Top 12 Most Delicious Donut Shops In Tennessee You Need To Try

There’s something about a really good doughnut that makes the morning feel instantly better. Tennessee has no shortage of bakeries frying up golden rings, fluffy yeast-raised classics, rich cake varieties, and creative flavors that go far beyond simple glaze.

Some shops keep things traditional with time-tested recipes, while others experiment with fillings, toppings, and seasonal twists that surprise even devoted regulars. What they all share is quality, consistency, and loyal customers who happily queue for their favorites.

If your sweet tooth needs inspiration in 2026, these standout doughnut shops across Tennessee prove that a perfectly made treat is always worth the stop.

1. Fox’s Donut Den – 3900 Hillsboro Pike #2, Nashville, TN 37215

Stepping into Fox’s Donut Den in Nashville’s Green Hills feels like returning to a beloved neighborhood ritual. The aroma of fresh yeast dough and vanilla glaze drifts through a space lined with retro signage and cheerful, well worn booths.

You will spot locals chatting in line, coffee steaming, while trays of chocolate iced rings and iconic old fashioneds glide from the back like clockwork.

What keeps you lingering is the balance between classic craft and pure nostalgia. The cake donuts have a crisp edge that gives way to a tender crumb, and the glazed twists shine under the case lights like a promise.

You can grab a box for the nearby parks or stroll Hillsboro Pike, savoring a still warm bite as the day begins to hum.

The staff moves with friendly efficiency, happy to guide you toward a favorite if you look indecisive. Fluffy yeast rings collapse softly, leaving a light sugar sheen on your fingers.

Whether you grew up visiting or just discovered it, the Den anchors a sweet corner of Nashville, a dependable stop where simple things are done so well you remember them long after the last crumb.

2. McGaugh’s Donuts – 1111 S Gallatin Pike, Madison, TN 37115

McGaugh’s Donuts in Madison greets you with the friendly hum of a community morning, where regulars hold the door and fresh trays clink behind the counter. The spot along South Gallatin Pike is unpretentious, and that makes the first bite even better.

You notice the sheen of glaze, the warmth radiating through the bag, and a cinnamon sugar halo dusting the air.

The yeast donuts are buoyant without feeling airy, offering that tender pull you chase in a perfect ring. Cake varieties bring a subtle spice that pairs beautifully with a straightforward cup of coffee.

You cannot help eyeing apple fritter style pieces glistening with caramelized edges, promising pockets of fruit and soft dough.

Step outside and Madison’s small town tempo meets the city’s reach, with traffic easing by as you lean against your car for a second donut. It is the kind of place where a dozen disappears faster than planned, because every style hits a comforting note.

When you want a genuine, no fuss donut that tastes like morning done right, McGaugh’s becomes your reliable waypoint, a sweet pause between errands, commutes, and everything else calling your name.

3. Parlor Doughnuts – 506 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203

Parlor Doughnuts near downtown Nashville brings a modern bakery aesthetic to a bustling corridor, a few blocks from the city’s live music pulse. Inside, natural light slides across a clean, wood and tile space where stacked, layered doughnuts look like little sculptures.

You notice the lamination immediately, those crisp, flaky tiers promising a pastry experience both delicate and indulgent.

Flavors rotate with creative flair, and you will likely spot vibrant glazes shimmering beside powdered classics. The texture is the star, croissant like layers shattering gently before settling into buttery softness.

Paired with a cappuccino, each bite balances richness with airy lift, making it easy to justify one more.

Step back outside and the energy of Rep. John Lewis Way S rolls by, echoing the city’s growth and style.

Parlor feels dialed into that rhythm, equal parts treat and destination. Whether you grab a box for a rooftop hang or savor yours on a sunny bench, this shop shows how playful technique can elevate a simple circle into something memorable, all while keeping the experience friendly and welcoming enough to make you a repeat visitor.

4. Ralphs Donut Shop – 59 S Cedar Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501

Ralphs Donut Shop in Cookeville radiates small town hospitality from its vintage sign to the counter stools that invite lingering conversation. The display case brims with traditional beauties, from chocolate iced rings to buttermilk old fashioneds whose ridges hold glaze like sunshine.

You can sense the history in the way regulars greet each other, making room for travelers passing through.

