I rarely go down the environment path, because ppl are here to hear about the food, not about the damn service or decor. I gotta say though, really cool old school feel inside. Now for the DONUTS. Who doesn't love themselves a damn donut, I freakin wish I can eat donuts all day everyday. Not possible, but when I do have a donut I want a great donut and Reds provides that. Their donuts are fresh and crisp on the outside and soft in the inside. I recommend for sure. read more

$1 donuts, been around long time, classic diner countertop. old fashioned glazed ok, not as cakey on inside.

Yum.. always the best and freshest. Go Wednesday or Thursday mornings for their specials on dozens!

Amazing Apple fritters... fairly priced... was very clean. parking is always hard in Monterey but theres lots of street parking, so its ok

This is what I dream of in the Maple Bar-deprived northeast. (I mean, I'm from New York, don't get me wrong; I became a MB convert during summer visits to my Monterey grandparents.) It is the absolute paradigm. Sometimes I fantasize about opening a maple bar cart in McCarren Park but that's probably not feasible on a practical or fiscal level. Whenever a family member goes out there they have strict instructions to overnight 3 long johns, with the maple frosting in a separate tub (Red's is very accomodating about this) so that it doesn't all rub off on the waxed paper. Oh, and the glazed Old Fashioned is swell, too! read more

Classic old-fashioned donut shop with counter service. Wait...C O U N T E R S E R V I C E !! You pull up a seat at the counter and the waitress asks you "what'll it be?" just like at a bar or diner. Limited hours so get here early. read more

Red's Donuts - Donuts Near Me - Monterey, California

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Some of the best donuts I've ever had anywhere. Far superior to any chain donut shop's offerings. Absolutely the best donuts in the Monterey area. Not just the food but also the atmosphere is great. If you go in frequently, you'll learn to recognize the regulars (one of whom is in one of the pictures). Better yet, the friendly staff will recognize you, too. This is an old-fashioned shop, with a counter and stools and just two things on the menu: donuts and coffee. (And the woman behind the counter calls customers "dear"!) While we can't actually go back to the past, coming into Red's is about as close as you're going to get to it. And this is the real deal--sincere, with no kitch or irony at all. The main store on Fremont in Seaside is where most of the donuts are made, but the downtown store can make some of the basics. The downtown location closes earlier than the one in Seaside. The only downside is that the coffee is nothing special. Conclusion: absolutely not-to-be-missed donuts--if you like donuts. (If you don't, why are you even reading this review?) read more

Seriously the best old school kind of donuts you can find. These are my favorite donuts I have ever had and when I am in town ai always have to have one. A must stop in Monterey! read more

Real donuts, not giant honkers like dunkin's. I had five. With coffee. Then I kayaked the bay. Alone. Probably coulda gone to Santa Cruz with all the energy I had. No carb rush and crash - these donuts are tasty true fuel. The waitress, or owner, -- the lady -- told me family owned and operated for 62 years. Small little place, you could sense the sound of years of local stories and characters in this place. read more

Great old school ambiance and decor where the locals can gather and hang out in a local coffee/donut shop to shoot the sh*t but the donuts themselves were just ok. Not the best I've had and certainly not the worst either. I gauge the quality of a donut by sampling their raised glaze and chocolate donut. I was not wowed by their donuts but seems like a lot of people really enjoy them. read more

Home of the $5 dozen donut :) We came here because we were having breakfast and I opened the local paper and saw an advertisement that this place does $5 dozen donuts, so I figured go check it out. Yes I am fat - Eating breakfast and still hungry for donuts :) We ended up just getting two donuts which I think was a good decision because otherwise we would have eaten them all. Very good traditional donuts. Thanks red. read more

Super delicious donuts! We come here fairly often on weekends and I have never been disappointed. I loved glazed donuts and that is all I ever get, and theirs are awesome. He also gets the chocolate, old fashioned, and maybe a sprinkled and has said that those are also excellent. Only sad part is that they don't have donut holes unless you special order them in advance. As much as I love donuts, ordering in advance isn't something I think about early enough. I keep asking because I hope that they will relent and start making them but I am probably only making a fool of myself. read more

If you want donuts in Monterey, this is pretty much your only option. Luckily they're tasty. My only complaint is that they close somewhere around noon-ish everyday, and it always seems like I make it downtown later in the day, and thus always miss out on the donut yumminess. Come on, donuts aren't just a breakfast food! read more

Great donuts. I didn't stay to eat them but took them on the road with me. I have to say they are probably the best donuts I have eaten. The establishment seemed quaint and the staff was friendly. The customers in the establishment were enjoying them selves indulging in friendly conversation and seemed to be enjoying their donuts and coffee. I will have to go back one day and stay and partake in the atmosphere. read more

