15 Best Donut Shops in Milwaukee, WI

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15 Best Donut Shops in Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee, on the shores of Lake Michigan, is perhaps best known for its beer. But it’s also a great place to treat yourself to some seriously good donuts!

And if your sweet tooth is demanding satisfaction, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve tracked down some of the best donuts in Milwaukee. And we’re going to share everything you need to know about where to find them!

So if you’re ready, let’s start our tour …

Best Donuts in Milwaukee

1. Donut Squad

Donut Squad

Many of Donut Squad’s devoted customers say that the donuts here are the best in the whole of Milwaukee.

Choose from creative and innovative donuts like the Slim Shady, Toffee Heath, Butterfinger and Kit Kat. There are also classic flavors like simple glazed donuts, strawberry shortcake, fruity pebbles and s’mores.

Whatever you choose, it will have been made fresh that day. Customer service is friendly and helpful too, and the prices are very reasonable.

The shop is open from Friday to Sunday inclusive, from 6am to 1pm. You can’t dine in, but both takeout and delivery are available.

 

2. Cranky Al’s

Cranky Al’s

  • 6901 West North Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53213
  • Tel: 414 258 5282
  • Website: http://www.crankyals.com/

Cranky Al’s selection of donuts will put a smile on your face. It covers raised, cake and filled donuts, plus cinnamon rolls. And many of the options are vegan and gluten-free.

Choose from options like chocolate Long Johns, glazed raised, apple fritters, and sugar twists. There are donuts topped in M&Ms and Reece’s Pieces. And if you go on the weekend, you can get a decadent Samoa.

If you’re in the mood for something savory, there’s a great range of breakfast sandwiches, burritos and quiches. And there’s a good choice of weekend specials too.

You can dine in the shop or place an order for curbside pick-up or delivery. It’s open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 6am to 1pm.

 

3. Donut Monster

Donut Monster

Donut Monster’s delicious donuts use natural ingredients and are made fresh every day.

Their donut rings include lemon or maple old fashioned, brown butter, chocolate espresso, Japanese caramel, salted chocolate, and sugar and spice. You can also find donuts filled with peanut butter and jelly, vanilla chocolate buttercream, cherry cheesecake and strawberry rhubarb.

If you head there on a Sunday, you’ll find cinnamon rolls on offer too.

Buy a Monster Dozen – that’s 13 donuts – and you’ll get a discount on the individual price. And there’s a good choice of sandwiches and drinks as well.

Donut Monster is open for dine in or takeout from Thursdays to Sundays. Opening hours are 8am to 1pm.

 

4. Grebe’s Bakery

Grebe’s Bakery

Grebe’s Bakery has been owned and run by the same family for four generations. And they take a lot of pride in the quality of their products.

The donuts here are top notch. Everything is made fresh, and the menu includes crullers, Long Johns, Persians, cake donuts, filled donuts and apple fritters. You’ll also find unusual options like cruller nuggets and the “honeymooner” – a donut with the “filling” in a hollow on top.

Also on offer are delicious cookies and made-to-order sandwiches.

Grebe’s is open every day except Monday for takeout, curbside pick-up or delivery. The doors open at 5am and shut at 3pm.

 

5. National Bakery & Deli

National Bakery & Deli

Amongst the National Bakery and Deli’s exciting range of bread and pastries, you’ll find some truly excellent donuts. There are butter twists, Persians, Bismarks, crullers, cake donuts and filled donuts. In fact, pretty much any kind of donut you can imagine, you’ll find it here.

The flavors include chocolate, cherry, lemon, apple, coconut, maple and cinnamon sugar. There are also delicious paczkis, Polish donuts, in both regular and butter versions.

It’s open every day except Sunday. Opening hours are 6.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday, and 6.30am to 2pm on Saturday. There’s nowhere to eat in, but you can get takeout or have your food delivered.

 

6. Papas Bakery

Papas Bakery

Papas Bakery has been serving up delicious breads and pastries to the people of Milwaukee for almost fifty years. So when it comes to donuts, you know you’re in safe hands.

Everything here is made fresh and from scratch every day. Amongst the pastries on offer include everything from simple glazed donuts to cinnamon rolls and Persians. And there’s a good choice of seasonal flavors.

They’re not the cheapest out there, but you’re paying for quality. And while you’re there, why not sample some of their cinnamon bread? It gets rave reviews from customers.

The shop is open from 6.30am to 3pm Mondays to Fridays, and from 6.30am to 2pm on Saturdays.

 

7. Blooming Lotus Bakery

Blooming Lotus Bakery

If you’re looking for a healthier class of donut, check out the Blooming Lotus Bakery. Their whole menu is free from grains, egg, dairy, cane sugar, oils, soy and yeast! That means everything is naturally gluten free, vegan, and can even be enjoyed by people with diabetes.

The donuts are made on Thursdays and Saturdays, and both glazed and specialty versions are available. The strawberry chocolate donut is a particular hit.

They’re pretty expensive – but that’s because they utilize top quality (and unusual) ingredients.

The shop is open five days a week, from Wednesday through Sunday. Opening hours are 7.30am to 1pm Wednesday to Saturday, and 9am to 1pm on Sundays.

 

8. Lakeside Bakery

Lakeside Bakery

Lakeside Bakery is renowned for its Italian breads and pastries – and some excellent donuts.

