The Shave Ice From This Mouthwatering Hawaii Shop Is So Worth The Wait

If there were to be only one dessert associated with Hawaii, it would be shave ice. Not only is shave ice the perfect snack for a quick sugar rush after a day spent at the beach, but it’s one treat that’s pretty much exclusive to the Aloha State. You see, shave ice and snow cones are not the same thing — the consistency of true shave ice is that of newly fallen snow, not the granular and crunchy ice so many are used to. And while you’ll find shave ice shops across the Hawaiian Islands, today, we’re sharing with you the most popular shop.

Nestled in the historic surfing town of Haleiwa on Oahu’s north shore, is the famous Matsumoto Shave Ice.

If you haven’t tried the shave ice at Matsumoto’s before, well, what exactly are you doing with your life?

What once began as a small family-owned grocery store in the 1950s before Hawaii became an American state has transformed into so much more.

Warm weather, big waves, and small-town vibes brought people from across the globe to Haleiwa, and in turn, this quaint store that serves melt-in-your-mouth shave ice bursting with flavor.

In addition to their famous shave ice, you’ll discover a variety of t-shirts, souvenirs, snacks, and more for sale in this colorful Hawaiian store.

This little shop with humble beginnings is now one of Oahu’s must-visit destinations, with more than 2,500 reviews on TripAdvisor alone, and on a hot summer day, the store produces upwards of a thousand shave ices!

Featuring more than 40 flavors, and the ability to choose up to three flavors in each cup, as well as a variety of extras including condensed milk, mochi, azuki beans, and vanilla ice cream, the possibilities are endless. You could visit every week and try a new flavor combination each time!

Choose from tropical island-inspired flavors like lilikoi, pineapple, guava, pickled mango, li hing mui, lychee, and papaya or classics like strawberry, orange, lemon, lime, watermelon, sour apple, cotton candy, or bubblegum.

So, what are you waiting for? Whether you haven't been to Matsumoto's in years or go as often as your schedule allows, you consider your sweet tooth satisfied after just one bit of this famous shave ice,

Address: 66-087 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa, HI 96712

Matsumoto Shave Ice is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit their website or follow them on Facebook. What’s your favorite shave ice flavor combination from Matsumoto’s?

If you absolutely cannot wait in line for a sweet treat in Haleiwa, consider trying this little ice cream shop.