Shokudo is especially famous for its “Honey Toast” (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).

Here’s a round-up (from a Hawaii local) of some of the best desserts you can find on the island, ranging from fresh fruit pies and malasadas to mochi ice cream and honey toast. 

Shokudo Japanese Restaurant and Bar: Honey Toast

Shokudo is known for many items on its wide-ranging menu. There’s the homemade, fresh tofu; the unique and delicately chewy “Mochi Cheese Gratin;” unconventional and delicious “Sushi Pizza,” and assortment of Ishiyaki dishes (entrees served in sizzling stone bowls), such as “Unagi Rice” and “Garlic Shrimp Rice.” But the eatery’s crowning glory—for dessert, anyway—is the famed “Honey Toast.” This house specialty features two billowy layers of thick, Japanese, white toast that’s cut into perfect cubes and served with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with honey. Diners can choose from a variety of options, like “Sweet Red Bean” and “Oreo Cookies & Cream” for an additional charge. The soft, tender toast cubes complement the honey and sweet, creamy vanilla ice cream perfectly; diners who want a bit of crunch in their dessert will be pleased with the toasted edges of the crust. This dessert can be easily shared among three to four people, but even parties of two should order it for the experience alone. 

Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts: Variety of Ice Cream and Mochi Ice Cream

This local company is famous for its premium mochi ice cream. Popular mochi ice cream flavors include: “Azuki Bean,” “Chocolate Coconut,” “Chocolate Peanut Butter, “ “Green Tea,” “Guava,” “Strawberry Dark Chocolate Chip,” “Li Hing Mango” and many more. Besides its mochi ice cream and daily flavors, Bubbies also sells daily ice cream flavors, cakes and pints perfect for taking home. 

Leonard’s Bakery – Assortment of Malasadas

While there are other stores that specialize in malasadas (a Portuguese donut without a hole) on the island, Leonard’s Bakery is the must-visit if you’ve never sampled such a pastry in your life. The malasadas at Leonard’s are fresh with a soft, chewy, light and fluffy interior and a crispy, golden brown exterior. With classic flavors like “Original” and “Cinnamon Sugar,” Leonard’s also sports a unique ensemble for the more adventurous, including malasadas filled with custard and haupia. There’s even a malasada flavor of the month. Besides the famed malasadas, Leonard’s also includes a variety of pastries, Pao Doce (sweet bread), cookies, cakes and pies on its menu.

The “Brownie Tempura” at Doraku is a sweet finish to any sushi indulgence (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).

Doraku Sushi is well known for its fresh assortment of elegantly plated sushi, but don’t let that factor get in the way of having dessert. The “Brownie Tempura” features a homemade, moist brownie that’s deep fried in tempura batter and is topped with vanilla ice cream, macadamia nuts, fruit puree and chocolate syrup. Also noteworthy is the “Banana Flambe,” which is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, honey, macadamia nuts and chocolate syrup. 

Ted’s Bakery – Premium Pie Selection

Ted’s Bakery, located on O‘ahu’s iconic North Shore, is famous for its vast variety of pies, cakes, pastries and breads. Some of the bakery’s signature pies are “Chocolate Haupia Cream Pie“—featuring a dark, rich, smooth chocolate custard cream covered with whipped topping and diced macadamia nuts—“Blueberry Cream Pie,” including a layer of smooth vanilla custard cream and a sweet layer of blueberry fruit and whipped topping; and “Lilikoi Cheese Pie,” which has a fluffy filling comprising whipped cream and cream cheese with a lilikoi passion fruit glaze. Though it’s a far trek to the North Shore, if you’re on a beach adventure or sightseeing, a detour at Ted’s will be well worth it.

The “Waialua Chocolate Crunch Bars” at Alan Wong’s includes layers of bittersweet chocolate mousse and milk chocolate macadamia nut crunch (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).

