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    Early Bird Donuts

    4.2 (203 reviews)
    Open • 6:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Order Early Bird Donuts Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    EARLY BIRD DONUTS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Donuts!
    David B.

    Came in on Saturday for some donuts and coffee to get my day in Durham started. This is so easy: service: awesome! Coffee: awesome! Donuts (glazed and chocolate iced): if not the best donuts I've ever had in my life, easily in the top 3. Treat yourself!

    Blueberry donut
    Meghan M.

    These might be the best donuts I've ever had. Heck, if I got a cavity from them, I don't think I'd even mind - that's how good they are! It was my first time there and the cashier was very kind and recommended several including the chocolate glazed donut filled with Bavarian cream and the blueberry donut. The blueberry donut was fantastic! It was the perfect level of sweet and the inside was so fluffy and yeasty in the best ways possible. The inside of the store is clean and the service was fast. Overall, would highly recommend for a great donut in Durham!

    Egg biscuit and coffee
    Dia T.

    Ambience This has a little home town diner feel. I feel if you came in 3 times, they would know you by name and give you hugs. Or maybe that's my own fantasy revealing way too much about my childhood fantasies. Music was a vibe too. Some old school Latin music in the background was where it's at! Service Not over the top, because they got work to do and seem serious about their business. But friendly and patient. Food It's really good fast breakfast breakfast food. Not healthy, come on it's a donut shop for crying-out-loud ( what does that phrase mean anyway). But the donuts were fresh and soft, not overly sweet. I had a maple glazed. The Vietnamese coffee was strong and smooth- the way I like coffee. I've never had Vietnamese coffee but it was on my list and I did see the the wonderful woman making it and it looked like she was doing some extra steps so it's probably authentic. I'll try it again somewhere else for a comparison. The egg biscuit was good. It's not a down south, beautiful Black grandma biscuit... but it's a close 2nd. I loved it! The egg was cooked perfectly on the griddle w a little brown crisp and a light saltiness- YUM! Only down sides- 1. Sour cream donuts are my favorite and I was here at 9ish- none today! Boo. 2. They have reward points, I spent 11 bucks and it said my purchase didn't qualify. Can I get one point for morale please... Boo.

    Tova B.

    OMG my gf and i went on a donut adventure today and we went somewhere else with better reviews but this place was so much better!! and should have better reviews. we came at 1pm on a Saturday and got caramel, sugar, glazed and crumb. they were all 10/10s fantastic. the glaze was melt in your mouth, super fluffy and amazing. i would totally drive the 20 minutes to get them here again and maybe next time go earlier to see what else they have

    DON C.

    Delicious! The donuts were warm and being made in small batches so they were constantly providing fresh warm donuts. This takes a ton more time but with donuts it's worth it! Sooooo good. The apple fritter and cinnamon bun were my favorites. The savory croissants were just ok. The sausage one, had lots of sausage in it but I think it needed some melted cheese, sauce or something to be less dry. Also, the savory croissants did take a bit longer to make, so if you're in a rush, I'd suggest sticking to the sweet stuff!

    Michael's English Muffins sold here!
    Elizabeth W.

    Arrived around 9:45am and had selected half a dozen donuts over the phone in case they ran out as there was some buzz about that happening on occasion. They were not as fresh or light as I'd have liked. Tried warming them up at home - didn't help. Truly the only one worth ordering was the Maple glazed, and it was inhaled by the two of us. I would get a dozen of just those and skip anything with oddly rock-hard teeth-cracking nonpareils. Would have given four stars if everything had tasted like that one maple donut., but there are just so many outstanding donut options in the Triangle... Nice friendly service and some outdoor eating areas but inside was sort of sharing picnic tables with delivery boxes and not welcoming. Possible the breakfast sandwiches are a category worth trying if you happen to be around here, but we didn't sample those. Just okay. Wouldn't revisit or make a special trip here.

    Andrea L.

    Was gifted various donuts and pastries by a coworker, and must say was very impressed with the high-quality, and how delicious each of the pastries were! Additionally, I have tried there, biscuit and croissant, breakfast sandwiches that are always delicious and fresh.

    Nicole J.

    Oh, I was excited to see that there was a place open on a Sunday so that I could grab some donuts for my road trip. This is located in a residential commercial shopping plaza so you have to drive around to the back of the main building. It was a Sunday morning and there were plenty of parking spaces. I got lucky again, and there was only one person in line before me and many other people showed up slightly after me. They are more than a donut shop and also do breakfast sandwiches and beverages I would put this on the same level as a Krispy Kreme. Nothing really Artisanal or fancy but just good basic donuts. It was essentially the same. Donut yeast base with different toppings and fillings. I decided to go for a just to glaze donuts. I'll bypassed the jelly donut as soon as I saw the gelatinous goo machines . The glaze were super fluffy and not too sweet, so it was a good donut experience. Nothing extraordinary, but not awful. It is a casual setting with both indoor and outdoor seating.

    National Donut Day!
    Jon H.

    Short version: the best donut in the state. Soft, thick, pillowy, perfect glaze, great chew. Super nice, family run restaurant. The folks at Early Bird do not miss with anything. They have phenomenal yeast and cake donuts, delicious breakfast sandwiches, and perfect donut holes. They offer fillable donuts and a variety of cream and jelly options. I miss the days of their kolaches but everything on the menu is top notch. They also have an arcade game and board games if you're hanging out and eating there. The parking can be a challenge (and that's not their fault) but it's worth that minor inconvenience. You will not be disappointed with anything they offer.

    Maple bacon ft. Hungry doggo

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    6 months ago

    The food there and the donuts are second to none . The staff is very friendly and professional

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    1 year ago

    best donuts in durham; great egg sandwiches too! Highly recommend a visit. Can't go wrong with anything there!

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    9 months ago

    Some of the best donuts I've ever had. Big, fresh, yeasty. Yum! The breakfast croissant is good, too.

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    2 years ago

    Delicious donuts and breakfast sandwiches. My husband loves the ability to choose his filling and I love the old fashioned donuts.

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    Early Bird Donuts - donuts - Updated October 2026

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