12 Best Donut Shops in Philadelphia (Local Guide)

Philadelphia might be known for cheesesteaks and soft pretzels, but the city's donut scene deserves equal billing. From Amish family traditions at Reading Terminal Market to boundary-pushing vegan creations in West Philly, Philadelphia has quietly built one of the best donut cities in America. Here are the 12 shops every donut lover in Philly needs to know.

1. Beiler's Doughnuts — Center City (Reading Terminal Market)

Address: 51 N 12th St (Reading Terminal Market)

Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Closed Sunday

Price: $1.50-3 per donut

If Philadelphia has a donut royalty, Beiler's wears the crown. This Amish family operation has been hand-rolling Pennsylvania Dutch doughnuts at Reading Terminal Market for over 30 years, selling thousands daily across 40+ varieties. The line stretches regardless of time of day, but it moves fast.

What to order: The blueberry fritter is a must. Seasonal offerings like s'mores and harvest apple are worth timing your visit around. The Oreo creme has a cult following, and the classic old fashioned is one of the best in the city.

Pro tip: Arrive before 10 AM on weekends for the best selection. Closed Sundays — this is an Amish business. A second location at University City (3800 Lancaster Ave) offers shorter lines.

2. Federal Donuts & Chicken — Multiple Locations

Flagship: 1219 S 2nd St, South Philadelphia

Hours: Mon-Sun 7am-7pm

Price: $3-5 per donut

Federal Donuts put Philadelphia on the national donut map when it opened in 2011. Founded by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Solomonov and restaurateur Steve Cook, the concept pairs artisan doughnuts with Korean-style fried chicken — a combination that sounded crazy and turned out to be brilliant.

What to order: Hot fresh doughnuts in rotating flavors (cookies & cream, strawberry lavender, cinnamon brown sugar) are available all day. The "fancy" varieties like apple crisp and caramel key lime sell out early.

Pro tip: The fancy donuts sell out by mid-morning. If that is what you are after, arrive before 10 AM. The hot fresh donuts are available all day and are equally excellent.

3. Dottie's Donuts — Multiple Locations

Original: 4529 Springfield Ave, West Philadelphia

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-2pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm

Price: $3-5 per donut

Philadelphia's first all-vegan doughnut shop is not just good "for vegan donuts" — it is a great donut shop, period. With four locations spanning Queen Village, West Philly, Northeast Philly, and Fishtown, Dottie's has proven that plant-based donuts can rival anything made with eggs and butter.

What to order: The apple fritters are legendary. The glazed gingerbread with chocolate-apple spiced cake is a seasonal favorite. The Thai tea and matcha chocolate flavors showcase creative range.

Pro tip: Everything in the store is vegan. They stay open until sold out, so arriving before noon is recommended, especially on weekends.

4. Frangelli's Bakery — South Philadelphia

Address: 847 W Ritner St

Hours: Tue-Sat 6am-5pm, Sun 6am-3pm, Closed Monday

Price: $2-5 per donut

This South Philly institution has been making donuts longer than the LOVE statue has existed. Frangelli's is famous for inventing the Franolli — a massive donut-cannoli hybrid filled with a mound of cannoli cream and tiny chocolate chips. Born and raised in South Philly, it is exactly as Italian-American as it sounds.

What to order: The Franolli is a must-try, full stop. Their ice cream donuts — a donut split and filled with a generous scoop — are equally iconic, especially in summer. Classic chocolate frosted and jelly donuts are excellent.

Pro tip: Cash preferred. Closed Mondays. The Franolli is substantial — consider sharing or saving half for later.

5. Okie Dokie Donuts — South Philadelphia

Address: 1439 Snyder Ave

Hours: Wed-Fri 7:30am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm, Closed Mon-Tue

Price: $4-6 per donut

Founded by Carol Ha, Okie Dokie specializes in artisanal, gourmet, gluten-free donuts that are so good you would never know they are gluten-free. Starting as an online-only operation, the shop now has a South Philly storefront. Every single donut is naturally gluten-free, with vegan options available too.

What to order: The orange cardamom and Earl grey lemon showcase the creative flavor profiles. Seasonal varieties like apple cider and strawberry cheesecake rotate regularly. The German chocolate cake donut is exceptional.

Pro tip: All donuts are gluten-free — this is not an afterthought, it is the entire concept. Online ordering lets you skip the line. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

6. Suraya — Fishtown

Address: 1528 Frankford Ave

Hours: Market/Cafe: Wed-Sun 11am-2pm

Price: $6-8 per cruller

Suraya is primarily an award-winning Lebanese restaurant — Eater Philly Restaurant of the Year, James Beard nominee — but their lone donut offering deserves its own entry. The rose-pistachio cruller is light as air, delicately scented with rose water, and topped with crushed pistachios. It is one of the most photographed pastries in Philadelphia.

