Where to get the best doughnuts in Melbourne

From a simple cinnamon ring to an artisanal sourdough doughnut, our love of this humble pastry runs deep. Here’s where to find the tastiest doughnuts in town

CBD Bakery

Find hidden gem CBD Baker in-between city skyscrapers on Bourke Street. Old school, country style doughnuts are what you'll find here. With traditional flavours like chocolate, strawberry and more. Open on weekdays, so they're perfect for that pre-meeting sweet treat.

American Doughnut Kitchen at QVM

This family business has been around for decades. It does iconic, nostalgic, hot jam doughnuts exactly the way they should be. Follow the queue at the Queen Victoria Market to the original 1950s American Doughnut Kitchen van. Order up a bag of freshly cooked, sugar dusted beauties, piped full of hot raspberry and plum jam. 

Shortstop Coffee and Donuts

Laneway staple Shortstop Coffee and Donuts is the perfect quick hit. Their doughnuts come in cake, raised and cruller varieties. Order a classic vanilla bean, coffee crème caramel or Earl Grey and rose doughnut. You can also pre-order to avoid disappointment (they do sell out). No one wants to miss out on a honey and sea salt cruller, right?

Brioche by Philip 

At renowned French bakery, Brioche by Philip, the doughnuts are something special. In fact, they’re bronuts. Brioche doughnuts. You can get these soft, sweet wonders in simple flavours like cinnamon or dark chocolate. Or you can go next level with lamington, coffee almond or matcha glaze.

Lukumades

It started as a Greek doughnut truck. Then Lukumades graduated to a permanent shop opposite the Queen Victoria Market. Go for the classic honey and cinnamon, or try new takes on an old favourite, like Nutella or crushed Oreo cookies. The white chocolate and matcha is also pretty special. 

Baker D. Chirico

Baker D. Chirico is a Melbourne cult favourite. For their take on a doughnut, try the bomboloni. These fat, round pastries are filled with speckled vanilla custard and flecked with subtle citrus. They’re sugar-dusted and garnished with tendrils of lemon zest. Perfectly enjoyed with your favourite coffee on the weekend.

Rustica

Rustica is known for famous sourdough and over-the-top pastries. Glass cabinets are loaded with pillow-light croissants and delicate tarts. They do a fabulous brioche doughnut, with flavours changing daily at their two city stores. Keep an eye out for the lemon meringue doughnut. It’s piped full of tart lemon cream and topped with a torched meringue.

Daniel's Donuts

The gleaming pink neon says ‘Eat, sleep, Daniel’s, repeat’. This is a mantra we can get on board with! There’s over 40 fantastical flavours to choose from. That includes vegan and gluten-free options. The most popular is the New Zealand-style fresh cream and jam. It's sliced down the middle and piped with that luscious filling and a dollop of jam.

First Love Coffee

You’ll find this brand new, standing-room only cafe on the ground floor of Collins Arch. It’s all about efficiency at First Love – excellent coffee, sandwiches and pastries to go. And if you think the interior is delicious just wait until you try the maple glazed cruller. It’s an essential companion to a good cup of coffee roasted by Criteria Coffee. 

Doughboys Doughnuts 

Need coffee? Need a doughnut? Doughboys Doughnuts on Bourke Street is the perfect quick-hit every city worker needs. Every day, you can choose from a rotating menu of 10 fluffy yeast-raised doughnuts. Grab something simple like a fruity plum or a crumbly French toast doughnut. Past flavours include butterscotch and creamed banana, mulled wine, and strawberry and miso!