Top pick1
Dave's Ice Cream At The Ilikai
Food Store
Specialty shop serving imaginative ice cream & sherbet flavors like kona coffee & lychee.
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Honolulu's dessert scene is one of the most exciting on Oahu, spanning everything from classic Hawaiian shave ice to Italian-style gelato, Korean bingsu, and tropical soft-serve. I pulled together the best 56 spots worth knowing — starting with my own verified picks, then rounding out the list with the area's highest-rated options.
At the top of the list is Dave's Ice Cream At The Ilikai, a specialty shop Nate personally recommends and one that earns the NateEatsHawaii badge on this page. Known for imaginative flavors like kona coffee and lychee, it's a quintessential Honolulu ice cream experience. Beyond that, spots like Boba Bing in Ala Moana — home of the OnoWaffie and authentic Korean bingsu — and 7Gradi Gelato round out a list that has something for every kind of sweet tooth.
Spots Nate has personally visited are marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge on the page, so you can always tell which places come with his first-hand stamp of approval. Whether you're after a beachside shave ice in Waikiki or a late-night gelato run in Kapahulu, this guide has you covered.
The ranking
Top pick1Specialty shop serving imaginative ice cream & sherbet flavors like kona coffee & lychee.
2$Home of the OnoWaffie and authentic Korean bingsu. Waffles: $6 each, $20 for all 4. Bingsu: Strawberry, Mango, or Adzuki Bean ($11.95/$16.95) with Dave's Ice Cream. Open daily 11am–8pm (hours may vary). Inside Midtown Eats.
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13Gelatissimo Waikiki brings dessert to Waikiki. Family-friendly casual dining.
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15Ice cream shop featuring flavors imported from Hawaii such as Kona coffee & macadamia nut.
16$Contemporary counter-serve stop for Taiwanese shaved ice in flavors such as papaya or matcha.
17$$Dessert hub crafting gelato in traditional Italian & Hawaiian flavors, plus paninis & waffles.
18Dessert hub crafting gelato in traditional Italian & Hawaiian flavors, plus paninis & waffles.
19Dessert hub crafting gelato in traditional Italian & Hawaiian flavors, plus paninis & waffles.
20Dessert hub crafting gelato in traditional Italian & Hawaiian flavors, plus paninis & waffles.
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22$$Cozy kiosk offering traditional shaved-ice desserts, frozen yogurt & build-your-own açaí bowls.
23$$Junbi Waikiki brings cafe to Waikiki at a mid-range price point. Casual and welcoming atmosphere.
24$$Tucked into Waikiki, Kith Treats Hawaii serves food store at mid-range prices. Look for takeout — known as a well-loved spot.
25Busy counter serve in Royal Hawaiian Center for soft-serve ice cream with toppings in a unique cone.
26Snug, unpretentious cafe with bright decor, offering innovative shaved ices & monthly specialties.
27$$Relaxed local chain serving coffee, homemade ice cream & baked goods featuring macadamia nuts.
28$Tucked into Waikiki, Magnolia Ice Cream & Treats serves food store at budget-friendly prices. Look for takeout — known as a solid pick.
29$
30$Rated 4⭐ (203 reviews)
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FAQ
Nate's top pick is Dave's Ice Cream At The Ilikai, a specialty shop celebrated for creative flavors like kona coffee and lychee — it carries the NateEatsHawaii verified badge on this page. The broader list of 56 spots also includes highly rated options for gelato, bingsu, shave ice, and more.
Honolulu has plenty of wallet-friendly sweet options — shave ice shops like Aloha Icelabs in Waikiki and Gecko Girlz Shave Ice are popular choices for a light, affordable treat. Soft-serve and ice cream spots like Banan in Kaimuki and Waikiki are also well-regarded for casual, reasonably priced desserts.
This is a curated BEST guide — Nate's personally verified picks appear first, followed by the top-rated dessert spots in Honolulu drawn from the NateEatsHawaii catalog of roughly 1,900 Oahu restaurants. The list is reviewed and refreshed regularly to reflect new openings and updated ratings.
Honolulu