If you are visiting Chicago and need a good donut recommendation I go you!!
I went through the hard task of trying donuts shops in Chicago… Now I am reporting my fidings to share with you the best places to go.
Best Cake Donut.
Starting out with my all time favorite spot in Chicago. Do-rite donuts!
📍With locations downtown in the Loop, Streeterville, West Loop, and Wrigleyville you won’t have an issue grabbing one! Just make sure to go earlier rather than later.
Their menu includes oldfashioned, raised, fritters and my absolute favorite cake donuts.
You will also find a selection of yummy breakfast sandwiches. Swap out the bun for a donut for $1!
If you love cake donuts this place is a must. They are so moist and and dense yet light and tender. You can’t go wrong with any of their flavors.
The raised flavors are equally as perfect and they have ones that will make your mouth water.
My flavor recommendations:
Birthday cake! The sprinkles/frosting to donut ratio absolute perfection.
Blueberry Crumb, my mouth waters just thinking about the perfect texture. There are bits of blueberry jelly integrated into the batter and the coating of crunchy bits and powdered sugar on the top it.
Cheese Danish Donut, this pick is for you raised donut or cheese lovers. The name speaks for itself. Funny story is that I never thought to order it! One day they were almost out of everything and they had one of these left so the cashier just gave it to us for free. Little did he know he changed our donut game forever.
Vegans: they do have vegan donuts here… Pictured below is the Vegan Maple Chai, but if you are looking for a good vegan donut keep scrolling!
Classic Chicago Donut Spot.
A Chicago staple, Stans Donuts is a must!
With a ride range of donuts on the menu you will find raised donuts, old fashioned, fritters, and cookie donuts.
📍You can find locations in Wicker Park, Millennium Park, Magnificent Mile, Streeterville, Gold Coast, West Loop, Lakeview, and South Loop.
One item they’re known for are the “pockets.” They are raised donut style but instead of round with a hole in the middle they are a square packed with delicious filling.
My flavor recommendations:
Biscoff Banana Pocket, it may be the Flight Attendant in me but I love this one.
Caramel Marshmallow Pocket, need I say more? Ooey, gooey filling is just purely delicious.
Blueberry Cream Cheese Pocket, the jelly and cream cheese is the perfect combination.
Apple or Blueberry Fritters, both of these are so well done. If you enjoy fritters this is the place to pick one up.
*Salted Caramel Old Fashioned, this one is seasonal but if in stock you MUST try.
If you are going to be visiting Chicago and trying Stan’s make sure yo sign up and download that app with my link to get $3 off!
If you live in the city and have the app when you spend $50 in a year you get a free 1/2 dozen donuts for your birthday!
Best Raised Donut.
I was absolutely sleeping on this next pick. So happy I finally tried out Firecakes because they have the best raised donut in the city…
I used to live near one, but never went because the line was usually long when I passed by. Now I understand what I was missing out on and I am in love.
📍In the city they have locations in River North and Lincoln Park. If you happen to be near the suburbs Oak Park also has a location.
The menu is simple and has staple donut varieties such as raised, old fashioned, and a fritter.
Their raised are so fluffy and ahhhh I am drooling just thinking about it.
My Flavor Recommendations:
Tahitian Vanilla Iced, you will find delicious sprinkles on it that just bring the donut full circle.
Best Secret Donut Spot.
📍Located downtown in Rivernorth you can visit Doughtnut Vault.
To be honest it is not my favorite donut shop, but it is cute hoe its just an order window in the wall on a low traffic downtown street.
Their menu is very simple, but you must go early or they sell out. Especially if you want to try one of the daily specials.
They have a selection of cake donuts, old fashioned, glazed, donut holes and a fritter option.
I was impressed by the size of the glazed donuts and the fritter for the price
My flavor recommendation:
Pistachio Old Fashioned, it was well done!
Best Vegan Donut.
Here to give you the best VEGAN donut recommendation!
📍Located in Lincoln Park down a small alley, you will know you arrived when you see their beautiful mural.
They have a mix of raised, cake, and fritters.
Some flavors are seasonal so make sure to check out their website to see what will be available.
My Flavor Recommendations:
Campfire S’more, the chocolate icing and the toasted marshmallow are a nice touch!
Carrot Cake, so much frosting giving it perfect flavor ratio.
You should plan ahead and try to go earlier than 11 AM because flavors tend to sell out. On good weather days the line can sometimes be long. Feel free to order ahead online to make grabbing donuts easier.
