My Guide to the Best Donuts in Maryland
Let me start with a confession… I plan my weekends around donuts. Not brunch, not workouts, but those pillowy, sugar-dusted, chocolate-glazed, maple-dipped, deep-fried circles of joy. Central Maryland has become the spot for donut lovers such as myself. With new spots popping up, and old-school favorites still slinging the goods… you will never find yourself in a shortage of donuts!
After plenty of research and many sugar comas, I've put together an extensive guide to the best donuts across Central Maryland. Come with me on this delicious ride.
Middle Photo: Enjoying a mommy + son date at Decadent Dessert Bar in Maple Lawn with a freshly baked chocolate donut, of course! I love the cake-like consistency of these donuts!
Decadent Dessert Bar - Maple Lawn
Website: https://decadentmaplelawn.com/
Address: 11710 E Market Pl, Fulton, MD 20759
Decadent Dessert Bar is the place to be. They are a friendly, family-oriented shop whose only goal is to make delicious desserts and please their customers. Their donuts are beautifully crafted and come in a variety of flavors that change seasonally.
Decadent Dessert Bar was named Best Bakery and Best Coffee by the best of Howard County Awards in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. They were also named Best Dessert in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Just like their beautifully decorated donuts, Decadent Dessert Bar is just as decorated when it comes to awards!
I ate a donut that was basically a s’mores campfire in donut form, and I’m still thinking about it to this day. If you’re looking for a way to treat yourself, or if you’re trying to impress out-of-town guests with Maryland’s sweet side… then this is the place to go!
Big Belly Deli - Sykesville
Website: http://www.bigbellydeli.net/
Address: 887 Sandosky Rd, Sykesville, MD 21784
Okay, this one caught me by surprise. Big Belly Deli is more than just a sandwich joint. It’s a sleeper pick for stellar donuts. They always have their basic flavors ready to go, glazed, chocolate, and maple. As a bonus they also create specialty flavors on certain days that are just to die for. Big Belly Deli is my kind of place. They serve warm and gooey donuts, they are a family owned business, and they love to serve their customers!
Their classic donuts with an unexpected twist just hit the spot every single time and that’s how they get me coming back for more. I highly recommend Big Belly Deli if you are into that perfect mix of sweet and salty and are looking for a local donut shop that is next-level.
Arundel Donuts - Glen Burnie
Address: 7958 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Glen Burnie, MD 21060
Arundel Donuts is the definition of old school. No flashy Instagram wall or over-the-top toppings here. Just good, honest donuts made the way they were meant to be: fresh, hot, and served with a side of local charm.
Their glazed donut is iconic. Soft with just the right chew and a glaze that crackles ever so slightly. If you’re someone who believes that donuts were better “back in the day,” this place will feel like home. I know it did for me.
Laurel Tavern Donuts - Laurel
Website: https://laurel-tavern-donuts.res-menu.com/#google_vignette
Address: 115 Washington Blvd, Laurel, MD 20707
There’s something so refreshing about walking into Laurel Tavern Donuts early in the morning. The smell alone is enough to wake me up. This family-run shop is practically a local landmark, and for good reason. The ambiance is cozy and casual and although there isn’t seating, it’s a perfect treat to take back home to the family.
Their donut flavors consist of glazed, iced, filled, cakes, twist, mixed, apple fritter, cinnamon roll, maple, and Boston cream. Boston cream and maple being their most popular. Their Boston cream is my go to, it’s rich without being too sweet and the filling is enough to make you pause between bites.
Elli Mochi Donuts - Ellicott City
Address: 3570 St Johns Ln #101, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Elli Mochi Donuts make the most beautiful assortment of donuts. I’ve taken more photos then I care to admit. Flavors rotate often, and on their Instagram they even post the flavors of the day. Some examples of flavors they have had in the past are Nutella, strawberry and biscoff, red velvet, pretzel Choco, Oreo, birthday cake, and so many more. Is your mouth watering? Because I know mine is!
These mochi donuts are becoming so popular and I can see why. They have the perfect chew and stretchiness. They have a unique texture that is like nothing I’ve ever tried before. If you are looking for a delicious treat that has it’s own unique aspects then you’re definitely going to want to take a ride to Elli Mochi Donuts!
Carlson’s Donuts - Severn
Address: 7846 Telegraph Rd, Severn, MD 21144
A local favorite since 1981, Carlson’s Donuts in Severn is known for it’s classic, fresh donuts. They have mastered the art of executing a good and classic donut. They have two different types of donuts on their menu, cake donuts and raised donuts. They are both delicious, the only difference is that raised donuts are lighter in texture then cake donuts.
