Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Doughnut Vault

    4.3 (1.2k reviews)
    ModerateDonuts
    Closed 7:30 am - 1:00 pm

    Order Doughnut Vault Takeout or Delivery

    Doughnut Vault Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Doughnut Vault

    Recommended Reviews - Doughnut Vault

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Inside menu
    Tina L.

    Holy molyyyy the hype is real! I think I can safely say these are the best doughnuts I've ever had. I'd never been a huge cake or old fashioned doughnut person, but DV has def converted me! I got their birthday cake and almond old fashioned doughnuts - both were crisp on the outside & perfectly soft on the inside. The sweetness level is just right as well. The almond old fashioned has salted almonds on top which adds a nice contrast and texture. Their special filled doughnut of the day, banana cream pie, BLEW my mind though. This doughnut is MASSIVE! The filling was absolutely divine. It tasted like a crossover of banana pudding & vanilla custard. There was 0 artificial banana taste and real chunks of banana. I will be dreaming of this doughnut for the rest of my life. This place is a million times better than Stan's and Firecakes (and Dunkin + Krispy Kreme, but this goes without saying).

    Pumpkin cake donut.
    Maggie X.

    I've had sooo many donuts this last month. When I visited Chicago, Doughnut Vault came highly recommended and I stopped in at least three times and sampled a variety of classic and seasonal offerings. I like the ever-changing weekly menu. I like Doughnut Vault's origin story. I like the quirky "am I sure I'm in the right place" ordering window. Some of the donuts (I'm looking at you, pumpkin cake) reallyyyy hit, and some of them I couldn't make past the first bite. Maple cake (special): Uniformly fluffy but still with a bit of chew I expect from a donut, this had really great texture and was the first cake donut I can remember enjoying. It teetered my conviction that cake donuts are just not donuts; they're cake! Pumpkin cake (special): Oooof, this donut made me a cake donut believer. I could have used half the overly sweet icing on top, but the pumpkin flavor came through amazingly with that cozy scent of fall. Not too sweet, still fluffy with the perfect amount of chew. Definitely the best pumpkin donut I've ever sampled. Chocolate old fashioned (classic): Very dense, very dry in some areas, very thick coating of chocolate on top. It's possible I just chanced upon a dud, but I was really disappointed in this overbaked and overglazed donut. Chocolate glazed (classic): This yeast risen donut was a touch too risen for me. I liked the height and look of the donut, but the dough ended up being on the dryer side that wasn't remedied by the chocolate glaze. Strawberry glazed (classic): Similarly to the chocolate glazed, this strawberry glazed was also a touch too risen, which leads me to think that's just the standard proofing for these donuts. I'm somewhat impressed by the fact they maintain their structure and height, but the slight dryness and less tender crumble makes me prefer an alternative recipe. Cake donuts -- yes please! I'll pass on the yeast variety.

    Menu options (10/31/25)
    Dave A.

    DEELISH DONUT OPTION IN CHICAGO! So what kind donut scene does Chicago have? Seems like Dunkin' Donuts is at almost every corner we turn, which is a HARD PASS for me, but there are local vendors here, worth hitting, based on yelp reviews. Donut Vault seemed like a good option to explore, so off I went, footin' it with an assist from The "EL". From Brown Line, exit at the Merchandise Mart stop, then find a way to get to ground level (I wandered a bit because there is no obvious "DOWN" option here, until I found a stairwell to ground level lol). WiFi function was a bit slow 'round this area, so Go to Wells Street, then head to Kinzie St and turn left, right on Franklin St, and it's right next to Bavette's Gilt Bar. Found it! Their location totally gives off the "Harry Potter under the staircase room vibe," which I dig! Small line to get in. Interestingly, the people ahead of me are getting boxes of donuts, that's a good sign I'm in for a treat! Ok, let's eat! CLASSIC OLD FASHIONED: This has gotta be their specialty because this option had the most variety. I got PISTACHIO, PEANUT BUTTER, and TRIPLE CHOCOLATE. WOW! Solid donuts! Perfect old fashioned donut consistency. Crisp outer shell, yet soft and oh so flavorful inside. Flavors are exceptionally spot on! I was not expecting Pistachio to have an actual nutty taste to it, BUT IT DID! Peanut Butter did this PB Snob proud... YUM! Triple Chocolate was chocolate heaven! BOSTON CRÈME: I had the Halloween Special and it was huge! BIG dollop of "creme" inside was colored orange and actually a custard. Every bite allowed for a sample of the custard, too, so nice ratio of donut to filling. Custard wasn't too sweet and the creaminess was delightful! Nom! APPLE FRITTER: Uniquely crafted, not the typical style seen in most California shops, but the components were still there! Crisp shell, iced yet not too sweet a shell, lots of apple bits, soft & fluffy inner core... Tasty! PUMPKIN CAKE DONUT: It's Halloween, HAD to pick up a Pumpkin one! Glad I did because it was the best pumpkin donut version I've tasted. And that cream cheese glaze?!?! Badass! VERY EASY RECOMMENDATION! Nom Nom on full alert! I see why peeps be walkin' out with boxes! Definitely worth a visit!

