Where To Find: The Best Doughnuts In London
Doughnut worry about a thing, when it comes to the best doughnuts in London, we've got you covered...
By Rex Adams | Updated May 22 2024
London has come a long way in the subject of doughnuts. What was once a supermarket pack-of-five special with the simple jam, sugar combination, is now a whole industry with entire stores dedicated to serving the most delectible of doughnuts to satisfy your sugar (or savoury too) craving. Whether you prefer simplicity and tradtional, innovative or even gourmet, London is stacked with doughnut options for you to work your way through... just like we did when we were putting together this list for you. No regrets at all.
Bread Ahead
The fact that Bread Ahead runs a specialised doughnut making workshop alone makes it one of our top contenders on this list. Founded in 2013, this busy bakery has become a pilgrimage for doughnut lovers, especially their Borough Market location, where you can see all their doughnuts lined up in different colours and flavours; with limited edition options available too! We recommend the sea salted caramel doughnut for something different yet rich with flavour.
Crosstown Doughnuts
You must be glazy if you haven't tried Crosstown yet. From a marketstall on Leather Lane in 2014 to multiple locations across London, Crosstown has not only grown in popularity but has managed to obtain a bit of a cult following too! Concocting their hybrid sourdough dough that's available in wonderful, and sometimes questionable flavours. Whether it be blood orange, Toncan vanilla bean glaze, peanut butter and blackcurrant compote- the list is as endless as it is exciting. Dusted or filled, these pillowy soft treats will definitely put a smile on your face, and with vegan/ gluten free options available too- everyone leaves happy.
St. John's Bakery Bermondsey
180 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1LH
We've narrowed down their list of bakeries to Bermondsey, because this one has the best doughnuts hands down. The doughnuts here used to be a rare commodity that you could only get your hands on on weekends. You'll still need some determination in you if you want the best flavours, as they sell out pretty quickly, especially because they're fresh from the oven. Specialising in a more traditional style of doughnut, these bad boys are fluffy, rich, doused in sugar and overfilled with creamy/jammy/chocolatey fillings that will burst in your mouth. There are seasonal options too, giving you all the more reason to frequent.
Dum Dum Donuttarie
Lower Mall Kiosk 5 The Glades Shopping Center, Bromley BR1 1DN
Available in both Boxpark in Shoreditch and Croydon, Dum Dum's Bakery is the home of artisan doughnuts. Rejecting and redifining the original fried doughnut, the company offer baked goodies drawing on proper patisserie techniques to create airy, butter-enriched treats that will satisfy any sugar craving. It's also the home of the infamous croissant doughnut- flaky and filled with delicious creams. Try the peanut butter doughnut for a salty/ sweet kick. With vegan options too, Dum Dum's have doughnuts for everyone. Not so Dum Dum at all.
Japan Centre
35B Panton Street, SW1Y 4EA
Providing authentic Japanese flavours for over 4 decades, the Japan Centre isn't necessarily devoted to just doughnuts, but they certainly have a great selection. The Mochi Bar at the centre offers a Japanese speciality called pon de ring, made by joining individually rolled balls and then deep frying them. What makes them different from our other suggestions is that the dough itself is made from a carefully curated mixture of rice flour and wheat flour, making the end product a chewier doughnut whilst still being light and airy. There isn't a huge array of flavours available, but the cherry blossom, matcha and original glazed are our top three choices. Combine with some milky bubble tea and you're good to go!
Donutelier
48-50, Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0BB
Not just a feast for the taste buds, Donutelier is an Instagrammer’s dream with elegant brass cake stands and a behind-the-scenes peek at the doughnut-making magic. Specialties include the pistachio raspberry, vanilla cookie cream, and the indulgent Black Forest doughnut. And if you fancy a pastry or two, their croissants and pralines are equally divine.
At £6 a piece, they might make your wallet lighter, but true doughnut aficionados know these gems are worth every penny.
Happy Donuts
254 Portobello Rd, London W11 1LL
Happy Donuts is where sweet dreams come to life, one doughnut at a time. Handcrafted with love using organic flour, butter, milk, and decadent Swiss chocolate, these buns of joy are sure to bring a smile to your face. And here’s the icing on the doughnut: any leftovers are donated to charity at the end of the day, making each bite not just delicious, but also heartwarming.
Swing by from 10 AM to 6 PM daily to indulge in mouthwatering flavors like Ferrero Rocher, crème brûlée, and strawberry custard. Founded in 2016 by Jonathan, a culinary maestro with 15 years of experience spanning sushi bars to Persian cuisine, Happy Donuts brings a world of flavor to the humble doughnut. Prices start at £4 each.
Treats Club
8 Hackney Rd, London E2 7NS
What started as Lungi Mhlanga’s market stall escapades in 2018—armed with a Toyota Yaris packed to the brim with baked delights—has blossomed into a brick-and-mortar sensation on 8 Hackney Road. Specializing in cooked-to-order doughnuts and indulgent desserts, Treats Club is female-owned, female-led, and proudly a black-owned business shaking up the doughnut scene one sweet treat at a time.
Their famous Nutella Hot Glazed Donut is a must-try, though you can’t go wrong with any of their tempting flavors. Open from 10 AM to 6 PM daily, Treats Club serves up doughnuts that are a warm hug for your taste buds. Priced at around £4 each, these doughnuts are worth every delicious penny. With features on BBC’s Young Masterchef and Forbes 30 Under 30, Treats Club is the go-to spot for dessert aficionados.
Doh'hut
30 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QE
From humble beginnings as a food truck in Leeds to a permanent spot at Exmouth Market, Doh'hut has mastered the art of doughnut perfection. This cozy bakery, located at Exmouth Market, focuses on classic flavors that hit the sweet spot every time. With only four permanent fixtures on the menu, you can savor the fluffy and sugary goodness of doughnuts piped with raspberry jam, vanilla crème patissière, or chocolate ganache. For those who like a twist, weekly specials keep things fresh and exciting.
But Doh'hut isn’t just about doughnuts; their coffee and iced tea offerings make it the perfect spot for a sweet rendezvous. Open from 8 AM to 6 PM, this place serves up happiness by the dozen, with prices ranging from £5 to £25 per person. The ambiance might be cozy, but the flavors are grand.