USA TODAY 10Best
Donut destinations: 10 best shops for sweet treats
Best Donut Shop (2024)
These 10 donut shops across the U.S. offer a unique charm and personal touch that large chains often can't match. Selected by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best, these spots serve up an array of flavors that cater to every palate — from classic glazed favorites to avant-garde gourmet varieties — and every bite feels like a special treat.
- Beiler's Doughnuts - Maryland and Pennsylvania
- Holtman's Donut Shop - Cincinnati, Ohio
- Jupiter Coffee and Donuts - Fairfield, Ohio
- Darling Doughnuts - Saratoga Springs, New York
- Mountain Donuts - South Ogden, Utah
- The Bakery Unlimited - Winterset, Iowa
- Blackbird Bakery - Bristol, Virginia
- Fox's Donut Den - Nashville, Tennessee
- Donnie's Donuts - Atlanta, Georgia, and Daytona Beach, Florida
- City Donut - Orange Beach, Alabama
Photo courtesy of viennetta / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 10:
Beiler's Doughnuts — with locations in Philadelphia and Lancaster, as well as Germantown, Maryland — continues to deliver the best in Amish baking. From standards such as chocolate iced and glazed to more decadent flavors like Fruity Pebbles Chocolate, Beiler's offers a doughnut for every palate.
Photo courtesy of bhofack2 / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 9:
Since 1960, Holtman's Donut Shop has served up doughnuts to whet your appetite. Choose from classics like chocolate sprinkles and coffee cake or branch out to "doughssants" — combining all the goodness of doughnuts and croissants.
Photo courtesy of EvgeniiAnd / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 8:
With a name like Jupiter Coffee and Donuts, it's not surprising you can order a Red Storm Roll, which pays homage to the planet by way of a raspberry-filled doughnut with cream cheese frosting and a red swirl on top. You also can sample the Miami Maple Merger, the shop's shout-out to Butler County, with candied pecans.
Photo courtesy of Darling Doughnuts
No. 7:
With a rotating menu of flavors, Darling Doughnuts features quite an eclectic mix of handcrafted doughnuts. Think caramel stroopwafel, root beer float, and cafe mocha. Want to take it up a notch? Try a doughrogie, described as "a doughnut and a perogi met and had a gooey-filled baby."
Photo courtesy of Mountain Donuts
No. 6:
At Mountain Donuts, they fry up fresh doughnuts but leave the finishing touches to you. That's right. You can order your favorite doughnut flavor and then choose the icing, toppings, and a drizzle, if you dare. The finished product depends on you!
Photo courtesy of Katie
No. 5:
The air is sweet on the square in Winterset, thanks to The Bakery Unlimited. Try their maple bacon long john or a classic apple crisp doughnut, and expect to stand in line on Saturday mornings, because their doughnuts are just that good.
Photo courtesy of Blackbird Bakery
No. 4:
Since 2008, Blackbird Bakery has baked up mouthwatering sweets for every occasion. When it comes to doughnuts, the bakery offers up quite a selection, ranging from chocolate iced to specialty doughnuts like blueberry pancake, complete with maple icing and bacon pieces.
Photo courtesy of shironagasukujira / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 3:
This doughnut shop is a must-stop staple in Nashville. Serving up classic glazed or a fancy maple old-fashioned, doughnut lovers won't be disappointed. These flavors are only the beginning of the flavor varieties made fresh each day.
Photo courtesy of Donnie's Donuts
No. 2:
When visiting Donnie's Donuts, make sure your taste buds are up to the task. Flavors range from banana pudding and French toast to Fruity Pebbles and Death by Chocolate, just to start. There's much more to keep you coming back again and again.
No. 1:
Your taste buds will be humming when they see City Donut's freshly made doughnuts. Choose from traditional yeast or cake doughnuts that come with a variety of flavors, such as key lime-filled, Oreo-topped, maple iced, and many more. To up the decadence, grab a milkshake or boba drink to go with your sweet treat.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Allison Levine
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Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique agency specializing in marketing and event planning for the wine and spirits industry. With over 15 years of experience in communications, marketing, and event planning, Allison is passionate about the world around her and the diverse people in it. Allison holds a master’s degree in international communications with a focus on cross-cultural training from the American University School of International Service and holds a WSET Level 3 Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). As an industry expert, she has worked with wine regions around the world. She has traveled extensively and has lived abroad in Italy, Spain, and Mexico where she developed her passion for food and wine. Her work allows her to live life to the fullest and, as a freelance writer, Allison communicates her experiences in articles, as well as in her blog. Allison is the US Host for the international podcast Wine Soundtrack where she interviews winemakers and gets to know them in 30 questions, and she is co-host of the YouTube wine series Crush On This. Her website is www.pleasethepalate.com and you can follow her on Instagram @plsthepalate.
