Champaign-Urbana's Favorite Donuts

Champaign-Urbana families love donuts and we have lots of options to choose from

There’s a donut for everyone when it comes to options around Champaign-Urbana

Whether you call them donuts or doughnuts, there’s no question that we are living in the golden era of these round and tasty treats in Champaign-Urbana.

Get ready to treat yourself and your taste buds as you embark on finding your favorite donut in Champaign-Urbana. How many can you check off your bucket list?

As with all of our “favorite food” lists, we focus on locally owned restaurants around Champaign-Urbana and beyond. (This list is in alphabetical order.)

Curtis Orchard, Champaign (3902 S. Duncan Road): Our friends at Curtis Orchard make LEGENDARY cider donuts. Not surprisingly, since they grow legendary apples. Get them hot, or buy a bunch to freeze – they are absolutely delicious either way. The only problem? Curtis Orchard is only open five months a year, from July 20 through Dec. 20 (generally).

TIP: customers can call (217) 359-5565 during business hours or check their online store to purchase donuts in the off season (they are frozen but thaw easily).

Parlor Doughnuts, Champaign (1757 W. Kirby Ave.): Technically a chain, yes. But this has been a great addition to the Champaign-Urbana donut scene! We love these decadent layered doughnuts, which are deliciously indulgent.

Royal Donut, Danville (911 N. Vermilion St.) AND Champaign (1105 Windsor Rd.): There’s a story here. Established in 1973, Royal Donut had been a home for donut enthusiasts for years. A trip to Danville wasn’t complete without an angel bite — think tiny Long John donuts with a delicious creme filling and icing. Kiddos on our trips loved the smiley face iced sugar cookies, while grownups craved the bismarck donuts available in a variety of delicious flavors. Now, we have our very own Royal Donut in Champaign!

TIP: the new owners also run Mad Goat Coffee — both Danville locations and the location in downtown Champaign!

Ye Olde Donut Shoppe, Champaign (1401 S. Neil St.): Ye Olde Donut Shoppe has a long history in Champaign and Urbana, with multiple different storefronts over many years (for example we remember the previous one at Green and First, which later hosted Maize).

In 2019, the latest edition of Ye Olde Donut Shoppe opened on Neil Street (with a drive-thru window!). They feature a wide variety of donuts, from classic glazed to filled to “artisan” editions to custom-order letter and number shapes. Great for the donut traditionalist as well as the donut connoisseur.

TIP: discounts available for larger orders (dozen and two dozen).

Central Illinois Bakehouse, Champaign (208 N. First St.): This wholesale bakery has been a fixture at area farmers markets for years, and they offer many delectable pastry favorites. But for this post we need to discuss their croughnuts. (Or cronuts, if you’re paying by the letter.) What is a croughnut, you ask? Imagine if a croissant and a doughnut had a baby — a large, flaky, and delicious baby — and there you have a croughnut.

You can obtain these magical yet elusive treats in a number of ways: get them delivered right to your doorstep via Market Wagon; shop at the Champaign or Urbana farmers markets; or enjoy them at retail outlets such as Pekara on Springfield, Martinelli’s Market, or YoYo’s in Mahomet.

TIP: Croughnuts are pretty labor intensive so they are usually available just on Fridays and Saturdays. Check out the special monthly flavors!

Champaign-Urbana’s Favorite Donuts

Champaign-Urbana families love donuts and we have lots of options to choose from

There’s a donut for everyone when it comes to options around Champaign-Urbana

Looking for more favorite foods around Champaign-Urbana?