Maui has a wide variety of ice cream and frozen treat options, from classic scoops to distinctly local flavors you won’t find on the mainland. This guide covers the island’s best-known shops, the flavors that define Hawaiian dessert culture, and practical tips for finding a quality scoop during your visit.
⚠️ Note on Lahaina (August 2023): The August 2023 Lahaina wildfire destroyed much of historic Lahaina Town. Many businesses in the Lahaina district did not survive. This guide has been updated accordingly — recommendations previously listed in Lahaina (including the Ululani’s Lahaina location, Scoops, and Tomodachi Café) have been removed. Ululani’s continues to operate at their other Maui locations in Kahului, Kihei, and Paia.
The Best Ice Cream Shops on Maui
Two of the most established local names are Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice and Coconut Glen’s.
Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice operates multiple Maui locations including Kahului, Kihei, and Paia. They offer a wide range of flavors — from passionfruit and coconut to li hing mui — and are known for their finely shaved ice texture. Their Lahaina location was lost in the 2023 wildfire; the other locations remain open.
Coconut Glen’s is based in Haiku on the Road to Hana route and specializes in vegan ice cream made with coconut milk. Standout flavors include chocolate chip cookie dough and coconut hibiscus. It’s a roadside operation with limited seating — worth stopping for on the way to or from Hana.
Local Flavors Worth Trying
Beyond mainland staples, Maui ice cream shops regularly feature flavors rooted in local agriculture and culture. The most distinctive options include:
- Haupia — based on the traditional Hawaiian coconut pudding; smooth, mildly sweet
- Li hing mui — a sweet-salty dried plum flavor that’s polarizing but distinctly local
- Taro — earthy purple-hued flavor from the Hawaiian staple crop
- Kona coffee — made with coffee grown on the Big Island’s Kona coast
- Mango sorbet — in season (typically May–September), local Maui mango produces a noticeably different product from mainland versions
- POG sorbet — passionfruit, orange, and guava; a flavor combination unique to Hawaii
Where to Find Ice Cream by Area
- Kahului / Wailuku (central Maui) — Ululani’s Kahului location is the most accessible for visitors flying in; Times Supermarket and Foodland carry Dave’s Hawaiian Ice Cream
- Kihei / Wailea (south Maui) — Ululani’s Kihei location serves the south Maui resort corridor; several independent dessert shops operate in the area
- Paia / Haiku (north Maui) — Ululani’s Paia location is a popular stop on the north shore; Coconut Glen’s is the standout stop on the Road to Hana
- Ka’anapali / Kapalua (west Maui) — the resort corridor north of Lahaina was not significantly affected by the 2023 fire and continues to have resort-area dessert options
Tips for Finding the Best Scoop
- Ask for samples — most local shops offer tastings, especially useful for unusual flavors like li hing mui or taro
- Go early or mid-afternoon — popular spots like Coconut Glen’s can sell out of specific flavors by late afternoon in peak season
- Check seasonal availability — mango-forward flavors are best in summer; some shops rotate specials based on local fruit availability
- Verify Lahaina-area businesses independently — the area is actively rebuilding; guides older than 2023 may list shops that no longer exist at their original location
Dairy-Free and Vegan Options
For visitors avoiding dairy, Coconut Glen’s is the standout option — their entire menu is coconut milk-based and vegan. Ululani’s shave ice is naturally dairy-free (though some topping options like condensed milk are not). Many Maui grocery stores also carry Coconut Bliss and other vegan frozen dessert brands alongside Dave’s Hawaiian Ice Cream.
Grocery Store Options
Dave’s Hawaiian Ice Cream is the most widely available Hawaii-made brand, sold at Foodland, Times Supermarket, and other island grocery chains. Flavors include haupia, rainbow sherbet, and local fruit options — a practical way to sample island flavors without tracking down a specialty shop.
Summary: Best Ice Cream on Maui (2026)
For dedicated ice cream and frozen treat stops, Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice (Kahului, Kihei, or Paia) and Coconut Glen’s (Haiku) are the two most reliable local specialists. Dave’s Hawaiian Ice Cream from any grocery store is the most accessible way to sample island flavors at any time.
Visitors to west Maui should note that the Lahaina area is still recovering from the 2023 wildfire. Many older travel guides list businesses in Lahaina that no longer operate at their original locations. The Ka’anapali and Kapalua resort corridor north of Lahaina was not directly affected and continues to offer the usual range of resort-area food and dessert options.
