20 Best Donuts In Cincinnati Ohio & Top Bakery Shops

Looking for the best place to spend National Donut Day? Or simply seeking the best doughnuts in the Midwest?

Cincinnati is a hotspot for donut lovers–like, there are a lot of unique flavors, great donuts, and delicious pastries too.

To save you time deciding which of the donut spots deserves a try, I’ve compiled a list of Cincinnati’s best bakeries and donut shops.

My dad’s family is native to Cincinnati, so this list has the stamp of local residents and donut connoisseurs. Not to mention, this is a sacred subject for them, so these picks have earned their spots for good reason.

Without further ado, let’s kick the list of best donuts in Cincinnati off with my family’s all-time favorite donut spot, Busken Bakery.

Related Reading: Best Breakfast In Cincinnati

Best Donuts in Cincinnati Downtown 

We’ll begin the list with the best options downtown. 

1 – Busken Bakery

Address: 650 Walnut St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

A Cincinnati tradition since the 1930s, the family-owned Busken Bakery now has over 10 locations around the city. 

While they’re known for cookies and cakes, their donuts also stand out. Glazed, jelly-filled, cream-filled–they’ve mastered the classics along with fun specialty flavors. 

Local favorites there are melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies and fluffy glazed donuts. And, if you ask my dad, the jelly-filled donut is the crown jewel.

2 – Holtman’s Donut Shop

Address: 1332C-2, Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Holtman’s Donuts is a Cincinnati staple that has been serving up great donuts since 1960. Now, with multiple locations across the city, the family-owned shop remains another local favorite. 

Their classic glazes are especially good, but be sure also to try their jelly donuts and apple fritters. There’s something for every sweet tooth at Holtman’s.

3 – Golden Hands Bakery

Address: 6016 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45227

The family-owned Golden Hands Bakery has been serving up sweet treats since 1969. 

Their donuts, like airy glazed and maple cream filled, are fried to golden perfection daily. Locals rave about Golden Hands’ Danish, pies, bread, and unique pastries like flaky cronuts.

With friendly service and deliciously fresh baked goods, this neighborhood gem is a must-visit for any donut lover in Cincy.

Best Donuts in Cincinnati Outside of Downtown

Now let’s check the other top-notch donuts spots and bakery shops outside of downtown Cincinnati:

4 – Peace Love & Little Donuts of Hyde Park

Address: 3440 Edwards Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45208

Peace Love and Little Donuts is a quaint shop dishing out fresh mini donuts made to order. It’s nestled in the charming Hyde Park neighborhood.

You’ll watch them fry piping hot donuts and coat them in your choice of toppings. The friendly staff and delicious flavors make it worth the slightly steep prices here.

5 – Silverton Donut Shop

Address: 7414 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45236

Silverton Donut Shop brings delicious fresh donuts daily to its namesake neighborhood. 

This modest shop may be small, but its flawlessly fried cake and glazed donuts have made it a local favorite.

6 – Milton’s Donuts

Address: 4081 E Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45236

Milton’s Donuts is a go-to for donut lovers in the Deer Park neighborhood. They fry up fluffy yeast donuts, decadent-filled donuts, and cake varieties daily. 

Sink your teeth into their cream-filled Bavarian custard and velvety cheese cup donuts, or try a classic glazed. 

Milton’s friendly staff and the shop’s wide selection of sweets keep locals coming back.

7 – Starlight Doughnut Lab

Address: 4603 Carter Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45212

Off the beaten path in Cincinnati, Starlight Doughnut Lab comes up with delicious and tempting donut creations. 

Their menu goes beyond the classics with options like everything bagel and chicken tikka donuts. Their donuts are lighter than traditional ones and have incredible flavor because they’re made with brioche dough.

The small shop’s friendly owners change up specials monthly. So, you’ll always find new donut deliciousness to try in their cozy space. 

8 – Regina Bakery

Address: 4025 Harrison Ave Cincinnati, OH 45211

Regina Bakery offers quick service and delicious baked goods in a friendly mom-and-pop atmosphere.

Its tasty treats, like cookies and pastries fresh from the oven, make it highly popular in the city. 

The staff is welcoming and friendly. Some online customers even mentioned the shop’s personal touches, like a free cookie for a customer’s dog. 

9 – North College Hill Bakery

Address: 1807 W Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45239

North College Hill Bakery serves a diverse selection of mouth-watering pastries in a welcoming atmosphere. This Cincinnati spot earns praise for quality and service. 

Most customers loved silky cherry pie, flaky croissants, and even cicada cake. Overall, this shop’s warm, friendly vibe and baked goods are definitely worth the trip.

10 – Marcella’s Doughnuts & Bakery

Address: 545 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45244

Marcella’s Doughnuts & Bakery is a local legend with three shops on the east side. Initially started by Marcella Poole, it’s now owned by her grandson, who upholds her commitment to quality. 

