49 Best Donuts in San Francisco

“Staff member greeted me with a smile on her face and I already had a good feeling about the place. Very glad I made the effort to come to Japantown (inside the mall) for these donuts as they were AMAZING. Favourite one was the strawberry mochi donut. The yuzu lemon was very good too and black sesame. Affordably priced in my opinion too.“

“Stumbled upon this place and loved it!“

“Honestly one of the better donuts I’ve had in a minute. Especially fresh and out the grease, super tasty. They are a little bit pricey, but open late and the service is good.

Would not recommend the chocolate croissant though, wasn’t a big fan. Just stick to the glazed.“

“Marshmallow fluff;) Loved the Milkbomb sandwich! Will definitely go again;)“

“Delicious donuts including filled donut holes. I especially like the chocolate cake with chocolate icing and dusted with peanuts, which I have only found at this store. Friendly and welcoming staff.
Can no longer dine in and tables along the walls have chairs on top of them.“

“Yummy soft serve. Had myself the brown sugar caramel which was lovely on this hot day and also got my son an Oreo soft serve too. Plus just bought some of their mochi waffles which is cheaper than the boba shop waffles. It’s around 3.00 compared to 6-7 at a boba shop. The maple mochi waffle is yummy.“

“Great corner spot for easy access to donuts. Great variety, and nice staff members explaining the flavors. The display case was cute and organized neatly with name tents. Came here after an ebike tour and ordered thir famous Apple Fritter donut. Great flavor! Lovely day.

Famous Apple Fritter donut - massive!!“

“Excellent Service and Food is Hot And Well Prepared!“

“Loved that they had a variety of donuts. But you need to be there early in the day if you want to try all flavors! Favorite was cinnamon apple! Chocolate rose was not that good, it tasted a little dry. The strawberry matcha coconut didn’t really taste like any of those flavors but it was still good. Loved that they do seasonal flavors so they seem to change constantly. The chai wasn’t the greatest though! Updated from previous review on 2026-08-08“

“Fresh and fluffy donuts.“

“We stumbled on this amazing bakery in January 2025 on the first morning of our 4 day vacation. It truly was the best bakery I've ever been to in my life, so we went each and every morning the rest of our trip. We went back to San Francisco in September 2025 and every morning we went and had more incredible donuts! We will be back in January 2027!! I and my husband, Randy, are from Minnesota and I even asked the owner to open a bakery in Minnesota.“

“The happy donut has been a staple of our tip in San Francisco. The restaurant is family run and has the most delicious menu. From the food to the drinks to the donuts, every single thing that we ordered was phenomenal. I would highly recommend stopping in to support this business!“

“The lady in the front was so nice, I believe that she was the owner because we told her that we were visiting from SoCal and she was so hospitable and gave me and my group cheesecake and extra stuff on the house. Would 100% go here again just for the service. 10/10 food though.“

“Classic mom and pop Chinese bakery. The jalapeño ham and cheese roll was delicious. Freshly baked chewy dough, spicy, savory and balanced. Filling to roll ratio was perfect. Lady working at counter was nice, easy in and out. No frills quality baked goods.“

“My son and I were on vacation in San Francisco and Bob's Donuts got great reviews so we decided to give it a shot. Absolutely the best donuts I've ever had in my life. We ended up coming back once more before leaving San Francisco. Sure wish I had a Bob's Donuts in my neighborhood, although if I did I'm sure I would have a severe weight problem. Highly recommend.“

“195 years ago a gentleman named Hansen Gregory was born in Rockport Maine. He was an ambitious Scottish lad that took to the ocean to become a captain. He enjoyed fried dough cakes but didn't appreciate the undercooked greasy center that they often had. He is usually credited as the origin of ring shaped donuts by punching out the center with a pepper box lid. If Gregory was alive today he would be fascinated with how many wonderful and creative ways you can produce this circular delight. I may not be a captain of a ship but I am happy to make ML Donuts apart of my voyage!“

“Got on each of their poke bowls. Shoyu, half and half and spicy. The spicy is spicy but good! The bowl is just poke over rice. Got mochi doughnuts and they were really good like it was made to order! They dip the doughnuts when you order. Their doughnuts taste much better then other name brand places!“

“Very friendly couple at the counter. Always get a box of a dozen donuts here from time to time. They make them really good here, though I recommend getting them before 8am because the donut options get slimmer as the morning goes on. Browsing their menu, they have quite a variety of breakfast and lunch items that look good.“

“This place right here mayne! Where do I even begin 🤔🔥🙏🏼 The customer service is always on point these dudes in here go above n beyond, they even greet you by your first name when you walk in!! 👏🏼 The food... Is on anotha LEVEL!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU GET YOU SOME ALL-STAR BREAKFAST, GOOD OL BURGER OR EVEN SOME ASAIN CUISINE TO GET YA DAY GOIN ON THE RIGHT NOTE 🎶 YAH FEEL ME!!!?? JAH BLESS🙏🏼✌🏼💯💚🧡💛“

“These donuts are delicious. They are perfect with a cup of coffee. Iwould definitely recommend getting them.“

“Excellent Service and Food is Hot And Well Prepared!“

“This is one of those classic old donut shops, which to me (a donut connoisseur) is the golden standard for donuts and is where one finds the truly good donuts. Plus, the staff are very friendly and helpful! Highly recommend visiting them sometime.“

“Love this place, they have a surprisingly extensive menu and the food is great. And it’s quick, like the food comes out crazy fast.

