I'm not a huge shaved ice person however when visiting Hawaii, I knew I had to try at least one shop. We stumbled upon this spot after leaving the Diamond Head Trail and having lunch. The ordering booth was a small little area that you could miss if not for the sign. You can choose two flavors, so I chose mango and coconut then added condensed milk and mochi balls on top. I believe the total was $8. I wish they had been more generous with the mochi but overall still good. It was nice, refreshing and really yummy! I do wish there was some sort of seating nearby, but we walked down the street to the park and just sat there. read more

See all

Attending Bud's flag football game during the hottest time of the day, noon til about 2 pm my internal alarms were going off: shave ice!!! I'd looked up Ululani's on Yelp but when I read Yelp Elite Randy S's comment I told hubs, we're going to Monsarrat Shave Ice. Can't believe we have never been here. Perfect timing, there was no line... YES! I ordered two strawberry mango with ice cream, mochi balls and condensed milk on top. I watched the solo employee methodically proceed step by step. She checked the block of ice til she was satisfied with the consistency of the shaven ice and pierced it in place. So smart she put the shaved ice into the bowls then poured syrup on it topped by a scoop of ice cream then continued to add more shaved ice. After she so gently shaped it she then poured half of the mound with one flavor then the half with the second flavor both in squeez bottles. Last of all she topped it off with the condensed milk. Such gracious pride in her skill made so lovingly. Every spoonful was so delicately refreshing. Please support and celebrate Asian American enterprises like Monsarrat Shave Ice. The menu board is posted on the left wall of the ordering counter. There are a few seats available but we drove to the free parking lot close to the zoo to leisurely enjoy our shave ice in the car under semi shade. read more

See all

I would give this place a million Yelp stars. Every time I come back to the island, I always make sure I get my mango shave ice with vanilla ice cream, mochi balls, and condensed milk. Now open everyday from 11a-4p! This place is tucked right next to pioneer saloon, so make sure you don't miss it. There are only about 6 small stools in the space in front of the shop. So it can be a very tight squeeze. I usually order and eat it on the grass by the bus stop so it's easier for other people to order. The woman the runs the shave ice spot is very nice and makes her time making every order perfect. What I love about this place is that the flavors are made with real fruit and none of that artificial flavoring stuff. If there is a wait, trust that it will be worth it. I have brought a bunch of family and friends here whenever they want to get shave ice. They never disappoint! read more

See all

This is a tiny TINY little shaved ice store. It literally sits in a small space adjacent to the Pioneer Saloon restaurant. It's location is so unusual that you cannot help but wonder if the space used to be an alley way for trash cans (see the attached picture). In any case, this is a store that deserves the title of a hidden gem (almost literally given how tiny and easy it is to miss). As of 01/2026, the base price is $7 (pick up to 2 flavors). Toppings are 50 cents each. We got strawberry and yuzu flavors. We also added mochi balls, vanilla ice cream, condensed milk, and kuromitsu syrup. The kuromitsu syrup was described to us as a brown sugar syrup (it was really good). Highly recommend adding the ice cream! It makes the entire thing even better. We'd get this again but try other flavors. I don't think you can miss here. The service was quick and VERY professional. You place your order, get handed a receipt and are instructed to pay it at the window next to the store (the same window you order at for Pioneer Saloon). Note: there aren't any tables for you to sit down and eat unless you walk inside Pioneer Saloon. They have some small chairs but that's about it. Worth a visit! read more

See all

Too much syrup an ice . And be ready to wait at least 15 minutes per each shave ice. Melts very fast.