Its donuts are works of art – massive, fresh daily, and bursting with flavors. Many locals rave that Marcella’s has the best donuts in Cincy.

11 – Hurts Donut

Address:12110 Mason Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249

Hurts Donut is one of the newest donut hotspots in Cincy, but they’re already frying up over 20,000 donuts daily! With over 70 varieties rotating daily, each donut is handmade and decorated. 

The shop’s bright, Instagram-worthy interior matches their creatively topped donuts. Long Johns filled with Nutella and cereal-coated cake donuts are just some of the mouth-watering options at Hurts. 

It’s worth the wait in line to sink your teeth into their fresh, decadent donuts.

12 – Wyoming Pastry Shop

Address: 505 Wyoming Ave #4452, Cincinnati, OH 45215

This cozy neighborhood bakery in the Wyoming district has been a community staple since 1934. They make hot-off-the-press donuts all week round except on Sunday. 

Grab a glass of milk and relax with their beloved glazed cake and jelly donuts. You can’t find better classic donuts in the city.

13 – Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli

Address: 3888 Virginia Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45227

For a taste of German sweets in Cincinnati, look no further than Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli. 

Servatii’s old-world techniques impress customers with everything from cream-filled Schnecken pastries to raspberry cakes that steal the show at parties.

Cinnamon rolls, donuts, and lemon squares join the menu with fresh-baked cookies and specialty cakes topped with silky icing. 

While service may occasionally disappoint, Servatii’s quality creations keep nearby customers returning for affordable treats to satisfy sweet cravings.

14 – Tweedles Mini Donuts

Address: 1801 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Nestled on UC’s campus, tiny Tweedle’s Donuts draws enormous crowds of college kids and locals alike. But one bite of their fluffy blueberry cake donuts, and you’ll understand why. 

It stays open late to keep you fueled during those late-night study sessions, and Tweedles’ big, creamy donuts are just what you need.

15 – Hoity Toity Donut

Address: 2459 Gilbert Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45206

Hoity Toity Donut is a high-end patisserie that innovates Cincinnati’s donut scene. 

Even though their gourmet treats can be a bit pricey, Hoity Toity’s one-of-a-kind desserts are designed to fulfill your donut cravings delightfully.

Their artisanal, fanciful creations elevate the donut experience with premium flavors and attention to detail. 

Many customers like the delicious cookie butter and cafe au lait flavors. However, some feel the price point doesn’t always align with icing quality. 

16 – Cherbourg Cyprus

Address: 1804 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Cherbourg Cyprus delights Cincinnati foodies with gluten-free baked goods that never compromise on flavor. 

Their moist muffins burst with juicy berries, while quiches impress with creamy textures and robust seasonings. 

Sitting at a sidewalk table or cozy bench, customers blissfully savor lemon bars, apple pie bars, and other melt-in-your-mouth pastries. Window views of the lively market complete the charming experience. 

17 – Little Dutch Bakery

Address: 7611 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45231

Little Dutch Bakery is a Cincinnati staple for over 100 years. It still delights customers with award-winning coffee cakes and twisty, tender donuts. 

Though new ownership brought some changes, this bakery remains beloved for cinnamon rolls, coffee cakes, and other fresh-baked sweets. 

While quality may sometimes vary, Little Dutch Bakery’s legacy of notable pastries and friendly service keeps Cincinnati residents returning to this local legend.

18 – Brown Bear Bakery

Address: 116 E 13th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Brown Bear Bakery stakes its reputation on handcrafted artistry and quality. 

By preparing pastries in small batches with premier ingredients, this Cincinnati bakery lives up to its exceptional reputation. 

Customers praise the care that goes into each croissant, Danish, and cake to create decadent, crave-worthy treats. 

19 – Sebastian Bakehouse

Address: 6846 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45227

When a Cincinnati donut craving strikes, Sebastian Bakehouse can’t be beat. 

Sebastian Bakehouse is well known for their pastries and filled brioche donuts, which come in unique, novelty flavors. 

20 – Gadabout Doughnuts

Address: 1719 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

This roving donut pop-up offers some of the most creative flavors in Cincy. They come up with new and delicious donuts for each season, like apple cider and pumpkin spice.

Part of the fun is following them down via social media to get your hands on their latest inventions.

Wrap Up

The donuts Cincinnati has to offer are bound to satisfy any sweet tooth, between the old-school bakeries to gourmet patisseries.

With so many renowned shops crafting new flavors and timeless classics, you’re sure to find a new favorite treat in the Queen City. 

So, be sure to grab a glaze while you’re in Cincy! You’ll be in for a tasty, great time.

And that’s something to raise a donut to!

For more Ohio travel guides, you can also check out:

• Best Breakfast In Cincinnati Ohio
• Things To Do In Medina Ohio
• The Tragic Demise Of Chippewa Lake Park
• Ohio Spring Break Ideas

​Thanks for reading!