It’s a tough neighborhood sometimes but the folks here are kind to everyone and there’s a warm vibe. Prices are reasonable as well. Thank you!!!!!“

“The bakery has a nice selection of fresh pastries and baked goods. Everything I tried tasted good, and the staff was friendly. The place has a cozy atmosphere, and I’d definitely stop by again. Overall, a good experience with room to make it even better.“

“I've never had a more delicious gluten free and dairy free cinnamon roll in my life. A lot of gf things end up super dry, but this was just the right balance. I also tried the cinnamon toast biscotti (delicious), graham crackers (dry but still good), fruit pie (yum!), vanilla cupcake (good, a bit oily with the frosting) and the bread (not a fan - odd texture and flavor). I would 100% come again and try some new things. Everything is clearly labeled. Items are expensive but good quality. I was impressed with the quantity of dairy free options.“

“Such a delightful donut box! The assortment was fresh, beautifully decorated, and full of variety—from classic glazed to rich chocolate, cinnamon sugar, and colorful sprinkles. Every donut looked inviting and tasted soft, sweet, and satisfying. Perfect for sharing with friends or bringing to the office

Very expensive donuts for sure“

“Delicious and extraordinary.“

“Wanted a sweet treat and this adorable place caught our eye. I really only wanted the matcha but their 3 for $11 was tempting so ended up getting three donuts.

Tried the matcha one as I left the shop and it was yummy. I did notice it seems more oily than other mochi donut places and could’ve done without the extra oil. The napkin I was holding was quite soaked by the time I had finished it.

Flavours were great, soft and chewy on the inside, I think it would deserve a 5 star if they could tone down the oil a bit.“

“THE best lemon blueberry donut we’ve ever had! Donut is soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside with just the perfect amount of sweetness. The flavors are also very distinct. Matcha 8/10, Chai latte 9/10. The vibes and views?! Easy 100/10☺“

“This place is AWESOME! Being vegan, I asked what was available. I was told the plain cake donut, the sugar donut and the crumb donut were all vegan! I grabbed a crumb and sugar and they blew me away. Absolutely wonderful. My partner, who is not vegan, got an egg and cheese sandwich that was HUGE and delicious! We also shared a lemonade that was the perfect balance of sweet and sour. I can not recommend this place enough. If not for the food, then for the excellent service. Definitely needs to be a stop when visiting San Fran:)“

“Tell me why a sandwich here is a better bang for you buck than a croissant from any bakery in the city? I HIGHLY recommend the BBQ pork sandwich. The Vietnamese coffee was rich and creamy, and not as sweet as I was expecting it! My expectations were high and this place met them. The lady out front was super cute and very nice as well. Did not try the donuts, but will definitely be back.“

“A gem in my neighborhood that I have ignored is the small business and Cantonese bakery “Donut Time,” which sells Vietnamese sandwiches, Hong Kong Milk Tea, pineapple buns (bo1 lo1 bao6), tarts (dan1 tat6), and different Cantonese pastries.

The clerk was generous, and gracious. I ordered a Hong Kong milk tea, drank about a third of it, and politely asked if I could give her 75 cents to fill my cup with black coffee, but she let me do it for free.

The items are cheap, and if you are time-strapped and need to get to work at 7 AM, this is an excellent spot for my neighbors here on Noriega Street.“

“Walked in by chance. We were touring San Francisco and wanted to get something portable, so donuts and smoothie sounded good. Once inside we saw the two ladies making amazing ham/cheese croissant sandwich and we had to try. Delicious!! Hot and toasty from the oven, flaky croissant. So good. We also saw huge chicken burritos being made… will have one of those next time! The mango smoothie was a cool blast of flavor. Tasted like summer.We also got a glazed donut (why not?! ?) and an apple fritter. Both were fresh and delicious.Accessible. A few small tables. Street parking.“

“Good customer service friendly and yummy donuts“

“Found Happy Donut through TooGoodToGo (IYKYK), which ended up being such a nice little treat. After walking around the city all day, I picked up my bag, stepped outside, and immediately demolished a glazed donut in front of the shop lol. The cream-filled one with the coffee-flavored glaze was also amazing - it ended up being the perfect post-workout treat the next day :)“

“Coffee Movement is a great new addition to the Mission District. Their drinks are consistently good, and I keep coming back for the espresso tonic especially the Orange Cream Soda, which is such a perfect summer drink.

Only complaint is the hours. Closing at 1 PM feels way too early :(
Otherwise, really solid spot and definitely worth checking out.“

“Love this place. It's been here since I was a kid. The owner is such a sweet lady and the rest of the staff are too. They always greet you with such kindness when you walk in. The food there is hella good. I love the special chicken and rice plate they have. They also serve breakfast and lunch and donuts :) plus it's right in front of a bus stop and opens at 5:30am“

“Donuts were served warm and fresh, and every bite was perfection. The coffee was equally delicious and paired perfectly with everything.

