Just like there’s no such thing as an ugly puppy, there’s no such thing as a bad doughnut. DCist has previously noted that Washington is not necessarily a doughnut town, in that there are only a few specialty shops. But dig a litter deeper and you’ll find a ton of delicious options on local menus. While this list could basically read “Every doughnut, everywhere,” we narrowed down the choices for you. Here are some of the best.
Photo by Kevin Harber.
APPLE FRITTER AT HELLER’S BAKERY: In a world filled with fancy pants artisanal pastries, Heller’s stands alone in their dogged resistance to change. If you want to eat the doughnuts of the real ‘muerica, Heller’s has got your yeast-raised, chocolate-glazed needs covered. Swing by early for the monstrous apple fritter, fried deep brown and dredged in enough glaze to make your teeth hurt. Priced a whopping $1, it’s the most expensive doughnut on the menu, presumably because it’s the size of your face. -Alicia Mazzara
Heller’s Bakery is located at 3221 Mount Pleasant St NW.
POSTE MODERNE BRASSERIE: From Chef Dennis Marron’s kitchen come duck fat donuts with bourbon maple glaze. Think of them as a spin on the now-ubiquitous maple-bacon flavoring: the duck fat lends a savory weight to airy donuts that come out almost too hot to eat, dripping with the caramelized glaze. A plate of these is impossible to eat alone. Share the wealth with brunch companions in the sunny dining room. -Catherine McCarthy
Poste Moderne Brasserie is located at 555 8th Street NW in Hotel Monaco.
HOT GLAZED AT KRISPY KREME: I have no shame in saying that there is no better doughnut in this world than a hot glazed doughnut fresh off the conveyor belt at Krispy Kreme. The sight of a glowing “Hot Now” sign never fails to make be salivate. For just a buck, a few seconds of pure sugary joy can be yours. -Sarah Anne Hughes
Krispy Kreme is located at 1350 Connecticut Avenue NW.
Photo from Mac’s Donuts’ Facebook page.MAC’S DONUTS: Popsicles, kebabs, bacon lollies: Let’s be real, all the best food comes on sticks. Thanks to the good people at Mac’s Donuts, apple cider donuts can be added to that list. The Arlington-based food cart makes this delicacy before your eyes and then hands you six warm donuts on a stick. They have just the right amount of apple and sweetness, inside softness and outside crunchiness with a light sugar coating. This year’s judges for Washingtonian’s Great Doughnut Derby and Taste of Arlington must agree, as Mac’s won “Best Donuts in D.C.” and “Best Dessert” respectively. They used to frequent the flea market at Eastern Market, but now can most often be found at the Arlington Farmers’ Market’s Court House location. Track their every move by following their tweets at @macsdonuts. -Nicole Dubowitz
The Arlington Farmers’ Market in Court House is at N Courthouse Road and N 14th Street, Arlington, Va.
MIGUE’S MAGNIFICENT MINI DONUTS: Located next to the best crepes cart in the city at Eastern Market is the stand for Migue’s Magnificent Mini Donuts. The tiny treats cooked before your eyes live up to their name. For $3 (cash only), you’ll get a bag of eight little doughnuts that you top yourself. Beyond powder sugar, there’s also chocolate sauce, cinnamon and sprinkles to use. But really, these tiny guys taste great on their own. -Sarah Anne Hughes
MMMD is located at 635 North Carolina Avenue SE.
CORK MARKET & TASTING ROOM: You won’t find them on the menu, but on weekends Cork Market whips up miniature old-fashioned donuts rolled in the classic cinnamon-sugar combo. They’ll remind you of childhood hay rides that ended with an apple cider donut. Be patient, as they’re made-to-order, but guaranteed to be hot. -Catherine McCarthy
Cork Market & Tasting Room is located at 1805 14th Street NW.
Photo by ekelly80.GARDEN DISTRICT: The Beatles said happiness is a warm gun, but I say happiness is a warm doughnut. On pleasant evenings, the folks at Garden District set up an outdoor doughnut station, cranking out freshly made rings tossed in cinnamon sugar. It’s the perfect ending to meal of pulled pork sandwiches and pints of German beer. -Alicia Mazzara
Garden District is located at 1801 14th Street NW.
CRONUTS AT SHOPPERS: They’re bigger than your face, just as flaky, more frosted, tastier, and cost only 66 cents. Get there early – they sell out fast. -Pat Padua
Cronuts have been spotted at the Shoppers at 2441 Chillum Road, Hyattsville and at 3801 Jefferson Davis Highway in Alexandria.
CREME BRULEE AT ASTRO DOUGHNUTS: If you want me to pay nearly $3 for a doughnut, it better be something special. At Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken the creme brulee selection fits that bill. Don’t order this if you’re not prepared for a rich yet fluffy sugar-glazed, custard-filled treat. But if you can handle it, get it. It’s the only thing on the menu that doesn’t leave me feeling guilty about the cost. -Sarah Anne Hughes
Astro Doughnuts is located at 1308 G Street NW.
LIME CURD-FILLED AT GOLDEN BROWN DELICIOUS: Options abound at this chicken-and-donuts eatery, but a shining star of the display case by the register is the key lime curd-filled donut. Subbing in curd for the usual custard, the glazed donut’s filling is as intense as any traditional key lime pie. The menu alleges that the donut comes with gingersnap crumbles. I’ve yet to have one that included this topping (and I’ve had a few), but I’m not complaining. The flavor is so intense, the ginger might be too much. -Catherine McCarthy
MAPLE-BOURBON GLAZED FROM GBD: Call me boring, but I’m not a huge fan of mixing sweet things with savory things. Hell, I’m not even a big fan of bacon. (The cult worship surrounding the stripped meat stupefies me, to be honest. It’s not that great.) But the maple bourbon-glazed doughnut topped with bacon from GBD is quite simply delectable. It manages to hit just about every taste bud in a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and smokey flavors. That doughnut gets a pass, but any other simultaneously sweet and savory concoction can go straight to hell. -Matt Cohen
Golden Brown Delicious is located at 1323 Connecticut Avenue NW.
