Top 5 Donuts Shops In Gatlinburg, TN

When you have a craving for something sweet, there is nothing quite better to satisfy your craving than a donut! As a sweet snack or a delicious dessert, you can never go wrong with them. Plus, there are so many donuts to try, from glazed and jelly-filled donuts to Boston cream and Bavarian cream.

Home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is best known for its beautiful scenery and all of the outdoor activities you can participate in. This small town has quickly become a popular travel destination. Known as a top smoky mountain vacation spot, it was even ranked by TripAdvisor as a top US travel destination, as well as an up-and-coming global destination for travelers.

If you ever find yourself in the downtown Gatlinburg area and have a major sweet tooth, you’re in luck because there are so many local spots and chains where you can try some of the best donuts out there. Without further ado, here are the top places to visit for the best donuts in Gatlinburg, TN.

The Donut Friar

the donut friar
Image Credit: theappylodge

This donut shop is arguably one of the top places for the best donuts in Gatlinburg, TN. Located in The Village Shops, The Donut Friar is a small donut shop that sells everything from classic pastries and donuts to espresso.

There is a wide variety of donuts to choose from, which can make it difficult to choose just one. Here, you can enjoy a classic plain glazed donut, or other flavors like cinnamon sugar, powdered cake, coconut delight, chocolate icing, and more. You can also enjoy donuts filled with cream or jelly.

If you’re craving more than just donuts, The Donut Friar also sells other pastries, such as eclairs, croissants, cinnamon bread, and more. Don’t forget to grab a coffee to enjoy along with your donut or pastry!

Mad Dog’s Creamery & Donuts

Mad Dog’s Creamery & Donuts
Image Credit: Google Maps

Founded in 2016, this shop is known as the “one stop sweet shop.” Mad Dog’s Creamery & Donuts has a variety of sweet treats to choose from, including 24 ice cream flavors.

From hand-dipped premium ice cream, soft serve, and sundaes to banana splits, milkshakes, and funnel cake, you’re sure to satisfy your sweet tooth here. Plus, of course, we can’t forget about the donuts, which were recently added to this shop’s menu.

One of the best things about this location is that it is constantly introducing new donut flavors to its menu. Classic house specialties at this shop include apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, fried apple pie, and red velvet.

In addition, the shop offers a variety of yeast donuts and filled donuts. Here’s a glance at just a few of their most popular flavors.

  • Cream Filled – Chocolate Icing
  • Boston Creme
  • Raspberry Filled
  • Lemon Filled
  • Banana Pudding
  • Maple Bacon
  • Dream Angel (white cream w/powdered sugar)
  • Dreamsicle (white cream w/orange icing)
  • Glazed
  • Strawberry Iced
  • Chocolate Iced
  • Maple Iced

Plus, there are even more flavors to choose from. If you prefer cake donuts, there are also a wide range to choose from, including vanilla cake donuts, devil’s food cake donuts, and blueberry cake donuts. New seasonal flavors are also introduced throughout the year, like pumpkin or apple donuts in the fall.

Lit’l Donut Shop

Lit’l Donut Shop
Image Credit: business
  • Address: 449 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
  • Website: https://www.facebook.com/LitlDonutShop/
  • Phone: (865) 412-1188
  • Hours: Mon to Tues: 9:30 am to 5 pm; Wed: 9 am to 5 pm; Thurs: 9:30 am to 6 pm; Fri: 9:30 am to 7 pm; Sat: 9:30 am to 8 pm; Sun: 9:30 am to 5 pm

At the Lit’l Donut Shop, the donuts are made to order, right in front of customers. This means you can actually watch your donut being made and know that your donut is as fresh as it can be.

This donut shop is home to traditional donuts – like glazed, Bavarian, cinnamon, and powdered sugar – as well as more unique flavors, like pumpkin and blueberry donuts. In addition to the donuts, you also need to try the donut holes while you’re visiting.