I love shave ice, especially the natural flavors at Monsarrat Shave Ice! On this trip, I had the mixed berry and yuzu flavors with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (always!!). The yuzu was a bit more tart and tangy than I expected, but it was balanced by the mixed fruit syrup and ice cream. Actually, aside from the yuzu, the other "syrups" were more akin to pureed fruit, which I loved. The ice was very fine and fluffy, too, so that definitely added to the pleasure. My friend had the mango and strawberry with vanilla ice cream and she thought this was the best shave ice she's had and this was her third experience with it; she was a newbie until this trip. The sign at Monsarrat indicated they're only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during December, which is unfortunate for me. I'd love to be able to get a couple of more servings before I return to the land of limited shave ice possibilities! read more

See all

I'm usually into more healthy choices of what I put in my body, but on a hot tropical day, a good Ole Hawaiian shaved ice will really hit that spot. I'm glad my brother recommended the Pioneer Saloon for lunch, and then just outside, stuck at the side of the building, is this little hole-in-the-wall shack selling Hawaiian shaved ice....I thought it was so cute. Manned by a nice, albeit rather quiet, Japanese lady, she just seems to know her shaved ice and how to make a good one. I'm really not sure how to judge a good shaved ice as.... 1) I'm not a shaved ice expert, 2) I don't eat this very often at all, and 3) it's just shaved ice, is it not? More importantly, you pretty much create your own flavors on the shaved ice, so if it tastes bad, then it's really your own fault. Anyway, with all the flavors available, we pretty much just chose our top 3 favorite.... one with strawberry, matcha, and topped with azuki beans (red beans), and another with matcha, azuki beans, and motchi balls. I must say, we loved every bit of the shaved ice experience.... the ice was nice and powdery fine, the flavored syrups were not overly sweet and artificial tasting, and the azuki beans....I always love red beans.... made everything taste just so yummy and cooling on this hot day... in fact, every time I have shaved ice, the look, the taste, and the feel of it in the mouth somehow makes me feel like a little kid again....ah, the fond memories :) This shaved ice was definitely a lot of fun and we'd really like to come back again on our next trip to Hawaii. read more

See all

I learned about this shaved ice shop from someone who used to live in Honolulu, so I took time to visit. This is a local favorite, and they use natural fruit jam as a syrup. I got strawberry and mango flavors ($7) with condensed milk as a topping ($0.50). From here, you have a direct view of Diamond Head. From a sign on their shop, they're currently open every day. A nice Japanese lady prepared our three orders of shaved ice in several minutes. There is seating inside as it shares space with Pioneer Saloon, a Japanese restaurant that serves plate lunches. If you can only pay with card, you'd conduct the transaction inside. There was plenty to eat in the bowl provided. I liked the strawberry flavor as it was nicely sweet. The mango syrup was a little tart, so I wish ordered something different. It was a refreshing dessert for a pleasantly warm day. read more

Nice lady who speaks Japanese and very little English is selling the shave ice . The ice is shaved to very fine powder . We tried her home made all natural strawberry flavor plus yoza flavor. The yoza is too sour and my Tommy feels upset by it ?! The whole paced is very old fashioned like the seventies. The shop was build on 2013 . There was some craving on the cement to prove that . A friend recommended this to us . We like to share with you . read more

See all

As a nutritionist I back this place. the cutest Japanese GMA making them handmade no food dye, no juice thick hand made with love read more

Monsarrat Shave Ice - Shaved Ice Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

The service was a bit slow, but 100% worth it. The shaved ice is topped with a fruit purée which was amazing. Would recommend.

The shave ice shop next to the Pioneer Saloon is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please note that it is closed on rainy days. I heard that the syrup is handmade with a focus on natural ingredients, so I tried it. Choose two flavors for $7. For the new flavor, choose three flavors from the fermented rainbow flavor for $7. I chose the sweet and sour yuzu and mango. This combination is recommended for those who don't like sweet and stale flavors! The sweet mango and sweet and sour yuzu are a good combination. The refreshing taste was delicious. The syrup is made by pouring handmade syrup halfway through the pile of ice, covering the ice again, and finally pouring more syrup on top to complete the ice cream. They make it carefully. パイオニアサルーンの横のシェイブアイス屋は、金曜日、土曜日、日曜日の午前11時から午後4時までのみ営業。雨の日は、お休みだから、注意。ナチュラルな素材にこだわって手作りするシロップと聞いていたので、食べてきました。フレーバーを2種類選んで、7ドル。新しいフレーバーは、発酵レインボーフレーバーから、3種類選び、7ドル。わたしは、甘酸っぱいゆずと、マンゴーにしました。 このコンビは、甘かったるい味が、苦手な方には、おすすめ！甘いマンゴーと、甘酸っぱいゆずが、良い組み合わせです。 サッパリした後の味は、美味しかったです。 シロップは、氷の山の途中にも、手作りシロップをかけて、また、氷をカバーして、最終的にも、上から、さらに、シロップをかけて、完成します。 丁寧に作ってくれます。 read more

