Finding Coconut Glen’s feels like stumbling upon Ben and Jerry’s before it became big business. (That is, if Ben & Jerry had set up shop along a winding jungle road in Maui rather than in Burlington, Vermont.) Coconut Glen, a real person who lives on the property behind the stand, says that he serves “the best ice cream on the planet.”
He offers a selection of daily ice cream flavors as well as coconut candy, which is a bag of crunchy, just sweet, bronzed coconut shavings. The candy and ice creams are made with on-site coconuts that grow around the stand. Just look at the nearby stump. It’s littered with the husks of machete-hacked coconuts.
Glen’s dairy-free ice cream is rich, creamy, and smooth. Every flavor we have tasted comes studded with flavorful chunks throughout — the kind of ice cream you might expect from a man with a culinary education who is scooping out of a jungle shack on the wild side of Maui.
The signature coconut flavor, with little pieces of coconut candy blended throughout, isn’t overbearingly coconutty. Lilikoi (passionfruit) gets its crunch from the edible black seeds of the fruit, the passionfruit harmonizing well with its coconut base. We worried that lemongrass-ginger might resemble Thai coconut curry, but not at all. The aromatics are used with restraint, adding mild, refreshing spiciness. An occasional chunk of candied ginger adds kick.
As much as we love each flavor, the original coconut is our favorite. Coconut Glen’s is as much a coconut place as it is an ice cream place anyway, so why not go fully coconuts?
Even as dairy lovers, we have no problem saying that Coconut Glen’s is one of the best ice creams we’ve tasted. For vegans and the lactose-intolerant, it may be worth a special trip to Hana. For those not making the drive, the Surfing Monkey Shave Ice kiosk in The Shops at Wailea serves scoops of Glen’s incredible product.
Other Nearby Restaurants
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Sam Sato’s
Wailuku, HawaiiSam Sato’s specializes in Saimin, Hawaii’s riff on Ramen. However, dry noodles are the “mein” attraction: one of the best noodle bowls anywhere.
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Hana Farms
Hana, HawaiiA working organic farm with a superb concession shop, Hana bakes special treats that include famous banana bread.
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Ichiban Okazuya Hawaii
Wailuku, HawaiiHearty Hawaiian plate lunches with a Japanese name on the front. Maui’s best katsu is found at this Wailuku classic Japanese deli.
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Tobi’s Shave Ice
Paia, HawaiiThe shave ice is nice at this surfer spot, and made-to-order poke is one of the best best bites on the North Shore of Maui.
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Pono Pies
Kahului, HawaiiPono is a warehouse kitchen open six days a week for retail, selling great custard pies that are gluten- and dairy-free. Breadfruit is the key.
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Thai Mee Up
Kahului, HawaiiA jewel in the Kahalui airport adjacent “Plate Lunch Plaza” food truck park, Thai Mee Up serves the flavors of Thailand with Hawaiian sensibilities.