Donuts Over Cake: A Birthday Surprise at Queens’ Marketplace

Some birthdays call for cake… but this year, we went for something even better: fresh mochi donuts and malasadas made fresh on site from the brand-new local spot in the Queens’ Marketplace food court!

The sweet smell hits you the moment you walk up and makes your taste buds do a happy dance before you even take a bite. This locally owned shop uses locally sourced ingredients and makes everything super fresh, right on site.

This year for my birthday, we decided to skip the traditional birthday cake and go straight for a box of donuts — no regrets! The mochi donuts were pure magic: light and bouncy on the inside, perfectly crisp on the outside, and coated in glazes bursting with local flavors like ube, lilikoi, chantilly and guava just to name a few.

And the malasadas? We went with the savory options, jalapeno, everything and garlic and herb. Fresh from the fryer, they were everything you want in a malasada and then some.

Did I mention that they also have a few breakfast sandwich options as well as a well stocked coffee bar?

I love to see new local businesses popping up that keep things island-grown, fresh, and fun. Whether you’re running errands, grabbing lunch, or just need a sweet pick-me-up, this new spot in the Queens’ Marketplace food court is a total win. Make sure to tell them I sent you.

A new birthday tradition is born, donuts over cake! 🍩💜✨