50 States of Donuts
Check out the best, must-try donut shops with this state-by-state (plus Washington, D.C.) guide.
By:
Laura James
Alabama
The Heavenly Donut Co. is where to go if you’re in search of a donut in Birmingham. They make their yeast donuts fresh every day. Some of their popular specialty flavors are maple bacon, Oreo and sprinkles.
Alaska
Raised, cake, filled and “fancy” donuts are all on the menu at Dino’s Donuts in Alaska. Fancy donuts include apple fritters, cinnamon twists and maple bars. FYI, they deliver!
Arizona
Head to Young Donuts in Tucson to experience the buttermilk glazed donuts and friendly service that the locals love.
Arkansas
Mark’s Do-Nut Shop in North Little Rock has been serving donuts since 1978.
California
Open 24/7, treat yourself at any hour at The Donut Man. Try the Fresh Peach and Fresh Strawberry donuts.
Colorado
Always experimenting with new flavors, Glazed & Confused rotates their donut lineup with unique menu options such as Mojito, Jalapeno Popper and Root Beer Float. They use local, organic ingredients and no preservatives.
Connecticut
Luke’s Donut Shop is a Connecticut institution off the beaten path in Avon. Try a classic glazed.
Delaware
Sweeney’s Bakery has been in the donut business since 1957. They also sell pastries, cakes, ice cream and more.
Florida
Gourmet donut shop Mojo Donuts in Hollywood, Fla. with a new Miami location offers must-try flavors like PB&J and Fruity Pebbles.
Georgia
Sublime Doughnuts is an Atlanta staple. Try the A-Town Cream donut. Order custom lettered donuts to spell whatever you want 24 hours in advance.
Hawaii
Opened in 1952, Leonard’s Bakery is known for their malasadas. A malasada is a traditional Portuguese donut without a hole in the middle. Try the fried treat at their Honolulu location or their food truck the Malasadamobile in the Waikele Shopping Center in Waipahu, Hawaii.
Idaho
With donuts made fresh daily, Guru Donuts will satisfy your sweet tooth in Boise. Flavors include The Hipsterberry, a wildberry lavender glazed donut, and The O.G. (Original Guru), a classic glazed donut. They also feature vegan options.
Illinois
Recognized nationally as one of the best donut shops in the country, Chicago’s Doughnut Vault features a specialty donut each day, which they list in a weekly lineup on their website. You may have to wait in an out-the-door line.
Indiana
Locals agree that the long line you may experience at Long’s Bakery is well worth the wait, especially if you order a glazed yeast donut.
Iowa
Since 2011, Daylight Donuts have been serving up donuts to the people in Iowa City. Blueberry is one of their best-sellers.
Kansas
The Doughnut Whole in Wichita has 40+ tasty flavors to choose from, including PBG (peanut butter & grape), Peach Cobbler and Sunshine Citrus Crunch (citrus glaze & fruity cereal). On Wednesdays, they offer vegan donuts.
Kentucky
For a true local donut shop in Louisville, head to Nord’s Bakery. Try a maple bacon long john.
Louisiana
Choose from 100+ rotating flavors to satisfy a donut craving at District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew. in New Orleans. Also, check out their “croquenuts,” griddled donut sandwiches.
Maine
Get your donut fix at The Holy Donut, recently featured in the New York Times’ 36 Hours in Portland, Me. The not-so-secret ingredient to the exceptionally moist donuts is Maine mashed potatoes.
Maryland
The Fractured Prune has been a Maryland landmark since 1976 and now has locations in several states. Visit the Ocean City and try their best-seller: the OC Sand, a donut with cinnamon and sugar.
Massachusetts
Union Square Donuts is the place to get a Boston Crème donut.
Michigan
Visit the Polish bakery New Palace Bakery in Hamtramck. While they do serve regular donuts, try paczki, traditional Polish pastries similar to donuts.
Minnesota
Glam Doll Donuts in Minneapolis is a must-try for lovers of unique donut flavors. The donut flavors also have glamorous names like Dark Angel, Bombshell, Cosmopolitan Girl, Darling and Outlaw, which has lemon cream cheese, cherry icing & brown butter crumb topping. They also deliver via a locally grown bike messenger service.
Mississippi
If you’re near Ocean Springs, stop by The Tatonut Donut Shop and don’t be scared if there’s a line. Locals swear by these donuts.
