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    IL Gelato Hawaii

    4.8 (104 reviews)
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    Jacob M.

    This place has great gelato. Many flavors to choose from. When eating it does it blow your mind? Not exactly. But it is great don't get me wrong. Staff were nice and patient as well. They give free taste samples if you wanted to try a flavor but were not sure. We got the raspberry champagne, macadamia nut, and biscolini(?) All were good tasting. The champagne one really had you thinking of minors should eat this, haha.

    Demi E.

    I got the kona coffee and macadamia nut. super delicious and must while you're in waikiki if you're looking for a good icecream. around a lot of other shops and restaurants. definitely try!

    Leang S.

    I absolutely love their ice cream, smoothies and coffee. I appreciate the classic original macchiato coffee. I was truly sad their location at Pearl Highland closed unexpectedly. Traveled all the way from Waipahu to the Kahala location to be greeted by Ayden and his amazing customers service skills. The macchiato he made was on point!! Went back for ice cream met the owner Nicole. Express my disappointment of the Pearl Highland sudden closure. Which I knew had to be the lease. I hope they open another in Waikele area. Crossing my fingers. Please support local business.

    Peanut butter 2 Scoops of Gelato
    Richard A.

    Ordered a small peanut butter Gelato. It took sampling 4 or five flavors before I made my decision. It had a nice peanut butter flavor wit chocolate on top. Service was good and it's a nice place to get dessert or an afternoon snack

    Banana chocolate chip and dragon fruit.
    Ale R.

    Wonderful place to visit if you love gelatos! A new variety of flavors every day and they all taste delicious! Staff is very welcoming and friendly. I had to come 3 times during my 4 day vacation because I wanted to try most flavors :P.

    case
    Heidi H.

    I was in the area and wanted to purchase some takeout. There is a parking lot and they validate. They are not selling scoops right now. I was able to find a Kona Coffee Gelato and a Meyer Lemon Sorbet. I was told they use local lemons. They are both very tasty flavors. Smooth and rich coffee flavor. The Meyer lemon is very refreshing. No place to sit so more of a takeout of limited flavors.

    Me

    The crepes where very good. Quiet shady dinning out front. Loved the atmosphere. You got to go here too eat any time. This will be one of a few I will be visiting on s regular.

    Kelly K.

    After having Il Gelato bookmarked for a couple of years, I finally made it to the factory. Based on reviews I was anticipating something truly special. When we arrived, we were almost immediately greeted. Interested in the gelato case, we asked about the day's specials as they were not marked. The person explaining the specials, was not sure about one flavor. Instead of offering us a sample, she took a spoonful, ate it, said it was delicious, yogurt gelato and excused herself. Weird! I should have known that this strange and borderline rude behavior was a sign of things to come. Another person stepped up to help us. Undaunted, we decided to trust reviews just buy a few quarts to take home. Sadly, the quarts looked like they'd seen better days. Most were covered in ice, not well covered (plastic covers looked warped or were falling off), and seemed to be scraps. I wanted to walk away when I saw how pathetic the quarts looked. But since we'd gone out of our way to visit, I felt compelled to buy something. We ended up purchasing 3 quarts: blood orange sorbetto (3/5), ginger saffron gelato (4/5) and green tea gelato (4/5). Once home, I realized one of the styrofoam quarts was cracked. At $12/qt, I expected the packaging to be better. Such a shame that what is supposed to be a well crafted artisanal product is not treated with the same care that goes into manufacturing. While the gelato and sorbetto were tasty, I'm sad to say the flavors we purchased didn't live up to the hype. Nothing stood out as extraordinary. Perhaps if samples were offered, we would have purchased different flavors. On a positive note, all 3 flavors were very smooth, subtly flavored, and clearly made by people that know what they are doing. UPDATE 9/13/16: Dirk, the owner, reached out and responded to my concerns. I found out that the quarts can be hand-packed fresh (much better!). And that the styrofoam containers are helpful when transporting because they protect the gelato. All great information! It's passionate, hands on business owners like Dirk that I respect and want to support. We're still working our way through the previously purchased quarts but will certainly try Il Gelato in the near future! Mahalo Dirk for your kokua!

    Nat N.

