Donut Star

235

608

970

3 months ago

Best overall donut shop I've found in San Diego proper (N County is its own thang). Spacious parking lot in bustling Hillcrest plus no frills decor. Their apple fritters have always been top tier, but today I found a new favorite - their Nutella filled triangle donut. So fresh and soft, with a delicious and crackly vanilla glaze enrobing the perfect proportion of sweet Nutella interior - a must order! Their cronut is also well made here, not too oily. I like how they have a good size selection too, so you can get a mini apple fritter or small crueller if you want or just live your best life and grab jumbo ones instead. Offspring always gets the melon smoothie, and while a few small sips are enough for me since it's also pretty sweet, it's solid. read more

Donut Star - Tempting selection - top right is the Nutella filled triangle, which I highly recommend - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Cynthia C.

217

511

5771

3 months ago

Simple neighborhood donut shop with lots of fresh options and friendly people waiting to greet and help you. On the Sunday morning we popped in to get Hubs a ham & cheese croissant, many others walking in were greeted with familiarity and a couple people were even met with smiles and a pleasant query of 'The usual?' That's how you know a business has become a staple. His croissant sandwich was mighty filling (he could only eat half) and dubbed "YUMMY!", which is high praise from him, indeed. He also appreciated that they sold whole milk in their beverage case. There's enough parking for this location with a constant stream of business, but folks were also stopping at the curb or walking in from the nearby neighborhood. The shop is kept tidy and had a lot to offer. We would definitely pop in again when returning to the Old Town area of SD. Cheers! "CC" read more

Donut Star - Croissant sandwich is what hubs had in mind. - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Menu 3.23.26 - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Brian H.

91

98

574

4 days ago

I enjoyed trying a classic glazed doughnut and a delicious chocolate frosted one. Both had that lovely light and airy feel that makes them so enjoyable. read more

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Doug B.

0

22

12

27 days ago

Simple place with three tables to sit with excellent food and coffee. I loved the Nutella filled pastry and my wife got a super ham, egg and cheese bagel. Staff were excellent. Will return but not too often could be habit forming! read more

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Kourtney B.

703

351

3590

7 months ago

Three stars was a tad harsh, so I'm updating my ranking to a solid 4. These days when I head to Donut Star I'm always ordering my faves- the blueberry old fashioned and the chocolate chip. The blueberry is my favorite. I've spent many happy mornings this year sitting on a bench in the park admiring the trees as the sun rises while eating this donut. Just to spice it up (and add a little more money to the tab to justify the card fee since I rarely carry cash) I also order the chocolate chip. It looks like a nice fluffy kind of donut with a smear of chocolate icing and some mini chocolate chips on top. But the first time I bit into it? I discovered it was filled with chocolate and even more mini chocolate chips! Such a delightful surprise. Nowadays when I go I always order these two. Occasionally a pink with sprinkles or a maple log might be ordered as well, but you can't go wrong with these donuts. Donut Star is tried & true, open early, and even have a parking lot. They also have breakfast sandwiches and coffee, so if you don't lean sweet you've still got some options. The ambiance is lacking and tables are super limited. It's definitely a grab and go situation so I drive just a few minutes to Pioneer Park. Romanticize your life one sunrise and donut at a time. read more

Donut Star - My picks - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Chocolate chip and blueberry- my faves! - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Inside chocolate chip - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - The hot chocolate is okay - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Blueberry - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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David V.

11

190

167

9 months ago

We picked up some donuts here on our journey back to the SF Bay area and I personally love the chocolate glaze donuts. The Apple fritters like everyone RAVES are delicious and delightful! Stopping at Rest Areas on the way back was a good time to knock out a donut. I highly recommend Donut Star. read more

Donut Star - I'm stretching out a little after experiencing Donut Star. - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Diane D.

109

96

30

10 months ago

Yum. Yum. Yum to everything here!!! Their donuts and croissants and EVERYTHING are always so fresh and so so delicious!! The owners/staff are so friendly and kind. The vibes are authentic, cozy, and welcoming. It is so clean inside and it always smells soooo wonderful. The selection they have available is truly amazing. FORGET 5 STARS. THEY DESERVE A MILLION STARS!! 10/10 would recommend to anyone and everyone!! It's mine, my friends, neighbors, and family's favorite donut shop! Thank you guys for being such a great place in the neighborhood and always showing up with a smile and providing amazing service!!!! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!! May your business continue to thrive and succeed! read more

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Stacee S.

