Top 15 Best Donut Shops In Madison, WI

Madison, to the west of Milwaukee, is the capital city of the state of Wisconsin. So it’s no surprise that it’s also the home of a great range of donut shops!

We’ve searched out the cream of the crop to satisfy your pastry craving. Ready to find the best donuts in Madison?

Step this way!

Best Donuts in Madison

1. Greenbush Bakery

Greenbush Bakery

This family-owned kosher bakery was established in 1996. It serves up a great range of classic, raised and fancy donuts, with a wide range of flavors and fillings.

Choose from options like the sour cream old fashioned, fruit or Bavarian cream filled, fritters, Long Johns, cinnamon rolls and donut holes. And there are also “rabbi’s delights” – a buttermilk cruller in strawberry, chocolate raspberry, double chocolate, or chocolate caramel flavors.

There are plenty of other sweet treats on the menu too, like cookies, strudels, turnovers and muffins. And you can wash down your selection with a choice of coffee, soda, milk or juice.

The bakery is open seven days a week for takeout or no-contact delivery. The opening hours are 6am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, and 6am to 1pm on Sundays.

 

2. Lane’s Bakery & Coffee

Lane’s Bakery & Coffee

At Lane’s Bakery the donuts are made fresh every day – and there are more than two dozen different varieties to choose from.

There’s everything from cake donuts to Long Johns, raised donuts to apple fritters and cinnamon rolls. Check out the blueberry cake donut with maple glaze – it gets rave reviews from customers.

Also on the menu are freshly baked cookies, kringles and breads.

You can dine in at the bakery, or order your food to go. Note, though, that there’s no delivery service with this one. Opening hours are 6am to 2pm Tuesday to Friday, and 6am to 1pm on Saturdays.

 

3. Dunkin’

Dunkin’

Dunkin’ is one of the US’s most successful chain of donut stores. And this branch on South Gammon Road shows just why customers love them so much.

There’s a great range of donuts in a whole host of different flavors – more than fifty different kinds in all. And there’s an extensive range of breakfast items and beverages covering everything from coffee to smoothies, juices to soda.

There’s a loyalty scheme that lets you earn points on purchases that can be exchanged for free drinks. You can place your order online or through the mobile app for takeout or delivery, or head to the drive-through.

The store is open daily from 5am to 8pm.

 

4. Broken Board Coffee

Broken Board Coffee

Tucked away inside the Focus Boardshop is Broken Board Coffee. This hip little coffee spot brings together gourmet beans from artisan roasters and fresh, locally sourced pastries. It’s a winning combination.

The donuts here are from local bakers Level 5. They’re 100 per cent vegan, and there’s a range of gluten-free flavors too. The varieties on offer change regularly, so there’s always something new to try.

There are also pastries from other local outfits, Heirloom Bakery & Kitchen, and K & C Bakery. And the organic coffee comes courtesy of Wonderstate and Rusty Dog.

They’re open for takeout from 8am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday. There are some limited dine-in options too, with one table inside, seating at the bar, and a small patio area.

 

5. Bloom Bake Shop

Bloom Bake Shop

Bloom Bake Shop offers a great variety of sweet and savory bites, including some top quality donuts.

The cream of the crop is their sweet potato cake donut, a delicious confection that doesn’t have a hint of sweet potato flavor about it. There are also some seriously good cinnamon buns.

The selection on offer varies daily, so check out their website for what’s available. You can also choose from cookies, tarts, buns and brownies. There are even treats for your dog.

About 20 per cent of the menu is vegan and gluten-free. Everything in that category is baked in its own dedicated bake room to minimize the risk of cross contamination.

It’s open from 8am to 3pm Tuesday to Saturday, and from 9am to 1pm on Sundays. Dine in, order at the takeout window, or pre-order online for curbside pick-up. Note that there’s no online service on weekends, though.

 

6. Paleo Mama Bakery

Paleo Mama Bakery

At Paleo Mama Bakery you can choose from over 40 tasty treats – and they’re all gluten and grain-free. You can order online, or head to the store for an even wider range.

The donut options include keto glazed donuts and cinnamon “sugar” donut holes, made with swerve, a sugar substitute that uses erythritol.

Also available are cupcakes, cookies, pies and bars (the “magic bars” are a customer favorite). Some of the options are vegan too, including delicious cheesecakes made with coconut milk.

And there are savory bites, including bread and pizza. It all tastes so good, you’ll find it hard to believe there’s no sugar or gluten.

You can order takeout with curbside pick-up, or choose delivery to your door. The bakery is open every day except Sunday, from 9am to 5pm.

 

7. Bassett Street Brunch Club

Bassett Street Brunch Club

As you’d expect, the menu at Bassett Street Brunch Club is firmly focused on the delights of a good brunch.

Here a fresh donut with house-made glaze is served topped with a buttermilk fried chicken breast. Everything is finished with a drizzle of honey and sriracha sauce. It’s a great combination of sweet and savory.

But if you’re looking for something even sweeter, there are lots of other choices. Pick from options like coconut cream pie French toast, lemon ricotta pancakes and oatmeal crème brûlée.

