Irresistible Delights: The Top 5 Must-Try Donuts in Vancouver

Text & Photos /Sea Horse Dad

Known as the “Lord of the Rings of the baking world,” donuts have a magical allure that tempts dessert lovers in every city. While you can find them in most cafes, bakeries, and even supermarkets, truly delicious and uniquely flavored donuts are not so easy to come by. Sea Horse Dad visited Vancouver’s top donut shops to bring your taste buds a comprehensive list of “irresistibly ring-worthy” delights.

1. Cartems Donuterie
With a donut-shaped logo as friendly as a smile, Cartems is instantly recognizable. This donut shop, which has only been around in Vancouver for four years, has already become a symbol of premium donuts in the city. The young owner, with his handsome looks and sunny smile, attracts a steady stream of female customers, both teens and adults. Don’t let his youthful appearance fool you—he brings nearly a decade of culinary experience from the food and beverage industry in South Korea.

The biggest draw of Cartems’ donuts is their refreshing creativity—flavors range from rose petals to tea leaves, and each variety has a witty, playful name. Their slightly moist, cake-like texture is another major attraction for sweet tooths. The interior is simply and ruggedly decorated, with high ceilings and spaciousness that offers a rare level of comfort among Vancouver’s many donut shops.

Recommended flavors: Salted Caramel, Canadian Whisky Bacon, Earl Grey

2. Lucky’s Doughnut
Once an obscure donut brand, Lucky’s rose to fame almost overnight when it partnered with a popular local coffeehouse. This unexpected pairing created a new superstar in Vancouver’s donut scene. Ever since 49th Parallel, a coffee shop originally known for roasting beans, introduced Lucky’s donuts three years ago, pairing coffee with donuts has become a full-blown trend.

Walk into any 49th Parallel cafe in Vancouver, and your first impression will likely be the charming, artsy decor and Tiffany-blue coffee cups. Your second? The dazzling array of donuts behind the glass display. What makes these donuts stand out are their bold, unconventional flavors and wild appearances. Shredded coconut atop seared whipped cream torched to perfection, thick maple syrup drizzled over crispy bacon crumbles, or pistachio crumbs in vibrant green covering an orange-flavored donut... Have you ever seen anything like it?

If you think you’re too strait-laced and want to break free from your goody-two-shoes persona, why not indulge just a little at Lucky’s Doughnuts?

Recommended flavors: Coconut Bismarck, Apple Bacon Fritter Donut

3. Swiss Bakery
Tired of the soft, pillowy texture of traditional donuts? New Yorkers have launched a cross-genre donut that completely redefines your expectations of ring-shaped sweets.

In 2013, New York baker Dominique Ansel spent two months refining over ten different recipes before successfully merging the flaky, layered texture of a French croissant with the shape and rich flavor profile of a donut—creating a brand-new dessert. The craze quickly spread to Canada’s West Coast, where Vancouver’s historic Swiss Bakery in the East End launched a similar creation called the 〈Frissant〉, inspired by the fusion of fritter (a Western filled bread) and croissant.

Encased in a crisp, sugar-coated shell with a chewy, fluffy interior and surprise fillings in every bite, this treat caused quite a stir in Vancouver’s baking community. Beyond the classic flavors, Swiss Bakery also offers seasonal limited-edition fillings—such as cinnamon pumpkin in the fall and eggnog spice during Christmas—which often sell out by noon, leaving latecomers empty-handed.

Recommended flavors: Egg Nog, Salted Caramel, Lemon Mojito, Cookies n’ Cream

4. Lee’s Donuts
Vancouver’s Granville Island is like a treasure trove—you never know what interesting shops or sights you’ll discover on each visit. Hidden within the Public Market is one lesser-known but legendary donut spot.

Unassuming in appearance and compact in size, Lee’s Donuts could easily be overlooked if you’re in a hurry. A row of glass cases backed by shelves lined with hanging donut baskets—no flashy signage here—but this shop has been serving donuts in Vancouver for over 30 years. Many locals who grew up with Lee’s Donuts say the flavors aren’t fancy or extraordinary, but they’re simply unforgettable. Unlike other donut shops that keep their display cases constantly fully stocked and picture-perfect, Lee’s often runs low on stock due to its commitment to selling only freshly baked donuts made each morning—and once they’re gone, they’re gone until the next day.

Recommended flavors: Honey Dip, Sprinkled Ring, Powdered

5. Duffin’s Donuts
What do you do when your pregnant wife wakes you up in the middle of the night craving donuts? Well, you throw on some clothes, grab your car keys, and speed over to Duffin’s Donuts on Vancouver’s East 41st Street to pick up a dozen for the missus. Mission accomplished. What a considerate husband and soon-to-be dad.

This is the only 24-hour donut shop in Vancouver. When it comes to variety and flavor, it delivers solid, middle-of-the-road donuts on par with American chain Krispy Kreme. The dining area is modest, reminiscent of a fast-food joint from 30 years ago, but it gives you the space to enjoy your sweet treats with coffee any time of day or night.

Craving something savory after polishing off a couple of donuts at Duffin’s? No worries—the other side of the restaurant serves Chinese-style quick meals, noodle soups, fried chicken, burgers, and more to satisfy your ever-changing appetite. With such diverse offerings and round-the-clock service, it’s practically half a 7-Eleven.

Recommended flavors: Rainbow Sprinkle, Rainbow Sprinkle, Chocolate Maple Swirl (and maybe some fried chicken?)

Sea Horse Dad
A Gemini man born under the air sign, he worked as a senior marketing and PR executive for a multinational corporation before turning 45. After relocating to Canada, he embraced fatherhood while experiencing the changing seasons—from spring cherry blossoms to summer sun, autumn foliage to winter snow and rain—and began documenting his life and observations in Vancouver.
Blog:My Van Life in VancouverFacebook Page:Sea Horse Dad’s Vancouver Diary