Fried cake or raised? Jelly-filled or glazed? When they come by the dozen, the hardest choice you’ll have to make about donuts is how many you’ll eat in one sitting. Cleveland’s culinary scene is world-class, so naturally our donut game is equally so. Check out a half-a-baker’s-dozen CLE donut shops to complement your morning coffee (or cold craft brew).
Peace, Love and Little Donuts
People all over The Land are hopping on the love train for Peace, Love and Little Donuts. With a tagline of “Feed your inner hippie,” this Pittsburgh export has set up shop in West Park with an array of funkadelic fare, like the “Shaka Pecan” and the “Snick Jagger.”
Brewnuts
When you want a beer but need a donut, whet both whims at Brewnuts. Made with craft brews that tone down the sweetness, these small-batch donuts bring the flavor. The Gordon Square shop also sells beer, so you can, um, have your cake and drink it, too.
Bigmouth Donut Company
Image © Bigmouth Donut Company
If you’re a donut fan (*raises hand*), Bigmouth Donut Company’s artisanal menu will have you swooning. Count ‘em: 14 types of raised brioche donuts (like Georgia Peach, Maple Bacon and Hazelnut Nutella, plus treats for the gluten-free and vegan folks in the bunch.
Jack Frost Donuts
Most Clevelanders are on a first-name basis with Jack Frost—after all, this Old Brooklyn donut haven has been making us drool since 1937. Making “every batch from scratch,” Jack Frost donuts don’t disappoint with flavors like cherry cheesecake, banana split and the ominous-yet-irresistible “death by chocolate.”
The Vegan Doughnut Co.
Vegans, this one’s for you! In fact, the Lakewood-based The Vegan Doughnut Co. is Ohio’s only 100 percent vegan donut shop—owned by a pair of enterprising sisters. Every donut is decorated by hand, and inventive flavors abound, such as lemon lavender and raspberry hibiscus.
Becker’s Donuts
The inevitable line outside Becker’s Donuts signals the good stuff waiting inside their Fairview Park location. Famous for their maple crullers, this family-owned bakery also specializes in cream cheese and cinnamon rolls. The best part: you get a baker’s dozen! (13 is a lucky number in this case.)
Spudnuts
For a heartier pastry, may we suggest potato flour? That’s the secret weapon at Berea-based Spudnuts, where donuts are topped with maple or chocolate icing, coconut, sprinkles or cinnamon. Feels like an old-school donut shop, tastes like old-fashioned goodness. Pro tip: try the “spuddies,” or light frycakes!