The yeast donuts deliver that ideal pillow softness, collapsing delicately with each bite. Cake varieties bring a gentle tang and comforting crumb, perfect alongside a hot coffee poured with practiced ease.

There is a timelessness here, a rhythm that starts before dawn and tastes like routine made special.

Located just off S Cedar Ave, Ralphs works as both a pit stop and a destination. Grab a box and wander Cookeville’s charming streets, or settle into a stool and let the morning slow down.

The shop’s magic is its steadiness, proof that you do not need flash when technique and care meet in every ring. By the time you leave, glaze on your fingertips and a smile you did not plan on feel like souvenirs you will carry home.

5. Five Daughters Bakery | 12th South – 1110 Caruthers Ave, Nashville, TN 37204

Five Daughters Bakery in Tennessee pulls you in with pastel charm and a case glowing with their famous 100 layer donuts. The neighborhood feels like a walking postcard, boutiques and murals lining the way as you approach the cozy corner on Caruthers Ave. Inside, the air smells buttery, and the flaky rings stack high like edible art.

Each bite combines crisp lamination with a tender interior, layered so finely that the donut almost sings when you break it. Glazes shimmer with seasonal inspiration, ranging from bright citrus to deep chocolate.

You will want coffee to balance the richness, then realize your pace has slowed to match the relaxed sidewalk scene outside.

Take your box to Sevier Park or wander past mural photo ops with sugar dusting your fingers. The 12 South vibe makes it easy to turn a donut run into a full afternoon stroll.

Whether you are celebrating or simply treating Tuesday like a tiny holiday, this spot delivers delight. The experience lingers beyond the last crumb, weaving taste, place, and a little Nashville sparkle into a memory you will replay often.

6. Donut Country – 1311 Memorial Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Donut Country in Murfreesboro hums with the kind of busy that feels joyful, a steady stream of neighbors filing in before work and school. The bright interior shows off rows of glossy rings, crullers spiraling like edible ribbons, and fritter pieces with caramelized edges.

You can hear the laughter of regulars greeting the staff by name, a welcome soundtrack to your first sip of coffee.

Here, yeast donuts are exceptionally soft, the kind that spring back slightly when pressed. Cake donuts carry a tender crumb that plays well with simple glazes and gentle spice.

You will find the kind of variety that covers every mood without stretching into gimmicks, which makes choosing almost painless.

Memorial Blvd moves with suburban rhythm, but time slows once you have a warm bag in hand. Sit by the window or carry a box to a nearby park, letting the morning sun make the glaze sparkle.

What stands out most is consistency, batch after batch tasting like the crew truly cares. That makes this a place you rely on, where a dozen is not too many and sharing still leaves you happily full.

7. Fairview Fresh Deli Donuts – 2203 Fairview Blvd, Fairview, TN 37062

Fairview Fresh Deli Donuts sits along Fairview Blvd with the unassuming confidence of a true local favorite. Inside, the decor is simple, but the trays sparkle with fresh glaze and cinnamon sugar that drifts like confetti.

You are greeted quickly, handed a warm bag whose weight promises softness within.

The yeast donuts feel cloud light yet satisfying, and the cake versions carry a tender crumb perfect for dunking. Each bite feels honest, built on good dough and attentive frying rather than frills.

Pair your choice with coffee and lean into a calm morning where small town courtesies still thrive.

You will catch a breeze crossing the parking lot as early risers head to work, boxes riding shotgun. Fairview’s quiet pace wraps around the experience, turning breakfast into a gentle pause.

This is the kind of stop that reminds you flavors do not need flash to be memorable. By the time you brush sugar from your shirt, you will already be plotting a return, ready to try another round from a case that shows the baker’s steady hand.

8. Lewisburg Donut Shop – 1523 Mooresville Hwy, Lewisburg, TN 37091

Lewisburg Donut Shop off Mooresville Hwy channels that comforting small town vibe where smiles come easy and decisions get harder by the tray. The glass case holds glazed rings shining softly, chocolate iced donuts with neat swirls, and cinnamon twists lined like braided ropes.

You feel the warmth of the room as the door opens and closes with familiar greetings.

The yeast dough is feather light, springy, and subtly sweet, inviting generous bites. Cake donuts bring a heartier crumb that still reads as delicate, ideal for savoring with a simple black coffee.

