MomSkoop
Minnesota mornings can be tough, especially during those long winters. Luckily, the Land of 10,000 Lakes is also home to some amazing donut shops that brighten even the gloomiest days. From classic glazed rings to wild flavor combinations you’ve never imagined, these local bakeries are turning out hand-crafted treats worth getting out of bed for. Whether you’re a donut purist or an adventurous eater, these 11 Minnesota donut shops are guaranteed to make your mornings sweeter.
1. Cardigan Donuts: Downtown Minneapolis’ Artisan Delight
Tucked inside the Minneapolis Skyway, Cardigan Donuts transforms morning routines into celebrations with their picture-perfect treats. Their French Cruller—light, airy, and delicately crisp—has developed a cult following among downtown workers.
What sets Cardigan apart is their rotating seasonal menu featuring unexpected flavors like London Fog and Passion Fruit. Each donut is meticulously crafted and often adorned with edible flowers, making them as beautiful as they are delicious.
Pro tip: Their coffee program is equally impressive, with house-made syrups that complement their donuts perfectly. Arrive early—they frequently sell out before closing time!
2. Bogart’s Doughnut Co.: Brioche Perfection in Minneapolis
Long lines form outside Bogart’s tiny storefront for good reason—their brioche-style donuts have achieved legendary status. The brown butter-glazed variety might be the closest thing to donut perfection Minnesota has ever tasted.
Owner Anne Ellis started selling her creations at farmers markets before opening her brick-and-mortar locations. Her commitment to quality means everything is made from scratch daily, with dough that ferments overnight for maximum flavor development.
Nutella-filled donuts disappear quickly, while the lavender cake donut offers a subtle, aromatic twist on a classic. Expect a wait on weekends—but every minute spent in line pays off with that first heavenly bite.
3. Glam Doll Donuts: Retro-Cool Creations with Attitude
Vintage pinup aesthetics meet punk rock attitude at Glam Doll, where donuts break all the conventional rules. Their Hot Chick—a fried chicken and waffle donut drizzled with maple syrup—blurs the line between breakfast and dinner in the most delicious way possible.
Founded by Teresa Fox and Arwyn Birch, this women-owned business brings playful creativity to every recipe. Their Femme Fatale filled with raspberry curd and topped with chocolate has wooed many traditionalists into trying something new.
The retro-chic interiors make both Minneapolis locations perfect for Instagram-worthy donut photoshoots. Late-night hours on weekends mean you can satisfy your donut cravings even after an evening out.
4. Donut Star: Burnsville’s Half-Century Legacy of Sweetness
Family-owned for nearly 50 years, Donut Star represents everything wonderful about neighborhood bakeries. Their blueberry donut holes have remained unchanged for decades—perfectly bite-sized with bursts of real fruit in every morsel.
Early risers are rewarded here, as bakers arrive at midnight to prepare everything fresh. The lemon curd-filled donuts strike an ideal balance between tangy and sweet, while their old-fashioned cake donuts have the perfect crumb texture that modern shops struggle to replicate.
Nothing fancy or pretentious exists at Donut Star—just consistently excellent donuts made the way they’ve always been. Cash only and no website means this place stays wonderfully old-school in the best possible way.
5. La Boulangerie Marguerite: French Technique Meets Minnesota Nice
Nestled in St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill neighborhood, La Boulangerie Marguerite brings Parisian flair to American classics. Owner François Kiemde combines his French culinary training with midwestern sensibilities to create donuts that are both familiar and extraordinary.
Their apple fritter achieves the impossible—crispy edges giving way to a tender interior with chunks of caramelized apples throughout. The raised glazed twists feature a distinctive laminated dough that creates delicate, pull-apart layers reminiscent of croissants.
Beyond donuts, their baguettes and croissants have developed devoted followers. Arrive before 10 am to experience the full selection—regulars know to come early before the best items sell out.
6. Mel-O-Glaze Bakery: South Minneapolis Institution Since 1961
Generations of Minneapolis families have started special mornings with a pink box from Mel-O-Glaze. This no-frills neighborhood institution has remained largely unchanged since Kennedy was president—and that’s exactly how locals like it.
