The Donut Hole Cafe and Bakery
Destin, Florida
Destin is often associated with spring break and summer tourists, but there’s a lot more to it than that. For proof, just take a look at The Donut Hole. Sure, vacationers find it, but it’s a locals kind of place—and they’re the ones who keep it busy year-round. If you decide to sit down for breakfast or lunch, you might have to wait in line, but you won’t regret it when you get to sample Florida seafood and produce added to omelets, pancakes, and more. But the doughnuts are what we’re talking about, and you can normally skip the line and head to the register for those. Try the Key lime-filled doughnut or the Vanilla Angel for something unusual. But no matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong.
850-837-8824
Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts
Charleston, South Carolina
You’ll get a wonderful glazed doughnut at Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts, as well as tremendous variety and surprises. Chef Allison Smith makes the dough, fillings, and glazes fresh daily from as many local ingredients as possible. And she shows her creativity, turning an apple-filled doughnut into art with a cinnamon glaze and Cheddar cheese. A big favorite is the Purple Goat with berry and goat cheese filling and a lavender glaze. And these doughnuts aren’t relegated to morning or snacks. Allison serves up a Monte Cristo doughnut and a ham, cream cheese, and pepper jelly fritter to tempt your savory side for a sinful lunch break.
843-577-5557
glazedgourmet.com
Can’t believe HOLE doughnuts in Asheville didn’t make the list. They are amazing….always handmade and served hot.
Thomas Donuts in Panama City didn’t make this list? They should have.
Another great donut shop not mention is The Donut Shoppe in Jacksonville, FL. Donuts made fresh everyday and if you snooze you lose because they sell out and only open until 2:00.
Ralph’s Doughnuts in Cookeville, TN been serving the best for over 50 years.
I thought donuts were fried! Your article says fresh from the oven. Learn something new every day. In Orlando, I used to watch Krispy Cream donuts come down the conveyor belt from the fryer and under the sprayer that sprayed glaze on the hot donuts.
Love your magazine and every recipe I try.
Nice list, but not AT ALL complete without mention of Houston, TX’s Shipley Doughnuts or Shreveport, LA’s Southern Maid. These are two of the South’s–point blank, period!
I love a good doughnut. These are some great locations. I would drive a little ways for a great doughnut. My choice is Shipleys in Tupelo, MS.
Elvis Presley endorsed exactly ONE product in his entire life: Shreveport’s Southern Maid Donuts. Nothing comes even close to a melt-in-your-mouth hot Southern Maid donut.