Best Donut Shops in San Diego (2026)

The top-rated donut shops across the San Diego metro area, ranked by rating and local reputation. Featuring 18 shops from 5 neighborhoods and cities.

18
Total Shops
4.4
Avg Rating
9
Top Rated
9
Offer Delivery

Top 15 Donut Shops in San Diego

#1
The GoodsTop Rated
Carlsbad Village, Carlsbad4.7$$$

Why we picked it: The top-rated donut shop in the area, known for Strawberry-filled donut, Housemade citrus curd-filled yeasted donuts, Tahitian vanilla glazed donuts, with 3 awards, serving since 2017, featuring gourmet ingredients and daily vegan options.

Strawberry-filled donutHousemade citrus curd-filled yeasted donutsTahitian vanilla glazed donutsVermont maple glaze with applewood-smoked bacon
#2
Del Mar Highlands Town Center, San Diego4.6$$$

Why we picked it: One of the highest-rated shops in the metro, known for Huckleberry cake donut, Butter + Salt brown butter donut, Seasonal fruit-glazed cake donuts, with 4 awards, serving since 2012, featuring premium ingredients and seasonal rotating flavors.

Huckleberry cake donutButter + Salt brown butter donutSeasonal fruit-glazed cake donutsVanilla bean cake donuts
#3
Kearny Mesa, San Diego4.5$$$

Why we picked it: One of the highest-rated shops in the metro, known for Artisan brioche donuts, Crème brûlée, Ube, with 2 awards, serving since 2020, featuring #1 in California (Yelp 2024) and Artisan brioche.

Artisan brioche donutsCrème brûléeUbeMango cream
#4
Rose DonutsTop Rated
Linda Vista, San Diego4.5$

Why we picked it: A standout local favorite, known for Chocolate glazed donuts, Classic glazed donuts, Buttermilk bars, with 3 awards, serving since 1997, featuring open 24 hours and cash only.

Chocolate glazed donutsClassic glazed donutsButtermilk barsCream-filled donuts
#5
North Park, San Diego4.5$$

Why we picked it: A standout local favorite, known for Vegan Earl Grey donut, Specialty coffee roasts, Rotating vegan donut flavors, with 2 awards, serving since 2013, featuring vegan donuts and specialty coffee roaster.

Vegan Earl Grey donutSpecialty coffee roastsRotating vegan donut flavorsPour-over coffee
#6
Clairemont, San Diego4.5$$

Why we picked it: A standout local favorite, known for Arroz con leche donut, Mazapan donut, Cajeta cream donut, with 2 awards, serving since 2020, featuring Mexico-inspired flavors and vegan options.

Arroz con leche donutMazapan donutCajeta cream donutMexican chocolate donut
#7
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas4.5$

Why we picked it: A standout local favorite, known for Maple bar, Apple fritter, Blueberry cake, with 2 awards, serving since 1969, featuring Since 1969 and Full bakery.

Maple barApple fritterBlueberry cakeBear claw
#8
Point Loma, San Diego4.5$

Why we picked it: A standout local favorite, known for Super Twist (cinnamon glazed), Apple fritters, Classic glazed, with 2 awards, serving since 1975, featuring Community anchor and Owner in her 90s.

Super Twist (cinnamon glazed)Apple frittersClassic glazedCake donuts
#9
Downtown Escondido, Escondido4.5$

Why we picked it: A standout local favorite, known for Old-fashioned glazed donuts, Buttermilk bars, Chocolate cake donuts, with 2 awards, serving since 1981, featuring since 1981 and old-school donuts.

Old-fashioned glazed donutsButtermilk barsChocolate cake donutsCream-filled donuts
#10
Leucadia, Encinitas4.5$

Why we picked it: A standout local favorite, known for Apple fritters, Glazed donuts, Buttermilk bars, with 2 awards, serving since 1995, featuring opens at 4 AM and surf culture hub.

Apple frittersGlazed donutsButtermilk barsOld-fashioned donuts
#11
North Park / University Heights, San Diego4.5$

Why we picked it: A standout local favorite, known for Glazed donuts, Chocolate old-fashioned, Maple bars, with 1 award, serving since 2000, featuring classic donuts and affordable.

Glazed donutsChocolate old-fashionedMaple barsButtermilk donuts
#12
Downtown Encinitas, Encinitas4.4$$

Why we picked it: A standout local favorite, known for Made-to-order donuts (dropped in fryer fresh), Blueberry donut, Churro bites (cinnamon sugar with icing drizzle), with 2 awards, serving since 2019, featuring made-to-order and fried fresh in front of you.

Made-to-order donuts (dropped in fryer fresh)Blueberry donutChurro bites (cinnamon sugar with icing drizzle)Custom glaze combinations
#13
Point Loma / Midway District, San Diego4.4$

Why we picked it: A standout local favorite, known for Glazed donuts, Crullers, Buttermilk bars, with 1 award, serving since 1990, featuring opens at 4 AM and near military bases.

Glazed donutsCrullersButtermilk barsApple fritters
#14
Nomad DonutsTop Rated
North Park, San Diego4.3$$

Why we picked it: A standout local favorite, known for Ube taro coconut donut, Montreal-style bagels, Global flavor-inspired donuts, with 4 awards, serving since 2015, featuring global flavors and Montreal-style bagels.

Ube taro coconut donutMontreal-style bagelsGlobal flavor-inspired donutsSeasonal rotating menu
#15
Downtown / Gaslamp Quarter area, San Diego4.3$$$

Why we picked it: A standout local favorite, known for Over-the-top decorated donuts, Crème brûlée donut, Fresh fruit-topped donuts, with 4 awards, serving since 2013, featuring Instagram-worthy donuts and over-the-top decorations.

Over-the-top decorated donutsCrème brûlée donutFresh fruit-topped donutsMaple bacon donut

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best donut shop in San Diego?

The Goods is the top-rated donut shop in the San Diego metro area with a 4.7 rating.

How many donut shops are in the San Diego area?

We have 18 donut shops listed across the San Diego metro area on NearbyDonuts.com.

Do donut shops in San Diego offer delivery?

Yes, 9 donut shops in the San Diego area offer delivery options.