For an upscale dining experience featuring fresh, local ingredients, check out Alan Wong’s Honolulu. Wong is one of the island’s most renown chefs, as he’s won a variety of awards for his cuisine. The items on this eatery’s dinner menu are famous and flavorful, such as the “Macadamia Nut-Coconut Crusted Lamb Chops” and “Maui Cattle Company Beef Tenderloin.” But the desserts are especially out of this world. The “Waialua Chocolate Crunch Bars” are like Nestle Crunch bars on steroids, as they feature layers of bittersweet chocolate mousse and milk chocolate macadamia nut crunch. The “Lilikoi White Chocolate Mousse Tart” features a mixture of Honey Goat Cheese sorbet, lilikoi and caramel. Finally, the “Hawaiian Crown Sweet Gold Pineapple Shave Ice” is a popular request. This upscale version of shave ice includes Hawaiian Vanilla Panna Cotta, Haupia Sorbet, Pineapple Salad, Coconut Tapioca and pineapple shavings. 

Honolulu Cookie Company – Shortbread Cookies Galore

For shortbread cookie lovers, Honolulu Cookie Company is the way to go. You won’t think of shortbread cookies in quite the same way after seeing the variety of products available at this cookie store. Premium shortbread cookies range from fruity flavors like “Lilikoi Mango” and “Pineapple Macadamia” to coffee-centric ones (“Kona Coffee” and “Dark Chocolate Kona Coffee”) to chocolatey flavors (“Dark Triple Chocolate Macadamia,” “Chocolate Dipped Macadamia” and “White Chocolate Kona Coffee” and more). For the traditionalists out there, “Chocolate Chip Mini Bites” are sure to satisfy that craving for something sweet. 

Anna Miller’s Restaurant – Fresh-Baked Pies

Pies take center stage at the one and only Anna Miller’s Restaurant. Pretty much the Baskin-Robbins of pie shops (they feature 31 flavors, according to the website), Anna Miller’s fresh-baked pies have different categories — specialty, oven-finished, cream, fruit and seasonal. Some of the most popular flavors include “Banana Cream,” “Chocolate Cream,” “Dutch Apple,” “Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cream” and “Haupia Chocolate.”

The “Red Carpet” waffles are moist and topped with decadent chocolate sauce and taro cream cheese (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).

Yogur Story – An Asian Bistro is famous for its brunch and wide variety of menu items, but these brunch entrees can easily function as dessert.

Take the “Red Carpet” waffles, for instance. They feature moist, red velvet waffles topped with decadent chocolate sauce and taro cream cheese (which is surprisingly not super taro-y and delicious). The “West Hollywood” waffles include white chocolate cream, Oreo cookies, chocolate sauce, chocolate chips and cream anglaise. “Chantilly” is also another popular choice, as it features a Macadamia Nut waffle, chocolate mousse, Chantilly sauce, chocolate sauce and cream puffs. Finally, “Dolce De Leche” waffles include caramel, sugar-torched bananas, whipped cream and a pecan pretzel crunch topping. 

Hy’s Steak House – “Bananas Foster Flambe”

Hy’s Steak House is known for its exquisite dishes prepared tableside by experts in an elegant setting. Equally elegant are the featured desserts. Items included on the “Specialty Flambes for Two” menu—because “the art of preparing flambé desserts has long vanished from the fine dining scene […] but here at Hy’s, we feel that there are some things that are just too good to give up,” according to the menu—include a “Chocolate Lovers’” option, as well as a traditional, sweet “Bananas Foster.” Other (non-flambe) desserts featured include “Sweet Thoughts Chocolate Decadence Cake” (it’s flourless and delicious), “Coconut Crème Brulee” and “Hy’s Homemade Cheesecake.”

The “Big Brownie Bubbies Pie” is a popular dessert at Big City Diner, featuring two large brownie triangles and a generous scoop of Bubbies Vanilla Ice Cream (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).

Bubbies Ice Cream is delicious alone. But when combined with a rich brownie, macadamia nuts, hot fudge and powdered sugar, you have an entirely irresistible dessert.

