For some of the very best ice cream in Hawaii, you have to go to Bubbies. A mainstay in the islands for over 27 years, Bubbies produces premium ice cream and gourmet ice cream-based desserts. They specialize in mochi ice cream—my absolute favorite—and offer up nearly 20 flavors of those little mouth-watering marvels. Try the Li Hing Mango, Green Tea,and...

This is one of those places visitors generally don’t find. With it squeezed in the middle of a strip of restaurants along Wai‘alae Avenue in Kaimuki and its nondescript frontage, Café Laufer is easy to miss. But please don’t. With freshly baked breads, yummy sandwiches, great soups, and salads, as well as some of Honolulu’s most exquisite desserts and pastries,...

At some point in the last decade or so cupcakes sneaked up on us and became all the rage. If you try one of Cake Couture’s heavenly creations, you’ll understand why. Each and every cupcake is made and frosted throughout the day with love and attention. The only problem one can have with this cupcake atelier is deciding which flavor...

You’re in Hawai‘i, so you might as well enjoy all that is has to offer, including the coffee. One of the best places to sample local coffee and buy beans (bulk is also an option) is the Coffee Gallery on O‘ahu’s North Shore. Nowhere else on the island will you find such a panoply of roasts and beans. All beans...

This family-run business is a longstanding institution in the Waikiki-Diamond Head community when it comes to eating well on the go. The Market is filled with delicious homemade dishes such as salads, baked salmon filets, and pasta dishes. And the most popular item on the menu is the grilled ahi steak, which is nicely seasoned with a wasabi aioli, and...

Waikiki may be crawling with Starbucks, but please give it a pass because the best coffee is waiting for you at the Honolulu Coffee Company, located in the front of the Moana Surfrider Hotel. Perfect lattés (try the Nutty Hawaiian Latte – macadamia nut, that is), flavorful chai, a panoply of pastries, great açai bowls, light fare and Kona coffee are some...

Located on O‘ahu’s North Shore across the street from the Hale‘iwa Shopping Plaza, Waialua Bakery is known for using only the freshest ingredients possible–a large majority of them local–and real meat (no cold cuts!). This is one of the best spots for paring scrumptious sandwiches with tropical smoothies (their cookies are pretty darn good too). If you’re a smoothie lover, I’d give...

In the tiny surfing town of Haleiwa on Oahu’s north shore, a true family-owned café has one of the best breakfast’s around. You’ll find an emphasis in organic and local ingredients from their farm on the menu, or you can always try their Waffle and Espresso bar serving Belgian waffles, espresso, cold-brew coffee and local kombucha on tap. Some of...

Plain or filled with delectable flavored custard, Leonard’s malasadas have become a true iconic snack of Oahu. Let’s just say, everyone is excited when someone shows up at the beach barbeque holding that pink pastry box. Flavors like chocolate, custard, li hing (salty dried plum, a favorite snack in Hawaii), cinnamon sugar and haupia (coconut) are the daily available flavors,...

What started as a humble grocery store by a hard-working family has become an Oahu North Shore legend. Matsumoto’s now serves about 1000 shave ices a day to tourists and locals alike. Expect a bit of a wait, as this famous location draws in people from all over the world. Choose from over 30 different Hawaiian and Japanese inspired flavors...

Perhaps the most accessible shave ice on Oahu, Island Vintage Shave Ice is a cute little shack on the sidewalk outside of the Royal Hawaiian Center right in the middle of Waikiki. If you don’t want to drive up to the North Shore for the famous Matsumoto’s Shave Ice in Haleiwa, Island Vintage will do the trick! The kiosk is...