Craving something sweet and Googling “best donuts near me?”
If you’re in Queen City, you don’t have to worry. Charlotte has its fair share of exceptional donut shops that will satisfy your sweet tooth like never before.
Whether you prefer classic glazed rings or fancy gourmet creations, these places cater to all tastes. So, let’s now start our guide to the best donuts in Charlotte NC.
Duck Donuts
Founded in 2007, Duck Donuts is a beloved Charlotte destination for customizable, made-to-order, fresh donuts. With two locations in Charlotte, they offer seasonal and everyday assortments. Their Blueberry Pancakes and signature Maple Bacon are must-tries for a delicious blend of sweet and savory flavors.
Besides delicious donuts, they also offer sandwiches, coffee and ice cream, so there is something for everyone. The shop offers a casual and friendly ambiance for morning and afternoon hangouts. It is simply one of the top donut shops in Charlotte NC.
Reigning Doughnuts
Reigning Doughnuts in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood is a popular donut shop serving hot and fresh donuts from their walk-up window. They offer an assortment of flavors and toppings, including one daily selection and online ordering for pickup. Open both morning and night, Reigning Doughnuts is known for its quick and friendly services.
Offering both classic and unique flavors, the no-frill snack shack has many mouthwatering creations like Apple Pie Piña Colada, S’mores, Maple Bacon, Lemon Poppy and Peanut Butter Banana. Besides donuts, the place also offers hot and iced coffee.
Your Mom’s Donuts
Your Mom’s Donuts is a Kerbside pickup in Charlotte specializing in homemade doughnuts free from preservatives and artificial colors. The donut place is known for its big-sized donuts prepared using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients to create delicious treats and prioritize quality and flavor.
Want recommendations? Must try their legendary cinnamon Sugar with Cream Cheese Drizzle and Lemon Honey. Don’t miss their rotating weekly flavors.
Suarez Bakery
Suarez Bakery has been delighting customers with delicious cakes, donuts, cupcakes, cookies and pastries since 1992. Their doughnuts steal the show with their vibrant colors, attractive designs and, of course, tasty flavors with melt-in-your-mouth toppings. Apple Fritter, Classic Glazed and Donut Holes are some of the must-haves you should not miss. They also have many vegan options available. In short, the upscale from-scratch bakery is just perfect for a quick coffee and sweet treat.
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme, a popular multinational donut and coffeehouse chain born in North Carolina, has three locations in Charlotte. Besides a wide variety of donuts with different flavors and shapes, the place also offers frozen drinks in a neat and casual space. This iconic chain has been a favorite for generations, from their iconic Original Glazed to the delectable Chocolate Iced Kreme-filled, Krispy Kreme’s classics and seasonal offerings never disappoint. The best part is that Krispy Kreme donuts are affordable. It is one of the most-frequented donut shops in Charlotte NC.
Pepperbox Doughnuts
Pepperbox Doughnuts in Charlotte’s Noda neighborhood is a hidden gem serving handmade, chef-driven, vegan-friendly and yeast-raised doughnuts. Crafted with locally sourced ingredients, you can enjoy your donuts in their modern, beautifully decorated space or opt for take-out.
The indulgent menu includes a variety of flavors, including s’mores, cookie butter chocolate swirls and blueberry hibiscus key limes. You must also not miss out on their seasonally rotating donuts with classic favorites and several vegan options. Moreover, you can pair your doughnut with locally roasted coffees, fine teas or innovative non-alcoholic beverages. They serve some of the very best donuts in Charlotte NC.
Sugar Donuts (Sugar Donuts Handmade Gourmet)
Sugar Donuts Charlotte is a much-loved donut shop in Charlotte, famous for its award-winning, handmade, gourmet donuts. Their decadent gourmet donuts are hand-rolled, sliced and fried in small quantities for maximum freshness. Their pastry experts use only high-quality, fresh ingredients to make glazes, fillings and toppings. Moreover, their yeast-raised donuts are prepared using a few very simple ingredients, while a delicious variety of vegan and gluten-free options are also available.
The scratch-made donut shop also offers desserts, savory breakfast sandwiches, handcrafted pastries, handmade gelato and beverages.
The Donut House
This family-owned gem in Indian Trail takes you on a nostalgic journey with its old-fashioned charm and mouthwatering donuts. From classic Glaze Raised to delicious Chocolate-filled, each treat is crafted with care and made using traditional recipes. Their handmade and freshly prepared from-scratch donuts have earned a good reputation due to their excellent taste, quality and friendly service. Make sure to try their seasonal specialty: pumpkin cake donuts.
The Salty Donut
The Salty Donut, located in Charlotte’s South End, is a modern, upscale artisan donuts and coffee shop. They specialize in chef-made, small-batch craft donuts bursting with flavor, making it a perfect place for friends to gather and indulge in a vibrant and modern ambiance. Their creations offer a delightful balance of sweet and salty, like Everything Bagel & Cream Cheese Puff and Chocolate Chip Sea Salt (Gluten-Free). Their Maple Bacon is also a fan-favorite you must not miss.
With its decadent donuts and beautifully decorated chic space, The Salty Donut is a must-visit for donut enthusiasts seeking something extraordinary.
OMG Donuts & Coffee
OMG Donuts & Coffee in Charlotte is known for its amazing handmade craft donuts. These donuts come in a variety of tasty flavors and are made with great care and skill. You can opt for custom filling options for a more personalized experience upon ordering. From classic glazed donuts to unique flavors like Cherries Jubilee and Oh My Joy, there is something to satisfy every craving.
Besides the delicious Charlotte donuts, the cozy and inviting ambiance adds to the overall charm, making it a favorite spot for donut enthusiasts.
Best Donuts in Charlotte: Conclusion
Charlotte has a ton of fantastic doughnut shops with something to satisfy every palate. These shops offer a wide range of donut varieties, from classic to fancy, vegan and gluten-free, making sure there is something for everyone.
