Imagine a job where you were had to eat decadent sweets everyday. Churro French Toast, Red Velvet ding-dongs, Banana Creme pie… Oh, the punishment.
Well, Nastassia Johnson has that tough job. The award-winning food blogger of TheLetMeEatCake.com—crowned LA Weekly’s Best Instagrammer of 2015—spends her days cataloging the most delectable desserts in Los Angeles and beyond.
Talk about living on the sweeter side of life!
In celebration of National Donut Day (which is a far more substantial food holiday than say, National Chocolate-Coated Insect Day. Yes, for real, Google it) on June 3, we enlisted the self-declared “donut fiend” to help us get our sticky fingers on the sweetest halos of doughy heaven across the city. She did not disappoint. 
And in the words of Homer Simpson, “Donuts. Is there anything they can’t do?”
From Manhattan Beach to Koreatown, here are your best donuts in Los Angeles.
Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee
Santa Monica & Costa Mesa; Butter & Salt $2.75, Madagascar Vanilla $2.50, Huckleberry $3.25
Nastassia Johnson: Maybe one of the best donuts I’ve ever eaten. Their real magic is the fact that you can almost always enjoy them warm since they are frying them regularly and what is better than a warm doughnut? The Butter & Salt and the Madagascar Vanilla Twist are in a tie for first place for me, but their signature Huckleberry is also a standout.
Sidecar Doughnuts 'Huckleberry'. Image courtesy of @letmeeatcake
Primo's
Sawtelle; Buttermilk Bar $1.00
NJ: This mom-and-pop establishment has been around for 64 years and for good reason, their donuts are GOOD! They are located in West LA, so lucky Westsiders can enjoy these on the daily, but if you are not in the area, this spot is definitely worth a trip. Their buttermilk bar is the best buttermilk bar in LA in my humble opinion and it will have you coming back for more.
Primo's.
Images courtesy of @letmeeatcake
The Church Key
WeHo; Brioche Donuts $12 for dessert
NJ: If you are looking for a donut that is just a step above your casual mom-and-pop shop style donut then the Church Key’s brioche brown butter glazed donuts with cinnamon caramel are just the ticket. They are super light and fluffy with a decadent buttery decadent glaze. Enjoy them after a meal here or order them by the dozen to-go.
Eat in with your Brioche Donuts at Church Key. Image courtesy of @letmeeatcake
Love & Salt
Manhattan Beach; Warm Italian Donuts (Bomboloni) $9
NJ: Pastry chef Rebecca Merhej’s housemade Bomboloni are a must-order when visiting Love & Salt. They make a perfect end to a meal or a great addition to brunch. These plump and delicious fried delights come filled with nutella and lemon curd. With two donuts per order, you should maybe consider getting an order to yourself —they’re just too good to share.
Warm Italian Donuts at Love & Salt; Image courtesy of @letmeeatcake
Daily Donuts
Los Feliz. Donuts $1-$2
NJ: This unassuming shop in the heart of Los Feliz makes a great glazed donut, simple and satisfying. There are no fancy flavors or innovative creations, just good old donuts best enjoyed by the dozen.
Daily Donuts. Image courtesy of @letmeeatcake
Bob's Coffee & Doughnuts
Fairfax Farmers Market, Maple Bar or Crumb Cake Donut $1-$2
NJ: This is truly an LA staple. Located in the heart of the Original Farmers Market on Fairfax you can see regulars enjoying a coffee and donut as they probably have been for decades. The maple bar and crumb cake are delightful!
Bob's Coffee & Doughnuts. Image courtesy of @letmeeatcake
ICDC
Fairfax, Gluten-Free Donuts $3
NJ: Ice Cream, Doughnuts, Coffee also offer some great gluten-free daily with flavors such as Salt and Pepper Caramel and Buttermilk Brown Butter.
Salt & Pepper Caramel Donut at ICDC. Image courtesy of @letmeeatcake
California Donuts
Koreatown, Cereal and Panda specialty donuts $2-$3
NJ: There is no denying that these donuts are almost too cute to eat! They have fun, colorful cereal toppings or are shaped like pandas with Oreo ears. Pro tip: you can advance-order special custom letter donuts!
Cereal donuts at California Donuts. Image courtesy of @letmeeatcake
Café Dulce
DTLA Little Tokyo, Maple Macadamia Nut Donut $2.50
NJ: The donuts at Café Dulce range from new school to classic with an Asian twist. The selection is fun and playful from fruity pebble donut holes to green tea donuts. My personal favorite is the maple macadamia nut. I still have yet to find another macadamia nut donut anywhere.
Maple Macadamia Nut (bottom) at Cafe Dulce. Image courtesy of @cafedulcela
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Follow Nastassia on her insanely addictive Instagram @letmeeatcake for a never-ending feed of succulent sweets. Warning: You will be hooked.
Belinda Gosbee is an Aussie writer, actress and coffee snob based in Los Angeles. She wants a donut really, really, really badly right now. Follow her jaunts on twitter @belindagosbee or instagram @gos22.
