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The Holy Donut in Portland regularly attracts national attention.
The Holy Donut in Portland regularly attracts national attention.
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17 Delectable Doughnut Shops in Maine

Satisfy your inner Homer Simpson.

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The Holy Donut in Portland regularly attracts national attention.
| Holy Donut/FB

The humble doughnut is having its moment in the spotlight, with hip shops and food trucks dedicated to the fried treat opening across the country. Here in Maine — where a Rockland plaque honors one man who claimed to have invented the hole in the doughnut — strong upstarts coexist with classic bakeries that have cut and fried dough for decades, oblivious of the trends. Check out these 17 shops, new and old school, crafting essential versions of the craveable snack. Note: map points are ordered south to north.

Looking for apple cider doughnuts specifically? There's a map for those. You can also get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Holy Donut's popular fall seasonal, the Maine Apple Donut.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Lil's Cafe

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This Kittery Foreside shop serves a variety of pastries, but is best known for its famous crullers. These airy, twisted doughnuts come glazed with a variety of sugary toppings like maple or apple cider and they sell out frequently, so go early to snag one.

Lovebirds Donuts

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Specializing in vegan and gluten-free doughnuts, Kittery’s Lovebirds Donuts makes yeast-raised and cake donuts. With flavors like Strawberry Shortcake, Monkey Muffin, and Double Chocolate Espresso, Lovebirds Donuts is attracting those with dietary needs, but these tasty doughnuts will appeal to eaters of all stripes.

Congdon's Doughnuts

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This family-owned restaurant and bakery has been in business since the 1940s. Step up to the no-frills counter to choose from a variety of pillowy-soft raised doughnuts or go all out and order a dozen at the drive-thru window.

Reilly's Bakery

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Doughnut lovers have been flocking to this Biddeford institution for their fried treats for over 100 years. A reader recommends the plain with chocolate frosting, while the maple bacon is a perennial favorite.

The Cookie Jar

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This Cape E institution is comforting with its vintage feel and classic pastry menu. Cake doughnuts come in a variety of flavors from the classic chocolate glaze to seasonal favorites like apple and pumpkin.

Tony's Donuts

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A local landmark, Tony's Donuts has been in business for over 50 years and is now run by the son of original baker Tony. The dense cake doughnuts are made by hand daily, and the molasses glazed is a particular crowd-pleaser.

The Holy Donut

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The Holy Donut uses local potatoes in its dough, giving its treats a moist, dense texture and some Maine flair. See where it all started at the company’s original Park Avenue location.

the holy donut exterior

HiFi Donuts

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Located just steps from Portland's Monument Square, this doughnut and coffee shop was immediately popular. HiFi serves three kinds of doughnuts: raised, cake, and biare (made with beer) in many different flavors.

Edna & Lucy's

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This cafe in Pownal serves a full menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches in addition to the bakery confections. The secret to the cinnamon-sugar-coated, crunchy treats is in the fryer, where they take a dip in the same oil that's used to fry french fries.

Frosty's Donuts & Coffee Shop

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Previously owned by the Frosts since the 50s, the bakery was recently sold to a couple who continue to make Bob Frost's recipes, cutting each doughnut by hand. Customize yours at the new make-your-own station, where you can chose your doughnut base, glaze, and candy toppings.

Georgio's Pizza & Donuts

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Doughnuts for breakfast and pizza for dinner? Sold! This Auburn institution has been slinging dough for over 50 years and makes classic flavors of doughnuts on site. Try the cheeseburger "novelty" doughnut if you're brave.

Willow Bake Shoppe

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Cake doughnuts reign supreme at this roadside bakery, where they're made on-site and offered in a variety of flavors and toppings daily. But if raised doughnuts are your thing, stop by the shop on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays for the yeasty treat.

Ruckus Donuts

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This popular doughnut bakery began as a pop-up in Camden’s breakfast café Boynton-McKay and has since moved to its own storefront on Rockland’s Main Street. The yeasted doughnuts in flavors ranging from classic buttermilk glazed to maple bacon sell out quickly, so come early to ensure the most options.

Gosselin's Bakery

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A family-run business since 1945, the bakers still use Grandpa Gosselin's original recipe. Go early for your sugar fix, since the bakery closes when the doughnuts sell out — and bring cash, as Gosselin's doesn't accept cards.

Eighty8 Donuts

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This popular mini doughnut maker returns to Sugarloaf Mountain after a successful Kickstarter campaign helped the owners open a brick and mortar restaurant. In warm weather, the food truck operates in Portland, bringing its popular candied bacon and Fruity Pebbles toppings to the masses.

