Where to Find the Best Donuts in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta takes donuts seriously. Whether you’re craving an old‑school glazed, a wild cereal-topped creation, or a vegan brioche ring, there’s a shop in the metro area that probably does it better than you expect. This guide walks you through some of the best donut spots in Atlanta, what each does well, and how to choose where to go depending on your neighborhood, timing, and taste.

How Atlanta Does Donuts

Atlanta’s donut scene blends classic Southern bakeries with modern, flavor-driven shops. A few patterns you’ll notice:

• Many of the most popular shops sell out early—especially on weekends.
• You’ll find clusters of good options in Intown neighborhoods (Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, West Midtown) plus standouts in Decatur, Sandy Springs, and along key corridors like Buford Highway.
• There’s a growing focus on creative flavors, seasonal ingredients, and dietary options like vegan and gluten-friendly donuts.

If you’re only in town for a short visit, it’s worth planning at least one morning around donuts.

Quick Snapshot: Top Atlanta Donut Spots by Vibe

Classic Donut Shops Atlantans Rely On

These are the kinds of places locals grow up with—simple, consistent, and usually best before 10 a.m.

Neighborhood-Style Donut Shops

You’ll find small, owner-operated donut shops dotted around the metro. They tend to offer:

• Yeast-raised glazed donuts
• Cake donuts in chocolate, blueberry, or sour cream
• Apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, and sometimes kolaches or breakfast sandwiches

They’re often located in:

• Small strip centers along Peachtree Road, Cheshire Bridge Road, Moreland Avenue, and Cobb Parkway
• Near schools and office parks for the early commute crowd

These spots are ideal if you want a box for the office or a dozen for a kid’s team, without waiting in a long weekend line.

🔎 Tip: Many classic shops are cash-preferred or cash-only and may close once they sell out, so going early with some cash on hand is helpful.

Modern & “Gourmet” Donut Destinations

Atlanta has embraced the chef-driven donut shop, where you’ll see rotating menus, brioche-style doughs, and toppings you’d usually expect on plated desserts.

What to Expect at Trendy Donut Shops

Common features include:

• Rotating flavors: maple bacon, brown butter, crème brûlée, pistachio, seasonal fruit glazes
• Brioche or enriched doughs that are richer and more bread-like
• Filled donuts with custards, jams, or creams made in-house
• Strong coffee programs, sometimes partnered with local roasters
• Bright interiors, Instagram-friendly displays, and weekend lines

You’ll often find these in:

• Midtown and West Midtown near office and apartment clusters
• Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park, near the BeltLine Eastside Trail
• Mixed-use developments like those along Howell Mill Road or near Ponce de Leon Avenue

If you’re visiting Atlanta, these are great places to get a sense of the city’s current food trends in one box.

Donuts by Neighborhood: Where to Start

Atlanta is spread out, so where you’re staying or living makes a big difference. Use this as a practical starting point.

Midtown, Old Fourth Ward & Inman Park

These intown neighborhoods are dense with brunch spots and coffee shops, and several carry standout donuts either in-house or from local bakeries.

You’ll commonly find:

• Coffee shops that source donuts from local makers
• Weekend-only donut menus tied to brunch service
• Easy walkability if you’re near Peachtree St NE, North Ave, or the BeltLine

If you’re staying in a Midtown hotel, a short walk or rideshare will usually put you within a few minutes of a high-quality donut option on any given morning.

Downtown & Around Mercedes-Benz Stadium / State Farm Arena

Donuts here are usually about convenience before events or meetings:

• Smaller bakeries near Peachtree Center and office towers
• Cafés inside or near big venues that stock donuts during game days or large conventions

For the freshest selection, try to go in the morning before events start.

West Midtown & Upper Westside

This area has transformed into a hotspot for trendy breakfast and brunch. Look for:

• Donut shops in or near redeveloped warehouses off Howell Mill Road NW
• Bakeries offering donuts alongside croissants, cookies, and coffee

This is one of the better areas to park once and walk, trying multiple spots within a few blocks.

Decatur & East Atlanta

Decatur (centered around East Ponce de Leon Avenue and the square) is known for its walkable downtown and strong dessert game:

• Bakeries that rotate donuts into their pastry cases
• Coffee shops that feature locally made donuts on weekends

Head further south toward East Atlanta Village (EAV) and you’ll find funky spots that sometimes do small-batch donuts or beignets late morning or late night.

Buckhead & Sandy Springs

Up the Peachtree Road corridor, you’ll mostly see:

• Chain donut shops with convenient drive-thrus
• A few independent bakeries that offer elevated takes on classic donuts
• Donuts integrated into hotel breakfast buffets or coffee bars

This corridor is ideal if you’re looking for something fast and predictable before getting on GA‑400 or I‑285.

Vegan, Gluten-Friendly & Specialty Donuts in Atlanta

If you have dietary preferences or restrictions, you can still enjoy Atlanta’s donut scene.

Vegan Donut Options

Several intown bakeries and cafes:

• Offer vegan donuts several days a week
• Focus on plant-based glazes and fillings (fruit compotes, dairy-free ganache)
• Sometimes specialize in vegan-only menus, where donuts are sold alongside vegan pastries

You’re most likely to find them around:

• Little Five Points and Inman Park
• East Atlanta and portions of Decatur
• Select spots near Georgia Tech that cater to students

📌 Planning tip: Vegan options are often limited in quantity, so you may want to call ahead in the morning to check what’s available that day.