You can dine inside the vintage-themed diner, or order for takeout or delivery. The Brunch Club is open from 8am to 9pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and 8am to 8pm on Sundays.

 

8. Ledger Coffee Roasters

Ledger Coffee Roasters

Ledger Coffee Roasters brings together delicious coffee with artisan pastries from local producers. And if you head there from Thursday through Sunday, you’ll be able to sample donuts from Level 5.

They’re freshly made every day, and completely vegan. And some of the regularly-changing flavors are gluten-free too.

The rest of the week, you can tuck into vegan pastries from Heirloom Bakery. And the coffee is roasted in-house in small batches for a smooth, rich brew.

Dine in or head to the drive-through. No-contact delivery is available too. Ledger is open daily, from 8am to 4pm on Sundays, and 7.30am to 5pm the rest of the week.

 

9. Ancora Café + Bakery

Ancora Café + Bakery

Ancora has three branches around Madison. This one is downtown, with others in Shorewood Hills and Maple Bluff.

The menu covers a great range of tasty dishes for brunch and lunch. Donuts here are an occasional highlight, so call ahead to make sure they’re available. The glazed donut with sprinkles is particularly good, and the filled options get high praise from customers too.

Other options include delicious salads and wraps, avocado toast, sandwiches and soups. Everything is made with fresh, tasty ingredients, and the drinks menu is impressive. You can choose from anything from spirits to smoothies, standard coffee and tea to innovative caffeine mocktails.

The shop is open daily from 6.30am to 3pm, except for Sundays, when doors open at 7am. You can dine in or get your food to go. And both curbside pick-up and no-contact delivery are available.

 

10. Java Cat Madison

Java Cat Madison

Head to the eastside, on the border between Madison and Montana, to find Java Cat. Here you can sample some great coffee and donuts, plus other delicious baked goods.

They serve both breakfast and lunch all day, and the donut selection changes regularly to keep things interesting. There are also regularly rotating flavors of scones, muffins and cookies.

And there’s some top quality Italian gelato too. It’s made on site in what is Wisconsin’s smallest licensed dairy.

All the coffee here is 100 per cent organic and fair-trade, and it’s all roasted locally.

You can head to the drive-through, or dine on the patio (your four-legged friend is welcome too). Opening hours are 7am to 2pm, seven days a week.

 

11. Johnson Public House

Johnson Public House

Johnson Public House is the location for some delicious, locally-made and vegan Shantytown donuts. But make sure you call ahead to see if they’re available. Sadly, they’re not the on menu to order online.

They’re not the cheapest out there, but the quality is top of the line. And the coffee here is excellent too, with a truly impressive range of flavors. If you’ve never tried a lavender caramel latte, now’s your chance.

Dining in Is a pleasure, with friendly and efficient service. Alternatively, order takeout or have your food and drink delivered to your door.

Johnson’s is open daily from 7am to 5pm.

 

12. Mother Fools Coffeehouse

Mother Fools Coffeehouse

If you want to enjoy your coffee and donuts surrounded by art, head to Mother Fools Coffeehouse. There are regular exhibitions by local artists – take a look at the website to see what’s coming up.

The donuts are just one part of a wide range of baked goods, and you can also choose from plenty of beverages with interesting flavors.

Note, though, that this place is cash only. There’s an ATM on-site, but it charges fees for withdrawals, so come prepared.

The shop offers both dine in and drive through, and it’s open from 9am to 6pm daily.

 

13. The Victory

The Victory

The Victory offers baked goods from Far Breton Bakery, and fresh and tasty vegan donuts from Level 5. And if you dine at the café, you can enjoy them in peace – no phone calls are allowed inside.

The range of donut flavors varies daily, so you’ll always have something new to try. Options might include chocolate, vanilla or Oreo. Or there are more usual varieties like chai, blueberry lemon, and maple with sea salt.

There’s seating at the counter, or you can get your food to go, or have it delivered.

It’s open from 7am to 1pm Tuesday to Friday, and from 8am to 2pm on weekends.

 

14. The Rolling Pin Bake Shop

The Rolling Pin Bake Shop

The Rolling Pin has been serving customers for over 20 years. Over that time it’s grown from a humble neighborhood bakery to a full-service café. But everything is still made from scratch using the finest ingredients, right there on the premises.

Danishes and cinnamon buns are just one small corner of a menu that covers a host of other pastries, pies, cookies and breads. Plus there’s an excellent range of savory breakfast and lunch dishes.

It’s open for takeout and delivery from 7am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and from 7.30am to 2pm on Saturdays.

 

15. Cottage Cafe

Cottage Cafe

The Cottage Café offers a great menu of regular favorites and daily specials for both lunch and dinner.

This is another case where donuts aren’t available every day, so call ahead before you visit. Cinnamon swirls, however, are a staple offering. And there’s a huge range of savory dishes for when you fancy something more substantial.

You can dine in at the café or get takeout. The opening hours are 6am to 2pm daily.

 

It’s Donut Time!

We hope you’ve enjoyed our tour of some of the best donuts in Madison! From artisan specials to classic recipes, there’s lots to choose from.

And if all those flavors have got your stomach rumbling, why not head to your nearest shop right now? There’s no time like the present to begin your search for your new favorite donut!

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