Honolulu’s Top 5 Malassada Bakeries Ranked

Malassadas, those hot, golden, puffed delights, are among Honolulu’s most cherished treats. These sweet, round pastries can be as small as a palm or as large as your hand. Traditionally coated in granulated sugar, they are also often served with flavored sugars or various fillings. The texture can vary from dense to airy, and from slightly moist to quite dry, catering to diverse preferences.

Malassadas, richer than typical doughnuts, were introduced to Hawai‘i in the 19th century by Portuguese immigrants from the Azores and Madeira. Originally a breakfast item, these doughnuts are now enjoyed throughout the day, with many bakeries staying open for them as an afternoon treat or dessert. Honolulu boasts a variety of malassada shops, from classic to innovative, perfect for a tasty tour.

About food crawls: whether it’s sampling tacos in Austin, pizza in New Haven, or ice cream in NYC, planning is crucial. Focus on one type of food, aim for quality, and if possible, go with a local or knowledgeable guide.

Dinogo’s sweets enthusiast Kathy YL Chan led me on a comprehensive, daylong malassada tour across Honolulu. Each stop offered a distinct experience, ranging from tourist favorites to classic establishments and trendy newcomers.

Whether you’re embarking on a malassada tour or just picking one bakery to visit, here’s what you need to know:

The Gold Standard: Leonard’s Bakery

Since 1952, Leonard’s Bakery has been a top destination for malassadas in Hawai‘i, featuring a prominent retro sign and a crowd of eager photographers. The long lines and busy atmosphere only add to its charm. Leonard’s success lies in its high turnover, ensuring each malassada is freshly fried and consistently delicious.

Among the five malassadas from Leonard’s famous pink box, my favorite was the classic unfilled version dusted with cinnamon sugar. It perfectly highlighted the warm, sweet dough and cinnamon flavor, even if it made a bit of a mess. While the haupia (coconut) and do (chocolate) fillings were tasty, the true allure of Leonard’s malassadas lies in the light, freshly fried dough. 933 Kapahulu Avenue

The New Trendsetter: Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery

Launched by a former Leonard’s employee last September, Pipeline Bakeshop is the fresh face in town. Located in the quaint Kaimukī area, this sweet café offers a refined malassada experience. Pipeline fries its malassadas to order and stands out by not offering any fillings. Instead, they come coated in options like white sugar, cocoa sugar, coffee sugar, or li hing (salty dried plum) sugar.

Mimi Mendoza, pastry chef at Senia and Dinogo Young Gun, swears by Pipeline for its ‘super fluffy and crispy’ malassadas. Her praise is spot on. Among the denser malassadas I tried, Pipeline’s are the benchmark — slightly drier than Leonard’s but still light and airy. I enjoyed the classic white sugar and the zesty li hing, which also adds a vibrant pink color.

These malassadas are hefty and have more of a baked good feel rather than just a fried doughnut. For those looking to explore, Pipeline also offers creative variations like malassada bread pudding and the Malamode, a malassada stuffed with ice cream.

Crawl tip: For malassadas that hold up well for later enjoyment or as a gift, go to Pipeline. My partially eaten malassadas stayed fresh and intact hours after purchase. 3632 Wai’alae Avenue

Top Pick for Fillings: Liliha Bakery

Liliha Bakery is renowned for its iconic coco puffs—choux pastries filled with chocolate pudding and topped with chantilly cream. However, their haupia-filled malassadas are a true gem. The haupia filling is decadently rich and coconutty, and the larger size of the malassadas ensures a generous serving. While plain malassadas aren’t on the menu, the haupia filling is so delightful it more than makes up for it. I only regret not trying the liliko‘i (passion fruit) malassada as well.

These malassadas are coated in powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar, making them reminiscent of classic filled doughnuts from the Mainland. The haupia filling is luxuriantly thick, rich in coconut flavor, and surprisingly elegant. The large size of Liliha’s malassadas allows for a hearty portion of haupia. Although plain malassadas are not available, the haupia filling is exceptional. My only regret was not sampling the liliko‘i (passion fruit) malassada as well.

When planning your crawl route, remember that the new spot for Liliha Bakery not only features a bathroom but also boasts a spacious, clean one—a rare find at bakeries but crucial for staying hydrated under the Honolulu sun. Make sure to factor this in. 580 N. Nimitz Highway

The Instagram gem: Kamehameha Bakery

Kamehameha Bakery is renowned for its poi-glazed donuts, inspired by the traditional Hawaiian taro root paste. These fried treats have a distinct purple hue that becomes visible when you bite into them. Although Kamehameha doesn’t fry to order, the resilient dough is impressive.

For the ultimate Instagram-worthy shot, try the daily malassada specials. While the orange and strawberry varieties had a chemical taste, their vivid colors make for stunning photos. (Sending a pic of these neon pastries to friends garnered many “wow” reactions.)

Insider tip for malassada enthusiasts: swing by Thắng’s French Coffee & Bubble Tea across the parking lot for a refreshing avocado smoothie or another green smoothie to balance out all the dough. 1284 Kalani Street

Top Atmosphere: Zippy’s

Before visiting Zippy’s in Makiki, Kathy shared that this popular chain is adored for its affordable local comfort food and serves as a gathering spot for grandparents. The bright and cheerful dining area was filled with the pleasant hum of conversation from the retirees Kathy had mentioned.

Once, malassadas were only available at Zippy’s locations with a Napoleon’s Bakery, which led to some confusion. Now, however, the chain fries malassadas to order at all their locations. These treats are served plain or with cinnamon sugar, hot, and wonderfully light. Though they are slightly smaller than at other spots, you get three per order.

Zippy’s is a must-visit spot to truly grasp the essence of Hawai‘i. Don’t leave without trying a malassada. 1222 S. King Street

Hillary Dixler Canavan serves as a senior editor at Dinogo.Special appreciation to Kathy YL Chan