See all

Their shave ice a a bit different than the other ones I've had before. We chose two flavor - yuzu and strawberry. The strawberry has a slight jam-like consistency with real strawberries. It was very good. The yuzu was way too tart for me and we do usually like sour things. Reading the reviews, it seems like we should've gotten condensed milk to balance out the tartness. Ice consistency wasn't as fluffy and soft as I'd prefer, but it's not bad. read more

Monsarrat Shave Ice - Strawberry yuzu - Shaved Ice Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

10/10 My husband and I had shaved ice for the first time here and it was delicious! Highly recommend :) read more

See all

Quality was amazing. Definitely one of the best shave ice places we visited during our stay!

Every shaved ice experience I've had so far on the island has been amazing. And I think that each time, it just gets better! I got the mango and mixed berry syrup and make it a MK special ($9). And my god.. it was amazing. I could tell that this establishment put so much love and care and attention to detail, and it's evident in seeing the owner pack the shaved ice and place the syrup and toppings on my shaved ice. First off, the syrup are amazing and have no hint of artificial flavoring. The mango and mixed berry syrup had chunks of the real fruit, and it tasted so fresh! It's only open 11-4 Friday-Sunday, so make sure to plan accordingly! There is street parking in front of the place, so give yourself enough time! You order at the counter and then if you're paying with anything other than cash, you go next door to pay. Then you watch the owner carefully craft your shaved ice. There are a few seats near the ordering window, and no other seats or tables nearby. read more

See all

Tastes as amazing as it looks. Syrups are delicious and fresh. Tried mango + strawberry with condensed milk and vanilla ice cream read more

Monsarrat Shave Ice - Mango Strawberry with condensed milk and vanilla ice cream - Shaved Ice Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

A refreshing stop if you're in the mood for unique, handmade flavors. We tried the yuzu and pineapple shave ice with condensed milk and vanilla ice cream. The yuzu flavor was bright and just the right amount of sour, with a noticeable zest that made it stand out. It paired nicely with the pineapple, though next time we'd recommend pairing the yuzu with something a bit sweeter for an even better balance. The ice itself was fluffy and light--not hard or chunky--and the handmade syrups added a nice touch. Just note that they have limited hours, and since it's usually run by just one person, expect a bit of a wait. read more

Monsarrat Shave Ice - Shaved Ice Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

I hate giving a negative review though this was the worst shaved ice I have ever had. They did not put enough syrup on it and it was terribly dry and not at all sweet. When I asked for 3 flavors I was told I could choose only 2 (even if I paid extra). Ambiance is literally a hole in the wall, not friendly! I had to stop and throw it away after a few bites. Try at your own risk. read more

Monsarrat Shave Ice - Sign on counter, underneath where you order and get your order sits a trash can, yuck! - Shaved Ice Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Alright, I've had a fair share of shaved ice all over the island. But this cute little shop here is superior! It's a bit of a wait, but she is the sweetest person ever. Everything is hand made right in front of you and the syrups are made from real fruit! They are not overly sweet, but just right! It isn't your regular shaved ice because the syrups are thicker so keep that in mind. Can't wait to go back! read more

