Whether the sun is shining or it’s pouring rain, a donut is one of the easiest ways to brighten up just about any day. After all, this city is filled to the brim with delicious options! And since National Donut Day is officially here, we thought we’d share some of our favourite spots for donuts to check out in and around Vancouver.
The next time you’re hit with a sweet tooth craving – start here!
Their There
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We’ve been so hyped up about Their There that we wrote an article just to talk about the specialty flavours. Turns out, if you want our attention, all you have to do is put ‘Froot Loops’, ‘Mochi’ and ‘Donuts’ together and actually bring the flavour to back it up. Word to the wise- this sounds relatively easy, but boy howdy do we know a lot of TLC goes into each donut here.
Where: 2042 West 4th Avenue
Mello
A relatively new name in the city, Mello has opted for a pretty specific type of donut- brioche, and essentially all the filled versions. What that means for us is an array of some delicious flavours, ranging from London Fog to Black Sesame and classic Strawberry. Pro-tip: You get a pretty serious discount buying a half-dozen, so maybe take these to your next small dinner party as dessert.
Where: 223 East Pender Street
Mochido
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Mochido is one of the newer names on this list, having launched in 2021. And they’ve definitely made some waves thanks to their super interesting ‘mochi donut’, which is like a bunch of little interconnected balls. We have to admit, these folks might get the nod for ‘coolest looking’ on our list of best donuts in Vancouver.
Where: 8811 Laurel Street
Lee’s Donuts
Lee’s Donuts is a Vancouver icon, and for very good reason. Sitting prominently in the Granville Island Public Market, they’ve been a must-try spot for tourists, residents and celebrities alike for decades. And, we saw more collaborative efforts from them these past few months than ever before. Using your status to help nearby and local businesses? Now that’s a great move.
Where: 1689 Johnston Street
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Lucky’s Doughnuts
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Next up we’ve got a couple of spots we’ll call modern classics. This longtime brand from 49th Parallel is no joke, turning out a variety of amazing donuts using all kinds of dough. Personally, our preferences are their old-fashioned and yeast-based donuts. And specifically, we can’t help but go back to the PB&J option, which is honestly done to perfection.
Where: Multiple locations in Vancouver
Cartems
On the flipside, Cartems has, in our minds, become the top dog of cake donuts. We seriously don’t think we’ve had a better one in our lives than their Earl Grey option, at least for our preferences. What’s more, we also won’t hesitate to say that they’ve got some of the best vegan donuts in Vancouver to boot, especially since there’s an Earl Grey version of that, too.
Where: Multiple locations in Vancouver
Swiss Bakery
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Swiss Bakery gets a spot on this list for one specific reason- their ‘frissant’. This cross between a fritter donut and a croissant is unlike anything else you’ll try in the city, and is oh so worth it. And, as if the frissant alone isn’t enough, you get to choose a filling for inside there. Right now, we’re particularly curious about the passion fruit mousse option.
Don’t miss out on their special 30-year-anniversary flavours, for 30% off!
Where: 143 East 3rd Avenue
Duffin’s Donuts
We couldn’t write a list of the best donuts in Vancouver without including this absolute titan. We’re not going to sit here and say it’s off the charts, flavour-wise. But, there’s no denying that Duffin’s is a magical place in Vancouver, has a tremendous range of donuts to choose from, and the best value in the city by far. If you don’t go to Duffin’s once a year, then you need to rethink why you’re in Vancouver in the first place.
Where: 1391 East 41st Avenue
Breka Bakery
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Breka is more than a tourist spot and a late-night study option for university students. For 15 years now, the bakery has been serving great donuts (starting at just $1.50) alongside a whole bunch of other reasonably priced items. But, this is a donut list, and they deserve a spot on here. We’ll also admit that for a post-concert donut (whenever that actually happens) finding a Breka outpost is usually easier than making the trek to Duffin’s.
Where: Multiple locations in Vancouver
Harmony Donut Shop
Harmony Donut Shop has become an absolute must-visit spot for everyone trying to complete this city’s donut tour. Selling out almost daily, Harmony has built a name for itself on some truly amazing cake donuts, and is well worth the trek to Lonsdale Avenue. Or, pick them up after a quick hike in the North Shore!
Where: 2945 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver
Honey Doughnuts
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Speaking of treks, Honey Doughnuts has become pretty much synonymous with day trips to Deep Cove. Our advice? Grab a couple of their amazing options before you head to a nearby trail, so you can eat it mid-way instead of it being the only thing on your mind on the walk back. Then hey, if you loved it so much you need another, you can always double down in a day!
Where: 4373 Gallant Avenue, North Vancouver
Alright folks, that’s our guide to the spots to get the best donuts in Vancouver! We hope it serves you well whenever you’re craving a sweet treat.
