Must visit Punalu’u bake Shop on the Big Island now

Punalu’u bake Shop in the Kau district is one of the most delicious stops you can do in the southern tip of the Big Island and a worthwhile break to exploring the area or even further into Volcanoes National Park. Anyone with a sweet tooth will know all the famous malasadas, baked sweet breads and other delicious desserts the bakery is well known for with locals and visitors to the island.

Where is Punalu’u Bake shop located

Right in the heart of Na’alehu town, the parking lot is easy to find with signage directly to the parking lot area. From Hilo town, Punalu’u Bake Shop is 58.3 miles southwest and

from Kona Town, Punalu’u Bake shop is 67 mile going south east to Na’alehu town

History of the Punalu’u Bake Shop

The Hawaiian sweet bread at Punalu’u bake shop is actually of Portuguese origin and the sweet bread recipe was adapted from a resort restaurant in Ka’u in the 1970s and became an instant hit. The Punalu’u bake shop was opened in 1991 to satisfy cravings from locals and travelers visiting the islands and stopping at the bakery for something sweet to eat from their breads, malasadas or other specialty baked goods.

They offer an array of delicious sweet breads, dinner rolls and cookies as well as these popular take away breads below

Macadamia nut sweat bread

Macadamia nut shortbread cookies

Cinnamon raisin macadamia nut sweet bread

Taro sweet bread and dinner rolls

Guava sweet bread and dinner rolls

All their breads are made without preservatives and can be found in major grocery stores around the islands.

What to try at the Punalu’u bake shop?

Basically, everything is tasty at the Punalu’u bake shop but for something different try some of the delicious taro, guava or lilikoi malasadas which are all pretty spectacular. All the popular items especially the malasadas and filled creams are sold out early so either get your phone orders in or show up early to get the best selections that are fresh off their kitchens.

Tip – there is a free bread tasting sample bin next to the coffee area to try the local sweet breads from the bakery

What else to see in Na’alehu area?

Check out our inside guide of popular attractions to visit around Na’alehu here for more inspiration. The top attractions include:

Green Sand Beach at Papakolea beach

South Point at Ka Lae

Black San Beach at Punalu’u

Whittington Beach Park

Have you visited Punalu’u bake shop?

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