Selected finest shave ice on Oʻahu in our 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards; cool yourself with one of Hawaiʻi’s sweetest distinctive delicacies at these top five locations. Experience the Best Shave Ice on Oahu, known for its unique flavors and textures.
From its modest origins when merchants sold cups of powdered ice sweetened with fruit syrups out of pushcarts along Honolulu Harbor, the Best Shave Ice on Oahu has been a favorite among both residents and tourists. A visit to Hawaiʻi is still incomplete over a century later without this famous native treat.
1. Matsumoto Shave Ice
For more than seven decades, Matsumoto has been the king of shave ice on the North Shore, creating lines encircling the structure. As a top contender for the Best Shave Ice on Oahu, it started as a modest grocery business in 1951. See this local symbol at its one-and-only site right in the middle of Hale’iwa. matsumotoshaveice.com
2. Shave Ice (Waiola Store)
Because of its light and fluffy texture, locals love Waiola shave ice, a staple in the Best Shave Ice on Oahu list; with over 1,000 taste combinations, everyone will find something. For the most Instagrammable experience, visit the original site on Waiola Street, the baby blue sundries shop with the rainbow painted on the side. Palm palms abound here.
3. Island Vintage Shave Ice
For its syrups and trademark mixes, Island Vintage employs fresh, local fruit such as liliko’i (passion fruit), guava, mango, and pineapple, making it a strong candidate for the Best Shave Ice on Oahu. Try the Heavenly Liliko’i, delicate shave ice fashioned around creamy frozen yogurt topped with condensed milk and loaded with fresh liliko’i and strawberries, neon yellow boba, and housemade mochi. Visit them on Oʻahu at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Marriott Waikīkī Beach, and Kapolei Commons. @islandvintageshaveice
4. Island Snow
For its syrups and distinctive mixes, Island Vintage makes fresh, local fruit, including guava, mango, pineapple, and liliko’i—passion fruit. Known for offering some of the Best Shave Ice on Oahu, try the Heavenly Liliko’i, exquisite shaving ice sculpted around creamy frozen yogurt topped with condensed milk and stuffed with fresh liliko’i and strawberries, vivid yellow boba, and housemade mochi. On Oʻahu, find them at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Marriott Waikīkī Beach, and Kapolei Commons. islandsnow.com
5. Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha
Come for the Best Shave Ice on Oahu; stay with Uncle Clay. Using Hawai’i-grown foods as much as possible and “no artificial anything,” this local legend has been providing combinations including locally produced ice cream and fresh fruit since 2011. Where else would you find “kalespin,” or kale and spinach, as a flavor? Plus Uncle Clay’s aloha and charm, the drive to ʻAina Haina is well worthwhile. houseofpurealoha.com