    pistachio and almond old-fashioned donuts.
    Janice K.

    This donut shop was just around the corner from the hotel. I was staying at in downtown Chicago. I read reviews talking about how they run out early so I made sure to be there around 8 AM. I think they open at 7:30. I was excited to try the pistachio donut, but also chose the almond based on all the good reviews. I have to agree; the almond old-fashioned donut was superior. The old-fashioned donuts are all plain, but then have a glaze and/or toppings for the different flavors. Two donuts was just over eight dollars after tax. Pretty reasonable for the size of the donut and the location in downtown. They only sell donuts and drip coffee. Tip: order ahead through their website. There's a walk up window to pick up preorders so you don't have to stand in line.

    Buttermilk Old Fashioned, Triple Chocolate Old Fashioned, Daily Special- Raspberry Old Fashioned, Doughnut Holes
    Clarizza A.

    Best old fashioned donuts ever!!! Visiting Chicago and I'm truly upset to leave this place. This place converted me to an old fashioned donut lover. The place is very small but that's their charm. Service was great and friendly. Their buttermilk (5/5) and triple chocolate (5/5) old fashioned donuts are amazing. You HAVE to get them. I personally didn't care for the almond old fashioned (3.5/5) and prefer the buttermilk instead. Their regular donuts are HUGE but still very very good. Those seem to sell out quickly so I recommend placing an order online to guarantee that you get them. The regular glazed donut (5/5) was amazing, the chocolate glazed (4/5) was good but I prefer the chocolate old fashioned more. Everyone has to try this place!!

    Donut holes
    Quin B.

    Went on a doughnut tour downtown Chicago on a lovely Friday. We started at the doughnut vault and here are my thoughts: 1. This place is very small on the outside, but makes huge donuts. 2. People seem to love their chocolate donuts even though I'm partial to the chocolate treats. 3. Donuts are pricey between $3.75-$4.45

    Donut
    Tyler C.

    Fun space on the side of The Guilt bar and restaurant. They have what they have. And it's good. Old fashioned donuts are fluffy and full of flavor. I loved the almond donut. Raspberry Jelly was a jelly sandwich on a fluffy base that stayed clean for the whole donut. Kudos to the vault. Coffee was good but nothing special and only regular-no large. Worth a visit even though there are no tables. It's one street behind the merchandise mart.

    Inna Y.

    As a tourist who frequently vacations in Chicago, I have tried a lot of the popular donut places except for Doughnut Vault so I was stoked to have been able to finally try it out on a Sunday morning. We went at around 7:30 because like most, we heard that they run out of donuts quickly. There was no line when we arrived but they definitely had a steady stream of customers from 7:30 to 8 am. Staff were really accommodating. The guy at the counter was kind enough to tell us their specials. We got 4 donuts which you will see in the photos (as I've forgotten their flavors already). They were all good but I cannot say that they are especially better than other donut places. I also got the cold brew with oat milk with the milk available for free. They have al fresco dining which contributed to an overall pleasant experience. The place does look like a vault which was amazing. We would definitely go back to try other flavors.

    Chocolate chip donut and chocolate croissant donut
    Carroll S.

    This was our first stop on our donut tour. It felt like a Harry Potter building - apparently it shares a kitchen with the restaurant around the corner. So they have to make as many donuts as they can before the restaurant staff show up. So you have to get there early because when they sell out- they close. The chocolate croissant donut and I think the other was a chocolate chip cake donut- I could be wrong- but both were delicious. Get there early- my only complaint is that they do not have decaffeinated coffee.

    Pistachio Old Fashioned Doughnut Glazed old fashioned Triple Chocolate Old FashionedChocolate Strawberry and chocolate
    Dimpie S.

