Best Desserts in Waikiki 2026

Banan has carved out a unique niche in Waikiki's dessert scene with their frozen banana-based soft serve. Using locally grown Oahu bananas that would otherwise go to waste, they blend frozen fruit into a creamy, dairy-free soft serve that tastes surprisingly rich and indulgent. The texture sits somewhere between ice cream and sorbet — smooth, cold, and naturally sweet without any added sugar. Toppings include local granola, cacao nibs, honey, lilikoi, and seasonal Hawaiian fruits. Their original Waikiki Beach location is right on the sand with unbeatable ocean views, making it one of the most Instagram-worthy dessert experiences on the island. It's also 100% plant-based, which appeals to vegan and health-conscious visitors. Banan isn't trying to be ice cream — it's doing its own thing, and doing it well.

A guilt-free tropical dessert experience with beachfront views. Perfect if you want something sweet and cold without the heaviness of ice cream. The sustainability story adds a feel-good factor.

Henry's Place brings Italian gelato tradition to Waikiki with a Hawaiian twist. Their gelato is made in small batches daily using premium ingredients, and the tropical flavors are what set them apart from mainland gelato shops. Think haupia (coconut cream), li hing mango, Kona coffee, macadamia nut, and liliko'i sorbet — flavors that taste like Hawaii in frozen form. The texture is dense, creamy, and incredibly smooth, with less air churned in than typical American ice cream. The shop itself has a warm, inviting atmosphere on Beach Walk, making it a great stop during an evening stroll through Waikiki. Portions are generous and the quality-to-price ratio is excellent for the area.

The best gelato in the Waikiki area, with tropical flavors you won't find anywhere else. Perfect for a leisurely evening dessert walk.

No dessert guide to Waikiki would be complete without Hawaiian shaved ice, and Island Vintage does it right. Unlike the cheap snow cone-style versions you'll find at tourist traps, Island Vintage uses finely shaved ice that has a snow-like texture — it practically melts on your tongue. Their syrups are made from real fruit and organic cane sugar, not artificial flavoring. The real game-changer is adding a scoop of ice cream at the base, which creates a creamy surprise at the bottom of every cup. Popular combinations include li hing mango, passion fruit, and the rainbow. They also add sweetened azuki beans, mochi, and fresh fruit as toppings. Located in the Royal Hawaiian Center, it's easy to find and consistently excellent. On hot Waikiki afternoons, the line can be long, but it moves quickly.

The quintessential Hawaiian dessert experience, done at a premium level. If you're going to try shaved ice in Hawaii (and you should), do it here rather than at a random beach stand.

Uncle Tetsu's is a Tokyo import that has developed a cult following in Honolulu. Their signature product is the Japanese soufflé cheesecake — a light, airy, jiggly cheesecake that's nothing like the dense New York-style version most Americans know. Each cake wobbles like jelly when you shake it, yet has a delicate, creamy interior with a subtle sweetness that doesn't overwhelm. They're baked fresh throughout the day, and there's something deeply satisfying about watching the golden cakes come out of the oven. At around $10 for an entire cake, it's one of the best dessert values in Honolulu. The Ala Moana Center location is about 10 minutes from Waikiki by bus or car. Pro tip: eat it slightly warm for the best texture, or refrigerate it for a denser, more custard-like experience.

An affordable and unique Japanese dessert experience. The jiggly factor alone makes it worth the trip. Great to bring back to your hotel room for a late-night treat.

Leonard's has been the gold standard for malasadas in Hawaii since 1952, and for good reason. Their Portuguese-style fried dough balls are a masterclass in simplicity: golden-brown exterior with a satisfying crunch, impossibly soft and airy interior, and a generous coating of granulated sugar. They're served piping hot, and the first bite is pure bliss. The filled versions are equally impressive — haupia (coconut cream), custard, and dobash (chocolate) are the most popular. Leonard's is located on Kapahulu Avenue, about a 10-minute drive from central Waikiki, and the line regularly wraps around the building on weekends. Despite the wait, the line moves fast and it's absolutely worth it. Malasadas are arguably Hawaii's most iconic dessert, and Leonard's is where the tradition lives.

A mandatory Hawaii dessert experience. If you only have time for one stop outside Waikiki, make it Leonard's. The malasadas are served hot and fresh — eat them immediately.

Via Gelato in Kaimuki is where Honolulu's serious dessert lovers go for gelato. With over 200 rotating flavors that change daily, they push creative boundaries far beyond what most gelato shops attempt. You'll find flavors like goat cheese with fig, olive oil with sea salt, Thai tea, taro macadamia, and cardamom rose alongside classics like pistachio and dark chocolate. Everything is made from scratch using local and premium imported ingredients. The owner trained in Italy and brings authentic technique to these wildly creative combinations. The Kaimuki location is about 15 minutes from Waikiki, and the neighborhood itself is one of Honolulu's best foodie destinations. Servings are generous and the staff are happy to let you sample before committing.

For gelato lovers who want more than vanilla and chocolate. The creative flavors are genuinely exciting and the quality is exceptional. Worth the drive to Kaimuki.

Jejubing brings authentic Korean bingsu culture to Honolulu at Ala Moana Center. Named after Jeju Island in South Korea, they specialize in the towering Korean shaved ice dessert that's taken social media by storm. Their bingsu features impossibly fine, snow-like shaved milk ice (not just frozen water like basic shaved ice) topped with generous portions of fresh fruit, red bean, mochi, condensed milk, and specialty toppings. The Injeolmi (soybean powder mochi) bingsu and Mango bingsu are standouts — large enough to share between two people, beautifully presented, and incredibly refreshing. The texture of the shaved milk ice is silky and almost creamy, nothing like the crunchy ice in Western-style desserts. At $15-20 per bowl, it's not the cheapest dessert option, but the portion sizes are substantial. About 10 minutes from Waikiki at Ala Moana Center.

The most authentic Korean bingsu experience in Honolulu. If you're a K-dessert fan or curious about the bingsu trend, Jejubing is the real deal. Great for sharing.