Amazing doughts! Tried a variety of donuts and none of them disappointed. The customer service is stellar also. Husband wanted a few donuts warmed up and it wasn't a problem. I felt almost at home here. Which is saying something! read more

I definitely understand why they have been around as long as they have. Old school donut shop with great prices and amazing donuts! They're not trying to be anything other than that and it works! read more

Custom ordered a huge donut for my sons birthday. It was amazing and a big hit for his birthday. Plus great maple , coconut and chocolate old fashioned. Thanks Reds!!!! read more

Killer donuts. Red's will definitely spoil you and ruin your taste for donuts from anywhere else. They are that good. The maple bars are heaven. Excellent "local" quality donut shop. read more

90 cents for a donuts? Right there you have my attention! In Chicago, you would be hard pressed to find a donut for under a dollar. You can tell by the freshness of the donut that they were made in house. The selection they had were overwhelming (in a good way). These were some of the best donuts I have ever tasted due to the freshness of the donut. This makes most donuts places in the Chicago area look bad. If you are visiting in the Monterey area, go to red donuts, you won't regret it. read more

Red's Donuts - Donuts Near Me - Monterey, California

Heading up to the Bay Area on Saturday, I had a craving for donuts--nothing like a sugar rush to pair with the caffeine rush from my triple latte for a day trip north, right? I decided to head over to Red's--my go-to spot for donuts. Unfortunately, I got there a little late, around 11:30, and selection was limited. I was more than a little bummed they were out of my favorite (chocolate old-fashioned), but I picked up an old-fashioned glazed donut and a twisted glazed donut, the best of what was available. Both donuts were pretty tasty--I especially liked how fresh and fluffy (albeit sweet) the twisted glazed donut was. This quaint diner is certainly the best spot for donuts here in Monterey, but remember to get there early--now I understand why my dad used to make trips here at 6:30 in the morning to get us the best selection for breakfast when I was a kid. Also, don't forget they're cash only, so make sure you pick up some cash before you come in for your sugar fix. read more

Solid, good, donuts. Nothing super fancy OMG good....but perfectly satisfying. Owners were super nice and friendly, but we felt like we walked in on someone else's party when we came in...like we didn't belong or something. Otherwise, just fine. Worth a try. read more

Out West for a conference, and what a pleasant surprise....Verna's of the West. Monterey is already full of interesting characters, and Red's place has it's fair share of people and donuts of the highest caliber. I especially liked the Apple Fritter--crispy at the edges, tender in the midst. Another fine addition are the bar stools that allow you to sit counter style while you enjoy your AM confection with coffee. When you want only donuts for breakfast....This is the Best of the Breakfast scene in Monterey. read more

This place has been here for years and its still the same. My grandmother would take me here when I was little and I still go there when I'm in town. They have some of the best donuts I have ever and I have not found anyone who's taste the same especially the cake chocolate. read more

Tasty donuts. Some of the best cake donuts I've had. Also the crumble donut was intense, in a good way. Also, what's not to love about sitting down at an old fashioned counter and digging in? read more

LOVE these donuts!!! Fresh and a great variety!! We are new to Monterey and we are so glad we found this place! Everyone needs a GOOD donut once in awhile! :) read more

Red's Donuts - Donuts Near Me - Monterey, California

Simply the best donuts in town.

Selection wasn't as great as I thought it would be. Taste was pretty on point for what I got though. Conversation between my husband and I: Me: "I found this doughnut shop with great reviews but I don't think a doughnut will fill me" Husband: "it will if you eat enough of them" So we went there with this in mind and ordered half a dozen doughnuts. I'm a small girl, but I houses those doughnuts. I was sick all day. Not sure if it was the 3 doughnuts or the Mexican food the night before. Either way I was laid out for 24 hours after this. read more

Reminds me of the Exxon Valdez disaster! A sack of two maple bars, two glazed and a apple fritter should NOT weigh 2 pounds. There are sea lions down in the bay who gorge all summer on sardines to put on a fat layer that thick. Really nice folks, I love the ambience, prices are very reasonable, but they need to figure out how to cook a donut and leave some oil in the fryer. read more

Some of the best donuts I have had in a while. They are fresh every morning, the only problem is you need to get there super early to have a variety to choose from. Fridays are usually the crazy day since the line is out the door. You can truly tell the baker knows what he's doing, there fresh, fluffy and did I say delicious!!!! If your ever in Monterey you just need to stop by read more