What to order: There is only one donut option, and it is the rose-pistachio cruller. You already know what to get.

Pro tip: Available only during cafe/market hours (Wed-Sun, 11am-2pm). This is not technically a donut shop, but the cruller is essential Philadelphia eating.

7. Kouklet Brazilian Bakehouse — East Passyunk

Address: 1647 E Passyunk Ave

Hours: Thu-Mon 10am-4pm, Closed Tue-Wed

Price: $4-6 per item

Brazilian-born pastry chef Mardhory Santos-Cepeda brings authentic Brazilian baking to the East Passyunk corridor. The sonhos — plump, airy Brazilian doughnuts — are like biting into sugary pillows. This is one of the most unique donut experiences in the city.

What to order: The sonhos are the star. Flavors rotate but may include peach, cherry and chocolate custard, or strawberry. The bolo de rolo in passionfruit or birthday cake varieties is also excellent.

Pro tip: Only open Thursday through Monday. A second takeout location at 1429 Wolf St opened in 2025. Sell out early on weekends.

8. Haegele's Bakery — Northeast Philadelphia (Mayfair)

Address: 4164 Barnett St

Hours: Tue-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat 7am-4pm, Closed Sun-Mon

Price: $1.50-3 per donut

A fourth-generation, family-owned German bakery in continuous operation since 1930. Haegele's is approaching its centennial and remains one of the last authentic German bakeries in the city. Their hand-rolled butter-sponge doughnuts use the same recipes from their first generation.

What to order: The fastnacht doughnuts on Mardi Gras are legendary. Year-round, the powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar doughnuts are perfection. Simple, traditional, and honest.

Pro tip: Get there on Fat Tuesday for fastnachts — they sell out fast. Closed Sunday and Monday.

9. Mochiatsu — Rittenhouse Square

Address: 102 S 21st St

Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30am-8pm, Sun 10:30am-7:30pm

Price: $3-5 per donut

Japanese-style mochi donuts near Rittenhouse Square. Using traditional rice flour, their donuts feature a tender, chewy inside and lightly crisp outside. The signature pon de ring shape — connected rounded segments — creates a fun, pull-apart treat.

What to order: The matcha glaze is authentic and earthy. Fruity Pebbles topping is whimsical and popular on Instagram. Cinnamon sugar is a safe bet for first-timers.

Pro tip: Pair with bubble tea from the same shop. Great for a park snack after browsing Rittenhouse Square.

10. Ringo Coffee & Donuts — Point Breeze

Address: 2001 Federal St

Hours: Daily 7am-2pm

Price: $4-6 per donut

From the owner of Spread Bagelry comes a unique concept: pancake doughnuts. Choose a base flavor (buttermilk, honey cornbread, wholegrain, brownie, vanilla) and then pick your topping (brown butter maple, blueberry lemon, honey pistachio, chocolate fudge). It is build-your-own meets donut meets pancake.

What to order: The honey cornbread base with brown butter maple topping is outstanding. The buttermilk base with blueberry lemon is a close second.

Pro tip: A newer concept, so lines are still manageable. Available on DoorDash and Uber Eats.

11. Holmesburg Bakery — Northeast Philadelphia

Address: 7935 Frankford Ave

Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-4pm, Closed Sunday

Price: $1.50-3 per donut

Family-owned and serving Philadelphia since 1900, Holmesburg Bakery is a Northeast Philly institution with over 125 years of history. Known for their generously filled powder cream donuts — there is no shortage of filling here.

What to order: The powder cream donuts are the star. Freshly fried and generously filled. Simple, affordable, and deeply satisfying.

Pro tip: One of the oldest operating bakeries in Philadelphia. Worth the trip to the Northeast.

12. Bredenbeck's Bakery — Chestnut Hill

Address: 8126 Germantown Ave

Hours: Tue-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9am-5pm, Closed Monday

Price: $2-4 per donut

Since 1889, Bredenbeck's has been welcoming customers to its historic shop in Chestnut Hill. Over 135 years of European baking tradition make this one of the most storied bakeries in the region. Their donuts are part of a broader baking excellence that includes cakes, cookies, and homemade ice cream.

What to order: Fresh donuts alongside the homemade ice cream. The European-style pastries are also worth exploring.

Pro tip: Save room for the ice cream. Closed Mondays. The shop itself is charming and worth lingering in.

Getting Around

Philadelphia's donut shops are spread across the city. Reading Terminal Market (Beiler's) is accessible by subway and bus. South Philly shops (Federal Donuts, Frangelli's, Okie Dokie) are clustered within a few miles of each other. Northeast Philly requires a car or bus ride but rewards the effort. Use our NearbyDonuts.com directory to map your route and check current hours before heading out.