2

224

373

4 months ago

Came for the blueberry old fashioned and OMG I am forever changed. Also loved the apple fritter and the coffee lol. Good service, cute little shop, I'll be dreaming about these blueberry old fashioneds until I can come again! read more

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Tyson H.

10

4

1

3 months ago

If it's expired throw it away. Breakfast sandwich reeks of a dead road killed animal. I didn't even consume it. Threw it away into the trash can. Something the owner should have done in the first place. I saved myself from a trip to the ER. Wasted money wasted time. Now I'm going to have a bad day. read more

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Nick M.

5

120

224

1 year ago

Delicious! Donuts are huge and really good. Easily could just split one. Tons of seating nearby too both inside and out. Staff were very friendly. Great place for donuts. Note- the Homer has strawberry icing not vanilla. Not a bad thing just not what I was expecting. read more

Donut Star - Homer (pink), strawberry cream - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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C T.

0

19

6

2 months ago

10/10 delicious donuts, great selection, late hours, very kind employees! Always get compliments on these donuts when we bring them read more

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Henri V.

60

1456

28466

2 years ago

Donut Star is a small donut shop on Washington in Hillcrest area. With spaces for probably 3 cars in the lot for limited free parking. This shop is not new, not fancy and has no modernness to it but does offer classic donuts made daily. I've been here a few times and the staff were always nice and helpful. Limited indoor seating. The first time I came here was to try their taro glazed donut and the blueberry old fashion...I like the later best. In fact, even though I like looking at all the colorful, fancy decorative donuts, I prefer the simple, less sugary ones, like the blueberry old fashion which has a the hint of butter milk. This shop is NOT open 24 hours. Opens daily at 5am for us early birds who are on East Coast time zone. And if you come here super early you can special request a donut created just for your liking...no sugary glaze for me on any donuts of my choice, and in my book, that service is a star, Donut Star. Recommend read more

Donut Star - Blueberry Old Fashion - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Taro - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Apple Fritter topped with pecans - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Josh O.

0

20

11

7 months ago

Great value. Traditional old school donut shop. Family owned and operated. Great customer service. read more

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Jeff F.

118

408

3226

2 years ago

4/29/24. DS provided a fantastic first impression! The donuts I've had were incredible. 4/25/24. Taro Donut and Maple Bar: these were soft and melted in my mouth. Medium sweetness, but the buttermilk is the standout, 5/5 stars! I've noticed that they were already out of the s'mores donut at about 10 a.m.; therefore, I will have to try that next time. I'm looking forward to many future visits here and is a must for dessert after having Bronx Pizza. read more

Donut Star - 4/25/24. Taro Donut & Maple Bar: these were soft & melted in my mouth. Medium sweetness, but the buttermilk is the standout, 5/5 stars! - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Boogie S.

544

35

5

5 months ago

Only decent donut spot open late and had a great selection of donuts still. Everything was really good and plenty of parking!

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Sophie Z.

183

42

20

5 months ago

Delicious, delicious, delicious. Great service, great donuts. I like that parking is easy as well.

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Diana R.

0

8

25

1 year ago

This Birthday weekend we were on a Quest for Apple Fritters. All weekend we couldn't find one in Downtown San Diego, but our waitress Mia @intercontinentalsd recommended Donut Star, 601 W Washington St, San Diego. Hot out of the oven, so darn delicious. We may be spoiled for life. For those in LA, check out @dkdonuts. Used to be owned by this same wonderful family. Love supporting hardworking small businesses. Special note, many people sent us to the @donutbar. While the service was great, the donuts were pretty, but not amazing. Thank you Mayly and family!!! read more

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Daniella S.

74

381

464

2 years ago

We enjoy the donuts here! Love the variety of flavors. I think they're well priced. They're defiantly only good day of, the following day not so much. Which I feel is the case for most donuts. Best to pay with cash. Employees are always super sweet! read more

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Ash W.

1

52

145

1 year ago

Rude and horrible even if they're "hole in the wall" Menu board said $1.50. Lady verbally told me $2. Charged me $2.75 and immediately took the tap to pay away so she didn't have to give me a receipt. If there's an extra charge to pay with card at least let me know! read more

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Barbara C.

10

8

2

1 year ago

Love the experience I had with my special order for my daughter's bridal shower! Beautifully decorated white pearl donuts, and was given extra! Hillcrest location rocks! read more

Donut Star - Donuts - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Mercedes S.

9

404

156

2 years ago

Great find while driving close to Hillcrest and craving a bit of sugar This place doesn't disappoint donuts are fresh and they have a great selection to choose from. Glazed and sugar were excellent. Friendly service and good prices.big parking area also great since everything around here is pay parking and not cheap. read more

Donut Star - Assortment of goodies - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Zebadiah A.

