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Who wouldn’t dream of a relaxing getaway to Maui (unless you’re already living there)? With its charming beaches, mouthwatering local food, and mesmerizing scenery, and of course, the best ice cream in Maui to relish.
You don’t need a reason to have ice cream in Maui; Maui is the reason!
Best Places for Great Ice Cream in Maui
Indulge in island-inspired desserts, traditional flavors, or more exotic varieties here.
Island Cream Company
It’s gelato; it’s ice cream; it’s Island Cream! This hybrid of gelato and premium ice cream, popular with the locals as well as the visitors, Island Cream Co. deserves to take the top spot.
With over 150 flavors, they have 36 freshly made ones available daily, handmade with the best all-natural, local ingredients and award-winning flavors.
Relish flavors like Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Coconut Poi, Pineapple Cream, Kona-Karamel with roasted pecans, Bali-Buffalo Peanut, and Banana Maui. Can’t make up your mind? Try their six-flavor sampling dish of your pick.
I highly recommend the Sposhy – Glacier ice filled with ice cream and topped with real fruit chunks and puree!
As if this wasn’t enough, they’ve got a Glacier Ice station for the best shave ice experience. You can load your shaved ice with any of their 36 syrup flavors!
- Island Cream Co., 305 Keawe Street-Suite 511, Lahaina Gateway Mall, Lahaina, HI 96761
Lahaina Ice Cream Parlor (Sadly Closed)
When you’re close to Lahaina’s famous Banyan Tree, the tantalizing aroma of freshly-made waffle cones will draw you to Lahaina Ice Cream Parlor.
This is your one-stop shop for a range of delicious treats – Lappert’s Ice Cream, Hawaiian Shave Ice, and Dole Soft Serve.
Lappert’s remains among their most popular ice cream menus, with rich tropical flavors like Coconut Pineapple, Road to Hana, Caramel Coconut Macadamia Nut, and more. My fav! Kauai Pie – coffee ice cream with chocolate fudge, coconut, and macadamia nuts on a waffle cone. OMG!
However, the Dole Soft Serve Float (soft serve with fresh pineapple shavings and juice) is an irresistible option on their menu, served in vintage tiki glasses (that they sell as souvenirs too)!
- Lahaina Ice Cream Parlor, 693 Front Street, Lahaina, HI 96761
Maui Gelato and Waffles
From artisan gelato, Mochi ice cream, shakes, and sundaes to Acai bowls, Belgian waffles, shaved ice, and the fascinating Roselani ice cream, your taste buds will dance to the different flavors of ice cream here.
When Manuel Nobriga began making ice cream at the Maui Soda & Ice Works plant, Wailuku, Maui, in 1932, little did he know that his culinary treats would become a big hit instantly.
They have over 20 flavors of gelato, with gluten-free and dairy-free options, too, it’s a real treat.
Among the fantastic flavors, the Kona coffee ice cream is splendid; there are also other ones like Island Roots, Ube, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and Mochi.
Their shaved ice flavors include Cotton Candy, Root Beer, Blue Bubble Gum, and Hawaiian Punch.
Care for breakfast with ice cream? Try their Belgian waffles with ice cream topping combos and an affogato (espresso shots poured over ice cream).
- Maui Gelato and Waffles, 2395 S Kihei Rd #120, Kihei, HI 96753
Coconut Glen’s Ice Cream
For the best organic vegan ice cream (made with coconut milk) you can find in Maui, and the world’s best Coconut ice cream, drop by Coconut Glen’s along the Road to Hana.
It feels like a mini paradise with the jungle shack, a colorful ice cream truck, and outdoor seating with cute felines lazing around.
Take your pick from Chili Chocolate, Coffee Toffee, Lilikoi, Pineapple Banana, Lemongrass Ginger, Banana Rum Raisin, Green Dragon, and Honey Macadamia Nut ice cream, among others.
You can sip on freshly-cut tender coconuts and munch on coconut-based treats they make in small batches.
- Coconut Glen’s, 1200 Hana Hwy, Mile Marker 27 ½, Nahiku, Maui, HI 96708
Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice (sadly closed)
All shave ice isn’t created equal; Ululani’s Shave Ice is a Hawaiian classic that’s been a local favorite since 2008. Named after Ululani, she grew up in Kalihi, Oahu, eating shave ice and dreamt of selling the world’s best.
Using only 100% organic cane sugar and signature recipes for her syrups, they offer over 50+ bold and delicious flavors, each worth trying. Think Wedding Cake, Pink Lemonade, Calamansi, Pickled Mango, Passion Orange, and Pina Colada.
They also serve award-winning, gourmet-tier Maui-made Roselani ice cream or Azuki beans as their ice cream add-on. And their toppings include toasted coconut, Snow Cap, and Mochi.
You must try ‘The Best’ (mango, coconut, and passion fruit) with toasted coconut toppings to experience the authentic Maui flavors.
- Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice, multiple locations
Paia Gelato (sadly closed)
Hawaiian flavors blended with Italian traditions are what Paia Gelato is all about. Using only the finest local ingredients, they have native flavors like pineapple, haupia, guava, lemon, and more.
Don’t miss out on their Sandy Beach (peanut butter, coconut candy, and lava sea salt). And the ultimate decadent indulgence is a gelato brownie sandwich or gelato cake – it doesn’t get any better than this.
- Paia Gelato, 99 Hana Hwy, Paia, HI 96779
Other Places With Great Ice Cream in Maui
- Maui Sweet Shoppe, 1819 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753
- Surfing Monkey Hawaiian Shave Ice, 1881 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753
- Hula Cookies and Ice Cream, 300 Maalaea Rd. Ste 207, Wailuku, HI 96793
- Tasaka Guri Guri Shop, 70 E Kaahumanu Ave #C13, Kahului, HI 96732
- Ono Gelato, 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy Unit I-22, Lahaina, HI 96761
The cherry on top!
Who said you must wait for the summer heat to enjoy a frozen sweet treat in Maui? The Hawaiian islands have the perfect ice cream weather all year round. Whether you’re going for a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream or mixing up the variety of flavors, the perfect place to enjoy your dessert is on a sandy beach in Maui.
Traveling Elsewhere? Here Are Some Great Ice Cream Shops You Can Try!
Here are some of the world’s awesome ice cream shops:
