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ZipPicks Awards
Best Donuts in San Francisco
Master Critic Review
Ocean Malasada
8.1
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Portuguese-style malasadas with Hawaiian-Filipino flavors served daily inside the Ferry Building. Owner Randy Santos riffs with fillings like passionfruit and ube for warm, sugar-dusted dough straight from the fryer.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ube Malasada, Passionfruit Malasada, Classic Sugar Malasada
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Fresh-fried malasadas with Hawaii-meets-Filipino flavors.
Who should go: Warm-dough, sugar-dusted seekers
When to visit: Late morning for freshest batches
What to order: Ube, passionfruit, classic sugar
Insider tip: Lines move quickly—watch for hot trays coming out and order then.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited metered street parking near the Ferry Building; the indoor garage at Embarcadero Center offers paid parking (first hour ~$6). Rideshare drop-offs are easiest on the north side near the farmers market entrance.
Dress code: Casual—come as you are; many visitors are in market or waterfront attire.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during market hours; quiet enough for conversation midweek mornings.
Weekend wait: N/A – mornings only operation
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes on average; slightly longer on Saturdays
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – all malasadas are vegetarian unless filled with custard containing eggs.
Vegan options: Limited – dough contains dairy; no vegan versions yet.
Gluten-free options: No – traditional wheat dough; no gluten-free alternative.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you’re planning a casual, fun walk through the Ferry Building. Sharing hot malasadas by the bay makes for an easy, low-pressure first-date move.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There’s no seating or reservations—grab a box to-go and enjoy benches or the waterfront tables nearby.
Is it kid-friendly? Absolutely—families frequent it on weekends. The warm sugar-dusted doughnuts are a hit with kids, and the open market layout makes stroller access easy.
Best For
Better for: Hot, made-to-order malasadas and playful tropical fillings that you won’t find at standard doughnut shops.
Skip if: You need espresso drinks or indoor seating—go to Blue Bottle or Dandelion inside the Ferry Building instead.
Hours
MondayClosed
TuesdayClosed
Wednesday8:30am - 3pm
Thursday8:30am - 3pm
Friday8:30am - 3pm
Saturday8:30am - 3pm
Sunday8:30am - 3pm