Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack
A whimsical Hilo cafe serving vibrant, Instagram-worthy acai bowls, magical smoothies, and colorful soft serve ice cream.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A whimsical Hilo cafe serving vibrant, Instagram-worthy acai bowls, magical smoothies, and colorful soft serve ice cream.
"Indulge in gigantic, delicious acai bowls and uniquely flavored soft serves that are a feast for the eyes and taste buds."
Perfect Post-Adventure Treat
Visit after activities like waterfall hopping for a refreshing and rewarding stop.
Dairy-Free Options
Explore their delightful dairy-free choices, including dragonfruit soft serve.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Hawaiian, Cafe, Juice Shop, Ice Cream Shop
Price
Mid-range
Phone
(808) 935-8454
Address
54 Waianuenue Ave, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Unicorn Soft Serve & Pineapple Bowls
Vibrant, photogenic soft serve ice cream and acai bowls, often served in fresh pineapples, are a visual and flavorful treat.
Generously Loaded Acai Bowls
Indulge in massive acai bowls packed with fresh fruits, granola, and unique toppings like ube soft serve.
Whimsical Ice Cream Creations
Experience colorful and unique ice cream flavors and creations that are almost too pretty to eat.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Perfect Post-Adventure Treat
Visit after activities like waterfall hopping for a refreshing and rewarding stop.
Dairy-Free Options
Explore their delightful dairy-free choices, including dragonfruit soft serve.
Be Prepared for Lines
Expect crowds, but the friendly staff and delicious treats are worth the wait.
Seating Options
Find comfortable spots to enjoy your treats, with seating available both inside and out front.
Tips
from all over the internet
Perfect Post-Adventure Treat
Visit after activities like waterfall hopping for a refreshing and rewarding stop.
Dairy-Free Options
Explore their delightful dairy-free choices, including dragonfruit soft serve.
Be Prepared for Lines
Expect crowds, but the friendly staff and delicious treats are worth the wait.
Seating Options
Find comfortable spots to enjoy your treats, with seating available both inside and out front.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Makani's Magic Pineapple Shack is lauded for its incredibly generous and photogenic acai bowls and colorful soft serve ice cream, often served in creative ways like pineapple bowls. While many praise the delicious, fresh flavors and unique options, a significant number of reviews mention issues with customer service, with some finding staff unfriendly or dismissive. The pricing is also noted as being on the higher side.
"I read about this place recommended a lot so we decided to visit in the afternoon for refreshments. We got the acai bowl and magic smoothie. Both the items were delicious and mildly sweetened. The fruits were fresh and the smoothie tasted natural. It was a good spot - full of people from all age groups, bustling with cheer on a sunny day."
Abhash Kumar Singh
"The cutest Açai & Soft Serve Spot in Hilo with SO many dairy free options.
We ordered the dragonfruit soft serve in a pineapple with fruit as a topping and it completely lived up to the hype!
This thing came out huge and was so delicious & refreshing.
The staff was friendly and the line was long, but worth the wait. There are several seating options inside and out front.
So glad that we stopped by!"
Jenny White
"Such a cute lil spot! It was highly recommended and lived upto the hype. We got the açaí bowl with ube soft serve and it was delicious. The pineapple was so fresh!"
Pavi Theva
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The loaded acai bowls, especially the 'Cookie Monster' and 'Aloha' bowls, and the colorful Unicorn soft serve are highly recommended.
Yes, the restaurant offers dairy-free options, including a popular dragonfruit soft serve.
Many customers find the generous portions and unique flavors of the acai bowls well worth the wait, despite potential lines.
While they have served sandwiches in the past, some recent reviews suggest they may no longer be on the menu.
The cafe has a whimsical, colorful atmosphere with a friendly vibe, often playing relaxing music.
The 'Unicorn' soft serve is noted for its vibrant colors and is often enjoyed with glittery sprinkles.
Mentioned in
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25 Best Things To Do In Hilo, Hawaii 2025
Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack is a small cafe in Hilo town that offers some of the most delicious and unique smoothies, acai bowls, and ice cream creations. As one of the most popular things to do in Hilo and thanks to their colorful desserts, we couldn’t pass up the chance to visit and you shouldn’t either!. The menu has some of the most photogenic ice cream creations you’ll ever see – from their rainbow swirls to their pineapple-topped cones to chocolatey frappes and more.
20 Hilo Restaurants Where You Can Get an Amazing Meal
Welcome to Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack where they serve decadent smoothies, refreshing açai bowls, colorful ice cream, and even salads & sandwiches, it’s become a popular stop for those craving sweets. Made locally and 100% organic, they’ve become famous for their Hawaiian soft serves and world-renowned/award-winning açai bowls, however, they serve just about everything. Instagram-worthy in its own right, be sure to check out their page to see what you can expect!
A Foodie's Guide to the Best Restaurants in Hilo, Hawaii
Located in the vibrant town of Hilo, Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack is a whimsical oasis for foodies looking to indulge in a unique culinary experience. This colorful gem offers a delightful array of treats, from refreshing smoothies and acai bowls to mouthwatering sandwiches and vibrant salads. Let’s not forget their standout feature – the brightly colored ice cream that has stolen the hearts of many visitors!
11 Tasty Brunch Spots You Must Try On the Big Island
If you’re looking for a smoothie stop or an acai bowl, Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack has exactly what you need. Their colorful ice cream and bowls make for one photogenic meal — you’ll often catch people taking pictures of their treats after they stop here. Grab a snack or a morning smoothie and satisfy your morning sweet cravings.
20 INCREDIBLE Things to Do in Hilo, Hawaii (& Nearby)
I can’t talk about the best things to do in Hilo without talking about FOOD!. One of the yummiest meals we had while in Hilo was açaí bowls from Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack!. This spot, aside from being adorably decorated, is a family-run joint with delicious açaí bowls, coffee, ice cream, and more!
Makani's Magic Pineapple Shack « ICECREAMSHOPS.ORG
Beautiful bamboo tiki garden layout, friendly atmosphere, lots of aloha from staff and owner...and the smoothies and food are... If you're an iced coffee fan you can't miss it, all the juices are amazing but the waianuenue watermelon is my favorite!. Try the 3 jerks too, bomb...
18+ of the Best Places to Eat in Hilo (and some drinking options too) 2024
Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack is THE place to go for acai bowls. You can get a traditional bowl, or they have a ton of fun and unique combinations to choose from. My favorite was the Gorilla bowl, which had strawberries, bananas, peanut butter, and granola.
11 Things you Must Eat on the Big Island
We especially loved the bowl we got at Makani’s, as it was served in a pineapple. We did pay extra for it, but it was so beautiful!
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit