Top 16 Best Donut Shops in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco is, without doubt, one of the coolest cities on the planet. And if you’re looking for a tasty donut, it also offers a truly excellent selection.

We’re going to check out where to find the best donuts in San Francisco. From cake donuts to raised donuts, twists to bear claws, we have your donut needs covered!

So let’s take a look at what’s out there …

Best Donuts in San Francisco

1. Bob’s Donut and Pastry Shop

Bob’s Donut and Pastry Shop

Bob’s Donuts is a family-owned and operated donut shop with a history stretching back more than 60 years. So they know what they’re doing!

All their donuts and other pastries are made from scratch on the premises. And they use traditional techniques for a classic donut experience.

Competitive eaters can enter Bob’s donut challenge. Finish one Big Kahuna donut within 3 minutes to bag a T-shirt and entry in Bob’s Hall of Fame. Finish in 2 minutes, and you’ll also get your $12 donut refunded.

But the flavors here are really designed to be savored. Classics include the apple fritter, cinnamon cake, raised cake, and raised maple.

You can pre-order online for catering at large events, but they request two weeks’ notice. For everyday orders, phone or visit the store. They’re open 24-7 for takeout.

 

2. Twisted Donuts & Coffee

Twisted Donuts & Coffee

Twisted Donuts is the initiative of husband-and-wife team Joyce and Paul Lim. Paul’s pop was a donut maker too, and both partners bring their passion for excellent pastries to their business.

Visit during the week for classic donuts like cake donuts, old fashioneds and buttermilk bars. Or check out the weekend selection of innovative flavor combos like Nutty Monkey, Berry Crunchy, Baconpeno and Fruirrito.

The shop stays closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The rest of the week it’s open from 7am to 2pm for dine in, takeout and delivery. You can contact them by email for special and large orders too.

 

3. Johnny Doughnuts

Johnny Doughnuts

This branch of Johnny Doughnuts is the fourth in the chain, and it opens in late summer 2022. Its winning formula combines handmade donuts with classic and contemporary flavors. If you want to try one before the new store opens, head to the food truck at the Off The Grid Fort Mason Center.

You’ll find classics like the old fashioned, bismark, raised donut and cinnamon roll. There’s also a crodough, a cross between a croissant and a donut. There are wheat-free options too, plus a vegan donut made with roasted sweet potatoes and with a range of frostings.

Flour, milk and eggs are all sourced locally. And you can also enjoy fair trade coffee and tea from Equator.

Opening hours for the new shop will be confirmed soon. Keep an eye on the website for details.

 

4. Trish’s Mini Donuts

Trish’s Mini Donuts 1

Trish’s is the place to go for large orders of traditional mini donuts. They’re perfect for special occasions with three different catering options.

You can hire an on-site donut maker who’ll make the mini donuts fresh in front of your guests. It’s a great way to create a buzz amongst donut-loving friends and family!

Alternatively, you can hire a warming oven and have your doughnuts warmed to order. That’s a great option for smaller gatherings.

Or keep things simple, and get an order freshly delivered from Trish’s shop at Pier 39. You can either warm the donuts yourself, or serve them at room temperature. Ghirardelli hot cocoa and Starbucks coffee kits are available too.

But the best option of all is to drop into Pier 39 and buy a bucket of mini donuts all to yourself! The shop is open every day from 11am to 8pm.

 

5. Dynamo Donut & Coffee

Dynamo Donut & Coffee

Dynamo is the brainchild of pastry chef Sara Spearin. Her culinary expertise is evident in the use of fresh, organic ingredients and innovative flavor combinations. The donuts available every day include Chocolate Star Anise, Caramel De Sel and Passion Fruit Milk Chocolate.

There’s also a new choice of seasonal flavors every month, and you can check out the months ahead on the website. At the time of writing, the specials included Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Pineapple Apple Sage, and Strawberry Earl Grey.

Those going without gluten can enjoy seasonal flavors too. Check out the Lemon Strawberry, Tossed Carrot Cake and Chocolate Espresso. And vegans can choose from a Vanilla Saffron or Sugar Apple donut.

Dynamo offers dine in, drive-through and delivery seven days a week. Opening hours are 9am to 4pm on Sundays, and 7am to 5pm the rest of the week.

 

6. Uncle Benny’s Donut & Bagel

Uncle Benny’s Donut & Bagel

Uncle Benny’s say they make the freshest and tastiest donuts in the whole of San Francisco. So why not put them to the test?

The emphasis here is on classic donuts, with a great range of all your favorites. It also sells excellent bagels, sandwiches, smoothies and coffee,

You can dine in, order takeout, or get your food delivered to your door. The shop is open every day from 4am to 5pm.

 

7. Donuts & Things

Donuts & Things

Donuts & Things is a small and simple donut shop. But it serves up some truly tasty pastries.

The donuts include delicious flavors like red velvet and jelly filled. Enjoy one washed down with a cup of excellent Vietnamese coffee.

And if you’re in the mood for something savory, traditional Vietnamese dishes are available too. Chow down on a delicious pork belly, lemongrass beef or barbecue pork banh mi.

The service is great, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the prices offer excellent value. The shop is open seven days a week, from 6.30am to 4.30pm.

 

8. My Happy Donut

My Happy Donut

Donuts are the highlight of the menu at My Happy Donut. But you can also get your hands on breakfast sandwiches and wraps, and some genuinely excellent coffee.

There’s nothing pretentious about the menu – the focus is on traditional flavors and hot, fresh donuts. Choose from plain cake, frosted, crullers and fritters. And you can even buy a lottery ticket or scratch card along with your food.

