Did you know the US states of Alaska, New York, and Florida are all island conglomerates? Florida comprises close to 4,500 larger islands that are at least 10 acres. The state has lots of smaller islands too and has the longest coastline in the lower 48. The only states with bigger beaches (by volume) are Hawaii and Alaska. Now let’s explore the best donuts in Florida.
Best Donuts in Florida
1. The Salty (Donut)
History can sometimes be puzzling from the US perspective, because technically, Spain is in Europe while our Spanish-speaking residents (e.g. from Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, etc.) are LatinX, an entirely separate demographic. Some of this confusion comes from colonial times. Here’s an example – Florida was initially occupied by Native Americans until Spain got here.
- Name: The Salty (Donut)
- Address: 6022 S Dixie. Hwy South Miami, FL 33143
- Website: https://www.saltydonut.com/
- Phone: 786-409-4714
- Hours: 6.30 am to 7 pm daily
Speaking of things that seem counterintuitive, let’s talk salty donuts. They’re not necessarily savory, but some of their flavors do have boozy infusions. Yum! The Salty Donut (which people now call The Salty) started as a pop-up in a camper van but now has multiple outlets. Their menu includes oreo cake donut holes, strawberry milk cake, and rum-infused leches.
2. Five-O Donut Co
The first European to arrive was Juan Ponce de León. He was allegedly looking for the Fountain of Youth (and, you know, gold). When he hit land around Easter in 1513, he was awed by the lush greenery and friendly climate, so he named the place La Florida. It’s said the name was a variant of Pascua Florida, the Spanish phrase for their Easter celebrations.
- Name: Five-O Donut Co
- Address: 5942 34th St W #116, Bradenton, FL 34210
- Website: http://www.fiveodonutco.com
- Phone: 941-751-5077
- Hours: Mon to Fri – 7 am to 2 pm; Sat & Sun – 8 am to 3 pm
Florida has the same climate as Hawaii, so if you’re a fan of the show Hawaii-Five-O (either the original from 1968 or the 2010 remake), you’ll get giddy at the idea of Five-O Donut Co. Their donuts routinely sell out, so call ahead to avoid disappointment and dodge the queues! They have simple standard donuts like chocolate glaze and fancy ones like Yabba Dabba Do.
3. Bake Shack
Spain officially set up their Florida colony in 1565. They named it St. Augustine, and from the 1500s to date, the area has been continuously inhabited. There were clashes with indigenous residents, but Spain and the UK considered themselves the legal owners of this land and battled over it. America took over in 1819, formally making Florida the 27th US state in 1845.
- Name: Bake Shack
- Address: 238 S Federal Hwy Dania Beach, FL 33004 (South of Stirling / US1)
- Website: http://www.bakeshackfl.com
- Phone: (754) 217-4235
- Hours: 7 am to 3 pm daily
Let’s talk about the Bake Shack. Their menu combines ordinary doughnut flavors with a rich array of signature gourmets. Some of their more show-stopping recipes include their crème brulée with its vanilla custard insides and torched golden outsides. Also, lots of donut stores serve maple bacon donuts, but the Bake Shack goes extra with their chocolate bacon!
4. Mojo Donuts & Fried Chicken
Although the US was now legally in control of Florida, the situation wasn’t resolved. The Seminole Wars of 1816 to 1858 saw the longest and most intense bloodshed in local history. Curiously, towards the end of the wars, Florida joined the Confederacy in 1861. It was one of the initial seven confederates, though it came back to the Union after the Civil War (1868).
- Name: Mojo Donuts & Fried Chicken
- Address: 8870 Bird Road #13, Miami, FL, United States, Florida
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/mojodonuts
- Phone: +1 305-223-6656
- Hours: 6 am to 6 pm daily
Confederates and skirmishes aside, if you want a donut approved by Guy Fieri, swing by Mojo Donuts & Fried Chicken. He featured the store on Diners, Drive-Inns, and Dives. The episode was called Rollin’ in the Dough, because duh! Beyond their scintillating taste, Mojo’s donuts have playful displays and colorful toppings like chocolate turkeys and gummies!!
