Central Coast doughnut shop ranked among top 10 in US by Yelp. It’s not SLODoCo
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kin Bakeshop in Santa Barbara ranked No. 4 on Yelp’s Top 50 Donut Shops of 2025.
- Yelp based rankings on five-star review volume and Elite member recommendations.
- California claimed 3 top-5 spots, including Covina’s Munchkins and Folsom’s BJ Cinnamon.
The Central Coast has some of the best doughnuts in the nation, according to Yelp.
The popular review website recently released its 2025 list of the Top 50 Donut Shops in the U.S., ranking the best places for freshly glazed treats.
Winners were selected based on reviews, ratings and “drool-worthy” photos from Yelp Elites who “tasted their way through countless shops,” Yelp said.
Of the top 10 doughnut shops selected by Yelp Elites, three were in California.
That includes a Santa Barbara spot.
Here’s where to find the tastiest doughnuts in the Golden State:
Where are the best doughnuts on the Central Coast?
A Santa Barbara bakery is the fourth-best doughnut shop in the United States, according to Yelp reviewers.
Kin Bakeshop, 199 S. Turnpike Road, Suite 103, was praised by Yelp elites as “a treasure tucked away in Santa Barbara.”
Inspired by Asian desserts, the bakery specializes in mochi and brioche doughnuts in unique flavors including mango sticky rice, peach mango pie and strawberry shortcake.
“From ube glaze to miso caramel, their rotating flavors are as thoughtful and vibrant as the community they serve,” Yelp said.
In addition to doughnuts, Kin Bakeshop’s menu features a variety of espresso and tea drinks, including matcha and hojicha lattes.
As of June 6, Kin Bakeshop had nearly 300 reviews and a 4.8-star rating on Yelp.
“I’ve never had a bad donut at this place, which is a rare thing to say,” Elite Yelp reviewer Danielle P. of Tracy wrote.
“The mochi donuts are so amazing!” Elite Yelp reviewer Maria D. of San Diego wrote. “They’re fluffy, tasty, so yummy.”
What are other top doughnut shops in California?
Munchkins Donuts Shop in Covina was the highest ranking California business on Yelp’s list, coming in third place.
Yelp praised the doughnut shop as a beloved neighborhood business that has served “Covina residents for generations with their classic, no-frills donuts and friendly smiles.”
The Covina shop is known for its cake doughnuts, croissants and doughnut holes, racking up up more than 400 reviews with an average 4.9-star rating on Yelp.
“Munchkins is one of my favorite donut shops ever,” Elite Yelp reviewer Kevin M. of Azusa wrote. “I’ll always find time to support them and recommend them whenever I get a chance.”
Yelp reviewers also raved about BJ Cinnamon in Folsom, awarding the Sacramento-area shop the No. 5 spot on the list.
With more than 1,300 reviews, BJ Cinnamon is a “small-town bakery with a big heart, known for its legendary cinnamon rolls and melt-in-your-mouth donuts,” Yelp said.
The doughnut shop offers classic glazed and cake doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, croissants, scones and coffee.
“BJ Cinnamon is such a reliable spot for delicious donuts and cinnamon rolls,” Elite Yelp reviewer Rachel K. of Sacramento wrote. “The owner and the rest of the staff are so nice, and they make fresh donuts throughout the day so even if you stop by later in the day they have a great variety of fresh options.”
Where are the best doughnut spots in California?
These were the top 10 businesses on Yelp’s list of the 50 best places for doughnuts in the nation in 2025t:
- Novel Ice Cream in Phoenix
- Hole - Hot Doughnuts and Fresh Coffee in Asheville, North Carolina
- Muchkins Donuts Shop in Covina
- Kin Bakeshop in Santa Barbara
- BJ Cinnamon in Folsom
- Pip’s Original Doughnuts & Chai in Portland, Oregon
- Nord’s Bakery in Louisville, Kentucky
- Donna’s Delicious Dozen in Columbus, Ohio
- Beiler’s Bakery in Philadelphia
Purvé Donut Stop in Honolulu
How Yelp came up with its rankings
Yelp said it looked at businesses in the site’s doughnut category and then ranked them based on a variety of factors, including the volume of five-star reviews and reviews from members of the Yelp Elite Squad.
Businesses had to be open and have passing health scores as of March 20 to make the list.
This story was originally published June 6, 2025 at 12:49 PM.
