The United States is massive, stretching over 2,800 miles from the East to the West Coast, and that’s just the continental part, not counting Alaska and Hawaii. With such a vast expanse, it’s no surprise there are countless restaurants, bakeries, and donut shops nationwide!
If you’re like me, you love exploring new states, especially when they’re home to famous eateries; it’s even better when that renowned spot is a donut shop.
So, if you’re hunting for the most delicious donuts in the United States, keep reading as I showcase the top spots to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Leonard’s Bakery – Honolulu, Hawaii
The bakery’s story begins with Leonard, whose grandparents immigrated from Portugal to Hawaii to work in the sugar cane fields. Years later, Leonard and his wife settled in Honolulu and opened Leonard’s Bakery in 1952.
Drawing from his rich Portuguese heritage, Leonard made malasadas, a Portuguese donut without a hole. Since then, the bakery has become a beloved spot for locals and visitors, offering an array of donuts, from plain sugar to macadamia nut, guava, chocolate, and more!
DG Doughnuts – Ocoee, Florida
DG Doughnuts began in a family kitchen, where they crafted unique recipes to share their homemade specialties and make friends along the way. After selling their treats at farmers’ markets, delivering them door-to-door, and even setting up shop at a gas station, they eventually established their location in Ocoee, Florida.
You’ll find various donuts here, from classic options like glazed, cinnamon sugar, and rainbow sprinkles to more indulgent flavors like Boston cream and peanut butter.
Stan’s Donuts & Coffee – Chicago, Illinois
Nothing beats the pairing of donuts and coffee, and Stan’s Donuts & Coffee is the ultimate spot in the Midwest. With numerous locations around the Chicago area, you can’t go wrong at any of them, but I particularly recommend the one on Damen Avenue.
They offer countless flavors, with the pistachio and biscoff banana pockets being two of the best. You won’t regret making a stop here.
Voodoo Doughnut – Portland, Oregon
Just thinking about Voodoo Doughnuts makes my mouth water. Though they now have several locations across the United States, the original shop in Portland, Oregon, is unique. Founded by two old friends who wanted to create a business with great hospitality and bold flavors, they saw a gap in downtown Portland’s early 2000s donut scene and launched Voodoo.
While they offer traditional classics like glazed and chocolate rings, their standout feature is their adventurous flavors, such as maple bacon, mango tango, and dirt.
Cafe Du Monde – New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is renowned for its Creole classics, and one of the most famous is the beignet. While you can find these treats all over the city, Café Du Monde is a particularly iconic spot. The original café opened in 1862, and now there are several locations throughout New Orleans.
Known for their delicious coffee and sweet beignets, these treats are essentially the Creole version of a donut: fried dough dusted with powdered sugar. They’re perfect any time of day when you are craving something indulgent and sweet.
Sidecar Doughnuts – Costa Mesa, California
Sidecar Doughnuts is one of the top donut shops in California. They began their journey in a warehouse, experimenting with new flavors and hosting weekly taste tests for friends and family. Afterward, they would load up an old bakery truck to share their creations with the public. Eventually, they opened their flagship store in Costa Mesa, which has since expanded to numerous locations across California.
Their donuts are made fresh daily, backed by exceptional customer service, and feature unique flavors like huckleberry, butter and salt, strawberry buttermilk, and more.
Hole Doughnuts – Asheville, North Carolina
When most people think of a donut, they picture a perfectly shaped circle with a hole in the middle. But at Hole Doughnuts, you won’t find that kind of perfect symmetry. Instead, they’re known for their handmade, fresh pastries. Their donuts are made-to-order and meant to be enjoyed straight out of the fryer.
Their standout flavors include vanilla glazed, toasted almond sesame cinnamon, cinnamon sugar, and weekly seasonal options. I love that this local spot is not part of a large chain, so you can always expect top-notch quality.
Blackbird Bakery – Bristol, Virginia
I never expected a small town in Virginia to have some of the most delicious donuts in the United States, but Bristol certainly does. Blackbird Bakery, nestled in this charming town, offers fantastic pastries ranging from cupcakes to cookies, but they’re genuinely famous for their wide variety of donuts.
While they serve classic favorites like glazed, they also offer unique flavors like blueberry cheesecake, chocolate cookies and cream, and more. With both a drive-through and a traditional downtown location, each spot delivers delicious, handcrafted treats made with pride.
Cowboy Donuts – Rock Springs, Wyoming
Cowboy Donuts has a heartwarming family story. It’s owned by parents and one of their sons, inspired by their family outings when the kids were young, where they visited a donut shop every week. They dreamed of opening their own store, creating a similar spot for families and friends to enjoy delicious treats and make lasting memories. This dream became a reality when one of their sons helped open the shop.
Their shop offers a wide range of incredibly fresh and tasty donuts, from traditional favorites like glazed and sprinkled to more unique flavors.
Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop – Brooklyn, New York
Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop is a legendary donut spot in Brooklyn. It is owned and operated by a family that takes immense pride in its original recipes. Over the years, the shop has earned a loyal customer base.
Like many of the donut shops on this list, they create classic favorites but are also known for their creative twists, including flavors like red velvet, apple crumb, Boston cream, blueberry buttermilk, and more. It’s the go-to place in New York for a family-run operation with donuts you’ll find yourself craving nonstop.
Greenbush Bakery – Madison, Wisconsin
The Greenbush Bakery in Madison, Wisconsin, is another top-notch donut shop in the United States. It all began when a couple purchased a struggling donut shop with the vision of transforming it. Their focus on quality treats and excellent customer service has remained at the heart of their operation.
What also sets them apart is their certification as a Kosher bakery, achieved in partnership with the local Jewish community. Beyond their unique background, they are celebrated for their delicious donuts, ranging from sour cream old-fashioned varieties to classic cakes and creative flavors like blueberry maple.
Sweet Coloradough – Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Sweet Coloradough is a family-owned donut shop and restaurant in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. When the owners, a couple who had recently moved to the area, noticed a lack of exceptional donuts, they decided to introduce their delicious recipes to the community.
They offer various donuts, including cake, old-fashioned, and raised, but their standout creation is the 11-layer croughnut, a crispy, flaky, and ultra-flavorful blend of a croissant and a donut.
