30 Of LA's Best Donut Shops (2024)

Donuts, those ubiquitous fried dough confections, are a lot like Donuts, the 2006 album by legendary Detroit producer J Dilla — deceptively small, fit in the palm of your hand and pack a ridiculously addictive punch. Fortunately, Los Angeles is the mecca of doughy dreams and chocolate-glazed wishes. From Santa Monica to Downey, we boast some of the finest donut specimens in the world.

We also boast some of the kindest donut-eaters, like the customers of Donut City in Seal Beach. They kept buying out the store's stock so owner John Chhan could close early to spend time with his wife, Stella, who had a brain aneurysm. (We spoke to Chhan recently and he was happy to share that he and Stella are doing well, and so is business.)

LAist first published this list in honor of National Donut Day (there are actually two National Donut Days), and we decided to circle back in early 2023, post-pandemic, to make sure purveyors were still delivering the dough. We found that many places only take cash, and chronic staffing issues mean the store hours reflected on a website or IG might not be true. In other words, it's best to check before you go. And if you have your heart set on a specific donut, call ahead and ask for it to be set aside for you, since many places sell out quickly. (Don't forget to leave a nice cash tip for this service.) With that out of the way, here are 30 of the area's best donut shops, divided into five categories.

Sit back, pour a cup of coffee and let's take a sugary ride.

Old school

You know you're at Randy's long before you actually pull in, thanks to the landmark donut up top.

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Randy’s Donuts

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Randy's Donuts - Burbank, Costa Mesa, Downey, El Segundo, Inglewood, Santa Ana, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Torrance

The icon. A 62-year-old star of Hollywood movies and late-night cravings, this Inglewood institution features one of the city's most recognizable emblems, the giant donut at the corner of Manchester and La Cienega. Getting down to business, Randy's delivers the goods with classic crullers, old fashioneds, cinnamon crumb and plain raised donuts. And in the past few years, Randy's is expanding regionally into places such as Las Vegas and San Diego, and internationally in such locales as Paris and Riyadh. Here are the Southern California outlets, listed in alphabetical order.

• 3007 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank. 747-400-0688
• 2930 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa. 949-674-5977
• 401 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa. 949-877-0014
• 8721 Firestone Blvd., Downey. 562-659-7079
• 2181 Rosecrans Ave., El Segundo. 310-616-3406
• 805 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood. 310-645-4707
• 230 S. Lake Ave., Unit #2, Pasadena. 626-365-1216
• 2232 E. 17th St., Santa Ana. 657-900-2885
• 829 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. 424-231-7321
• 23330 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 1, Torrance. 310-373-1274

California Donuts - Koreatown

Don't be surprised if you're greeted by a long line when you arrive at this K-town favorite, especially on a Friday or Saturday night. Open 24/7, California Donuts is a walk-up paradise known for over-the-top creations like the Snickers Bar Donut, which comes with a full-sized candy bar tucked inside. No wonder it's nicknamed the "Dentist's Delight." Among the high-concept offerings and seasonal selections, don't miss the donuts decorated like unicorns and pandas, or the Samoas and Thin Mints donuts (hello, Girl Scout cookie fans) and possibly the best blueberry cake donut in town.

• 3540 W. 3rd St., Koreatown. 213-385-3318

SK's Donuts - Beverly Grove

This little spot off Cochran has been a favorite of Angelenos for years. Back in business after a lengthy renovation, SK's Donuts now has a sleek, sterile sophistication that matches the gentrifying Miracle Mile neighborhood. The donuts are still top-notch, though. Cinnamon roll fans, take notice. They make 'em right. While the store has doubled in size, the tiny parking lot at the corner of busy 3rd St. is perilous.

• 5850 W. 3rd St., Suite #A, Miracle Mile. 323-935-2409

Darling Donuts & Ice Cream - Mid-City

This quaint storefront on Venice is a hidden gem. If it's not already in your do-tation (donut + rotation), add it to the mix. They'll hit you with one of the finest cinnamon rolls in the city and toss in a handful of donut holes to ease your troubles. Don't overlook the dizzying selection of freshly squeezed juices. At last check, it was cash only, so come prepared.

