Look, donuts will kill you whether or not they are traditional or supporting local history. So as long as you're going to go, you might as well enjoy the mechanism; and Leonard's is definitely worthy. One of these things (which if you're not from Hawai'i is basically a filled donut) is 100% totally delightful. It's the filled donut equivalent to the traditional glazed Krispy Kreme. KK is the top of the game in terms of delivered hot glazed...Leonard's is the top of the game for filled. Period. If you feel otherwise, you've simply not been to Hawai'i. And that's ok. Just go there soon if want to experience the donut world tour. It's not possible to make a wrong choice here. read more

Leonard's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Hit up Leonard's Bakery for fresh, made to order malasadas. Busy on a weekday, wait was 10 minutes. Prices are $1.85 USD to $2.25 USD with 9 flavours. Ordered 30 donuts (6 cinnamon, 6 ling hi, 6 haupia, 6 macadamia, 3 guava and 3 blueberry). All were great but the guava and blueberry were the favourites. Delicious filling; get the puffs. read more

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Review disclaimer: I am not a fan of pastries/donuts etc. My friends and I came here for dessert after lunch and got one of each malasada. The only one I liked was the custard. Everything else (especially guava) tasted artificial to me. Just doesn't hit the spot for me but if I were to come again, I'd probably get the plain one or the custard. My bf got the coffee here too $3.75? I think and it was just plain off the pot diner coffee. Nothing special/not that great. I do not recommend the coffee. Parking lot is pretty tight so you better be a good driver! Lines move fast, you order inside and pick up outside/eat outside. There is no dining area. read more

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Leonard's is a Honolulu favorite for good reason! My husband grew up in Honolulu, so Leonard's Malasadas are always on the list when we visit. Served hot, you place the order and pay inside, then wait outside for your number to be called. Didn't take long this time (crowds can be large, so the wait varies). We go for classic: soft puffs of airy fried dough, moist and light, dusted with granulated sugar. The best! read more

Leonard's Bakery - Leonard's - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Just bought 4 dozen malasada for my coworkers and spent $100. They make them fresh and fast. Waited 10min and was out. Customer service is good but damn I didn't mean to spend that much. I guess it'll be a really Good Friday! read more

Leonard's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Their reputation precedes them and they lived up to the ratings. They were still pumping out hot fresh malasadas even up to closing time with a steady stream of customers. Filled versions have a good balance of filling amount and didn't ooze out causing a mess. The cinnamon coated was a popular favorite. read more

Leonard's Bakery - Cinnamon at top. Chocolate, cream, li hing at bottom - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Worth the wait. I learned about this gem on my many trips to Hawaii and it was reinforced by the travel channel. The malasadas were hot and tasty. We opted for the cinnamon, guava and macadamia. We were sad to miss the seasonal mango flavor. Nonetheless, the line moves quickly. Check it out if you're looking for a snack or a great way to start your day! Side note: if eating at the location look out for the birds. They may be tiny but will snatch up your malasadas straight from your hand. read more

Leonard's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Came to Oahu for the first time and you just know I had to try Leonard's. There is sometimes a really long line and at other times there's no line at all (we drove by it a few times before actually stopping). We got 6 malasadas - 2 classics (cinnamon & li hing) and 4 puffs (coconut, chocolate, guava, and lychee). They are huge and oh so doughy yet still very crispy with so much filling. To be honest, we couldn't really tell which one was guava and which one was lychee but regardless, the flavor of each cream was delicious. The li hing is a sweet and sour sugar, and it's kind of an acquired taste. I found it to be a little too salty for my taste but it is unique. read more

