COOL DOWN
Every day in Hawai’i is a good day for something icy cold. With so many delicious options it is just a matter of choosing which one. Even if you are dairy-free or trying to keep your bikini bod, these Royal Hawaiian Center eateries have the perfect midday treat for you.
ISLAND VINTAGE SHAVE ICE
Building B, Level 1
Island Vintage gets it right from coffee to wine and everything edible in between. It’s easy to underestimate a shave ice stand in a state that is famous for it, but don‘t walk past this one. Unlike most shave ice, Island Vintage uses fresh, local fruit. Even the syrups are made with organic ingredients such as liliko‘i, guava, mango, and pineapple. Indulge in a signature combination like the Heavenly Lilikoi: smothered top to bottom with diced fresh strawberries and tart, oozing passionfruit. The creamy frozen yogurt at the center is packed in with feathery-light shave ice, finished with a drizzle of condensed milk, boba pops, and house-made mochi. With so many invigorating textures and flavors it is no surprise this little shack pumps out 400 to 500 shave ice a day.
GELATISSIMO
Building A, Kiosk
This tiny hut on Kalākaua Avenue serves award-winning gelato churned daily in small batches. Try tropical flavors made with fresh and seasonal fruits, such as mango, piña colada, guava, and dragon fruit-lychee. The liliko‘i is a standout with its crunchy seeds and sweet-tart tang; so creamy, you would never believe it’s vegan. Gelatissimo’s secret is how they produce and hold the gelato. It contains 50 percent less air than ice cream and is held at a slightly warmer temperature, making for perfect textures and flavors every time, whether it’s tropical vegan sorbet or a classic gelato, like the local favorite salted macadamia and dulce de leche.
BANÁN
Building C, Level 1
Can’t eat dairy? Trying to stay off the sweets? Banán’s 100 percent plant-based sundaes, floats, and smoothies will be your new go-to. A portion of the bananas that make up their deliciously smooth soft-serves are locally grown at Hawai‘i Banana Source, an organic North Shore banana farm. Other ingredients are also sourced locally, from macadamia nuts and honey to the pineapples that house their iconic Pineapple Yacht. Get a refreshing fiber and protein packed boost with the Locals Only, a swirl of banana soft-serve with chunks of fresh banana, papaya, and pineapple.
PENNY’S WAIKIKI MALASADAS
Building B, Level 2
Malasadas, the Portuguese sugar-coated doughnuts that locals adore, have been updated over the years to include cream fillings and ice cream. At Penny’s Malasadas you can share a cream-filled malasada ice cream sandwich that towers over the rest. Trust us, one is plenty for two people! For a tropical twist, try the fragrant coconut creme or creamy ube, a bright purple yam from Southeast Asia. Penny’s, named after the owner’s mom, has been serving heavenly soft malasadas out of their iconic pink food trucks at Lā‘ie and ‘Aiea for years. Their spot at the Pā‘ina Lānai food court, the only Penny’s Malasadas location in Waikīkī, brings beloved local flavors for visitors to enjoy.