    My friend and I just had lunch at Nimitz Center, and we wanted something cold for dessert. Since Il Gelato was a hop and a skip from us, we decided to go there. I called them to make sure they were open, and also asked for directions on how to get there. The guy on the phone was very friendly and gave me easy to follow directions. Il Gelato is at the end of Sumner street. There is a parking attendant at the entrance to the parking lot, so just tell the attendant that you are going to Il Gelato and he/she will direct you on where to go/park. ON this particular visit, the attendant told me to park directly in front of Il Gelato. I don't think they have any "reserved" parking for their customers. When we got there around 12:00, they had not set up their gelato display yet, which was kind of odd since according to their website, they open at 8:30 am. I guess we were the first retail customers of the day. Luckily it's just gelato, so it didn't take long for the lady to retrieve the 5 flavors from the freezer. She told us what the flavors were, and I noticed that she did not mention the flavor of the day (lilikoi cheesecake) that was on the sign displayed at the entrance. "oh ya", she said, "how could I have forgotten about that one". There were two flavors that I wanted to try, oreo mint and lilikoi cheesecake. I asked if I could get half a scoop of each and she said "sure!". I love that kind of customer service. The gelato was delicious. Between the two flavors I liked the oreo mint better, and would definitely get that flavor again. This place is good for a quick stop with a friend or if you want pre-packed pints to-go, but not good for groups or if you want to eat in a comfortable setting, because there is hardly any parking for customers and no covered seating. A single scoop is $3.

    Their flavors of the day.

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    1 year ago

    Amazing service by Jordan thank you so much again will come back thank you I love this spot

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    1 year ago

    great Ice cream very convenient location the staffs were really friendly like the oujt door space

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    3 years ago

    Batons delicious and traditional recipe! The flavors are incredible and the textures smooth as silk.

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    2 years ago

    Visited the new location in Waikiki. wonderful service, friendly staff, and delicious gelato! Definitely a must for a nice treat.

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    2 years ago

    Leilani was awesome in helping us get the right flavours . Very patient. Big up from the Jamaican girls :-)

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - IL Gelato Hawaii

    Review Highlights - IL Gelato Hawaii

    Dirk says that the reason their gelato is so exceptional is because of the quality of their ingredients and...

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

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    Hidden gem in China town. Conveniently located near Smith Street park. Open in the afternoon to…read morenight time. Street parking. Unique ice cream flavors. The matcha and cookies is a good one! The shop has a cool vibe. Unique things to look at. You have to check out the blue School News binder on the counter. Whoever writes it is gonna be a somebody one day!

    Stopped by Wing's Ice Cream Parlor for a quick sweet treat to cool off on a hot day. They offer…read moresome crazy unique ice cream flavors! As you can see in one of my photos on this review, they offered a flavor called "Cheezus" which was a cheese ice cream with real cheese-its in it haha! I thought it was pretty unique. Their ice cream is made in house so theyre able to get some pretty great flavors on their menu. The shop is small, but the staff is always helpful. Theyll allow you to sample some flavors if youre unsure of its crazy name! The triple scoop sampler comes on a perfect little serving plate. Easy for sharing. Since this ice cream shop is located in chinatown, parking isn't the greatest at times. There is no designated parking for this ice cream shop but you can hopefully find nearby street parking or go to a nearby parking garage. It's easiest if youre just on foot. All in all, definitely an ice cream parlor worth trying out!

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    Asato Family Shop - Yuzu sorbet so good

    Asato Family Shop

    4.8(230 reviews)
    0.8 miDowntown
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    Saw on Instagram that there was Pumpkin Custard only one day and decided I need it to go with my…read morepumpkin pie on Thanksgiving... so at a last minute decision I threw a cooler and some ice in my trunk and started out. I did have an upset moment because my gps said I would get to Asato's at 1:58 so mentally I decided "I guess I didn't need it". But... lucky for me, traffic was in my favor and there was no delays, no red lights, and a parking space right out front so I got out of the car at precisely 1:55! Whew, I checked in and ran inside, excited that I made it. Also, super happy they were not sold out. You know I also cannot just get 1 pint. I took home 2 Pumpkin Custard, a Strawberry and candied ginger (which i got for mom so she doesnt get mad that I restocked the freezer). I did a purse grab and go so fast I did not notice the duchess status until going back to the car! So woohoo! I will definitely be sure to post a photo of my homemade pumpkin pie with the homemade deliciousness of pumpkin custard sherbert later this week! Happy Thanksgiving!

