The UK's best independent bakeries for doughnuts (it’s a hole lot of fun)

Did you know National Doughnut Week 2025 is coming up? You didn't?! We have it marked on our calendars with a big red O, and this year we're celebrating by letting you in on the country's best-kept doughy secrets.

Our list of the nation's best independent doughnut bakeries - all handily found within student cities - will give you plenty to get your teeth into, showcasing the best of dough-based baking, plenty of fantastic fillings and enough sugar to get you through even the longest of lectures.

We hope you're hungry.

Sheffield's best doughnut bakeries

Sheffield might be famous for steel, but it's got plenty of softer stuff to enjoy too. There are loads of good bakeries in the South Yorkshire city, with places such as Joe and Dough (down the road from the Uni of Sheffield SU) offering brilliant coffee and doughnut combos, Eve Kitchen in Sharrow baking doughnuts, cookies and a huge range of other tasty treats, and Forge Bakehouse serving up amazing breads, doughnuts and more. Kringle also deserves a huge shout out - this Danish-inspired bakery might not specialise in doughnuts, but their pastries are something you'd be mad to miss out on.

London's best doughnut bakeries

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of bakeries in the capital city, many of which could make a decent claim to be home of the best doughnut. But without testing each and every one of them - something we would be happy to do if anyone wants to fund it - we'll just have to recommend a few. Bread Ahead in Borough Market not only bakes doughnuts, but even runs courses on how to make them yourself. Double threat!

For something that looks more like a work of art than a doughnut, try Donutelier. Their doughnuts look almost too good to eat, but we're sure you'll get over that. Finally there's Rodeo. The self-titled "delicious doughnut destination", they regularly feature in lists of the nation's best bakeries, and you'll soon see why.

Leeds' best doughnut bakeries

If you're studying in Leeds, you've got your fill of doughnut options, ideal for the day after the Otley Run. The Underground Bakery bakes fresh goods every day, meaning you'll always be able to find something different to keep your tastebuds tantalised.

Dukes (near Hyde Park) has become something of a city-wide institution, with plenty of great doughnuts and loads of other amazing desserts on the menu. Seriously, their Insta is enough to make anyone hungry. Then, of course, there's the Doh'Hut in Leeds city centre. Great name, great doughnuts.

Newcastle's best doughnut bakeries

Students of Newcastle, rejoice, for your city is home to some truly excellent doughnut bakers. Deep North starts us off, providing excellent coffee and doughnuts all made completely from scratch - fillings, toppings and all. Not only do they have a shop on Dean Street, they also co-organise the Fuelled by Doughnuts Run Club - we're not sure how that works nutritionally, but it's a vibe nonetheless.

Proven Goods is also one not to be missed - their ethical approach to all things caffeinated and baked produces some fantastically inventive creations that'll definitely get your mouth watering.

Birmingham's best doughnut bakeries

Birmingham kicks things off in controversial fashion - with cronuts. We know what you're thinking: it's not National Cronut Week. That would be a step too far. But stick with us, because we think you'll love Medicine Bakery. The artisan bakery, kitchen, cafe and gallery has sites around Digbeth and Birmingham city centre and offers something for everyone, especially if you're not a donut purist.

However, if you are, Donuts N Chai does exactly what it says on the tin, even offering a doughnut drive-through experience. Just make sure you don't get sugar and jam all over your steering wheel. (Psst, Aston University students - it's only a 10-minute walk or four-minute drive from campus...that's dangerously close for your waistline.)

Nottingham's best doughnut bakeries

If you're studying in Nottingham, then you're one of the lucky people to have a doughnut bakery named after your city. Doughnotts has become a national favourite over the past few years, but Nottingham is where it all began, and you'll still find their original shop just off Old Market Square in the city centre - plus a store in Beeston. Trust us, it's really very good.

If you fancy broadening your taste horizons, check out Wawoo Mochi Donuts, where best-selling flavours include matcha, milk tea, cheese and black sesame. Save your cravings for later in the week, though, as they're only open Wednesdays and Friday-Sunday on Broad Street.

Bath's best doughnut bakeries

"I don't know what I would do without Bakers of Bath's cream donuts," says one patron, and luckily for them, between the very specific opening hours of 7.15am-2.30pm Monday-Friday, and slightly adjusted weekend hours, they don't have to wonder. Bakers of Bath are an institution in the Somerset city, celebrating their 90th anniversary this year. They're so old school, in fact, that they don't have a website or an Instagram, so we've had to make do with signposting you to their Facebook page instead. You can find them on the High Street in Twerton.

Bonus fun fact: BoB's founder's actual surname was Baker, which is the best example of nominative determinism (look it up) we've ever seen. Since then, the shop has passed down through four generations of the Baker family, seeing off plenty of rivals over that time, according to a SomersetLive article tracing its history.

One rival it hasn't seen off, though, is nearby Basil's Bakery, who have a great reputation for their fresh bread and sweet treats, and do have an Instagram.

Cardiff's best doughnut bakeries

Nestled in the Royal Arcade in Cardiff city centre, Whocult have a "Donut flavour of week", which automatically qualifies them for our list. At the time of writing their reigning donut is the "Limoncello", which we're sure you'll agree is definitely interesting if not traditional. Appropriately for a cult, they also sell merch like t-shirts and caps, so iconic are their baked goods in South Wales.

If you prefer your doughnuts on the go, keep an eye out for Cardiff Dough and Co. This doughnut van appears all over the city, serving fresh flavours and classic combos at markets and festivals and making this truly a van that can.

Norwich's best doughnut bakeries

Why go out of your way to find doughnuts when you could have them delivered directly to your door? That's the deal with Doodle Donuts. Picture the scene, Norwich students: you've spent all day studying, your tired, your cupboards are empty, but then a knock at the door - you've ordered the variety box of doughnuts, and suddenly life is good again.

A contender for best-named bakery on our list, Donutkillmyvibe have a great reputation for their "gargantuan" doughnuts and cakes and also offer delivery and pop-ups.

Manchester's best doughnut bakeries

Manchester has loads of doughnut options lined up for you, including Siop Shop, who can make almost anything out of a doughnut mix. Seriously, for Valentine's Day they sold aubergine and peach emoji donuts. Romantic? Dough-not really. Still worth a buy? Oh yes.

The Gooey Bakery (near the Northern Quarter in the city centre) does loads of great baked goods, but their doughnuts are definitely up there with the best. However, we couldn't talk about Manchester without mentioning DGHNT - a one-woman artisan doughnut bakery that's even been featured in the Financial Times. Head to Mackie Mayor in Smithfield Market Hall to get yours.

Looking to study in a doughnut-friendly city?

We wouldn't advise you to choose a uni based purely on the city's doughnut selection, but if you want to, who can blame you? As well as finding you the best baked goods in your area, we can help you find your next student house or apartment too. We showcase the best student accommodation from across the market in all the above cities (and loads more too), all with bills included. Start the search for your perfect student home today!