Best Donuts Restaurants in River North
2 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Firecakes Donuts
High-volume donut counter known for inventive flavors and late-night hours.
Notable Picks
8.6
Firecakes is a long-running River North donut shop turning out rich, creative donuts and ice cream sandwiches from early morning through late night. Lines move quickly at the walk-up counter, and the menu leans indulgent with flavors like pistachio old fashioneds and maple-glazed pineapple bacon rings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sicilian Pistachio Old Fashioned, Maple Glazed Pineapple Bacon Donut, Valrhona Chocolate Espresso Cake Donut
What makes it special: High-volume donut counter known for inventive flavors and late-night hours.
8.4
Opened in 2011 by Brendan Sodikoff’s Hogsalt group, Doughnut Vault is a tiny River North walk-up turning out oversized classic yeast and buttermilk old-fashioned donuts until they sell out. Lines have mellowed from the early days, but it remains a go-to stop on donut tours and morning coffee walks for old-fashioned-style rings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vanilla Glazed Yeast Donut, Buttermilk Old Fashioned, Seasonal Jelly Doughnut
What makes it special: A tiny bank-vault space selling old-world-style donuts in limited daily batches until they’re gone.