Each piece tastes intentional, as though the recipes have been polished by years of early mornings and careful hands.

Lewisburg itself adds charm, quiet streets and friendly waves turning your donut run into a mini respite. Take a seat, breathe in the vanilla scent, and let the first bite do the talking.

This shop does not chase trends, and that restraint reads as confidence. In a world of options, finding a place that nails the basics is refreshing, and you will leave content, a little sugar dusted, and eager to tell a friend about the find.

9. Morning Glory Donuts – 3627 US-41A N, Unionville, TN 37180

Morning Glory Donuts in Unionville greets you like sunrise on a quiet country road. The building glows warmly against the early mist, and pickup trucks idle while folks grab a dozen before the day stretches out.

Inside, a tidy case shows glazed, powdered, and cinnamon sugar selections that promise comfort more than spectacle.

The yeast rings are tender with a clean, light chew, and the powdered varieties melt into sweetness the second they meet coffee. You notice careful frying, no heaviness or greasiness, just lift and softness.

It is the sort of quality that makes you consider a second round without blinking.

Out on US 41A N, fields roll away, and the shop’s steady heartbeat sets a neighborly tone. You can linger to chat or take your box to the tailgate and watch the sky brighten.

Morning Glory excels at the essentials, and that restraint shines. When you crave a donut that tastes like the start of a good day, this little Tennessee stop delivers with warmth, reliability, and just enough sweetness to carry you forward.

10. Tastee King Donuts – 4627 Hwy 58, Chattanooga, TN 37416

Tastee King Donuts on Highway 58 in Chattanooga balances city convenience with a neighborly welcome. The case glows with familiar favorites, from chocolate iced to sprinkled rings that make kids beam.

You catch the rhythm of regulars exchanging quick stories before heading out toward the hills framing the city.

Yeast donuts are plush and lightly sweet, while cake options bring that nostalgic crumb perfect alongside a hot pour. There is pride in the pace here, a steady hand behind the counter that keeps trays rotating and choices fresh.

If you like a little crunch, look for offerings with edges that caramelize just enough to add texture.

Chattanooga’s landscape adds a lift, and you might take your bag to a nearby overlook after the first bite. The shop’s simplicity is part of its charm, never shouting for attention yet capturing it anyway.

When you want a reliable donut and a smile before tackling the day, this stop proves itself quickly. It turns breakfast into a small celebration, one that rides with you as the city wakes.

11. East Park Donuts & Coffee – 700 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206

East Park Donuts & Coffee sits on Main St with sleek lines and big windows that flood the space with light. The menu leans modern, and the case shows playful riffs beside polished classics.

You get the sense that thoughtful sourcing and technique guide each batch, from airy yeast rings to indulgent cake styles.

The donuts strike a balance between flavor-forward creativity and everyday comfort. Glazes lean bright and clean, never cloying, and textures stay dialed from first bite to last crumb.

Order a cappuccino and you will notice the baristas give coffee the same attention, a pairing that lifts the entire experience.

Steps away, East Park adds the perfect place to wander with your box and a to go cup. The neighborhood’s easy energy encourages lingering, chatting, and maybe a second flavor for the walk back.

This shop feels like a reliable anchor for mornings that begin slowly and intentionally. You leave feeling refreshed, a little sugared, and ready to tackle the rest of Nashville’s adventures.

12. Donut Palace – 1623 NW Broad St, Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Donut Palace on NW Broad St in Murfreesboro delivers exactly what the name promises, a cheerful kingdom of classics. The neon sign hums, and the case overflows with glossy rings, jelly filled surprises, and maple topped standbys.

You can sense mornings have long unfolded here, swift but friendly, with coffee poured and boxes loaded for carpools and offices.

Yeast donuts carry that ideal bounce, landing soft and gently sweet. Cake varieties pack a tender crumb that holds glaze without turning heavy, an underrated magic trick.

You might notice fritters or twists with caramelized corners, a tiny crunch giving way to pillowy centers.

NW Broad St keeps things moving, but once you step inside, time eases into donut tempo. Take a seat, sip, and plan your day while another tray arrives fresh.

This place champions consistency over flash, and that confidence shows in every bite. When your morning needs uncomplicated joy, Donut Palace provides, turning the everyday commute into something you actually look forward to repeating.