5 Best Doughnut Shops in the GTHA to Celebrate National Doughnut Day
Happy National Doughnut Day!
Whether you spell it “doughnut” or “donut” this list of the top five GTHA places to sink your teeth into the pillowy goodness of a doughnut is for you.
We did the work so you didn’t have to — now all you need to do is sit back, keep on reading and discover your next go-to doughnut shop.
Glory Hole Doughnut
Glory Hole Doughnut covers all your doughnut needs, whether you prefer the classics, or something a little more gourmet. This doughnut shop is a Toronto staple that has been pulling out all the stops for 10 years — wow!
When it comes to National Doughnut Day, Glory Hole Doughnuts is a pro. The shop extended their National Doughnut Day promotion to be all weekend long — so you’re in luck.
If you’re looking for the typical, go-to customer favourites, then grab The Classic box filled with half-a-dozen delicious doughnuts, including Toast & Butter and Cinnamon Sugar. Or you can grab yourself The Best box where you can get the daily/holiday specials all in one this weekend only, including flavours like London Fog and Birthday Cake. And if you can’t decide, grab yourself a full dozen with a combination of both.
My mouth is watering just thinking about this — how about you?
Donut Monster
If you’re looking for handmade, small-batch doughnuts that don’t fit the boring, mundane parameters of what it means to be traditional, then Donut Monster is the place for you!
With its ever-evolving menu and locally sourced mentality, Donut Monster features some of the most unique and decadent flavour profiles this industry has ever seen. When visiting the Hamilton store, you can experience some iconic flavour combos, including Blood Orange Hibiscus and Fried Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. These will skew your perception of what doughnut flavours can/should be — in the best possible way.
Oh, and yes, they’re vegan too!
Every doughnut made at Donut Monster starts with a vegan base that is then topped with various local ingredients to create one unforgettable sweet experience. They’re even revolutionizing the fried cake-style doughnut by providing a vegan alternative that is every bit as delicious as its non-vegan counterpart.
Elevate this National Doughnut Day with Donut Monster and experience a whole new way to enjoy doughnuts!
Cops Coffee & Doughnuts
Just like peanut butter and jelly, cops and doughnuts is a love story that transcends time — which was the inspiration behind this doughnut shop. Cops Coffee & Doughnuts never leaves you going hungry, especially when you order the signature Hot Box case of mini doughnuts. You get 36 — yes you read that right, 36 — fresh, melt in your mouth mini doughnuts.
Choosing which flavour to buy always feels tough, which is the best part of the Hot Box since each one includes Cinnamon Sugar, Original Sour Cream Glaze and a weekly special, which can be anything from Tiramisu to Salted Caramel, or even Lavender — Cops Coffee & Doughnuts takes inspiration from customer suggestions and work alongside pastry chefs and food scientist to pack as much flavour into these mini doughnuts as possible.
At Cops Coffee & Doughnuts, every day is doughnut day, with each batch made in-house, fresh for each order, and with real ingredients.
Grab yourself a box of your very own at their newest location, 4 Matilda Street.
PETESBAKERY
Located in Markham, PETESBAKERY makes handcrafted gourmet doughnuts. This doughnut shop emerged in July of last year to give locals a new go-to for doughnuts outside of Toronto.
Their doughnuts are truly one of a kind. PETESBAKERY successfully achieves a perfect balance of unique flavours. Each bite brings a perfect amount of sweet flavour balancing out the yeasty base. The toppings are flavourful and you can taste each ingredient that went into making them.
PETESBAKERY has two locations, each open select days during the week. Find them at Carma Farms and Monkey Hut Cafe, and don’t forget to arrive early. Once these doughnuts are hot out of the fryer supplies quickly run out — loyal customers are quick to get their fix.
Stay up to date on the flavour line-up each week on PETESBAKERY’s Instagram page, as well as their website. This week’s flavour line-up included D’ohnut, The Nutcracker and more.
Sink your teeth into these fluffy doughnuts this National Doughnut Day — this hidden gem may become your new favourite doughnut shop.
The Donut Stop
If you’re in the mood for a traditional style doughnut at an insanely reasonable price this National Doughnut Day, then look no further. The Donut Stop has been serving up classic, yeast and cake-style doughnuts to Hamiltonians for the past 34 years. The a-dough-rable establishment is known for its simplicity and assortment of time-honoured flavoured doughnuts, including walnut crunch, coconut cream, and the all iconic apple fritter.
The store itself is like a blast from the past. Featuring all the nostalgic elements of an old-school diner, including red vinyl-lined banquets — it almost feels like you’re walking onto the set of your favourite 80’s cult classic.
If the classic nostalgia resonating from both the decor of the store and the flavours offered aren’t convincing you to visit this doughnut shop yet, then the price will. With doughnuts ranging from $1.15 to $1.50 apiece and a six-pack setting you back a whopping $8.50, you may not be able to prevent yourself from picking up just one sweet treat this National Doughnut Day.
Happy eating!
By: Sarah Osher, Haley Sova and Anastasiia Podymova