676

50

1

10 months ago

Favorite Donut shop in Hillcrest / Mission Hills. Great prices. We love the breakfast croissant sandwiches just as much as the Donuts. The owners are so kind. Always have friends stop by when they are in town. read more

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Andrea L.

0

32

70

2 years ago

2 donuts for $3.50 -- what a steal! Great value & great classic tastes! Got the chocolate donut with chocolate topping and sprinkles & old fashion blueberry donut. Would get the donuts again! Service was respectful & pleasant. Ambiance reminds me of a donut star near my childhood home-- homey and known to the locals. read more

Donut Star - Chocolate donut & blueberry old fashion donut - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Laura M.

0

13

0

10 months ago

All that you could want in a local donut shop! Classic donuts, yummy flavors, great for a party, morning meeting, or gathering. I usually go for the classic maple bar or round strawberry glazed read more

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Naomi Y.

Elite 10

759

241

2009

2 years ago

Donut Star is a cherished gem that perfectly encapsulates the essence of a childhood favorite donut shop. Every bite of their classic doughnuts is like a delicious time machine, transporting me back to fond memories of simpler times. The flavors are timeless, and every doughnut has a distinct, nostalgic charm that brings back happy memories. They offer orange, Ube, Pumpkin (seasonal) and all the other classic flavors. They offer a wide selection of traditional favorites. From glazed to chocolate-covered, from jelly-filled to maple bars, every option is a testament to the classic donut shop experience. The variety ensures that there's something for everyone. The prices are reasonable, offering great value for high-quality doughnuts. The texture is crispy on the outside and a soft fluffy moist cake on the inside and the raised doughnuts are perfectly pillowy on the inside. The affordability makes it easy to indulge in these delicious treats regularly, which is a big part of their charm. It's a cornerstone of sweet, nostalgic joy. They have two locations and both are out of the way for me and both are worth the drive as this is my number one favorite spot for classic doughnuts in San Diego. Boutique donut shops are great to splurge at once in a while but Donut star is where my childhood memories are in each bite. For anyone seeking the timeless pleasure of classic doughnuts, Donut Star is the perfect destination. It's a place where every bite brings back the magic of childhood, making it a beloved favorite for generations. It's a classic hole in the wall donut shop that is 5 stars with every bite. They also offer seasonal donuts. One of my favorites is the pumpkin donut during the fall! I love love their glazed, orange, white chocolate with sprinkles, and the cinnamon crumb doughnuts! read more

Donut Star - Amazing donuts - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Josh A.

0

14

7

1 year ago

Good donuts, horrible drinks ! Stay away from the smoothies ! I even mentioned how horrible it tastes and had to purchase water to wash the taste without any offer from them .... Donut was good ! read more

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Angela L.

41

502

868

3 years ago

We were originally going to a generic Dunkin Donuts but spotted this place. So we decided to give it a try. The have maple bacon donut and it was the softest most pillowy donut I ever tried. My daughter had their s'mores donut and she said it was good but it was more like a sugar trap than a donut. The bacon apple fritter donut also was very sweet but the bacon off set some of the sugar. My husband had the old fashioned blueberry which he said was fantastic. The only downside is not really their fault. I think the water has a funny aftertaste so their tea although there were many nice flavors was ruined. The couple running the place are cute and nice. read more

Donut Star - Apple bacon fritter. Don't be fooled by the angle it's huge. - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Paul M.

61

466

1998

4 years ago

I'm in San Diego for a week and I wanted to try some donuts here as I feel like donuts aren't represented well enough where I'm from (Oahu). So it's a Monday night at 8pm, what's open?? A few places I had bookmarked were closed but I noticed Donut Star was still open! And it had good reviews. So off I went. I was by myself since my wife was at the airbnb with my daughter who was still sleeping after a full day at the zoo. The area around donut star seemed like it could be sketchy at times, and there were some characters loitering around the parking lot. But donut star was there, looking like a beacon of industrial fluorescent light in an otherwise darkish area. As far as I was concerned, this is always a positive when a donut shop is in a sketchier neighborhood. Inside was a friendly lady and an array of donuts. I said I'd order a half dozen and picked five flavors (glazed, taro without coconut, old fashioned, blueberry old fashioned, and strawberry). I asked her what's popular, and she said "OH MY GOD, so many" and she rattled off a bunch of donuts and said that the cinnamon rolls are also good so I added a cinnamon roll as my sixth flavor. $11 for sugar bliss, what a deal! Off I went with my white box of happy donuts. Verdict of these donuts??? Man these donuts are freaking delicious!!! The blueberrry old fashioned was soooo good it's a perfect sugar bomb with great blueberry undertones. The glazed donut is so much better than Krispy Kreme. I haven't tried the other flavors yet but I already know Donut Star is the real deal. Oh almost forgot to mention, that nice lady slipped me an extra donut in the box! I love Donut Star!! read more

Donut Star - Old fashioned - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - My "bakers" half dozen box of donuts - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Karla R.

