The Sweet Side of Kaimukī
From gelato to jin dui, delicious desserts and their makers are bringing a sugar buzz to this modest Honolulu neighborhood.
The panna cotta crème brûlée at Chocolate + Vanilla Bakery (pictured on this page) is owner Jill Yamashita’s favorite.
Just ten minutes east of Waikīkī lies the neighborhood of Kaimukī, which translates to “the place of the tī leaf ovens.” According to Hawaiian legend, menehune (mythic peoples) in the area built the ovens, which later were used by the Polynesians for cooking and making beverages. Although the tī plant is most commonly used to steam laulau, bundles of meat wrapped in the plant’s leaves, it has served other purposes over the centuries, and stories recount ancient Hawaiians baking its root into a gooey confection similar to molasses candy. Today, desserts and their makers have re-established their dominance in Kaimukī, and more than a dozen locations serve up sumptuous sweet treats from the moment you wake up until your last bite.
The Sweet Side of Kaimukī
From gelato to jin dui, delicious desserts and their makers are bringing a sugar buzz to this modest Honolulu neighborhood.
The panna cotta crème brûlée at Chocolate + Vanilla Bakery (pictured on this page) is owner Jill Yamashita’s favorite.
Just ten minutes east of Waikīkī lies the neighborhood of Kaimukī, which translates to “the place of the tī leaf ovens.” According to Hawaiian legend, menehune (mythic peoples) in the area built the ovens, which later were used by the Polynesians for cooking and making beverages. Although the tī plant is most commonly used to steam laulau, bundles of meat wrapped in the plant’s leaves, it has served other purposes over the centuries, and stories recount ancient Hawaiians baking its root into a gooey confection similar to molasses candy. Today, desserts and their makers have re-established their dominance in Kaimukī, and more than a dozen locations serve up sumptuous sweet treats from the moment you wake up until your last bite.
Koko Head Café
Owned by Leanne Wong of Top Chef fame, this bustling spot (1145 12th Ave.) has made its name in large part for its cornflake-crusted French toast served with vanilla ice cream and candied bacon, a guaranteed sugar buzz.
Coffee Talk
A Kaimukī hub since the 1990s, this coffee shop (3601 Wai‘alae Ave.) serves the most perfectly prepared the cream cheese cookie, which pairs perfectly with coffee, iced or hot.
Walking down Wai‘alae Avenue, you’ll find a dizzying delight of sweet treats: There is Café Laufer, with traditional French pastries like fruit tarts and a chocolate pyramid enticing diners after dinner; Hung Won Restaurant, where the jin dui is a hit; Leahi Health Beverages, where those avoiding refined sugars will be delighted with smoothies such as the “Poi Boy,” a blend of kambucha, taro, coconut milk, banana, pineapple, and honey. A couple blocks north on 10th Avenue is Your Kitchen, a mom-and-pop shop where you can get one of several delicious bento options alongside melt-in-your-mouth Japanese-style shave ice with homemade ice cream.
Otto Cake
From strawberry basil to chocolate haupia, find a variety of velvety cheesecakes—all proudly made from scratch by the owner who simply goes by “Otto”—at this quaint little shop (1127 12th Ave.). Cash only.
Via Gelato
Find unique flavors inspired by Hawai‘i, like black sesame and kulolo, alongside seasonal offerings like pumpkin crunch or mango at this foodie-favorite gelato shop (1142 12th Ave.).
Sconees
While Sconees (1117 12th Ave.) is known for its scones, a must-try is the liliko‘i bar, a local spin on the lemon bar (also an option, along with blueberry and guava bars). Cash only.
Koko Head Café
Owned by Leanne Wong of Top Chef fame, this bustling spot (1145 12th Ave.) has made its name in large part for its cornflake-crusted French toast served with vanilla ice cream and candied bacon, a guaranteed sugar buzz.
Coffee Talk
A Kaimukī hub since the 1990s, this coffee shop (3601 Wai‘alae Ave.) serves the most perfectly prepared the cream cheese cookie, which pairs perfectly with coffee, iced or hot.
Walking down Wai‘alae Avenue, you’ll find a dizzying delight of sweet treats: There is Café Laufer, with traditional French pastries like fruit tarts and a chocolate pyramid enticing diners after dinner; Hung Won Restaurant, where the jin dui is a hit; Leahi Health Beverages, where those avoiding refined sugars will be delighted with smoothies such as the “Poi Boy,” a blend of kambucha, taro, coconut milk, banana, pineapple, and honey. A couple blocks north on 10th Avenue is Your Kitchen, a mom-and-pop shop where you can get one of several delicious bento options alongside melt-in-your-mouth Japanese-style shave ice with homemade ice cream.
Otto Cake
From strawberry basil to chocolate haupia, find a variety of velvety cheesecakes—all proudly made from scratch by the owner who simply goes by “Otto”—at this quaint little shop (1127 12th Ave.). Cash only.
Via Gelato
Find unique flavors inspired by Hawai‘i, like black sesame and kulolo, alongside seasonal offerings like pumpkin crunch or mango at this foodie-favorite gelato shop (1142 12th Ave.).
Sconees
While Sconees (1117 12th Ave.) is known for its scones, a must-try is the liliko‘i bar, a local spin on the lemon bar (also an option, along with blueberry and guava bars). Cash only.
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