See all

If you love artificial, extra sweet flavors, STAY AWAY! This place makes their own syrups that are natural and not too sweet. Because of this, the syrups are a little on the thicker side. So what you get is going to be a little bit different than your traditional Hawaiian shave ice that's soaked all the way through. Very refreshing! You can definitely tell the difference in taste. Very nice employees. Not much room to sit but just go around to the front and stand in the shade. My new go to for shave ice! The place only accepts cash. If you want to use a credit card, you need to pay next door at Pioneer Saloon. read more

See all

Oh man, I stumbled upon Monsarrat Shave Ice totally by accident while wandering around Diamond Head after a morning hike--talk about a perfect combo of sweat and sweet relief! Tucked away in that little hallway next to Pioneer Saloon, it's like this hidden oasis that you wouldn't even know was there unless you were looking. The line was short (thank goodness, because it was a scorcher of a day), and the vibe? Super chill, with the owner Kenta just quietly shaving away like it's no big deal. I went for the strawberry and yuzu combo with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the bottom--$5 for the small, which felt like a steal for how massive it was. The ice is so finely shaved, it's basically like eating a cloud that melts in your mouth without turning into a watery mess. But the real magic is those syrups: real fruit, no fake stuff, so the strawberry tastes like actual berries exploded in summer glory, and the yuzu? Zesty, tangy heaven that cuts through the sweetness just right. Watching him layer it all in as he shaves was oddly mesmerizing, and by the time I took that first bite, I was hooked. I devoured the whole thing in like 10 minutes flat, no regrets, even though I was full of brain freeze bliss. If you're in Honolulu and craving something refreshing that's a cut above the usual tourist traps, skip the Waikiki spots and hit this up on a weekend. Pro tip: Pair it with a cold drink from Pioneer next door. I'll be back next trip, no question-- this place just nailed that island treat in the best way possible. Ono-licious doesn't even cover it! read more

Interesting Shave ice, I had mango flavor with ice cream and top with condense milk, my wife had ocean with strawberry flavor, syrup for shave ice is not your typical type of syrup, it's very pulpy and heavy almost like a jam, I would say, service was good and ambiance setting is outside. read more

Monsarrat Shave Ice - Menu - Shaved Ice Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This is one of the best shave ice I've ever had. Someone I met in line described it as a puree vs a syrup, which I think is a good description. It's super fresh - you can taste the fruit chunks. I read some of the negative reviews here, and I think they were expecting a more sweet/syrupy shave ice. The lady who helped us was so sweet and kind. Definitely recommend!! read more

This little spot is a gem ! Best shave ice I've had!!! The ice is like powder snow and the topping isn't your normal syrup. It's what makes this shave ice the best, she makes organic fruit blends as the topping vs syrup like all the others. The fruit blend is luscious and almost gel like. Delicious!!! The owner seems to be the person always making when we go. She takes priest in making each shave ice. Parking is an issue, so plan to park on side streets or drop someone off. It can be missed easily as it's a little shack, in a little drive lane, on the East (Right) Side of Pioneer plate lunch. You can see the sign when heading down Monsarrat right after the bus stop. read more

Monsarrat Shave Ice - Strawberry and Mango - Shaved Ice Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I hate to bring the stars down but I was disappointed in this shave ice place. Maybe my expectations were too high since the overall rating was 4.5 stars. Photos of the shave ice looked spectacular. They're located right next to Pioneer Saloon on Monsarrat in Kapahulu. Parking is close to impossible. In fact, I actually drove by there the day before and couldn't find parking so I left. I recommend parking in the residential area and walking if you can't find immediate parking nearby. This is a literal hole-in-the-wall. It's like a little covered outdoor shack. They do have a few stools to sit on, but it's a tight space so I ordered my shave ice to go. There's only one size for $7. You get to choose up to 2 flavors. If you want extra toppings, it costs .50 - $1.00 more. I got the strawberry & mango flavors with condensed milk on top. I watched as the lady made the shave ice and the ice looked extremely thin coming out of the machine. By the time she was done it was quite a big portion! The shave ice was so thin that it melted quickly and ended up being just a lot of syrup. There was no substance to the ice. The good news is that the flavors were tasty. Overall, I wouldn't return again as I like my shave ice to be more dense and not melt so fast. read more

