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Best Donut Shops in San Diego
San Diego's donut scene runs from Little Italy small-batch shops and viral oversized creations to Mexican-flavored donas, Polish paczki, sourdough brioche and Old Town churros. Here are the donut shops we send friends to, grouped by neighborhood so you can plan your route.
By the Underground Donut Tour team · Updated November 2026
Visiting for the holidays? See our Best Holiday Donuts & Baked Goods in San Diego guide.
Want to taste the best of San Diego with a guide? See our San Diego food tours.
LITTLE ITALY & DOWNTOWN
◉ OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND DONUT TOUR PARTNER
Devil's Dozen Donut Shop
2001 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Tucked inside Kettner Exchange in the heart of Little Italy, this little donut counter turns out small-batch donuts with big personality. Rotating flavors keep regulars coming back, and the guava cream cheese donut is a tropical, tangy standout. A sweet start to any Little Italy stroll.
Also on our tour: San Diego Little Italy Holiday Donut Tour
Donut Tour Recommends: Guava Cream Cheese Donut
LITTLE ITALY & DOWNTOWN
◉ OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND DONUT TOUR PARTNER
Nonna + Zucchero
1735 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
Website · Instagram · Facebook
Inside the family-run Nonna on India Street, Zucchero keeps Little Italy's sweet tooth happy with cakes, pastries and gelato made in-house. The cannoli are filled fresh for a crisp shell and creamy center. Grab an espresso and make it a true Italian moment.
Also on our tour: San Diego Little Italy Holiday Donut Tour
Donut Tour Recommends: Cannoli
LITTLE ITALY & DOWNTOWN
◉ OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND DONUT TOUR PARTNER
Frost Me Cafe and Bakery
555 W Date St, San Diego, CA 92101
Website · Instagram · Facebook
Facing the Little Italy piazza, this scratch bakery won fans nationwide on Food Network's Cupcake Wars. The pastry case is loaded with cupcakes, croissants and desserts, plus a dedicated gluten-free menu. The red velvet sandwich cookie with rainbow sprinkles is the star of the case.
Also on our tour: San Diego Little Italy Holiday Donut Tour
Donut Tour Recommends: Red Velvet Sandwich Cookie
LITTLE ITALY & DOWNTOWN
◉ OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND DONUT TOUR PARTNER
● Viral on social media
Donut Bar & Bakery
401 W A St, San Diego, CA 92101
This comic-book-styled donut house bakes oversized donuts every day, and the walls come alive in augmented reality on your phone. The creations are bold and playful. The Big Poppa Tart, a giant iced donut with a Pop-Tart inside, is pure fun.
Also on our tour: San Diego Little Italy Holiday Donut Tour
Donut Tour Recommends: Big Poppa Tart
LITTLE ITALY & DOWNTOWN
The Best Donuts
879 W Harbor Dr Suite B, San Diego, CA 92101
This Polish donut maker chose Seaport Village for its first U.S. shop, bringing classic paczki right to the waterfront. The pillowy filled donuts come in traditional rose, plus pistachio cream and Bavarian cream. Enjoy one with a harbor breeze.
Donut Tour Recommends: Rose-Filled Paczki
OLD TOWN
◉ OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND DONUT TOUR PARTNER
Cousin's Candy Shop
2711 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
A classic Old Town sweet shop packed with nostalgia, from retro candy to fresh homemade fudge. The salt water taffy is made daily and wrapped right in the shop. A colorful kickoff to an evening in historic Old Town.
Donut Tour Recommends: Salt Water Taffy
OLD TOWN
◉ OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND DONUT TOUR PARTNER
● Women-owned
Silver Hoof Creamery
2548 Congress St Ste C, San Diego, CA 92110
Inside Old Town Urban Market, this folklore-inspired parlor swirls artisan soft serve into homemade waffle cones and bowls. Flavors rotate through ube, matcha and plant-based options. Don't miss the signature waffle taco piled high with toppings.
Donut Tour Recommends: Signature Waffle Taco
OLD TOWN
◉ OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND DONUT TOUR PARTNER
Old Town Mexican Cafe
2489 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
A beloved Old Town landmark where fresh tortillas are made in-house every day. Save room for the buñuelos, crisp fried tortillas showered in cinnamon sugar. A festive taste of Old Town tradition.
Donut Tour Recommends: Buñuelos
OLD TOWN
◉ OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND DONUT TOUR PARTNER
Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant
2660 Calhoun St, San Diego, CA 92110
This restored 1800s hotel brings Old Town's history to life with a charming restaurant and veranda. The churro bites come dusted in cinnamon sugar with strawberries and whipped cream. A storybook setting for a sweet treat.
Donut Tour Recommends: Churro Bites
MISSION HILLS & LINDA VISTA
Donut Star
601 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103
A classic neighborhood donut shop in Mission Hills with a case full of old-school favorites and fun specialty rings. Early birds stop in for buttermilk bars, twists and fritters. The chocolate-glazed red velvet is a local favorite.
Donut Tour Recommends: Chocolate-Glazed Red Velvet Donut
MISSION HILLS & LINDA VISTA
Rose Donuts
5201 Linda Vista Rd, San Diego, CA 92110
A true neighborhood institution, this family-run donut shop has served Linda Vista for decades. The classics shine here, from plain glazed to glazed twists. The apple fritter is crisp, craggy and packed with cinnamon apple.
