50 Best Donuts in San Diego

“Best ppl! Best food!! SO miss the fam! Successful in all they do! ❤❤😊😊“

“I used to visit daily with my co-workers almost 20 years ago and stopped by during a visit for the holidays. It's great to see they are still doing well serving good food at great prices!
The wait is longer than it was back then but it is totally worth it.“

“Great product and incredible customer service.“

“This place is sooo good! You have to try it!“

“Ordered the Ube mochi donut and the coffee black tea. The drink was amazing, perfect amount of sweetness and balance of coffee/tea flavor. The $4 donut was mediocre. Service was a bit slow as there was only one worker. Parking lot limited with tight/cramped spots.“

“This was my first time having rolled ice cream. It was really flavorful. I got the strawberry with cheesecake bites.“

“Absolute best donuts in the world. 100/10“

“Love the bakery and matcha latte!“

“Best donuts in San Diego, very nice people.“

“Donuts are really good. Today, though it was 5:03pm and we were not open the door even though there were around 40-50% capacity of donuts on the shelves. Time ago I was able to purchase donuts at 7pm. Is the sign “closed at 5pm or until there are donuts” variable? I am trying to said just be careful to be there by 5pm.“

“Super nice donut place next to Clairemont Coffee. I grabbed a bagel with cream cheese and avocado before my meeting. It was so delicious!!! I love the heat up the bagel, it’s crunchy outside and soft inside. Also they put a lot of cream cheese and avocado inside. While I was eating there, a lot of people come in to buy donuts in a Thursday afternoon, I bet their donuts are delicious.“

“We went at the end of day, so not a huge selection (to be expected). Really nice, friendly staff! Donuts were delicious and still soft and fluffy. We got a chocolate sprinkle, maple bar, and glazed donut holes. I asked about the jelly filled- they have lemon, blueberry, strawberry and raspberry. They ended up giving us a raspberry to try. It was great, too.“

“Always an amazing experience. I love that they offer vegan options that are delicious and unique. It is one of my favorites for donuts! The coffee is quite good too.“

“Truly the best donuts and baked goods in San Diego. Located in an unassuming strip mall near a laundromat, possibly owned by the same owners.

I find that most donut shops in the city use a similar recipe for their dough, but something about Golden Donut’s recipe for its dough is different - a little bit sour with a peppery taste.

The thing that originally led me to GD was the fact that, oddly, they served iced Vietnamese coffee which I had been looking for in San Diego. However, they don’t have many other beverage choices apart from Thai iced teas.

There are some interesting flavors that have popped up, like a banana turnover and matcha donuts. Would love to see more of these unique items on the menu.

Vegetarian options: Almost everything is vegetarian but the maple bacon donuts

Parking: Parking can be challenging as it shares the parking lot with multiple businesses. Constant traffic in and out. Parking on the street but might have to walk.

Wheelchair accessibility: As far as I can tell, not step to enter the shop and is flat inside“

“Hi I recommend this entirely“

“This place is sooo good! You have to try it!“

“There no place that gives you a better donut at a competitive price point. I vividly remembering running to get PQ donuts after 5th grade class. I’m 32 now and have lived in different countries and cities where I’ve sampled countless donuts/fried pastries. PQ Donuts is a humble business with an incredible, consistent product. Not campy or over-the-top, just the humble classics executed perfectly and deliciously. A must try when you’re in the area.“

“me and my bf were randomly craving donuts and we tried going to another place first but they were closed so we went here and they were so good, I don’t even like sweets like that but even at 7:30 in the evening the donuts were so moist and delicious . and the lady was really nice as well . would come back for sure“

“Love getting my donuts from this diamond in the rough. I appreciate the freshness of the donuts as well as the quality of service received by the owner. I feel like family every visit. I feel known and appreciated. Highly recommend this donut shop.“

“Called ahead on a busy Thursday morning for a mixed dozen box of donuts, $19, and was ready when I picked it up - great service and very efficient, the nice woman at the counter even gave some extra donuts, she must’ve been able to tell we had a busy day at work ahead! Plenty of parking and other breakfast and coffee options as well“

