The 5 Best Donuts Shops in Oahu

Aloha, fellow donut lovers!

I know what you’re thinking – who can resist a yummy donut? Trust me, my boyfriend and I totally get you. We’ve been on a quest to find the best donuts in Oahu, savoring one sweet treat at a time. This island has some hidden gems that will satisfy all your dessert cravings!

Now, even though there are plenty of popular chains around town, it’s the local bakeries that truly captured our taste buds with their unique offerings. From traditional Hawaiian malasadas (deep-fried dough coated in sugar) to confections topped with exotic flavors like haupia, lilikoi or filled with luscious pineapple and poi – we’ve tried ’em all!

I want to share our tasty journey with you so that you too can experience these drool-worthy creations during your next visit to this tropical paradise! You see, after countless hours spent researching and indulging in sugary goodness together, we have become quite the experts when it comes to finding “the one”.

Warning: Reading this article may cause sudden urges to book a flight (or drive) straight to Oahu for a delightful taste test!

Let’s embark on this lip-smacking adventure together as we uncover the ultimate list of must-try donut shops in Oahu. Are you ready? Let’s dive right into those heavenly treats!

What Will I Learn? show

PURVÉ Donut Stop

Those searching for nostalgic flavors and fluffy cake donuts need to stop by Purvé, which makes the best donuts in Oahu. They fry the donuts right after you order and serve them warm with a range of delicious toppings. 

Try their most popular flavors, such as Unicorn Butt Sneeze coated in Fruity Pebbles, the Hulk Smash with mint and Oreos, and the Na-Na-Nut Buster with Macadamia nuts and haupia glaze. Each flavor has perfectly balanced sweetness and the fluffiest dough with every bite. 

My boyfriend loves the spot-on flavors of the S’mores donut and the Lemon Glazed with Li Hing Mui (plum) powder that tastes like a bite of sweet heaven.

Don’t miss Purvé Bake Stop on your next trip to Honolulu, as they make the best donuts in Oahu. 

  • You can sample donuts from their ‘example’ counter before ordering. 
  • Their staff is friendly with children. 
  • You’ll get fresh donuts within minutes of ordering. 

Address: 1234 Kona St Find Ramp To Upstairs Parking Lot, Honolulu, Oahu. 

Leonard’s Bakery

Leonard’s Bakery is an all-time Oahu favorite for its range of freshly baked goods and malasadas. However, you’ll find the storefront locations packed with lines spilling on the street, so save yourself the wait and visit their food trucks, parked in all major shopping malls in Oahu. 

Their donuts are of the Hawaiian variety – malasadas made from Portuguese fried dough, coated with sugar or plum powder and filled with a range of delicious fillings. My boyfriend and I love the haupia-filled malasadas, but other fillings are also great, like custard, chocolate, macadamia nut, and a seasonal flavor of the month. 

You can also get a range of pastries, cupcakes, cookies, and savory bread from Leonard’s, all prepared fresh. 

Don’t miss Leonard’s Bakery for a piping hot malasada, as they’re one of the best donut shops in Oahu. 

  • You can take their items on your flight, and they stay fresh. 
  • Make sure to eat the malasadas hot for the best flavors. 
  • The prices at Leonard’s are reasonable so buy in bulk!

Address: 933 Kapahulu Ave Kalanianaole Hwy, Oahu.

Kamehameha Bakery

Small and unassuming from the outside, an Oahu institution for donuts on the inside, Kamehameha Bakery is a local gem serving freshly baked goods in Oahu since its opening in 1978. Their fame comes from the purple poi filling of their malasadas and other baked goods. 

The best part about Kamehameha Bakery is the lesser-known location that keeps it uncrowded, and you can get a warm donut or malasada within minutes of arriving. 

Order the malasadas with haupia or custard cream, which bursts with flavor and filling. Our favorite is the fluffy poi-filled donut and plain glazed donut, which taste best when warm so eat them on the spot. 

You’ll love the lively feeling of Kamehameha Bakery, and their terrific malasadas make theirs the best donuts in Oahu. 

  • They also have tasty apple fritters, chantilly rolls, and taro rolls on the menu.
  • Service is quick and efficient here. 
  • The bakery is in an industrial area, so you’ll find great eateries nearby.

Address: 1284 Kalani St, D106 City Square Shopping Center, Honolulu, Oahu.

Liliha Bakery 

Oahu is flooded with age-old bakeries, and Liliha Bakery is one of the best. Running for 65 years, Liliha serves the best of everything, breakfast, brunch, baked goods, piping hot malasadas, and donuts. In addition, they have shops around the island, so you can always find a Liliha Bakery nearby in Oahu.

They serve a range of local and traditional favorites like lilikoi and haupia-filled malasadas, poi-flavored mochi, flaky and buttery croissant donuts, and cocoa puffs with matcha and custard fillings. 

We’ve tried the whole range of sweets from their menu, and the flavored donuts and cocoa puffs are unmatched – fresh, soft and bursting with fillings. 

So don’t miss a stop at Liliha Bakery when you’re in Honolulu, as they make the best donuts on Oahu. 

  • Liliha Bakery’s breakfasts are a must-try, serving local and American fare.
  • Despite the morning crowds, their quick waitstaff clears a table for newcomers soon.
  • Their baked goods have reasonable prices.

Address: 515 N Kuakini St, Honolulu, Oahu.

Regal Bakery

Regal Bakery sets the standard high for Oahu’s sweet shops, as it’s an all-day bakery, lunch, and dinner place with multiple locations around the island. You’ll find terrific yeast and cake donuts at Regal, with an eclectic mix of flavors. 

The matcha, POG, and bavarian-glazed cronuts are some of their best, but it’s the creme brulee and maple bacon donuts you can’t miss, topped with crispy bacon and crystallized sugar. 

Also try their flavor of the month donut, which features a seasonal fruit combination like honeydew, pineapple, or passion fruit.

Make sure to stop by Regal Bakery if you’re in Honolulu’s Chinatown, as they’re one of the best donut shops in Oahu. 

  • Their donuts are large and fill you up. 
  • The donuts are insta-worthy, so you’ll get both flavor and looks.  
  • They also have great coffees that pair well with the donuts.

Address: 3040 Ualena St, Honolulu, Oahu.

Wrap-Up: The Best Donuts in Oahu

As crowds of families with younger children come to Oahu each year, they can satisfy their sweet tooths with the terrific bakeries and sweet shops filling the island. In addition, you can get your dessert fix sorted from the best donuts, and malasadas with irresistible fillings and toppings like chocolate, haupia, matcha, lilikoi, and many more, in the best donut shops in Oahu. 

Head to Leonard’s, Liliha and Kamehameha Bakeries for the best Hawaiian malasadas.

Don’t miss Purve Donut Stop and Regal Bakery for delicious and fluffy donuts. 

The best donuts in Oahu guarantee a sugar rush!

Last Updated on March 28, 2023 by Brigitte