Donut fever!! Vancouver has a great local artisan donut scene! The Donut is no longer the quick-to-go snack at breakfast, it’s been transformed from a humble snack to a sophisticated dessert. You can bring donuts for dessert after dinner, for high tea or for a picnic. You can now enjoy them any time of the day. Vancouver has many great donut options. Unlike the typical mass-produced donuts, the artisan varieties are produced in small batches, with higher quality and local ingredients. These donuts are rich and flavourful.
This focus on quality and unique flavours has spurred a donut renaissance in Vancouver. Most stores have seasonal donuts, unique flavours and interesting combinations.
Some Popular Combos:
Lemon Meringue: This is a creamy lemon and refreshing lemon-flavoured donut. The citrus note cuts through the sweetness of the donut and is balanced out with the creamy meringue.
Earl Grey– Fragrant donut, with subtle tea flavour.
Maple Bacon– blend of salty and sweet, with real bacon pieces.
Match Green Tea-It has a fresh grassy flavour with a blend of bitter and sweet. its earthy taste is unique and delicious.
Lavender– this is a floral flavour that is fragrant and yummy. It has elements of perfume with herbal undertones that are aromatic.
Churro– a popular dessert with a cinnamon and sugar-crunchy texture. They have a spicy and warm taste. The crispy texture with the sugar coating and soft inside is very delicious.
Peanut butter and Jelly– classic combo with creamy peanut icing, tart jelly often topped with crunchy toasted peanuts. This is often crowd favourite.
What is unique about the Vancouver Donut Scene:
- Quality local ingredients– Focus on local quality ingredients
- Creative– focused on innovative flavours and unique combinations.
- Community -foster a sense of community and create neighbourhood meeting spots for people to enjoy a nice snack with coffee.
- Sustainability– there is a focus on sustainable practices and sourcing good ingredients that are eco-friendly.
Beyond the Glaze: Explore Artisan Creations
What are the five hidden donut shops in BC?
My Favourite: Donut love ( Tricity gourmet doughnuts) hidden gem of Coquitlam
This is a great neighbourhood find in Coquitlam, that serves up handcrafted donuts. Super friendly service and great coffee to pair with these yummy doughnuts. They have some unique flavours and it changes every month. They use good ingredients. Once you walk into this shop, you see the freshly made doughnuts being churned out and an array of different doughnuts to choose from.
These donuts are just the best and of great quality. These are the best donuts. They understand the texture and the right level of sweetness. These donuts are not overly sweet. Their icing is not thick and often has a light coating. They have vegan and gluten friendly options where they use almond milk and almond flour. They also have great coffee, that is strong and its great to pair with a sweet donuts.
Their Best flavours :
Cookie Dough: very popular and a great combination. It is an old-fashioned donut topped with cookie dough.
Butter Pecan: a favourite! It is a yeast donut topped with delectable chopped nuts, chocolate and caramel. It has a sweet and salty flavour.
Browned Butter Banana Cake– just delish! Great cake donut with real banana flavour coated with a salty sweet browned butter glaze.
Tart Lemon Old Fashion – super delicious donut. The texture of the crunchy donut and tart lemon glaze is a great combo.
Benefits:
- Good size
- Great old fashion
- Delish yeast brioche
- Vegan or gluten free options
- Great service and friendly staff
- Good strong coffee
- Light icing
- Different donuts every month
These are a Vancouver favourite! You will often see lucky’s with parallel 49 coffee.
When you walk into luckys you will see an array of doughnuts. Luckys has many different flavours and have something for eveything one.
Benefits:
- Creative flavours
- Variety of classic and speciality donuts
- Unique seasonal flavours
- Consistent in quality
Honey’s Doughnuts and Goodies:
This shop is found in Deep Cove. It has a cozy and welcoming interior. While the donuts look simple they are super delicious. The original is the best one. It had a crunchy exterior and a soft and buttery inside.
Benefits:
- Located in a great area
- local charming atmosphere
- best original-tasting donut
Sweet Talk
New donut store in Port Moody! Become a local neighbourhood favourite. They have unique flavours and use artisanal techniques. They offer custom orders and will cater to the customer. They focus on local flavours and unique seasonal ingredients.
Benefits:
- Custom flavours
- Unique combinations ( miso salted caramel old fashioned, Match white Chocolate, Biscoff Cookie)
- Good strong coffee options
- Breakfast sandwiches
Mello
There are great brioche donuts stuffed with delish flavours. They not only taste great but look good too. The dough is light and fluffy. They are almost like a dessert and visually beautiful.
Benefits:
- superior quality
- innovative flavours
- artistic presentation
- customization
These are some delicious Mochi doughnuts. They are unique in flavour and texture. The are light and chewy. They have a light glaze with unique asian flavours. They offer a delightful twist on traditional donuts.
Benefits:
- Chewy texture
- Asian flavours
- Gluten free options
- Visual appeal
Just OK to me……..
- Lees Doughnuts– they are a Vancouver classic. They are soft and pillowy. If you are looking for your standard tasty doughnut then Lees is a good pick. These donuts are a good price but are an upgraded version of Tim Hortons. Not as good as they are rated. They are not worth the long lineups.
- Tim hortons– while a classic these donuts seem average. They are cheap and affordable but not as interesting or delicious.
- Cartems – not a big fan. Unique flavours and very large donuts. The dough is not as good. The have alot of vegan options.
I would rank the following donut shops:
1. Doughnut Love- unique combinations
2. Luckys Donuts– great upgraded classics
3. Mello- light and fluffy and not too sweet
4. Mochido – unique chewy texture and flavours