See all

What a hidden gem on Oahu! They only use real fruit purées on the shave ice! Try it with ice cream...yum! read more

Monsarrat Shave Ice - Mixed Berry and mango shave ice! - Shaved Ice Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

no parking. Side street or walk from the park is the best. Be patient. Its a masterpiece in each one so there is a wait but itʻs worth it. Ordered Yuzu and Mango flavors with a swirl od kuromatsu (brown sugar syrup). The yuzu kicks a PUNCH. The kuromatsu makes it a palatable. Then mango and yuzu work very well and its refreshing! read more

This is my favorite shave ice spot on the island. The wait will most likely be long since it's a small spot and there's only one person working, but I promise it'll be worth the wait! The lady working is so sweet and the fruit toppings are made from real fruits. I can't wait to back to visit! read more

Monsarrat Shave Ice - Strawberry and mango - Shaved Ice Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Cute little side shop off of Pioneer Saloon restaurant. If you blink, you will miss it, but with the long line you might not! There is one lady working this stand. She's cute, works at her own pace and I love that. She does her business, does it well and doesn't get flustered no matter how long the line was. The choices were many and the toppings were a ton. I got the special because it had all the toppings I wanted :) the best part of this are her delicious syrups. All natural and all delicious. I ordered yuzu (my favorite) and strawberry. My friends chose coconut, pineapple and strawberry. The mochi balls were excellent. The yuzu was real yuzu flavor as well as all the other syrups. I just enjoyed the entire shaved ice. It was hot today but it didn't leave my tongue with a layer of sugar that most shaved ices do. The syrups tasted exactly like the fruit it was. The toppings were on point and it was just fabulous. This is definitely my favorite shaved ice stand!! She's only open Saturday and Sunday's so be ready for the lines! It's well worth the wait and the price was excellent for what it takes to make natural syrups read more

See all

The shave ice is like eating literal snow, and i would know since i live in Colorado..! I ordered the strawberry & yuzu shave ice with condensed milk on top and i have no regrets! Paying was super easy, everything about this place is simplicity at its finest. They take their time, each order is made thoughtfully and with care. Definitely a must stop for when you're in the area!!! read more

Monsarrat Shave Ice - Delicious, quality driven company! - Shaved Ice Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Small little shack by the pioneer saloon. Had hand made syrup so had to try. Ice was fine. I am use to processed sugar. So my pineapple and strawberry were tart to me. I even had ice cream in it. So if you want a tart more organic treat try this local place. read more

See all

Hands down, my favorite spot for shave ice on the island. You can't beat the fresh, natural fruit toppings. I just wish they were open more than on weekends. At least you consistently know when they will be there as opposed to before, when you had to guess. I almost always get the yuzu and pineapple. Prices are so reasonable at $7 for a huge bowl. Cash only at the booth but you can use card in Pioneer Saloon. I get it, it's not your "classic" shave ice but I can't miss stopping by when home. read more

See all

Haven't been to Monsarrat Shave Ice since before the pandemic. Today was blisteringly hot, so decided to hop over and re-visit MSI! Located in the alleyway next to Pioneer Saloon, they are only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. There's one worker who meticulously makes your shave ice, which reminded me of workers making kakigori in Japan. I don't mind the wait. The lady shaved some ice into a bowl (the ice was not super fine but was still a great shave), then squirts some natural flavor sauce (it's not syrupy liquid but a sauce) on the first layer of ice. I got strawberry (could see seeds) and mango (excellent taste). She then shaves more ice on, then puts more sauce. Then a final layer of ice and a generous serving of sauce. They are definitely not stingy with the sauce, which I appreciate. The result is not too sweet and super refreshing. Highly recommend. Just FYI: The natural sauce does not seep into the ice like other shave ice places. You have to mix it up with the ice, which I think is fun. There's a $7 base price for 1-2 flavors. Mango, Coconut, Strawberry, Yuzu, Mix Berry, Green Tea, Pineapple, Acai. Then you can add toppings for $.50 each. Kuromitsu syrup, azuki beans, mochi balls, kinako powder, vanilla or chocolate ice cream, condensed milk. I thought the mochi balls were too big. Would prefer smaller ones buried in the ice that freeze up a bit. I'm looking forward to trying different flavor combos and toppings! read more

