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Best Donut Shops in Santa Monica
Santa Monica's donut scene runs from legendary LA icons and small-batch gourmet doughnuts on Wilshire to scratch churros, Greek loukoumades and family-run Westside classics. 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 Santa Monica guide.
Want to taste the best of Santa Monica with a guide? See our Santa Monica food tours.
DOWNTOWN & WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
◉ OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND DONUT TOUR PARTNER
Randy's Donuts
829 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
The Santa Monica outpost of the legendary LA donut stand brings its classic recipes a few blocks from the beach. The old fashioned is crisp at the edges and tender inside, the kind of donut that made Randy's an icon. A must for any first donut crawl in town.
Also on our tour: Santa Monica Holiday Donut & Walking Tour
Donut Tour Recommends: Old Fashioned
DOWNTOWN & WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
◉ OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND DONUT TOUR PARTNER
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee
631 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Just a few blocks from the pier, this bright shop fries its doughnuts in small batches all day long. The huckleberry doughnut is studded with real berries and tastes like summer in every bite. Pair it with a pour-over on the patio.
Also on our tour: Santa Monica Holiday Donut & Walking Tour
Donut Tour Recommends: Huckleberry Doughnut
DOWNTOWN & WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
◉ OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND DONUT TOUR PARTNER
Papi Tacos & Churros
313 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
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Steps from the Third Street Promenade, this lively Mexican street food spot makes its churros from scratch and serves them hot. They come crisp and sugar dusted, ready for a dunk in dulce de leche. Save room after the birria tacos.
Also on our tour: Santa Monica Holiday Donut & Walking Tour
Donut Tour Recommends: Homemade Churros with Dulce de Leche
DOWNTOWN & WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
◉ OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND DONUT TOUR PARTNER
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
1456 3rd St Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401
California's historic Santa Barbara creamery scoops dense, silky ice cream right on the Promenade. Bright, seasonal flavors sit next to rich classics, and a scoop pairs perfectly with a warm donut. The ideal sweet finish to a downtown stroll.
Also on our tour: Santa Monica Holiday Donut & Walking Tour
Donut Tour Recommends: Eureka Lemon & Marionberries
DOWNTOWN & WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
Nick the Greek
219 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Just off the Promenade, this Greek street food spot ends every meal on a sweet note. The loukoumades are golden Greek donut puffs, drizzled with honey and showered with toppings. Order a plate to share after a gyro.
Donut Tour Recommends: Loukoumades
MID-CITY SANTA MONICA
● Viral on social media
DK's Donuts & Bakery
1614 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
A Santa Monica institution for more than 40 years, this cheerful corner shop turns out classic and wildly creative donuts around the clock. The Lucky Charms donut is a colorful fan favorite piled with marshmallow cereal. Pair it with an iced latte.
Donut Tour Recommends: Lucky Charms Donut
MID-CITY SANTA MONICA
10 Speed Coffee
1919 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
This friendly local coffee bar turns Thursday mornings into a donut party. Fluffy raised donuts arrive crowned with playful toppings. Make it a Thursday ritual with a perfectly pulled latte.
Donut Tour Recommends: Donut Thursday Raised Donut
BRENTWOOD
Jon & Vinny's Brentwood
11938 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049
This bustling Italian favorite in the heart of Brentwood also bakes sweet treats. The mini bomboloni are pillowy Italian doughnuts filled with jam or vanilla custard. A sweet start before a stroll down San Vicente.
Donut Tour Recommends: Mini Bombolone
WEST LA & SAWTELLE
Primo's Donuts
2918 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Family run since 1956, this beloved Sawtelle shop is a true Westside donut landmark. The buttermilk bar is tender and tangy with a crackly glaze, and the cinnamon version sells out fast. Arrive early to snag one.
Donut Tour Recommends: Cinnamon Buttermilk Bar
WEST LA & SAWTELLE
● Latino-owned
Churros Calientes
11521 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
This cozy churreria serves Spanish-style churros with crisp ridges and a soft, chewy center. Order them with a cup of thick hot chocolate for dunking. A warm, cinnamon-scented treat any time of day.
Donut Tour Recommends: Churros con Chocolate
WEST LA & SAWTELLE
● Asian-owned
Westside Donuts & Croissants
11277 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Tucked into a small plaza at Santa Monica and Sawtelle, this family shop is a classic LA donut stop. The apple fritter is crunchy outside and soft inside, and the glazed twist is famously fluffy. Don't skip the ham and cheese croissant.
Donut Tour Recommends: Apple Fritter
MAR VISTA
Jolly Donuts
11285 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
A classic neighborhood donut shop on Venice Boulevard, made for an early morning coffee and donut run. The glazed donut is light, airy and shiny with sugar. A true taste of old school LA donut culture.
Donut Tour Recommends: Glazed Donut
CULVER CITY
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee (Culver City)
10705 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Sidecar's Culver City shop serves the same small-batch doughnuts, fresh all day. The butter and salt cake doughnut is simple, rich and perfectly balanced. A great stop near downtown Culver City.
Donut Tour Recommends: Butter & Salt Doughnut
CULVER CITY
Cofax Coffee
10868 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
The cult breakfast burrito spot also makes house donuts fresh every morning at its Culver City shop. The honey sea salt donut is sweet, salty and hard to share. Pair it with a burrito for the ultimate LA breakfast.
Donut Tour Recommends: Honey Sea Salt Donut
CULVER CITY
Donut King
10400 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
This friendly corner shop at Motor and Venice pairs classic donuts with a house specialty you won't find anywhere else. The fresh Thai coconut smoothie is creamy, cool and made with real coconut. The perfect sip alongside a box of glazed.
Donut Tour Recommends: Thai Coconut Smoothie
CULVER CITY
Sepulveda Donut
4905 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230
An early bird neighborhood donut shop that opens before dawn for the morning crowd. Fresh donuts and hot coffee make it a classic Culver City start to the day. The glazed donut is the perfect place to begin.
Donut Tour Recommends: Glazed Donut
Taste Santa Monica's best on one walk
Skip the guesswork. Our guides pick the best of the best at each stop, with stories along the way.
Santa Monica Downtown Donut & Walking Tour →
Santa Monica Holiday Donut & Walking Tour →
Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica Downtown Donut & Walking Tour visits Randy's Donuts, Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee, Papi Tacos & Churros and McConnell's Fine Ice Creams. Lineups can vary by day and season.
Where can I find classic old-school donuts near Santa Monica?
DK's Donuts & Bakery on Santa Monica Boulevard is open around the clock, and Primo's Donuts on Sawtelle has been family run since 1956. Jolly Donuts in Mar Vista and Sepulveda Donut in Culver City are friendly neighborhood classics too.
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Santa Monica Donut Tour FAQ Stops, timing, kids and diets