Mmm, nothing starts off a morning better than a freshly baked doughnut! Denver is a doughnut-lovers mecca, with tons of local shops that aren’t just doing your typical bakery fried dough.
To help you out, we pulled together a list of the top 10 doughnut shops around Denver that are perfect for families that love the classics, as well as families that love trying new, experimental flavors. Each doughnut shop offers something unique for families searching for the perfect doughnut destination, whether it be the ambiance of a retro doughnut counter or a funky eclectic shop. What makes these shops the best around is that they have the winning recipe for any family outing: They’re open early, offer all kinds of sprinkle-covered sweets, and supply quality coffee for bleary-eyed parents, babysitters, and nannies.
LaMar’s Donuts
Address: 2120 S. Broadway, Denver, CO 80210 | Click here for other locations.
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 5 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Sunday, 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Hours vary by location)
Phone: 303-733-4704 (South Broadway location)
This chain that started in Kansas City in 1960 has locations all over the Denver metro area. LaMar’s has more than 75 varieties of handmade doughnut that change every day, always keeping the classics but adding in “LaMar’s Bars” (doughnut with fillings like Bavarian Creme or Chocolate Fluff) and fun toppings like M&M’s and coconut. But the kids can’t go wrong with a doughnut hole!
Fun fact for those watching their waistline: Ray’s Original Glazed Donut only has 220 calories, while a bagel and cream cheese averages 450 calories. So, now you can enjoy your doughnut almost guilt-free! Pair your doughnut of choice with a fresh roasted coffee and you can’t have a bad day! Can’t swing by the shop in person? Some of LaMar’s locations deliver.
Winchell’s Donut House
Address: 1301 S. Broadway, Denver, CO 80210 | Click here for other locations.
Hours: Open 24/7
Phone: 303-777-9361 (South Broadway location)
Although this is a popular West Coast chain, Denver-area doughnut-lovers flock to one of the several Winchell’s at any hour — as they’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Winchell’s, with its no-frills, classic doughnut shop vibe, has everything from fritters to mini-doughnuts to the classic raised doughnut.
Not in the mood for a doughnut? Winchells has croissants, muffins, and sandwiches. Wash down your tasty doughnut with a plethora of drink selections, ranging from coffee to juice to smoothies, sure to satisfy any craving. Doughnuts will run you just over $1 per doughnut, or $12.99 for a Baker’s Dozen. For convenience, you can even order online ahead of time for pickup at some locations.
OMG Donuts Arvada
Address: 7355 Ralston Road, Arvada, CO 80002
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Phone: 303-431-3686
This shop located in Arvada has quickly become a favorite on the west side of town. The friendly owner welcomes newcomers, letting them try fluffy doughnut holes to select your soon-to-be new favorite and making him very popular with the little ones! The fresh doughnuts are filled on the spot, and the Bavarian Creme is my personal favorite. The iced cake doughnuts are also popular, with unique flavors like Red Velvet stealing the show.
OMG Donuts is closed on Sundays, so be sure you stock up early on Saturday if you need a doughnut fix for the whole weekend. They can sell out of a lot of their flavors by mid-morning.
Glazed and Confuzed
Address: 2501 Dallas St., Aurora, CO 80010
Hours: Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 303-524-9637
Glazed and Confuzed says these are “Not Your Daddy’s Donuts” and locals agree — these doughnut are definitely extraordinary! The shop prides itself on having local, organic ingredients and innovative flavors, like Hibiscus Pear and “Breakfast of Champz” (a maple syrup- and bacon-infused glazed doughnut with bacon on top) to name a few, along with some gluten-free options.
They’re a little pricier than the run-of-the-mill doughnut shop, but you won’t find flavors like these at your local chain made by this “doughnut artist!” Money-saving tip: Glazed and Confuzed offers a deal where you get 25 percent off if you order a dozen or more doughnuts. Coffee offerings are from local roastery Kaladi, the perfect pairing for a sweet (or savory) treat! Glazed and Confuzed just opened its new shop inside of the Stanley Marketplace that boasts more parking and more menu selections.
Beet Box Bakery
Address: 1030 E. 22nd Ave., Denver, CO 80205
Hours: Open daily, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 303-861-0017
Vegan doughnut lovers, rejoice! This Five Points bakery is a must-stop for those on the quest for vegan and gluten-free treats. Beet Box Bakery specializes in cakes, pastries, and breads that are vegan and mostly organic, with gluten-free options perfect for the kiddos with food allergy sensitivities. You can choose one of their tasty gluten-free baked doughnuts in vanilla, chocolate, apple, or pumpkin. Beet Box also offers croissants, tarts, brownies, scones, and muffins with gluten-free, vegan options.
