Orlando Doughnut Guide
Last year, this doughnut map would have looked much different, but a doughnut explosion has certainly taken place in and around Orlando. To each their own, but if you are still grabbing Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme on National Doughnut Day just because they are free, you are ignoring the men and women all around town who are supporting their neighborhoods with jobs, bringing homemade goodness to residents, and stimulating our local food scene. Below you'll find my embarrassing attempt to be an artist and create a doughnut map of Central Florida and 13 (11 locally-owned) doughnut shops to enjoy all year long.
DG Doughnuts
What to know: The owner, Amanda Eubanks is a seasoned baker. She graduated from Le Cordon Bleu, she's run her own bakery before, and she was previously the head baker at 4Rivers. She's legit.
Hours: Do your best to get there early because she sells out quickly. The hours are 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. or sell out. Closed Monday!
Where it is: Inside the Chevron station at W. Colonial Drive and Tubb Street. Does it get any better? I mean there are fridges stocked with milk just a few feet away!
My favorite flavors: Nearly impossible to choose but I love her banana pudding doughnut, cookies n cream, and any doughnut laced with nerds.
Valkyrie Doughnuts
What to know: Owner Celine took the life skills and business skills she gained as a Publix bakery manager to start her own business. It began with markets, pop-ups and now she is the reigning queen of vegan doughnuts in Orlando.
Where is it: She has two locations where you can grab doughnuts. Valkyrie on the East side of town off Alafaya Trail and Valhalla Bakery inside the Market on South near downtown.
Hours: The hours at Valkyrie vary, during the week she is open until 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday til 9 p.m. and Sunday until 6 p.m. Market on South is open 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. every day except Sunday when they close at 10:00 a.m.
Favorite flavors: Fruity Pebble, Churro, anything with matcha.
Sip n' Dip Donuts
What to know: This modest mom and pop shop has amazing doughnuts worth the drive outside your bubble. They are best known for their variety, hospitable service and having fresh doughnuts all day long, with both yeast and cake doughnuts. They've slightly renovated their interior a bit for more seating. On my last trip I got a dozen doughnuts, a cronut, and a water for $17.
Where is it: Near Downtown St. Cloud off of 1-92 a few miles off the Florida Turnpike.
Hours: They are open every day of the week from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. with the exception of Sunday when they close at 5 p.m.
Favorite flavors: Strawberry Cheesecake, Blueberry, bacon maple, and old-fashioned with chocolate glaze.
Buttermilk Bakery
What to know: This is a full-fledged family business and bakery. Mom, daughter, sons, and dad can all be soon at the bakery at any time of day.
When do they have doughnuts: Buttermilk only has doughnuts on the weekends so don't go looking for them during the week.
What types of doughnuts do they have: The flavors rotate and there are usually no more than 2-3 varieties at a time. All donuts are yeast.
Joy Donuts
What to know: This husband and wife owned doughnut truck only pops up on the weekend in Mt. Dora. Locals line up at 8:00 a.m. at the corner of Wolf Branch Road and Hwy 441 to grab their weekend box of goodies. Every year they take a summer break, so this Saturday (June 2) is your last chance to check them out for a few months.
What types of doughnuts do they have: They serve cake doughnuts in several flavors, at $13 per dozen.
Favorite flavors: French Toast, Maple Dip, Frosted Crack, and Blueberry.
Little Blue Donut Truck
What to know: Husband and wife team Mike & Alyse Perfetto turned their popular truck into a brick and mortar in Winter Park. Their doughnuts are all made fresh to order with toppings of your choice.
Where is it: Fairbanks Avenue right before you hit Park Avenue. There is a parking lot on New York Avenue for customers.
Favorite flavors: Peanut butter & sriracha, cookies and cream, salted caramel.
Donut King
What to know: Donut King has been around for over 10 years. They have two locations in Winter Park (on Howell Branch Road) and one in Minneola off US 27.
What are their hours: They may have the most convenient hours being open every day of the week from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., so you should never have a problem getting your doughnut fix from one of their two locations.
Favorite Flavors: My personal favorites are the cherry and blueberry doughnuts, red velvet, and the Sour Patch Kid doughnut.
Glass Knife
What to know: The Glass Knife is known for their pretty desserts and aesthetically pleasing cafe. They serve both cake and yeast doughnuts every day starting at 7 a.m. until they sell out.
What is the variety like: Rotating flavors include Crème Brulee, The PB&J, Peanut Butter Cup, and Pistachio Orange to name a few.
VooDoo Doughnuts
What to know: VooDoo Doughnuts began in Portland, Oregon and over the past decade they have created a large following allowing them to open shops in other cities like Austin, Denver, Hollywood and now Orlando.
Where is it: It's located within Universal City Walk as you walk toward Hard Rock Live.
Favorite Flavors: The Loop, Oh Captain, My Captain.
Bakery Plus
What to know: In their humble and unsuspecting location off Michigan, you'll find good doughnuts. They also have a drive-thru!
What are their hours: The early bird gets the best variety here. They open at 6:00 am every day of the week except Sunday, closing at 2:00 pm (1:00 pm on Saturday).
Favorite Flavors: My go-to here is their sour cream old-fashioned doughnut. It's no frills but perfectly moist and sweet. Even better, a variety of a dozen will only cost you $8.
Donut Central
What to know: Part doughnut shop, part coffee house, Donut Central has a serious roaster on site so you can enjoy both in their shop at S.R. 436 and Aloma.
What are their hours: Every day of the week from 6:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
Donuts To Go
What to know: Located in Sanford, this is a no-frills bakery with solid doughnuts. The prices here are very reasonable and they have great selection of flavors. On the weekends they close at 2 p.m. so you have to hustle to get there before they run out or close.
Favorite Flavors: My go-to here is their sour cream old-fashioned doughnut. It's no frills but perfectly moist and sweet. Even better, a variety of a dozen will only cost you $8.
Pro Tip: If you are someone who uses the SunRail, their location isn't too far from the Sanford stop. Grab some doughnuts and take them down to the waterfront of Lake Monroe and enjoy.
Duck Donuts
What to know: It's not a local business, but they entered the Central Florida market last year with a location in Kissimmee. All doughnuts are made fresh-to-order with your choice of toppings.
Where are they located: The Crosslands Shopping Center off of Osceola Parkway. They are open everyday of the week.
All doughnuts were paid for by me. Support your local businesses by visiting them. All images are mine except the a few images of Valkyrie which were taken by my friends Fox + Film Photography. I don't eat for the gram, I just eat.