Leonard's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

A malasada is a fried pastry, slightly crispier and chewier than a donut and without a hole. Portuguese immigrants brought malasadas to HI at the turn of the 20th century. There is a Portuguese bakery in HNL that is known for its malasadas, Leonard's Bakery. Arsenio and Amelia DeRego arrived in HI in 1882 to work in the sugar cane fields. Their son and wife, Margaret and Frank Rego Sr., opened Leonard's Bakery in 1932. The bakery was passed on to their son, Leonard Rego Sr. in 1952, with his mother encouraging him to sell malasadas, which started this iconic dessert to be placed on the map. Leonard Rego passed the business to his son and current owner, Leonard Rego, Jr. His son, Leonard III, helps out in the bakery and hopes to extend the family name to the bakery one day. Notice how the name "Leonard" is used repeatedly in the family? Leonard is Frank Rego's middle name, which he also named his son at birth, Leonard, who named his son Leonard. Hence, it was easy to name the bakery, "Leonard's Bakery." Note that the proper spelling of malasadas should have two s' in the middle, which should be "malassada." However, when the bakery first opened, it was misspelled intentionally with only one "s" and never corrected. In addition to selling its iconic malasadas, they also sold pao doce (sweet bread), decorated cakes, danishes, rolls, pies, and the whole gamut of pastries. Who remembers selling Leonard Bakery's fundraiser tickets for their school club? Or tv personality Lucky Luck doing their commercials? But with the passing years, its focus has changed, with fundraisers and baked pastries taking second importance to the more prominent malasadas. Leonard's still offers limited pastries that include: apple/blueberry squares, pinwheels, danishes, cupcakes, etc. There are also souvenir merchandise: caps, lanyards, tote bags, clothing, stickers, luggage tags, plushies, mugs, etc. With the popularity of malasadas, Leonard's expanded to a 2nd location (franchised) in Yokohama Japan in 2008 and eventually introducing food trucks called "malasadamobiles" in the 1980's to cover the entire island of Oahu: Koko Marina or HI Kai, Waikele, Pearlridge, and Kaneohe. While it's less congested at a malasamobile, some say you get the same malasadas here as in the bakery, but I prefer those in the bakery that are made in larger batches (just a personal preference). The malasada are fried until golden brown, with the inside fluffy and light, and the outside a little crunchy and chewy; it's doused with lots of granulated white sugar. It comes in various flavors: original; covered with cinnamon sugar, or li hing powder); filled with custard, dobash (chocolate), haupia (coconut), macadamia nut, guava or pineapple. They're best eaten warm, and I personally like the simpler original flavor, as it was what I had grown up with. Located in the residential area of Kapahulu lined with restaurants and businesses visited by both locals and visitors, Leonard's Bakery is a Honolulu landmark with its flashing neon sign at curbside. Whenever I have a craving, we would drive by Leonard's Bakery. It can be crowded with tourists waiting for their orders and the parking lot congested with drivers waiting for spaces to open. I would happily wait until the next time we're in the area to see if it's less congested. Customers are in a single line that goes through the store, where you put in your orders. You pay the cashier and is given a receipt with a number on it, as you are told to wait outside until your number is called. Within minutes, you'll hear a batch of numbers called via microphone. There's a very efficient system, as the malasadas are made in batches and in the orders that they were submitted. Note that to get their signature pink box with the Leonard's name in blue, you'll need to order a minimum of 6 malasaladas; otherwise, they would be put in in pink plastic bag. Staff is friendly, patient, and welcoming your order. They are efficient, ensuring that you're not holding up the line. Hence, while the line seems long, it moves quickly. And don't forget to request the 10% kamaaina discount on Mondays only, which staff will happily oblige. Hours are daily 5:30a to 7p, where many tourists congregate for an early breakfast before their around-the-island tour. We're grateful that Leonard Rego Jr. honored his heritage by taking over the bakery in 1952 to what it is now today. We look forward to his son extending this legacy to future years. And we'll enjoy these delicious malasadas whenever we can! Support local! read more

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Stopped by here before heading to the airport. So glad no one was in line! Ordered 1 chocolate, 2 guava, 1 haupia, and 2 cinnamon. Service was quick and the Tita was very nice. We definitely enjoyed them on the flight! Soo ono! read more

Leonard's Bakery - Chocolate, guava, cinnamon, haupia - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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In our multiple visits to the island each time, everyone talks about these malasadas. We decided to get a dozen of the cinnamon sugar and sugar. I'm not big on the filling, but I'm sure those who enjoy it would love it. The line was very short on the inside and then you took your ticket and waited by the car window. Within 5 to 7 minutes, I had a steaming hot box full of delicious pastries. If you are in the area traveling or local, you definitely need to try this. These are so good. read more