5. Peace, Love, and Little Donuts
When most people think of Florida, they think of senior citizens. Lots of grandmas and grandpas move there when they retire because of the warm weather and laid-back lifestyle. But Florida is also the home of Disneyland, Miami Beach, and the Kennedy Space Centre, so it attracts a swathe of young tourists too. It’s also a known swing state for presidential runs.
- Name: Peace, Love, and Little Donuts
- Address: 2622 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34103
- Website: https://www.peaceloveandlittledonuts.com/
- Phone: 239-213-0188
- Hours: 7 am to 2 pm daily
Suppose you’re feeling a little trippy and need to feed your inner hippie. Nostalgic boomers can get their fried fix at Peace, Love, and Little Donuts. They have multiple outlets around the US, including four stores in Florida. Taste the regulars like the Saigon Cinnamon. Or try their Far Out options like banana and peanut butter. Or Funkadellics like Dirt or Buttafinga!
6. Donut Hole
Apart from pretty beaches and amusement parks, Florida attracts visitors through its rich natural resources. The Everglades boast one of the largest ecosystems on the planet, with everything from panthers to dolphins. You’ll find both alligators and crocodiles in there. Florida is also home to Florida Reef, the third largest in the world after Australia and Belize.
- Name: Donut Hole
- Address: 6745 US Highway 98 W Santa Rosa Beach, FL, US 32459
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Donut-Hole-cafe-Bakery/199694330045503
- Phone: +1 850-267-3239
- Hours: 6 am to 10 pm daily
The Australian reef is better known as the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. But coming back to Florida, if you happen to be on Santa Rosa Beach, swing by the Donut Hole. This eatery is a diner and bakery whose donuts are so good you’ll often find a line. They opened a new outlet at … Inlet Beach. And the ‘diet’ plate: biscuits, gravy, eggs, cheese, hash, sausages!
7. Donnie’s Donuts
Florida is one of the prettiest places in the US, with beaches everywhere and gorgeous green coastal waters. The turquoise and emerald type of green, not the murky swamp kind. But because it’s the flattest state and is so close to sea level, the state is prone to hurricanes. It gets more than double the hurricanes in Texas. It barely gets any earthquakes though, phew!
- Name: Donnie’s Donuts
- Address: 1112 Canal St, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
- Website: https://www.donniesdonuts.com/
- Phone: 386-410-4066
- Hours: Mon to Sat – 7 am to 5 pm; Sun – 8 am to 2 pm
Climate change aside, let’s look at another shop that was featured on the Food Network. This time, we’re talking The Extra Mile, and the star of the show was Donnie’s Donuts. Forget regular donuts – Donnie’s serves a devilishly delicious array of dunked donut holes. These include death by chocolate, apple pie, or fruity pebble – and those are just the frosted holes!
8. Bennett’s Fresh Roast
Pascua Florida means Festival of Flowers, so you can imagine the paradise that surrounded the Spaniards when they first landed here. But before these European guests, the area was home to the Ais, the Apalachee, and the Timucua. Archaeological evidence proves they lived here up to 14,000 years before the conquistadors arrived. The French came next in 1564.
- Name: Bennett’s Fresh Roast
- Address: 2011 Bayside Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33901
- Website: https://www.bennettsfreshroast.com
- Phone: (239) 332-0077
- Hours: 6 am to 2 pm daily
Let’s step into the present day for a moment. When a local radio DJ decided his coffee and doughnut habit needed elevation, he partnered with his friends to open a café. C. David Bennett (of Wink FM fame) started Bennett’s Fresh Roast with Anne Munro, Roger Munro, and Frank Albano. They serve over 20 doughnut varieties including their famous buttermilk.
9. Glazed Donuts
The French settlement was soon destroyed, and the Spaniards established themselves in a curious way. They converted Native Americans to Christianity, and the first marriage on record was interestingly progressive. It was between a white Segovian named Miguel Rodriguez and freed black servant named Luisa de Abrego. Luisa was originally from Seville.
- Name: Glazed Donuts
- Address: 420 Eaton Street Key West, FL
- Website: https://www.glazeddonuts.com
- Phone: 305-294-9142
- Hours: Wed to Sun – 7 am to 1 pm or until sell-out
The first Florida residents were happy to mix and mingle even though their heritage later turned sour. But let’s stay on the sweet side of life with a donut store whose SEO is simply *chef’s kiss*! Glazed Donuts, Key West has a name that search engines will gobble up! And their menu impresses comfort food crawlers as well. Also, they only serve Red Buoy coffee.
