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About
A Slice of Lihue History
Stepping into Yamato's Ice Cream feels like a sudden shift into a slower era of Kauai life. This local landmark has served generations of residents, grounding itself in the heart of Lihue as a classic stop for those looking to escape the island humidity. The air inside hums with the steady whir of ice-shaving machines, a sound that has punctuated local afternoons for decades.
Frozen Treats and Local Flavors
While the name suggests simple ice cream, the real draw here is the authentic Hawaiian shave ice. The menu focuses on traditional syrups, with lilikoi and guava standing out for their bright, tart profiles that cut through the sweetness. You won’t find modern, over-the-top gimmicks here; instead, the focus remains on finely shaved ice that holds syrup evenly, often paired with a scoop of creamy macadamia nut ice cream buried at the bottom. It is a dense, cooling experience that demands a quick pace before the tropical sun takes its toll.
The Lihue Experience
The shop maintains a no-frills, utilitarian aesthetic that keeps the focus entirely on the bowl in your hand. Expect a bit of a scramble for parking during peak afternoon hours, as this spot is a frequent destination for students and families finishing their errands nearby. It is exactly the kind of place where you sit on a bench, watch the traffic move through central Lihue, and enjoy the simple satisfaction of a cold treat on a warm day. If you appreciate local businesses that have remained unchanged despite the rapid development of the island, this is your mandatory stop.
Location
I'm mobile, Lihue, Hawaii, 96766
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Reviews
Showing 7 of 0 community reviewsSteven BakerGoogle Maps
Recently
Overall I paid 15 bucks for a mediocre shaved ice before I went to the airport, I wish I woulda spent the time to go down to Jojo's or a different place. Small little ice cream shop that offers shaved ice and other stuff. Ice cream looked really good, probably what you should get here. Shaved ice was meh, Whatever syrups they use for the shaved ice it tastes super artificial, like they dumped jolly-rancher koolaid on top of the ice. The scoop of ice cream you get at the bottom is fairly small compared to the huge scoop I would get at other places on Kauai, its cool you get to choose the base flavor at least. I feel like you could put a topping on for free rather than charging for it, it's condensed coconut milk.
Steve KerrGoogle Maps
Recently
Nice spot for shave ice, within walking distance of the cruise terminal. We shared a 3 flavor ice (lemon, orange, banana) with ice cream at the bottom. Nice outdoor, shaded eating area close by. However you may have to share a table with a local chicken or 2.
Bryan GGoogle Maps
Recently
Been here a couple times already on this trip. By far our most favorite shave ice place. The ice cream under the ice is amazing flavor. Banana split is to be shared for sure. Treat yourself to some Skinny Mike's.
Laurie HohiselGoogle Maps
Recently
Maybe we didn’t need lunch. My hubby and I shared a banana split. Jomon made us a master piece, it was so pretty and huge! We got toasted coconut (hot fudge topping) macadamia nut (caramel topping) banana (strawberry topping) bananas, whipping cream and cherries. Plenty for 2. This banana split was so good! I loved the toasted coconut ice cream, my husband loved the banana ice cream. It was a yummy splurge! The shaved ice looked good too! They were huge! Jomon was very busy on his own, so please be nice to him. He tried to make beautiful treats and was very efficient. Skinny Mike’s was clean too. Thank you Jomon, we appreciated your excellent service. You deserve a raise! :) The shaved ice wasn’t ours, I took a picture of someone’s shaved ice since it looked good. 😊
tristinGoogle Maps
Recently
The second I walk in here I’m greeted with the delicious smell of desserts. Almost like a cinnamon roll. The selection of shaved ice is immaculate. Shark bite is a must try. And the ice cream is amazing.
Lisa BilGoogle Maps
Recently
The shaved ice is really yummy best I’ve had. Their ice cream taste fresh and yummy. I got the birthday cake and coconut and it’s amazing. Recommend if you need a sweet treat
Amy ThurstonGoogle Maps
Recently
Customer service was top-notch: the worker behind the counter was working super hard to get people through quickly. Unfortunately, I felt like the ice cream portions were kind of small, and it was just OK. My daughter loved the hot fudge.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Yamato's Ice Cream
Common questions from diners about Yamato's Ice Cream in Lihue.
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