The highlight of my visit was the service. Brianna was so kind and welcoming. Watching her carefully prepare my order and then personally bring it out with the sweetest smile made the whole experience feel extra special. The food was delicious, the service was wonderful, and as a local, this is definitely a place I'll be returning to again and again“

“The donuts here are out of this world good. Especially the apple fritters, cinnamon buns, and crumb cake donut. And the coffee is really good too. Not too strong and bitter. Just right.

The staff is always friendly and helpful and quick with a smile.

There are tons of other breakfast and lunch offerings from the grill but when they have the best donuts in SF, and quite possibly the world, why try anything else. I have lived in 16 countries on 3 continents, and travelled to dozens more, and the donuts here are by far the best I have ever had.

The place is a hot spot for breakfast and lunch but as the staff is so efficient and helpful you never have to wait long.

I gave the atmosphere a 5 star because if you come to a traditional, old style, American artisan donut emporium and expect something other than basic accoutrements, you’re in the wrong place. The place is not chi-chi or frou-frou, but it is down home, comfortable and clean.“

“Honestly… the donuts stole the show. The event was great, but Golden Gate Mini Donuts somehow made it next level. Hot, fresh, perfectly bite-sized, and dangerously easy to keep going back for “just one more.” The energy, the smell, the nonstop smiles — it turned the whole vibe from drab to unforgettable. I came for the event, stayed for the donuts, and left thinking about them all the way home. 10/10 would chase these donuts again.“

“The spicy chicken wasn't as spicy as I would have liked - even with the additional hot sauce they provided - but then again, that might just be my high tolerance. The chicken itself was juicy and scrumptious and the garlic noodles had a great consistency to them. I didn't try the donuts, but the apple fritters were a great size and I definitely want to try one the next time I'm in the area. Employees were friendly and inviting, which is key for me as a return customer. And the prices are wonderful - currently 8 dollars for three items! While the selection isn't as wide as other Chinese joints (especially in Chinatown), it's great if you're craving Chinese food and want some some quick and cheap takeout.“

“Reviewing this only for the donuts and ham+cheese pretzel croissant - incredible bakery. The croissant is my favorite in the city (including Arsicault and Tartine - different style though to be fair) because it's rich and flakey yet on the lighter side. Donuts are freshly filled and delicious. I go for the ham+cheese croissant all the time“

“Opens early enough to stop in before work to get a little something. Basic breakfast and donuts so nothing exciting. I will give 5 stars to the woman behind the counter. She is friendly and kind. Great attitude for the small in & out environment.“

“Absolutely amazing. I had the bacon, egg and cheese croissant with jalapenos added. Absolutely delicious. Service is quick and the customer service is amazing. I saw the Chinese food and I'm highly intrigued and definitely want to try it. One day. So this is been incredible.“

“Because of the title, I had in my mind this would be a coffee shop serving breakfast, but it's more the other way around. I came here for the coffee and I was pretty judgemental on how the coffee would be seeing how the store looks like a mom & pop breakfast shop, but I was wrong. It was probably the best americano I had the whole week. We also had breakfast sandwiches that were well portioned and made fresh. I don't know if it was intentional, but we found a bonus donut in our bag as well. It was a nice surprise for the kids. Don't judge a book by its cover, this is a great place. Thanks!“

“One of the best breakfast sandwiches I have ever had. I got the #2 with American cheese and a jalapeño bagel. I’m so impressed by how inexpensive the food is and how good it is! The owner is super sweet and I feel at home here. Thanks yall! If you haven’t been here yet, you’re missing out! Check out Glaze Donuts ☺️“

“The OGs know it’s a mom and pop shop that makes mouth watering delicious loco moco no matter what time of the day and nourishes the neighborhood with quick and quality service and food. Stop by and say hi! Their donuts are light and fluffy as well!“

“All Star is open 24/7, which is a godsend if you're hungry while out late at night (why does the whole city seem to close down after 9pm?). The doughnuts are good, the sandwiches are good, and everything's pretty cheap (at least by SF standards...). I love the cheesesteak.

The evening/night waitstaff are chill. The asian ladies running the place during the day don't speak english very well (and speak /incredibly quietly/) and kinda seem like they don't want to be there. But like... it's a hole in the wall cheap coffee shop. You don't come here for the service.

Note that at some point overnight they shut down the kitchen and leave just one person tending the store until morning. I've gotten a hot sandwich here at 1am no problem, but twice I've tried to get a breakfast sandwich at 6:00am or so and been told that they can't cook me one. I think the morning cook shows up around 6:30am? If you show up earlier than that in the morning, you're gonna be limited to hot drinks and pastries.“

“Everything was perfectly cooked and delicious: NY steak(medium), pancakes, crispy hasbrowns, over easy eggs. I asked for onions and bell peppers on my corned beef hash and it was amazing.

Kid-friendliness: My 4yo enjoyed his pancakes, eggs and bacon.“