Central Florida’s food scene boasts some awesome under the radar doughnut shops. Instead of reaching for a Dunkin or a Krispy, here are a few local doughnut options you need to check out.
DG Doughnuts
Address: 16131 W. Colonial Drive, Oakland
Damned good, obviously. The family-owned food truck recently made the
leap to brick-and-mortar inside a
Chevron station (with a drive-through window; they also offer delivery) wayyyy out west on Colonial. They’re still frying up small-batch classics like lemon-blueberry and coconut cream.
Photo via DG Doughnuts/InstagramMust try: Cinnamon Maple Pop-Tart
Photo via dgdoughnuts/InstagramValkyrie Doughnuts
Address: 160 12226 Corporate Blvd.
Valkyrie’s doughnuts are huge, delicious, and vegan. You’ll be in heaven with twelve different options, and just as lucky if you’re there when the hot glazed doughnuts come out.
Photo via Valkyrie Doughnuts/FacebookMust try: Fruity Pebbz
Photo via valkyriedoughnuts/InstagramOrlandough
Address: 710 W. Princeton St. (Saturdays)
Doughnut obsessive Liz Doerr stopped reviewing dunkers and started making her own, turning her Orlandough blog into a craft doughnut biz by the same name. Find her at the College Park Farmers Market on Saturdays or order by email.
Photo via orlandough/InstagramMust try: S’mores Donut
Photo via orlandough/InstagramLittle Blue Donut Co.
Address: Varies
The truck roams mainly in the Windermere/Winter Garden/Lake Nona wilds, but can also be found at some Daily City Food Truck Bazaars and Tasty Tuesday events. The peanut-butter cup, Samoa (like the Girl Scout cookie) and salted caramel doughnuts will make your heart – and your fillings – sing.
Photo via itsmilena/InstagramMust try: Samoa Donut
Photo via Little Blue Donut Co./FacebookJoy Donuts
Address: Intersection of 441 and Wolf Branch Road, Mount Dora
The moist, light, fluffy cake doughnuts served from the little pink truck will make a believer out of raised-yeast doughnut loyalists. Try the blueberry dip or the vanilla crack and see.
Photo via joyousrosten/InstagramMust try: Frosted Crack Red Velvet
Photo via joydonutsllc/InstagramDuck Donuts
Address: 710 Centerview Blvd., Kissimmee
Originally only available in North Carolina, Duck Donut’s delicious recipe has come to Central Florida this summer. Your mouth will water just by looking at these doughnuts, and doughnut sundaes are sure to please those with an extra sweet tooth.
Photo via watashiwaotherMust try: Vanilla with Oreo and Hot Fudge Donut
Photo via duckdonutsorlando/InstagramDonuts to Go
Address: 1414 W. First St., Sanford
DTG does great things with fruit, as evidenced by their Key lime, apple pie and strawberry cheesecake doughnuts, but purists swear by their square-cut glazed yeast version. And yes, they do cronuts.
Photo via carlinemily/InstagramMust try: Guava Cheesecake Cronut
Photo via rawrockkillz23/InstagramDonut King
Address: 3716 Howell Branch Road, Winter Park
If you really want a drive, check out their Clermont store, but the Donut King closest to us, on Howell Branch in Winter Park, is far enough. Classics like Boston cream, coconut flake and powdered-sugar jelly sit in the case with more outré flavors like maple-bacon, Oreo and Heath Bar.
Photo via Joe Prog/InstagramMust try: Butterfinger Donut
Photo via dawncaptures/InstagramBakery Plus
Address: 915 E. Michigan St.
This hard-working little Sodo bakery just off Michigan Street serves doughnuts and pastry of unparalleled quality. Guess that’s what happens when you do it for as long as they have. Don’t miss the Fruity Pebbles-topped glazed yeast.
Photo via lapetite_ash/InstagramMust try: Maple Bacon Donut
Photo via adrianpg1987/InstagramLard Lad Donuts
Address: 6000 Universal Blvd.
Located at Springfield, Home of the Simpsons within Universal Studios, Lard Lad Donuts offers the doughnut sandwich, made up of soft serve ice cream and a pink sprinkled doughnut. Add on a topping like Oreo or Reese’s Pieces, and you’ve got the perfect dessert for a hot day at the park.
Photo via we_are_earthbound/InstagramMust try: Lard Lad Donut
Photo via aall.is.onn/Instagram