With pristine sandy beaches, turquoise blue waters, and warm tropical weather, it’s ice cream season in Hawaii at any time of the year. The best ice cream in Hawaii has choices for everyone from homemade ice cream, gelato, and sorbet to soft serve and the popular shaved ice.
Look no further than these splendid ice cream shops in this tropical paradise for mouthwatering frozen desserts.
Whether your favorite spots for a refreshing dessert in right on the beach in the afternoon sun or you like to satisfy your sweet tooth after dinner, stop by any ice cream shop on this list. I can assure you, you’ll be returning for more.
Some were destroyed by the wildfires, so please donate if you can to The Maui Strong Fund who are providing financial resources that can be deployed quickly, with a focus on rapid response and recovery.
Lappert’s Hawaii
For super-premium ice cream, phenomenal coffee, and drool-worthy baked goods, Lappert’s ice cream offers some of the best. Having started with only vanilla and macadamia nut ice cream in 1983 by Austrian-born Walter Lappert, today, they have over two hundred flavors, their own coffee roasting facility, and also offer splendid baked goods.
Using only the finest ingredients, they make all their products fresh in small batches daily in Hanapepe, Kauai. If you cannot decide what flavors you’d like, they’ve thoughtfully included a ‘Can’t Decide’ option on their menu. You can try half-scoops of five different flavors in a waffle bowl.
Their must-try items include island-inspired ice creams like Kauai pie (coffee ice cream with macadamia nuts, chocolate fudge, coconut flakes, and vanilla cake crunch), Heavenly Hana (a creamy chocolate ice cream with white chocolate chunks and delicate marshmallow swirls), and Lava Tube (vanilla bean ice cream, macadamia nut ice cream, caramel, and homemade hot fudge).
You can also find Dole Whip here!
- Lappert’s Hawaii, different locations around the islands, so check the website!
Wing Ice Cream
This is Chinatown’s ice cream parlor in downtown Honolulu on the Island of Oahu, specializing in homemade ice creams from scratch. While you can find the usual flavors like blueberry and mango here, you can also find sundaes, root beer floats, and shaved ice. Shaved ice is a popular favorite around the island and is one of the many dairy-free options you can enjoy.
However, they have classic flavors, but what makes this place truly stand out are the bizarre ice cream flavors, like pizza, cheese, rose petals, black sesame, and pumpkin cheesecake – a treat for the adventurous kind. They’ve also got some lovely vegan options made with coconut milk.
Their signature flavors of ice cream are: Hawaiian vanilla bean, Firecracker (toasted sesame ginger with Thai chili peanut toffee), and Blue Hawai’i (coconut and vanilla).
- Wing Ice Cream Parlour, 1145 Maunakea St. Suite 4, (Entrance on Pauahi st.)
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Samurai Inc.
For one-of-a-kind Hawaiian Frost soft serve ice cream, visit local favorite Samurai House in Kalihi. This creamy and refreshing cross between ice cream and Hawaiian shave ice is a sight to behold that will have your taste buds singing – bright and colorful with neon hues. There’s nothing like the Hawaiian Frost soft serve to experience the local taste of Hawaii truly.
Apart from their soft serve, their other must-try items include: Hawaiian Frost float (your choice of soft serve flavor and soda) flavors using natural ingredients like island coffee, yuzu, lychee, coconut, honeydew melon, banana, vanilla, mango, orange, and strawberry; Samurai parfait (soft serve with whipped cream, cornflakes, and chocolate syrup); and Hawaiian Frost shakes (blended with your choice of soft serve and topped with whipped cream)
- Samurai Inc., 738 Umi Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819.
Dave’s Ice Cream
From opening the first Dave’s Ice Cream store on Oahu’s west coast in Waianae in 1982, local boy David Leong has come a long way to be labeled among the best ice cream shops in Hawaii.
With over 50 different flavors, most locations have at least 40 on hand at all times. Since they value quality, they use fresh fruit (when available) instead of frozen or canned fruit.
Some innovative flavors include banana mochi berry, poha berry, Azuki beans, Kona coffee, green tea, caramel macadamia, and blue cotton candy. Their must-try items include: Ube (purple yam combined with rich, creamy vanilla ice cream), Green tea, and Rainbow sherbet (an exclusive of Dave’s; a combination of pineapple, passion fruit, and guava).
- Dave’s Ice Cream, different locations so check the website.
Island Cream Co.
If you happen to be at the Lahaina Gateway Mall, you mustn’t miss stopping by the Island Cream Co. They make a uniquely light and smooth dessert that’s is a hybrid between ice cream and delicious gelato. While they specialize in over 150 different flavors, since they prepare all their products fresh daily, you’ll find only 36 flavors available any day.
