Whether you spell it “donut” or doughnut”, fans of this ring-shaped treat have die-hard opinions as to their favorite. Has your fave made the list? Are you a cake donut fan? Glazed? Cream filled?
The United States is home to a plethora of donut shops, each with its unique flavors and specialties. Here’s a list of 20 of the most popular donut bakeries across the nation, known for their delectable treats and local charm, based on Yelp reviews, as well as Food & Wine, Thrillist, Food Network, and our own research. Ready to celebrate National Donut Day on June 2nd?
Round Rock Donuts – Round Rock, Texas
Famous for their iconic orange-tinted, yeast-risen donuts crafted from a 1926 recipe, and served warm all day, Round Rock Donuts also offers a “Texas-sized donut” that’s a local legend (you can order that one glazed, chocolate, or half glaze/half chocolate). They get 4.6. stars on Yelp from over 3000 reviews, and folks love being able to use the walk-up, or the drive-through, plus they open at 4:30 am and stay open into early evening. You never know when a donut craving will hit. See their menu, here.
SK Donuts & Croissant – Los Angeles, California
A family business, SK Donuts & Croissant is known for its light, fluffy yeast donuts, cake donuts, and their generous and creative toppings. Boasting almost 3000 4.6 star reviews on Yelp, be sure to check out the Nutella Bomb Donut, Oreo Blast, and the Blueberry Lemon Lulu. They also have vegan options, including a coconut one with rave reviews. Follow them on Instagram!
The Salty Donut – Miami, Florida
Offering ultra-modern flavors and a variety of donut styles, The Salty Donut is a trendy spot for artisanal treats. Right now we are craving the Guava & Cheese Donut, which have been called “legendary”. Over 2600 glowing Yelp reviews highlight the Cookie Butter Cake Donut, Ube Pina Colada, and Brown Butter & Salt, which is their namesake. Check out their website for videos of their donuts in action.
HOLE in Asheville – North Carolina
Known for their yeasted doughnuts that are fried and glazed to order in their open kitchen. These are not pristine round donuts; in fact, they are sort of misshapen, giving them a rustic handmade quality. Check out their Vanilla Glaze, Cinnamon Sugar, Toasted Almond Sesame Cinnamon, and Maple Bourbon Glaze. Pick up some locally roasted coffee to go with. You can order online!
JD Flannel Donuts & Coffee – San Juan Capistrano, CA
Another donut shop that offers classic, specialty donuts, as well as gluten-free or dairy-free. Their offerings range from traditional Buttermilk Old Fashioned, to Carrot Cake (spiced carrot cake donut with a cream cheese glaze and topped with a cookie crumble and cream cheese whip), Triple Chocolate (chocolate cake donut infused with chocolate chips and topped with a Valrhona chocolate ganache glaze), and they even have a Cookies & Cream, which is a gluten-free and vegan chocolate cake donut with a creamy vanilla glaze and topped with a chocolate cookie crumble. They close at 2pm, so don’t dawdle. Take a look at their menu and order online.
Mojo Donuts – Pembroke Pines, Florida
Mojo Donuts is celebrated for its extravagantly decorated creations, offering a wide range of flavors and styles. Come here if you like huge donuts with toppings like crushed Oreos, fruity cereal, Reese’s Pieces. They also get very festive at holidays, with special offerings. Sign up for their VIP Donut Program.
Diablo Doughnuts – Nottingham, MD
Everything is made fresh, in-house daily. Come for the Coffee Bean donut, S’Mores, the Panty Dropper (it’s got bacon!), and their famous rainbow colored Unicorn Farts, which is covered in colorful, crunchy cereal. The Berry Cheesecake has fans, too. You can find simple Sugar Donuts and Glazed, too. If filled are your thing, try the Crème Brulée, or Lemon Bomb. Order ahead for pick up!
Old Fashioned Donuts – Chicago, IL
Dishing up donuts for over 50 years, Chicago’s aptly named Old Fashioned Donuts is beloved and known for raised glazed, strawberry frosted and blueberry cake donuts. Mr. B was still making donuts when we last checked. This is an institution. Closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly. Visit them on Facebook to check out what they are offering.
Doe Donuts – Portland, Oregon
Doe Donuts is a vegan donut shop that offers a range of creative flavors and is known for its commitment to sustainability, and is woman-owned. From their menu: Portland Fog (organic earl grey glaze x fresh whip x fair trade vanilla bean), Breakfast Sammy (it’s savory! donut bun x egg patty x cheddar cheese x breakfast sausage x green chiles), the Doe (housemade strawberry milk x sprinkles). And they have specials all the time, too. Last we checked they had: Matcha Dipped (matcha old fashioned x half dipped in chocolate x black sesame seeds), Blueberry Toast (fresh blueberry glaze x buttery breadcrumbs), and Lemon Snowball (lemon mousse x fresh lemon glaze x shredded coconut), to name a few. Check out their menu to choose your next donut indulgence!
Sunrise Donuts – Phoenix, Arizona
Known for their super-sized “Big Birthday Donuts,” Sunrise Donuts serves up treats that could “feed an army”. They have regular donuts, of course, as well as donut holes, in classic flavors, “fancy” options (like maple bacon), as well as crullers and kolaches. Check them out on Facebook.