364

330

1440

4 years ago

Craving something sweet? Donut Star has a great selection of donuts to satisfy your sweet tooth! They got your old fashioned, classics, seasonal donuts and unique flavors, so it can be a bit hard to choose which one you'd like. For myself, I ordered: -taro donut (7/10) -blueberry old fashioned (10/10) -chocolate twist (9/10) -pumpkin spice with cream cheese (10/10 =$8 It looks like your typical mom and pop shop but one great thing about this uptown bakery is that it has its own parking lot!! Super nice to just roll in without any fuss, order what you'd like and leave just as easily. read more

Donut Star - Smoothie menu - Oct 2022 - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Donut and pastry menu - Oct 2022 - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Breakfast menu - Oct 2022 - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Seasonal donuts - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Classic donuts - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Old fashioned donuts - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Taro and Nutella donuts - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - S'mores donuts - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Fancy donuts - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Michael M.

0

2

0

7 months ago

Expensive.Very expensive.Donuts are ok only.Every other do ut shop beats this place.Apple fritters have no apple.

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Sharon F.

19

14

0

1 year ago

Who doesn't love donuts? It's a guilty pleasure of mine. This shop is a little store with friendly service and delicious donuts. Many different options to choose from and all of them are great. read more

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Nina T.

9

115

84

3 years ago

When asking my kiddo what do you want for your birthday breakfast? They answer, DONUT STAR!!! I can't disagree on that breakfast of champions! We go here often because the employees are so kind and the donuts are fresh and yummy. We often get a regular glazed twist, maple bar and croissant oh and a chocolate milk to enjoy before going fishing or just to enjoy on a Sunday morning. I am sure my kiddo will have great memories of this place as an adult like I did for my donut runs with my parents. Today they did a kind gesture for my kiddo's classroom which is very much appreciated. I hope you visit Donut Star soon so stop by and say HI and enjoy some delicious donuts! We are glad to have Donut Star in our neighborhood! Oh btw - we checked out Donut Bar downtown and the donuts were so expensive and dry, we were filled with regret and cursed ourselves for being unfaithful. read more

Donut Star - Who doesn't love croissants, donuts and chocolate milk? Stress ejected! - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Nick S.

93

36

31

1 year ago

The glazed sourdough was incredible, and so was the apple fritter. I will definitely be back, prob tomorrow.

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Maribel R.

54

119

324

3 years ago

Donuts, fruit juices, breakfast sandwiches, wide variety of drinks... all this and more is what Donut Star has to offer. We wanted to deliver some donuts to a fabulous medical team nearby, but once we arrived we realized that they also had breakfast sandwiches made to order, they were so good and tasted fresh. We had the croissant breakfast sandwich. As for the donuts, so many options. I enjoyed a raspberry filled one and it was perfectly balanced in sweetness. The ladies were so friendly and fast to make our breakfast sandwiches. read more

Donut Star - Menu - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - More menu options - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Samantha W.

136

868

3171

4 years ago

Really yummy donuts. The raised maple bacon was incredibly fluffy and delish. I do think it would be better with less bacon though. My husband loved the blueberry old fashioned and was so excited that they offered it since he had never had one before and loooves old fashioned's. read more

Donut Star - Raised maple bacon - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

Donut Star - Blueberry old fashioned - Donuts Near Me - San Diego, California

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Ashr C.

0

41

16

1 year ago

Great donuts and great service. Definitely could tell this place was good by the looks of it. This will be my donut spot for sure! 10/10!

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Jody S.

1

1600

6

1 year ago

Fritters are good, banana, apple, or caramel apple. Old fashioned blue berry a-ok. Coffee no good. Credit card fee. Parking lot a bit worn. Not a good place to sit down. No drive thru. Service is fast. Selection is much better than Dunkin' Donuts down the street. Donuts are fresh. Value good. read more

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Jack M.

5000

6538

53940

5 years ago

I like a good doughnut, and I really like Old Fashion Doughnuts. This place makes some pretty good ones. I picked up a couple, a maple and a chocolate one, they were both good, but the icing on the maple was harder than it should of been, but other than that they old fashion doughnuts did not disappoint. The cake portion of both doughnuts were soft and tasty. Service was friendly enough. They also make breakfast and lunch sandwiches at this location. read more

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Deanna C.

