Malasadas are Portuguese donuts with no hole, fried until golden and rolled in sugar. Portuguese immigrants brought them to Hawaii in the late 1800s, and today they are a beloved island treat.
From family bakeries that have been around for decades to newer spots serving creative flavors, these shops keep the tradition alive. Here are eight places across Hawaii where locals happily wait in line for a warm bag of these sweet, pillowy donuts.
1. Leonard’s Bakery, Honolulu, Oahu
Ask almost anyone in Honolulu where to get malasadas and Leonard’s Bakery is the name that comes up first. Open since 1952 on Kapahulu Avenue, it is often credited with popularizing malasadas across the islands.
The classic version comes plain and rolled in granulated sugar, but the shop also fills them with flavors like custard, chocolate, and haupia, which is a coconut cream.
The retro pink building and vintage neon sign have become a landmark in their own right. Leonard’s also runs mobile trucks called Malasadamobiles around Oahu, so you can catch the treats in different neighborhoods.
Weekends bring long lines, but the shop moves quickly. I like this stop because the donuts are made fresh throughout the day, so a warm one is almost always within reach.
2. Champion Malasadas, Honolulu, Oahu
Family run and proud of it, Champion Malasadas has been serving the Honolulu community for decades from its spot on Beretania Street.
The shop keeps things simple and traditional, focusing on fresh, hot malasadas rolled in sugar. You can also get filled options like custard and other cream flavors.
Champion is a favorite for people who want their donuts made to order rather than sitting on a shelf. Because they fry in batches, the line tends to move steadily.
I would save this one for an early morning stop, since fresh batches come out through the day and the parking situation is easier before the crowds arrive. It is a solid pick if you want the classic taste without the tourist scene.
3. Tex Drive In, Honokaa, Big Island
Road trippers heading toward the Hamakua Coast know to stop at Tex Drive In in Honokaa. It has been a fixture on the Big Island since 1969.
What sets Tex apart is its wide variety of malasada fillings, including tropical flavors like pineapple, guava, and coconut cream, alongside chocolate and custard.
The restaurant is a full drive-in with plate lunches and local favorites, so you can grab a meal and dessert in one stop. You can even order malasadas plain if you like the classic version.
The location makes it a natural break on the drive between Hilo and Waimea. For anyone circling the Big Island, this is the kind of place worth planning your route around.
4. Kamehameha Bakery, Honolulu, Oahu
Purple malasadas are not something you see every day, and that is exactly why Kamehameha Bakery has a devoted following in Kalihi.
The shop is known for its poi glazed malasadas, which get their color and flavor from taro. It is a local twist that gives the classic donut a distinctly Hawaiian character.
Kamehameha Bakery opens early and is popular with people grabbing treats on the way to work. The malasadas here are light and coated in sugar, with the poi glaze being the standout order.
Because the bakery is a working neighborhood spot, prices stay reasonable and the pastries move fast. If you want a malasada that feels different from the standard sugar-dusted version, this is the place to try.
5. Punalu’u Bake Shop, Naalehu, Big Island
Billed as the southernmost bakery in the United States, Punalu’u Bake Shop sits in Naalehu on the Big Island and draws a steady stream of curious visitors.
Beyond its famous sweet bread, the shop turns out fresh malasadas in flavors like tropical fruit fillings and plain sugar-coated classics.
The property includes gardens and outdoor seating, which makes it an easy place to rest during a long drive around the island. There is no admission to walk the grounds and browse.
The southern tip of the Big Island can feel remote, so a bakery stop here is a welcome one. Between the location claim and the fresh baked goods, it is a fun detour with a story attached.
6. Home Maid Bakery, Wailuku, Maui
Maui has its own malasada champion in Home Maid Bakery, a Wailuku institution that has served the community for generations.
The bakery is well known for its malasadas and manju, and the donuts are a go-to order for locals stocking up for family gatherings.
Home Maid keeps the classics front and center, with sugar-coated malasadas and filled varieties available. It is a practical, no-frills bakery where the baked goods do the talking.
For anyone exploring central Maui, this stop fits neatly into a day of errands or sightseeing around Wailuku and Kahului. It is the sort of neighborhood bakery that has earned its regulars the honest way, one fresh batch at a time.
7. Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop, Kailua, Oahu
Windward Oahu has its own reliable malasada source in Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop, located in the heart of Kailua town.
The bakery leans into its Portuguese roots and serves malasadas fresh, along with Portuguese sweet bread and other pastries.
Its Kailua location makes it an easy add-on to a beach day, since Kailua Beach is nearby. You can grab a bag of donuts before or after time in the sand.
Agnes keeps a homey, small-shop feel, and the malasadas are made in the traditional style. I would pair this stop with a walk around Kailua’s shops for a relaxed morning on the windward side.
8. Kaka’ako Kitchen area shops, Honolulu, Oahu
Honolulu’s Kaka’ako neighborhood has grown into a hub for food vendors, and malasadas have found a home among its markets and eateries.
Several shops and pop-ups in the area serve fresh, sugar-dusted malasadas, often alongside coffee and other local treats. The concentration of food spots makes it easy to sample and compare.
Kaka’ako is walkable and full of murals and shops, so a malasada stop pairs well with an afternoon of exploring. Weekend farmers markets in the area are a good place to find freshly fried donuts.
For visitors who want variety in one trip, this neighborhood offers a modern take on the malasada scene. It is a fitting way to round out a list that shows how this Portuguese donut has spread across the islands and stayed a local favorite.
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