Malasadas Worth Traveling to the Big Island For

Where to Find Malasadas on the Big Island

There are three popular bakeries to find malasadas on the Big Island:

• Punalu’u Bakery in Naalehu
• Tex Drive-In in Honokaa
• Manuela’s Malasadas Truck near Puako

Surprisingly, these spots might seem out-of-the-way, but they are actually conveniently located along the route to many popular destinations.

The lesser-known spots to find malasadas are:

• Paradise Bakery Hawaii in Kona
• Zippy’s in Hilo
• Standard Bakery in Kealakekua
• Choice Mart in Captain Cook
• KTA Superstores in Kona & Hilo

These are right in the center of the cities, and yet, people don’t talk about them as much.

💁‍♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: Eat malasadas the same day. They do not taste as good the day after. 

1. Punalu’u Bake Shop

Personally, I think Punalu’u Bakery has the best malasadas on the Big Island. Their dough is pillowy soft but substantial and they have a variety of tropical flavors.

My go-to flavor is the lilikoi, so tart and sweet! When they have it, I will also get a mango or guava filled malasada. Michael really likes the purple taro malasada. 

💁‍♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: This is a popular spot for tourists and tour buses so the line can get long around 10:30am. If you can get there right at opening at 8:30am you can beat the crowds.

There are two registers to order from, so if one line is long, check to see if the other is shorter. 

The register by the malasada typically goes faster. They will usually ask you “how many?” assuming you are only ordering malasadas (there are other menu items to choose from though). Tell them the amount and flavors you want.

💁‍♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: I don’t recommend the coffee here. Go across the street to Ka Lae instead beforehand and bring it here to drink with your malasadas.

Take your treats and eat in the beautiful gazebos by the goldfish pond or follow the path to the tables under the larger pavilion where it’s quieter. 

Punalu’u Bake Shop is a perfect stop on your way to or from:

• South Point
• Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

2. Tex Drive-In

The Tex Drive-In malasadas are more than half the size of your head. 

This restaurant is just up the hill from downtown Honokaa, located in a rundown business building.

For having “world famous” malasadas you wouldn’t know it from their extensive entree menu. It’s as if their malasadas are an afterthought, with their non-Hawaiian flavors printed up on typing paper and taped next to the counter.

Their square malasadas are kept warm all day and that’s really the best way to eat them.

After you order you can sit outside with a beautiful view of their parking lot.

Some say this is their favorite malasada on the island, but my opinion is that it’s the worst. You’ll need to taste for yourself!

Tex Drive-In is a perfect stop on your way to or from:

• Waipio Valley Lookout
• Akaka Falls

3. Manuela’s Malasada Truck

Manuela’s Malasadas food truck is parked in a gravel pullout at the Puako turn off of Hwy 11 and is quite the hot spot for hot malasadas. 

Perhaps a warm pastry in the middle of the desert doesn’t sound appealing but trust me, you don’t want to miss out on these!

These malasadas are denser and heavier than other malasadas on the island. They are malasadas that are made fresh to order, so bring your patience as they fry them up!

There is a long list of flavors, fillings, and a flavor of the day to choose from. 

Be sure to try the “local’s favorite”, Li Hing, a dried plum powder that is typically dusted onto fruits and candies. 

Take them to the beach or eat in your car.

Manuela’s Malasada Truck is a perfect stop on your way to or from:

• Hawi
• Waimea
• Hapuna Beach

They now also have a second location in Kona right outside King Kamehameha Mall next to Tony Honda, just off of Ali’i Drive.

4. Paradise Bakery Hawaii

Paradise Bakery Hawaii is in the food court of the Kona International Market. They’re known for their fancy, colorful donuts, however they also sell malasadas.

Malasada flavors may vary from day to day, but they’ll always have at least a plain sugar coated one. They use locally sourced fruit for their fillings.

This bakery can close early because they often sell out. If you get there by 9am you should still have plenty of choices.

There is plenty of seating in the open air food court.

5. Zippy’s Hilo

Zippy’s is a popular Hawaiian casual restaurant chain known for its local comfort food, including saimin, chili, loco moco, and plate lunches.

Zippy’s Hilo is located in the food court of the Prince Kuhio Plaza shopping mall.

They make malasadas fresh to order and you can have them plain or filled with ube or haupia cream.

I found these reminiscent of a fair food elephant ear: crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside.

6. Standard Bakery

A hole-in-the-wall bakery in Kealakekua, Standard Bakery makes fresh malasadas everyday, but you gotta act fast!

They can sell out before 9:00am.

They only make a couple of flavors, so don’t expect variety.

They make a decent malasada, nothing that stands out. It’s a convenient stop if you’re craving some sweet fried dough.

I get the impression that they focus more on their donuts and bento boxes.

Grocery Stores

If for some reason you can’t make it to one of the three main Big Island malasada locations, don’t fret! Grocery stores will also serve them in their bakery section and are surprisingly still tasty!

7. ChoiceMart

ChoiceMart in Captain Cook has a small bakery inside the grocery store.

I have only ever seen one flavor available: plain.

They only make a handful per day so getting there early is your best bet at snagging one; they will likely be sold out if you show up after noon.

8. KTA Super Stores

KTA Super Stores carry a few flavor varieties in their bakery section. I liked their lilikoi filled. 

Again, I’ve heard they can sell out in the mornings so get them earlier rather than later so you don’t miss out!

What are Malasadas and Why are They in Hawaii?

Malasadas are a type of Portuguese fried dough, typically coated in sugar, cinnamon, or lemon zest. 

Unlike American donuts, malasadas have a richer, eggier flavor and lack a hole in the middle. 

Traditionally, they were enjoyed on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras), just before Lent, as a way to use up leftover lard and sugar.

In 1878, Portuguese immigrants arrived in Hawaii to work on the sugar plantations, bringing their Fat Tuesday customs with them. 

Today, this tradition is celebrated across the islands as Malasada Day.

If you get thirsty after eating malasadas
visit a Kona coffee farm to wash them down! >>