“Yummy Fresh Donuts They accept cards now (+50c fee only)“

“Love the National Donut Day sticker. I have donut shop a block away from my house however I go out of my way to support sesame donuts ! Always fresh and delicious what real donuts should taste like! Also they have awesome Ham and cheese croissants“

“Freshly made (but very expensive) donuts in a cute strip mall in Del Mar. The donuts were delicious and unusual. They had limited selection (maybe 15 types) and limited inventory (but it was 2pm). I got a glazed salted, huckleberry, chocolate pistachio and regular glazed. I spent about $22.“

“I work overnights, at a clinic. There's something comforting about a 24-hour donut shop down the street. And this one has good donuts round the clock, good lunch food, and a friendly attendant behind the counter. I'm so glad Yum Yum is there for us.“

“A MUST when you are in San Diego! The doughnuts are thick but not heavy. So tasty!!!“

“Hole in the wall donut shop is actually pretty good. Don't get coffee. I asked for two packs of sugar, and the coffee came back so sweet, I threw it in the garbage. Just donuts here! Starbucks next door has terrible baristas. Just drive to Mission Valley for your coffee.“

“Just a hole in the wall donut shop offering traditional tasty donuts. I have to say with everyone describing the dough as fluffy.... they are spot on. There's something about it that's so soft and almost has the melt in your mouth feeling.
We ordered an old fashioned glazed and chocolate, as well as a chocolate twist. The gentleman that helped us was so nice and helpful. He gave us 2 donut holes for each of pur orders. It may not seem like much but this is a nice gesture for any guest.

My husband ordered the iced mocha coffee, he said it was ok. I ordered a hot coffee with cream. I have to say that the coffee was bold and good. I didn't expect that.

Definitely will be back for the good donuts and good prices!

Price $16 & some change for
Small coffee
Large iced coffee
5 donuts“

“Tons of variety and priced right; delicious 👍“

“Everything was fresh and delicious. When we got there, there were a couple of people in front of us. We had to wait for 3 bagle sandwiches, and by the time we left, there was a line of at least 10 customers. Mostly return customers. We'll be back!“

“Love this place we use to live right down the road but now we live in Arizona. We go there everytime we are in Cali. The food is always great, no matter what you get. And staff is always friendly. :)“

“yes, yes my good sir 🧐. You literaly deserve these 5 golden stars like yall are underrated. IM LITERALY A FOOD CRIDICT. (I eat 2109 calories a day) I literally LOVE you, your donuts are cheap and I bought a dozen for my interview with a VERY important person. The leader of office admissions to a top 10 junior boarding schools. Literally tysm bro I want to glaze you like you did on my donuts.🤑🤫🥰“

“VISIT WHILE YOU CHARGE YOUR TESLA ON A SUPERCHARGER IN A VERY SAFE AREA! Service with a smile, clean, delicious selection of donuts, 24/7 coffee!

Parking: Parked to charge around corner at TESLA SUPERCHARGERS 250KWH. Easy to walk through to Donut Shop in plaza directly behind!“

“I know it’s a chain but it feels like a welcoming little local spot. Prices are very reasonable which I feel is so rare these days, service is good and all the employees are friendly. We love coming here for bacon/sausage, egg, and cheese bagels/croissants and a few donuts.“

“A tiny little donut shop on Aero drive.
I have wanted to stop after my VA appointment and get my standard for judging donut shops, an apple fritter and finally today I did.
WELL WORTH THE WAIT
The shop is clean and the selection.looks really good.
Got my go to standard and was not disappointed. The woman behind the counter was very nice too!
I guarantee, this will be a regular stop for me from now on!“

“Excellent Donuts. First time visiting today, and the Donuts tasted fresh, the bars were perfectly soft on the inside, slightly crispy on the out, and the chocolate and maple icing was delicious - not overly sweet but bursting with flavor. Old fashioned was amazing as well.There has not been a lot of Donut places which deliver so well: and I've tried plenty from Chula Vista all up to Rancho Bernardo - little hole in the walls to gourmet "fancy" places. Through it all I've been locked to my ol' regular place for a while. Happy to find another place I can become a new regular at.“

“Got a few donuts and a apple fritter... oh my goodness everything was absolutely amazing!!! The fritter was large and heavy and flavorful and the other chocolate donuts was perfectly cooked and the flavor was perfect and everything was priced well most definitely go here when your craving something sweet or want donuts and a coffee

Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly

Wheelchair accessibility: Very wheelchair friendly“

“No better way to celebrate a birthday than a custom birthday "cake." 60 mini donuts arranged in a "3" for our donut-loving boy's special day. These are fresh, delicious, not too sweet and the perfect size for preschoolers (or adults who want "just a bite"). Ordered online Sunday afternoon for Monday morning pick-up and the whole process was seamless. Birthdays for our family will never be the same.“

“Best donut I have ever put in my mouth. Hands down! Tried the ube blue yam donut it was so soft and delicious!! Hot fresh coffee was great! Breakfast sandwich on the everything bagel was great! And the half dozen donuts for the road will be finished momentarily. Haha. Highly recommend!! 10/10 Across the board!!“

“We are visiting from Minnesota and found this place. Amazing donuts! Could be the best donut I have ever had. Will be back. 😀“

“The best donuts, buns filled with apple strawberry cream, natural smoothies and a delicious coffee, either Americano or cappuccino.

Parking: Very spacious

Kid-friendliness: Yeah

Wheelchair accessibility: Yeah“

“Fantastic local donut shop with lots of options. Over the week of being in SD we went there almost every morning. The tables are a little hard to sit at because the seats are attached to the table, but it works. As a family, we tried a large selection over the week and liked them all. The crullers were my favorite. Very light and creamy. The yeast donuts have a nice crisp outside with a soft inside. Very satisfying bites here. Note: there are at least 4 pink (strawberry) donuts for those who love them. Cash only.“

“You guys don’t even know….these donuts are literally the best. A classic neighborhood donut shop that is superior among the novelty places because they consistently prove that less is more & donuts don’t need to come in crazy flavors or with excessive toppings. The original donuts are fluffy with a slight crisp on the outside and melt in your mouth. Our favorites are the APPLE FRITTER - crispy crunchy chewy goodness, and of course, the buttermilk and old fashioned ones- always crispy and freshly fried to perfection.“

“By far the best donuts you will ever eat. Fresh, cooked perfectly and run by a local family. I suggest trying the maple bacon if you love bacon, sweet and salty.

Kid-friendliness: Kids will love the different types of donuts.“

“Came here once early in the morning to grab donuts for a mini gathering on my wedding day. (May 3,24... late post) I finally came across this and wanted to leave a review. First, the service was great, they are very nice and patient. The worst thing you can do is walk into a place such as a donut shop and not have good service. When we got home, we all went to town on the donuts, I'm sure I had 3. They were so good! I just felt this review was well deserved.

You also can't miss the pink and white building!“

“Love their product! Its so unique! The churros are as authentic as the ones I had as a child in Mexico yet they have the Spanish hot chocolate as well! Sugar cinnamon or hot chocolate for whatever mood you may be in!!! I am constantly following their posts on ig to see their pop-“

“I had the Mexican Mocha Espresso as a Frappuccino....oh my gosh it was so tasty. San Diego winter warm enough for a cold coffee. I'm feeling so spoiled and lucky. ❤🤍💙“

“Solid solid donut shop in UC. Worth the drive if you can go out of the way to get here. Located in a strip mall in UC, they are easily accessible and fairly priced. They have been family owned for as long as I have been alive so you'll get super friendly service (remember to tip them well!) The apple fritters are amazing as are their cruellers. I have tried a ton of donut shops around town (and around the country) and they have a distinct taste in their sugar base - it shows through in their glazed donuts - try the glazed twist to get the most of this flavor!“

“The food was great, I got a turkey avocado bagel sandwich and a cherry jelly filled donut and was very satisfied. Service was quick and to the point. I went late at night so I think they wanted to fulfill the order fast, which didn't bother me since I wanted to be out fast anyways.

Wheelchair accessibility: This location is decently wheelchair accessible, with enough room to maneuver if it isn't too busy.“

“Delicious, wonderful, and great customer serve. I’ve never been unhappy. That’s my me-time place to be.“

“I stopped in this morning to grab some doughnuts for work and these are hands down the best doughnuts I’ve ever had. I ordered the jelly filled which they fill as you order them and they were so fluffy and fresh. The girl behind the counter was also super cheerful and friendly.“