Best Donuts in New Orleans

"Since it opened in October 2013, this delightful shop on Magazine Street and Jackson Avenue has been making all of New Orleans’ donut and coffee dreams come true. With flavors like miso praline and olive oil, NOLA cream, brown butter pistachio, Sriracha with candied thyme, lemon poppyseed, and Vietnamese iced coffee, District is serious about its roster of “fancy donuts.” In addition to donuts big enough for two, District’s other breakfast creations include kolaches, pork belly, egg and avocado breakfast tacos, and buttermilk biscuit egg sandwiches with miso-praline bacon. Plus, their cinnamon roll is topped with extra sugar and brûléed under a blow torch, which is pretty awesome if you ask me."

"District Donuts is a cute spot to get a freshly made donut, a coffee, and a delicious burger. There are six donuts on the menu weekly, but there are more than 100 options in the catalog that slip into the rotating menu. There are three donuts to expect on the menu, rain or shine: glazed, cinnamon sugar, and chocolate glazed."

"District Doughnuts Breakfast is known to be the the most important meal of the day. However, I call it sugary beginnings. At @districtdonuts you can pick..."

"Opened in 2011 by three NOPD officers, this bright blue building on Canal Street sells out more days than not, thanks in no small part to its signature maple bacon long john doughnut. The cops are gone now — they sold to a baker in 2017, but all doughnuts are still made by hand at Blue Dot Donuts, a point of pride for this busy shop. Get there early, and on the weekends, expect a line."

"Over in Mid-City, Blue Dot Donuts features a wide assortment of freshly made glazed, filled, cake, buttermilk and specialty doughnuts. The shop at 4301 Canal St. has earned four stars out of 181 reviews on Yelp. Look for raspberry doughnuts topped with powdered sugar, chocolate iced with coconut, Bavarian cream and an assortment of doughnut holes."

"Even if you’re not planning a trip out to the Chalmette Battlefield for a morning of history, you’d do yourself a service by planning a stop on the way for a morning pick-me-up at Gerald’s, an old-school bakery that sells new school donuts. Their melt-in-your-mouth sweet dough is the perfect base for giant apple fritters, classic glazed donuts, cinnamon twists, and even more fanciful options like the ones that come covered in M&Ms."

"Hot, fresh donuts are served 24 hours a day at Gerald's Donuts. The family-owned and operated establishments (three locations in total) also make king cakes all year round, not just during Mardi Gras. Classic cake donuts come in flavors like powdered lemon, blueberry, maple, and strawberry cream."

"With two locations in St. Bernard Parish — in Arabi and in Chalmette — there's no excuse for not stopping by for a doughnut when out in da’ Parish. Do it any time: Gerald’s is open 24 hours and have a drive-thru window. (The burgers are great, too.)"

"The smell of bacon maple frosted bars and apple fritters fills the room at Daddy’s Donuts, a staple in the New Orleans donut community. Belly-busting treats are standard here, but you won’t mind indulging a bit as they’re so delicious it makes it all worth it. Apple fritters tend to sell out fast, as do many of their other varieties."

"This beloved family-owned and -operated spot over in Gentilly is beloved for being open seven mornings a week—and for their attention to freshness and a fondness for fun, holiday-themed creations. Go for a classic here: like a sprinkled donut, just like the giant one on their sign."

"This family-run Gentilly fave fries up some mean dough: Bacon-maple frosted bars are a belly-busting case in point. Set back in a small shopping center, Daddy’s isn’t fancy but the sweets are divine. If you’re an apple fritter lover, get there early, since they always sell out."

"We’ve saved one of the bests for last, as everybody who’s anybody in Louisana knows that Tastee serves some of the best donuts in New Orleans. They serve everything from king cakes and buttermilk drops to standard donuts. And, honestly, it’s all so tasty that you’re going to have to try it all."

"A New Orleans childhood favorite from back in the day, Tastee is well known for king cakes, buttermilk drops, and doughnuts, not necessarily in that order, but some folks swear by the apple fritters. There are two locations to satisfy."

