Photo courtesy of Canva
From beloved classics to inventive varieties to vegan and gluten-free options, these Michigan doughnut shops have something to satisfy every sweet tooth.
Michigan—Glazed, powdered, jelly-filled or topped with sprinkles—there’s no wrong way to enjoy a doughnut. And fortunately for Michiganders, there’s no shortage of shops in the state serving up these delicious deep-fried pastries.
Whether you prefer yours frosted with chocolate, filled with cream, or dusted with sugar, you’re sure to find a doughnut that hits the spot at one of these local shops. Keep reading to learn more about Michigan’s best doughnut shops and the crave-worthy confections they offer. Is there a shop you love and want to share? Let us know!
Across Michigan
Truck: Find out where it is here.
Photo courtesy of Petey’s Donuts
Eric and Lisa Petersen started selling doughnuts outside of the Cabela’s in Dundee, but now you can find their Petey’s Donuts food truck at farmer’s markets, football games, and other events across Michigan. The menu is limited—they sell apple cider doughnuts, coffee, apple cider, and cider slushies—but the quality and taste can’t be beat.
You can also book the food truck for private events and parties.
Central Michigan
3054 E. Lake Lansing Road, East Lansing & 313 W. Grand River Ave., Williamston
Photo courtesy of Groovy Donuts
For the vegan and gluten-free doughnut lovers in Michigan, Groovy Donuts is a must. Vegan varieties include cinnamon sugar, espresso glaze, and glazed with or without sprinkles. Gluten-free options range from vanilla icing with sprinkles to espresso glaze with chocolate drizzle.
Groovy Donuts also offers Detroit Lions- and Michigan State Spartans-themed doughnuts on game days. Don’t sleep on the seasonal offerings like s’mores and pineapple upside down cake either.
Southeast Michigan
45324 Woodward Ave., Pontiac
Photo courtesy of Avon Donuts
Avon Donuts isn’t just one of the best doughnut shops in Michigan—in 2018, Time Magazine named it the fourth best in the US. Located in Pontiac, this family-owned establishment continues to earn accolades for its delicious doughnuts and is named among Michigan’s best year after year. At Avon Donuts, you’ll find all the classic flavors you know and love as well as non-traditional ones like maple bacon and cherry cheesecake, plus limited-edition offerings such as mochi cake and Samoas.
29039 Southfield Road, Southfield
Photo courtesy of Donut Bar
The doughnuts at Donut Bar are anything but average. Founded by Serena Denha and her brother Chris, Donut Bar’s colorful confections are as unique as they are Instagram-worthy. If you prefer something fruity, try the raspberry cream cheese or strawberry sprinkles. More of a chocolate lover? Opt for the peanut butter chocolate Oreo or chocolate-dipped option. Other fun flavors include root beer float, crème brûlée, and lemon lavender.
There are also plenty of vegan options, but like the specialty flavors, these change daily based on what’s fresh and in season.
13599 E. 9 Mile Road, Warren; 32701 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; and 11331 15 Mile Road, Sterling Heights
Photo courtesy of Daily Dozen Doughnuts
Daily Dozen was born in 1985 in what was once a boarded-up gas station. The family-owned doughnut shop in Warren has since expanded to two more locations—one in Royal Oak and another in Sterling Heights. While it dubs itself an old-school shop and features plenty of classic doughnut options, Daily Dozen also offers limited runs of specialty flavors worth trying. Some current menu highlights include the Michigan cherry, moonrock, coconut custard, and red velvet.
1305 Washtenaw Road, Ypsilanti
Photo courtesy of Dom Bakeries
Refugee-owned Dom Bakeries has been a go-to for Ypsilanti residents looking to start their day off on a sweet note for decades. Traditional doughnuts like plain, powdered, chocolate, and glazed are always on offer (and delicious), but the fall flavors—glazed pumpkin, glazed apple crisp, and apple crisp cinnamon sugar—are also worth indulging in. Dom Bakeries was recognized as one of the top 100 doughnut shops in the country by Yelp.
