Leonard's Waikele Shopping Center - Waipahu Restaurant Image

Leonard's Waikele Shopping Center

4.5(331 community reviews)
Budget ($)

About

Discover Leonard's Waikele Shopping Center, offering the best Fast Food experience in Waipahu. Enjoy Budget ($) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

A Sweet Tradition at Waikele

For those cruising through Waipahu, the smell of frying dough and granulated sugar is a dead giveaway that you are approaching the Leonard's Malasadamobile. Parked conveniently within the Waikele Shopping Center, this iconic outpost brings the legendary Honolulu bakery experience directly to the Leeward side of O'ahu.

The Malasada Experience

Expect a line, especially on weekends, as locals and visitors alike wait for their fix of piping-hot, Portuguese-style donuts. Unlike the traditional yeast-raised doughnuts found elsewhere, these are coated in a fine layer of sugar and served fresh from the fryer. The original plain malasada offers a crisp, golden exterior that yields to a soft, airy center, while the filled versions—stuffed with creamy dobash, haupia, or custard—provide a richer, more indulgent profile.

The setting is strictly grab-and-go. You might find yourself leaning against your car hood in the busy shopping center lot, napkin in hand, trying to keep the sugar off your clothes as the steam rises from the white paper box. It is a casual, no-frills affair that defines the local dessert culture.

What to Know Before You Go

While the service moves at a steady clip, the parking lot in this specific retail hub can get tight, particularly during peak holiday shopping hours. If you are craving a sugar rush, try to time your visit for a weekday afternoon to minimize wait times. Grab a dozen for the road; they are best eaten while still warm, though a quick zap in the microwave later in the day does a fair job of reviving that signature fluffiness.

Photos

Leonard's Waikele Shopping Center - Waipahu Restaurant Image
Leonard's Waikele Shopping Center - Waipahu Restaurant Image
Leonard's Waikele Shopping Center - Waipahu Restaurant Image
Leonard's Waikele Shopping Center - Waipahu Restaurant Image
Leonard's Waikele Shopping Center - Waipahu Restaurant Image
Leonard's Waikele Shopping Center - Waipahu Restaurant Image
Leonard's Waikele Shopping Center - Waipahu Restaurant Image
Leonard's Waikele Shopping Center - Waipahu Restaurant Image

Amenities & Features

Location

94-894 Lumiaina St, Waipahu, Hawaii, 96797

Directions

Reviews

Showing 10 of 331 community reviews
P

patricia PinningtonGoogle Maps

Recently

Delicious donuts. Wish we had one here in Ft. Lauderdale. Cute little truck with fast service

M

Marissa DragoGoogle Maps

Recently

Saturday around 3:30pm, no line, piping hot delicious donuts and you can do your food shopping at Safeway afterwards. Ez.

S

Sarah DavidsonGoogle Maps

Recently

A great little gem located conveniently in Waikele shopping center next to Petco. Different flavors for everyone to enjoy! Why have one or two! We order 6-12 for the whole family! Always fresh. And don't worry about a long line it moves pretty fast.

J

Jeannette MittraGoogle Maps

Recently

The greatest malasadas ever! Served hot and the price is right! Food truck is in shopping area so parking is good, and there is a Starbucks and a McDonalds there, too, if you want coffee with your goodies!

L

Luke MieltyGoogle Maps

Recently

These malasadas were better than the ones at the main location. The chocolate ones are the best. Evelyn B was our server and she was very nice. Also, if you order the Li Hing flavor, don’t let the description of “sweet and sour” fool you. They are very salty.

B

Brian WangGoogle Maps

Recently

4.5/5. Came around lunch on Mon, no wait! Freshly made and warm. Got the cinnamon sugar and cream ones. Both crispy n tasty and not over fried like some stated. Only minus one star as it could've been more pillowy and chewy and limited flavors. Have had some other better ones on Maui. A great option to the original store and excellent if you don't want to wait in line w/ kids... I'd say it semi lives up to the hype.

L

lisa livingstonGoogle Maps

Recently

First time Malasada eater. These are a Portuguese doughnut and they are great. They were ready really quick and they were nice and hot. So fluffy and the filling on the custard and the haupia filled the whole donut. I got the original, cinnamon, haupia and custard. All delish!!

E

Edgar MurguiaGoogle Maps

Recently

Leonard’s Malasadas in Waipahu is hands down the best spot to get them—don’t be fooled by the other trucks around the island. This truck and the main Kapahulu bakery are the only ones worth going to if you want them fresh and hot. I’ve tried every flavor they offer, and honestly, they’re all amazing—it’s impossible to pick just one favorite. The malasadas come out soft, fluffy, and perfectly coated every time. If you’re visiting Oahu, do yourself a favor: step out of Waikiki and make the trip here. Totally worth it and easily one of the best bites on the island!

S

Scott AtkinsonGoogle Maps

Recently

I’m thrilled to find a location conveniently close to my hotel in Ko Olina. Their malasadas are a must-try—they’re freshly baked and hot. You can order them individually or in a box, which is great if you’re sharing with others. My personal favorite is the Li Hing Malasada.

T

Troy BroasGoogle Maps

Recently

We stopped here while staying at Aulani, it’s about 8 miles from the resort. These are sooo good, especially when you have to them warm. They don’t have the same variety that their brick and mortar stores do, but they are still worth a visit. To me, the cinnamon sugar are amazing, they make these to order for you but they are worth the wait!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Leonard's Waikele Shopping Center

Common questions from diners about Leonard's Waikele Shopping Center in Waipahu.

They serve fast food.

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