Gluten-Friendly & Alternative Flours

Gluten-free donuts are less common than vegan, but some bakeries:

• Designate one or two gluten-friendly flavors made with alternative flours
• Occasionally feature baked cake-style donuts instead of fried ones

Because of cross-contact risks in shared kitchens, these are usually described as “gluten-friendly” or “made without wheat” rather than fully celiac-safe. If you have a severe allergy, it’s important to ask detailed questions before ordering.

Late-Night & 24‑Hour Donut Possibilities

Atlanta is known more for late-night wings and Waffle House than donuts, but you still have options:

• Some donut shops near major corridors (like I‑85, I‑75, or Peachtree north of Midtown) stay open very late or around the clock.
• A few diners and 24‑hour cafés keep donut-style pastries or fried dough on their overnight menus—even if they don’t market them as traditional donuts.

These are especially handy after:

• Concerts at State Farm Arena or The Eastern
• Late nights along Edgewood Avenue, Buckhead Village, or Midtown clubs

When in doubt, search specifically for “24 hour donuts near [your area]” as hours can vary substantially from one location to another.

How to Choose the Best Donut Spot for You

Because there’s no single “best” donut for everyone, think about what matters most to you.

1. Flavor Style

• Classic & simple: Glazed, chocolate iced, jelly, powdered, old-fashioned
• Adventurous: Cereal-topped, bacon, matcha, cardamom, seasonal fruit, s’mores
• Texture-focused: Brioche, cake-style, mochi, yeast-raised, crullers

If you prefer lighter, airy donuts, look for shops that emphasize yeast-raised or brioche. For a more substantial bite, go for cake donuts.

2. Atmosphere

• Quick grab-and-go: Strip-center shops and drive-thru chains
• Sit-and-stay: Cafés with Wi‑Fi, laptop-friendly tables, and pour-over coffee
• Family outing: Spacious shops with large tables and parking, often in suburban plazas

If you’re bringing kids, look for a place with ample seating and visible displays so they can pick their own donut.

3. Time of Day

Donuts are almost always freshest in the morning. For the best experience:

• Go within the first 3–4 hours of opening
• Know that specialty flavors and limited runs often sell out by late morning, especially on Saturdays and Sundays
• Call ahead if you’re driving across the metro for a specific flavor

Practical Tips for Donut Runs in Atlanta

A few local habits and logistics can improve your donut experiences.

Navigating Traffic & Parking

• Morning donut runs can conflict with rush hour on I‑75/85 and GA‑400. If possible, aim a bit earlier or later than peak commute times.
• Many intown shops have limited parking. Street parking around Midtown, O4W, and Inman Park can fill quickly, so build in a few extra minutes to find a spot.
• In walkable areas, consider pairing your donut stop with a stroll on the BeltLine or around a neighborhood square.

Paying & Ordering

• Some small shops keep costs down by preferring cash or charging a minimum for card payments.
• Trendier shops almost always accept cards and contactless payments, and some use tablet-based ordering with tip prompts.
• If you’re ordering for a large group (two dozen or more), it can help to call a day in advance so the bakery can plan the batch.

Seasonal & Holiday Specials

Atlanta donut shops often create special boxes for:

• College football season (especially for local teams)
• Holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and December festivities
• Atlanta events such as major festivals and marathons

These boxes can be a fun way to bring something local to office gatherings, tailgates, or weekend house parties.

How Visitors Can Fit Donuts into an Atlanta Itinerary

If you’re only in Atlanta for a couple of days, here are some realistic ways to add donuts without restructuring your whole trip.

Pair with the BeltLine

• Start in Old Fourth Ward or Inman Park.
• Grab donuts and coffee nearby.
• Walk the Eastside Trail toward Ponce City Market or Krog Street Market to burn off some sugar.

Before a Big Attraction

Donuts work well as a pre-activity breakfast near:

• Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca‑Cola (Downtown)
• Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden (Midtown)
• High Museum of Art and Woodruff Arts Center (Midtown)

Look for nearby bakeries that open early enough to get you to attractions before they get crowded.

Taking Donuts as a Host Gift

If you’re visiting friends or family in metro Atlanta:

• Ask which part of town they’re in and pick a well-regarded shop on your route.
• Call ahead if you need a specific flavor mix or large order, especially on weekends.
• Donuts are a local-friendly alternative to bringing a bottle of wine, especially for morning or brunch visits.

When You Need More Than Just Donuts

Some Atlanta bakeries that are known for donuts also offer:

• Breakfast sandwiches on biscuits or croissants
• Kolaches, pigs in a blanket, or savory pastries
• Coffee roasted locally, cold brew, and specialty drinks like chai or matcha

If you’re trying to feed a mixed group—some wanting sweet, some wanting savory—look for these expanded menus so everyone can find something.

Key Takeaways for Finding the Best Donuts in Atlanta

• Go early. Many of the most beloved donut spots in Atlanta sell out of specialty flavors by late morning, especially on weekends.
• Choose your neighborhood. Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, Decatur, and portions of Buckhead and Sandy Springs all have strong options, but driving across town in rush hour for donuts rarely feels worth it.
• Match the shop to your style. Classic strip-center bakeries are great for value and consistency; trendy intown shops shine with creative flavors and café vibes.
• Consider dietary needs. Vegan and gluten-friendly donuts exist, especially intown, but availability can be limited—calling ahead is often the best move.
• Use donuts as a local experience. Pair a donut run with a BeltLine walk, a visit to a major attraction, or a weekend brunch circuit to turn a simple pastry into a small Atlanta ritual.

With a little planning around time of day, neighborhood, and your preferred donut style, you can reliably find some of the best donuts in Atlanta—whether you live here or are just passing through.