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A Guide to the Best Sweet Food & Desserts in Maui, Hawaii

October 22, 2019 / 228 Comments

On our recent 10-day family trip to Maui, Hawaii, our family made a point of tasting as many of the best foods and sweets on the island as we could. Our goal was to try family-friendly local eateries with Hawaii style cuisine which were both affordable and unique. Here is a rundown of the best places we tried for sweet foods and desserts in Maui, with photos prices and useful tips!

Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice

In Maui you must try Hawaiian shaved ice, and Ululani’s is simply the best. Syrups are house made using cane syrup and fresh, local ingredients like lilikoi and lychee. Try Haleakala, a combination of Coconut and Leche and topped with Snow Cap (sweet cream). Substitute Haupia (coconut cream) and add a scoop of coconut ice cream to the bottom for even more flavor! You can expect to pay about $5-10 each depending on what you order. We ended up ordering the large most often and sharing since its the best value and you really get plenty to share. Several locations around the island.

Honolulu Cookie Company

  • Honolulu Cookie Co.

Sweets are everywhere in Hawaii, but the best cookie that you need to try (and take home to all your friends) – Honolulu Cookie Co. cookies. The first time someone brought me one home I was hooked. When you visit the store you can sample several flavors and buy a preassorted box or make your own. The more you buy, the more you save (cookies are about 70 cents to $1 each depending how many you buy). Get a stamp card, for every $50 you spend you get 5 free cookies. My favorite is the Kona Coffee with White Chocolate. Located in Wailea and Lahaina.

Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop

Leoda’s Pies offers a full menu, but what you must try here is the pies of course. We tried the Coconut Cream, Banana Cream, and Pinapple Mac Nut pies for about $30. All of them amazing. Literally the best pies I have ever had. Everyone loved the Banana Cream, followed closely by Coconut Cream. Located in Lahaina.

Maui Bread Co.

When in Maui, tasting their buns and bread loaves are a must. Nearly everywhere you go you’ll find loaves of banana breads for sale – but Maui Bread Co. should be your first stop. With a wide assortment of fresh breads, buns, and more, you can taste both sweet and savory breads all infused with Hawaiian flare. We tried the Hawaiian Bread, Pina Colada Sweet Bun, Jalapeno Bun & Teriyaki Bun for around $20 – all very good – we really liked the savory ones. They were already almost sold out of savory buns around 9am when we ate so go early for those. Located in Kihei.

Malasada’s

Like donuts? Try Malasada’s for fresh, just-fried Hawaiian donuts. It’s easy to miss – just a stand with a fryer in front of a church. It’s worth the stop in Lahaina, for $14 you get a half dozen of the sweetest donuts you’ll ever have, filled with yummy cream. Try the coconut cream!

Maui Pineapple Store

Another stop in Lahaina that is not to be missed is the Maui Pineapple Store. Order the fresh pineapple soft serve ($12) – it’s served in a pineapple! They cut the pineapple right in front of you and turn the delicious fruit into soft serve as you wait. Then they fill the pineapple and top it with a pineapple shaped – you guessed it – piece of fresh pineapple! It’s big enough to share and very delicious.

WOW WOW Hawaii Lemonade

There are several locations, no matter which one you go to you’ll see why you have to stop here. The fresh infused lemonades and Acai bowls are both beautiful to look at and cold and delicious to eat. Everything here is made fresh and locally sourced for “Aloha in a jar.” We purchased one of the reusable mason jars ($5) as a souvenir for the kids, and ordered a Lava Flow Lemonade and the Haupia Ono Acai Bowl (for around $20) to share. Both were fantastic with lots of coconut flavors, and very refreshing! And they were beautiful – probably the prettiest food item we had on our trip.

Looking for more Maui, Hawaii travel guides? Check out these posts!

10-Day Maui Itinerary with Kids in Maui, Hawaii

A Guide to the Best Sweet Foods & Desserts in Maui, Hawaii

A Guide to the Cheap Eats & Happy Hours in Maui, Hawaii

The Top Family-Friendly Stops on the Road to Hana – Maui, Hawaii

9 Locally-Loved Businesses to Support on Your Next Maui Vacation

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