4 Shops That Rule the Oakland Donut Scene

If it were up to our kids, donuts would have their own section on the food pyramid. Any excuse to eat dessert first thing in the morning is sure to earn two little thumbs up from our sugar monsters. Now that donuts have replaced cupcakes as the new confectionery treat of choice, donut shops are frying up delicious new flavor combinations that are elevating donuts (and our blood sugar) to new heights. At the forefront of the donut revival are these 4 East Bay bakeries, where you’ll find classics standbys rubbing elbows with new sweet and savory creations.

Donut Savant
Claim to fame: High-quality ingredients and smaller, pop right into your mouth portions. Laurel looks for the best stuff that she can get her hands on when making each donut bite, which is sized a bit smaller than your traditional donut, allowing customers to try more than one flavor.

Flavors to try: Salted maple, apple fritter and maple pecan. Kids love the sprinkled donuts.

Tip: You can always ask for a donut flavor that you don’t see in the display case because if they have the ingredients to make it, they can whip up a batch just for you. Also, Laurel always likes it when a customer comes in and just asks for ‘what’s warm’ because they always come out of the shop happy with whatever is fresh out of the fryer.

1934 Broadway
Oakland
510-972-8268
info@donutsavant.com

Pepples Donut Farm
Claim to fame: The words “vegan” and “donuts” form a perfect marriage here. Also, Pepples is a 100% organic donut bakery.

Flavors to try: WTF (a cake doughnut made with whiskey, tangerine, and fig), blueberry and salted caramel.

Tip: Love coffee with your donut? Bring your own coffee mug to the Donut Farm because they don’t give out paper cups. It’s their way of giving the environment a big hug.

6037 San Pablo Ave
Oakland
510-338-6319

Doughnut Dolly’s
Claim to fame: There’s only one type of donut at Doughnut Dolly’s: yeast raised. It’s the filling that you get to pick.

Flavors to try: Naughty creme, chocolate hazelnut and mexican chocolate.

Tip: Stay awhile and chat it up with doughnut whiz Hannah Hoffman and she might just let you lick a spatula that’s dripping with chocolate creme.

482 B 49th Street
Oakland
510-338-6738
eat@doughnutdolly.com

Colonial Donuts
Claim to fame: They’re an Oakland donut institution — and their Lakeshore location is open 24-7!

Flavors to try: Apple fritter, old fashioned glazed and buttermilk glazed. No surprise, kids love the cake donut base with sprinkles.

Tip: Try not to take too long when making up your mind on what to order. The people behind the counter will love you for your decisiveness and will remember you for next time!

510-893-2503
Hours: 6:00 am – 5:30 am

510-339-8230
Hours: 5:30 am – 6:00 pm

Where do you go for your donut fix? Share your favorite donut spots in a comment below!

–Cathy Lara

Photo credit: Image 1 from Donut Savant, Image 2 from Doughnut Dolly’s