Leonard's Bakery at 933 Kapahulu Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii, is the city's best-known malasada shop and a fixture of the Kapahulu neighborhood, a short drive or bus ride from Waikiki. The business dates to 1952 and descends from the Portuguese immigrant baking tradition that arrived with plantation workers in the 19th century. The malasada, a yeast-raised fried dough rolled in sugar, has since become one of the most emblematic pastries in the Hawaiian Islands, and Leonard's is the name most closely associated with it.
The core of the menu is the classic malasada, served hot and rolled in granulated sugar, with cinnamon sugar as a popular variation. Filled versions, often called malasada puffs, rotate by day and have included haupia (coconut pudding), custard-style fillings and flavored options such as li hing mui, a salty-sweet dried plum powder that is a strong local flavor. Because fillings change, visitors often ask at the counter what is available that day. The bakery also sells other baked goods, but the malasadas are the reason most people come.
The room is a counter-service bakery rather than a restaurant. There is no formal seating program, no dress code and no wine or beverage list beyond coffee and soft drinks. Customers queue, order from the counter and pay at the register, then usually eat the pastries immediately outside or in a car, since malasadas are best while still warm. The atmosphere is brisk and sugar-scented, with a mix of residents picking up boxes by the dozen and visitors making a first stop on a food-focused day.
Reservations are not taken and are not needed, but lines form on weekends and at mid-morning, and popular fillings can sell out later in the day. Prices are modest, generally a few dollars per pastry, which keeps a full order at roughly US$2-6 per person for a sample. Hours typically begin early in the morning and run into the evening, though listings vary and should be confirmed before visiting. Kapahulu Avenue is also home to other casual local eateries and is close to the Waikiki end of Diamond Head Road, so the stop combines easily with a walk or beach day in the area.
| Price | $ (about $2-6 per person; US$2-6) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily, typically from 5:30am until early evening; hours vary by listing, confirm before visiting |
| Reservations | Walk-ins only; no reservations taken; pay at the counter, expect a line on weekends |
| Address | 933 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816 |
Signature dishes
- malasadas (plain, cinnamon sugar, filled)
- haupia malasada puffs
- li hing mui malasada
Good to know
- Known for
- Portuguese fried-dough malasadas since 1952; filled versions rotate by day
Location
933 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
21.2744, -157.8120 View on map
Highlights
- Classic sugar-rolled malasadas made in Kapahulu since 1952
- Rotating filled malasada puffs, including haupia and li hing mui varieties
- Cinnamon sugar option alongside the traditional plain version
- Inexpensive counter-service treat close to Waikiki and Diamond Head
Tips for visiting
- Order malasadas by the half-dozen or dozen if sharing; singles are cheap but the line is the same length.
- Arrive early in the morning on weekends to avoid the longest queue and sold-out fillings.
- Eat the pastries while still warm; they lose their texture quickly once cooled.
- Ask at the counter which filled puffs are available that day, since flavors rotate.
- Bring cash or a card for the register; pay at the counter after ordering.
When to visit
Early morning on weekdays has the shortest wait and the fullest selection of filled puffs. Weekend mornings are the busiest.
Accessibility
The bakery is a street-level counter-service shop on Kapahulu Avenue. Wheelchair users should confirm entrance and queue access on arrival, as the line can be crowded at peak times.
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Frequently asked questions
Do Leonard's Bakery malasadas have fillings?
Yes. Plain and cinnamon-sugar malasadas are the classics, and filled puffs such as haupia are offered on a rotating basis. Availability changes by day.
Does Leonard's Bakery take reservations?
No. It is a walk-in counter-service bakery, and customers order and pay at the counter.
How much does a visit to Leonard's Bakery cost?
Individual malasadas cost a few dollars each, so most visitors spend roughly US$2-6 per person for a sample, more when buying a box.