Nominate your local favorites for Best of St. Louis 2023

8 Hole-in-the-Wall Donut Shops in St. Louis You Should Visit Now

By Riverfront Times Staff on Tue, Apr 5, 2016 at 1:40 pm

You've heard the cliche, "Don't judge a book by its cover." Well, in this case, we're urging you: don't judge a donut shop by its exterior. These little joints may look modest, but they hold a treasure trove of fried goodness that you can't get at any chain, with the old-school atmosphere to match. So say "peace out" to Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts, and say hello to these local St. Louis donut shops that could convince anyone to abandon their diet. After all, life is short -- and these donuts are to die for.

You've heard the cliche, "Don't judge a book by its cover." Well, in this case, we're urging you: don't judge a donut shop by its exterior. These little joints may look modest, but they hold a treasure trove of fried goodness that you can't get at any chain, with the old-school atmosphere to match.

So say "peace out" to Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts, and say hello to these local St. Louis donut shops that could convince anyone to abandon their diet. After all, life is short -- and these donuts are to die for.

04/05/2016

Photos by Brittani Schlager

Scroll down to view images

Brittani Schlager

Donut Drive-In
6525 Chippewa St.
St. Louis, MO 63109

If you're a coffee addict, Donut Drive-In will give you the best of both worlds: delightful donuts and delicious coffee.

Brittani Schlager

You'll know you've come to the right place when you see the retro Donut Drive-In sign.

Brittani Schlager

If you like variety, this is also a great place for you. Glazed, custard-filled, cruller, cinnamon twist, a ton of sprinkles -- you're sure to find a donut topped or filled with something you enjoy.

Brittani Schlager

You'll feel like you've stepped a few decades back in time while you're there. Donut Drive-In is great for inducing a case of nostalgia.

Brittani Schlager

Donut House
8500 Morganford Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63123

Sometimes, you need a donut. Like, right now. Don't fool around trying to figure out if that trendy shop around the corner is open yet -- head to Donut House, where they cook up donuts 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Brittani Schlager

Donut House serves a variety of donuts, apple fritters, creme horns and danishes.

Brittani Schlager

A little insider tip: the owners at Donut House are known to occasionally add an extra donut or a few donut holes into your order. Now that's what we call great customer service.

Brittani Schlager

The Donut Palace
37 Clarkson Rd.
Ellisville, MO 63011

The idea of a world without donuts is a true nightmare. But thanks to the Donut Palace, that surely will never happen -- they produce more than 1,000 glazed donuts every day (plus nearly 1,500 Long Johns, hundreds of apple fritters and more).