• 5431 Venice Blvd., Mid-City. 323-857-1869

The Donut Hole - La Puente

You haven't been to the San Gabriel Valley until you've been to The Donut Hole, one of the region's finest examples of programmatic architecture. The Los Angeles Conservancy sings the praises of the "unknown genius person" who decided to create a building shaped like a giant drive-through donut. The bacon maple is popular with adults while kids end up fighting over the Oreo, Fruit Loops and Reese's Pieces donuts, available until they run out. Just be aware: This is a cash only establishment.

• 15300 Amar Road, La Puente. 626-968-2912

Monarch Donuts - Arcadia

The apple fritter at Monarch Donuts is the kind of beauty that puts other apple fritters to shame — and it tastes as good as it looks. Their perfect crunch gives way to warm, buttery apple deliciousness. Regular customers rave about shop owner Jonathan Ung, who puts a lot of heart into his donuts and offers great customer service. This place is cash only but has an ATM on the premises. When you go, bring us back a couple of the cinnamon crumbs, please and thank you.

• 15 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia. 626-818-6478

Donut Prince - Burbank

Although original owner Mike Abdelghani retired at the end of 2020 after running the shop for 50 years, the new owners have kept the tradition going. Burbank still retains much of it's mid-20th century charm and Donut Prince is a prime example. You may feel like Don Cheadle at the end of Boogie Nights when you walk into this old-school shop with walls covered in autographed pictures of celebs. There's a great selection of buttermilk, cake and raised donuts but the pecan rolls and apple fritters are the stars of the show. It's the perfect pitstop before launching a mission to IKEA and they have the best tagline in the business: "Don't get a divorce — get a donut!"

• 1721 W. Olive Ave., Burbank. 818-841-0859

An assortment of delights at Primo's Donuts. Arrive early, because when they're gone, they're gone.

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Primo's Donuts - West L.A., Westwood Village

When your family has been cranking out quality donuts since the Eisenhower administration, you probably know a thing or two about fried dough. Primo's also likes to keep it new. Owners Ralph and Celia Primo plan to open another location in Westwood in the former Stan's Donuts location. At the original Sawtelle spot, they've doled out Dodger donuts to support the Boys in Blue but they're best known for their classic old fashioned and glazed donuts. There's a sourdough glazed maple pecan number on the menu, too. And plenty of vegan and gluten free options as well.

• 2918 Sawtelle Blvd., West L.A. 310-478-6930
• 10948 Weyburn Ave., Westwood Village. 424-832-3861

An apple fritter from Bob's Coffee & Doughnuts at the Original Farmer's Market.

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Bob's Coffee & Doughnuts - Fairfax

Bob's stands out amid the bustle of the Original Farmer's Market thanks to the large coffee cup and donut sculpture on its awning. The devil's food, a chocolate cake donut glazed with chocolate and sprinkled with chocolate chips, is a fan favorite as is the cinnamon crumb. They make one of the city's best apple fritters. It's crisp and glazed with a hint of burnt sugar on the outside and filled with apple chunks. They also make kid-pleasing donuts shaped like dinosaurs and, on rare occasions, a delicious strawberry glazed donut. Getting in and out of the Farmers Market, located at the constantly traffic-clogged intersection of 3rd and Fairfax, is a nightmare. At last check, Bob's was still cash only.

• 6333 W. 3rd St., #450, Fairfax. 323-933-8929

Donut Man - Glendora, downtown LA

Strawberries! Strawberries! Strawberries! Owner Jim Nakano is the inventor of Donut Man's legendary strawberry donut — a plain, glazed round donut that's sliced in half and crammed with half a basket of glazed strawberries. The concoction is offered year-round. For a brief period in the late summer, he makes the same donut with peaches — and it's even better. The shop in Glendora also makes all the standard raised and cake donuts. Their Tiger Tail, a full foot of cinnamon and chocolate goodness twisted into a braid, is magic. They expanded into DTLA, too, at Grand Central Market.