    Excellent donuts but question some of the flavors! The old fashioned donut is a must try. We pre ordered and it was so nice. Service was quick and our order was very fresh. There's no place to eat since the space is so small. Overall the best was the chocolate and glazed old fashion. The strawberry jelly with chocolate was a little too much and the combo didn't work. The pistachio was very artificial.

    Henry's T.

    Donut Series, Part 16 I typically don't need much motivation to explore a new doughnut destination, so when you place one within a former bank vault you definitely have my attention! We sampled everything on the Doughnut Vault menu and the "Classic Old Fashioned Almond" emerged as our favorite. However, we'd also recommend the "Glazed Strawberry" which was pillowy soft and tasted like a jelly donut (without the jelly). Although I was disappointed in the taste of their Apple Fritter, it does deserve commendation for its visual appeal. Everything here is prepared in small daily batches, so when the vault has been emptied you'll need to "steel" yourself until the next deposit arrives "safely." And that's...Henry's Take. #vaultdoughnuts

    Pistachio and gingerbread stack
    Natasha A.

    Updated review: Came back here for the St. Patrick's Day special. Very impressed! Loved them. Their doughnuts were delicious, intricate. One was a baileys cream filled, another was a birthday cake, and there were a few others.

    Kenna G.

    Can't go wrong with a sweet treat from Doughnut Vault!!! We ordered a variety to the office and my favorites were the old fashioned and glazed. Fun speciality flavors that change daily. Super fresh and sweet!

    Double chocolate

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 5
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    1 day ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dave A.
    504
    558
    3376

    5 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tyler C.
    431
    1117
    5688

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matthew B.
    0
    114
    330

    2 months ago

    Really great small batch donuts in a cool location. Quick and friendly service, and everything is beautiful and delicious.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Tiny little hole in the wall that serves a limited number of doughnut types. Cake, jelly and fritters were all good. Staff is nice.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Quin T.
    259
    1315
    325

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 3

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Mike F.
    2
    72
    68

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    The best donuts in the city. Love the tiny hidden location. Will always support this business.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Doughnut Vault is still top tier, but Do-Rite makes better doughnuts. No shame in being #2. Both are worth trying out for yourself.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jim B.
    7
    211
    0

    7 months ago

    A really tasty treat that everyone living in or visiting Chicago should try. Great ambiance and solid donuts.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Casey W.
    5
    286
    228

    8 months ago

    Amazing donuts!! Few things to note: no seating inside but in the summer there is patio seating. Donuts have sold out early.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 31

    Doughnut Vault Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Doughnut Vault

    Are there dairy free options?

    No, all doughnuts contain dairy, eggs or both.

    Do they have vegan donuts?

    No, all doughnuts contain either dairy, eggs or both.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Beacon Doughnuts - Blueberry Pancake donut

    Beacon Doughnuts

    (293 reviews)

    $

    Lincoln Park, DePaul

    these doughnuts are still amazing and a consistent stop every time we are in chicago…read more i am not a fan of jelly/jam in doughnuts but the way that beacon doughnuts does it has changed my opinion. the blueberry pancake doughnut is your traditional doughnut shape with a hole but they somehow filled it with jam still. magic i think. the doughnuts are decadent, delicious, to die for. the chocolate glazed brioche is a new favorite of mine. it's an airy yeast doughnut which i prefer over cake doughnuts. the chocolate frosting is rich and the sweetness of the glaze balances out the chocolate.

    Beacon is in a class all by itself. Each donut is artistically and thoughtfully made and there are…read morecommunity favorites but they do have specialty donuts that appear for the season or a short period of time.. They operate out of an alley but don't be afraid, this is Lincoln Park and it's clean and families are frequent customers. No drug deals going on here!! As everyone else has suggested, order these online and pick them up at your desired time. By doing this, you get exactly what you want as they do sell out and when they're out, that's it for the day. :) Enjoy these in the car, whilst you're parked or weaving in and out of I-94 traffic, or better yet !!- at home, with a home made latte.. My favorites were, in no particular order: 1 guava cheese danish 2 vanilla bean cronut 3 blueberry pancake 4 apple fritter 5 chocolate ganache 6 Boston cream I guess I put them in order.. FYI, personally, I would pass on the banana bread and chocolate donut. I hope to be back as soon as possible as Beacon differentiates itself from the Big Boys (DoRite, Stan's, and Firecakes), as well as the family owned/neighborhood donut shops.

