Simply Irresistible! A Guide to the Best Donuts in the USA Dhinesh Manuel June 19, 2024 Food & Drink, Interests 1 Comment Whether they’re raised or cake, powdered or sprinkled, donuts are one of America’s favorite foods. Not confined to breakfast alone, these sweet treats tempt us all throughout the day and come in all shapes, sizes, and varieties. To celebrate National Donut Day, we’ve chomped our way across the United States to search out the best donuts in the country. After much gluttonous overindulgence, we arise from our sticky keyboards, glazed yet unfazed, and wiping the powder off our hipster beards we proudly proclaim these dealers of sugar-induced mouthgasms – in no particular order of preference. Blackbird Doughnuts — Boston, Massachusetts When it comes to donuts, few come close to the iconic Boston cream. Established in 2015, Blackbird Doughnuts is the donut for artistes. Blackbird Doughnuts has become a staple in the South End and expanded to multiple locations due to its popularity. While the Boston donut shop’s delightful toppings look like they could have spent time on Picasso’s palette, they are sure to also pleasure your palate. The amazing flavors include such inspired creations as lemon honey yogurt or cold brew coconut. The establishment’s trademark blueberry white chocolate Bismarck is simply fabulous. If you are craving something a bit more proletarian, then the raised-style vanilla glazed and the cinnamon-sugar cake donuts are sure to satisfy. District Doughnut and Coffee — Washington D.C. If the fragrance and texture of donuts bring all kinds of great memories into your head — like watching your favorite cartoons on a Saturday morning in your jammies — then District Donut is just that walk down memory lane you needed. District Donut is second to none the shop when it comes to being creative by adding all kind of unexpected and indulgent flavors, and all of them change regularly to keep the menu fresh and exciting. A true local favorite in Washington D.C. since 2013, the shop’s sinfully eccentric Goodfellow — slathered with Nutella and crowned with Applewood-smoked bacon — will have you crying tears of joy, while the salted dulce de leche will leave you in fits of ecstasy. Sublime Doughnuts — Atlanta, Georgia Sublime Doughnut by HumongoNationphotogallery is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Founded in 2008 by Kamal Grant, Atlanta‘s very own Sublime Doughnuts claims its place on our list with non-traditional offerings like butter toffee, maple bacon cheddar, and sweet potato cake. Grant draws inspiration from his global travels and culinary training, which highly influence the innovative flavors you can find at Sublime Doughnuts. If you visit at the right time of year, you may even get a heavenly sampling of their pumpkin cake donut, while summer time could be made sweeter with their fresh strawberries n’ cream variety. Plus, another reason to visit are their donut ice cream sandwiches! Donut Bar — San Diego, California Donut Bar San Diego by Richard is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. If you want to dabble in some donut decadence, look no further this San Diego donut mecca that’s been delighting sweet-toothed visitors since 2013. Indeed, Donut Bar has gained national acclaim over the years and often sees lines forming early in the morning due to its popularity. What’s Donut Bar‘s pièce de résistance you may ask? The Big Poppa-Tart – an ethereal amalgamation that consists of a donut stuffed with crushed strawberry Pop-Tarts and strawberry jam, topped with marshmallow glaze, drizzled with more jam, and topped with more crushed Pop-Tarts. You also get a s’mores option stuffed with s’mores Pop-Tarts and chocolate fudge. Federal Donuts — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania “Federal Donuts” by jpellgen (@1105_jp) is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Established in 2011, Federal Donuts in Philadelphia is not your standard donut place. Its simple cinnamon sugar donut is a firm crowd favorite, while butter pecan and guava poppy seed take top marks for taste and texture. If simplicity is what your sweet tooth craves, then a simple old-school glazed will fit the bill to perfection. Surprisingly enough, Federal Donuts also offers up fried chicken (excellent on its own right) and coffee along with their fabulous cake donuts. What more could you want, right? It’s the trifecta of all the calorific goodness you need to supercharge your morning! But you’ll have to get there earlier in the day or they may be sold out — yep, they’re that good! Round Rock Donuts — Round Rock, Texas “Texas – Round Rock: Round Rock Donuts” by Wally Gobetz is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that certainly applies to donuts. You’ll need to bring a big appetite to wolf down the massive Texas-size delights at Round Rock Donuts. Founded in 1926 by Reinhold R. Moehring, Round Rock is also famous for the orange-tinged glaze on its offerings, a result of using super fresh eggs in their handmade yeast dough. You’ll find their donuts to be perfectly airy while also being crisp to the bite on the outside. You’ll never be lonely in the Lone Star state – all you need is a box of assorted treats from Round Rock and you’ll have all the company you can handle! Fox’s Donut Den — Nashville, Tennessee Fox’s Donut Den has been creating crunchy and chewy donuts — along with fritters and kolaches — for decades. The lines outside this Nashville landmark have only got longer over the years. Entrepreneur Norman Fox opened this spot in 1973, and since then its freshly made specials have included glazed, chocolate and blueberry treats, to name just a few. Our resident foodies also loved to gorge on their apple fritters and cinnamon rolls. With friendly and quick service, and consistent quality through the day, Fox’s Den gets two sticky thumbs-up from us. You Might Also Enjoy: 8 Unexpected Travel Destinations for Foodies Peter Pan Donuts & Pastry Shop — Brooklyn, New York “NYC – Brooklyn – Greenpoint: Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop” by Wally Gobetz is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. If you want a touch of old school in your donut, then Peter Pan is the place. This modest Brooklyn storefront is owned by the Panarites family and has been serving customers since the 1950s. We particularly liked their simple red velvet donut and the toasted coconut. We also loved the soft and super sweet blueberry buttermilk, while the sour cream donut had just the right amount of sugar and was perfectly moist. You can’t take a bite into the Big Apple without taking a bite into a Peter Pan donut – ’nuff said! FAQs: Q: Are these donut shops open year-round? A: Yes, all the donut shops listed are open year-round. However, their hours of operation may vary, so it’s always a good idea to check their websites or call ahead before visiting. Q: Do these donut shops offer vegan or gluten-free options? A: Some of these shops do offer vegan and gluten-free options, but availability may vary. It’s best to check with each individual shop to confirm their offerings. Q: Can I order donuts online from these shops? A: Many of these donut shops offer online ordering and delivery services. Check their websites for details on shipping and delivery areas. Q: Are there any special seasonal flavors at these donut shops? A: Yes, several of these donut shops feature seasonal flavors. For example, Sublime Doughnuts offers pumpkin cake donuts in the fall and strawberry varieties in the summer. Q: Do these donut shops offer catering services for events? A: Some of these donut shops provide catering services for events. It’s recommended to contact them directly to discuss your specific needs and options. Q: How early should I arrive to avoid long lines at these donut shops? A: It’s best to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, as these popular donut shops often have long lines. Arriving when they open can help ensure you get your favorite treats. Q: Do any of these donut shops offer beverages or other food items? A: Yes, many of these donut shops also serve beverages like coffee and tea. Some, like Federal Donuts, even offer additional food items such as fried chicken. Check their menus for a complete list of offerings. Are there any great donut makers that you want to tell us about? Let us know in our comments section below!