Thompson's Restaurant

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Naturally, a family restaurant like Thompson's makes its own doughnuts for breakfast. Stop by for a filling meal at the counter or grab a dozen doughnuts to go before you head off into the Maine woods. (Careful, though — bears are notoriously fond of doughnuts.)

Sadie's Bakery

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This bakery keeps it simple, offering two types of doughnuts daily: plain and a specialty flavor like molasses glazed, pumpkin, or chocolate. Sadie's doughnuts go fast, but you can console yourself with a housemade cinnamon roll, cookie, or muffin if you miss out.

Lil's Cafe

This Kittery Foreside shop serves a variety of pastries, but is best known for its famous crullers. These airy, twisted doughnuts come glazed with a variety of sugary toppings like maple or apple cider and they sell out frequently, so go early to snag one.

Lovebirds Donuts

Specializing in vegan and gluten-free doughnuts, Kittery’s Lovebirds Donuts makes yeast-raised and cake donuts. With flavors like Strawberry Shortcake, Monkey Muffin, and Double Chocolate Espresso, Lovebirds Donuts is attracting those with dietary needs, but these tasty doughnuts will appeal to eaters of all stripes.

Congdon's Doughnuts

This family-owned restaurant and bakery has been in business since the 1940s. Step up to the no-frills counter to choose from a variety of pillowy-soft raised doughnuts or go all out and order a dozen at the drive-thru window.

Reilly's Bakery

Doughnut lovers have been flocking to this Biddeford institution for their fried treats for over 100 years. A reader recommends the plain with chocolate frosting, while the maple bacon is a perennial favorite.

The Cookie Jar

This Cape E institution is comforting with its vintage feel and classic pastry menu. Cake doughnuts come in a variety of flavors from the classic chocolate glaze to seasonal favorites like apple and pumpkin.

Tony's Donuts

A local landmark, Tony's Donuts has been in business for over 50 years and is now run by the son of original baker Tony. The dense cake doughnuts are made by hand daily, and the molasses glazed is a particular crowd-pleaser.

The Holy Donut

The Holy Donut uses local potatoes in its dough, giving its treats a moist, dense texture and some Maine flair. See where it all started at the company’s original Park Avenue location.

the holy donut exterior

HiFi Donuts

Located just steps from Portland's Monument Square, this doughnut and coffee shop was immediately popular. HiFi serves three kinds of doughnuts: raised, cake, and biare (made with beer) in many different flavors.

Edna & Lucy's

This cafe in Pownal serves a full menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches in addition to the bakery confections. The secret to the cinnamon-sugar-coated, crunchy treats is in the fryer, where they take a dip in the same oil that's used to fry french fries.

Frosty's Donuts & Coffee Shop

Previously owned by the Frosts since the 50s, the bakery was recently sold to a couple who continue to make Bob Frost's recipes, cutting each doughnut by hand. Customize yours at the new make-your-own station, where you can chose your doughnut base, glaze, and candy toppings.

Georgio's Pizza & Donuts

Doughnuts for breakfast and pizza for dinner? Sold! This Auburn institution has been slinging dough for over 50 years and makes classic flavors of doughnuts on site. Try the cheeseburger "novelty" doughnut if you're brave.

Willow Bake Shoppe

Cake doughnuts reign supreme at this roadside bakery, where they're made on-site and offered in a variety of flavors and toppings daily. But if raised doughnuts are your thing, stop by the shop on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays for the yeasty treat.

Ruckus Donuts

This popular doughnut bakery began as a pop-up in Camden’s breakfast café Boynton-McKay and has since moved to its own storefront on Rockland’s Main Street. The yeasted doughnuts in flavors ranging from classic buttermilk glazed to maple bacon sell out quickly, so come early to ensure the most options.

Gosselin's Bakery

A family-run business since 1945, the bakers still use Grandpa Gosselin's original recipe. Go early for your sugar fix, since the bakery closes when the doughnuts sell out — and bring cash, as Gosselin's doesn't accept cards.

Eighty8 Donuts

This popular mini doughnut maker returns to Sugarloaf Mountain after a successful Kickstarter campaign helped the owners open a brick and mortar restaurant. In warm weather, the food truck operates in Portland, bringing its popular candied bacon and Fruity Pebbles toppings to the masses.

Thompson's Restaurant

Naturally, a family restaurant like Thompson's makes its own doughnuts for breakfast. Stop by for a filling meal at the counter or grab a dozen doughnuts to go before you head off into the Maine woods. (Careful, though — bears are notoriously fond of doughnuts.)

Sadie's Bakery

This bakery keeps it simple, offering two types of doughnuts daily: plain and a specialty flavor like molasses glazed, pumpkin, or chocolate. Sadie's doughnuts go fast, but you can console yourself with a housemade cinnamon roll, cookie, or muffin if you miss out.