• 915 E. Rte 66, Glendora. 626-335-9111
• 317 S. Broadway, in DTLA at Grand Central Market. 213-359-6007

Dad's Donuts & Bakery - Burbank

Tucked away next to a nail salon in an unassuming strip mall, Dad's does right by the classics — maple bars, cinnamon rolls, apple fritters, Boston creme, French crullers — with a buttery glaze that melts in your mouth. If you want a taste of fancy, Dad (aka owner Bruce Bu) has updated his selection with addictive cronut holes and maple bacon cronuts.

• 2501 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank. 818-841-1910

Daily Donuts - Los Feliz

You'll want to grab several coconut-covered, peanut-encrusted, sprinkle-topped and sugar-dusted creations at Daily Donuts. They deliver the classics with style, so expect cinnamon rolls and glazed donuts made with love — and lots of butter. Don't miss out on the yummy croissants.

• 1908 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. 323-665-5043

Blinkie's Donuts - Woodland Hills

At Blinkie's, you simply must order their secret weapon: the black and white donut, a collision of chocolate and vanilla that echoes the popular New York deli cookie of the same name. Blinkie's is only for early risers or extreme night owls. Hours are from 5:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays through Sundays.

• 4884 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills. 818-884-4456

Your eyes are not deceiving you. That is a single chocolate raised donut from Texas Donuts in East L.A., and it is indeed as large as the entire pink donut box.

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See Also

The 16 best doughnut shops in Los Angeles

Texas Donuts - East L.A.

This shop offers all the usual suspects — raised, cake, buttermilk bars, crullers, etc. — but what makes it stand out are its massive raised donuts, which come in a variety of flavors including cinnamon and glazed. Each one of these suckers is as big as a dinner plate. They're so big, one of these could easily serve as a birthday cake. Better yet, stack a couple of these on top of each other for extra decadance.

• 4501 Whittier Blvd., East L.A. 626-274-2461

New school

Trejo's Coffee and Donuts - Hollywood

Give it up for actor Danny Trejo. He's succeeding in L.A.'s tough taco market and now he's bringing that same ingenuity to donuts. Machete don't back down from nobody. Trejo's Coffee and Donuts makes instant classics like the Nacho, a cake donut made with sour cream, chives, hot sauce and sprinkled with cheddar cheese. The Abuelita sprinkles more chocolate on top of dark chocolate icing spread over a raised donut. Sigh. Please allow me to take a moment. OK, don't miss the Margarita, which brings the flavors of tequila, lime and salt to an iced donut. There are vegan options, too, like the berry: A vegan cake donut, slathered with a mixed berry glaze. You'll hone your driving skills navigating through the Hollywood traffic pretty much any time you come, but the sugar rush is worth it.

• 6785 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. 323-462-4600

Cofax - Fairfax

You know Cofax for their terrific breakfast burritos. Don't ignore their donuts. Follow their IG feed for a peek at the offerings, such as these heart-shaped donuts with dark chocolate icing and vanilla stripes, with a tart cherry filling, a collab with @nabdonuts.

• 440 N. Fairfax Ave., Fairfax. 323-424-7485

Birdies - downtown L.A.

Birdies rolls out instant classics such as the horchata twist, which is thick with a dulce de leche glaze, and the classic NY black and white. Blueberry lemon is a tart but sugary surprise, and the lemon thyme pistachio is a pleasant surprise from the inspired and unexpected combination of flavors.

• 314 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown L.A. 213-536-5714

The display case at Kettle Glazed Doughnuts in Hollywood.

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Kettle Glazed Doughnuts

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Kettle Glazed Doughnuts - Hollywood

Hiding in the shadow of the 101 Freeway, Kettle Glazed has been cranking out subtle remixes of classic flavors since 2013. The old fashioned is offered in buttermilk maple, blueberry vanilla and blueberry maple. The graham cracker-topped s'mores donut and their original chocolate drizzle "croissant style" gems are worth the cheat day meal. They have vegan and gluten free options as well.

