Top 10 Best Donut Shops in Los Angeles

Delicious Donuts may be small with just 73 reviews, but its 4.6 rating tells the story of a neighborhood treasure doing the simple things exceptionally well. The Old Fashioned Donut here is textbook perfect—crispy crust, cake-like interior, and that signature crackled appearance that signals proper frying technique. Located near Koreatown, it serves early-morning workers, families after church, and anyone seeking unpretentious, reliably delicious donuts without the hype. This is the kind of unassuming spot locals hope tourists never discover, keeping lines short and quality consistent.

B.C's Donuts in Pasadena has quietly earned the highest rating on this list (4.7) by doing everything right—fresh-made daily, generous portions, and flavors that balance nostalgia with creativity. Their Apple Fritter is legitimately the size of your head, loaded with cinnamon-spiced apples and fried to golden perfection. The family-friendly strip mall location sees a steady stream of Pasadena locals who appreciate both quality and value, making it ideal for weekend family outings or solo breakfast stops. With 219 reviews maintaining that stellar rating, consistency is clearly their superpower.

Cafe Knotted brings South Korean street food flair to the Arts District with their specialty knotted donuts—twisted, crispy-fried creations that are more carnival treat than breakfast pastry. The signature Knotted Donut comes filled with options like Nutella or sweet red bean, offering textural contrast that traditional donuts can't match. Still relatively new with just 53 reviews, this spot attracts adventurous eaters and Arts District gallery-hoppers looking for something different. The modern café setup makes it equally suited for Instagram shoots or casual dates exploring downtown's creative quarter.

Extra terrific donuts lives up to its enthusiastic name with seriously well-made traditional donuts that hit all the nostalgic notes. The Buttermilk Bar here is phenomenal—crispy exterior giving way to tender, slightly tangy interior, exactly what you want from this classic shape. Despite having just 130 reviews, locals in the Crenshaw neighborhood swear by this place for reliable quality and genuinely friendly service. It's the kind of spot where the owner remembers your order, perfect for solo morning rituals or grabbing treats for family gatherings.

Worth the drive to Redondo Beach, MOON DONUT delivers old-fashioned donut shop charm with consistently excellent execution on classic flavors. Their Blueberry Cake Donut is a masterclass in simplicity—moist, packed with real fruit, and finished with a light glaze that doesn't overwhelm. The no-nonsense storefront attracts beach-goers, families grabbing weekend breakfast, and locals who've been coming here for years. With 430 glowing reviews, this under-the-radar gem proves you don't need gimmicks when you nail the fundamentals.

Cafe Dulce has been Little Tokyo's coffee and donut sanctuary for years, where Japanese-influenced pastries meet artisanal coffee culture in a cozy corner setting. The Matcha Donut here is the real deal—using premium Japanese green tea for an earthy, sophisticated flavor that cuts through the sweetness beautifully. The café's location in Japanese Village Plaza makes it perfect for couples exploring Little Tokyo or groups needing a midday pick-me-up between museum visits. Expect a laid-back, culturally rich vibe where locals read manga over lattes and tourists discover donuts beyond the ordinary.

Donut Friend turned vegan donuts into a punk rock art form, with each creation named after song titles and band references that'll make music nerds smile. Their X-Traditional (a play on traditional cake donut) proves that egg-free, dairy-free donuts can absolutely hang with conventional versions—dense, flavorful, and endlessly customizable with their build-your-own toppings bar. The DTLA location buzzes with a young, alternative crowd who appreciate both the ethical eating angle and the genuinely delicious results. Beyond donuts, their soft-serve and coffee program makes this a full-service dessert destination.

Birdies has brought a modern café sensibility to Downtown LA's donut scene, offering thoughtfully crafted pastries alongside specialty coffee in a sleek, minimalist space. Their Ube Donut with coconut glaze captures LA's Filipino food renaissance perfectly—vibrant purple, not-too-sweet, and utterly photogenic. The sit-down café atmosphere makes it ideal for laptop workers or casual business meetings, with enough space to actually linger over your coffee. It's pricier than your corner donut shop, but the quality ingredients and attention to detail justify the slight premium.

A Santa Monica staple since the 1970s, DK's Donuts & Bakery is where old-school donut craftsmanship meets California's anything-goes creativity. Their signature DK's Special—a massive raised donut topped with chocolate frosting and peanut butter—is the stuff of local legend, hefty enough to share but too good to split. The 24-hour operation means bleary-eyed night owls and early-rising surfers alike can satisfy their cravings, making it a beloved neighborhood anchor. The retro diner-style interior and wallet-friendly prices keep families and college students coming back generation after generation.

Tucked in the Fairfax District, SK Donut&Croissant has mastered the art of the hybrid pastry, drawing massive crowds for their impossibly flaky croissant-donut creations. The real showstopper here is their Rose Croissant Donut, a delicate balance of buttery layers with a subtle floral glaze that's become legendary on LA food Instagram. The shop maintains a no-frills bakery vibe perfect for solo morning coffee runs or grabbing a box for the office, with locals lined up before dawn for the freshest batch. With over 1,300 reviews maintaining a solid 4.6 rating, this spot has earned its reputation as a Fairfax institution.