300

355

480

3 years ago

What a hidden GEM! I'm not into Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Donuts. Donut Stars donuts are so fresh/soft/ the perfect amount of sweetness. They have something for everyone! They are always so friendly here as well! I love supporting mom and pop places and it's even better when the quality of food is so awesome! Awesome Apple Fritter, Jelly donuts, cream filled, specialty and more! Yeah their might be homeless people in the parking lot but, that is NOT the owners issue that is a SAN DIEGO issue that we have so many homeless displaced people. So if you're in the area and want a treat... HIT them UP! you will not be sorry! read more

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More info about Donut Star

601 W Washington St
San Diego, CA 92103
Directions
(619) 542-1809
Call Now

Hours

What time does Donut Star open?

Donut Star opens at 5:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Donut Star close?

Donut Star closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Donut Star closes at 8:00 PM on Sunday.

Mon-Sat 5:00 AM - 9:00 PMSun 5:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Donut Star take credit cards?

Yes, Donut Star takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Donut Star have catering options?

No, Donut Star does not have catering options.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Donut Star have bike parking?

Yes, Donut Star has bike parking.

Does Donut Star have parking?

Yes, Donut Star has parking options. Private Lot Parking

More Info

Health Score

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Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee

Love, love, love Sidecar Donuts. They are definitely more of a luxury treat, on the pricier side…read more($58/dozen so almost $5/donut). Service here is solid, people are always friendly. I tried their banana latte & it was delicious. I am a fan of their rewards program through their app. Ambiance: the vibe here is great and the shop is generally very clean when I go & there is plenty of parking in the plaza they're in.

Love love Sidecar!! I had tried their donuts before and they are always fluffy and amazing. I came…read moreby this time to try their limited flavor with Van Leeuwen, the Mango Sticky Rice donut and it was amazing! Service is always great, there's seating outside and it's a cute cafe spot. Drinks are also delicious and their Banana bread latte hits the spot!

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Donut Bar & Bakery

Comic con for the win!!!!…read more This place goes all out every year with the Comic-Con donuts. Every year they bring their unique donuts into the heart of Comic-Con with their pop-ups. I usually never have luck grabbing one at their donuts at the pop-ups, but it's good to know that they offer their pop-up comic con donuts at their main shop by Little Italy. Drove down Sunday morning to grab my hand on this year's batch. With Stitch, Batman, and Pokémon, this year's donuts were amazing. The donuts are $8, and you're basically paying for the design. They are pretty, but they don't hold much flavor other than looks; it's just a basic donut that looks really good. But I remember them tasting different from all angles, but I guess this year was different. Regardless, the donuts were really good and well worth the trip. Paid it with chocolate milk or coffee and wow just wow. I Can't wait for next year.

Smaller donuts, less flavor, lower quality, and a cheap storefront. What has become of donut bar?…read more Donut Bar was never my first choice for donuts but with their old location being across the street from the Marriott I usually stay at while visiting San Diego, it was never a bad choice. Last week while in town for San Diego Comic Con, we decided to stop by and boy were we disappointed. The "themed" donuts are just lazy. They used to have different fillings and flavors and now? You only get different color frosting for the designs. The workers confirmed they were all the same donut flavor without any special features aside from their appearances. We tried the maple bacon, creme brulee, and vanilla glaze. The bacon was chewy and gross on the maple bacon bar. The creme brulee sugar topping was soft and chewy. The filling was just way too sweet and liquidy. The vanilla glaze was basic. Across the board, all the donuts were dry. The design and layout are just so boring now. It used to be a cool and fun, cozy place to visit with so many more donut flavors and even savory options. Now it's just not worth it.

Forbes acclaims chef Santiago's Donut Bar as the "Gold Standard" of Donut Shops.

Ube Waffle!

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100% Health Inspection!

Rose Donuts

Absolutely loved this local hole in wall strip mall donut shop. So many options!…read more 2 amazing Asian women busting their butts. The line was long but moved quickly! Donuts, pastries, breakfast sandwiches and coffees galore. My favorite was the cinnamon roll and chocolate cake donut. I forgot to grab the massive chocolate chip cookie. I already can't wait to go back!

