There’s nothing like parenthood to turn even the most dedicated night owl into an early bird. Babies can’t tell time. Toddlers don’t care how late you were up last night. And a kindergartner knows playing the “potty!” card is a surefire ticket out of bed at any hour. If you find yourself awake before the sun and aren’t quite ready to match your little ones’ energy, toss them in the car and hit up one of our favorite donut shops around Detroit {don’t be afraid to venture far from home; maybe a long ride will put them back to sleep!!} There are even some 24-hour options if you need a coffee fix later in the day {you might even get to drink it hot depending on how fast your Littles can take down a donut!}
So buckle up and follow our team on a DMB Tour of Donut Shops in + around Detroit! We’ll share with you our favorites as well as some pro — err… dough — tips before you plan your first visit!
Click on the name of each shop to find out the gooey details!
Knapp’s has been a favorite in downtown Rochester since it opened in 1996. Stop inside either of the two locations for some classic donutty indulgence with traditional offerings ranging from the yeast-raised Golden Glazed to the crowd favorite Boston Creams.
Locations: 6057 Rochester Rd, Troy, MI 48085 and 500 N Main St, Rochester, MI 48307
Dough-Tips: Check out DK Donuts & Burgers in Oxford, owned by Knapp’s owner David Lee. Not only do they have a drive-thru, but you can order yourself a breakfast sandwich or a burger on a donut {yep — you read that right… Donut Burgers exist and you can get one without ever leaving your car! #takethatswimsuitseason}
If baby won’t sleep in the middle of the night and you’re within driving range to Livonia, head over to the Looney Baker: they have a 24-hour drive through! Or, if you’d like to head over at a more sensible hour, you can get a half sandwich, cup of soup, and donut for a little over five bucks.
Location: 13931 Farmington Rd, Livonia, MI 48154
Dough-Tips: Their Looney Bread is also a must-try: glazed bread layered with chocolate, walnuts, and raisins. If you’re looking for cider mill quality donuts this is the place to be, we recommend the apple cider donut!
WebsiteDelicious donuts in a wide variety plus delicious coffee and tea. Your kids will love the fun colors and donut art in the Woodward Ave location. There is a small eating area to enjoy your treats also.
Location: Central: 32701 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak, MI 48073 Eastside: 13599 E 9 Mile Rd, Warren, MI 48089
Dough-Tips: Try the Custard French Cruller for a unique spin on a classic. Nothing beats the slightly flaky dough filled with custard and topped with chocolate. Kids will love the sprinkles!
This well loved donut shop has all the charm with the traditional counter seating. You walk in and the smell tells you immediately that this is the absolute best breakfast choice you could have made. They offer a wide variety of options and many people swear their apple fritters are the best to be found in driving range.
Location: 28173 Woodward Ave, Berkley, MI 48072
Dough-Tips: The shop is cash only so stop by the ATM so you don’t have to fish out change. They highly recommend their glaze but if you like are always craving Girl Scout Cookies go for the Samoa for the chocolate coconut goodness in donut form!
The Donut Bar takes donuts from average to gourmet. With offerings ranging from candy and cereal topped that your kiddos (or the young at heart) will love to more grown up flavors like Tres Leches, Cranberry Pistachio, and Pina Colada, there is something for everyone.
Location: 29039 Southfield Rd, Southfield, MI 48076
Dough-Tips: Every donut here is delicious so it really is up to you what you fancy. These donuts are a little pricier than the average donut, ranging from $2.50-4 a piece. You should also get there fast because once they are gone they close for the day, you can follow them on instagram and they post when they sell out!
This highly rated Pontiac destination has a traditional donut diner feel, but the donuts showcase all the latest foodie confectionary trends, such as Maple Bacon Donuts and Caramel Apple (you can, of course, stick to traditional varieties as well!). They were also rated number one donut shop in Michigan by Delish so be sure to add them to your list!
Location: 45324 Woodward Ave, Pontiac, MI 48341
Dough-Tips: Can’t decide which donut to pick? They recommend the blueberry cheesecake!
Elias Donuts has a wide variety of donuts as well as other sweet treats and more filling eats in one location. They have a Hershey’s Ice Cream Bar and Philly Cheesesteaks in case you really need to fill up your belly in one stop! They have a giant glazed donut that the entire family could share and the full spectrum of donut offerings.
Location: 19231 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48223
Dough-Tips: Elias Donuts is in the beautiful Rosedale Park neighborhood in Detroit. Grab one of their highly recommended red velvet donuts and take a drive through the historic neighborhood.
