As the birth spot of Tim Hortons and the iconic Tim Bits, it is no surprise that Canada boasts an expansive selection of donuts. As a sweet tooth and a donut lover, Vancouver’s donut selection has been an absolute dream to taste test.
Whether you are after a budget friendly and convenient donut offering from Tim Hortons or Breka Bakery (donuts here are super tasty too!) or some of the more artisanal donuts, you’re in for a treat. Below are some of our thoughts on the Best Donuts in Vancouver (with a special shout out to a spot in Squamish).
Lee’s Donuts
Started in 1979 by Alan and Betty-Ann Lee, what once was a Mum and Pop Donut Shop on Granville Island is now a donut staple expanding 5 different locations across BC. Lee’s Donuts serves your classic yeast donuts, vanilla cake donuts and chocolate cake donuts with over 25 different flavours.
We’ve tried both their Granville Island and Gastown locations. Although Granville Island’s store does get busy with a constant queue, we do think their donuts here are superior and fresher as they churn through more regularly. Our favourite is the honey dipped yeast donuts – it’s their best seller for a reason! We have also tried the Chocolate Sprinkles, a great option if you like cake style donuts. Otherwise there is Seth Rogan’s favourite- the Jelly filled donut, regardless, you will not be short of choices at one of our top picks for the best donut in Vancouver.
Unni Pastries
Located in the West End on Robson Street, Unni Pastries is a small Korean cafe offering brioche Donuts with different fruit cream fillings and asian flavours, lots of Korean Cakes and Pastries and a selection of drinks. With cosy seating space inside and budget friendly Afternoon Tea Packages, Unni Pastries is a lovely spot to catch up with friends or for a break after your stroll around Stanley Park.
I do enjoy a donut with a cream filling and the Blueberry Cream Donut fits that bill, the brioche donuts create a great base for the fillings where it is not too heavy and overly indulgent. Unni Pastries also provide options for large orders and catering so also makes for a delicious sweet option for parties.
Cartems Donuts
Cartems Donuts is another highly rated donut spot in Vancouver located right on Main St in Mount Pleasant. Providing fresh donuts daily from your classic yeast donuts, cake donuts to baked donuts and a rotating selection of their specialty donuts.
We tried their London Fog Classic Yeast ‘Stuffies’ donut and the Chocolate Glaze Yeast Donut. These are sizable donuts and we found that although listed as Yeast Donuts are more cake like than other yeast donuts we have tried. That said, Cartems does create a welcoming space to catch up with friends over donuts and a beverage. I would suggest getting here early as even arriving at 2pm on a Saturday, there was a queue and a selection of donuts already sold out.
Honey Doughnuts and Goodies
Honey Doughnuts is situated in the stunning Deep Cove and offers not only donuts but also an extensive breakfast, lunch and drinks menu. Their donuts selection is small but mighty with 7 choices – classic honey, maple, chocolate, cinnamon sugar, coconut cinnamon sugar, maple bacon and Chocoreo.
With ample seating space, it is a highly sort after brunch spot with often a line out the door too. We stopped by on a Friday afternoon and the line moved quite quickly. Sampling the classic honey donut, we found that the donuts were more so on the cakey side and was quite oily but very filling. This is not one of our top choices for donuts in Vancouver but it’s a favourite for Harry Styles so definitely to each their own.
Fox and Oak
This one is not quite in Vancouver but is an absolute favourite donut of ours. Fox and Oak is a cafe located in downtown Squamish specializing in donuts ranging from brioche donuts, cake donuts, gluten friendly donuts, vegan donuts and a great selection of coffee and drinks. They are a fantastic donut option if you are in Squamish with a lovely space to people watch.
We tried the Vanilla Brioche Donut and really enjoyed that it was flavourful yet not overly sweet and the donut was light and just extremely delicious. We could not wait to go back for more! If you are in Squamish and are looking other things to do, have a read of our 24 Hours in Squamish guide.
Others
If you are a fiend for a good donut, we have had friends also suggest to us to try Goldie’s Donuts located in Horseshoe Bay. It’s a fantastic stop if you are in the area or as a pit stop prior to boarding the ferry to Bowen Island. Mello Donuts located in Chinatown is another popular spot we have yet to try, known for their brioche dough and different fillings. We can’t wait to try these out.
That sums up our picks for the best donuts in Vancouver. Let us know if you have any other recommendations as we’d love to try them. For more food reviews and recommendations in Vancouver check out our Food Blog!