Purve Donuts are an Instagrammer’s dream. The colorful, eye-catching flavors sell out fast; they look great and taste, if possible, even better. According to Purve (pronounced pur-VAY) Donut’s marketing materials, these are life-changing donuts. Customers tend to agree that they’re worth the jaunt to Honolulu, even for locals who live on other parts of the island. That itself is high praise.
The shop itself is nestled in the Kaka’ako neighborhood of Honolulu, an artsy, up-and-coming area that’s chock-full of boutique shops, bistros, restaurants, and personality. It’s an easy jaunt from Waikiki, and it’s within easy walking distance of Ala Moana Center (the country’s largest open-air shopping mall) and Ala Moana Regional Park.
Eye-catching, graffiti-style wall art welcomes you into this grab-and-go location (there’s no seating inside). Donuts are made fresh to order while you wait; you can’t get them any fresher than this. Iced coffees and frozen drinks round out the list of offerings, so you’ll be both satisfied and quenched–the perfect prequel to a day of enjoying Honolulu!
When we say Purve Donuts offers inventive flavors, we mean it. Expect one-of-a-kind flavor offerings like Smurf Balls, Sunburnt Haole, and Unicorn Butt Sneeze. Possibly slightly inappropriate, but definitely delicious.
Some of Purve’s favorite flavors include:
You’re Killing Me, Smalls
Customers keep coming back for this one, which features a chocolate glaze, a roasted marshmallow, and a Teddy Graham nestled on top. These traditional s’more-like toppings pair surprisingly well with the hot, fresh yeast donut underneath.
Aloha Mac
It doesn’t get much more Hawaiian than this. Enjoy a piping hot donut topped with a chocolate glaze, chopped macadamia nuts, and a caramel drizzle. The crunch and sweet (but somehow not too sweet) notes are a match made in heaven.
Sunburnt Haole
The term “haole” can be a bit loaded when you’re on the Hawaiian Isles; it refers to non-native visitors and their touristy expectations. But it’s hard to go wrong with a Sunburnt Haole donut, which features a light, refreshing lemon glaze offset by the hard-to-describe, sweet-and-sour flavor of Li Hing Mui, another local favorite.
The Sanchez
Sweet and simple, this donut is topped with cinnamon sugar. It’s a classic for a reason.
Unicorn Butt Sneeze
This donut features the same lemon glaze as the Sunburnt Haole, but instead of Li Hing Mui, this one is topped with Fruity Pebbles. It’s bright, it’s fun, it’s delicious, and it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Location
Purve Donut Shop is located between Ala Moana Center and Ward Village, making it a convenient stop at the beginning of (or in the middle of) a shopping day.
Insider Tips:
-Parking is limited, so cross your fingers, or be willing to circle the block if needed to find a spot in the lot. It makes sense to walk over from Ala Moana or Ward Center if you’re already shopping at one of those locations.
-Want to try them all? Order a Dirty Dozen or a Lucky 13 to try each flavor. The Dirty Dozen includes each of their standing specialty flavors, while the Lucky 13 includes the flavor of the week.
-There’s no seating inside, but you’ll find picnic tables, shade, and outdoor seating at Ward Center (if it’s not too busy) or at Ala Moana Regional Park.