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Naalehu
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Punalu'u Bake Shop
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Punalu'u Bake Shop

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Punalu'u Bake Shop
4.5
370
#1 of 4 Shopping in Naalehu
Speciality & Gift Shops
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8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Our world-famous bakery — sweet bread, malasadas, turnovers, cheesecake, pies, eclairs, and other pastries in a variety of ‘ono (delicious) varieties and flavors Take a peek into our kitchen and production shop (our recipes are still top secret though!) Gift shop — with fun souvenirs Outdoor restaurant — a varied menu of hearty local plate lunch favorites, sandwiches, vegetarian fare, fresh garden and fruit salads, fresh brewed Ka‘u coffee and ice cream to complement the bake shop's renowned sweet bread, malasadas, anpans (Japanese pastries) and other scrumptious bakery favorites Tropical gardens — lush four-acre garden full of tropical palms, flowers, and other Hawaiian floral exotica Live music by local musicians Self-service concierge area — visitor brochures and information on Volcanoes National Park and the Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Modern restroom facilities
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
370 reviews
Excellent
220
Very good
101
Average
34
Poor
11
Terrible
4
Steve R
Dallas, TX4 contributions
Good bread, Bad service
Sep 2022
The bread and ice cream are excellent. I loved it. I miss it already. But the service was atrocious. None of the servers had any smile on their faces. But maybe it was just me. Because there was a White couple in front of me and the server was very friendly and all smiles. She even try to find a better looking malasada for them. And even though I was next in line there was another White woman who was not in the line at all and ask the server to get an item for her, the server ignore the fact that I was next and got her the item and put it in a small box. The server had a smile for her as well but not for me when it came to my turn. She just shoved a malasada in a bag not a box. So maybe I just have a face that does not elicit smiles at least in that bake shop. The malasada is less than mediocre, skip this place for that and go to Tex Drive-in for the best malasada and much better service.
Written September 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zach Kennedy
Aloha SteverA8157RO, I am so sorry to hear about your experience at our bakeshop, First I would like to say thank you so much for your feedback, this allows us to address these concerns directly with our team and make corrective actions. I can assure you that we value every single one of our visitors, we want everyone coming to bakeshop to experience the aloha spirit, peace, unity, humility, and kindness are the core of this spirit. I am sorry truly that your experience did not live up to expectation. I have brought your concern up with my entire team. There are times when the lines get hectic and out of order, but that is no excuse for anyone to feel they received less customer service for any reason. I hope that in the future you may consider giving us a second chance to remedy your experience at our bakeshop. We truly appreciate everyone who comes and supports our business. Please feel free to reach out to me directly at zkennedy@bakeshophawaii.com to share more information your visit. Mahalo for your time. - Zachary Kennedy
Written September 21, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JohnStephani
Kansas City, MO12 contributions
Good place to eat
Sep 2022 • Couples
Just at lunch there today. Food was fresh, fast and priced fair. Service with a smile was a plus. Not sure where they get the ingredients from because the place is sort of remote. Would have given the place a five star rating but my wife said one of the women’s bathroom stalls wouldn’t flush and women were still using it. My wife told a staff member and she replied, “There was a sign on it yesterday.” Not we’ll work on that. Men bathroom was clean and in good working order. The true test of anywhere I go is would I go again? The answer is yes I would go to Punalu again.
Written September 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zach Kennedy
Aloha John! Thank you so much for your feedback, we really appreciate you taking the time to let us know how we are doing and where we can improve. I agree completely with you that the response should have been different. I will be discussing this issue with our team directly. The restroom is a critical part of our establishment. I can assure you that I will be making sure its in working order for our guest. I apologize on behalf of our bakeshop for that failure. I am so glad to hear that you would be willing to visit again, and we look forward to having you back. I hope that on the next visit it will be a perfect experience.
Written September 21, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amber K
4 contributions
Pretty Awful Food
Sep 2022 • Couples
Yikes, I’m pretty sure the good reviews here are a misery loves company sort a situation. Hubby ordered spare ribs and they were one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen served a human. It was seriously a bunch of bones (so many I thought they were potatoes mixed in at first) with a minuscule amount of meat swimming in some gelatinous goop. It looked like dog vomit and hubs , who eats anything and everything, had to dig around to get anything edible. He definitely left hungry. I got a sandwich..run of the mill, something I could have slapped together in about 30 seconds with some grocery store fixings. We also got a turnover and a passion fruit malasada. The glaze on the malasada was good, tangy and lifting; however we had Manuela’s Malasadas the day before and they are hands down better with many more flavor and glaze options and they are actually filled. The turnover was as dry and scantily filled as a doorstop. The staff was curt, gave me an already opened package of Mayo that was spoiled and got our dessert order wrong, which when kindly pointed out, she responded rudely, “whatever”. Honestly, don’t be a sheeple tourist and skip this place altogether.
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zach Kennedy
Aloha E6653RKamberk, I am sorry to hear about your experience at our bake shop. I have spoken with my team about this review directly and mentioned all the concerns listed here. Customer service is a critical part of any business and anyone acting curt is unacceptable. We will work hard to ensure every visitor feels the aloha spirit that we strive for. I apologize on behalf of my team for the experience you had, I can only hope that you can give us another try one day and allow for us to remedy this experience to one that is much better. Please feel free to reach out to me at zkennedy@bakeshophawaii.com with your story or concerns. Thank you for taking the time to leave us feedback, this will allow us to directly deal with issues and concerns.
Written September 21, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jerri L
Johnston, IA2,019 contributions
Cute little bake shop with restrooms and gifts
Aug 2022 • Couples
Stopped in while heading to Volcanoes National Park to grab a bite. We love the malasadas we have had on Oahu before and prefer the classic so went with what we know we like. The shop was very busy on a Monday around 10AM and we had about a 15 minute wait to get up to the counter to order. The bake shop smelled so good as they kept bringing out fresh baked goods to fill the display. They offer a variety if filled malasadas as well as the original and a few other options - creme puffs, eclairs. We ordered 4 original malasadas (right around $7 total). They were fresh and light and airy and coated with sugar. Great little bake shop and perfect stop when heading to the volcanoes from the Kona Coast.
Written August 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zach Kennedy
Aloha JerriAL1! Thank you so much for visiting our bakeshop and taking the time to leave us a review. We are so glad you enjoyed your visit. We hope to see you again in the future!
Written September 21, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
caribcruiser2015
Snohomish, WA260 contributions
This is a Must Stop At
Jul 2022
While driving around the south end of the Big Island, this bake shop is an oasis on a warm day. The line for the Malasadas forms at the front of the store, and the line for lunch entries forma at the back. Yes, when the shop is open, there is a line at both the front and the back.
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zach Kennedy
Aloha Caribcruiser2015! Thank you so much for leaving feedback on your visit to our bakeshop. We are so glad you enjoyed your visit. We hope to have you return in the future!
Written September 21, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dave
13 contributions
A nice stop!
Aug 2022
I saw this place listed as the best malasada on the big island somewhere, so we added it as a stop before hitting the black sand beach. This was a cute store and bakery. It's obviously popular and we could taste why. The malasadas were fantastic. The gift shop was cute, too. They also had someone performing some nice background live music. A great nice stop to get some good treats and support a local business.
Written August 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zach Kennedy
Aloha davidgP9708HL! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave feedback on our bakeshop. We are so happy to hear you enjoyed your visit. We truly appreciate you supporting local! Hope to see you visit again in the future.
Written September 21, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MAM
224 contributions
Good lunch place
Aug 2022
Came here for lunch after hiking green sand beach. Great sandwiches and, of course, malasadas. Queues are extremely long. Ate outside with the birds fighting us for our food.
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zach Kennedy
Aloha mmcmsmbm! Glad over all you enjoyed your visit to the bakeshop. Thank you so much for visiting us and leaving feedback on our bakeshop. Queues can definitely get hectic. The birds at times can also get a little to friendly as they also love our food haha. We hope to see you visit again in the future!
Written September 21, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
hitx94
Dallas, TX179 contributions
Best sweet bread malasadas.
Aug 2022 • Friends
Fresh pastries and bread. Be sure to try the lilikoi Malasada and the Jaipur malasada. The cream puff is also great. Sweet bread used for malasadas are the best out there.
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JA
Honolulu, HI54 contributions
Terrible customer service at closing time
Jul 2022 • Friends
We always look forward to coming here when we come to Hawaii Island. But after our experience today- I will definitely NOT come back.

