While National Donut Day may not be an ‘actual’ holiday here in Canada, we’re using this as an easy excuse to showcase some of the best donut shops across BC’s coast! Whether you’re craving an old-fashioned, jelly filled, cruller, cinnamon twist, classic glazed, [okay we need to stop, we’re getting hungry] there’s no shortage of these glazy sweet treats! Keep reading to find an epic local donut shop in your community. When the time is right, try them all – we donut judge. Have a favourite spot we missed on our list? Let us know, we always have room for more donuts!
The Mainland:
Cartems Donuts
The classic red box can be spotted from a mile away! Cartems creates real donuts from scratch each day and they really only care about three things: smiles, conversation, and well, donuts! With amazing flavours like Salted Caramel and Matcha Shortbread, to vegan and gluten-free Earl Grey and Smoked Maple Walnut; it’s hard to choose just one. Tbh, your safest bet is to get an assorted 12 pack and try them all! With two locations in Vancouver and delivery options with FromTo and Skip the Dishes there’s no shortage of these a-glazing treats!
Lee’s Donuts
A Vancouver icon (and for good reason). Lee’s Donuts is located in the bustling hub that is Granville Island, and they’ve been the go-to spot for tourists, locals, and celebs (Seth Rogan, David Chang, and Shay Mitchell – just to name a few) for decades! Lee’s is a mom-and-pop shop that’s been serving handmade, high quality classic donuts using the founders’ original recipes since 1979! Committed to fast, friendly service and, of course, amazing donuts. Try their Classic Honey Dip or be a little adventurous with your flavour palate and try their Cookie Monster or Peach Crumble flavours!
Lucky’s Doughnuts
Call yourself lucky if you’re ever able to experience the 49th Parallel Coffee roasters sub-brand, Lucky’s Doughnuts! Authentic, hand-crafted, and genuinely delicious! These treats are created fresh throughout the day, and they pride themselves by using the highest quality natural ingredients. Their philosophy? Keep it simple, and just make doughnuts the old-fashioned way – no frozen product and nothing trucked in. Thesesimple, delicious doughnuts are the perfect pairing for their exceptional coffee. They’ve been delighting Vancouver’s food scene with countless innovative and seasonal doughnut favourites. A must try!
Honey Doughnuts & Goodies
No adventure to Deep Cove is complete without a visit to Honey Doughnuts & Goodies. Known for creating a cafe atmosphere that just feels like home and mouth-watering world-famous donuts. Located in the heart of Deep Cove, it’s the perfect place to swing by for a treat after a hike or beach walk! They’ve been serving the North Vancouver community since 1996 and there’s no sign of them stopping! Visitors from around the globe venture out of their way to experience their amazing treats. Just take Kate Winslet’s word for it: “I pine for it – I pine for Honey’s Doughnuts in Deep Cove” – (yes, she actually visited and there’s photo evidence). Swing by for a sweet treat from this iconic local gem!
Outpost Mini Donuts
A gourmet mini donut shop located in the heart of Steveston’s treat row. Walking through the doors of Outpost Donuts feels like stumbling into a cozy cabin that offers up warmth in the form of freshly made mini donuts. Their main goal to create the best tasting mini donut while ensuring your experience is unique and memorable! Obviously, serving up the classics along with seasonal flavours to satisfy any craving. Tourists and locals are coaxed in by the shear aroma of these flavourful little morsels. Grab one for yourself or a baker’s dozen to share between friends and family while exploring Steveston’s Waterfront!
The Sunshine Coast:
Deadly Donuts
The birthplace of Fritter Fridays! Deadly Donuts was created by the masterminds behind the legendary local brand of Beachcomber Coffee in the heart of Gibsons along the Sunshine Coast. This crew has something exciting in the oven and are getting close to relaunching with new vegan and gluten-free flavours! Can’t wait? Don’t worry, they still have five core flavours to choose from (and yes, fritters!). Stay tuned to their social channels and be the first to know when the timer goes off for some freshly baked goodness!
Whistler:
Dee’s Donuts
Home of the D’ohnut – now that’s a donut Homer Simpson would approve of! At Dee’s Donuts they’re proud to offer the highest quality, most unique mini donuts in the Sea to Sky and have been doing so since 2015. They pride themselves in putting love, care and attention into each mini donut that comes from their kitchen in Whistler. And, they hope their guests enjoy their tasty treats as much as they enjoy bringing them to you. The kitchen crew holds the creative reins so give these guys a follow on Instagram and keep an eye out for their limited edition mini donuts! A true must-visit!
Vancouver Island:
Empire Donuts
A hole lotta love can be found at Empire Donuts on View and Cook Street in Victoria. Their donuts are made by hand, from scratch, and with quality ingredients each day. With flavours like Brown Butter and Bacon or Honey Rosemary Lemon Parmesan it’s hard to choose just one! Order online or swing by their shop for a seamless contactless pick up! Your donut dreams await…
Yonni’s Doughnuts
Coffee + Donuts = best friends forever and the talented crew at Discovery Coffee created the perfect pairing with the birth of Yonni’s Doughnuts! Each morning, their incredible bakery team gets to work and uses nothing but quality ingredients and tried-and-true recipes to craft their amazing line-up of delicious, freshly baked doughnuts and other tasty café treats. The glazes, doughs, toppings, and fillings are all prepared by hand at their bakery on Discovery Street and delivered fresh to all their cafe locations. At Yonni’s you’ll find old fashioneds, fritters, and cruellers and exciting monthly features, special holiday treats! Plus, some vegan and wheat-free options are available too. Follow them on social and be the first to know of new limited-edition flavours!
Rhino Coffee House
Donut worry, be happy. Easy breezy beachside sweets make for a perfect start (or end, or middle) to your day. And they can only be found at Rhino Coffee House in Tofino. With flavours like Maple Bacon (this seems to be a Canadian donut trend), Boston Creams and Josie Jelly (name after the former Mayor), you’re bound to try a new flavour or rediscover an old favourite! Their new online ordering system makes getting mouth-watering donuts in Tofino easy as…donuts! Psst…they also roast their own coffee which makes for the perfect pairing
Bigfoot Donuts
“They’re legendary.” No trip to the Comox Valley isn’t complete without a visit to Bigfoot Donuts in Courtenay – a classic island treat. Family owned and operated with a vision of creating a new community-oriented gathering place built around a re-imagined childhood favourite, the humble donut! The folks at Bigfoot serve up a variety of handcrafted donuts made from scratch each day including savory options along with their house-made chai and World Community Coffee! Be sure to get there early, they’re known to sell out quick so get a dozen to share (and tuck a few away for yourself!).