    The best local, evoke childhood, nostalgia experiences via scoops of frozen sherbet and sorbet…read more Multitude of local flavors is a true representation and definitely matches the names. The most creamiest one I've tasted was Kūlolo Haupia while being a passenger on a hot day. My son and I have so far enjoyed their classic: green river, pineapple, strawberry and seasonal flavors: Super Li Hing, Li Hing Float, Lemon Peel Cola Gummy. My hubby not so much because he prefers more cream in the mixture or ice cream. A personal preference for him. More for us. Hahahahaha! There are weekly rotations for their classic and seasonal flavors now available at Foodland Farms Ka Makana Ali'i and Pearl City. I usually select and buy various pint flavors from Foodland Farms Pearl City. Go early because supply will run low during lunch time or early afternoon pending on the seasonal flavors. Follow them via IG for more deets. My son decided to grab a random flavor from our home freezer, Super Li Hing. Without checking the freezer, I asked son, "Did you eat a few scoops or the whole pint?" He responded, "I ate the whole pint." He added, "It reminded him of eating shave ice." I will accept this as a gracious compliment. Infinite gratitude to all of the hardworking staff for creating, executing and producing one of a kind, edible, fun, pint size, local sensations for all to enjoy!

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    Magnolia Ice Cream & Treats - Menu. Halo-Hslo options.

    Magnolia Ice Cream & Treats

    4.1(324 reviews)
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    Ice cream is always good:) They have a good variety of unique flavors. I do recommend their Mais…read moreCon Yelo, which is like Halo-Halo, just with corn! You can customize your ice cream with toppings and sauces. There isn't much of a wait but it's usually two elder ladies working when I go but they are very quick with it! But it does get busy during lunch time and after school hours. There is ample seating indoor and outdoor and it does get pretty cold inside lol. Also, a whole lot of FREE parking. Dillingham is currently under construction but you are now able to make a left turn into the lot.

    My first time at this Kapalama location. It wasn't too crowded but it was around 3pm. There were…read moreseats inside as well as outside. I've seen this place packed before with all tables filled and a line. Weekdays in the afternoon might be good timing! The vibe was your average "ice cream" ambiance. I loved the photos so you can see your options. IMO, the menu board lighting was a little weird, I thought when I was taking a photo it was my eyes, then thought it was the lighting from outside, but I think it's lit by bulbs? Idk. LOL. You can still read the menu but at first glance, you will question if it's your vision. LOL. My "mini" Mahalo-halo was perfect! It didn't make me feel that guilty at all. I mean, I'm all about dessert before a meal. In my experience, it is always a challenge to eat Halo halo because it's filled to the top. My strategy: take off the cover (if it's not overspilling: if it is, skip this step), eat some of the ice cream, and take a few sips! That should leave you enough room to mix everything, each scoop you should get a different bite. A long spoon would be best for the larger sizes! Magnolia did not disappoint. I'll be back!!

    Photos
    Magnolia Ice Cream & Treats - Menu. Halo-Hslo options.

    Menu. Halo-Hslo options.

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    Lappert's Hawaii - Lappert's Hawai'i, located at the Hilton Hawaiian Village - Rainbow Bazaar.

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    4.2(1k reviews)
    3.1 miWaikiki
    $$

    Great coffee and yummy treats! Parking is all street…read moreparking. You'll find this spot on the corner. It's a small spot with a grab and go set up with maybe 2-4 tables on the ice cream side. You can enjoyyyyyyy your special tray outside as well as there are a few spots you can station on. We got the black Kona coffee ($5.29) : good coffee and pipiping hot Coconut Pineapple muffin ($3.99) love the texture of the coconut and the flavor of the pineapple. Perfect balance of sweet. Caramel MacNut sticky Bun ($5.99) perfect sweet bite with my black coffee. I appreciate the flavor but the MacNut flavor was subtle since I think it was alittle over powered by the caramel. Still a good soft chewy bun. Wish I tried the ice cream since I've read good reviews on it but will have to make my way back since it was too early for ice cream. Service was fast and everyone was very kind even with the long lines :)

    My friend said that her mom enjoyed the macadamia ice cream from Lappert's, so we made our way over…read moreafter dinner. The line was pretty long, but it moved pretty quickly. We got a single scoop to share, which was honestly more than enough. The ice cream base is vanilla, which was rich and sweet, basically a French vanilla. There were several macadamia nuts mixed in, which added a nice textural contrast. Overall, it was a bit too sweet and decadent for my taste, but definitely a unique flavor that you can't just find everywhere.