Ray’s Donuts – Marietta, Georgia
Ray’s Donuts is praised for its perfectly executed classics, including their popular Original Glazed donut, but their Maple Bacon Donut has a huge following. Fans also suggest the original glazed is like no other you have ever had; positively ethereal! And they throw some extra donut holes into your box; got to love that. Find them on Facebook.
Gibson’s Donuts – Memphis, Tennessee
A local favorite for over 55 years, Gibson’s Donuts is renowned for its classic, old-fashioned donuts and friendly atmosphere. They offer classic glazed, and chocolate frosted, but also check out the Samoa (shown above), red velvet, blueberry cake, and maple bacon. Start at Gus’s world famous fried chicken across the street, but save room for a donut dessert. Their Facebook page will keep you up with seasonal treats.
The Doughnut Vault – Chicago, Illinois
The Doughnut Vault offers a variety of classic and contemporary donuts. Some are a classic round shape, while others have a more cragged appearance that just begs you to bite and experience the varied textures. Some flavors to look forward to: Blackberry Jelly, Coffee Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze, Strawberry Crumble Old Fashioned, the Chocolate-Covered Strawberry, and Banana Cream Pie. They have a weekly menu you can check on-line. They close early afternoon, so get over there! You will drool over their website.
Angelina Bakery – New York, New York
Angelina Bakery became so popular, they expanded to a few locations: Hell’s Kitchen, a flagship location in Times Square, which is a 4000 sq-ft, two-story bakery, and pop-up locations here and there from time to time, such as in Koreatown. Customers rave about the mix of traditional and innovative donut flavors. They call their doughnuts “bombolones” by the way, and describe them as “fluffy Italian doughnuts”. Their menu offerings include: Chantilly Cream -A light and fluffy Italian Doughnut filled with Chantilly Cream; Nutella – Light and fluffy Italian Doughnut filled with Nutella; Pistachio – Light and fluffy Italian Doughnut filled with Pistachio Cream and sprinkled with Pistachio (seen above); Strawberry – Light and fluffy Italian Doughnut filled with Strawberry Cream, to name a few.
Kane’s Donuts – Downtown – Boston, Massachusetts
Kane’s Donuts is a Boston staple, serving up a range of donuts from the classic sugar-glazed to more creative concoctions. They offer yeast-raised, cake donuts, dairy-free and their gluten-free are said to be safe for celiacs (please check, though). They claim to have the best honey glazed in America, and it is damn good, so that one is a must. Also try the Maine Blueberry, Boston Cream, and something called the Sweet N’ Salty Sandwich, which is a glazed donuts with eggs and bacon sandwiches in-between, sandwich-style. Check them out on Instagram.
The TatoNut Shop – Ocean Springs, Mississippi
For over 60 years, The TatoNut Shop, has been family run (in their third generation), and they claim to be the “Only Real Donut”. We are not sure what that means, but the donuts start coming out of the oven at 5:30am and are available until they run out. Let’s just say for an “old” establishment, they get creative. Peeps donuts anyone? Star Wars themed? Cookies n Cream, Banana Pudding, lots of chocolate (with peanut butter, more chocolate, and other combos), Key Lime Pie, and they will even create a DIY box for you with plain donuts, icing in piping bags and loads of toppings for you to create your own. Check out their enticing Instagram.
Carl’s Donuts – Las Vegas, Nevada
“Famous Since 1966”, Carl’s Donuts offers a taste of nostalgia with their classic donut flavors and a cozy, retro ambiance. For traditional, you will find everything from plain cake donuts, maple rings, and classic glazed. For specialty donuts try the Cinnamon Roll Donut with Brûléed Cream Cheese Icing, Cannoli Old Fashioned or the German Chocolate Cake. Check out the site.
The Flour Box – Seattle, Washington
The Flour Box is celebrated for its high-quality ingredients and inventive flavors, making it a must-visit for donut aficionados. They begin with a rich, buttery brioche dough, which really needs no embellishment, but we have loved the maple hazelnut. They have unique offerings such as Orange Anise, a pine-infused custard filled, chocolate peppermint, and more. PS: They don’t open till 10am and usually sell out by Noon!
Donut Run – Washington, District of Columbia
The Donut Run is a go-to spot in the nation’s capital for vegan donuts, offering a variety of flavors that rotate daily. Lest you think vegan means boring or lacking flavor, check out these menu items: matcha glazed, Kiss from a Rose (strawberry glazed with a strawberry whipped cream rose), the savory Everything Bagel Donut featuring vegan cream cheese, Maple Frappuccino, Birthday Cake Crumb Cake, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Bomb.
HenDough – Hendersonville, North Carolina
HenDough combines the best of both worlds with delicious donuts and fried chicken, making it a unique and popular destination. In their words, “Quirky. Fun. Delicious! Find something for everyone with our selection of artisan donuts, house made biscuits and chicken sandwiches. Feeling adventurous? Go for a donut breakfast sandwich!” How about the Donut Breakfast Sandwich: Griddled doughnut, Sausage patty, X2 Bacon, American cheese, Over hard egg. Or just go for a simple Cinnamon Sugar, Chocolate Glazed with Sprinkles, or try the Caramel Espresso.
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