Red's Donuts - Only the best - Donuts Near Me - Monterey, California

Good good good!!!! even the next day! MMM

Maybe I had a bad one, but the apple fritter I bought was not very good. I love apple fritters but this one was disappointing. Maybe I'll try another kind but I think I'd rather explore some of the other places with baked goods in town. read more

Small hole in the wall donut shop...quaint and has a decent selection of donuts. Walking distance from the Marriott and the Portola. Satisfied our donut fix for a drive home to the Bay Area. read more

This spot is pretty popular in the donut eating circles... I tried a couple doughnuts here and they are middle of the road. It's ok. Not sure if I'd go here regularly though. The place is pretty dated and it seems to have a history that is a part of it's brand 'Old Monterey's Doughnut Shop'... however, their selection was pretty basic. Not too many filled doughnuts and the coffee tasted very watered down. read more

Awesome retro donut shop - the best part? They aren't trying to be retro, it's just a product of being a heritage location in Monterey. Great place to go and be a fly on the wall, lots of locals as well as a substatial amount of tourist traffic. The donuts were reasonably priced and delicious, although the humidity of this coastal town took a toll on my Raised Glaze donut, but it was still good! read more

I grew up just a little up the hill from this Red's and never managed to go there, but I'm so glad I got to try it out today. I sampled the old fashioned glazed, coconut cake, and raspberry jelly doughnuts. The old fashioned glazed didn't wow me as it did a couple other reviewers here, but it was still good. That said, the coconut cake and raspberry jelly doughnuts were fantastic. It's going to be tough to avoid them when I go for my next selections. Let's not forget the coffee, which was better than anywhere else you go for sit down service -- seriously! The service, home-town feel, and pricing were all terrific as well. I just wish I didn't eat such a big dinner; otherwise, I'd be there first thing in the morning tomorrow. Oh man, so freakin' tasty! read more

Delicious, fresh and cheap as cheap. Legit donuts in a traditional fashion. I think the maple bars from Safeway down the street get my engine going a little quicker, but my dentist would probably prefer I stick with the maple bars at Reds. Excellent variety and all of good quality. Special deals on a dozen on certain days of the week. Stop in for deets as I've all but forgotten when it is. read more

Went here last weekend with my wife. Woke up early decided to take a walk to the wharf and stopped here. I strongly suggest their cinnamon rolls! Delicious donuts! read more

This is a Monterey institution that's been around for long time right in downtown Monterey on Alvarado Street. With so many new businesses on Alvarado lately, it is nice to have something around that has been there a while! It's like stepping back time walking in to pick up your cheat while on a low carb diet. There are gentlemen regulars sitting at the counter drinking coffee, having a donut and chatting with each other and the counter staff. My husband lusts after their apple fritters. He'll make a stop to ask if they're available at least once a week during our winter's spent in Monterey. He stays true to only ordering a fritter and will leave with nothing else if he's too late to pick one up. You need to get there early to get the tasty scrumptiously delectable apple filled fritter! They do sell out every day. Our daughter who is serving in the Peace Corps in Lesotho even asks during her infrequent calls, "Have you been to Red's yet?" You don't want to miss this jewel of a place! read more

Red's Donuts on Alvarado - a true Monterey landmark that has managed to pass the test of time. When I was much younger, had all my hair, playing on my Engine 1285 in my Dennis the Menace Park, watching a movie at the State Theater & grabbing a donut at Red's - life just couldn't get any better. Well, no more climbing all over Engine 1285 & ringing her bell with a rock but fifty, yes you read right, 50 years later, Red's is the ONLY place on Alvarado that hasn't changed & am willing to wager, the only place in all of Monterey that has resisted to "change with the time" in order to stay competitive. Great management, out of this world donuts & coffee & same clown pictures on the walls. Every time I return to my Monterey for a visit, Red's is always on my "must do" list. Full circle - back in the 60's, there was always a small group of "those old guys", in the back, drinking their coffee, eating donuts, reading the Monterey Herald, flirting with the hired help & solving world problems. Move over guys, make room for one more. I cannot think of Red's without smiling. If you visit Monterey and don't grab a donut at Red's, you are truly missing what makes Monterey so special & unique. read more

Red's Donuts is so charming. As soon as you enter you feel like you've been transported back to the 1940's. The entire store is just as it was when it opened 60 years ago. Most donuts are still handmade and you can taste the difference. They are the perfect consistency and go oh-so-well with their coffee. They people behind the counter are super friendly and welcoming. Each time we've been to Red's, there are numerous "regulars" chatting away with the staff. This is a place I always make a point to stop at when in the monterey area. Can't beat starting the day with a fresh donut...or 2 :) read more