I finally stopped by Rose Donuts after driving past it so many times while working in the area. One…read morething I appreciated right away was that they take credit cards. The specialty donuts are a little on the pricey side, but they have a great selection. I'm always on the hunt for the best apple fritter, and my second favorite donut is a glazed old fashioned, so those were the two I had to try. The apple fritter was okay. It was a little on the dry side, but I did like all the crispy glazed nubbins on the outside. I just wish it had a stronger apple flavor. The maple glazed old fashioned was the winner for me. The cake was soft and moist, and the maple glaze was the perfect thickness and consistency. I'd definitely come back for that one.

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Golden Donut

Great donuts and delicious Vietnamese coffee. The service here is great…read more Parking is a bit difficult but you can always park on the street.

Highkey wanted to gatekeep this gem of a spot, but I'll share it! This is hands down my #1 spot for…read moreVietnamese coffee. I love the service, I love the price of the coffee, Honestly I love everything about this place. The coffee is always on point and the staff is super friendly. Don't forget to grab a banana bread either, legit 1000/10 super soft and not to sweet. The donuts are really good too, which makes it even better when you want a little sweet treat with your drink. Another big plus is there's a lot of parking, so it's super easy to stop by. They also open early, which is perfect if you're trying to grab coffee before work. If you love Vietnamese coffee, this spot is a must try!

Vietnamese coffee

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Vietnamese Coffee

Sesame Donuts

Love their donuts. Specially the filled vanilla and chocolate ones. So delicious and yummy…read more Service is fast and friendly.

I love supporting small businesses and the donuts here are very fresh & fluffy, but the price is a…read morebit steep ($4 for a dozen donut holes). I did like that the donut holes weren't too sweet & didn't have an oily aftertaste! I did notice that there are new owners now -- they're not as friendly as I would've hoped as they didn't really greet customers as they came in, but the donuts are good enough that I'd consider going back.

A dozen assorted donuts

Inside

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Menu/donuts

Mochi Dough | Premium Japanese Donut

What a cute boba spot. So happy they finally have one in San Diego and so close to my house…read more I love the ambiance of the place. It's super cute, pink and clean. There is no customer service as everything you order is through the kiosk, which is fine. The drinks come out quick which is a plus. I did pay extra for the cute surprise toy. I can't wait to come back and try other drinks and their mochi dough. Thanks Mochi Dough for a fun first time.

FOR THE WIN!!! (4.75 stars)…read more I love donuts. And I tend to stick to basic classical donuts. And therefore I am late to the trend with the mochi donuts! This location is inside Bober Tea and Coffee. There is a glass casing with several flavors to choose from and they sell at $3 a piece. The one that stood out to me was the chocolate with sprinkles. Upon receiving it in a paper pocket bag, the icing was rubbing off on the bag. That immediately told me this is super fresh! I could already feel the softness of the donut. The little sectioned off ball looking segments of the donut are also a game changer when it comes to eating - easier to eat without making a mess! The texture was bouncy, soft, lightly chewy and a little stretchy... the texture was fun and I found myself wanting another afterwards. I do wish they had offer other flavors that don't sounds too sweet because the other flavors didn't really catch me. Until the next review...

Sign above the service counter

So cute!

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Christy's Donuts

This is a mom and pop shop that sells old school donuts…read more They are fresh and flavorful and I like the small town feel of the place. The service was prompt and attentive. The prices are fair and it feels like the kind of place where you could become a regular.

We like to get our donuts here. Nice family, good donuts. Cash only…read more You can sit inside but we prefer to-go. The tables are where people line up or right on the parking lot. This time I got 14 m&ms donuts for the baseball team plus a couple siblings.

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Parlor Doughnuts

The coconut cream pie stuffed doughnut. Enough said. I tried this place for the first time after…read moreeyeing it for a while, I got the coconut cream pie, the strawberry shortcake for my husband, the bacon and maple, and then I got a raspberry jelly mini, cinnamon sugar mini and coconut cream pie mini. Our favorites we'd recommend is the coconut cream pie and the strawberry shortcake. The bacon maple still had an amazing texture and we loved how fluffy and satisfying the dough is made but I wasn't a fan of the bacon fat taste with the maple even though I usually like a sweet+savory combo. Over all we're gonna buy again on Mother's Day morning!

Special Mother's Day treat! I was happy to see they still have a wide selection so late in the…read moremorning. I was great within seconds of walking in. She was helping someone else but quickly wrapped up to take my order. The space was clean with plenty of seating. It was so hard to decide so I grabbed a few to share: Maple Bacon, Coconut Cream, Lemon and Horchata. I thoroughly enjoyed all of them and appreciated that they were not overly nor greasy. The fluffiness reminded me more of a beignet and brioche. Will be back to try more flavors! 5/13- We returned for more. These were made to order and topping to dough ratio was too much. Maybe they were being generous, but they were overly sweet today. Bourbon Caramel, Strawberry Shortcake, Lemon, Blueberry Hill, Mango Margarita and Turtle Cheesecake. All great flavors, just too much of it.

