Memorable | One of the Best
Leonard’s Bakery
Review by: Roadfood Team
Fans of Leonard’s Bakery keep coming back
This humble bakery is the place to taste hot malasadas. These delights are featherweight puffs of deep-fried dough dusted with plain sugar or cinnamon sugar and served too hot to handle. Prepare to wait in line because Leonard’s Bakery has earned legions of fans.
Hawaii’s version of fried dough- Malasadas
Every nationality or culture has its own name and slightly unique recipe for flavored fried dough. In the United States, we call it a doughnut. French scarf up their beignets with coffee. Canadians enjoy beaver tails. Mexico calls fried dough churros, and the Italians relish their zepoles.
When in Honolulu don’t miss the Hawaiian version of fried dough called the malasada. They come steaming hot directly from the Fryolator. These golden puffs of moist rich fried dough are served drenched in delightful cinnamon sugar. Unlike some versions of fried dough that often weigh as much as a billiard ball, Hawaiian malasadas are light and airy. You must order at least three per person because no one can resist the addictive power of these delicacies.
The ultimate malasada maker
Leonard’s Bakery is located just a few blocks from Waikiki Beach. Leonard’s continuously produces small batches of malasada throughout the day and each order comes quickly from the kitchen hot and fresh.
Although the bakery offers other traditional bakery items, why use up your caloric input count on anything but Hawaiian malasadas?
*Original Post by Big Rush*
Directions & Hours
Information
| Price | $ |
| Seasons | All |
| Meals Served | Breakfast, Lunch, Dessert |
| Credit Cards Accepted | No |
| Alcohol Served | No |
| Outdoor Seating | No |
What To Eat
Malasadas
DISH
Leonard’s Bakery Recipes
Discuss
What do you think of Leonard’s Bakery?
5 Responses to “Leonard’s Bakery”
Mary Rehling-Shepherd
August 30th, 2011
This is the only place to get genuine malasadas. We get right off the plane, pick up the rental car and head straight for Leonard’s. These are terrific. The flavor of the month is always a special treat, not to be missed!
Akiko Honda
December 19th, 2007
Leonard’s was on my “must visit” list while in Honolulu recently. The store is very unassuming; it looks like an old-fashioned bakery. Luckily, we drove-by in the morning and there were only a few people in line.
I had a tough decision to make: go with the original malasadas or the malasada puffs (with filling). I decided on six malasadas, three original and three with cinnamon-sugar. Once I placed the order, the woman behind the counter disappeared in the back for awhile. She returned after several minutes with a box of still warm malasadas. I couldn’t wait to get the box open and try my first malasada. It was warm, yeasty, sweet and so light; as good as I had imagined!
I guess it’s a good thing that Leonard’s is a five hour flight away, otherwise I’d be there all the time. Don’t miss Leonard’s if you go to Honolulu.
Tara
January 12th, 2006
I went to Hawaii for the first time. My twin sister served as my guide (by phone – she was in Seattle). She’d recently spent about a month in Honolulu and knew where everything was (along with every street name). I asked her if there was anything she wanted me to bring back. Chocolate macadamia nuts perhaps? She told me she’d already had everything – except the famous malasadas.
So my baby and I took a bus over to Leonard’s bakery. They were closing in one hour and I was coming from Kuhio! I went as far as the bus would take me. Then I ran with my baby in hand the remaining blocks. I made it with 15 minutes to spare.
I purchased six guava malasadas, and an extra to taste. Then I sat outside on a bench and tasted my very first malasada. My sister must have overhyped it, I figured – I mean it’s just a doughnut, right? WRONG! I took one bite, then went right back into the bakery and ordered a dozen more, along with a “Got Malasada” bumper sticker. I spent all the cash I had.
Hot malasadas, warm airy fluffy pastry with guava custard inside, not too sweet – just right. I love it best fresh from the bakery. Now everytime I go to Honolulu I have to visit Leonard’s just for the malasadas. They also come in chocolate and custard, but I like the guava the best. Visit if you have the chance!
Theodora Martin
January 6th, 2006
The lines of locals waiting for hot malasadas and Hawaiian/Portuguese sweet bread at this bakery attest to its enduring popularity. On our first visit, they were sold out of guava filling for the malasadas. So we had to come back a second time to get the Hawaiian fruit filling. And it was worth the wait! When the malasada (doughnut) is fried, you have your choice of sugar or cinnamon coating. One of each, please!
David Adam Edelstein
December 22nd, 2004
I grew up a couple of miles from Leonard’s, so I’m a bit biased, but if you want to try the local delicacy known as a malasada, this is absolutely the best place to start. Fresh from the fryer, dusted with sugar… the crust resists your teeth a bit before you get to the light, fluffy, delicious interior… oh my I’m making myself homesick.
Equally good, in a different way, is to stop by one of their trucks by the side of the road; one is usually opposite the Sandy’s (beach) parking lot.
Some ono!