It’s won tons of awards and considered the top-rated ice cream shop in Hawaii!
They also promise the “ultimate shave ice experience,” their Glacier Ice is only available at their outlet. With over 36 flavors, you are spoiled for choice!
Their must-try items include: Kauai-Karamel with roasted pecans, Macadamia and chocolate frozen banana bars, Lahaina cream, and Strawberry shortcake.
- Island Cream Co., 305 Keawe Street-Suite 511, Lahaina Gateway Mall, Lahaina, HI 96761
Il Gelato
Are you a gelato-lover more than ice cream? Thanks to Il Gelato in Honolulu, you can relish award-winning gelato that’s all-natural and made fresh daily using the finest locally grown ingredients or from the best sources in Italy and worldwide.
This place is all about true artisan, handcrafted gelato using traditional Italian processes, original Italian gelato equipment, and their own unique recipes. Il Gelato represents the truly Italian art of making gelato on the tropical paradise island.
At Il Gelato, Hawaiian and Asian flavors are uniquely blended with traditional European gelato making. Their must-try flavors include: Hawaiian apple banana, Chocolate ginger, Old-fashioned chocolate, and Kona coffee.
- Il Gelato, various locations
Coconut Glen
Not an ice cream parlour per se, this ice cream-centric food truck can be found on Maui making organic vegan ice cream. Coconut is their signature flavor, but you can find lots of others all equally delicious!
This whimsical roadside stand specializes in organic, vegan ice cream made from coconut milk, offering bold flavors like lilikoi, pineapple, and their signature coconut. Each scoop is ultra-creamy, naturally sweetened, and served in biodegradable coconut shells, making it as eco-friendly as it is delicious.
Beyond the unique flavors, Coconut Glen’s is a sensory experience—colorful décor, friendly service, and the lush jungle surroundings make it a memorable stop. Visitors rave about the rich, tropical taste of the ice cream and the fun, offbeat atmosphere.
- Coconut Glen, Hana Highway, Mile Marker 27 1/2, Nahiku, Maui, HI
Maui Sweet Shoppe
Their small-batch ice cream is made with high-quality ingredients, ensuring each scoop is rich and creamy. Beyond ice cream, the shop also serves house-made mochi, gelato, and decadent desserts that perfectly complement the island’s tropical vibes.
Guests rave about the friendly service and the variety of unique offerings, including mochi-topped sundaes and rotating seasonal specials. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick cone or indulging in one of their creative ice cream sandwiches, this spot is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth in Maui.
- Maui Sweet Shoppe, 1819 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753, United States
Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
Ululani’s is a legendary name in Hawaiian shave ice, known for its finely shaved, melt-in-your-mouth texture and vibrant, all-natural syrups. With multiple locations across the islands, this iconic treat stand offers flavors like mango, lychee, and passion orange, often made with real fruit purees. Their signature creations, such as the Haleakalā (coconut and leche topped with sweetened condensed milk), make every bite a tropical delight.
Each serving of Ululani’s shave ice is crafted with precision, using pure cane sugar and filtered water for the smoothest consistency. Customers can customize their orders with add-ons like li hing mui powder, azuki beans, or a scoop of creamy macadamia nut ice cream.
- Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice, various locations
Paia Gelato
Using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, they create a rotating selection of flavors that capture the essence of the island. Popular picks include Maui pineapple, toasted coconut, and rich Kona coffee, all made with a silky-smooth texture that rivals traditional Italian gelato.
Beyond its delicious gelato, Paia Gelato is a welcoming spot to relax and soak in the laid-back beach town atmosphere. Their menu also features affogatos, milkshakes, and frozen treats that cater to every craving.
- Paia Gelato, 99 Hana Hwy C, Paia, HI 96779, United States
Waiola Shave Ice, various locations
Waiola Shave Ice has been a Honolulu staple since the 1940s, serving some of the finest, fluffiest shave ice on the island. Unlike traditional snow cones, their shave ice is incredibly soft, absorbing every drop of flavorful syrup for a perfect bite every time. With classic options like strawberry and pineapple to inventive combinations such as rainbow or haupia (coconut pudding), there’s something for everyone.
Locals and tourists alike flock to its various locations to indulge in this refreshing island treat, often topped with condensed milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Waiola Shave Ice, various locations
You don’t need a hot day to enjoy ice cream in Hawaii. With great ice cream shops spread all over the Hawaiian islands and with such mouthwatering flavors, any time you’re craving a frozen treat, there are so many choices, you won’t be disappointed!
Traveling somewhere different, try one of these great ice cream shops!
