by Glen Poezyn
Admit it: every time Homer Simpson said, “Mmmm, doughnut,” you felt that. We did too, and because of that, we set out to find the best doughnuts in Joburg. Mainstream chains are great and all, but we’re after some real local flavour. The kind that sells out by 10 am. The kind worth a detour, a queue, and a very questionable second box “for later.” If it’s fluffy, glazed, filled, or dusted in enough sugar to change your outlook on life, it's made our list.
Supercalifragilistic Bakery
We strongly recommend you take a trip to Linden to give Supercalifragilistic Bakery a try. Freshly baked, glazed to perfection, and dusted with a sprinkle of magic, these doughnuts would make Mary Poppins herself proud.
You might do a double-take when having a look at the patterns on their doughnuts; they’ve nailed the art of having fun with their designs while maintaining discipline in their uniformity. Before you fly away with your umbrella, though, make sure to grab a couple of chocolate-iced or jam-filled treats!
Patisserie de Paris
Bringing the taste of Paris (not Parys!) to your taste buds, Patisserie de Paris has only the finest confections on display. Drawing on their traditional French baking skills, they've earned their place among the best doughnuts in Johannesburg. When ordering your chocolate sprinkle, respond with a simple “merci beaucoup,” and the staff will respond in kind.
If you’d like to make a little event out of the occasion when visiting this Blairgowrie-based doughnut destination, dress in all pink and red, and you’ll fit right in. One bite is all it takes to get you reminiscing about the Eiffel Tower...even if you’ve never been.
The Donuttery
If you can find them, The Donuttery will satisfy whatever craving you have, no matter how big, with their small treats. They've got a roaming kiosk from which they work their glazing magic. Their ‘Gig Guide’ is on their Facebook page, so you'll always know where they’ll be.
Specialising in mini doughnuts, you won’t be locked into a single choice; you’ll be able to taste their entire catalogue and only feel a little guilty. We totally understand if you want to go back for seconds and thirds. Mini doughnuts equal mini calories, right?
Dough & Co.
Not only is Dough & Co. one of the best doughnut places in Johannesburg, but they also have some incredible coffee as well. This combo is what sets them apart from so many other spots in the city. From your classic cinnamon doughnut to fluffy pillows oozing vanilla cream, they're forever refreshing their range of doughnuts. The only thing you can guarantee is that you'll walk out with something delicious.
While not specifically a doughnut, one item on their menu is sure to pique your interest: the Crookie. This is a croissant and choc-chip cookie hybrid that’ll leave you speechless.
X&O Patisserie
Much like Dough & co. with their Crookie, X&O Patisserie has its own croissant creation: the Cronut. This insane combination of a croissant and a doughnut is one of the most exquisite handmade creations we've ever seen, and is guaranteed to leave you wanting more.
If you’re not sure where to start with a cronut, we suggest simply picking your favourite flavour and going from there. X&O Patisserie has many to choose from: milktart, peanut butter, Oreos and cream...you get the picture. They're based in 27 Boxes in Melville, which is apt: you might end up filling 27 boxes of your own with cronuts!
A doughnut is the perfect encapsulation of a 360-degree range of emotion. A full wheel of feelings, if you will. You’re sad when you don’t have a doughnut, ecstatic when you do, upset when you finish it, and then the cycle repeats. There are many spots in Joburg fighting to be considered the best around, which is great news for us, because the bar keeps getting raised a little higher. If you feel like we've missed out on any serious contenders, be sure to let us know! Doughnuts are serious business, and supporting local enterprise is an act of civil service.