9833 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck
Photo courtesy of New Palace Bakery
You can’t talk about the best doughnuts in Michigan without mentioning the pączek—and no place does the Polish doughnut better than New Palace Bakery, named one of the 32 best doughnut shops in America by Thrillist. Pączki are sold every day at this Hamtramck bakery, where they come in an impressive variety of flavors. There’s the Birthday Cake, featuring a buttercream and yellow cake filling and topped with rainbow sprinkles; the Orange Creamski, which has an orange cream-flavored buttercream filling; the Chocolate Marshmallow Crunch, covered with milk chocolate and graham cracker crumbs; and plenty of other crazy concoctions. Holiday flavors such as peppermint and pumpkin custard are not to be missed either.
Finally, if you’re a doughnut traditionalist, New Palace also offers old-school crullers, long johns, and glazed varieties.
Southwest Michigan
3333 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo; 2138 Sprinkle Road, Kalamazoo; 2807 Capital Ave., Battle Creek
Photo courtesy of Sweetwater’s Donut Mill
Sweetwater’s Donut Mill was founded by the Garner family in 1983, and has since gained national recognition from MSN City Guide and AOL as one of the “Best Donuts in America.” The menu is extensive and features flavors like apple crumb, Oreo, peanut butter cup, Snickers, and coconut.
Sweetwater’s even teamed up with Bell’s Brewery to create a limited-edition Oberon doughnut that “mimics the fruity aroma and spicy character of Oberon while being placed in a heavenly donut body.” They also offer a doughnut of the week, usually a seasonal option such as the recent pumpkin maple cream doughnut.
All locations are open 24 hours, seven days a week, so whether you’re craving a doughnut at 4 a.m. or need a sweet treat after dinner, Sweetwater’s has you covered.
Northern Michigan
908 E. 8th St., Traverse City
Photo courtesy of Potter’s Bakery
Founded in 1929, Potter’s Bakery is a fourth-generation family business. At Potter’s, you’ll find cake and yeast-raised doughnuts, plus seasonal options like cherry doughnuts in July, blueberry in August, and pumpkin in September. Some other standouts include caramel-fried cinnamon, confetti, and glazed sour cream.
1301 S. Front St., Marquette & US 41 at Teal Lake Road, Ishpeming
Photo courtesy of Huron Mountain Bakery
John Scheidt fell in love with baking while making bread for a local supermarket in college. In 1996, he opened Huron Mountain Bakery and has been serving up fresh baked goods to the Marquette community ever since. Huron Mountain Bakery has dozens of different types of doughnuts to try, but you won’t find any wild flavors on the menu. Instead, they focus on making the classics—jelly-filled, Boston Cream, chocolate-iced, sugar-raised, etc.—and making them right. You can find some more adventurous flavors on occasion, such as the blueberry cake doughnut in the summer and a gingerbread variety during the winter months.
West Michigan
2042 E. Beltline Ave. NE & 465 Fuller Ave. NE, Suite B., Grand Rapids
Photo courtesy of Bro’s Doughs
It doesn’t get any fresher than Bro’s Doughs’ doughnuts. They’re fried right in front of you and topped while they’re still warm. There are more than 50 flavors to choose from, but all the doughnuts are minis, so you can sample a bunch instead of settling for just one. There are several classics to indulge in, as well as what the shop calls Creations, which feature specialty toppings. From peach cobbler and strawberry pop-tart to dirt pie and Thin Mint, creativity knows no limits at this boundary-pushing doughnut shop.
1220 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
Photo courtesy of Rise Authentic Baking Co.
Doughnut let dietary restrictions keep you from enjoying the sweeter things in life. Instead, head to Rise Authentic Baking Co., where the entire menu is gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan.
Founded by a husband-and-wife duo, Rise Authentic Baking Co. is a neighborhood bakery and coffee shop that prioritizes inclusivity and mouth-watering baked goods. Doughnut flavors are unique and range from strawberry lemonade and chocolate cherry stout to cookies ‘n’ cream and pecan pie.
The company also frequently partners with local businesses on limited-edition doughnuts to raise money for specific causes.
820 Terrace St., Muskegon
Photo courtesy of Morat’s Bakery
Boysenberry, mango, and mint aren’t ingredients you’d normally associate with doughnuts, but that’ll change after a visit to Morat’s Bakery in Muskegon. In addition to the classics, Morat’s has a gourmet selection of doughnuts that changes daily. The family-run establishment has been in business for more than 75 years and was a 2020 finalist for Michigan’s Best Doughnut.
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