See all

Very fine shave ice. No artificial syrups. It can be a bit of a wait; the kind, sweet lady working takes the orders then makes the shave ice as well. It can be difficult to find parking on the street, but I recommend just parking a bit up the road and walking. Cash only. I had a mango + coconut shave ice with mochi & condensed milk. Delicious! It's currently a base price of $7 for 1 or 2 flavors, and you add toppings for an additional 50 cents each. I also tried the green tea + yuzu the next day with kuromitsu syrup. I didn't love the flavors as much as my order the day before. Nonetheless, the work and care that goes into each shave ice is the best! Never have I been to any shave ice place where syrup is poured on after multiple layers. (Usually places just dump the syrup on the top at the end.) Definitely add Monsarrat to your list of shave ice places to try if you haven't already! read more

See all

I've been meaning to try this hole-in-the-wall since our friends recommended it but always forgot it was only open on weekends. I got lucky finally and went on a Sunday after a beach day and this was the perfect sweet treat to end the trip. I love how they use fresh fruit puree that isn't too sweet (order condensed milk as a topping if you like sweeter syrups!) and their fresh mochi had a fantastic bouncy texture. The yuzu flavor in particular was one of the best yuzu toppings I've ever had- totally had that distinctive yuzu citrusty aromatic flavor and the tartness was perfectly balanced with sweetness. The strawberry and fresh mango were quite nice as well. As far as shave ice goes, this feels so healthy and refreshing. The older lady working is very sweet and takes her time to make each bowl with care, so don't come in a hurry. Looking forward to trying more flavors! read more

Delicious and refreshing!! Stopped by after hiking Diamond Head. Lots of various toppings to choose from. CASH ONLY! read more

Monsarrat Shave Ice - Coconut / Mango - Shaved Ice Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Monsarrat Shave Ice is a hole-in-the-wall gem that's worth the wait. Operating exclusively on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm, this spot offers an organic-homemade shave ice experience. As for parking, it's a bit of a challenge in the area. I had my partner drop me off and loop around while I waited in line. There's just one size available for $7. You can pick up to two flavors from their selection and add extra toppings for an additional cost ranging from $0.50 to $1.00 each. During my visit, I opted for the strawberry mango combination with mochi balls. I like that the mochi balls here are larger than what you can typically find. Instead of the typical sugary syrup, they craft organic fruit blends -- The consistency is closer to a almost gel-like sauce that clings to the ice. This keeps the flavors distinct and prevents the sauce from immediately seeping into the ice. The texture of the ice itself is like fine powder snow, creating a velvety smoothness that's so refreshing on a hot Hawaiian day. The quality of ice/water and how fine they get the ice is really top tier. The limited hours and really difficult parking situation is the only reason why this isn't a 5-star spot in my books. The shave ice here is such good quality and I love the organic and homemade syrups -- plus Monsarrat ave is such an iconic street with a lot of cute local businesses. So, if you're willing to battle crowds and traffic to savor the finer nuances of a shave ice experience, make your way to Monsarrat - read more

The food was so delicious and felt light. Also the fermented syrup was great! The setting was so nice . And the lady working there was so kind. It was sad that the place was so small but at the same time it made it peaceful too. Definitely recommended. read more

Kids wanted dessert after brunch. This a great real fruit topping option spot for shave ice instead of the sugary syrups at all other shave ice stores. It's a tiny little location on a busy street so you have to know where you are going. There's only 1 or 2 workers and the toppings are made fresh so there is a little wait. But it's all worth it in the end to get real fruit and unique toppings. read more