I Always Loved Krispy Kreme Donuts, But These 8 Brands Are Even Better
Krispy Kreme is nostalgic, no doubt. For a lot of us, it was the first warm donut we ever loved. But if you’re up for something beyond the drive-thru, there are places that take donuts to a different level. Some have been local legends for decades; others turned into destinations with just one viral flavor. Whether you’re planning a trip or just curious, these spots are worth knowing.
Voodoo Doughnut
Opened in 2003 in downtown Portland, Voodoo Doughnut quickly became a symbol of the city’s weird charm. The shop is best known for its Voodoo Doll donut—filled with raspberry jelly and stabbed with a pretzel stick. Tourists line up for the spectacle, but locals still swing by for late-night sugar fixes. Voodoo didn’t just make donuts fun again—it made them impossible to ignore.
Round Rock Donuts
This Texas staple has been around since 1926, long before donuts went gourmet. It’s instantly recognizable by its orange-yellow glaze, which comes from using fresh eggs in the dough. Their most iconic item? The Texas-sized donut—nearly a foot wide and made for sharing. It’s not flashy or trendy, but it’s the kind of place locals bring out-of-town guests just to say, “You’ve gotta try this.”
Stan’s Donuts & Coffee
Founded in 2014 by a Chicago entrepreneur in partnership with Stan Berman of the original Stan’s Donuts in Los Angeles, this Windy City version took off fast. The most popular item? The Biscoff Pocket, a rich donut stuffed with cookie butter and dusted with graham crumbs. What sets Stan’s apart is consistency—you get quality coffee, fresh donuts, and quick service, every time. That combo has earned it dozens of locations across Illinois and beyond.
The Donut Bar
Since 2013, The Donut Bar has built a reputation on going big—literally. Their signature Homer Donut is the size of your head and often sells out by noon. The downtown San Diego shop draws locals, tourists, and social media fans daily. It’s part bakery, part photo op, and somehow still delivers on taste.
Duck Donuts
This made-to-order donut chain got its start in 2007 in the beach town of Duck, North Carolina. Its vanilla cake donuts are customizable from top to bottom, but the maple bacon combo remains a bestseller. What makes Duck Donuts different is the experience: you watch your donut get fried, dipped, and topped while it’s still warm. That freshness helped turn one small shop into a franchise with over 100 locations.
Randy’s Donuts
That giant rooftop donut has been turning heads since 1952, but it’s what’s inside that keeps people coming back. Randy’s classic glazed is soft, slightly chewy, and always fresh. The original location in Inglewood still runs 24/7, serving everyone from early commuters to late-night regulars. It’s been in movies, sure—but it’s also been in the breakfast rotation for decades.
Blue Star Donuts
Blue Star opened in 2012 with a focus on brioche dough and high-end ingredients. Its standout flavor is the Blueberry Bourbon Basil, a donut that sounds like a cocktail but tastes like a bakery win. With locations in Portland and LA, it carved out a niche as the elevated donut option—something you’d grab with a cappuccino, not a drive-thru coffee. If Voodoo is chaotic fun, Blue Star is its clean-cut sibling.
Beiler’s Donuts
Located in Philly’s Reading Terminal Market, Beiler’s has Amish roots going back to the 1980s. It’s known for pillowy-soft yeast donuts, generously filled with homemade creams and jams. The most requested flavor? Peanut Butter and Jelly—loaded, nostalgic, and hard to beat. You won’t find neon signs or over-the-top gimmicks here. Just handmade donuts done right, and a line out the door to prove it.
