In the before-times, donut shops rivaled Bangkok’s convenience stores in ubiquity. The fad passed; the market collapsed into a hole; and soon, only scattered chain stores remained selling unrecognizable mutations.
Then, a decade ago, Krispy Kreme came to slam sugar glaze smack into our veins and set an enduring standard. Now, in this third donut decade, the creative minds who dipped croissants into chocolate are back with a new pastry for a new era.
But just where can one track down these donut revolutionaries to try their sweet new tastes?
From natural yeast dough, plant-based rings, sugar-dusted Berliners, Italian bombolinis and even classics that come glazed, sprinkled and stuffed with cream: Here are eight great places to try the New Donuts of Bangkok.
Cream
Chiang Mai’s creative Flour Flour bakery brought bombolonis to Bangkok. Forget your typical donuts. This spot serves some intense, buttery sourdough-based donuts that bear some resemblance in texture to jiggly pancakes. Opt for their best-selling vanilla cream donut (THB69) or switch things up with flavors like lemon meringue, salted caramel creme brûlée, or, their latest, hazelnut cream brownie.
399/4 Soi Silom 7, 095-695-8594. Open Mon-Fri 9am-7pm.
Drop by Dough
Nestled in Udom Suk and now Ari at the Josh Hotel, the brainchild of bloggers Oats X Somewhere is a picturesque retreat, but the crowds aren’t coming for the vibes alone. They come for the drool-worthy classic vanilla rings (THB95), loaded with rich, not-too-sweet Madagascar vanilla cream, and more exotic options like the creme brûlée (THB95) and bacon cheddar cheese (THB115). Pair these treats with a black cold brew or jazz it up with their tiramisu coffee.
Soi Sukhumvit 101/2 (BTS Udom Suk), 096-393-8838. Open 10am-6pm
Brassica
Singaporean chef Cong Wen’s shop in Nanglinchee serves perfectly soft donuts, with shiny glazed sugar coatings that come in a variety of cream-filled flavors. The highlights here are undeniably the vanilla custard donuts (THB80), but options with unusual fillings like palm sugar butterscotch (THB80) and coffee and walnut praline (B100) are not to be missed, either. R.I.P. that fried chicken, though.
76/10 Nanglinchee Road, 093-596-2465. Open Tue-Sun 11am-6pm.
Holey Artisan Bakery
Known for their croissants and baguettes, Sukhumvit Soi 31’s early-rising bakery (now with branches in Suan Phlu and Phra Khanong) draws bread-hungry crowds each morning. But look past the sourdough for sweet treats like their traditional Berliner. The secret lies within the gently fried homemade brioche, which gives it an extremely soft texture contrasted with a crunchy exterior from a quick dip in the fryer. Try it plain (THB70) or with fancier flavors like jam (THB75) or butterscotch (THB90).
245/12 Soi Sukhumvit 31, 02-101-1427. Open daily 7am-7pm.
The Donut Cafe
Chiang Mai’s award-winning vegan donut shop arrives in Bangkok with a cozy, cotton-candy-colored cafe. Here, the specialties are plant-based donuts that do not compromise in taste at all—they are arguably even better than their full-cream counterparts. The donut base is extremely soft and chewy, enhancing all the toppings served here. Go for the Krispy Kreme-like original glazed donuts (THB65) or classic cinnamon (THB65). For extra punch, the lemon poppy (THB75) and raspberry chocolate (THB75) will satisfy your cravings.
Read more: Glorious Holes: Chiang Mai’s acclaimed vegan donuts now in Bangkok
99/290 Soi Phrom Mit (Soi Sukhumvit 39), 098-002-0156. Open Tue-Sun 10am-6pm.
Huus of Bread
This new bakery has brought “sho-nuts” to Bangkok. A sho-nut, for the uninitiated, is a cross between Japanese milk bread (shokupan) and donuts—identical to your classic sugar-coated donuts, but softer and super-dense in texture. Popular options include the lemon curd sho-nut (B85) with its citrus-filled kick, a classic chocolate-filled sho-nut (THB90), and the bittersweet matcha sho-nut (B95). For drinks, the coffee here is made with specialty beans from Saphan Kwai’s Sleep Enemy with options of non-caffeinated beverages, too.
Read more: Newly opened bakery ‘Huus of Bread’ introduces Bangkok to ‘sho-nuts’
4107 Rama 4 Road, 083-003-4926. Open Tue-Sun 10am-5:30pm.
Kinu Donut
Looking for something simple? Ari’s staple donut shop serves puffy, unglazed melt-in-your-mouth donuts. Forget the glaze: these burst with butter-rich flavor. There are only a few flavors, including a highly questionable salted egg version, but splurge with a box cinnamon or original (THB120 / 8 pieces).
Soi Ari 5, 087-462-6666. Mon-Sat 9:30am-5:30pm.
La Dotta
It’s typically all about pasta here, but don’t miss the to-die-for deep-fried Italian donuts. The artisanal pasta bar in Thonglor, now with a Silom branch too, serves bomboloni donuts (THB120) with classic fillings like nutella and strawberry to their signature flavors like champagne and tiramisu. Grab some to-go with their “Box Boloni” snack boxes (THB98/box; includes two donuts and water), which come with two donuts, including savory options. Think carbonara and crab meat.
10/15 Soi Convent, 02-236-5558. Open Mon-Sat 11am-2:30pm, 5-9pm.
