30 Photos
ZipPicks Awards
Best Donuts in San Francisco
Master Critic Review
Whack Donuts
7.9
Vegan doughnuts with inventive flavors from a pop-up turned permanent at Embarcadero Center. Expect small-batch glazes like Thai tea and chocolate peppermint with efficient counter service for the FiDi crowd.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thai Tea Doughnut, Chocolate Peppermint Doughnut, Carrot Cake Doughnut
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Creative, fully vegan doughnuts in downtown SF.
Who should go: Flavor-chasers and plant-based eaters
When to visit: Weekday mornings before office rush
What to order: Thai tea, chocolate peppermint, carrot cake
Insider tip: Look for limited flavors tied to seasonal produce.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid garage parking is available beneath Embarcadero Center; validation not offered. Street parking is scarce and metered.
Dress code: Casual—office wear or weekend attire fits right in; no formal dress required.
Noise level: Low to moderate—ambient office-center hum but quiet enough for conversation.
Weekend wait: N/A - closes before dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; small morning rush from 8–9:30am.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—entire menu is vegetarian-friendly since all doughnuts are plant-based.
Vegan options: Yes—100% vegan, including glazes and fillings.
Gluten-free options: Limited—occasionally offers one gluten-free option but not guaranteed daily.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It’s more of a casual meet-up spot—grab doughnuts and stroll the waterfront rather than a sit-down date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-up counter only with a few nearby public benches; no reservations or indoor seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—kids love the colorful doughnuts and quick service; stroller space can be limited during weekday rush hours.
Best For
Better for: Best for inventive vegan flavors and artistic glazes among downtown doughnut options.
Skip if: You want traditional yeasted or cream-filled doughnuts with dairy or eggs.
Hours
MondayClosed
Tuesday9am - 2pm
Wednesday9am - 2pm
Thursday9am - 2pm
Friday9:30am - 2pm
Saturday7:30am - 12:30pm
SundayClosed