Best Malasadas in Waikiki
Where to Find Fresh, Sugar-Rolled Portuguese-Hawaiian Donuts (2026)
What Makes the Best Malasada?
A malasada is a Portuguese-Hawaiian fried donut — a ball of light yeast dough fried until golden, then rolled in sugar. Unlike a classic ring donut, a malasada has no hole and is often filled with custard, haupia (coconut), or chocolate. The best malasadas share a few things: they are fried fresh and served warm, light and airy inside (never greasy), and finished with an even sugar coating. Waikiki is one of the best places to grab one — and at Kona Coffee Donut? you can enjoy a fresh malasada with 100% Kona coffee just about 5 minutes from Waikiki Beach.
A Short History of the Malasada
From Madeira and the Azores to a Hawaii Icon
The malasada arrived in Hawaii with Portuguese immigrants in the 1800s, many from the islands of Madeira and the Azores who came to work on Hawaii's sugar plantations. They brought their home recipe for "massa sovada" — soft, enriched fried dough dusted in sugar — and it quickly found a place in island kitchens.
Traditionally, malasadas were made on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday), the day before Lent, as a way to use up the butter, sugar, and eggs in the house before the fasting season. In Hawaii that custom became Malasada Day, and to this day bakeries see long lines every Fat Tuesday.
Over generations the malasada moved from a once-a-year treat to an everyday Hawaii staple. Local bakeries and donut shops made them famous, and today the warm, sugar-rolled malasada is one of the most beloved sweets in the islands — right alongside shave ice and mochi.
So what should you look for when buying one? A great malasada is fried to order or clearly fresh, still warm, golden (not dark or oily), light and airy when you bite in, and evenly coated in sugar. If you can pair it with good coffee, even better.
What Makes the Best Malasada
A Quick Quality Checklist
Not all malasadas are created equal. Here is what separates a great one from a forgettable one — use this when you are deciding where to stop:
| What to look for | Best | OK | Skip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshness | Fried to order, served warm | Made earlier, sitting out | Cold and dense |
| Texture | Light and airy inside | A little doughy but ok | Heavy or greasy |
| Sugar | Even, generous coating | Sparse or patchy | Soggy, melted-in sugar |
| Fillings | Haupia / custard option | Plain sugar only | No fresh options |
| Pairing | With 100% Kona coffee | Standard drip coffee | No drink offered |
| Verdict | Eat it warm, on the spot | Fine in a pinch | Worth waiting for a fresh one |
The single biggest factor is freshness. A malasada eaten warm, minutes after frying, beats a cold one every time — which is exactly why grabbing one fresh in Waikiki is the way to do it.
Malasada Flavors & Fillings to Try
From Classic Sugar to Haupia and Beyond
Original Sugar
The classic
The one that started it all — a plain malasada fried fresh and rolled in granulated sugar. No filling, nothing to hide behind: just warm, airy dough and a crackly sweet coating. If you only try one, make it this. It is the best test of whether a shop fries them right.
Custard-Filled
Rich & creamy
A classic malasada injected with smooth vanilla custard. The warm dough and cool, creamy center are a perfect contrast, and it is the most popular filled flavor for a reason. Great with a strong coffee to balance the sweetness.
Haupia (Coconut)
Island favorite
Filled with haupia — a silky Hawaiian coconut pudding. This is the most "local" of the fillings and a must-try if you want something that tastes like the islands. Light, fragrant, and not too sweet.
Chocolate
Crowd-pleaser
A malasada filled with rich chocolate or chocolate cream. The kids' favorite and an easy win for anyone with a sweet tooth. Pairs especially well with the chocolatey notes in a good Kona coffee.
Li Hing & Seasonal
Limited / fun
From li hing mui sugar (the sweet-salty-tangy local favorite) to seasonal fruit and lilikoi (passion fruit) fillings, these rotating flavors are a fun way to taste something you cannot get on the mainland. Ask what is fresh that day.
Why Get Malasadas in Waikiki
A Hawaii Icon, At the Source
The malasada is a true Hawaii classic with deep Portuguese roots. Eating one in the islands — where it became famous — is part of the experience. Waikiki puts that icon within easy reach, no long drive required.
Best Eaten Warm and Fresh
Malasadas are at their absolute best minutes out of the fryer, when the inside is still warm and airy and the sugar is crackly. Grabbing one fresh nearby beats buying a box that has been sitting for hours.
Perfect with 100% Kona Coffee
A warm, sugary malasada and a cup of 100% Kona coffee is one of the great island pairings. The coffee's smooth, low-acid richness cuts the sweetness perfectly — and Kona coffee is grown right here in Hawaii.
About 5 Minutes from Waikiki Beach
You do not have to plan a special trip. A fresh malasada is a quick walk or short ride from the sand — easy to grab, easy to share, and the perfect shareable treat for a box on the way to or from the beach.
Where to Get Fresh Malasadas in Waikiki
Craving a fresh, warm malasada in Waikiki? Kona Coffee Donut? is an easy stop.
Kona Coffee Donut?
2142 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Right on Kalākaua Avenue in the heart of Waikiki, Kona Coffee Donut? serves fresh malasadas alongside mochi donuts and 100% Kona coffee. It is about a 5-minute walk from Waikiki Beach, so you can grab a warm, sugar-rolled malasada and a cup of real Hawaiian coffee without going out of your way.
- Fresh malasadas — original sugar plus filled options
- Paired with smooth 100% Kona coffee
- About 5 minutes from Waikiki Beach
- Open daily 7AM–9PM — great for a treat any time
How to Enjoy a Malasada
Get the Most Out of Every Bite
Eat It Warm, Same Day
A malasada is at its best within minutes of frying, while the inside is still warm and airy. Try to eat it the same day you buy it — ideally on the spot. A warm malasada and a cold one are almost two different desserts.
Get It with a Kona Coffee
The sweetness of a sugar-rolled malasada is made for coffee. A cup of smooth, low-acid 100% Kona coffee is the perfect partner — order them together and alternate bites and sips.
Try a Filled One
If you have only ever had plain, branch out. A haupia (coconut) or custard malasada adds a cool, creamy center that contrasts beautifully with the warm dough. It is an easy way to taste something new.
Share a Mixed Box
Malasadas are made for sharing. Grab a mixed box — a few original sugar plus a couple of filled flavors — so everyone can try a bite of each. Perfect for the beach, a picnic, or the hotel room.
Frequently Asked Questions About Malasadas in Waikiki
Where can I get the best malasadas in Waikiki?
What is a malasada?
Are malasadas filled?
How much is a malasada?
What pairs well with malasadas?
Try a Fresh Malasada in Waikiki
Visit Kona Coffee Donut? at 2142 Kalakaua Ave for a fresh, warm malasada paired with 100% Kona coffee — about 5 minutes from Waikiki Beach.