The Punalu’u Bake Shop in Naalehu: the Best Malasadas on the Big Island

I don’t like to write about food, but the Punalu’u Bake Shop, akak the Punalu’u Bakery, is one of my favorite places to get a snack on the Big Island of Hawaii. Located in the town of Naalehu near the Southernmost Point and Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Punaluu Bake Shop is a staple when it comes to stops on any Big Island South Shore trip. What makes this spot so special? It’s the malasadas, which I’ll tell you all about. For a Hawaiian treat that you’ll think about for days after you’ve finished it, this is the stop for you.

And did you know that this is the Southernmost Bakery in the USA? True story. We’ve got all the info you need to know for stopping at the Punalu’u Bake Shop including our favorite malasadas to get, packaged bakery products to look for and how to add this wonderful place to your Big Island adventure. If you have any questions about the Punalu’u Bakery or stopping in Naalehu, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you find more Aloha along your journey.

Is stopping at the Punalu’u Bake Shope worth it?

Call me crazy but this is one stop that we will make every single time we drive past, even if it’s busy and there’s a tour bus stopped. The Punalu’u Bakery is one of those places that is full of nostalgia and each visit we get excited about. Yes, it’s busy. Yes, sometimes groups of tourists stop in and most of them have never been to a bakery before or even stood in a queue until this moment (sarcasm), but it’s worth braving because the different baked goods and products they offer are so good.

Every time we drive by we stop here at the Punalu’u Bake Shop and I always get the lilikoi malasada… or several of them. I also love the Boston Cream Pie style malasada and the mango. There are all quite sweet and are more of desserts than breakfast pastries. The taro malasada though is much less sweet and I usually get a free of them to enjoy over the next day or two. You’ll see lots and lots of pastry items to choose from, but the malasadas are the highlight.

Having said that, I’ve started getting packages of the bread mix to bring home as well. The Punalu’u Bakery mixes are awesome and if you follow the instructions what you make at home does indeed come out to the same quality of what you can but freshly baked when you stop in. Oh, the other thing I’m always sure to get is coffee for the road. Locally grown Kona Coffee is really roasted and skillfully prepared. It’s always good and this is one of the last places to get a good coffee until you get to Hilo or back up to Kailua-Kona.

What is a Malasada?

Oh, you don’t know?! That’s okay. Malasadas are Portuguese donuts that have become a Hawaiian staple. They are doughy, fried up and then rolled in sugar or they are filled. The less sweet ones, such as guava and taro are usually rolled in sugar while the filled ones tend to have a custard, jelly and fruit gel. They’re sometimes served hot and sometimes room temp. Always ono.

Tips for a Great Punalu’u Bake Shop Visit

The Punalu’u Bakery is a must-stop when you’re driving between Hilo and Kona on the Mamalahoa Highway. It stays pretty busy and tour buses will often stop here, but the staff knows how to handle a crowd and they’re great about moving people through. With people baking all morning and into the afternoon there are always fresh bakery products, so don’t stress about getting there early. You’ll be fine. You even can watch the bakery process happening when you visit (observation windows).

When you visit the Punalu’u Bake Shop allow yourself plenty of time to relax and enjoy our baked goods. There are quite a few seating areas all around the bakery grounds, and the gardens are beautiful, so accept the island time vibe and enjoy the stop. If you’re here at lunch time, there are a few other places to get savory lunch, so maybe hit them up first and then come here to Punalu’u for dessert.

And as I mentioned, get some malasadas for the road. The frosted ones don’t keep quite as well because the icing will melt a little and slide off, so each those ones first. The Guava and taro malasadas keep the best and are good to last two days. When you’re placing your order, be sure to also get a lilikoi lemonade to take with you. You can get this beverage lots of places throughout Hawaii, but I like the Punalu’u Bakery’s best. Maybe I have happy memories attached to it…

Tip: if you still have a few days on the Big Island, get one of the loaves of taro bread. It’s a lot of bread to eat in one day

Parking for the Punalu’u Bake Shop

If you’re coming from Kailua-Kona, the Punalu’u Bake Shop is going to be located on the left side of the highway as you’re driving through the town of Naalehu. From Hilo, it’s on the right side. There is lots of parking at the Punalu’u Bakery, and if it’s busy there is overflow parking, so don’t worry. There are usually lots of little kids around though, so be a thoughtful driver.

Other Places to Get Malasadas on the Big Island

Once you’ve enjoyed the malasadas from the Punalu’u Bakery, you’re going to want to try more from other places. The farmers markets in Hilo and Waimea both have somebody who makes them, so give them a shot. I’m trying to remember if there’s somebody who does them at the Keaau Farmers Market, but I can’t. I’ll check in with cousin and update things. If you’re heading up the Hamakua Coast towards the Waipio Valley, the Tex Drine-in has the best pineapple malasada I’ve tried. They’re located ABOVE the town on Honokaa.

A surprising other option for getting malasadas is at KTA, the grocery store. They are pretty good too, and they’re usually a good price. Sometimes Foodland has them, but I feel like it’s inconsistent. A good rule of thumb is if there’s a banner or a hand painted sign advertising malasadas, you should probably stop to get some.