Big City Diner is a hotspot for local favorites, ranging from the renowned “Really, Really Loco Moco” (including a homemade hamburger patty and flavorful gravy) and “Mamasan’s Monster Meatloaf” to “Baby Back Ribs with Famous Guava-BBQ Sauce”—slow roasted for five hours so the meat literally falls off the bone—and “Grandma’s Incredible Kimchee Fried Rice.” But the desserts also have a local twist. For example, “Mama’s Bread Pudding” is served warm and is topped with the eatery’s secret haupia crème sauce, whipped cream and roasted macadamia nuts (Bubbies Ice Cream a la mode is optional). Also, the “Big Brownie Bubbies Pie” features a moist, chocolate brownie smothered with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, macadamia nuts and a generous portion of Bubbies famous Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. For those who just want ice cream straight-up, “The Big O Sundae” is the perfect choice, as it features three scoops of Bubbies Vanilla Bean Ice Cream topped with Oreo cookie bits, whipped cream, macadamia nuts, chocolate chips and chocolate and caramel sauces. 

The Cookie Corner – Assortment of Fresh-Baked Cookies

Described as a Honolulu-based, “half-baked concoction” between Angus McKibbin and his close friend and fellow ‘Iolani School alum James McArthur, The Cookie Corner was born in 1981. 

Nothing beats the cozy, comforting aroma of warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies straight out of your mother’s oven … and that’s the sensory experience McKibbin intends for every customer who visits The Cookie Corner to have. 

McKibbin and McArthur came up with all the cookie flavors currently on the menu, which ranges from the traditional “Chocolate Chip” and chewy “Oatmeal Raisin” to more unique combinations like the fudgy “Double Chocolate Chip With Walnuts” and cinnamon sugar-laden “Snickerdoodle.” Other delicious flavors include “Chocolate Chip with Walnuts,” “Peanut Butter” and the “Coconut” cookie (which includes fresh shreds of coconut flakes).

Soft and chewy cookies are not the only treats The Cookie Corner offers. Since its opening, the business has expanded to include brownies, “Tropical Fruit Bars," “Shortbread Cookies” made with macadamia nuts and dipped in chocolate, and biscotti, as well as “Traditional Bite Size” and “Island Style Bite Size”—which are crispier and lighter than their traditional counterparts—cookies. 

SEE ALSO: “The Cookie Corner: Business Spreads Aloha Through Premium Products”

Big Island Candies – Chocolates, Brownies and Cookies, Oh My!

Big Island Candies—originally from Hilo, Hawaii—features premium chocolates, cookies, brownies, shortbread cookies and more. Some of the company’s most famous products include: “Mac Nut Shortbread – Milk Chocolate Dipped,” “Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nut Brownies,” “Bite Size Guava Macadamia Nut Cookies,” and “Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Crunch."

The “Peanut Butter Crunch” is a popular dessert request at Side Street Inn (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).

Side Street Inn, the home of award-winning, local comfort food, boasts a variety of desserts on its menu. So, even though you may be tempted to stuff yourself with the eatery’s famous “Pan Fried Island Pork Chops” and “Hawaiian-Style Pulehu Short Ribs," saving enough room for dessert is a must. Customer favorites include the eatery’s signature “Peanut Butter Crunch,” which is like the cross between a Kit Kat bar and a brownie and is topped with luscious vanilla ice cream; as well as another house specialty, the “Molten Chocolate Cake,” which features warm chocolate oozing out from an oven-baked treat topped with Roselani’s vanilla ice cream (this dessert is so special that it takes at least 20 minutes to prepare). There’s also the “Mom’s Bread Pudding”—which includes pieces of soft Hawaiian sweet bread loaded with chunks of craisins and served a la mode—and the “Lilikoi Crème Brulee,” which includes a Hawaiian Passion Fruit flavor to add a twist on the traditional dessert. If you rather have your dessert in a drink form, there’s always Side Street’s signature Soda Floats—available in “Vanilla Crème,” “Orange Crème” and “Rootbeer”—served with scoops of Roselani’s vanilla ice cream. 

Zippys – Napoleon’s Bakery Pastries

Zippys is famous for its local cuisine, including its ever famous “Original Chili” and “Zip Pacs” (Hawaiia’s “best bento” made with fried chicken, teri beef, fish fillet and Spam; served with rice and nori furikake). However, the assortment of pastries available at Napoleon’s Bakery draws customers to Zippys as well. The signature “Napples”—a light, flaky turnover that’s available in different flavors (“Coconut,” “Apple,” “Chocolate” and “Blueberry Cream Cheese”)—are customer favorites, as are the classic “Apple Pie” and moist “Dobash” and “Chantilly” cakes and variety of yeast donuts.

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