This is a place that truly respects the great American donut. Born on the fourth of July in 1966, this 24-hour donut joint would be hard to miss any time of the day with its triangular vaulted ceilings and larger-than-life donut-topped sign. They’ve got the full range of traditional favorites from sugar-raised and buttermilk to seasonal favorites like Pumpkin.
Location: 14829 Ford Rd, Dearborn, MI 48126
Dough-Tips: Honey dip and custard are the most popular, but if you call in a special order, you can get the mega-sized “Chocolate Iced King” for the donut-lover in your life.
Whether you’re a donut purist or love trying on new foodie fashions, this Ferndale family-owned donut diner has something for everyone. In the mood for something traditional? They’ve got favorites such as glazed, double chocolate, and jelly-filled (you definitely won’t regret sticking around to catch a tray of cinnamon covered donuts come hot out of the kitchen). Feeling adventurous? They’re constantly creating new confections, such as butterfinger, cinnamon toast crunch, and strawberry shake glazed donuts.
Location: 741 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220
Dough-Tips: Obviously the Apple Fritters here are a hit, but there’s still no shortage of variety — try a bacon maple apple fritter, cinnamon glazed pecan apple fritter, or cherry almond apple fritter to name a few!
Owner Herman Hayes, uncle to the late Hip Hop producer J Dilla, is no stranger to good donuts. He worked much of his life for Detroit’s Avalon International and has been selling his own creations to local eateries, saving up funds to open this delicious donut counter in downtown’s Ashley Building (opened May 3, 2016). The donuts are made of 100% organic flour and deep fried in rice bran oil, with endlessly creative concoctions (named in honor of Hip Hop and Detroit icons) such as Cakeboy Chocolate Max, Rasul Wasi Raspberry Filled , McNasty Macaroon, and Conant Garden Glaze. They even have vegan options such as Blueberry and Cinnamon Raisin. The shop is named for Dilla’s teenage daughters. “Dilla’s daughters are Dilla’s Delights,” Hayes said. “They would have been the delights of his life.”
Location: 242 John R St, Detroit, MI 48226
Dough-Tips: The shop itself is new, but the donuts have been highly anticipated. Check out the feature articles on Detroit Eater and ClickonDetroit. If they haven’t sold out and you can make an early afternoon stop you might just be lucky enough to get some history on music and the donuts from Hayes
This family-owned Warren favorite has all your old familiars (they say the Apple Fritters are a favorite), plus fresh sandwiches made to order. They even have a drive-thru if you don’t feel like getting the kids in and out of the car!
Location: 11831 E 13 Mile Rd, Warren, MI 48093
Dough-Tips: Check out their Facebook page to see their custom made donuts! Surprise someone special with a personalized donut or celebrate with a donut cake!
The Donut Hole is highly rated on the east-side. It is convenient to get to with both ample parking and seating inside. This traditional shop serves up all the usual suspects but also has some unique options if you want to stop out of the box a bit.
Location: 32187 Van Dyke Ave, Warren, MI 48093
Dough-Tips: Try their Cherry Chip donut. It has all the goodness of a moist cake donut with the special addition of a subtle and delicious cherry flavor. They also say their glazed donuts are a crowd pleaser if you are buying for a group!
If you find yourself in Mexicantown and are looking for something other than churros or biscochos,head into Donut Villa for a fresh donut and some friendly conversation! Or, if you’ve already indulged at the local Panaderias and still find yourself craving a donut, get yourself a signature nicklenut — a ten cent donut hole that’s easy on your wallet and your waistline (unless, you know, you pop a dozen of them!).
Location: 5875 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209
Dough-Tips: Cash only (so start searching underneath the cars for wandering dimes and turn them into nickelnuts!). For a larger indulgence, the buttermilk, cream-filled, and sugar raised are some of the most popular.
Daddy’s Doughnuts is adding something new to the donut scene in Metro Detroit. If you’ve ever walked into a donut shop wishing they had something specific but you couldn’t get it, now is your chance! Daddy’s Doughnuts is offering customizable donuts! You can pick your dip, drizzle, and toppings, or choose from their recommended combinations on their menu!
Location: 8413 Hall Rd. Utica, MI, 48317
Dough-Tips: If you are ordering for a large group be sure to call ahead! All their donuts are made to order so it will save you waiting! If you are indecisive their menu is online you can check it out so you are prepared when you head in.
Yum! I can’t wait to try one of these out later. I can’t believe Dutch Girls is missing from this list!