With its retro neon sign, pink-and-white-striped awning, blue script logo, and the usual line outside, Leonard’s Bakery has become a can’t miss destination for foodies on Oʻahu.
The bakery, a family business that’s been famously featured in guidebooks, food blogs, Instagram roundups and more, is dedicated to keeping a local tradition alive.
Since opening in 1952, Leonard’s Bakery has become synonymous with the iconic malasada. The fried pastry was introduced to the Islands by Portuguese immigrants, and Leonard’s Bakery has played a major role in its popularity.
For locals on Oʻahu, the bakery is where tradition is preserved. For generations of folks—whether they observe Lent or not—malasadas are a popular indulgence on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. In Hawaiʻi, it’s common to hear Mardi Gras referred to as Malasada Day.
Lenny Rego III says running the bakery is a “labor of love” for him and his family. Rego’s grandparents opened Leonard’s just a few blocks from its current spot on Kapahulu Avenue. The business quickly became so popular, he says, that his grandparents had to relocate to a larger place to meet demand…