11 Best Places to get a Donut in San Diego

We don't need to use a lame excuse like National Donut Day to channel our inner Homer Simpson, but we'll take it... mmmmmmm, donuts. Word to the wise, don't click that link unless you're ready for Homer saying "mmm donuts" for 10 HOURS STRAIGHT. Sorry in advance.

Here's a few of our favorite places around San Diego to get an incredible donut.

Donut BarDowntown San Diego (and expanding soon to UTC, Oceanside, Chula Vista, PB, and more!)

If you're looking for a creative and unique donut, this is your spot. They've got everything from the Classic Homer Donut (and this thing is HUGE), to the beautiful Unicorn Donut, French Toast donuts, the Monte Cristo with ham & cheese...

...and even the epic Big Poppa Tart Donut that weighs over 1 pound, is stuffed with an entire Pop Tart, and even topped with more crumbled Pop Tarts. Bring some friends.

A proper box of donuts. #DonutBar #BestDonutsInTheWorld

A post shared by ---------- ------ -- (@donutbar) on May 9, 2019 at 11:53am PDT

V.G. Donut & BakeryCardiff-by-the-Sea

V.G. stands for Very Good, what else? This place has been around for three generations and five decades, and they're legendary in North County San Diego. They've got all the classics, cinnamon rolls, jelly donuts in many flavors, and they're always coming up with new flavor combinations.

Gimme Gimme Gimme ....Friday DoNuTS!!! #chocolatebar #maplebar

A post shared by VG Donut & Bakery (@vgdonut) on May 24, 2019 at 7:17am PDT

Donut PanicMission Valley

Vegans, do-nut panic! This is one of the best spots in San Diego to find a vegan donut. They've got vegan cake donuts available 6 days a week, and vegan yeast raised donuts available Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday after 8am, and Sunday after 9am.

Vegan cake donuts ready at opening 6 days a week! Vegan yeast raised ready Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday after 8am and Sunday after 9am. #vegan #vegandonuts #donuts #sdvegan #sandiegovegan #vegantreats #noms

A post shared by Donut Panic (@donutpanicsd) on Jun 4, 2019 at 7:40am PDT

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters x Skinny DonutsNormal Heights, North Park, Golden Hill, La Mesa

What goes better together than donuts and coffee? Dark Horse has some of the best coffee in town, and they sell Skinny Donuts handcrafted vegan donuts at all their locations. Yes, please!

S A T U R D A Y stackin’

A post shared by SKINNY DONUTS (@eatskinnydonuts) on Feb 2, 2019 at 12:25pm PST

Devil's Dozen DonutsDowntown San Diego

They do the standards well, and make their donuts fresh hourly. They also have a little fun and make creative new options daily. "If you’re going to be bad, make sure your donuts are good."

Stop by and enjoy some of our new fruity flavors and spend some time on our upstairs patio while the rain gives us a break. Guava Coconut with sprinkled mango, Charcuterie: Cream Cheese glaze with grape crisps, Coconut with red dragon fruit, and Blackberry with ruby cacao and maple.

A post shared by Devil’s Dozen Donuts (@devilsdozendonuts) on Feb 10, 2019 at 7:44am PST

Peterson's Donut CornerEscondido

Late night donut craving? This family-owned North County favorite is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and they're known for their massive, oversized donuts.

#perspective You know what your day is missing? I'll give you a hint, it's not the water! #doyouevendonutbro #doyouevendonut #petersonsdonutcorner

A post shared by Peterson's Donut Corner (@petersonsdonutcorner) on Mar 28, 2016 at 1:42pm PDT

Mary's DonutsSantee and Lakeside, and El Cajon (Main Street Donuts & Deli)

The East County CLASSIC. The locations in Santee and Lakeside are open 24 hours, and in El Cajon you can get more than just donuts.

Come on in! Our donuts are made fresh everyday by our round-the-clock bakers! -- #donuts #marysdonutslakeside

A post shared by Mary's Donuts (@marys_donuts) on Nov 6, 2016 at 9:54am PST

Nomad DonutsNorth Park

Another amazing spot to get donuts in North Park, and if you're looking for hand crafted and gourmet donuts, this is the spot.

New flavor --Passionfruit Coconut Lime--Made with fresh local passionfruit! Available while supplies last...probably a few days or so. . . #passionfruit #passionfruitdonuts #vegandonuts #nomaddonuts #donuts #sandiegofood #sandiegoeats

A post shared by Nomad Donuts (@nomaddonuts) on May 20, 2019 at 6:31pm PDT

Sidecar Doughnuts & CoffeeDel Mar / Carmel Valley

Recently opened in Carmel Valley, Sidecar is committed to serving the freshest doughnuts, and specialize in creative and seasonal flavors.

Happy Lime Poppyseed P R I D E ---- We're beyond thrilled to be celebrating #PrideMonth with our latest #ChefSeries flavor, created by the incredibly awesome @chefmelissaking! This June deliciousness is raised and topped with a fresh lime & poppyseed glaze, a house made rainbow meringue, and finished with plenty of rainbow sprinkles. PLUS, all month long, portion of proceeds goes to @bravetrails - an amazing leadership summer camp for LGBTQ youth & allies ----☕❤️-- Photo: @tawny #riseandsidecar #eatmoredoughnuts #worldsfreshestdoughnuts #loveislove #pride #lgbtq

A post shared by Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee (@sidecardoughnuts) on Jun 4, 2019 at 12:40pm PDT

Donut StopMira Mesa

This is the place to get a good, classic donut. Heads up, they are CASH ONLY! But that glazed blueberry cake donut is to die for. 

Dude good blueberry donut! Hidden in Mira Mesa #donut

A post shared by Daniel (@doubleohzeki) on Jan 30, 2014 at 9:19pm PST

Rose DonutsLinda Vista

Rose Donuts in Linda Vista has been family-run for the last 25 years, and has been a beloved part of the community. The owner of Rose Donuts tragically passed away in April, and has recently re-opened with the help of his wife and the owner of another local donut shop -- who have vowed to keep it running like a mom & pop shop.

on the first day of summer i have taken some time to reflect on how careless i have been with my health. summer is a time to relax and recover from the havoc we wreak on our bodies the rest of the year. henceforth, only the most wholesome and health-conscious of foods shall be consumed throughout the summer months. that starts with this dozen box of donuts. or the 10 that are left. I will eat them in two evenings instead of just one.

A post shared by addison adkins (@addie_adkins) on Jun 21, 2018 at 7:10pm PDT