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I have had malasadas before but from here. I tried the regular, guava, coconut, macadamia nut, and custard malasadas. Everything was really good. The filled ones were not overly sweet and I was surprised the flavors were not overpowering. These are best when eaten immediately since they are nice and warm. Sometimes there may be a crowd standing outside but usually they are waiting for their order. I would suggest coming on a weekday because it can get very busy on the weekends. read more

I still think the malasadas from Leonard's are the best on the island and a must visit whenever we have friends in town or go play mahjong with the in-laws. Yes, there is always a line, but it moves pretty quickly. Order online if you want to order a half dozen or dozen, and bypass the line to order. They are always made fresh and hot when you order. You can ask for your malasadas without the extra sugar on top for those who prefer them plain. Love the haupia and dobash (chocolate pudding). They also have a monthly rotating flavor. read more

Made the annual trek to Leonard's for the family. Only ~1 mile from the hotels on the strip and the walk is so nice and peaceful in the mornings. PRO TIP: leave early (opens at 5:30am daily) and walk down while it's cool. You'll avoid the long lines that form for this popular Hawaiian treat and can walk back with warm Malasadas for everyone to enjoy at the hotel! Grabbed a dozen this morning and got the usual assortment of a couple custards, Haupias and then more on the macadamia and guavas. Added in a seasonal special pumpkin to try. All are so delicious and fresh! Make sure to have one when they come out before you leave because it's always the best when they're fresh out of the oven! read more

This was a delight to try! Hot and fresh warm donuts dipped in sugar....what's not to love? We lucked out and there was not much of a line on a Wednesday afternoon. You go in to order and then there is a to go window. We didn't wait long at all. They have other goodies for sale too. Unfortunately my expectations were very high for the filled Malasadas but the fillings were gross. They tasted watered down somehow and just ruined the experience. Luckily we got one plain cinnamon sugar donut and that was "chefs kiss". I wish I got more plain ones. Literally not one filling was liked by anyone in the family. We tried chocolate, guava, custard, macadamia and coconut. read more

Leonard's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Whoa drive by and no lines so we had to get a Leonard malasada. Got the dobash and the cinnamon then hubby had to get another one after there wasn't a line and it taste so good. read more

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Worth a try but watch out on the sugar intake Also do not miss their ube butter mochi, they are sooooo good! read more

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Malasadas are all the craze in Waikiki! They have so many flavors and fillings, but the quality of the donut itself is sooo fluffy and tasty! There's a reason for the continuous line out the door. My personal favorite is the Li Hing Malasada! Perfectly sugared and not too sweet. The macadamia and guava are great too. The flavor of the month was Lychee... which personally wasn't my favorite. Too sweet and tasted more like strawberry ice cream. read more

This is BETTER than a donut! It's sooo crispy outside, warm and chewy (mochi-ish) with a warm filling, UGH sooo good. We also got one cinnamon plain and it was like a churro bun on crack. We came here the last day and it left me sad bc if I knew it fire it was I would've gone back to back every day! The hype is real if you're a donut/ bread fan. The service was great, the staff was very friendly (as is all of Hawaiian hospitality). Crying bc I miss this place already! 10/10 shakas read more

Leonard's Bakery - A work of art. - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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The Malasadas were hands down the best thing to eat in Hawaii!!! I ate about a dozen & half of them in a few days, no regrets!!! read more

Leonard's Bakery - Leonards is the best!!! - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I love all things donuts so you know this was a must visit! Historic bakery in the heart of Honolulu. Had to try the Malasada's which were amazing! Staff were attentive and friendly. read more

Leonard's Bakery - Malasada - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Order inside and wait outside. Ours was freshly baked and hot! I ordered chocolate, lychee, guava and li hing. The filling same oozing out. I just could not distinguish which malasada was guava and which was lychee - they were both shades of pink. read more