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Barrio Donas

4.5

(73 reviews)

1.6 mi

Super fun donuts! There is something for every donut lover. The donuts taste as good as they look…read more There are various locations around San Diego, including Old Town. @sturdygirlstyle #sturdygirlstyle

Jamaica was immediate berry burst on the tongue, sweeet berry sour burst…read more Abuelita dona was our favorite mmmm and it looks so cute, toppings took it to another level! Horchata was yummy, keep in mind it's more like a cake frosting Torta (unpictured) sooo delicious. Definitely coming back for another one

La Cajeta

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Barrio Donas

We ended up buying a couple donuts, a breakfast - la Mexicana and a guava matcha. Everything was…read moreexcellent and the staff was great. There was a line out the door the entire time we were there, but we were able to sit right away and enjoy our food as well.

The best donuts I've had in a long time! I'm not a donut…read moreperson in general but these were amazing! Dense, and not dry, and full of flavor!! Not overly sweet either which is good! I came down from the OC on Monday morning around 10am and they still had a pretty good amount of donuts. I was looking forward to the Payaso donut but they didn't have it. Which is okay cuz everything else was so good! Not shown in the picture but my friend got the fresas con crema drink and it was soooo good!! Next time I'm getting that too! I will definitely be back!

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Malibu Farm

4.5

(2.3k reviews)

2.8 mi

Great vibes and service. Drinks are always so yummy. Leo was especially nice and very helpful!read more

Great brunch, service and ambiance, everything tastes fresh keeping concept farm to tableread more

SPACIOUS and CLEAN !

Catch of Day

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Strawberry Matcha Latte

Born & Raised

We celebrated our anniversary here, and the entire experience was unforgettable. From the moment we…read morearrived, the staff went above and beyond to make us feel special. They were incredibly attentive, thoughtful, and made our celebration one to remember. The service was just as impressive as the food! And it's such a good vibe. We sat at the rooftop right before sunset. Beautiful!

The restaurant was so beautiful and we got sat on the 2nd floor which was nice. Our server Scott…read morewas very sweet and attentive. We got the 20oz ribeye steak between 2 people and mac & cheese and mushrooms as our side. The mushrooms in the parmesan sauce was the absolute best. The reason I gave it a 4/5 was because the food took quite awhile to come out and everything was served cold like it was left out for a while. The table-side Cesar salad was good but it's a little on the small side for 2 people to share.

Dirty hash browns with trout roe, chives and crème fraiche

View from our table

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Steak sampler

Izola

Family-owned & operated

LGBTQ friendly

Delicious savory croissants! I definitely recommend the muffuletta and carnitas croissants. Fast…read moreservice and fresh decor.

Food was fantastic, the Gruyère sourdough was . Angels service was great, he was kind and attentiveread more

Iced Coconut Cream Latte: espresso with condensed coconut milk and topped with the most luxurious version of coconut cold foam. Luxurious!

IZOLA Carnitas Croissant: A tribute to the flavors of Mexico and a warm thank-you to the flavors that inspire us from across the border.

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IZOLA croissant. Crispy exterior, pillowy inside. 3 day process. Hand-made with organic flour, grass-fed milk, butter from Normandy.

Hinar Dessert Bar & Cafe

so aesthetic inside and the music was at a perfect and calm volume. the matches were phenomenal,…read morenot bitter or grassy at all. we also got the basque cheesecake and it was delicious. 10/10, no notes.

Hands down the best matcha I have ever had…read more The biscoff matcha was a little too sweet, but the earl grey matcha was so good! I had a three day trip in San Diego and I went twice! It is that good. The second time we went, my friends and I just all ordered the earl grey matcha because we didn't want to share. The store is small so sometimes if the line is long, you have to wait outside. It goes by somewhat quickly. There is seating in the back that looks really nice. There were desserts. We got their sesame cake, it was fine. I would definitely put this place as somewhere to visit. There is street-side parking. If you get lucky, someone already paid for the parking meter.

White Chocolate Raspberry Cake

Inside

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White Chocolate Raspberry Cake

Labora - Kearny Mesa

The matcha was amazing and the staff were very friendly! The sweetness on the matcha was perfect…read moreand the environment was very clean.