Missouri
LaMar’s opened in 1960, and they’ve been perfecting their donuts ever since. Now there are 27 locations in six states today.
Montana
Fill the donut-shaped hole in your stomach at Granny’s Gourmet Donuts in Bozeman, Montana
Nebraska
The Doughnut Hole is the must-try donut shop for Nebraska.
Nevada
Pink Box Doughnuts is widely popular spot in Las Vegas. Of course they sell a donut called Fat Elvis.
New Hampshire
A true mom-and-pop shop, Muriel’s Donuts may be a little difficult to find in its unassuming location on a side street under some apartments, but the locals swear by the warm, delicious donuts.
New Jersey
After opening in 2012, donut lovers have flocked to Uncle Dood’s Donuts. They have rotating lineup and every three months, they create a People’s Choice Menu where their customers vote on their favorite donuts to be brought back to the menu. Plus, Pokemon Go fans will delight to know that Uncle Dood’s Donuts is a PokeStop.
New Mexico
Voted Best of Burque by Alibi and Best of the City by Albuquerque the Magazine in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Rebel Donut is a must-try donut shop.
New York
The donuts at Dough are works of art. They make small batches throughout the day so customers can always enjoy a truly fresh donut.
North Carolina
At Duck Donuts, you can build your own donut by choosing from coating, topping and drizzle choices.
North Dakota
Sandy’s Donuts & Coffee Shop is the must-stop in North Dakota.
Ohio
Since the 1950s, Schneider’s Bakery has been making customers happy and filling their stomachs with baked goods. Schneider’s was voted Best Bakery in Columbus in 2013, 2014 and 2016.
Oklahoma
Belle Kitchen opened in 2015 and serves all sorts of delicious desserts.
Oregon
Known for quirky flavors and eclectic décor, Voodoo Doughnuts in unlike any other donut shop.
Pennsylvania
Fried chicken and… donuts? That’s right. Federal Donuts sells chicken drumsticks that come with a honey donut. They also offer “fancy” donuts like Guava Poppy and Butter Pecan.
Rhode Island
Allie's Donuts in North Kingston has been baking up quality donuts since 1968. The line is often wrapped around the building at Allie's.
South Carolina
On King Street in the heart of Charleston, pop into Glazed Gourmet to try one of the 12 daily flavors. Try the German Chocolate; it's one of their most popular.
South Dakota
If you find yourself in South Dakota in need of a donut, check out Flyboy Donuts.
Tennessee
Five Daughters Bakery has a variety of types of donuts to choose from. They offer The 100 Layer Donut, their version of a cronut, as well as vegan and paleo options. You can also see behind the scenes with a live stream "Donutcam" on their website.
Texas
Gourdough's has some of the most unique flavors such as Mother Clucker, Porkeys, Son of a Peach, Baby Rattler and more that have garnered national praise.
Utah
In the bakery business since 1986, Banbury Cross Donuts offers traditional flavors like glazed, chocolate covered and strawberry frosted.
Vermont
The Doughnut Dilemma in Burlington is a must-visit. The owner was inspired to open shop after her intial move to Vermont where she noticed a big "hole" in the donut market in Burlington.
Virginia
With several locations throughout the state of Virginia, Sugar Shack Donuts should be on your donut radar. Try the Red Velvet, Chocolate & Caramel and Sea Salt and Tastes Like Somoa are some of their flavors.
Washington
Top Pot Doughnuts in Seattle takes pride in what they call their "hand-forged" donuts because they're made the old-fashioned way. They offer more than 40 varieties, including a Feather Boa flavor.
West Virginia
The donuts at JR's Donut Castle are made fresh daily using the 30-year-old recipes of JR Parsons who bought the shop in 1977.
Wisconsin
Stop in Holey Moley Coffee + Doughnuts in Milwaukee to experience freshly made yeast, cake, vegan and gluten-free donuts.
Wyoming
Cowboy Donuts in Rock Springs, Wy. offers more than 55 unique varieties of donuts daily, and you'll never get a day-old donut here. If they have donuts left over at the end of the day, they donate them to the local soup kitchen.
Washington, D.C.
Opened by two young former high school classmates turned business partners, District Doughnut offers a rotating menu of seasonal, artisan donuts. Try the irresistible Brown Butter signature yeast donut.
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