Best Donuts in Minneapolis

Residents of Minneapolis revere their sports. After all, this is the home of the Twins and Vikings. It also offers great fishing and boating on the many lakes and lots of other outdoor activities year-round. When it’s time to fuel up for a busy day, locals know how to do that, too. The Juicy Lucy stuffed burger and ‘hot dish’ might be the most iconic foods in Minneapolis, but did you know this city is also a great place for donuts? Believe it or not, the city of wild rice is also a donut lover’s dream! Check out these shops for the best donuts in Minneapolis.

1. Bogart's Doughnut Co.

Start your quest for Minneapolis’ best donut at a farmer’s market. That’s right! Some of the best donuts in the city are available only at the Kingfield or Fulton Farmers’ Markets on alternating weekends. If you get there early enough, you might get a chance to try the brown butter brioche donuts. Sleepyheads can forget about it – these beauties get gobbled up quickly! Fortunately for those who love donuts even more in the winter cold, owner and baker Sarah is opening her own tiny, year-round donut shop!

2. The Chef Shack

This Indian-fusion food truck offers up their signature organic mini-donuts at the Farmer’s Markets in Minneapolis. These feather-light dainties are redolent with cardamom and other Indian spices. The crisp exterior hides a delicious, tender interior. Pastry chef Carrie Summer and her business partner and savory counterpoint Lisa Carlson are responsible for these delicious little morsels.

3. A Baker's Wife

This might be the teensiest, tiniest donut shop in Minneapolis, but it was actually started by a pastry chef who worked at New York’s world-famous Plaza Hotel. The shop might be small in size, but their donuts pack a huge punch of flavor. Try the cinnamon-sugar sprinkled cake donuts. They’re light, moist, and delicately sweet. Oh, and did we mention they’ve won best doughnuts in Minneapolis? Bring cash, because they don’t take cards.

4. Sarah Jane's Bakery

Sarah and Kevin Lovgren have been offering customers authentic Scandinavian pastries since 1979. The best chance of snagging their specialties, still warm from the oven, is early in the mornings (they open at 5am). Definitely try the all-time customer favorite: the chocolate buttercream square. Despite the fact that its name is reminiscent of a bar cookie, this is a donut. Picture a donut cut in half, filled with a richly delicious cocoa buttercream, and topped with chocolate frosting. Yum!

5. Mel-O-Glaze Bakery

This family bakery is synonymous with one thing: the classic raised and glazed donut. This beauty is tall and stately with a thick, sticky-sweet glaze with just a hint of lemon flavor. The insides are all fluffy, puffy goodness. Of course, they offer other goodies, too, like their old-fashioned buttermilk donuts, jelly filled Berliners, and maple-bacon glazed. But their glazed donuts are the hands-down winner with regulars. There’s plenty of seating and free coffee with your donut, so kick back and plan on staying (and sampling!) for a while.

6. Mojo Monkey

Have you ever wished you could eat a real breakfast – on the run? You know, chewy thick-cut bacon and pancakes smothered with real maple syrup? Well, now you can with the Mojo Monkey’s maple bacon bar. This sweet and salty treat is deliciously topped with a rich maple icing and a whole strip of the bacony good stuff. No fork needed! And that’s just one of the unusual donuts on offer. How about a mango glazed donut with organic coconut or, on weekends only, authentic New Orleans beignets. They even have seasonal donut holes! This shop is technically in St. Paul, a town we’re proud to call our Twin City!

7. Glam Doll Donuts

If you’re out on the town on a Friday or Saturday night and get a sudden urge for a sweet treat, head on over to Glam Doll. This eclectically-decorated shop stays open until 1am on those two nights in order to satisfy those late-night cravings. You can order a regular donut with icing and sprinkles, but why would you? Instead, try the Chart Topper peanut butter donut with sweet sriracha glaze or the Girl Next Door featuring provolone & Muenster cheeses with curry icing. Not into cheese? Many of their donuts have a vegan version, too!