Each year, we ask Orange County Register readers to choose their favorite places to shop, dine, play and do business in OC.
Read more Best of Orange County 2026: Best fairs and festivals
Here are the top picks for Best doughnut shop:
1. Angelfood Donuts-N-Such
16953 Bushard St., Fountain Valley; 714-962-5455
Family-owned and run, Angelfood Donuts-N-Such doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel … or the doughnut. You won ’t find exotic flavors or trendy decor for social media’s sake. What you will find is soft, fluffy, non-greasy doughnuts made in house and served in a friendly atmosphere. There are also sandwiches, croissants, bagels and coffee.
Online reviewers rave about the freshness and flavors as much as the customer service.
Manager Lynn Um, who’s also the daughter of the owner, said her family has been running the shop in a Fountain Valley strip mall for about 20 years. These days, her husband bakes the doughnuts in-house while she runs the front of the store and takes care of customers. It keeps her plenty busy, but she says the family chooses not to hire more help to keep costs and prices down.
“I know that everybody’s struggling right now,” she said.
A lot of the traffic for Angelfood Donuts-N-Such comes in the morning, with customers going through the drive-through on their way to work. Um said she has a lot of regulars and often has their orders ready as soon as she spots their cars before they even reach the window. Those who are not in a rush can come in and enjoy their goods at the shop, which has one table inside and one outside. If it’s your first time coming in, Um recommends the glazed doughnut.
“Our glazed is really, really good,” she said.
2. Oliboli Donuts
135 W. First St., Tustin; 877-646-1380; oliboli.com
Oliboli started as Brooke Des Prez’s dream. She wanted to create an exceptional doughnut that celebrates the true nature of the ingredients. The family-run shop opened its doors in 2018 and continues to carry her dream forward.
“We love being a neighborhood gathering place where people can slow down and share a great doughnut,” said Brooke’s daughter, Hailey Des Prez.
Read more Best of Orange County 2026: Best steakhouse restaurant
Each doughnut is made from scratch, leavened with 10-year-old sourdough starter and fried to order. While the menu changes each season, a few flavors prove to be a hit time after time: The salty-sweet Butter Pecan with pecans and a crunchy, toffee-like finish and Banoffee filled with banana cream and finished with caramel drizzle and house-made pie crumbs. Oliboli is also known for its savory donuts — Pizza Donut for the summer and Monte Cristo for winter.
The name of the shop is a nod to the ancestor of the modern donut, the Dutch oliebollen, and you can try it during the holiday season.
3. The Donuttery
17420 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach; 714-847-7000; thedonutteryhb.com
The Donuttery has been indulging Huntington Beach community’s sweet tooth since 1970. These days, the shop is known for elevating classic flavors — striking a balance between recognizable classics and the artisanal realm. The bakers, or as they call themselves “Donuteurs,” are always working on perfecting techniques that enhance flavor and texture alike.
The Donuttery has a large selection of yeast, cake and enriched traditional donuts as well as vegan, gluten-free and keto options, catering to customers with a wide range of preferences for flavor, texture and dietary restrictions. One of the trending goods is The Malasada, which is substantial Portuguese donut filled with vanilla custard.
Aside from the many choices to pick from, multiple online reviewers point out the shop’s friendly atmosphere and staff.
The Donuttery is open 24 hours a day Monday through Sunday and offers online ordering for pickup or delivery.
Read more Best of Orange County 2026: Best happy hour at bars and restaurants