Their glazed donuts feature that perfect shatteringly sweet exterior that sticks to your fingers in the most nostalgic way. The apple fritter—massive, craggy, and loaded with cinnamon—easily feeds two people but tastes so good you won’t want to share.
Summer brings an unexpected treat: the walk-up window serving soft-serve ice cream alongside their baked goods. Many childhood memories have been made combining a warm donut with a swirl of vanilla ice cream on hot Minnesota evenings.
7. Mojo Monkey Donuts: St. Paul’s Weekend Wonderland
Lisa Clark’s weekend-only donut shop creates the kind of anticipation usually reserved for concert tickets. Operating Friday through Sunday, Mojo Monkey transforms donuts into culinary adventures with unexpected flavor combinations that somehow always work perfectly.
Their PB Banana Nutella Buttercream donut combines childhood sandwich nostalgia with grown-up decadence. The bacon maple long john features thick-cut, house-smoked bacon atop maple frosting that’s never too sweet.
The tiny shop’s vintage monkey décor adds whimsy to the experience. Everything is made by hand using organic ingredients whenever possible. Be prepared for lines—the limited hours create a donut rush that tests patience but rewards perseverance.
8. Sarah Jane’s Bakery: Northeast Minneapolis’ Morning Tradition
Since 1979, Sarah Jane’s has been the heart of Northeast Minneapolis’ breakfast scene. This cash-only corner bakery doesn’t need fancy marketing—their reputation for consistently excellent donuts brings neighbors back multiple times weekly.
Their raised glazed donuts achieve that elusive perfect texture—substantial enough to satisfy but light enough to float. Maple-frosted bacon fritters combine sweet and savory in an enormous package that’s worth every calorie.
Beyond donuts, their breads and cookies have fierce defenders. The bakery’s unchanged interior—complete with vintage display cases and handwritten signs—creates a time capsule experience that feels increasingly precious in a rapidly changing city. Arrive before 10am for the best selection.
9. Hans’ Bakery: Anoka’s Resurrected Donut Legend
Hans’ Bakery’s resurrection story proves Minnesota’s love for great donuts can overcome anything—even bankruptcy. After closing in 2010, loyal customers convinced entrepreneur Kelly Olsen to revive this Anoka institution using the original recipes from 1973.
Their Texas donut—bigger than your face and perfect for birthday celebrations—has become an Instagram sensation. But locals know the real star is the Beehive: a spiral pastry filled with custard and topped with honey glaze that’s worth the drive from anywhere in the Twin Cities.
The bakery’s retro blue-and-white color scheme and vintage photos maintain its historic charm. Weekend mornings bring lines out the door, but watching multi-generational families continuing their donut traditions makes the wait heartwarming.
10. Sleepy V’s: Northeast Minneapolis’ Donut Hole Heaven
Sometimes the best things come in small packages—a philosophy Sleepy V’s embraces with their focus on donut holes and miniature-sized treats. This approach lets customers sample multiple flavors without commitment or guilt.
Their Psychedelic Hippie donut hole—tie-dye colored with fruity cereal—brings childlike joy to adults. The mini-filled varieties pack surprising flavor into tiny packages, with seasonal options like pumpkin cheesecake appearing throughout the year.
Founded by a husband-wife team who named the shop after their daughter Vivian (nicknamed “Sleepy V”), this bakery balances whimsy with serious baking skills. The colorful, mural-covered space invites lingering, while coffee from local roasters complements the sweet treats perfectly.
11. Valley Pastries: Golden Valley’s No-Nonsense Donut Destination
When donut trends come and go, Valley Pastries remains steadfastly committed to what they’ve done perfectly since 1987—classic donuts without gimmicks. This family-owned shop in Golden Valley prioritizes consistency and quality over flashy innovations.
Their buttermilk cake donut achieves that elusive crisp exterior while maintaining a tender crumb inside. Old-fashioned sour cream donuts have a distinctive tang that pairs perfectly with black coffee. Raised donuts feature a yeasty complexity that mass-produced versions can’t match.
The shop’s fluorescent lighting and linoleum floors might not win design awards, but regulars wouldn’t change a thing. Many customers have standing weekly orders, and staff often know regulars by name and favorite donut—a community touchstone that transcends mere breakfast.