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Sunday morning delivery order, first experience trying the bakery. Unfortunately, malasadas are the only thing available for online ordering, so if you're wanting some of the other items on the menu, you'll have to go stand in line for them. The box did come well sealed, with tape and tamper stickers. We ordered a dozen:half filled, half unfilled. Our top flavors were the guava and original unfilled. The dobash, haupia, and cinnamon sugar were sold flavors as well. We did see some reviews that they had too much sugar. We also thought they had a ton of sugar. They make such a mess when eating them so, make sure you're near a sink to properly wash off all of the residual sugar. read more

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Leonard's Bakery is a must try when you're in Hawai'i! Their special pastry dough is fried to perfection -- light and fluffy. . When we first arrived, the crowd was pretty intense, and we thought the wait might take forever, but it turned out to be pretty quick. I was able to order right away since everyone was just waiting for their food. There's no seating inside--it's mainly a to-go spot. I ordered two malasadas, one with cinnamon sugar and another filled with guava. I also ordered a Portuguese sausage wrap and an iced coffee. It took about 15 minutes for our food, which was pretty fast! My husband and I loved the malasadas and the sausage wrap. The iced coffee wasn't really my favorite, but overall, everything else was great. If you're in Hawai'i, make sure to check them out! read more

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These are the best when it's FRESH. When fresh, they're chewy and fluffy. Since I like it best for the texture, I prefer the ones with no filling. The filling can be a bit messy. Can't go wrong with any flavors just choose what you like. Parking lot is small but not impossible. Everything moves pretty quickly so you'll likely catch someone leaving without much wait. You order inside and pick up outside. read more

I've heard about Leonard's on my hawaii trips, but have not stopped until this impromptu visit last night. There was always a full parking lot and long line that deterred me. Also, if you've read my other reviews, you may know I am not a donut person. Leonard's is different! One, these are made fresh every order and served hot. Two, malasadas are even better than American donuts, especially with the surplus of filling. We came in 15 minutes before closing and waited less than 5 minutes to order. We ordered a half dozen with one of each flavor that included the flavor of the month, blueberry. Server Christine S. recommended the ube mochi when I asked what it was and I've never had anything like it! The crumble on top truly made the dessert and I enjoyed the ube mochi more than the butter mochi. For the malasadas, I think my favorites would be 1. Custard 2. Guava 3. Coconut or macadamia tied 5. Blueberry 6. Chocolate. Leonard's was such a fun surprise to end the day and truly an amazing treat. My favorite dessert I've had on the island. I highly recommend ordering one of each flavor to decide on your favorites and share with whoever you're with. Beware that they do get messy since they truly fill them, but absolutely worth it. I am still impressed that they were making fresh batches of everything even 10 and 5 minutes before closing. They care about their products and will serve you to the last minute. Great customer service and attention to their quality products. Thank you Leonard's for a wonderful experience! read more

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I placed a delivery order and it was still really good. I ordered from the Leonard's located at 933 Kapahulu Ave.Honolulu, HI 96816 My first time trying Malasadas. I ordered a variety, 2-originals, 2-original cinnamons and 1-with macadamia cream and one with guava cream! Yum read more

Leonard's Bakery - Variety 1/2 dozen - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

It is warm and fulfilling, and I had coconut flavor. It is really difficult to find parking and long line, but it is worthy and the service is quick. Ambience: 5/10, can use some upgrade Food: 10/10 Price: 8/10 Service: 9/10 read more

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Truly iconic and so delicious. I don't care what anyone says. Line can get long but there system makes it efficient. Order inside and they announce your number at the outside window so stay close and listen! The parking lot is small and crowded so keep that in mind. I ordered 1 of every flavor. The flavor of the month (March) was blueberry so I was excited to try that one. My favorite flavors were haupia, macademia nut, and blueberry! They were so fresh and hot we ate 2 in the car right away! read more

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Must be eaten fresh and hot. After the pastries have cooled down, it loses its crunch and softness. Be prepared for line-up. This is a very popular place! The parking lot is often very crowded! read more

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Really original spot to stop by. I don't see much of the hype but they are goood. price range from $3-7 each I liked their cookies defenitely my favorite was the cinammon option but overall cute spot. Minimal parking but very fast service . Staff their priority isn't customer service but i am sure due to the high volume of orders and people their priority is speed which is fine. I would say defenitely atleast visit once no bathrooms available TAP pay available as well read more

