Every night in Waikīkī deserves a sweet ending — whether it’s gelato, sorbet, ice cream, or cheesecake — before you head back to your accommodation.
Waikīkī is very walkable, so you can enjoy dinner in one spot and grab dessert somewhere else nearby. Many evenings start with a pre-dinner drink at a different venue, then end with something sweet to take back to your lodging.
With so many dessert options in the Waikīkī resort area, deciding where to stop can be the toughest choice of the night. Below are local favorites and tried-and-true picks for the best desserts in Waikīkī.
Table of Contents
- 1. Gelatissimo
- 2. Henry’s Place
- 3. Dave’s Ice Cream
- 4. KITH Treats
- 5. Lappert’s Hawaiʻi
- 6. Il Gelato Hawaii
- 7. MOSA!
- 8. Cheesecake Factory
- Oʻahu Chocolate-Related Tours
- Visitor FAQs
1. Gelatissimo
Australian-style artisan gelato with standout flavors.
📍 2201 Kalākaua Ave, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for lunch and dinner
Hawaiʻi’s Gelatissimo brings a taste of Sydney to the Royal Hawaiian Center kiosk. Their gelato, sorbets and shakes are premium, with more than 20 rotating flavors. Try local-inspired varieties like Dragonfruit & Lychee, Lilikoʻi (passionfruit) and Guava, or sample the monthly feature for something new.
INSIDE TIP: Gelatissimo offers vegan, gluten-free and reduced-sugar options.
2. Henry’s Place
House-made sorbets and fresh-cut fruit that keep locals coming back.
📍 234 Beach Walk, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Henry’s Place specializes in intensely flavored sorbets and small-batch ice creams made with fresh, local fruit. The tangy Calamansi Lime is a favorite — and the shop proudly labels items “RL” for Real Licious to highlight real ingredients. Note: the spot is cash only, and the owner requests customers choose their flavor before entering.
INSIDE TIP: Read the sign and pick your flavor before opening the door to avoid a friendly scolding from the owner.
3. Dave’s Ice Cream
Island-made classic ice cream and sherbet for over 40 years.
📍 Inside STIX Asia & The ʻIlikai
🕒 Open: Daily for lunch and dinner
Dave’s makes daily small-batch ice cream and sherbet on Oʻahu and remains a Hawaiian staple. Flavors range from local favorites like Hawaiian Mud Pie, Toasted Mac Nut and Poha Berry to timeless classics such as Strawberries ’n’ Cream and Rocky Road. Options include cones, cups, shave ice and tubs to take home.
INSIDE TIP: Dave’s take-home tubs are often stocked at local grocery stores and many restaurants feature Dave’s on their dessert menus.
4. KITH Treats
A cult-favorite cereal bar offering cereal soft-serve and custom creations.
📍 2301 Kalākaua Ave, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for lunch and dinner
KITH Treats created the original cereal soft serve and builds playful desserts combining ice cream or milkshakes with American cereals and candy mix-ins. You can order curated specials or build your own. Local mix-ins like li hing mui, POG juice or Kona coffee give Waikīkī creations a Hawaiian twist.
INSIDE TIP: KITH Treats is part of KITH’s Waikīkī flagship store — worth a browse if you’re interested in their apparel and footwear offerings.
5. Lappert’s Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi-made ice cream, baked treats and coffee in one location.
📍 2005 Kālia Rd, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Lappert’s, made on Kauaʻi, brings its beloved ice cream to Waikīkī at the Hilton Hawaiian Village location. The menu covers everything from gelato and sorbet to sundaes, shakes and frozen chillers. Freshly made waffle cones — including chocolate-dipped options — and Aloha Roasted Coffee round out the experience.
INSIDE TIP: Can’t decide? Order the Can’t Decide — five half-scoops served in a waffle bowl.
6. Il Gelato Hawaii
Italian-style gelato made with island-grown, all-natural ingredients.
📍 Royal Hawaiian Ave, Lewers St, Kūhiō Ave. Food Hall & Hyatt Regency
🕒 Open: Daily (varies by location)
Il Gelato Hawaii crafts gelato the traditional Italian way using authentic equipment and recipes, with island-grown ingredients from their Honolulu factory. Their dense, flavorful gelato typically has less sugar and fat than regular ice cream, making it a lighter indulgence. Signature offerings include world-champion Hawaiian Banana, vegan Hawaiian Rainbow and Dragonfruit.
INSIDE TIP: The Royal Hawaiian Avenue location features a root beer float made with gelato.
7. MOSA!
Taiwanese-style desserts and creative ice cream combos.
📍 2238 Lau‘ula St, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for dinner
MOSA! serves Taiwanese-style treats like ice cream scoops topped with peanut brittle and fresh fruit, ice cream crepe wraps (their top seller), and frozen tanghulu — fruit coated in hardened sugar syrup. Portions are flavorful and affordable; a three-scoop cup with local flavors can be a satisfying shareable under $10.
INSIDE TIP: MOSA! takes its name from “Formosa,” the historic Portuguese name for Taiwan; their slogan “Stay MOSA!” celebrates supporters and a sense of beauty.
8. Cheesecake Factory
Over 40 indulgent cheesecakes and dessert options to satisfy any sweet tooth.
📍 2301 Kalākaua Ave, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for lunch and dinner
The Cheesecake Factory’s Waikīkī location offers its famed bakery counter where you can pick up a slice to go. Selections span New York-style cheesecakes, fruity flavors and chocolate-loaded creations — generous portions designed for sharing or enjoying solo. Popular picks include Cinnabon Cinnamon Swirl Cheesecake, Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake and Fresh Pineapple Cheesecake.
INSIDE TIP: Consider joining the Cheesecake Rewards program for perks like a free birthday slice with purchase and online table reservations.
In short, end your Waikīkī evening with a local dessert to enjoy on your stroll back to your accommodations — there’s a sweet option for every taste.
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Visitor FAQs
National ice cream chains in Waikīkī include Baskin-Robbins (2255 Kalākaua Avenue), Häagen-Dazs (locations near 2490 Kalākaua Avenue and Sheraton Princess Kaʻiulani) and Dairy Queen (Hilton Hawaiian Village).
Waikīkī hosts popular ice cream food trucks such as Double Fat Ice Cream, which serves small-batch inventive flavors, and Ice Cream Rolls Hawaii, which prepares rolled ice cream made from plant-based milks and simple ingredients.
Soft serve can be found at places like Lawson Station at Moana Surfrider, KITH Treats, Kokoro Cafe, Kulu Kulu in the Royal Hawaiian Center, Nana’s Green Tea in the STIX Asia food court and MATCHA Stand MAIKO. While McDonald’s locations in Waikīkī advertise soft serve, machines there are sometimes out of service.