Flavor wise, there is no shortage of those. For the cake donuts the flavor selection is wide but some of them are , plain cake, blueberry, sour cream, devil food or chocolate glaze, honey stick and so many more. For the raised donuts the flavors are just as delectable, starting with Boston cream, cinnamon roll, cinnamon crumb bun, coconut raise, chocolate sprinkle, rainbow sprinkle etc. I don’t know about you but I NEED to try every single flavor.
Diablo Doughnuts - Baltimore
Address: 7698 Belair Rd Suite 101, Nottingham, MD 21236
Diablo Doughnuts is a shop that is known for their creative and fun twist on donuts. Their donuts are quite extravagant. From the names (“Panty Dropper” is a real flavor) to the neon signs and punk-rock edge, this place owns it’s vibe.
The donuts here are as legit as it gets. The Sin Crunch is like a churro, a cinnamon roll and vanilla donut had a beautiful baby. There flavors are too good to not tell you a few. We have Blackberry Lime, Creme Brulee, Rainbow in the Dark, Captain Chesapeake, Blueberry Basil and so many others. Every time I go, I discover a new favorite and probably take way too many photos.
Blondie’s Doughnuts - Edgewater
Website: https://www.blondiesdoughnuts.com/
Address: 8 Mayo Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037
Blondie’s Doughnuts is another must try. Their from-scratch brioche donuts feel like a warm hug. Their donuts are made fresh daily, and flavors rotate seasonally, so there’s always something new to indulge in. My favorite would have to be Lemon Meringue, but Strawberry Crunch and ‘Nana Pudding are close seconds. The staff is friendly, the atmosphere is cozy, making it a perfect spot to relax with a coffee and a donut.
Donut Shack - Severna
Website: https://theshackisback.com/
Address: 497 Ritchie Hwy Ste 2E, Severna Park, MD 21146
If you’re in Severna Park, MD or near it, and craving something sweet and satisfying, you absolutely must check out Donut Shack. What makes Donut Shack stand out from other donut shops? It’s all about quality and creativity. From their classic glaze to their unique flavors such as, peanut butter cup, maple bacon, chocolate salted caramel, chocolate honey dipped and more, every treat is crafted with care. The donuts are light, fluffy and melt- in- your mouth kind of good. I can’t wait to check out the donut shop and bring the kiddos, it’s perfect for a whole family outing!
Glazey Days Donuts - Pasadena
Address: 8126 Jade Crossing Ct, Pasadena MD 21122
What’s the difference between a donut and a mini donut? I don’t know but Glazey Days Donuts sells mini donuts that sound so adorable and tasty! Glazey Days prides themselves on making gourmet mini donuts, as well as their impeccable customer service. Their motto is even “To Make People Happy.”
The really cool thing about Glazey Days is that it’s not your every day donut shop, it’s a donut food truck! I can’t think of anything cooler than a donut food truck. Since 2012 when they opened, they’ve added another trailer.
Their donuts are really unique because they have specialty creations such as Almond Joy, Death by Chocolate, French Toast etc. Then they have create your own donuts where you can choose what toppings you want. I don’t know about you but sometimes I can get picky and it’s nice to be able to customize exactly what I want, which is why I will be trying out Glazey Days Donuts!
BONUS PICK: Donut Run - Washington, D.C.
Website: https://www.donutrundc.com/
Address: 6904 4th St. NW Washington, D.C.
Okay, I know this isn’t technically Central Maryland, but I’d be remiss not to include Donut Run. This 100% vegan donut shop in D.C. is turning heads (and filling boxes) for good reason. Don’t let “vegan” fool you, these are some of the best-textured, most flavorful donuts around. From their cinnamon sugar, to their chai glaze, to rotating seasonal flavors… what more could I ask for?
Celebrate Life with a Donut
Bad day? Have a donut. Good day? Have a donut. No reason at all? Have a donut. Central Maryland’s donut scene is thriving. Whether you’re a traditionalist who wants a perfect glazed dohnut or an adventurer on the hunt for purple ube glaze and mochi textures, there’s something for everyone.
So go ahead and mark your calendars and plan your donut trip. Your sweet tooth will thank you later, and who knows you might just see me their… coffee in hand, powdered sugar on my sweater, and a half-eaten donut in my purse.
