Leonard’s Bakery has been around since 1952 and for some strange reason, my mother and I just discovered the place. Maybe it’s because when my parents visit Hawaii, they never rent a car. Or maybe, it’s because only the locals know about the joint. Who knows… but I feel like we’ve been missing out all these years and now I am convinced a trip to Honolulu would not be complete without a stop to Leonard’s Bakery.
Now if when you go there, DON’T FREAK OUT if you see a big line. Big lines can only mean one thing. WHATEVER’S INSIDE IS WORTH THE WAIT. Seriously though, the line moves pretty fast.
Next time I go, I am going to get a custard pie. I kept telling my mother we needed one but she thought if we did my dad would eat the whole thing… đŸ˜‰ So we passed.
I was able to snag him a cream horn though. Ha!
But the main thing you want to go to Leonard’s Bakery is for the malasadas… which is basically a Portuguese doughnut without a hole. Which in itself doesn’t seem that exciting. Of course, until you tried one. Or 6. đŸ˜‰
My dad and I are HUGE fans of anything custard filled so I made sure we paid a little extra for the filled ones. We ordered 3 custard, 2 chocolate custard, and 1 coconut custard filled malasadas. Handed our money over the counter… and then waited until someone in the back fried them up.
Which honestly, at first, I thought was a little strange. Any normal person from the {fast paced} west coast would assume that since there was a huge line out the door they would have these ready to pop in a bag to send people on their merry way as quickly as possible to keep up with the customers. But nope.
Each and everyone of the malasadas are made to order. Which means when they hand over your bag or box they are crazy warm and soft and ready to eat. HOW COOL IS THAT!?
Mom and I gobbled the first one down without even speaking a word. And then I was like “I could eat 5 of these in a row they are so freakin’ good.”
So seriously, if you ever make your way to Honolulu, do yourself {and your stomach} a favor and stop at Leonard’s Bakery and order some fried malasadas. You’ll be glad you did.
Hometown bakeries ROCK. And this one gets a 10 out of 10!
~Mavis
Leonard’s Bakery
933 Kapahulu Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
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Leslie says
Looks amazing. And $6.50 for a pie? That’s a steal.
debbie in alaska says
Growing up in a Portuguese household, I get super excited when I see people enjoying things I grew up eating. Clearly a Portuguese bakery seeing that their featured baked goods are in Portuguese as well. Very cool.
Wyoming Gal says
I am surprised you just found Leonard’s since they are in every Hawaii guidebook I have read. There is also a French style bakery in Waikiki – Saint-Germain Bakery, that is quite good.
Marie says
I had malasadas during lent every year as a child. The church ladies would be up at the crack of dawn baking them to sell after Mass. But, never had one with a filling. Those sound awesome.
Jennifer says
Teds Bakery on the north shore is legendary. Haupia pie.
Dawn says
My favorite place on Oahu!
Melissa says
I think it’s so sweet that you surprised your mom for Mother’s Day by meeting your parents in Hawaii. I’m sure it was a hard Mother’s Day for your family. Kudos for making family a priority. I’m sure it was much appreciated.
Deborah says
The pastry looks wonderful. If I ever get to Hawaii that will be a place I want to go.
From the picture, I could see T-shirts for sale. Maybe a t-shirt from your favorite bakeries,
Then you could have more than one short sleeve shirt to wear.