The Hunt For The Best Donuts In San Diego – Taste Test

No other comfort food makes a hole in one as doughnuts do. Both of them are a delicious way to start the day, but they are also a tempting treat at any time. You can go indulge in a sugar rush of fried dough topped with everything from basic glaze to maple bacon at the best doughnut shops in San Diego that we’ve found. Even better, we discovered vegan and gluten-free doughnuts. Find out what you need to know so you’ll never wonder, “Where’s the best doughnut shop nearby?”

Our ranking of San Diego’s top doughnut shops includes both established franchises and cutting-edge start-ups. Therefore, come this way if you’re ready to indulge in some of the tastiest sugary pleasures available!

1. Donut Bar

Forbes dubs Donut Bar “the gold standard of donut shops.” Everything from the Food Network to Ellen has featured it. If their achievements don’t astonish you, their doughnuts undoubtedly will.

The Unicorn, Blueberry with Meyer Lemon, and Chocolate Snickers are among the flavors offered on the menu. Additionally, vegans have a great apple fritter, strawberry split, and spiced chai as options.

You can place a pre-order online and specify the flavors and quantity of donuts you desire. Then, get your donuts delivered right to your house or pick them up at the curb. But, of course, if you’d prefer to eat indoors, you can.

Every day of the week, The Donut Bar is open. Monday until Friday, 7 am to 12:30 pm. Saturday, 8 am to 12:30 pm, and Sunday, 8 am to 1 pm, are the hours of operation.

Location: 631 B St. San Diego, CA 92101

2. Nomad Donuts

The only restaurant in San Diego specializing in Montreal bagels is Nomad Donuts, located in the center of North Park. Additionally, their donuts are quite exceptional. San Diego Magazine recognized them as the finest doughnut vendors in the city in 2020.

Donuts in flavors like German Chocolate, Lavender Lemonade, Pineapple Masala, and Cream Cheese Guava are among the various specialty donuts available. Alternatively, you might stick to vegan versions of classics like chocolate, maple, and vanilla bean.

There are both conventional and vegan donut holes available. Additionally, a wide variety of coffees, sodas, mimosas, beer, tea, hot chocolate, and juice are available.

There is a dine-in and take-out option, but delivery is not offered. The store is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 am to 2 pm.

Location: 3102 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104

3. Rose Donuts

Donuts of various colors, shapes, and sizes may be found at Rose Donuts. There are apple fritters, French crullers, bear claws, cake donuts, glazed donuts, raised donuts, twists, bars, and elevated doughnuts.

The rest of the menu is as outstanding. There is a wide variety of pastry and ice cream tastes. There are also breakfast bagels, croissants, grilled sandwiches, and salad sandwiches if you prefer something savory.

There is a tiny outdoor terrace where you can eat or get food to go. However, keep in mind that you must pay with cash and that there is no delivery service available with this one.

Every day at 4.30 am, it opens. Sunday through Wednesday, closing time is 10 pm, and Thursday through Saturday, closing time is 11 pm.

Location: 5201 Linda Vista Rd. San Diego, CA 92110

4. Devil’s Dozen Donut Shop

You’ll likely see one of the best home pages on the Devil’s Dozen Donut Shop website. First, view it to understand what we mean. Then, after you’re done laughing, get down to business by placing an order for some of their incredible doughnuts.

Every hour of the day, new donuts are prepared here. There are also French, Italian, Japanese, and American Classical kinds accessible.

The selection is limited and exclusive, and it varies weekly. It included traditional flavors like chocolate, cinnamon sugar, and vanilla bean at the time of writing. Guava Cream Cheese and Tres Leches were a couple of the more exotic flavors.

Get a cup of Café Virtuoso’s locally roasted, handcrafted coffee to go with your doughnut.

The restaurant is available all day for takeaway and delivery. Monday through Thursday, the hours are 7 am to 1 pm, and Friday through Sunday, they are 8 am to 1 pm.

Location: 2001 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101

5. Golden Donut

In the center of North Park, The Golden Donut is located in a small shopping center. It excels at making traditional filled and glazed donuts, its specialty.

Many of their satisfied clients agree that these are the tastiest doughnuts they’ve ever had. The flavors lean more toward the traditional, including chocolate coconut, maple bar, and raspberry-filled options.

Additionally, a wide variety of large breakfast sandwiches are available, and the muffins are also top-notch. Thai tea and Vietnamese coffee are among the beverages on offer. And the costs are quite kind on your wallet.