It’s open from 6qam to 6pm, seven days a week. Dine in and soak up the relaxed atmosphere, or order takeout. Note that there’s no delivery service here.

 

9. Mochill Mochidonut

Mochill Mochidonut

  • In Japan Center Malls, 1737 Post Street STE395, San Francisco, CA 94115
  • Contact through the website
  • Website: https://www.mochillsf.com

Mochill is one of an increasing number of donut shops to specialize in mochi donuts. These sweet, chewy donuts are a fusion of the traditional American ring donut and Japanese mochi, or rice cakes. They’re made of a chain of dough balls made with rice flour. And they’re seriously delicious.

This is one of two branches, and it’s situated in San Francisco’s Japantown. It offers a huge array of colorful mochi donuts with Japanese flavors like kinako, matcha, hojicha, taro and yuzu.

There are plenty of more familiar toppings too. Try dark choco Oreo, chocolate almond, fruity pebbles, mango, strawberry, Nutella and cinnamon sugar.

Kinako, matcha, cinnamon sugar and chocolate flavors are available every day, alongside two rotating specials. So you’ll need a few return visits to sample them all.

Its open daily from 11am to 7pm for takeout and delivery.

 

10. Mochinut SF

Mochinut SF

Mochinut is another shop that specializes in mochi donuts. And this is another case where you’ll want to return time and again to try the different flavors.

These include fruity options like strawberry, melona, blueberry and mango. There are chocolatey ones like Nutella, Cookies & Cream and, of course, chocolate. And Japanese favorites like ube, yuzu, taro, matcha and black sesame.

Order online, or pop into the store for takeout. The shop is open seven days a week, from 11am to 7pm.

 

11. Hahdough German Bakery

Hahdough German Bakery

Hahdough brings a traditional German Konditorei to San Francisco. The choice of cakes and other baked goods here is immense. And among the tantalizing array of goodies are some truly excellent donuts.

These are Berliners, a traditional filled German donut that’s crisp yet fluffy. It’s deep fried in sunflower oil for a lighter taste.

It comes with a choice of different fillings – vanilla cream, Nutella, seasonal jelly, or half cream and half jelly. You can only buy them by the dozen – but we can’t see a problem with that!

Order online and pick up at the store, or pop in to order takeout. It’s open five days a week, staying closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Opening hours are from 8.30am to 3pm.

 

12. Ocean Malasada Company

Ocean Malasada Company

  • Sunset Farmer’s Market, 1994 37th Street, San Francisco, CA
  • Contact through the website
  • Website: http://oceanmalasada.com

The Ocean Malasada Company specializes in malasadas. And if you haven’t heard of those before, you’re in for a treat! They’re a Portuguese sweet-fried donut dusted in powdered sugar and cinnamon.

Filled versions are available too. Filling flavors include leche flan, passion fruit and ube.

Pre-ordering must be done through the website. You’ll then be given a pick-up date and time, which will be between 9am and 1pm on a Sunday. Head along to the stall at the Sunset Farmer’s Market to collect your donuts.

 

13. Dough

Dough

Loyal customers of Dough praise their donuts as being on “another level”.

They offer a range of classic raised varieties, plus innovative flavors, with a new selection every day. Try the ube cake donut – it gets consistently high marks.

They also serve great pizza. Like the donuts, it’s made fresh on the premises.  And there’s good coffee too.

The shop is open every day for dine in, takeout and delivery. The hours are 6am to 3pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 2pm on weekends.

 

14. Devil’s Teeth Baking Company

Devil’s Teeth Baking Company

The Devil’s Teeth Baking Company offers a mouth-watering range of breads, cakes and pastries. Donuts aren’t the centerpiece here, but what’s available is high quality. Choose from cinnamon rolls, donut muffins or lemon bars.

There’s also tasty coffee, a range of espresso-based drinks, chai, tea and cocoa. It’s a great place to stop for breakfast or lunch too. The savory selection includes breakfast sandwiches, quiche, yogurt parfait, salads, soup and lasagna.

It’s open daily from 7am to 4pm, for takeout or delivery.

 

15. Mariposa Baking Company

Mariposa Baking Company

The Mariposa Baking Company is another store where you’ll find a truly astonishing array of baked goods. There’s only one donut option – but it’s a good one. It’s the classic cinnamon sugar donut holes, available by the dozen.

Branch out beyond donuts and you’ll find croissants, brownies, pies, muffins, cakes, scones and cookies. There’s a host of savory options too, from bread to croutons, bagels to pizza crust. And everything here is gluten-free.

You can order online for pick-up, or get the goodies shipped to your door. It’s open from 10am to 4pm six days a week, and from 9am to 4pm on Saturdays.

 

16. Glaze Donuts

Glaze Donuts

  • 4499 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94112
  • Tel: 415 334 1144

Glaze Donuts offers a wide selection of classic donuts from its shop on Mission Street. Choose from glazed, old fashioned, raised, bars, crullers – the list goes on. The emphasis here is on traditional flavors and recipes, and the result is donut perfection.

There’s also a vast range of filled bagels, including melts and vegetarian options. And the drinks menu offers a good choice of hot and cold beverages, including quality coffee.

The shop is open from 5.30am to 10pm six days a week, and from 6am to 10pm on Saturdays. Takeout and delivery are both available.

 

Ready to Choose?

That brings us to the end of our tour of the best donuts in San Francisco! From classic flavors to innovative new products like mochi donuts, there’s a huge range to choose from. And if you’re looking for a donut shop to cater your event, you’ll find some great options here.

Whichever one you choose, we hope you’re soon enjoying a delicious donut!

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