Allison Levine
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique agency specializing in marketing and event planning for the wine and spirits industry. With over 15 years of experience in communications, marketing, and event planning, Allison is passionate about the world around her and the diverse people in it. Allison holds a master’s degree in international communications with a focus on cross-cultural training from the American University School of International Service and holds a WSET Level 3 Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). As an industry expert, she has worked with wine regions around the world. She has traveled extensively and has lived abroad in Italy, Spain, and Mexico where she developed her passion for food and wine. Her work allows her to live life to the fullest and, as a freelance writer, Allison communicates her experiences in articles, as well as in her blog. Allison is the US Host for the international podcast Wine Soundtrack where she interviews winemakers and gets to know them in 30 questions, and she is co-host of the YouTube wine series Crush On This. Her website is www.pleasethepalate.com and you can follow her on Instagram @plsthepalate.
Allison Tibaldi
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Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education. She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.
Allison Tibaldi
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education. She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.
Carly Caramanna
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Carly Caramanna
Carly Caramanna has a passion for covering the latest in unique food, travel, and theme park trends. Growing up in the carb-filled land of bagels and pizza by the slice (aka New Jersey), her parents instilled a love of all things adventure and food. Featured on CNN Business, BBC, NPR, MSN, Huffington Post, and host of the Attractions Magazine podcast, she uses her expertise as a contributor to Travel + Leisure, Business Insider, Delish, and many more. www.adventuresbycarly.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/adventuresbycarly/ X: https://twitter.com/CarlyCaramanna
Jacky Runice
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Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jacob and Esther of Local Adventurer
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Esther JuLee and Jacob Fu run one of the largest travel blogs in the world, Local Adventurer, where they hope to encourage everyone to find adventure in their everyday lives. They spent 7 years moving to a new city every year and are now based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jacob and Esther of Local Adventurer
Esther JuLee and Jacob Fu run one of the largest travel blogs in the world, Local Adventurer, where they hope to encourage everyone to find adventure in their everyday lives. They spent 7 years moving to a new city every year and are now based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50... Read More
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com.
Kristin Luna
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Kristin Luna is a Nashville-based travel writer who has contributed to Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA TODAY, Southern Living and many more. You can follow her adventures via her blog Camels & Chocolate or on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Kristin Luna
Kristin Luna is a Nashville-based travel writer who has contributed to Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA TODAY, Southern Living and many more. You can follow her adventures via her blog Camels & Chocolate or on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Marilyn Johnson
Marilyn Johnson is an award-winning Philadelphia... Read More
Marilyn Johnson is an award-winning Philadelphia area-based food and travel writer focusing on the greater Mid-Atlantic region. Marilyn founded Philly Grub in 2008 and South Jersey Food Scene in 2019. Her work has appeared on MSN, NewsBreak, Philadelphia Today, Cherry Hill Neighbors, New Jersey Monthly, and other online publications. She is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier Philadelphia, a society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, beverage, and hospitality.
Marilyn Johnson
Marilyn Johnson is an award-winning Philadelphia area-based food and travel writer focusing on the greater Mid-Atlantic region. Marilyn founded Philly Grub in 2008 and South Jersey Food Scene in 2019. Her work has appeared on MSN, NewsBreak, Philadelphia Today, Cherry Hill Neighbors, New Jersey Monthly, and other online publications. She is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier Philadelphia, a society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, beverage, and hospitality.
