Lappert's Ice Cream - Princeville
Counter-service dessert and coffee stop in Princeville Shopping Center on Kaua‘i’s North Shore. Known for island-inspired ice cream, sorbet, baked goods, and Hawaiian flavors like Kaua‘i Pie and Kona coffee.
- Counter-service format
- Ice cream and sorbet
- Coffee
- Baked goods
Lappert’s Hawaii in Princeville is a smart stop when the day calls for something cold, sweet, and unmistakably Hawaiian. Set in the Princeville Shopping Center on Kaua‘i’s North Shore, it is a counter-service shop built around ice cream, sorbet, coffee, and baked goods, with island flavors that go well beyond the usual dessert case. The brand’s personality comes through clearly: this is a Kaua‘i-born operation with roots in Hanapepe and a long-standing emphasis on small-batch production and local ingredients.
What it does best
Lappert’s shines in the flavors. Kaua‘i Pie is the signature to know, with a Kona coffee, coconut, macadamia, and dark chocolate profile that captures the shop’s style in one scoop. Other standout flavors lean into the islands too, including Ube Haupia, Tiki Toffee, Kona Coffee, lilikoi, and mango. Sorbet is a strong option as well, especially for travelers looking for a fruit-forward treat or a vegan choice.
Coffee and baked goods round out the experience, but dessert is the main event here. This is the kind of place where a quick stop can still feel distinctly local, thanks to the flavor lineup and the brand’s deep Kaua‘i identity.
The experience on site
Expect a casual, efficient setup rather than a lingering sit-down meal. Ordering happens at the counter, and the setting is tied to the shopping center, which makes it convenient for a break during errands, a Princeville stroll, or a North Shore drive. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, with the emphasis on grabbing a cone, cup, or coffee and moving on with the day.
For first-time visitors, a sampler approach makes sense. Trying a house favorite like Kaua‘i Pie alongside a fruit sorbet gives a better read on the range than settling on a single flavor too quickly.
Good to know before you go
The main tradeoff is value. Lappert’s is a premium dessert stop, and the quality comes with a higher price than a basic ice cream shop. That is part of the deal here, not an accident. The other limitation is format: this is not a full-service restaurant, and it is not the place to come for a meal.
Who it suits best
Lappert’s is best for travelers who want a polished dessert stop with local character, families looking for an easy treat, and anyone curious about Hawaii-specific flavors in scoop form. Visitors wanting a full lunch or dinner should look elsewhere, but for a coffee-and-ice-cream pause on Kaua‘i’s North Shore, it fits the moment well.
