Top 11 doughnut shops in Charlotte
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Whether you order one, a half-dozen, or a full dozen, doughnuts have a way of putting a smile on your face. Here's where to find the best doughnuts in the Charlotte area.
Beyond Amazing Donuts (B.A.D)
The vibe: The doughnuts are brioche-based at this artisanal doughnut shop in Montford. With its unique flavors and massive pastries, consider this the local version of The Salty Donut.
Stop by: 1730 Abbey Pl.
Go deeper: Popular doughnut pop-up Beyond Amazing Donuts opens a brick-and-mortar shop in Montford Park
MJ Donuts
The vibe: MJ Donuts is an old-school shop with a small-town feel. But don’t let that fool you into thinking business is slow. It’s a popular stop in Pineville and will run out of its top flavors if you wait until too late in the day.
Stop by: 325 South Polk St., in Pineville.
Go deeper: 19 things to eat, see and do in Pineville, from an international food hall to year-round ice skating
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Reigning Doughnuts
The vibe: A tiny hole-in-the-wall shop tucked in the back of Growlers Pourhouse in a former storage closet. They make your order fresh, so eat them while they're hot.
Stop by: 3116 N. Davidson St.
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Krispy Kreme
The vibe: Known for its “Hot Now” sign, Krispy Kreme, which has its headquarters in South End, is a North Carolina staple.
Stop by: There are several locations in the Charlotte area. You can search for the one closest to you using this map here. (It also tells you if the hot light is on.)
Go deeper: Krispy Kreme opens in South End with a 24-hour vending machine
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Your Mom's Donuts
The vibe: Known for its square-shaped doughnuts, you can find this locally owned shop at Park Road Shopping Center and in Matthews.
Stop by: 4205 Park Road and 11025 Monroe Road
Go deeper: Your Mom's Donuts reopens in Park Road Shopping Center
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The Donut House
The vibe: This popular Indian Trail doughnut shop draws in lots of families with small kids.
Stop by: 13803 East Independence Blvd.
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OMG Donuts
The vibe: This doughnut shop and bakery has a variety of flavors and other pastries like doughnut holes and apple fritters.
Stop by: 6209 Old Post Road in Charlotte and 10005 Weddington Road in Concord.
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Suárez Bakery
The vibe: Made-from-scratch bakery with locations in Park Road Shopping Center and Optimist Hall.
Stop by: 4245 Park Road and 1115 North Brevard St.
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SUGAR Handmade Gourmet Donuts
The vibe: This Ballantyne shop had some of the softest donuts out of the bunch. Plus, SUGAR has both vegan and gluten-free options (just be sure to call ahead to make sure they’re ready!).
Stop by: 11914 Elm Lane.
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The Salty Donut
The vibe: This Miami-based doughnut shop is known for its giant and creative doughnut flavors.
Stop by: The Salty Donut opened its first North Carolina location in South End in January 2023 at 1515 S. Tryon St.
- It'll open a second Charlotte location this fall at The Bowl at Ballantyne and a third Charlotte location in Plaza Midwood.
Yummm Donuts
The vibe: This mom-and-pop shop specializes in hand-made, yeast doughnuts. They're so popular they recently expanded to Charlotte.
Stop by: 2516 E Franklin Blvd. in Gastonia and 624 Tyvola Road in Charlotte.
Editor's note: This list was originally published in 2021 and last updated Oct. 2024.