The 5 Best Bakeries on Hawaiʻi Island in 2025
Satisfy your sweet tooth at the best bakeries on the Big Island, as voted by HAWAIʻI Magazine readers.
It’s well-known among locals that if you’re visiting Hawaiʻi Island, you better return with delicious omiyage (gifts) to share. From fluffy sweet bread to delightful strawberry mochi, some seriously iconic sweet treats can be enjoyed on Hawaiʻi Island. According to HAWAIʻI Magazine readers, these are the best bakeries on the Big Island in 2025.
READ MORE: 10 Eateries Every Traveler to Hawaiʻi Island Should Visit
1. Punaluʻu Bake Shop
Located in Nāʻālehu, Punaluʻu Bake Shop is the country’s southernmost bakery. But its real claim to fame is its heavenly sweet bread—made from a secret family recipe. You can pick up a loaf or two of the traditional sweet bread or also try the guava and taro versions. Along with its sweet loaves, you can indulge in fresh malasadas, macadamia nut shortbread cookies or order local plate lunches and sandwiches.
Punaluʻu Bake Shop, 5642 Māmalahoa Highway, Nāʻālehu, bakeshophawaii.com
2. Two Ladies Kitchen
Two Ladies Kitchen in Hilo is known for its colorful variety of Japanese mochi and manju.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Tucked on Kīlauea Avenue in Hilo, Two Ladies Kitchen is a sweet hole-in-the-wall known for its colorful variety of Japanese mochi and manju. Made fresh every morning, its pillowy mochi is stuffed with unique fillings, ranging from pieces of grapes and lilikoʻi to Oreos and marshmallows. But the most popular item here is the strawberry mochi, which you need to order ahead of time. The treat consists of a whole strawberry coated in hand-mashed sweet azuki beans, enveloped in soft mochi. It’s divine!
274 Kīlauea Ave., Hilo, @twoladieskitchen_hilo
READ MORE: Monumental Mochi: A Morning at Hilo’s Famous Two Ladies Kitchen
3. Island Lava Java
Island Lava Java is a family-owned restaurant located on Aliʻi Drive in Kailua-Kona. It boasts unrivaled ocean views and a top-notch bakery. Here, you can indulge in drool-worthy pastries, including cinnamon rolls, muffins and bread. If you’re hungry, stick around for breakfast at Island Lava Java. The restaurant is known for its eggs Benedict, Lūʻau Scramble with kālua pork, and waffles topped with macadamia nuts and drizzled in coconut syrup.
75-5801 Aliʻi Drive, Bldg 1, Kailua Kona, islandlavajava.com
READ MORE: How to Spend 24 Hours in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island
4. Tex Drive-In
The sugar-coated malasadas at Tex Drive In are large, pillowy and filled with flavors like Bavarian cream, chocolate, guava and mango.
Photo: Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau (IHVB)/Kirk Lee Aeder
Tex Drive-In lures travelers to the quiet town of Honokaʻa in the northern region of Hawaiʻi Island with its dreamy malasadas. As a top contender for the best malasada in Hawaiʻi, Tex Drive-In stands out from other bakeries with its distinctly square-shaped malasadas. These large, deep-fried pastries are dusted with sugar and can be ordered plain or come filled with flavors like haupia, mango, pineapple and Bavarian cream.
45-690 Pakalana St., Honokaʻa, texdrivein-hawaii.com
5. Short N Sweet Bakery & Café
Along with pastries, this Hilo bakery specializes in incredible custom cakes.
Photo: Courtesy of Snort N Sweet Bakery & Café
Be sure to visit Short N Sweet Bakery & Café hungry. Located in downtown Hilo, the neighborhood bakery specializes in incredible custom cakes and one-of-a-kind desserts. From handcrafted macarons and fluffy cupcakes to lilikoʻi bars, you’ll be tempted to try all the sweet treats.
374 Kinoʻole St., Hilo, (808) 935-4446, shortnsweet.biz
See all of the winners of our 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards in our latest issue, which you can buy here. Better yet, subscribe and get HAWAIʻI Magazine delivered to right to your mailbox.