Among the customer favorites here are the Boston cream filled donuts and the bear claws. Get there early for the best selection.

There’s also a good range of breads and other pastries. We’ve heard variable reports of the service though. This might not be the best choice if you’re in a rush.

The shop is open six days a week for drive-through and delivery, with Monday the day they stay closed. Opening hours are 6.30am to 3pm Tuesday to Friday, 7am to 4pm on Saturday, and 7am to 1pm on Sunday.

 

9. Happy Dough Lucky Coffee & Mini Donuts

Happy Dough Lucky Coffee & Mini Donuts

Winning the prize for best punning donut shop name is Happy Dough Lucky. But there’s more to this place than some entertaining word play.

The donuts here are top quality, with a huge range of classic and signature options. They’re all mini donuts too – so you can sample lots more flavors!

Options include peach cobbler, s’mores, chocolate cherry pie, caramel apple crunch, and lemon crumbles. And that’s just a small taster of a very extensive menu.

The shop is in Mequon Public Market. Head there to get takeout, or order online or by phone for delivery. It’s open six days a week from 11am, closed on Mondays. Closing time is 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 8pm Sundays, and Tuesdays to Thursdays.

 

10. Aggie’s Bakery & Cake Shop

Aggie’s Bakery & Cake Shop

Aggie’s is a bakery that specializes in gorgeous celebration cakes and mini pastries. But it’s also the home of some top quality donuts.

Amongst the flavors winning high praise from customers are the buttercream and lemon filled donuts. The espresso here is delicious too.

Note, though, that this is a very popular bakery for wedding cakes, so it can get busy – especially during the wedding season.

The shop is open daily, from 7am to 6pm on weekdays, 7am to 5pm on Saturdays, and 7am to 1pm on Sundays. You can dine in the shop, head to the drive-through, or get your order delivered to your door.

 

11. Sprocket Café

Sprocket Café

Sprocket Café is very definitely a café rather than a donut shop. But alongside the excellent range of savory and sweet bites are some seriously good donuts.

You won’t find a wide selection of flavors here. But if you’re looking for a traditional donut that’s as warm and as fresh as they come, these will hit the spot. And you can wash them down with a quality coffee, espresso drink, cold brew or tea.

You can dine in the shop, drive through, or order for delivery to your doorstep. Opening hours are 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm on Saturday, and 7am to 1pm on Sunday.

 

12. Scordato Bakery Inc.

Scordato Bakery Inc.

Scordato is another bakery with a range that goes well beyond donuts.

But whilst this may not be a specialist shop, the quality of their pastries means they’re well worth a visit. The donuts here are super-fresh, soft and fluffy, and bigger than your average donut too.

While you’re there, check out the excellent range of cookies. Customers highly recommend the cannoli too – they’re filled while you wait, so they’re never soggy.

Scordato is open on Fridays and weekends only. Doors open at 7.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7am on Sundays. Closing time is 5pm on Fridays, 4pm on Saturdays and 1.30pm on Sundays.

 

13. Don’s Grocery & Liquor

Don’s Grocery & Liquor

Don’s Grocery & Liquor is another location with a huge range of savory and sweet food. There’s everything from light bites to full meals. And there’s an extensive range of alcoholic beverages too.

But amongst the vast selection are some excellent donuts. These include a bourbon donut that has won rave reviews from customers, delicious mini donuts, and even a shake with a donut!

This is a great place to dine in, and you can reserve a table online. Or if you prefer, takeout and delivery are available too.

Don’s is open five days a week, staying closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. On Wednesdays through Fridays, it’s an evening venue, opening from 5pm to 10.30pm. On Saturdays, it’s open between 9am and 2pm, then between 5pm and 10.30pm. And on Sundays, it’s open from 9am to 2pm only.

 

14. Toast

Toast

Toast is a hip spot for breakfast or lunch, with a range of sweet and savory foods, plus a full bar. The donuts in particular get excellent reviews – but make sure you get there early. News has spread, and if you leave it too late in the day, you may find they’ve sold out.

The service is friendly and attentive, and the prices are very reasonable. Dine in to soak up the 70s disco décor. Alternatively, takeout is available to collect curbside, or you can get delivery to your door.

Toast is open five days a week, from Thursday through Monday. On Monday, Thursday and Friday, the opening hours are 8am to 2pm. On the weekends it’s open longer, from 8am to 4pm.

 

15. Paielli’s Bakery

Paielli’s Bakery

Paielli’s has a proud heritage. This family owned and run bakery has been in business since 1923. And it was named the best doughnut shop in Wisconsin by Travelocity.

Here you’ll find glazed donuts, chocolate and vanilla frosted, donuts with sprinkles and delicious cinnamon buns. And if you’ve got a special occasion coming up, check out their celebration cakes – these guys create masterpieces.

The staff are friendly and helpful, and the prices are very modest for the quality you get.

There’s no space to dine in, but you can get takeout or have your food delivered. Opening hours are 6am to 6pm on weekdays, 7am to 4pm on Saturday, and 7am to 2pm on Sunday.

 

It’s donut time!

That brings us to the end of our roundup of the best donuts in Milwaukee. Raised, cake, cruller, Bismark – whatever takes your fancy, there’s a great donut shop that can supply it!

And if all this talk of donuts has got your stomach rumbling, why not check one of them out right now? With the quality on offer here, you’re in for a treat.

Bon appetit!

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