Big Island Candies - Candies, Hilo, Hawaii

Best: Shortbread cookies

585 Hinano St, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
(808) 935-8890
Parking: in parking lot
http://bigislandcandies.com/BIC

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 5 stars
Atmosphere: N/A
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$

While this isn't a restaurant or cafe, Big Island Candies is definitely worth writing about!

Teiko gave me a piece of Big Island Candies shortbread when she came back from a trip to Hawaii.  Apparently, their products were originally only sold in stores on the Big Island, but it's now available in stores on the other islands as well.  Of course, they're also available online. 

I tried shortbread at a number of specialty shops during this trip to Hawaii.  Nothing comes close to the delicious Big Island Candies shortbread.  The address above is for the factory where you can watch the shortbread cookie manufacturing area.  The chocolate dipping stations are closest to the window and there are samples throughout the retail store for you to try their delectable treats.  They have everything from plain shortbread to chocolate dipped shortbread to  brownies to coffee.  There is even ice cream available for sale.  Unfortunately, the smallest serving is three scoops, so I had to pass - there was no way I would be able to eat it all.

While they have beautifully packaged individually wrapped cookies, at the store, you can get bulk packaged short bread which is a great deal.  Big Island Candies is known for their higher prices, but the cookies are so buttery and super crispy/flaky that they're completely worth it.  The photos just don't do them justice.  I would rank these first out of all the shortbread I tried for sure!  You can't miss this when you are on the Big Island.