From 5 am to 8 pm every day, Golden Donut is open. Unfortunately, there is no delivery service; however, you can eat in or order take-out.

Location: 2360 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104

6. Sesame Donuts

Sesame Donuts creates donuts with the perfect amount of airiness and exterior crispness. To put it another way, they taste good.

They are available on any day of the week, 24 hours a day. You may tailor your donut to your needs by placing an advance order. The apple fritter, bear claw, cinnamon bun, king doughnut, and the interesting “Pokéball” are among the a la carte offerings.

Large orders can also be accommodated; just make sure to order at least 24 hours in advance. Also, take note that there is no delivery option in this instance, even though you can pick up your donuts or order take-out.

Location: 11040 Rancho Carmel Dr # 6, San Diego, CA 92128

7. Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee

The world’s freshest doughnuts are what Sidecar takes great delight in. Using premium ingredients, they are handcrafted every hour. Furthermore, the donuts are always hot because of the small batch method.

The menu makes use of seasonal and regional ingredients. The choices include Huckleberry, vanilla bean glazed, butter and salt, and dulce de leche churros. There is always something fresh to try because the flavors change every day.

Those who enjoy savory foods can try a basil Eggs Benedict donut. Additionally, there is always at least one vegan and gluten-free option.

The restaurant is available every day for delivery and takeaway. On Sunday through Thursday, the doors open at 7 am and close at 6 pm; on Friday and Saturday nights, they close at 9 pm.

Location: 3435 Del Mar Heights Road d7, San Diego, CA 92130

8. Donut Factory

The Donut Factory is a haven for donut lovers despite its humble and old look. Come here for delectable fare, welcoming service, and reasonable prices.

Make some memories, have some laughs, and explore San Diego at the same time.

Traditional donuts include apple fritters, glazed, old-fashioned, and maple bars. The breakfast sandwiches are wonderful, and you can also get a great cronut. Croissants, bagels, iced coffees, and smoothies are additionally offered.

On 30th Street, you may find it close to Auto Zone and Lucky Laundry. Unfortunately, only seven days a week, from 6 am to 3 pm, is it available for take-out.

Location: 4007 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104

9. Barrio Donas

Experience a different kind of doughnut at The Barrio Donas. It offers a donut with a somewhat crisp, oven-baked shell that fuses Mexican culture with a San Diego flair.

The Palanqueta flavor features caramel, peanuts, dried cranberries, and amaranth; the Jamaica flavor has a hibiscus glaze over a dona. Garnished, chocolate-glazed, and cinnamon sugar are among the vegan possibilities.

Additionally, the selection of tortas and tamales is superb. Beverages like cold brew, organic Mexican coffee and chocolate, and vegan oat milk with vanilla and cinnamon are available.

Barrio Donas is open every day and serves dine-in, take-out, and delivery. The operation hours are Monday through Friday from 6 am to 3 pm, Saturday from 6 am to 3 pm, and Sunday from 7 am to 3 pm.

Location: 4714 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92117

10. Yum Yum Donuts

Yum Yum is a donut shop in Imperial Beach with some amazing donuts. They are very generous, giving you two extra doughnuts for free for every dozen you purchase.

Everything from cake donuts to filled ones, twists to bars, raised rings to French, old fashioned to minis are available here. The main highlights are classic flavors like chocolate, maple, cherry, lemon, and vanilla.

Along with donuts, there are specialty pastries like strawberry cream cheese strudels, crème horns, muffins, bagels, croissants, and muffins. Additionally, sandwiches and savory breakfast burritos are available.

It is available for takeaway and in at any time.

Location: 1820 Coronado Avenue, San Diego, CA 92154

11. The Mini Donut Company

The Mini Donut company sells a modest but delectable selection of daily doughnuts. Additionally, you can choose from a larger menu if you pre-order.

Powdered sugar, glazed chocolate or vanilla frosting with sprinkles, and cinnamon sugar are standard possibilities. Weekly and daily promotions are also available. Additionally, you can choose among treats like S’mores, chocolate frosting with M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces, and vanilla icing topped with Oreos if you place an order in advance.

You can also mention any special requirements, such as preferred colors if you order in advance.

Location: 2820 Historic Decatur Rd. San Diego, CA 92106

San Diego is a great place to find delicious donuts. Plenty of options offer traditional, specialty, vegan, and gluten-free selections. So whether you’re looking for a grab-and-go snack or something special for an event, San Diego has something for everyone. So come on down and get your donut fix!