• 6211 Franklin Ave., Hollywood. 323-462-2344

Weird and wacky

Colorado Donuts - Eagle Rock

Eagle Rock's favorite donut shop is always on trend: Colorado Donuts can be counted on for donuts themed to any holiday. Halloween options include beautifully designed donuts shaped like spiders, unicorns, ghosts and Frankenstein. Vegans should dig the blueberry glaze and the Skippy-filled PB&J varieties. Follow their IG feed for specials, such as these Dodger Blues. There are Cookie Monster and Elmo donuts, too.

• 1578 Colorado Blvd., #14, Eagle Rock. 323-340-1962

The Bidi Bom donut, a tribute to Mexican superstar singer Selena, inside a display case at Dona's Donuts earlier location. They are now located in Paramount.

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Dona's Donuts - Paramount

This indie Mexican donut shop is an Instagram paradise. Bright, colorful and full of energy, Dona's signature donut is the Bidi Bom. Inspired by beloved Tejano singer Selena, the sparkly creation is covered in honey lavender and purple glitter. The Fridona is a buttercream Frida Kahlo tribute, the Chocolate Abuelita is slathered with a Mexican hot cocoa glaze and the El Puerquito is topped with a blanket of maple glaze and chicharrones.

• 15729 Downey Ave., Paramount. 424-403-4922
  

An assortment of colorful donuts from DK's Donuts in Santa Monica.

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DKs Donuts and Bakery - Santa Monica

This spot, which is connected to "Donut King" Ted Ngoy, is proud to be the home of the Double-Decker #O-Nut, a croissant/donut hybrid. DKs Donuts, open 24/7, also boasts the original ube purple yam donut, made with purple ube dough, purple cream cheese, toasted coconut, bacon and pistachios. You'll find donuts topped with edible flowers and others overflowing with Nutella. How about a donut topped with Reese's Pieces or a unicorn donut? West Side represent.

• 1614 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. 310-829-2512

Donut Friend - Highland Park, downtown L.A., Silver Lake

This funky Highland Park donut shop offers all sorts of decadent and wacky flavors. They might be topped with chocolate glaze, chocolate chips and cayenne or passion fruit and cacao nibs or lemon rosewater and pistachio. Or maybe Donut Friend will slice a raised donut in half and cram it with peanut butter, strawberry jam, coconut bacon and sriracha. Come early. They make only a certain number of their signature creations each day and when their donuts are gone, they're gone. A new, third location in Silver Lake — CREAMO by Donut Friend — branches out into ice cream (Thai, butter pecan, coffee, taro) and dreamy shakes, but you can still find donuts here as well.

• 5107 York Blvd., Highland Park. 213-995-6191
• 543 S. Broadway, DTLA. 213-908-2743
• 3534 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake. 213-863-0979

Voodoo Doughnut - Universal City

You'll have to brave the neon wilds of Universal Citywalk to experience this Portland-based brand. Look for the bright pink facade where you'll find Voodoo's famous Voodoo Doll donut, featuring a raised yeast doughnut filled with raspberry jelly, topped with chocolate frosting and a pretzel "stake" you can use to take out your sweet frustrations. Another fan favorite is the Maple Blazer Blunt, a raised yeast doughnut rolled into the shape of a blunt and dusted with cinnamon sugar. The top is dipped in maple frosting and red sprinkles to resemble the burning end of a doobie. The Memphis Mafia is an Elvis tribute packed with banana chunks and cinnamon then drizzled in chocolate and peanut butter with peanuts and chocolate chips on top. Whew! The Grape Ape, covered with grape dust and lavender sprinkles, is so pretty you'll almost feel bad for eating. Bonus points for the Ol' Dirty Bastard, because Wu-Tang, much like donuts, are for the children.

• 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. 818-622-6646

Fancy schmancy

Blue Star Donuts - Venice

Yeah, these are definitely gentrified donuts, but it's hard to complain when Blue Star serves up flavors like the BBB — blueberry bourbon basil — and Haupi coconut cream, featuring a brioche shell stuffed with coconut cream filling and dusted with raw coconut sugar.