Leonard's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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These donuts were really good. There were a lot of people but we got our order within minutes. A must try when you are visiting Hawaii. They were super soft and just perfectly delicious. read more

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Coming Hawaii for the first time, trying Leonard's malasada was very high on my to-do list. We waited until our last day to try this treat, as we had time before heading to the airport. Parking is atrocious. If you rented a car, still try walking over. If not, be mindful that people are everywhere and the spots are incredibly tight. The workers here are thankfully very quick, as the line fills the parking lot and can snake around the corner if your unlucky. I ordered the guava and custard puffs, at the recommendation of several locals. The malasadas are all made to order and come out piping hot and stuffed full! I wasn't the biggest fan of the custard, but can appreciate where others love it. The guava was very good, flavorful, and surprisingly light. That said, I don't know that I would wait for it again. If I happen upon one of their food trucks while exploring the island another time, I might stop by but I wouldn't go out of my way. read more

Leonard's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Hot and yummy! Order inside wait outside to for your order. Original is good but the cinnamon woo is so good. Inside it's small and can get packed. The portaugues sausage roll was really good would be better hot. read more

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So good. Malasadas at their best! Soft and pillowy inside, golden brown putside, original, cinammon, custard, u name it. Ran into my aunties and cousins here! Go and eat them! read more

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The malasadas are the BOMB !!!!! Service is fast and your malasadas come out fresh and warm :) i highly reccommemd that you stop by to try them a must visit in OAHU read more

What a great place to stop and get Portuguese donuts! Very fresh and delicious. Can't wait to get back to Waikki. This will be our first stop! Try them, they won't disappoint read more

When visiting Oahu, several locals told me, "You can't leave the island without trying Leonard's Bakery!" -- and wow, they were 100% right. This place truly lives up to the hype. From the moment you pull up and see the iconic pink boxes and the line of people waiting outside, you know you're in for something special. I ordered a few different malasadas to try -- plain, chocolate, and guava -- and every single one was incredible. But my absolute favorites were the chocolate and guava! The chocolate was rich and smooth inside that perfectly golden, pillowy dough, while the guava had the most delicious tropical tang that made it so unique. You can tell they're made fresh to order -- warm, airy, and melt-in-your-mouth soft. Yes, the line can be long and parking can be a bit of a challenge, but the staff keeps things moving, and the sweet smell coming from the kitchen makes the wait totally worth it. My biggest tip: eat them while they're hot and fresh -- that first bite is pure heaven! Leonard's is one of those must-visit spots that completely lives up to its legendary reputation. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning fan, these malasadas are a little piece of Hawaiian magic you'll be dreaming about long after your trip ends. Don't miss it! read more

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Leonardo's Bakery is a must go!!! Malasadas from Leonard's Bakery in Oahu are a must-try, and their popularity is reflected in the long lines outside the bakery. Although the wait can sometimes be long, the service is quick and efficient once you're up to the counter. The staff at Leonard's are friendly and helpful, ensuring that even with the crowd, the process runs smoothly. They're always ready to guide you through the options, whether you're after the classic, sugar-coated malasadas or something more adventurous like the filled varieties of custard, chocolate, guava, or haupia. Go inside to order, then they call your number for pick up at the outside window. Despite the crowds, the wait is never long once you're inside. Leonard's has mastered the art of serving fresh malasadas fast, so you can quickly enjoy the crispy, sweet warm goodness of every bite. And once you take that first bite of the warm, sugary treat, you'll understand why so many people are willing to wait in line--it's all worth it. If you want a little extra the shop offers merch like stickers, bags, shirts, and sweaters. Get all the swag to your heart's content! read more

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WOW was this place one of my top eats in Honolulu. My first time trying Malasadas and they were perfection. All the flavours were exceptional but my top favourite would have to be the Macadamia Nut. This place was soo delicious, craving one just thinking about it now! 10/10 recommend! read more

Leonard's Bakery - Malasadas - Bakeries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii