Louisvillians, we’re pleased to tell you that June 2 is National Donut Day , which actually is observed twice in the US — once on the first Friday of June and again on Nov. 5.
So that you can plan to celebrate this foodie holiday appropriately, we’ve written a hole guide to donuts in Derby City. Read on for 9 places to get your fill, — or no fill, if that’s your jam.
Our go-to custard-style donut is the lechecilla donuts from La Pana Bakery y Cafe at Logan Street Market.
Photo by LOUtoday
🍩 Custard
La Pana Bakery y Cafe , 1001 Logan St.
If you’re looking for a custard treat off the beaten path, try this Oaxacan-inspired micro bakery’s lechecilla donut, which are cinnamon-sugar coated donuts filled with Oaxacan vanilla custard.
Drink pairing: Try it with the cortado on the menu — iced or hot.
🍩 Vegan
The Flour Shoppe , 619 Baxter Ave.
Erin Tachi and Ashley Bender — previously of Sugar High Louisville and Julian’s Kitchen — are bring a plethora of baked goods to The Flour Shoppe , four days a week, with donuts on Sundays.
Julian’s Kitchen specializes in vegan donuts.
Photo by @julianskitchenky .
🍩 Square
North Lime Coffee and Donuts
, Multiple locations
The square yeast donuts — plain glazed or chocolate iced — are what put this regional chain on the map, so you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t try one in addition to its other specialty treats, like the funnel cake donut.
Drink pairing: Dip your donut in the Night Owl espresso drink made with half and half and shaken to frothy perfection.
🍩 Twist
Plehn’s Bakery
, 3940 Shelbyville Rd.
Reader Eric W. wrote in to tell us about “the best doughnut on earth” — the yum yums from this St. Matthews bakery. It’s a cinnamon twist with white and chocolate glaze and Eric insists you need to know about it.
Our pick: The pretzel donut
🍩 Dessert-style
Sugar & Spice
, 5613 Bardstown Rd.
Sugar, spice, and order everything twice at this Fern Creek shop with 30+ varieties of donuts in flavors like banana cream pie, turtle sundae, chocolate oreo cheesecake, and more.
Our pick: Don’t sleep on the chocolate peanut butter cake
🍩 24-hour
Jeff’s Donuts
, Multiple locations
While owners Jeff Brown + Diana Green’s goal is to make donuts available for second and third-shift workers, their 24/7 model benefits us all. This bakery is serving up classics, bismarks + Texas-sized donuts. Reader Kathy F. said Jeff’s Donuts is the cat’s meow, especially at about 3 a.m.
Our pick: Glaze donut with custard topped with almond slices
🍩 Classic
When we say classic, we’re talking long johns, sprinkles, glazed, and chocolate iced.
Clifton Donut Shop
, 2317 Brownsboro Rd.
Start your morning at this bakery that won Best Chocolate, Best Glazed + Baker’s Choice in the Star Duck Charities’ 2021 Doughnut Challenge.
Our pick: Classic pink with sprinkles
Nord’s Bakery
, 2118 S. Preston St.
Home of the maple bacon long john donut with an entire piece of bacon on top, this St. Joseph neighborhood bakery usually has a line out of the door on the weekends, so get there early.
Drink pairing: Snag a local coffee from Sunergos next door.
Heitzman Traditional Bakery and Deli
, 9426 Shelbyville Rd.
This bakery has been in Louisville for 130+ years and offers a selection of sweets, including assorted donuts in all the familiar flavors.
Our pick: Classic long john