Whether you have lived in Hawaii your entire life, have just moved to the islands’ or are planning a once in a lifetime Hawaiian vacation, there are certain foods and restaurants everyone who has ever stepped on Hawaiian soil needs to check out. One such iconic Hawaiian food is the mouthwatering malasada, a Portuguese doughnut introduced to the islands by the iconic Leonard’s Bakery.

The sweet treat has since become wildly popular throughout the Hawaiian Islands - and everyone in Honolulu has fallen in love with Leonard’s.
Lily T./Yelp
In fact, the only acceptable reason for anyone living on Oahu to not absolutely adore Leonard’s Bakery is that they just haven’t tried one of their fresh, piping hot malasadas.
Regina C./Yelp
The treat became popular after Leonard’s mother suggested making malasadas for Shrove Tuesday, a Portuguese tradition. The bakers thought it was too ethnic, but they tried it all the same, and Hawaii quickly became obsessed.
Michael Kwan/Flickr
A crispy golden brown exterior rolled in flavored sugar gives way to a soft and fluffy inside: some malasadas are even filled with custard, haupia or chocolate, and Leonard’s even offer a malasada flavor of the month.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr

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The size of your palm, these mouthwatering doughnuts are unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before, and are simply delectable - and addicting.
Jam Y./Yelp
In addition to Leonard’s mouthwatering malasadas, they also serve a variety of pastries, cookies, cakes and pies. Their coffee cake and sweet bread is absolutely to-die-for.
Angel H./Yelp
Since Leonard’s Bakery opened in 1952, it has quickly become a household name in Hawaii.
Leonard's Bakery/Facebook
The Honolulu Star Advertiser reported in 2012 that the Honolulu landmark sells approximately 15,000 malasadas each day, or more than 160 million since the bakery opened.
TQT/Flickr
Yao C./Yelp

Leonard’s Bakery flagship shop is located at 933 Kapahulu Avenue in Honolulu, but you’ll also find a Malasada mobile permanently parked at the Waikele Outlet Mall. So, who’s headed to Leonard’s as soon as possible to satisfy your craving for malasadas?

While Leonard’s is obviously the best place to get malasadas in Hawaii, these 11 shops serve up some pretty mouthwatering alternatives if you want to try something new.

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