The most populated island in Hawaii has so many ice cream shops that delight locals and visitors alike. There’s the sand, sea, and surf and on any hot day, there’s also the best ice cream in Oahu to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Best Places for Delicious Ice Cream in Oahu
Whether you’re looking for some soft serve, shaved ice, delicious gelato, traditional vanilla ice cream, or to mix up different flavors, hop into any of these best places in Oahu.
Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha
Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha is a popular shaved ice and dessert shop located in Aina Haina. It was founded by Clayton “Uncle Clay” Chang in 2008 with the mission of spreading aloha (love, kindness, and positivity) through delicious treats and a welcoming atmosphere.
Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha is known for its high-quality shaved ice, made with natural syrups and topped with fresh fruit and other toppings. In addition to shaved ice, the shop also offers other desserts such as ice cream, mochi, and cookies.
But Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha is more than just a dessert shop – it’s a community gathering place that promotes kindness and positivity. Uncle Clay himself is known for his friendly demeanor and for creating a welcoming atmosphere where customers can relax and enjoy their treats. The shop also hosts community events and supports local charities and organizations.
Overall, Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha is a beloved institution in Hawaii, known for its delicious treats and commitment to spreading aloha.
- Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha, 820 W Hind Dr #116, Honolulu, HI 96821
Scoop of Paradise
If you’re spending your day on the North Shore, Scoop of Paradise is the place to drop by for some of the best desserts you can relish.
Some must-try flavors include Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake, Macadamia Nut Chocolate, Coffee, and Chocolate Chip Cookie. You can also go for a milkshake, coffee, an acai bowl, homemade mochi, soup, salad, or a sandwich.
- Scoop of Paradise, 66-145 Kamehameha Hwy #5b, Haleiwa, HI 96712
Il Gelato Hawaii
For some natural and locally-made authentic Italian gelato, look no further than Il Gelato. Their award-winning artisan gelato is made fresh daily with the finest ingredients grown locally or sourced from Italy or worldwide.
From classic flavors to Hawaiian specialties, there are also seasonal choices; all made to have you longing for more.
You’ll be spoilt for choice here; flavor choices include Biscotti, Hawaiian Apple Banana, Pineapple Coconut, Chocolate Ginger, Macadamia Nut, Kona Coffee, and Tahitian Vanilla.
That’s not all; they also have several vegan, dairy-free options. Their sorbetto options include Dragonfruit, Haleiwa Sunshine, Lilikoi, and Lemon. It’s also an excellent place for breakfast or brunch, with amazing crepes, waffles, coffee, and more.
- Il Gelato, multiple locations
Dave’s Ice Cream
When Dave Leong opened the first Dave’s Ice Cream in 1982, he was one of only three vendors licensed to make ice cream on the island of Oahu.
Several formulas and taste tests later, Dave’s is now a franchise and an innovator of ice cream. With an impressive variety of over 50 flavors, 40 available across all locations, they have some award-winning ice cream you mustn’t miss.
Valuing quality above all, they use fresh fruit, when available, instead of canned or frozen fruit. Some popular ice cream flavors include Poha Berry, Banana Mochi Berry, Kahlua Fudge, Azuki Beans, Kona Coffee, Green Tea, Blue Cotton Candy and Rainbow Sherbet (a delicious trio of guava, passion fruit, and pineapple).
- Dave’s Ice Cream, multiple locations
Samurai
When you can’t decide between ice cream and shaved ice, try the Hawaiian Frost from Samurai instead. This one-of-a-kind frozen dessert is a refreshing creamy cross between ice cream and Hawaiian shave ice.
Light ice cream mixed with syrup takes its inspiration from Maui-style sherbet. Choose from flavors like Yuzu, Island Coffee, Lychee, Mango, Orange, Banana, Honeydew Melon, Blue Vanilla, and more.
You can also look into their other tasty goodies like candied popcorn, gummies, dried fruit, and spicy Arare crackers.
- Samurai Inc, 738 Umi St, Honolulu, HI 96819
Wing Ice Cream Parlor
Why settle for a regular ice cream cone when you can dig into icy treats at the Wing Ice Cream Parlor!
Chinatown’s ice cream parlor in downtown Honolulu is bound to be on your list of favorite spots in Hawaii for classic and unique flavors made from fresh, local ingredients. They also serve great shaved ice.
You’ll find Tea & Cookies (Earl Grey with lemon cookies) and Turtle Dog (Peanut butter with chocolate, pecans, and caramel) delightful among the many fun flavors.
Besides their delicious creamy ice cream, they also offer dairy-free ice cream options (made using coconut milk) and sorbets. The exquisite flavors include Black Sesame, Chocolate Haupia, Blue Hawai’i (Coconut & Vanilla), and Tea & Cookies (Matcha & Oreos).
If you thought these flavors weren’t innovative enough, they also do pretzel, lemongrass, carrot, garlic, roasted soybeans, basil, turmeric, and black pepper, among a range of other ones.
- Wing Ice Cream, 1145 Maunakea St, N Pauahi St #4, Honolulu, HI 96817
Lappert’s Hawaii
This relaxed local chain in Waikiki’s Hilton Hawaiian Village serves coffee, baked goods, and super-premium ice cream.
Starting with just two flavors – Vanilla and Macadamia Nut, Lappert’s ice cream has come a long way over the years, perfecting over 125 flavors. They use fresh ingredients and churn their ice cream in small batches daily, so you don’t have to eat a day’s-old ice cream.
A favorite flavor here is Heavenly Hana (dark chocolate ice cream with a marshmallow swirl). Kona Lava Java, Kauai Pie, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Green Tea, Banana Fudge, and Coconut Pineapple will have you drooling too.
With such varied options for fresh ice cream, you know you won’t stop at just one scoop!
- Lappert’s Hawaii, 2005, Kaila Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Other Best Ice Cream Spots in Oahu
Here are some other spots in Oahu to get equally sumptuous frozen desserts:
- Magnolia Ice Cream, multiple locations
- Coconut Glen’s, 1200 Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 97608
- Angel’s Ice Cream, 55-510 Kamehameha Hwy #2, Laie, HI 96762
- The Cheesecake Factory, 2301 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
- Coconut Glen’s, 1200 Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 97608
- Leonard’s Bakery, 933 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
- Waiola Shave Ice, 2135 Waiola St, Honolulu, HI 96826
- Monsarrat Shave Ice, 3046 Monsarrat Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
- Angel’s Ice Cream, 55-510 Kamehameha Hwy #2, Laie, HI 96762
- Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha, 820 W Hind Dr #116, Honolulu, HI 96821
- Tropical Dreams Ice Cream, multiple locations
The cherry on top!
Soak in the magnificent views and Aloha spirit while indulging in some of the best ice creams Oahu offers. From real fruit ice cream and the best shave ice to Dole whip and Roselani ice cream, you’ll find all this and more at different locations on this island. Keu a ka ‘ono! (That’s Bon Appetit in Hawaiian)