Looking for something more savory? Try one of their breakfast sandwiches on brioche bread, or at the lunch hour, their avocado melt and cremini panini are favorites. You can place a special order for a dozen baked doughnuts to share for $23 — a price that sounds steep, but having the gluten-free vegan option is worth it to many.
Voodoo Doughnuts Denver
Address: 1520 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80218
Hours: Open 24/7
Phone: 303-597-3666
Voodoo Doughnuts is known for its Portland location, but the Mile High City’s Colfax location is a local favorite for those who want innovative doughnuts. Kids will love their cereal-themed doughnuts, like Captain Crunch or Fruity Pebbles, and for the older kids/adults, their namesake doughnut, the Voodoo Doll Donut — complete with a pretzel stick to poke holes in your jelly-filled doughnut — is an interactive activity.
It’s cash only, so be sure you hit the ATM before going, and prepare yourself for a long line, especially if going during busy hours.
Donut Maker
Address: 9625 E. Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80112
Hours: Monday – Friday, 5 a.m. – noon | Saturday & Sunday, 6 a.m. – noon
Phone: 303-799-1702
Donut Maker has been winning over South Denver’s hearts since 1988 and getting recognition with locals as Westword’s best doughnuts in Denver. Be sure to get there early, as they can sell out of many doughnuts by mid-morning. Try their cake doughnuts, with fun flavors like the chocolate iced doughnut, with coconut, peanuts, sprinkles, and M&M’s; and Cookies and Creme; or if you’re feeling fancy, a Chocolate Fluff-filled doughnut.
Many people say the owners throw in some extra doughnut holes for the little ones! If you’re looking for doughnuts for a special occasion, Donut Maker delivers and accepts special orders online.
Jelly Cafe
Address:
- Capitol Hill: 600 E. 13th Ave., Denver, CO | 303-831-6301
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Jelly U: 1700 E. Evans Ave., Denver, CO | 720-596-4108
Hours:
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Capitol Hill: Open daily, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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Jelly U summer hours: Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Friday – Sunday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
With two locations in the Denver Metro area, Jelly Cafe isn’t just a doughnut shop. They offer a full breakfast and lunch menu, too, so you can please those looking for a heartier meal. But kids and adults alike will love Jelly Cafe’s doughnut holes in several fun flavors, like Mexican chocolate, salted caramel or a jelly-filled doughnut hole.
If you aren’t in the mood for doughnuts, the lavender blueberry pancakes are another favorite after enjoying a mimosa or Bloody Mary. Don’t feel like driving out? Jelly Cafe offers delivery. But you may not want to miss walking down memory lane in the cafe’s pink and blue retro ambiance, complete with vintage cereal boxes framed on the walls.
The Donut House
Address: 3124 S. Parker Road, Aurora, CO 80014 | Click here for other locations.
Hours: Open daily, 5 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Phone: 303-337-2771
The Donut House is a family-owned bakery, with its main branch located in Aurora. Since its opening in 2009, the Donut House has expanded to Castle Rock, Parker, and Denver — and has been voted as one of the top doughnut shops in the U.S. by PopSugar. The Donut House offers tons of variety, from their “Classic” selection of cake doughnuts or maple old-fashioned doughnut, to their “Almost Famous” twists, bars, and bismarcks, and topped off with their “Famous” selection fritters or cinnamon rolls.
Feeling like a legendary breakfast? The Donut House also offers “Legend” doughnuts like “Fruity Spread,” which has fresh strawberries and blueberries on a cream spread over a raised doughnut, or the Creme Brulee doughnut, which has hand-torched sugar on top of a raised doughnut. A baker’s dozen doughnuts will run you $12.99, with specialty doughnuts costing an additional fee. The large variety of sweet treats will keep both the kids and adults happy!
Waltons Donuts
Address: 6603 Leetsdale Drive, Ste. F, Denver, CO 80224 | Click here for other locations.
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 5:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Sunday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Phone: 303-320-0061
Walton Donuts is perfect for those looking for an old-fashioned, no frills doughnut shop! Since its flagship store opening in Denver in 2004, Walton Donuts has expanded to other locations in Aurora, Lakewood, and Parker. Kids will love the fluffy, simple but tasty glazed doughnuts or a blueberry cake doughnut. Try out their doughnut holes to get a taste of unique flavors. The price is also right, with classic doughnuts costing just under $1 a piece.