"This neighborhood eatery has all the breakfast fixins’, donuts, wings, burgers, and po-boys to keep you coming back all hours of the day. The donuts are simple and delicious, and the price is just right: it’s only 80 cents for regular and chocolate glazed, jelly filled, cream filled, chocolate iced and cake donuts. Honey buns are $1.75, and apple fritters are $2."

"Bakers Dozen serves some of the best donuts in New Orleans, from the traditional classics to more creative creations such as a salty caramel pretzel donut. Everything here is bursting with flavour and some of the finest, most inventive ingredients around. Apple fritters and honeybuns are particularly delicious here, but you should definitely sample one of their seasonal specialty donuts while you’re at it, too."

"You have to get here early to get your fix, since they’re only open until 11 am (and closed Mondays and Tuesdays), but this straightforward spot is a favorite of local epicures and chefs for a reason. They make great basics, like the glazed twist, and do them brilliantly. But they also have a little more fun with themed specials, like during Carnival season when they make a mind-blowing donut king cake."

"Baker's Dozen in Jefferson has set itself apart with creatively themed doughnuts — munch on your favorite super hero for $1.50 — as well as delicious combinations like its sweet and salty caramel pretzel doughnut (pictured). All up, a nice neighborhood spot with lots of regulars."

"Back in 1991, Phillip Songy started his family-owned donut shop that has since blossomed into a full-service neighborhood restaurant, Terrytown Cafe & Donuts. In 2015, the signature glazed donut was voted "Best Doughnuts City Wide" in a local competition. The hand-cut classic donuts are incredibly affordable; a single donut is less than a dollar."

"This 24/7 neighborhood bakery on the West Bank won over Times-Picayune judges with its glazed doughnut and apple fritter. The T-P crowned Terrytown as having the best doughnuts and for the best value. But Terrytown Cafe and Donuts’ regulars already knew that."

"Spa Isbell is a full-service salon and day spa, that offers you a truly unique “old world meets new” experience, with all of the amenities of a modern salon/spa. Their talented crew has specifically designed each service to pamper you from head to toe, while indulging in the charm of New Orleans past, leaving you feeling completely inspired and rejuvenated."

"The spa is located in a 150+ year-old building, which makes a wonderful mix of historic charm and complete luxury. In addition to the full-service spa including the European-style facials, Spa Isbell has a hair salon. And, it's easy to get to from the French Quarter or Warehouse District."

"1601 St. Charles Ave., (504) 302-9716; www.hoshunrestaurant.com. Kung pao chicken includes peanuts, chilies and celery in brown sauce. Reservations accepted for large parties."

"I was super excited about trying this restaurant it was BOMB. It's located on St.Charles Ave. Everything was perfect the chicken was c..."

"The gist: When it first opened earlier in 2020, waits of two hours or more were common at Blue Giant. During the pandemic, Blue Giant turned to take-out only but the original model is now back in action, so if you want to get your hands on one of their massive egg rolls, you’ll have to score a table. The food: Look for spicy stir-fried eggplant guaranteed to make your eyes water, blue crab rangoon, and an egg roll that’s big enough to share (not that you’ll want to).The cost: Starters $3 - $14, mains and shareables $11 - $16.How to book: Reserve via Resy."

"Just weeks ago, it was hard to even get inside this new Magazine Street restaurant, and nightly waits routinely climbed past 90 minutes for a table. It was worth it, though, to get a bowl full of the tear-inducing eggplant. For now, however, they’ve turned to takeout exclusively from 4pm to 9pm, but are still offering their full menu."

"At this Uptown neighborhood bakery, you can get a taste of king cake year-round. Their light, fluffy, and sweet cake is offered with a variety of fillings and doused with purple, green, and gold sugar."

"This family owned market and bakery in Mid City specializes in Central American pastries like flan, churros, empanadas both sweet and savory — but we’re talking cakes and Norma’s Sweets Bakery has the goods. Call ahead to order the bakery’s specialty — one of the best tres leche cakes around. Beyond moist, tres leches (three milks) is an ultra-light sponge cake soaked in a sweet milk bath."