Written by: Artists and Romantics Curious and Wild-at-Heart Destination Inspiration

Top 10 USA Donut Shops

In this travel blog, have a sweet tour through the best donut shops in America.

In this travel blog, have a sweet tour through the best donut shops in America.

#10 Hi-Lo Diner (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Technically speaking, this first splendid donut chain isn’t actually a shop, but a restaurant with an exclusive section where menus are mostly intended for doughnuts. The Hi-Lo Diner in Minneapolis, Minnesota is a restaurant that has been completely restored from the 1957 Federo Diner. A highlight of this interesting doughnut restaurant is their iconic specialty, the “Hi-Top”. At first you may think it’s inspired by sneakers, but it is a giant yeast doughnut with dazzling toppings of a mini-mountain of sweet delicacies. Hi-Lo Diner has an epic breakfast donut called the Mac Rib. This breakfast donut has a heft portion of ribs, single serving of mac n’ cheese, and savory grilled cheese for a more flavorful taste. Also, don’t forget to try their popular Velvet Elvis which is fully loaded with sweet peanut butter, honey, banana slices, and bacon.

#9 Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop (Brooklyn, New York)

If you’re looking for freshly made donuts early in the morning, go to this shop in a busy neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. The outside look of the shop makes you feel like you’ve suddenly been transported into the 1960s era where locals dine in to read newspapers and drink coffee at the counters. Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop has outdated furniture and an S-shaped counter and offers classic donuts with recipes that haven’t changed since long ago. There are original ones that can fill the breakfast cravings of adults and kids alike. Aside from sugary sweet and chocolate ring donuts, they also have the popular Red Velvet doughnut inspired by the classic southern cake. Over the years, people have been visiting this little shop not just for the donuts, but for casual and refreshing conversations in the morning with locals and tourists.

#8 Monuts (Durham, North Carolina)

When this donut shop started in 2012, their mobile-donut service began with a tricycle which traveled through downtown Durham. The owner Lindsay Moriarty says that even though they have developed so many things today, they are still the same donut shop back from their humble beginning days. Visiting Monuts in North Carolina once wouldn’t be enough to fill your cravings as to draw more guests, this shop changes their menu every week, and they consistently display classic and creative donuts. To give you an idea on what to look forward to, some of their flavors are Blackberry Gingersnap, Blueberry Basil Buttermilk, and Spicy Peach Jammie.

#7 Sublime Doughnuts (Atlanta, Georgia)

Typical donuts in modern generations have been starting to evolve into something exceptional. Aside from having a kind of donut for breakfast, you can encounter a kind of donut that seems to be similar to a popular food. Sublime Doughnuts in Atlanta, Georgia proudly boasts their masterpiece creation, a donut turned into a burger! Their donut burger isn’t filled with meat, but with tasty sweet ice cream and other fancy toppings that can make you crave it. Their main highlight is their Strawberry Ice Cream Burger which seems to be the “eighth wonder of the world” for the owner. This particular donut is composed of two donut halves, a single patty of strawberry ice cream sorbet, fresh strawberries, and a dazzling white chocolate frizzle. Tasting this will make you realize why the owner makes such an astounding claim.

#6 Federal Donuts (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

It may sound weird and quite bizarre, but this town in Pennsylvania has a phenomenal specialty which makes you wonder if it would make a perfect combination meal. This fascinating donut shop in Philadelphia is home of the country’s best fried chicken and donuts. Go to Federal Donuts to decide for yourself. Choose from the endless options of hot, fresh fried-to-order donuts rolled in seasoned sweet sugars and the stunning section of fancy glazed-donuts. Some to look forward to are the Strawberry Shortcake donut, the Lemon Ricotta donut, and Grapefruit Brûlèe donut.

#5 Pip’s Original (Oregon)

Get ready to wait in line for your share of Pip’s small but delicious donuts in Portland, Oregon. Chocolate and vanilla filling are good, but how about raw honey and sea salt mixed with chocolate hazelnut? Their sugar-filled mini bombs are best partnered with their house blend chai consisting of herbal teas, honey, coconut, and cinnamon, among other things. Pip’s Original The Dirty Wu has been named one of the best donuts in America.

#4 The Holy Donut (Portland, Maine)

This donut shop has a wide variety of classic and cake donuts. Situated in Maine, The Holy Donut shop is famous for its potato-made donuts and diet-worthy options on the menu. A few of Holy Donut’s bestsellers contain chocolate sea salt, blueberry, lemon, maple, and coconut, among other things. They have vegan picks on the menu too. Owner Leigh Kellis created an original recipe called the sweet potato doughnut which is crunchy on the outside because of the vanilla glaze and moist on the inside. You can taste the different flavors put into the thick, fluffy ring.

#3 Dough (Brooklyn, New York)

This shop is famous for its oversized doughnuts with unique flavors. It’s a great place to stop and experience a little bit of Latin American culture, tradition and flavor. You’ll find tropical fruits and traditional Latin American staples, including dulce de leche, passion fruit, and hibiscus.

#2 Sidecar Doughnuts (Santa Monica, California)

A group of people who work at this donut shop in California cleverly made an impressive innovation to one ordinary donut. Sidecar Doughnuts features a legendary donut where the typical Eggs Benedict breakfast is incorporated into an astonishing version of donut. Their famous Malasada Donut is composed of stuffed poached egg, ham, and hollandaise sauce that looks so fascinating and mouth-watering. This masterpiece creation made by the staff at Sidecar Doughnuts is indeed interesting, and there are times when they level it up and transform it into another astonishing style!

#1 Voodoo Doughnuts (Portland, Oregon)

This donut shop is so popular and has so many raving fans that it has attracted a cult like following! With its out of this world concept, it has been able to expand to four storefronts, a food cart, and even a mobile truck. Seeing this spooky yet intriguing donut store will make you find it hard to refuse. If you decide to enter this mythical donut shop, be sure to try their legendary Voodoo Doll donut which will leave you speechless with its astonishing visuals. It has a one of a kind style and is bleeding in raspberry jelly and is filled with chocolate frosting to achieve the look of the juju talisman. There is also a pretzel piece which serves as a piercing on the donut’s doughy heart.

Thanks for reading, Revellers! Donuts can be a tasty treat, and there are plenty of shops to get them in the United States. Some shops have classic donuts, and some have their own unique flavors and combinations. Which of these top-notch donut shops in America would YOU like to order from? Comment below, we’re excited to hear which ones!
Subscribe to my email list and stay up-to-date!