We came in at 4:45pm and you could tell that the staff was closing up. We promptly ordered ten minutes before they closed. Although the food was delicious- customer service was left much to be desired on this particular visit.

My issue started when the older hapa lady with the tattoo behind her ear started to address the last-minute crowd. First of all, someone in our party did not receive her order. So our friend asked the older hapa lady about if her order was ready or not. Without even asking the kitchen if it was ready or not, she yelled to the crowd “WHO took the hamburger steak that was on the counter!?!?” (Mind you were asking about the Roast beef plate). Her tone was totally condescending and accusatory and made EVERYONE in our party feel very uncomfortable.

The icing on the cake was when they locked the doors so no other customers can come in after 5pm. Fine I get it, you want to go home- but did you have to address the crowd that was trying to get out by saying “the doors are locked, WE HAVE KEYS!”?!? (Well, I sure hope you have keys!( She even suggested that we could go out the back way if we didn’t want to wait for her to open the doors.

We took her suggestion and bolted out there as soon as we could as I was absolutely embarrassed about the whole situation. She talked to us as if we were 6 year-olds and I never felt more disrespected than I did here.

Maybe she was having a bad day? Or does this behavior happen every time it’s “closing time”? Absolute shameful for such an iconic Big Island bakery/restaurant.
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melanie H
10 contributions
Required eating on Big Island! Best Bakery!
Jul 2022
Amazing Malasadas! So worth the trip, especially if you're taking a road trip to the black sand beach or Volcano N.P. It's totally on the way, and worth every bit of your money. Take a 30 min stop and enjoy your malasadas under the big beautiful shaded trees out back!
Written July 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Punalu'u Bake Shop (Naalehu) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Punalu'u Bake Shop
Punalu'u Bake Shop is open:
  • Sun - Sat 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Punalu'u Bake Shop tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 10 Punalu'u Bake Shop tours on Tripadvisor