Food and Drink

The best doughnuts in the Charlotte area: 5 stories to savor

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

Most articles discuss the Charlotte area's diverse and widely appreciated doughnut shops. Readers find a blend of traditional and trendy doughnuts, each offering unique flavors and community ties.

In "Charlotte-area bakery makes Yelp’s list of the top 50 doughnut shops in the US," OMG Donuts Bakery stands out with its Yelp fame and creative toppings like red velvet and Oreo crumble.

"A winner has been crowned. Here are your favorite doughnuts in the Charlotte area" introduces Yummm Donut as a fan favorite, praised for its fluffy doughnuts topped with familiar flavors such as Cinnamon Toast Crunch and maple bacon.

In "Krispy Kreme is giving away free coffee. You can snag a free doughnut, too," Krispy Kreme offers free doughnuts and coffee, connecting its famous "hot now" glazed doughnuts with themed giveaways.

"The best glazed doughnut around is at a 29-year-old shop in downtown Pineville" highlights MJ Donuts, where locals enjoy large, lightly glazed treats known for their simple sweetness and nostalgic value. The shop is renowned for its apple fritters, matching the enormous size of a bear paw.

Janice Zhou, Lan Chen and Charlie Sun of Yummm Donut in Gastonia. By Alex Cason

NO. 1: A WINNER HAS BEEN CROWNED. HERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE DOUGHNUTS IN THE CHARLOTTE AREA

The winning shop serves fluffy, fresh-baked, yeast doughnuts with toppings like maple bacon and s’mores — and guess what? It’s not actually *in* Charlotte. | Published March 22, 2022 | Read Full Story by CharlotteFive staff

When OMG Donuts expanded from Concord to MoRA, a celebration was to be had. If you’ve never been, you’ve been warned: These California-style yeast doughnuts are bigger than what you’re used to (3.5” to 4” across).

NO. 2: CHARLOTTE-AREA BAKERY MAKES YELP’S LIST OF THE TOP 50 DOUGHNUT SHOPS IN THE US

Here’s which local bakery was ranked one of the best in the country and why. | Published May 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Specialty doughnuts at Yummm Donut include strawberry shortcake, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and s’mores. By Evan Moore

NO. 3: I TRIED THE ‘BEST DOUGHNUTS IN CHARLOTTE.’ HERE’S WHAT I GOT FOR $25

I had passed Yummm Donut so many times that the storefront no longer registered, just another blur of cement and plate glass between a T-Mobile and a UPS store.I never stopped. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore

Kate Kim (left) and owner Songcha Lee at MJ Donuts in Pineville. By Shindy Chen

NO. 4: THE BEST GLAZED DOUGHNUT AROUND IS AT A 29-YEAR-OLD SHOP IN DOWNTOWN PINEVILLE

In an ordinary strip mall near Pineville’s main street lies a hidden gem of a doughnut shop. | Published September 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shindy Chen

Charlotte-based Krispy Kreme, best known for its “Hot Now” glazed doughnuts, is testing an expanded menu with more flavors.

NO. 5: KRISPY KREME IS GIVING AWAY FREE COFFEE. YOU CAN SNAG A FREE DOUGHNUT, TOO

What’s a cup of coffee without a fresh doughnut to go with it? | Published September 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.