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion... Read More
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Melissa Curtin
Melisa Curtin is a travel and food writer who has... Read More
Melisa Curtin is a travel and food writer who has documented her globetrotting adventures for over a decade. A Connecticut girl madly in love with California, her work has appeared in Lonely Planet, LA Weekly, Canadian Traveler, AAA, Roadtrippers, JohnnyJet, Travel Awaits, and many southern California print publications. Melissa is always on the hunt for the best local bites and destinations with few tourists, splitting her non-travel time between Malibu and Palm Springs with her husband and ever-growing collection of plants. Traveling around the world at age 20 on Semester at Sea sparked Melissa's desire for learning about other cultures. As a 20+ year educator and new travel advisor with Fora, she inspires others to reach their goals and pursue their travel dreams. Some of her recent favorite jaunts include a Viking river cruise from Paris to Normandy with her mom, truffle hunting in Tuscany, and eating her way through Florence. Get to know the Best of L.A. and California by checking out her website LaLaScoop.com or following the @lalascoop on Instagram.
Melissa Curtin
Melisa Curtin is a travel and food writer who has documented her globetrotting adventures for over a decade. A Connecticut girl madly in love with California, her work has appeared in Lonely Planet, LA Weekly, Canadian Traveler, AAA, Roadtrippers, JohnnyJet, Travel Awaits, and many southern California print publications. Melissa is always on the hunt for the best local bites and destinations with few tourists, splitting her non-travel time between Malibu and Palm Springs with her husband and ever-growing collection of plants. Traveling around the world at age 20 on Semester at Sea sparked Melissa's desire for learning about other cultures. As a 20+ year educator and new travel advisor with Fora, she inspires others to reach their goals and pursue their travel dreams. Some of her recent favorite jaunts include a Viking river cruise from Paris to Normandy with her mom, truffle hunting in Tuscany, and eating her way through Florence. Get to know the Best of L.A. and California by checking out her website LaLaScoop.com or following the @lalascoop on Instagram.
Melody Pittman
Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Read More
Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Wherever I May Roam Blog and is co-owner of the Southern Travelers Explore annual conference, in its 4th year, which brings CVBS and writers/influencers together from all over the country. She is a digital influencer and writes for both online and print publications, such as Travel Awaits, Charleston Home and Living Magazine, Matador Network, She Buys Travel, and more. Melody has worked with major brands during her nine-year career, such as Viking River Cruises, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Disney, hundreds of tourism boards, and GO RVing. Melody’s first book “100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die” was released in the spring of 2023. She has a podcast, 100ThingsWV, and social channels to go along with the book. Melody loves road trips, small towns, cruising, and sharing lesser-known destinations with her followers via TikTok, Youtube, IG, and FB. After a year of full-time RV travel, she now resides in Mesquite, Nevada.
Melody Pittman
Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Wherever I May Roam Blog and is co-owner of the Southern Travelers Explore annual conference, in its 4th year, which brings CVBS and writers/influencers together from all over the country. She is a digital influencer and writes for both online and print publications, such as Travel Awaits, Charleston Home and Living Magazine, Matador Network, She Buys Travel, and more. Melody has worked with major brands during her nine-year career, such as Viking River Cruises, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Disney, hundreds of tourism boards, and GO RVing. Melody’s first book “100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die” was released in the spring of 2023. She has a podcast, 100ThingsWV, and social channels to go along with the book. Melody loves road trips, small towns, cruising, and sharing lesser-known destinations with her followers via TikTok, Youtube, IG, and FB. After a year of full-time RV travel, she now resides in Mesquite, Nevada.
Nicholas Dekker
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Nicholas Dekker, aka Dr. Breakfast, is a food and travel writer based in central Ohio, writing his award-winning blog Breakfast With Nick since 2007, where he and his family document their journeys exploring restaurants, coffee, donuts, beer, the arts, family travel, and much more. Nick writes for Columbus Monthly, Ohio Magazine, TourismOhio, Experience Columbus, The Kitchn, Great Lakes Publishing, Experience Worthington, Cubby at Home, Worthington Spotlight, Proof Magazine, and other publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Nicholas Dekker
Nicholas Dekker, aka Dr. Breakfast, is a food and travel writer based in central Ohio, writing his award-winning blog Breakfast With Nick since 2007, where he and his family document their journeys exploring restaurants, coffee, donuts, beer, the arts, family travel, and much more. Nick writes for Columbus Monthly, Ohio Magazine, TourismOhio, Experience Columbus, The Kitchn, Great Lakes Publishing, Experience Worthington, Cubby at Home, Worthington Spotlight, Proof Magazine, and other publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