    Voodoo Doughnut - Chuckles

    Voodoo Doughnut

    (196 reviews)

    $$

    West Loop, Near West Side

    I love Voodoo Doughnuts! This was my first visit & I only bought 2 different doughnuts but they are…read morefantastic & so cute! Of course delicious!!. My hubby & I laughed about the cock & balls doughnut! I did pick a sugar & also a frosted chocolate. Both were great! I can't eat a lot at once. So I had 1 doughnut in the car on our way home. Then the other the next day. Still very fresh. I do want to go back for more. We usually avoid the downtown Chicago area. A bit too busy for us. We were there taking a family member for rehab treatment. Sad to say that person left before being checked in! So, please keep that person & us in your prayers. I do not want to say who it is, but a very close family member. Thanks in advance for your kindness. Good Blessings to anyone reading this too. Voodoo Doughnuts is worth a trip to a busy area with a lot of traffic. We were lucky to find parking right in front!

    While strolling in the West Loop on my way to pick a different unhealthy bite I stumbled across…read moreVoodoo Doughnut. It's been well over a decade since trying for the first time in Seattle. Tbh I remember being disappointed because of the hype. Today I entered with tempered expectations. I tried the Old Fashioned doughnut and it was somewhere between solid and above average. I'll definitely stick with Do-Rite especially because they're a few blocks away and significantly better. If the job catered Voodoo I'd indulge, but considering I prefer a few other donut shops I won't make a special trip. Great service plus a respectable donut equals 3.51 stars.

    Firecakes Donuts - Little bit of everything!!!

    Firecakes Donuts

    (408 reviews)

    $

    Lincoln Park

    Let me start by saying that Firecakes on Clark, in Lincoln Park, is so much better than the one on…read moreHubbard, in the Loop. No offense, the reason I say that is because the employees at this Clark location are so friendly and chill. I like that type of service, don't you?? In comparison to Beacons, Stan's, Voodoo's, and Do-Rite's, I would also say that Firecakes is in the top three (3). They are less commercialized, less over the top, and the simplicity in the Tahitian Vanilla epitomizes this type of donut shop. They're a throwback to a classic neighborhood place to come to, for these treats. My favorites, in no particular order are: - Cannoli donut (4) - Birthday cake donut (5) - Apple fritter (2) - Tahitian Vanilla (number 1) - Cinnamon roll (3)...I decided to rank them... And that we have, we've come back at least 10 times and this is a quick drive on I-94 into the city or take Lake Shore Drive - just put the pedal to the metal and go and get a bunch. Eat them on the way back home, eat one in the garage before the garage door closes. Fire up the espresso machine, froth up that milk, cuz - we got Firecakes donuts y'all!!

    What's better than delicious donuts? Beautifully delicious donuts! Firecakes donuts are as tasty…read moreas they are pretty. A family recipe passed down and made in small batches daily. But hurry because once your favorites are gone you'll have to come back another day. They also do pre-orders, weddings birthdays and special events. So good I tried 3 different ones.

    2d Restaurant

    2d Restaurant

    (428 reviews)

    $$

    Lakeview

    Yes. This place really looks like this! Everything seriously looks like paper. Or, as if you've…read morestepped into doodlebob world if you're a Spongebob fan (IYKYK). It's pretty small inside, with maybe no more than 10 tables. When I came there was a large party taking up majority of the dining room, leaving about 4 tables left. We didn't have reservations, but I believe they take them. Luckily we were seated right away without any issues. They are known for their Asian cuisine. Think Taiwanese fried chicken sandwiches, Japanese mochi donuts, ube, vietnamese coffee, etc. What I tried: - Mochi donuts (1 strawberry, 1 chocolate) ; so fresh! 10/10 - Strawberry/peach lemonade boba; Extremely sweet, but good! Staff was super kind from start to finish. The only downside (which is big) - it is pretty dirty around the restaurant. With all the white, you can unfortunately spot things quicker. A deep clean would do the trick!

    2D restaurant offers a cute aesthetic, but the service is lacking. We came on a Saturday night…read morewith no reservation, at first we were told there were no tables, and we could order to go. Once we mentioned we were only stopping in for drinks and desserts, we were offered a table. It took a while for someone to take our order. I could tell other tables were annoyed with the slow service as well. The place inside is pretty small. We tried the viet coffee and the hanoi affogato which both were quite mediocre in flavor. The kids loved the wiggle wiggle dessert since they got to decorate the cat. They did not like the taste of the cat pudding but loved the fruit and mochi donut. I'm not sure I would come back to try the food.

    Doughnut Vault - donuts - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...