The people of the United States often have a bad reputation for their love of all things sugary, from chocolates and candy to sugar and pastries. Although this may not be too far from the truth, their neighbors to the north outrank them in their donut indulgences. Canada has the highest donut consumption per capita in the world. This doesn’t mean Americans still don’t love donuts. They certainly do have an affection for the round pastries with a hole in the center. According to a 2018 survey conducted by bakery ingredients supplier, Dawn Foods, the average American eats 31 donuts annually, and over one-third of consumers eat donuts at least once a month.
It is thought that there are almost 13,000 donut shops in the nation, with some areas having higher numbers than others. Ten billion donuts are made in the U.S. every year, but the two most dominant chains account for only half of that number. Dunkin’ Donuts sells 2.9 billion donuts per year (including munchkins), and Krispy Kreme sells approximately 1.6 billion. But not all donuts are created equal, and many are far greater than others. (Some donuts, like those at Pinkbox Donuts, may even remind you of the strawberry full moon that lit up the June sky recently.)
To create a list of the best donut shops in the U.S., 24/7 Tempo referred to articles and rankings from a variety of sources, including Eater, Food & Wine, Thrillist, Time Out, and Tasting Table, along with various local and regional sources. The final selection was based on editorial discretion. Some of these shops specialize solely in donuts, while others operate as full-service bakeries or cafés known for the excellence of their donuts as well as other foods. The majority of the shops on the list are independent, single-location businesses, with exceptions duly noted.
Many of the top-rated donut shops in the country feature adventurous flavors that go beyond the traditional glazed and creme-filled options. With flavors ranging from strawberry matcha to broccoli cream. and olive oil with black pepper, there’s something for every adventurous palate. Some areas, like Southern California, have established themselves as a paradise for donut lovers, with five of the top donut shops listed being in that area.
Los Angeles, often known as the donut capital of the U.S., has a remarkable ratio of one donut shop for every 7,000 residents, in contrast to the national average of around one per 30,000 residents. Texas is also known for its donuts and is home to four of the donut shops on the list. (Click here to find out what the best donut shop in your state is.)
Here are the best donut shops in the U.S.
Mojo Donuts & Fried Chicken
- Location: Miami, Florida
- Specialty donut: Guava and cheese
Demet’s Donuts
- Location: Medford, Massachusetts
- Specialty donut: Blueberry nugget
Do-Rite Donuts
- Location: Chicago, Illinois (seven locations)`
- Specialty donut: Pistachio old-fashioned
Donut Bar
- Location: San Diego, California
- Specialty donut: Real vanilla bean glazed
Funkytown Donuts
- Location: Fort Worth, Texas
- Specialty donut: Orange dark chocolate
Round Rock Donuts
- Location: Round Rock and Cedar Park, Texas
- Specialty donut: Chocolate-dipped chocolate
Purvé Donut Stop
- Location: Honolulu, Hawaii (two locations)
- Specialty donut: Alohamac (chocolate glazed dusted with macadamia nuts and caramel
DK’s Donuts
- Location: Santa Monica, California
- Specialty donut: Caramel Snickers
The Doughnut Plant
- Location: New York City (two locations), Brooklyn (two locations), Queens, New York
- Specialty donut: Peanut butter & banana cream
The Heavenly Donut Company
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama
- Specialty donut: Sour cream old-fashioned
Dino’s Donuts
- Location: Anchorage, Alaska
- Specialty donut: German chocolate frosted
Revolution Doughnuts
- Location: Decatur and Atlanta, Georgia
- Specialty donut: Toasted almond cake
Guru Donuts
- Location: Boise and Eagle, Idaho (two locations)
- Specialty donut: Cinnamon sugar potato
Krumpe’s Do-nuts
- Location: Hagerstown, Maryland
- Specialty donut: Lemon drop
Cardigan Donuts
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Specialty donut: Turtle cheesecake
Granny’s Gourmet Donuts
- Location: Bozeman, Montana
- Specialty donut: Broccoli cream
Uncle Dood’s Donuts
- Location: Toms River, New Jersey
- Specialty donut: Werewolf Fuzz (maple icing and toasted coconut
Whoo’s Donuts
- Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Specialty donut: Strawberry matcha
Buckeye Donuts
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Specialty donut: Red velvet with cream cheese
Polar Donuts
- Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Specialty donut: Blueberry frosted
Gibson’s Donuts
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Specialty donut: Maple bacon
Colorado Donuts
- Location: Eagle Rock, California
- Specialty donut: Banana Nilla Wafer
North Country Donuts
- Location: Morrisville, Vermont
- Specialty donut: Ricotta cream
Cowboy Donuts
- Location: Rock Springs, Wyoming, and American Fork, Utah
- Specialty donut: Pumpkin spice
Pinkbox Donuts
- Location: Las Vegas (seven locations), Henderson, and Laughlin, NV, and St. George, UT
- Specialty donut: Coco Loco (chocolate-frosted glazed chocolate cake with Cocoa Pebbles
Neil’s Donuts
- Location: Wallingford and Middletown, Connecticut
- Specialty donut: Reese’s peanut butter crumb
Combo Donuts
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Specialty donut: Plain glazed
Sugar Shack Donuts
- Location: Richmond, North Chesterfield, and Charter Colony, Virginia
- Specialty donut: Strawberry shortcake
The Holy Donut
- Location: Portland (two locations), Scarborough, Arundel, Maine
- Specialty donut: Holy Cannoli ginger glazed
Donnie’s Donuts
- Location: Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach, Florida
- Specialty donut: Death by Chocolate (chocolate cake with chocolate chips, sprinkles, and drizzle)
California Donuts
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Specialty donut: Thin Mint (Girl Scout cookie)
Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop
- Location: Brooklyn, New York
- Specialty donut: White cream coconut
Donut Run
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Specialty donut: Peppermint mocha (vegan)
The Donut Whole
- Location: Wichita, Kansas
- Specialty donut: Cherry berry
Dottie’s Donuts
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (three locations)
- Specialty donut: Pumpkin-miso goji berry
The Jelly Donut
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Specialty donut: Pineapple jelly
River Oaks Donut Shop
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Specialty donut: Cherry iced
Doughnut Vault
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Specialty donut: Pina colada old-fashioned
The Tato-Nut Shop
- Location: Ocean Springs, Mississippi
- Specialty donut: Cookie butter