Best Donuts in Austin: 14 Places for the Ultimate Sugar Rush

It’s been said that man cannot live on bread alone. But donuts? Well, that’s a hole other story. (See what we did there?) Whether you spell it “donuts” or “doughnuts,” the bottom line is that we all go nuts for these sweet round treats. To help satisfy your cravings in the most carb-tastic way, check out this list of the best donuts in Austin.

Combo Donut

1509 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704

Proving that you don’t need to be Insta-famous or offer trendy toppings, Combo Donut is a no-frills Austin favorite thanks to its soft, fresh-from-the-oven donuts and kolaches (puff pastries filled with fruit). Make like a local and don’t leave without one of the classic glazed donuts, apple fritters, or sprinkle cake donuts.

Gourdough’s Public House

Multiple locations

Donuts, beer, and cocktails, oh my! Aside from a full bar and food menu (many entrees come with a hot garlic donut), Gourdough’s Public House is where you can get donut sandwiches and donut burgers. Popular picks include the Dirty Bird chicken sando and the Ron Burgundy and Gettin’ Piggy With It burgers.

Round Rock Donuts

106 W. Liberty Ave., Round Rock, TX 78664

More than just a local favorite, Round Rock Donuts has become a tourist destination thanks to its old-school charm and those famous yellow donuts. Open since 1926, this venerable donutery is a carb lover’s dream: Bigger-than-your-face Texas-sized donuts, fried donut holes, cream Bismarks, eclairs, savory and sweet kolaches, and even special occasion cakes.

Voodoo Doughnut

212 E. 6th St., Austin, TX 78701

When Frank Sinatra famously sang “do that voodoo that you do so well,” he could’ve easily been talking about Voodoo Doughnuts. (If the donut shop had actually existed back then.) This Portland import has made a name for itself with unconventional flavors and kaleidoscopic colors ranging from Grape Ape (featuring grape dust and purple sprinkles) to the sweet-and-savory Bacon Maple bar. Selections include yeast-raised and cake donuts, many of which are vegan.

Mrs. Johnson’s Bakery

4909 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX 78751

Serving up the sweet stuff since 1948, Mrs. Johnson’s Bakery harkens to a simpler time before the artisanal and wacky donut craze hit. With its drive-thru window and fuss-free vibe, Mrs. Johnson’s hits the spot for fresh donuts and kolaches first thing in the morning or on a late-night run.

Little Lucy’s

75 1/2 Rainey St., Austin, TX 78701

Everything’s cuter when it’s tiny, and Little Lucy’s mini donuts are no exception. Served fresh from a cute pink food truck on Rainey Street (there’s also one at The Domain shopping center in North Austin), these hot little numbers are playfully named after dog breeds and come with your choice of dipping sauces. Try the Maltese (Italian cream cake), Chow Chow (cinnamon and sugar), Poodle (blueberry and lemongrass), Labrador (brambleberry, vanilla, and walnut), and Husky (cookies and cream).

Master Donuts

6100 E. Riverside Dr. #103, Austin, TX 78741

This East Austin favorite offers delicious donuts and kolaches at old-school prices. For less than a buck, Modern Donuts offers classic glazed and chocolate donuts, cake donuts, or buttermilk donuts. Even donuts with toppings (hello, Fruity Pebbles) are just 75 cents. There are also specialty donuts for a whopping $1.25 (think eclairs, apple fritters, and cinnamon rolls), as well as breakfast sandwiches and burritos.

KC Donuts

8106 Brodie Ln., Austin, TX 78745

Proving that you don’t need a snazzy website or a million likes to make your mark, KC Donuts is an ATX favorite for its fuss-free approach to classic donuts, tasty croissants, and other morning eats. The easy strip mall parking doesn’t hurt either.

Bougie’s Donuts and Coffee

5400 Brodie Ln., Sunset Valley, TX 78745

Small-batch, artisanal donuts paired with designer coffee and other crafty drinks? Yep, sounds pretty bougie alright. When a basic donut simply won’t do, Bougie’s Donuts and Coffee is just what your athleisure-wearing, free-range living self needs. Try the blueberry fritter or orange cinnadough, a donut-style cinnamon roll with orange glaze. There are also a few gluten-free options and tasty signature drinks like the Ladybird Lavender Latte, Mellow Yellow, and Dirty Horchata.

Angel Donuts and Treats

Ste. 200, 8300 N FM 620 Building A, Austin, TX 78726

Located in The Trails at 620 shopping center in Northwest Austin, Angels Donuts and Treats is where to get your handcrafted donut fix, not to mention cake balls, breakfast kolaches, and breakfast tacos. There’s also an exhaustive menu of hot drinks, cold beverages, and bubble teas in flavors ranging from avocado, hazelnut, and coconut to mango, honeydew, and taro.

Howdy Donut

343 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704

Another can’t-miss donut shop that proves you don’t need a social media following to be awesome, Howdy Donut is an ATX favorite thanks to its steady stream of yummy, soft donuts and friendly service. Along with classic glazed donuts and croissants drizzled in chocolate, expect a variety of toppings like cereal, caramel, sprinkles, chocolate chips, and beyond.

Donut Taco Palace II

1807 W. Slaughter Ln. #200, Austin, TX 78748

The name says it all: Donut Taco Palace is a haven for all manner of donuts and breakfast tacos. For your sweet tooth, choose from glazed, cake, cream-filled, and buttermilk donuts. Then, satisfy your savory side with tacos that come with a variety of toppings like egg, cheese, potato, ham, bacon, migas, nopales, chorizo, fajitas, and more. There’s also savory kolaches and croissant breakfast sandwiches.

Zucchini Kill

701 E. 53rd St., Austin, TX 78751

A riff on the 90s female punk group Bikini Kill, Zucchini Kill is about as Austin as it gets: rock ‘n’ roll, eco-friendly, and socially-minded. Offering 100% vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and yeast-free donuts with no artificial flavors or colors, this woman-owned “feminist bakery” turns out delicious donuts in its retail shop. Flavors change regularly as do specialties such as berry almond Swiss rolls and Neapolitan waffle pies.

SH Donuts

5313 Manor Rd., Austin, TX 78723

This no-frills donut shop is a no-brainer for affordable sweets and snacks, including kolaches, breakfast sandwiches, and pigs in a blanket. Alongside the rows of old-school glazed donuts lining the shelves, you’ll find fritters, bars, twists, bear claws, jelly donuts, cream-filled donuts, crullers, and flavors like strawberry, chocolate, and maple.

It’s Time for the Sweet Stuff: Get the Best Donuts in Austin

Well, there you have it, folks. The best donuts in Austin are closer than you think. Whether you want ’em baked or fried, as a meal or a side, these doughy sweet treats are hard to beat. (Yes, we’re rhyming now.)

So, use this list to get your sweet tooth in order and don’t limit yourself to just one place or one style of donut (or doughnut, if you please). After all, sometimes you feel like an old-fashioned glaze and other times maybe you want to try something a little more unusual. (A grape-dusted creation, for instance?)

Whatever you decide, you can’t go wrong with donuts. For more ideas on where to go when those sugar cravings strike, be sure to check out our list on the top 15 spots for dessert in Austin as well as the best places for ice cream in ATX.