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    Kaua'i Pie - Coconut, Dark Chocolate, Macadamian Nut Coffee

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    La Gelateria Italian Style Frozen Desserts - Our selection of gelato and sorbetto.

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    6-11-26 What do Yelp friends talk about when they get together? Yes, Food but also...desserts!…read more While I was hub's chauffeur today to drop him off to a doctor appointment followed by lunch my internal light bulb switched on when I passed Cedar street. When I met Yelp Elites Jackie and Donna last week, Jackie shared a place Donna took her to. I never knew the location of Cedar Street since I haven't been a townie in half a century. I looked up La Gelateria and we were a couple blocks away. Not sure if you're actually supposed to buy retail here but the head employee was so kind enough to stop what he was doing and went over the many flavors in the refrigerated display coolers. They have dairy free too. Hubs tried the man's favorite Mac nut and I chose Kona coffee. You can order on line. It looks like a production kitchen in the back with freezers upfront labeled with the contents. $2.50 per tiny cup. They have larger sizes too but we just had lunch. Creamy, delicious, hits the spot.

    Quaint hidden shop located in town! I've passed by many times but had no idea what was located…read moreinside. I went in looking to buy a pint of two of sorbet for a friend's birthday but I went overboard and came out with NINE. I went in blindly after a friend suggested this place but I had no idea how many different flavors they had. It's cash only at the store but you can order online to pay with card and they'll get your order ready right away. They have a convenient online order system that is super easy to navigate so the pints added up quickly! My personal favorites are currently black sesame, strawberry lemonade (super tart, which I love) and Kona coffee. My friends loved earl grey, pistachio, and ume guava.

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    Samurai - Strawberry pineapple

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    4.3(206 reviews)
    1.4 miKalihi
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    4.5* Glad I…read moreremembered this spot. A great place for a break from the heat. The Hawaii Frost soft serve is refreshing. Similar to a smooth, creamy sherbet. For those not familiar, don't expect fresh fruit flavors. The strawberry tasted like strawberry soda mixed with vanilla ice cream. The honeydew tasted like a Melona bar. The large included a rolled cookie which was a nice surprise. The buttered popcorn was a bit chewy, not light, fluffy & crunchy. (-0.5*} The service was friendly & helpful. No 3% credit card fee. There are 2 parking spaces. Both were available when I arrived.

    In our office, food is often discussed where we share information with each other. Samurai was…read morebrought up by my colleague who sits in front of me and was going to head over. Another colleague and I jumped at the opportunity to tag along on a Friday early afternoon. Located down Umi Street not too far from neighboring New City Nissan on N King Street, Samurai moved to their current location in 1995 serving Maui style sherbet, popcorn and other local snacks. They also expanded to Samurai Snacks Aiea for an impressive 20+ years before closing its doors in May 2023. We arrived shortly after lunch time where we pondered at the menu wondering what to get. It's not fancy here at Samurai - - the storefront is basic and nothing fancy with a few seats patrons can sit on if they decide to eat their treats on premise. Morale has been low at the office so I decided to get some convenient prepackaged 4oz assorted Samurai cups to cheer up the staff. My colleagues also picked up some bags of buttered popcorn with mochi crunch and furikake for an informal office party to welcome the much needed weekend. Because we were already there, we also got some soft serve cups to cool down before heading back to the office. My colleagues had the classic strawberry and blue vanilla swirl and I selected the mango. My colleagues enjoyed their selection but the mango didn't live up to my expectations. The color was vibrant and enticing but sadly the mango flavor did not come through. Each cup came with a sugar roll cookie that was delicious. After our cold treat we headed back to the office with our surprise for our colleagues where it was a big hit. There were many happy faces standing in line grabbing some popcorn and a 4-oz cup of Samurai. Overall, a much better experience with Samurai that's deserving of an update with higher marks. It has been noted in my books to stick to flavors I'm already aware of and avoid trying new ones for that possible disappointment that often happens to me.

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    IL Gelato Hawaii - icecream - Updated September 2026

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