I’m hesitant to call myself an expert at anything. But doughnuts are one thing I can confidently say I know very well.
I can’t even begin to count how many hours I have spent slaving over a fryer flipping the damn things.
These days the quality of most of the doughnuts you’ll find in grocery stores or large chains (yes I’m pointing at you Tim Horton’s) are mass produced, frozen hunks of garbage that aren’t worth the calorie cost that comes with consuming them.
However, the degrading quality of doughnus from the larger chains has given rise to the small doughnut shop again. Which, to be honest, is preferable anyways.
Here is my list of Vancouver’s best doughnut shops. Click the link to read my review.
Their Strawberry Cream doughnut is without question, the best doughnut I’ve ever had. A granulated sugar coated Bismark with a mascarpone cream filling and fresh strawberries. Doughnut perfection.
They have a few other flavours that are good, but none of them rise to the level of the Strawberry Cream.
If you only can have one doughnut in Vancouver, this is the one.
Chinatown and Oakridge
Yum uses a double brioche dough, which is very rich and sometimes honestly a bit heavy for me. Regardless these are the actual “gourmet”doughnuts in the city.
The flavor combinations that they come up with are fantastic. They use only the highest quality ingredients. And the donuts are huge. Extremely good value.
But for any doughnut connoisseur they are a must try and are worth the drive to New West.
3. Bam Bam
In a space they call “future nostalgia” Bam Bam is another fried chicken and doughnut shop. Honestly I don’t get the connection.
Regardless they do make a nice doughnut.
Not your typical flavours here.
Downtown Vancouver
If you liked Tim Hortons doughnuts back in the day when Timmy’s was actually good, you’ll like Gourmet Doughnuts.
The name is a bit of a misnomer. They aren’t particularly gourmet. But they are freshly made everyday, the quality is always very good and they always have a huge selection. Everyone will find a donut they like here.
Langley and Fleetwood
5. Vegas Doughnuts
Originally started in Sin City, the local version now has a few locations around the city.
Also similar to the Tim Hortons of days past, they won’t blow you away. But you can count on a fresh, tasty doughnut.
(Dis)honerable mentions
Honey’s Doughnuts
A Deep Cove favorite. BuI I have not had good experiences here.
They have a limited selection and only have cake doughnuts, which for someone who prefers the yeasted variety that is already a strike. But both times I did happen to try them the doughnuts were consumed with grease. I could literally squeeze it out into my napkin.
I surely hope they aren’t like this all the time.
Tim Horton’s
As previously mentioned, mass produced, frozen garbage that is not with the caloric cost of ingesting.
Out of town tip:
Should you find yourself in Portland, Oregon, and honestly these days I don’t know why you would go anywhere near that shit hole, check out Voodoo donuts. I still can’t forget that Froot loop dipped chocolate ring masterpiece I had 10 years ago.