Best Donut Shops in the West

Doughnuts are a favorite treat nationwide, but there are some spots where the offerings are simply off the charts. Whether it’s an artisan selection of handmade croissant-doughnut hybrids (sometimes called cronuts, these fried pastries were invented by chef Dominique Ansel and are famous for causing extraordinarily long lines outside his bakery in New York) in Arizona or Utah’s famous square doughnuts that have been wowing customers for more than half a century, here is our list of don’t-miss doughnut shops in the West.

Alaska

Dino’s Donuts in Anchorage

In business since 1985, this Anchorage mainstay offers up an impressive menu of 50 or so varieties, including raised doughnuts frosted with lemon zest, strawberry-frosted cake doughnuts, and old-fashioned buttermilk bars. Dino’s is best known for its glazed Dino bone, which resembles the shape of a canine treat. Get it with a side of “pebbles” (doughnut holes) for the ultimate Flintstones-inspired dose of sweetness.

Arizona

BoSa Donuts in Various Locations

BoSa is a classic doughnut shop with dozens of Arizona locations, many of which are open 24/7. At each spot, you’ll find classic raised doughnuts like the pink sprinkle and the maple bar alongside cake and devil’s food cake (think rich, dark chocolate) doughnuts. Customers love the chocolate old-fashioned, a dense and slightly crisp doughnuts with chocolate icing. Vegan options are available as well.

The Local Donut in Scottsdale

This small-batch, artisan shop serves fresh doughnuts made by hand. Choose from a diverse menu that includes croissant doughnuts, cake varieties, and mochi doughnuts made with rice flour. Expect a rotating selection of classic and innovative seasonal flavors like lemon filled, red velvet, and brown butter chai. In-demand options include the crème brûlée doughnut with a caramelized sugar top that cracks when you bite it and a croissant doughnut topped with chantilly cream. The colorful space provides indoor and outdoor seating.

California

Mochill Mochi Donut in Various Locations in the Bay Area and Southern California

Thanks to sticky rice flour and tapioca flour, mochi doughnuts are chewier than traditional doughnuts while crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Mochill Mochi Donut has more than 30 flavors—we’re talking dark chocolate, salted caramel, and matcha Oreo, to name a few. Toppings such as Fruity Pebbles cereal, black sesame seeds, and marshmallows provide added texture to these colorful, eye-popping creations.

Rocklin Donuts & Cinnamon in Rocklin

Known for its friendly staff and stellar offerings, Rocklin Donuts & Cinnamon has been drawing in crowds since its 2022 opening. It earned the No. 1 pot on Yelp’s 2023 list of “Top 100 Donut Shops” nationwide for good reason. Start with a maple croissant doughnut, and follow up with a blueberry cake doughnut or a chocolate buttermilk bar for a mix of crisp, flaky dough, and pillowy-soft classics. This mom-and-pop shop also serves breakfast croissants and cinnamon rolls that are well worth setting down a doughnut for.

Stan’s Donut Shop in Santa Clara

Family-owned since 1959, Stan’s is a local landmark hailed for its raised glazed doughnuts, as well as apple fritters (available on Monday only). The selection of fresh handmade sweets also includes decorated cake and old-fashioned doughnuts and a different buttermilk doughnut flavor every day. Stop by for doughnut holes Monday through Wednesday; the rest of the week, pick up cherry-and-custard-topped doughnut. Cash only.

Montana

Granny’s Gourmet Donuts in Bozeman

A Bozeman mainstay, Granny’s Gourmet Donuts is tucked away in a cottage alongside Montana State University—making it a popular haunt for students and local residents alike. The cozy shop is famous for its unique flavor combos, which have included PB&J and an Applejack “bronny” topped with apple frosting and Apple Jacks cereal, as well as orange cream and dulce de leche. Granny’s lets kids (and adults) add their own rainbow sprinkles to vanilla- and chocolate-topped doughnuts. It’s cash only, with limited hours from Friday through Sunday.

Utah

Fresh Donuts & Deli in Salt Lake City

Patrons love this husband-and-wife-run spot for doughnuts that are soft and fluffy on the inside, lightly glazed on the outside, and just the right amount of sweet. The old-fashioned and chocolate doughnuts are especially popular, along with the oh-so-flavorful apple fritters. In 2023, the shop made Yelp’s Top 100 U.S. Donut Shops list, ranking 26th. Though it’s mostly grab-and-go, there are a few tables for enjoying the goods onsite.

Lehi Bakery in Various Locations

Since 1969, people have been making their way to Lehi Bakery for the shop’s beloved square doughnuts. Monthly specialities have included the peach Bismark doughnut topped with peaches, buttercream, and cinnamon crumble, and the orange creamsicle—a sugar doughnut filled with orange cream cheese and a hint of orange zest. The bakery also specializes in cinnamon rolls, cake doughnuts, and mini square doughnuts in flavors like chocolate and blue cotton candy. Lehi’s newest location just opened in Highland, and there’s also a shop in Utah’s Saratoga Springs.

Wyoming

Cowboy Donuts in Rock Springs

Inventive flavors like banana-iced and watermelon-glazed are par for the course at Cowboy Donuts. While the shop is also known for its savory kolaches stuffed with sausage and cheese, it’s the doughnuts that really delight. They’re fluffy and perfectly fried, and they come in dozens of variations, including specially decorated ones for Halloween, Christmas, and even St. Patrick’s Day.