Best Donuts in Illinois (2026 Guide)
Illinois is donut royalty, with Chicago's legendary scene featuring everything from old-school neighborhood bakeries to boundary-pushing artisan shops. Beyond the Windy City, downstate gems serve up heartland classics that keep loyal customers coming back for decades.
Top 15 Donut Shops in Illinois
Why it's notable: The top-rated donut shop in Illinois, known for Classic glazed donuts, Cream-filled bismarks, Apple fritters, with 1 award, serving since 1990, featuring early morning hours and made-from-scratch.
Why it's notable: One of Illinois's highest-rated shops, known for Buttermilk old fashioned, Chestnut glazed, Champagne old fashioned, with 4 awards, serving since 2011, featuring Small batch and Sells out fast.
Why it's notable: One of Illinois's highest-rated shops, known for Original glazed yeast donuts, Big Dat Donut (larger than your head), Chocolate-slathered cake donuts, with 3 awards, serving since 1980, featuring Affordable and Late hours.
Why it's notable: A standout Chicago favorite, known for Apple fritters (as big as your head), Chocolate cake donuts, Glazed beauties, with 4 awards, serving since 1972, featuring #1 in Illinois (Yelp) and Famous apple fritters.
Why it's notable: A standout Chicago favorite, known for Vanilla bean glazed (yeast-raised), Cinnamon crunch raised, Michigan apple fritter, with 3 awards, serving since 2012, featuring Multiple locations and Vegan daily options.
Why it's notable: A standout Chicago favorite, known for Old fashioned buttermilk, Triple chocolate, Apple cider (seasonal), with 3 awards, serving since 2013, featuring Multiple locations and Seasonal flavors.
Why it's notable: A standout Oak Park favorite, known for Old fashioned buttermilk, Triple chocolate, Apple cider (seasonal), with 3 awards, serving since 2013, featuring Multiple locations and Seasonal flavors.
Why it's notable: A standout Chicago favorite, known for Vegan brioche donuts, Cinnamon coffee cake, Apple fritter, with 3 awards, serving since 2021, featuring 100% vegan and TikTok famous.
Why it's notable: A standout Chicago favorite, known for Glazed donuts, Texas apple fritters, Lemonade donut, with 2 awards, serving since 2018, featuring Award-winning and Trained by legendary baker.
Why it's notable: A standout Chicago favorite, known for Square-shaped donuts, Salted caramel glazed, Hot fudge glazed, with 2 awards, serving since 2022, featuring James Beard Award winner and Square-shaped donuts.
Why it's notable: A standout Chicago favorite, known for Vegan donuts, Flapjack (maple glazed with chocolate crumbs), Balaclava (tahini glaze, pumpkin seed baklava), with 2 awards, serving since 2021, featuring 100% vegan and Chicago's first vegan donut shop.
Why it's notable: A standout Chicago favorite, known for Rice flour mochi donuts, Matcha-citrus, Pandan-coconut, with 1 award, serving since 2018, featuring Mochi donuts and Japanese restaurant.
Why it's notable: A standout Chicago favorite, known for Beignets (New Orleans-style), Caramel bacon dipping sauce, Strawberry basil dipping sauce, with 1 award, serving since 2019, featuring New Orleans-style and Beignets.
Why it's notable: A standout Chicago favorite, known for Vegan mini-donuts, Cinnamon sugar ('cinny shug'), Rotating glazes and toppings, with 1 award, serving since 2020, featuring Vegan mini-donuts and All dietary preferences welcome.
Why it's notable: A standout Chicago favorite, known for Chocolate ganache with cacao, Braided brioche with horchata glaze, Coffee-pairing flavors, with 2 awards, serving since 2020, featuring Coffee-pairing focused and Small batch.
Donut Shops by City in Illinois
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best donut shop in Illinois?
Geneseo Donut Shop in Geneseo is the top-rated donut shop in Illinois with a 4.8 rating.
How many donut shops are in Illinois?
We have 25 donut shops listed across 6 cities in Illinois on NearbyDonuts.com.
Which cities in Illinois have the best donuts?
The top cities for donuts in Illinois include Chicago (19 shops), Moline (2 shops), Oak Park (1 shops), Evanston (1 shops), Crystal Lake (1 shops).