There are few better pastries—nay, better food items—than a decadent doughnut. Whether you spell it donut or doughnut, the circular, sweet pastry has rightfully grown in popularity over the past few years in Chicago with the introduction of new and innovative bake shops. Doughnut lovers throughout the city may want to consider one of these six neighborhoods known for their quality sweet treats. 

River North

Photo courtesy of Doughnut Vault

River North is a beacon of good food all around, so it’s no surprise that doughnuts are well-represented in this neighborhood. It’s known for some of the best doughnut shops in the city, like Doughnut Vault, which Anthony Bourdain visited to indulge in massive, melt-in-your-mouth pastries. Doughnut Vault is one of those places that makes a certain amount each day, and once they are gone, they are gone—so come early. If you’ve ever dreamed of having a doughnut as a birthday cake, then head over to Firecakes. Based off the family recipe of a baker in northern Wisconsin—so you know it’s good—Firecakes doughnuts include both traditional and innovative flavors. Try the traditional sprinkle doughnut or the pistachio old-fashioned.

Bridgeport

Photo courtesy of Bridgeport Bakery

While Bridgeport doesn’t have a true doughnut shop, it does have two bakeries that serve these delicious treats. Bridgeport Bakery is widely known for its paczkis on Fat Tuesday, but all their pastries are worth a try. The maple bacon is a favorite, which has a generous amount of bacon bits on top. Impallaria Bakery & Deli also sells doughnuts, among many other sweet treats. Try the chocolate cake, custard, and jelly doughnuts.

Wicker Park

Photo courtesy of Stan’s Donuts

While Wicker Park residents might still be mourning over the closing of Glazed and Infused, there’s luckily more spots to curb that craving. The neighborhood is home to one of nine Chicagoland locations of Stan’s Donuts. Wicker Park saw the opening of the first Stan’s Donuts in Chicago after Rich Labriola, president of the Labriola Baking Company, partnered with Stan Berman and brought the more than 50-year-old donut shop to the Midwest. Originally starting in Los Angeles, Stan’s now has a huge following in the Windy City, and its first suburban location opened up inside the Oak Brook shopping mall. Those seeking some portion control can head to Ipsento 606, right off the namesake trail, and grab some mini doughnuts. 

Uptown

Photo courtesy of Uptown Donuts

Uptown Donuts is the newest doughnut shop in the city, having opened this April by the Wilson CTA Red Line stop in Uptown. The neighborhood spot offers plenty of seating for patrons and free coffee refills to go with the apple fritter or cake doughnut with fruit loops. Heritage Outpost also serves up doughnuts in its stylish, modern space. Try the cherry doughnut and lavender latte. 

Baker Miller at Everybody’s Coffee is a collaboration between the two spots, pairing coffee from Everybody’s Coffee and pastries and food from Baker Miller. Plus, it’s a great place to catch up and enjoy a cup of coffee and a doughnut. Try a cinnamon toast, peanut butter chocolate, or raspberry lemonade doughnut, all of which are baked from scratch with 100 percent organic flour, fair trade chocolate, and raw sugar.

West Loop

Photo courtesy of Do-Rite Donuts

Do-Rite Donuts has one of its three locations in West Loop, with the other two located in Streeterville and the Loop. While the Loop location has both doughnuts and coffee, the West Loop spot is known for doughnuts and fried chicken. Egg breakfast sandwiches are served all day, and customers can swap the brioche bun with a doughnut for an extra dollar. At nearby BomboBar, grab a doughnut after dinner at attached Bar Siena or just go for the pastries. BomboBar takes it up a notch, serving each holeless doughnut with a choice of filling.

There’s also Ground Up, which is tucked away at the intersection of Van Buren and Peoria Street, and while it’s known for great coffee, you can’t miss out on the donuts. Come here early to get a pastry, as there are not many to go around each day. Other options include Sawada Coffee, which serves up Doughnut Vault pastries, and Beavers Donuts. Located inside the French Market, Beavers Donuts is as cute as it is delicious. The freshly made doughnut holes are made as you order them and sprinkled with a topping of your choice. 

Chatham

Photo courtesy of Dat Donuts

Chatham may not be known for its abundance of donut shops, but it’s about quality, not quantity, in this South Side neighborhood. Dat Donuts is known for its massive glazed yeast donuts. Located at the corner of 83rd Street and Cottage Grove Avenue, Dat Donuts opened its bakery in December 1994. They also serve up coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and juices, all at a much lower price tag than downtown donut shops. Oh, and the best news—this spot is open 24 hours.