To top off your donuts, the Lit’l Donut Shop offers a few toppings to choose from. Depending what type of donut you want, it can be hard to narrow down your cravings and decide on just one. Here, customers can choose from any of the below donut toppings.

  • Glaze
  • Cinnamon
  • Powdered
  • Blueberry
  • Pumpkin Spice
  • Bavarian

As always, coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos go great with donuts, and this shop does not disappoint with its offerings. You can choose from three different flavors from the coffee bar to go along with your donut, including signature blend, maple walnut, and bourbon pecan.

Cider Bar at the Apple Barn

Cider Bar at the Apple Barn
Image Credit: smokymountains

Located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Cider Bar at the Apple Barn is a great place to try the best apple cinnamon donuts in the south. These donuts are made from scratch with fresh apples.

This shop is best known for its apple flavored pastries and donuts. Some more sweets to enjoy at the Cider Bar at the Apple Barn include:

  • Fried apple pie
  • Apple dumplings
  • Apple butter muffins
  • Apple cider

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme
Image Credit: cbs42
  • Address: 4074 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
  • Website: krispykreme.com
  • Phone: (865) 428-3222

For good-tasting donuts, you can never go wrong with Krispy Kreme. Founded in 1937 in North Carolina, Krispy Kreme is now home to 1,400 shops around the world – 367 of which are located in the United States.

Krispy Kreme’s mission is, “To make the most awesome doughnuts on the planet every single day,” and most dedicated customers would agree that the company is great at what it does.

The chain is best known for its original glazed donuts, as well as other flavors, including iced, glazed, filled, cake, and chocolate. Krispy Kreme specializes in yeast-raised donuts. The chain also offers coffee, drinks, and ice cream.

Another unique and appealing opportunity with Krispy Kreme is the option to fundraise by selling donuts. This is just one way that the chain gives back to the community through volunteering and philanthropy.

Don’t Wait to Try the Best Donuts in Gatlinburg

As you plan your next trip to Gatlinburg, TN, you must make sure to add these top donut shops loved by locals to your list. As you explore all that Gatlinburg has to offer, you won’t want to miss out on these sweets and treats!

Here are the top donut shops to add to your list of must-go places while you’re in Gatlinburg.

  • The Donut Friar
  • Maddog’s Creamery & Donuts
  • Lit’l Donut Shop
  • Cider Bar at the Apple Barn
  • Krispy Kreme

After you enjoy your sweet treats, you can always get some exercise in by enjoying the great outdoors and nature that Gatlinburg is best known for.

Don’t hesitate to stop by one of these donut shops for something sweet! Do you have more questions on where to get the best donuts in Gatlinburg, TN? Be sure to send us any of your questions in the comments section.

FAQs

Have you already planned your trip but still have questions about what to do on your next vacation in Gatlinburg? Continue reading to get the full answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, including best places to get donuts, famous food in the area, and what to do while you’re in town.

What are the most popular donuts in Gatlinburg?

Some of the most popular donuts in Gatlinburg come from the local smalltown donut shops like The Donut Friar and Maddog’s Creamery & Donuts. There also chain donut shop options, including Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme.

Is there any other famous food in Gatlinburg?

Donuts are definitely one of the most popular foods you can get in Gatlinburg. However, there are also different varieties of foods you should try when you’re in the area, including pancakes, taffy, and more.

Here are some of the most unique eateries and shops in town:

What should you avoid in Gatlinburg?

Gatlinburg is a great travel destination within the US best known for its outdoor activities and eateries. Here are a few things you should avoid when visiting Gatlinburg, TN.

  • Don’t stay in one place throughout your whole trip. There are so many attractions and sights to see in Gatlinburg, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, and more.
  • You may want to avoid visiting Gatlinburg during peak season, which includes July, August, and October. Instead, plan your trip around September or November.
  • Don’t be unprepared when visiting the mountains. Be sure to pack all your necessities for a mountain trip in Gatlinburg, such as water, hiking shoes, layers, and snacks.

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