Updating my review because credit is due where credit is deserved!…read more After my original visit, the owner immediately reached out and took the time to address my experience. They genuinely cared about the feedback and made me feel heard this says a lot about a business. Customer service is everything to me & they completely turned my experience around!! I've been back since and this place continues to be one of my favorite matcha spots in SD! I brought two of my closest friends from out of town to try it and both approved! This time around I was greeted as soon as I walked in and that made all the difference. I decided to branch out and try two new flavors. I got the Blueberry 30 & Pistachio 54. Both were AMAZING and full of flavor. Blueberry was definitely my favorite. I'd give them both a 5/5 ! Huge shoutout to Justin, the manager, for being beyond kind and so welcoming. He made the experience even better. Safe to say they've earned my 5 stars. Not only are the drinks incredible, but it's clear they truly care about their customers and the experience they provide. I'll definitely be back probably sooner than I should be.

Scarlet 3

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Between Us

Between Us has been on my list for the longest time. After finally trying it, my only regret is not…read morecoming sooner because everything we ordered was delicious. We walked in around 12:40 without a reservation. They close at 2:30, but we were still seated pretty quickly. Every employee we interacted with was genuinely friendly. The service never felt rushed even though we came close to close. I also had no idea we walked in during their "US Hour" from 12:00 to 2:30, so that ended up being a nice surprise. They offer $7 draft beers, $9 wine, $10 mimosas, plus a handful of bites for $9. We started with the Fried Calamari Tentacles from the US Hour menu. They're served with Japanese mayo, although it tasted like there was some citrus mixed in because it had a nice tangy kick. Whatever it was, it worked really well with the crispy calamari. To drink, I ordered the Yuzu Matcha Mimosa. It had a really vibrant green color that almost reminded me of green juice. I actually enjoyed it. The matcha flavor came through without getting lost. My friend wasn't the biggest fan because they thought it leaned a little too bitter, so I think this one depends on how much you already enjoy matcha. For my entree, I ordered the Duck and Waffles ($24), which comes with crispy duck confit, a waffle, passionfruit guava sauce, and chili crunch. This was easily the highlight of the meal. The duck was cooked perfectly. It was crispy on the outside, tender inside, and seasoned just enough to let the meat shine. I also appreciated that the chili crunch actually had some heat instead of just being there for texture. The waffle was light and fluffy. I'm a sucker for sweet and savory combinations, so the powdered sugar paired with the rich duck was enough to win me over. The passionfruit guava sauce was the only part I wasn't completely sold on. It wasn't bad by any means. I just think it's one of those flavors that comes down to personal preference. This ended up being one of those meals that reminded me why I keep a running list of places I want to try. Great food. Great service. A fun happy hour that I accidentally stumbled into. My only wish is that parking in North Park was a little easier, but that's just part of the neighborhood. I'd definitely come back.

A new brunch spot located in NP run by the young new owners of Thai Time across the street…read more "Between Us" is aptly named with some fusion, "in-between" offerings ranging from Curry Hamburg (Japanese), ube dips (Filipino), Duck Waffles (Chinese fusion), Latke Benedict (Jewish fusion), Beignets (Cajun) and Shakshuka (North African). We had the Beignets (5 for $12) to share, and I ordered the Curry Hamburg ($20), a Black Sesame Latte ($7) w/ a shot of Matcha (+$2), and a Matcha Yuzu Mimosa ($13) for myself. The beignets, perfectly shared between the 5 of us, were a bit too dense and possessed a weirdly hard outer crust. The matcha cream and black sesame mascarpone serving as dips made them a little more enjoyable. The black sesame latte was deliciously nutty, but the matcha shot at the $2 up charge was exorbitant. (Note: This is their only caffeine addition -- along with hojicha -- as they do not have an espresso machine). I was very disappointed in the Curry Hamburg, unfortunately. This was a failed attempt at omurice. The egg, while plentiful, was not even seasoned. Further, the equally unseasoned hamburger patty was very dry and the sauce over-salty. They should have distributed the salt and seasoning throughout the dish because it lacked serious balance. They just added beer and mimosas, so the Matcha Yuzu Mimosa, though overkill with the Matcha (and likely wasted), did ease the ache some. I made reservations online via OpenTable where I had to put a credit card down and agree to the seemingly shady policy regarding party changes within a 24 hour period. We were seated immediately, but they gave us a table with some weird wooden fold-up chairs. Our table was strangely the only one with these uncomfortable chairs. It was also excessively loud and we almost didn't learn the name of our server, who, by the way, was PHENOMENAL despite some of the disappointment with the food! Thank you (Mick) Jagger for taking care of us and getting our food out to us so quickly!