Leonard's Bakery

Leonard's Bakery has been serving malasadas -- Portuguese donuts without a hole -- from the same Kapahulu Avenue location since 1952, and it remains one of the most beloved food institutions in Hawaii. For families visiting Honolulu, a stop at Leonard's is not optional. It is a rite of passage, a cultural experience, and a reliable way to make every child in your group very, very happy for approximately $2.

A malasada is simple: yeast dough deep-fried until golden and immediately rolled in sugar. No fancy toppings, no artisan drizzles, no Instagram-bait presentation. Just a hot, puffy, sugar-crusted ball of fried dough that is crispy on the outside and impossibly light and airy on the inside.

Leonard's malasadas are best eaten within 5 minutes of purchase -- the contrast between the crackling exterior and the soft, almost hollow interior is at its peak when hot. Takeout bags that sit for 30 minutes lose the magic. Eat them in the parking lot, standing up, with sugar falling on your shirt.

This is the intended experience.

The original sugar malasada ($1. 50) is the essential order. Filled malasadas ($1.

85) add a layer of richness: haupia (coconut cream) is the most Hawaiian filling and has a subtle, creamy sweetness that is addictive. Custard is the classic filling and the most familiar for mainland kids. Dobash (chocolate pudding) is the most popular with children.

Li hing mui (sweet-sour plum) is the adventurous option that divides opinion. Order a mixed bag of 4-6 and let the family share.

The bakery also sells pao doce (Portuguese sweet bread), which is excellent for breakfast or snacking, and an assortment of other pastries. But the malasadas are why people line up, and they are what your kids will talk about when they get home.

The line can be long on weekend mornings (15-30 minutes from about 8-11am), but it moves quickly -- the kitchen is a high-volume operation. Weekday mornings before 8am and afternoons after 3pm have short or no lines. The parking lot behind the bakery is free but small; overflow parking is available on surrounding streets.

Leonard's is located on Kapahulu Avenue, the commercial street that connects Waikiki to the residential neighborhoods inland. This puts it within a 5-minute drive of Diamond Head, the Honolulu Zoo, and the KCC Farmers Market, making it an easy add-on to a morning outing. Many families make Leonard's the last stop after a Diamond Head hike or zoo visit -- a hot malasada as a reward for completing the trail is powerfully motivating for kids of all ages.