10 best spots for donuts in San Francisco

If you’ve got a hankering for a sweet treat, we’ve rounded up our favorite spots for doughnuts in San Francisco. 

Doughnut cravings can come at all hours, so thank goodness for this 24/7 doughnut shop on Polk Street. Bob’s, a family-owned-and-operated business established in the 1950s, is a must-try for anyone visiting the city and looking for a delicious San Francisco treat. Bob’s has all the classic flavors (think raised maple and chocolate cake with sprinkles), but fan favorites include Bob’s cinnamon rolls and famous apple fritters. For those with a big appetite, Bob’s sells The Big Donut — a massive doughnut smothered with your choice of toppings like chocolate frosting, crumbs, sprinkles, maple or regular glaze. Devour this bad boy in under three minutes and you can add your name to Bob’s Hall of Fame wall. 

Find it: Bob’s Donuts, 1621 Polk St,. San Francisco 94109; 415-776-3141

Established in 2008, this Mission District favorite offers a variety of doughnut flavors, from seasonal specials like elderflower and zucchini oat, to classics like maple bacon apple, to unusual offerings like a tangy passionfruit milk chocolate doughnut. Dynamo also offers gluten-free and vegan doughnuts. Although there’s also a location in the Marina, we suggest enjoying these treats inside Dynamo’s charming Mission storefront or tucked-away backyard.

In addition to Hahdough’s expertly baked, German-style cakes, pies, pastries and pretzels, Hahdough also makes the Berliner. These are light and fluffy doughnuts filled with seasonal jams — like rose hip and cherry, custards and fruits — covered in powdered sugar. Since these doughnuts are fried in sunflower oil, they will leave you with a less heavy feeling than a more classic American doughnut.

Find it: Hahdough, 1221 Fell St., San Francisco, CA 94117; 415-590-2051

This no-frills, old-school doughnut shop is hands down a local favorite. Open 24/7, Happy Donuts has been around since the 1970s, offering its fresh doughnuts to happy customers all day and night. The pots of coffee are always hot and the case of classic doughnuts is always stocked. The apple fritter is one of the best in the city with its crispy, crunchy outsides and soft, apple-packed insides. The maple bar is another popular choice. If you have the chance to get one while it’s still hot, it’s melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Happy Donuts has multiple locations, but our favorite shop is on 24th Street in Noe Valley.

Find it: Happy Donuts, 3801 24th St., San Francisco, CA 94114; 415-285-5890

Originally opened as a food truck in 2012, Johnny Doughnuts now has four locations throughout the Bay Area, plus regular pop-up spots. Each location offers an artisanal selection of handcrafted, classic doughnuts made with organic wheat flour and local ingredients, as well as a raised doughnut made with fresh potato to give it “extra bite.” Johnny Doughnuts also has vegan and wheat-free offerings on its menu. From the Bismark, a classic yeast doughnut filled with a selection of jams and custards, to the Old Fashioned, made from a heavily spiced dough in flavors like chocolate salted caramel and maple, this is the place to go when you’re looking for elevated doughnuts. 

Find it: Johnny Doughnuts, 2404 California St., San Francisco, CA  94115; 415-932-6806

Unlike traditional wheat flour doughnuts, the doughnuts at Mochill are made with rice flour which give them a light, chewy and crisp texture. These Japanese-style mochi doughnuts come in a variety of flavors like black sesame, matcha, Fruity Pebbles and ube, and are decorated with vibrant glazes that look as good as they taste. Mochill also serves other freshly baked treats, like brioche and French puffs, alongside inventive drinks, all perfect for the Gram. You can enjoy these doughnuts at multiple locations around the city, but the location in Japantown is our favorite.

Since 1987, this family-run shop has been offering fresh doughnuts to patrons 24/7, except when it closed for two years during the pandemic. In July 2021, the Mission District hole-in-the-wall reopened to lines of happy customers. Try their glazed crullers in flavors like strawberry and blueberry; doughnuts filled with apple, guava or mango jelly; and their Old Fashioneds. With their friendly staff and homey vibes, it’s easy to see why the Jelly Donut is a local favorite. 

Find it: The Jelly Donut, 3198 24th St., San Francisco, CA 94110; 415-648-1419

Trish Conklin, owner of Trish’s Mini Donuts, grew up in the carnival business and her doughnut shop retains the fun and flair you’d see at a local fair. Fittingly, Trish’s Mini Donuts is located at the always touristy Pier 39. Even those who look down on this part of SF should make the journey; the sugary-sweet, always warm mini doughnuts are addictive and worth a day out in the crowds. The airy, light and covered in sugar gems can be bought by the bucket (which is what we suggest!).

Founded in 2014 by a wife and husband duo, Twisted Donuts is situated in the Sunset District. This fan-favorite offers classic doughnuts on the weekdays — think cake doughnuts in flavors like strawberry and chocolate and glazed buttermilk bars — but on the weekends things get “twisted.” This is when the shop is known to sell specials like the Nutty Monkey, Baconpeno, S’Mores Galore and Lemon Berry. Twisted Donuts also offers some vegan options. 

This is the go-to spot for affordable doughnuts in the Sunset. From impressive apple fritters the size of your face to endlessly long Tiger Tails and perfectly sprinkled cake donuts, Uncle Benny’s sells a variety of classics, all freshly baked. In addition to sweet treats, Uncle Benny’s also offers breakfast sandwiches, bagels and more.

This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at [email protected].