Best of Toronto
The Best Donuts in Toronto
The best donuts in Toronto are exemplary of two things: first, that the trend shows no signs of slowing down, and second, that there are many different approaches to the purportedly set-in-stone idea of "rounded, fried dough." Some are filled with unexpected flavours, and some are fit to devour in a single bite, but regardless of whether you spell them "donut" or "doughnut," all are decadent, indulgent, and the cream of the crop. From a gluten-free approach, to some impressive craftsmanship and innovation, there may be some surprises among the easy favourites.
Here's the list of the best donuts in Toronto.
See also:
The best cookies in Toronto
The best cupcakes in Toronto
The best macarons in Toronto
Where to find whoopie pies in Toronto
Glory Hole Doughnuts
Glory Hole is, in many ways, the underdog that could of the Toronto donut scene. Its journey to full-fledged storefront was a long and difficult one, but having opened just over a month ago in Parkdale, the shop is churning out handmade donuts in flavours such as black forest cake, the stand-out bestseller chocolate pistachio ($3.50), and the remarkably true to its name lemon meringue ($4.50), which offers up a simultaneous burst of tangy lemon filling and well-executed meringue topping. More »
Paulette's Original Donuts & Chicken
Paulette's Original is happy to satisfy fans of sweet-and-savoury with its much-touted fried chicken, but it doesn't skimp on the donuts. Available in 7 flavours daily such as chocolate peppermint patty, blueberry balsamic, and a pumpkin pie donut planned for Thanksgiving, they're made fresh with all-natural ingredients. The price structure rewards gluttony, with individual donuts available for $2.75, tax-free on 6 or more, and if you purchase 12, they'll throw in a free one. For dainty appetites, they also serve donut dots at a reasonable and tax-free $4.50 for 8, with your choice of maple or garam masala sugar dusting. More »
Dough by Rachelle
Don't be fooled by Dough by Rachelle's presentation. As it turns out, truly excellent donuts can emerge piping hot from West Queen West alleyways. Dough by Rachelle began as a brunch-time maple bacon donut (and among the first to offer this trendy flavour, no less) at Beast and a TUM favourite. Now, service begins bright and early on Thursdays out of Beast's back door, with donut flavours ($3 each) ranging from margarita (filled with a lime curd, and topped with tequila icing), to double chocolate, to the masterful apple fritter. More »
Tiny Tom Donuts
Tiny Tom Donuts is everywhere. The ubiquitous blue truck can be found streetside throughout the city, and is an annual CNE fixture. Unbeknownst to most, they also have a dedicated cash-only shop in Markham where you can not only purchase the tried-and-true carnival taste at $3.50 for a dozen or $2.50 for 8, but also get a relaxed glimpse into the production process (without rowdy CNE-goers crowding you). More »
Littly Nicky's
Little Nicky's had a close call earlier this year after a bus crashed into it, but it's fully operational and serving up its tiny, perfectly dusted donuts once more. Much like Tiny Tom Donuts, this Queen West coffee shop affords you the opportunity to wait with child-like glee while the donuts ($2.75 for 6, $4 for 12) are made fresh by the Donut Robot (a painfully cute name for their donut maker), then tossed in your choice of sugar. Cinnamon is the guaranteed crowd-pleaser, but you can also opt for icing sugar, raspberry, or other seasonal flavours. More »
Delux
Delux might be a full-fledged restaurant, but no trip to this Ossington stand-by is complete without their donuts. Made in-house, these two-bite donuts pack a lot of flavour and arrive dusted with sugar and cinnamon, and accompanied by chantily and dulce de leche dipping sauces. They've available as a foursome at lunchtime, for $5 including coffee, or in a six-pack ($8) at dinner. More »
Tori's Bakeshop
Tori's Bakeshop does its best to satisfy those Don Quixote-types among you insist that donuts can, in fact, be healthier. This Beaches bakery offers natural and vegan goodies, and its donuts are free of gluten, eggs, dairy, refined sugars and (cue gasps), they're baked rather than fried. Currently available only in a vanilla base ($2.50, no tax on 6 or more), and topped with gluten-free sprinkles, coconut, chocolate or vanilla icing, a season-appropriate spice and ginger flavour is in the works. More »