Donut Tour Recommends: Apple Fritter
NORTH PARK
Nomad Donuts
3102 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
On a sunny corner of University Avenue, this North Park favorite draws on world travel for its rotating donut flavors. There are plenty of vegan options, plus Montreal-style bagels. The vegan ube taro coconut is a signature that regulars love.
Donut Tour Recommends: Ube Taro Coconut Donut
POINT LOMA & OCEAN BEACH
The Mini Donut Company
2820 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106
Inside Liberty Public Market, this counter fries mini donuts to order and showers them in toppings. Choose from glazed, powdered, candy-coated and seasonal flavors. The classic cinnamon sugar minis are warm, fluffy and hard to share.
Donut Tour Recommends: Cinnamon Sugar Mini Donuts
POINT LOMA & OCEAN BEACH
Christy's Donuts
3710 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107
A cozy Point Loma donut shop frying scratch-made yeast and cake donuts every morning. Locals line up for jelly-filled, Bavarian creme and apple bear claws. The French cruller is light, eggy and perfectly glazed.
Donut Tour Recommends: French Cruller
POINT LOMA & OCEAN BEACH
OB Donuts
1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107
A locally owned Ocean Beach hangout serving donuts, bagels and breakfast sandwiches from early morning. It is the perfect fuel before a walk down to the pier. The apple fritter is the one to grab.
Donut Tour Recommends: Apple Fritter
MISSION BEACH & LA JOLLA
● Women-owned
Sourpuss Donuts
3231 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
After winning fans at the Del Mar farmers market, chef Renee Fox opened a Mission Beach shop for her slow-fermented sourdough brioche donuts. They are made with organic ingredients in sweet and savory flavors. The vanilla bean glazed is a beautiful place to start.
Donut Tour Recommends: Vanilla Bean Glazed Sourdough Donut
MISSION BEACH & LA JOLLA
Dodo Bird Donuts
369 Bird Rock Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
This bright Bird Rock cafe makes its cake donuts fresh each morning and tops them to order with house-made glazes. Local espresso and rare teas round out the menu. A charming La Jolla coffee stop.
Donut Tour Recommends: Made-to-Order Cake Donut
CLAIREMONT & MIRA MESA
● Latino-owned
Barrio Donas
4714 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92117
Founded by a fourth-generation baker and his wife, this shop fills its donuts with Mexican flavors like cajeta, jamaica, horchata and chocolate abuelita. The mazapan donut, finished with peanut butter glaze and crumbled mazapan, is a must. A delicious bridge between two dessert traditions.
Donut Tour Recommends: Mazapan Donut
CLAIREMONT & MIRA MESA
Donut Stop
9330 Mira Mesa Blvd Suite E, San Diego, CA 92126
A Mira Mesa morning tradition with a case full of classic donuts made fresh daily. Friendly service keeps the neighborhood coming back. The blueberry donut is a local favorite.
Donut Tour Recommends: Blueberry Donut
CARMEL VALLEY & NORTH COUNTY
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee (Del Mar)
3435 Del Mar Heights Rd, San Diego, CA 92130
In Del Mar Highlands Town Center, this shop fries its doughnuts fresh throughout the day, so there is always a warm one waiting. Monthly specials rotate alongside favorites like butter and salt. The huckleberry is the signature, bursting with real berry flavor.
Donut Tour Recommends: Huckleberry Doughnut
CARMEL VALLEY & NORTH COUNTY
VG Donut & Bakery
106 Aberdeen Dr, Cardiff, CA 92007
Just across the 101 from the beach, the same family has run this beloved bakery since 1969. Surfers and families line up for maple bars, old fashioneds and fritters. The apple fritter is a North County icon.
Donut Tour Recommends: Apple Fritter
SOUTH BAY
Churros El Tigre (Plaza Bonita)
3030 Plaza Bonita Rd, National City, CA 91950
At Westfield Plaza Bonita, this churro counter fries churros fresh all day long. They come out golden, crisp and generously coated in cinnamon sugar. A perfect South Bay shopping break.
Donut Tour Recommends: Cinnamon Sugar Churro
Taste San Diego's best on one walk
Skip the guesswork. Our guides pick the best of the best at each stop, with stories along the way.
San Diego Little Italy Donut & Walking Tour →
San Diego Little Italy Holiday Donut Tour →
San Diego Haunted History & Delicious Sweet Treats Tour →
San Diego Donut FAQ
Are these donut shops ranked?
No. Every shop here is one we would happily send a friend to, so we list them by neighborhood instead of ranking them.
Can I try several of these on one tour?
Yes. Our Little Italy tour visits Devil's Dozen, Nonna + Zucchero, Frost Me Cafe and Bakery and Donut Bar & Bakery, and our Old Town haunted tour visits Cousin's Candy Shop, Silver Hoof Creamery, Old Town Mexican Cafe and the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Lineups can vary by day and season.
Where can I find vegan donuts in San Diego?
Nomad Donuts in North Park has plenty of vegan flavors, including its ube taro coconut, alongside its Montreal-style bagels.
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San Diego Donut Tour FAQ Stops, timing, kids and diets