Leonard's Bakery
8.6Friend Score / 10#1 of 20 Cafés & Coffee in Honolulu
Known formalasadascustard malasadadobash malasadahaupia malasada
The malasada institution — a Portuguese-Hawaiian bakery on Kapahulu Ave frying hot, sugar-dusted doughnuts since 1952. Open daily 5:30am-7pm; a filled malasada runs about $2.70. The line looks scary but moves fast. One honest note: eat them within minutes, in the parking lot — they don't travel.
Key facts
| Hours | Daily 05:30–19:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | TheBus Route 13 along Kapahulu Ave stops steps away; 10-15 minutes from Waikiki |
| Time needed | 15-30 minutes |
| Best time to go | Early morning or mid-afternoon on a weekday; expect lines on weekend mornings |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.6/10- Value9.0
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level5.5
- Authenticity9.5
- Accessibility8.5
Frequently asked questions
- How much do malasadas cost at Leonard's?
- Filled malasadas run about $2.70 each, and a box of six is around $13. It's still one of the cheapest famous food experiences in Honolulu.
- Are there other Leonard's locations?
- Yes — Leonard's runs Malasadamobile trucks around Oahu, including one near the airport on Lagoon Drive (7am-6pm daily), handy for a last hit before your flight. The Kapahulu original is the full-experience stop, though.
- Do malasadas keep? Can I bring some home?
- Honestly, no — they're at their best for about 15 minutes and noticeably sadder within the hour. Buy what you'll eat on the spot. If you must transport, plain ones survive slightly better than filled.
- What is a malasada, anyway?
- A Portuguese fried doughnut with no hole — crisp outside, pillowy inside, rolled in sugar. Leonard's brought it to Hawaii fame in the 1950s. Get at least one plain and hot before you experiment with fillings.
- What are Leonard's Bakery hours?
- Daily 5:30am to 7pm at the main Kapahulu Ave shop. Going at an off-hour like 2pm on a Tuesday means hot malasadas with zero wait.
- Is there parking at Leonard's?
- Yes, a small free lot right in front, plus street parking nearby. The lot gets chaotic on weekend mornings, but turnover is fast since most people grab and go.
- What should I order at Leonard's?
- One original sugar malasada eaten immediately, plus a filled one — haupia (coconut) is the local favorite, and custard is the safe crowd-pleaser. They fry to order, so everything comes out hot.
- How long is the line at Leonard's?
- Weekend mornings you might wait 15-30 minutes; weekdays it's often just a few people deep. The line moves quickly because they're a well-oiled machine. Don't let a line out the door scare you off.
Nearby in Ask Honolulu
- Ono SeafoodRestaurant0.24 km · 3 min walk
- Pai Cafe Coffee & Acai BowlsCafé0.38 km · 5 min walk
- Better DazeCafé0.43 km · 5 min walk
- Cafe KailaCafé0.45 km · 6 min walk
- Rainbow Drive-InRestaurant0.49 km · 6 min walk
Where to stay near Leonard's Bakery
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