Anna's Bakery & Deli
Nestled in Bloor West Village, Anna's Bakery and Deli is best known for its assortment of Eastern European pastries, deli items and frozen goods. But delve a bit deeper, and you'll find paczki, traditional Polish donuts which come either glazed, plain or dusted with icing sugar, and bursting with sweet fillings such as custard, plum jelly, and jam for just $0.80 each. Unlike its predecessor on this list, Anna's doesn't skimp on eggs, sugar, or milk, and you can round out that perfect European snack with a bag of frozen perogies to go. More »
Benna's Bakery
Like Anna's, Benna's is known for their range of Eastern European offerings, from baked goods to mysterious soups in packets, but you'll also find lightly dusted paczki filled with plum preserves available for $0.80. While these may not be gourmet, and virtually no variety is offered, you can't beat the waistband-busting flavour that your "eat, eat, you're just skin and bones," grandmother would gladly approve of. More »
Discussion
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big lumps. that all taste the same.
http://www.sugar-mammas.com/index_page.html
People need to stop being so anal about the names of donuts/doughnuts. Yes they're made of out dough - but they're not nuts! Whatcha gunna do bout that?!
Y'all think I'm joking, but if Paulette's donuts get a spot on this list, then morally so too must ol' Krispy...because ol' Krispy's donuts are WAAAAYYYYYYY better than Paulette's donuts. I want Paulette's to be better. But they're not. Sad but true. Sorry hipsters, smell ya later! :D
But Krispy Kreme beats'em all. I will go out of my way and drive out to the Mississauga store for'em. No satellite downtown location for me.
just a heads up - if you plan on quoting an article and criticizing it make sure the quote is actually there. This is "The Best Donuts in Toronto" not "top ten"
Is Paulette's honestly on this list?? I went there, because of blogTO's rave review of it a few months ago. It was, simply put, terrible...not only their weird doughnuts but the incredibly dry chicken too. I could not believe how bad it was, actually --- I couldn't finish any of it. And on top of that, I paid a lot for my food! I echo the sentiments from another commenter that Krispy Kreme is actually better. (And I'm not a KFC fan, but KFC is surprisingly far superior for the chicken...I'm being 100% honest here.)
I'm noticing a terrible trend in Toronto. It seems that, when it comes to restaurants and cafes etc, we seem to judge books by their covers. In particular, if a place is sufficiently "hipstery" in design and/or clientele, then it's automatically great, regardless of the actual quality of the food. The food will get talked up as great, even if it's only average, or even dismal. These hipster hangouts also charge completely unjustified sums for their goods.
The donouts at Paris Bakery at Lansdowne & Wallace are really good too.
The problem with Toronto is that we don't have a lot of trendsetters here. We're always catching up with trends that happen elsewhere. But the people who bring the trends here do it with a shoestring budget, produce an ok version of the trendy product, then charge a premium.
Krispy Kreme donuts get an "OMG" reaction when you bit into them, and they sweetness is just as good. I also love Glory Hole and they deserve the #1 spot.. but Krispy Kreme deserves a spot on this list.
I think trends often offset people's judgement. "they" say its good so...it must be! I've tried the top 2 and they aint nothin to write home about! Tiny Tom? Really?
Kudos to GH for doing something different ie: Chicken & Waffle doughnut and kind of kick starting this "trend" but they're really nothing special..Giant puffed up fried dough with no flavour...
Love Delux overall and these are tasty little bites.
I'll agree with @Steve, put Krispy Kreme on here...their simple glazed doughnut tastes waay better than any Tiny Tom, GH or Paulette's. But guess they're not hipster enough.
Can't speak to the others..
http://longosblog.com/warning-mini-donuts-give-you-sugar-lips/