• 1142 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. 310-450-5630
  

Donut Snob - delivery only

Donut Snob is "temporarily closed," pending some "exciting new changes," according to their website. But they still belong on this list. Why? "We're snobby, really, really snobby about our donuts and what goes into the making of them," Donut Snob proclaimed upon their opening — and that snobbery paid off with the some of the most beautiful and tastiest donuts in town. Think innovative flavors like blueberry earl grey, pumpkin spice caramel and matcha black sesame, which is made with Japanese matcha powder glaze and topped with black sesame seeds. We're staying tuned and looking forward to the Donut Snob's return, and so should you.

Sidecar Doughnuts - Santa Monica, Fairfax, Culver City, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, Costa Mesa, Del Mar

Sidecar debuted in Orange County in 2013 and has branched out thanks to their airy raised donuts with high-end flavors such as butter & salt, Saigon cinnamon crumb and salty caramel. Some flavors are only available on certain days, so plan accordingly. And you can always expect some unexpected twists as well, such as the savory sweet basil eggs benedict, which is available in-store only, while supplies last, and cannot be ordered online.

• 631 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. 310-587-0022
• 175 S Fairfax Ave., Fairfax District. 323-818-3008
• 10705 Washington Blvd., Culver City. 424-390-7030
• 3026 N Sepulveda Blvd. Suite G-110. Manhattan Beach. 310-564-2632
• 2549-B Rolling Hills Plaza, Pacific Coast Hwy, Torrance. 424-263-5091
• 270 E. 17th St., #18, Costa Mesa. 949-873-5424
• 3435 Del Mar Heights Road, Suite D7, San Diego. 858-847-2019

Dot & Dough - Pasadena, Monterey Park, Stanton, Carson, Covina

Dot & Dough does all sorts of fun, colorful donuts but they're probably best known for their malasadas, which are filled with flavors such as matcha and ube. According to the Dot & Dough website, this outlet is soon expanding into other locations in Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County.

• 1731 E. Colorado Blvd., Psadena. 626-365-1566
• 141 N. Atlantic Blvd., #102, Monterey Park. 626-943-8688
• 12885 Beach Blvd., Unit #8. Stanton. 714-379-7722
• 552 E. Carson St., Unit 102, Carson. 310-935-2125
• 487 N. Citrus Ave., Covina. 626-332-7227

The Goods - Carlsbad

If you find yourself in Carlsbad Village, stroll into The Goods, an adorable shop known for creative selections like rosemary egg nog and banoffee. Other hoity-toity flavors include Nutella buttercream and Tahitian vanilla.

• 2965 State St., Carlsbad. 760-994-0458

Vegan

Sweet Retreat Donuts - Long Beach

Set toward the back of a nondescript strip mall, Sweet Retreat is anything but inconspicuous when it comes to vegan donuts. They've got a loud and proud selection that includes lemon pistachio, blueberry icing with fresh fruit, vanilla coconut, vanilla almond, chocolate and cinnamon sugar. They're mixed in among the non-vegan donuts, so don't just go willy-nilly in there thinking it's all vegan.

• 924 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach. 562-612-0506

Ring Baked Tofu Donuts - Canoga Park

These Japanese delights come in such flavors as red velvet, rum raisin and brown sugar, as well as a variety of vegan flavors including chocolate and banana tofu. Ring Baked also makes uncommon but tasty drinks such as sea salt cream iced matcha green tea. This is another spot with vegan offerings mixed in with non-vegan fare. So if you're not sure, just ask.

• 6800 Owensmouth Ave., #130, Canoga Park. 323-963-3881

Fonuts - Beverly Grove and Studio City

What Fonuts makes aren't exactly donuts, and they know it, hence the cheeky name. Their "fonuts" are more like mini Bundt cakes. They're baked not fried and they're now entirely gluten-free. I keep coming back to the blueberry earl grey, which adds a dollop of fruit to a swirl of tea. Whether or not fonuts are actually donuts, they often generate this reaction: "I didn't think I could like vegan donuts!"

• 8104 W. 3rd St., Beverly Grove. 323-592-3075
• 12065 Ventura Place, Studio City, 91604. 818-927-4214