking traditions.
Last Updated on August 17, 2023 by Brigitte