10. Swiller Bees Craft Donuts
The 1595 wedding between Luisa and Miguel became a sort of assimilation template. Spanish soldiers were encouraged to marry black girls and Creek girls. Slaves from the 13 confederate states were invited to move to Florida, turn Catholic, get baptized, and marry a local. Freed slaves soon built up a mixed population. By 1683, Spanish Florida gained an all-black army.
- Name: Swiller Bees Craft Donuts
- Address: 201 N Second St. Flagler Beach, FL 32136
- Website: https://www.swillerbeescraftdonuts.com/
- Phone: (386) 693-4797
- Hours: 6 am to 4 pm daily
Florida took a strategic approach to cultural integration, and it was worth the risk. Let’s look at another set of Florida residents that encourage uncharted paths. If you’re unsure which of their faves you’d like to order, ask for a surprise box with an assorted dozen. Or order smaller mixed boxes with either 4 or 6 donuts. Because everything is the bee’s knees at Swiller Bees.
11. Dan-D-Donuts & Deli
Sadly, the English were crowding in from the North and the French were edging forward from the West so Florida’s progressive cultural beginnings were soon eclipsed. By 1763, Spain and Britain swapped Florida for Cuba and Louisiana during the Treaty of Paris. This treaty ended the Seven Years’ War, and many Florida residents migrated to Cuba right after.
- Name: Dan-D Donuts & Deli
- Address: 1147 Harrison Ave, Panama City, FL, United States, Florida
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/dd32401
- Phone: +1 850-785-1771
- Hours: Tuesday to Friday – 5.30 am to 1 pm; Saturday – 5.30 am to 11 pm
Staying on this side of the ocean for now, let’s stop by Quadruple Ds. No, nobody calls it that, but Dan-D-Donuts & Deli is a top spot to donut shop. Their menu includes close to fifty flavors of donuts, croissants, fritters, and pastries, plus sandwiches, fast food, and deli snacks. Try their specialty donut holes aka nuggets in strawberry, lemon, angel, or Bavarian.
12. Good Dough
During the Revolutionary War to gain independence from the British, Florida remained loyal to the colonists because much of the population comprised ex-soldiers from the UK. But when the British lost the war, Florida was given back to Spain through the 1783 Treaty of Versailles. Still, the English and Scottish residents resented and largely ignored Spanish law.
- Name: Good Dough
- Address: 1636 Hendricks Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32207
- Website: https://www.gooddoughdoughnuts.com/
- Phone: 904-527-1875
- Hours: Tue to Fri – 7 am to 2 pm; Sat – 8 am to 2 pm; Sun – 9 am to 2 pm
Here’s another one for SEO gods, though they spell it the European way. While many pastry chefs avoid donuts because they seem too simplistic, others lean into this sweet treat with artisanal recipes. This includes making them with rice flour or brioche dough. Good Dough makes punny strawberry shortcake, lemon meringue, and doughwiches – donut sandwiches.
13. Valkyrie Doughnuts
In 1810, white residents rebelled and hoisted their Bonnie Blue Flag with a star in the center. As clashes continued, Seminoles and freed black slaves aka Black Seminoles fought and were eventually displaced into reservations by the 1830s. When Florida officially joined as the 27th US state in 1845, it abandoned its roots, counting itself as a slave state for sugar and cotton.
- Name: Valkyrie Doughnuts
- Address: 12226 Corporate Blvd, Orlando, FL 32817
- Website: https://www.valkyriedoughnuts.com
- Phone: Order Online
- Hours: Wed to Thurs – 7 am to 2 pm; Fri – 7 am to 7 pm; Sat to Sun – 8 am to 7 pm
Things stayed pretty segregated. In 1964, a motel owner poured acid into the swimming pool at St. Augustine. This plus bus boycotts and student sit-ins led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The struggle continues, but a lot of today’s donut stores are open to all. Like Valhalla Bakery, a pop-up that became Valkyrie Doughnuts. Try their square egg-free dairy-free doughnuts!
What’s your favorite donut spot in Florida? Tell us where it is and what you love about it!
