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The Doughnut Vault
Donut Shop$$$$
River North, Chicago
The folks at Serious Eats and Time Out Chicago like this place. Would you agree?
"Buttermilk old fashioned... Straight up out of this world amazing"(7 Tips)
"Buttermilk donut with a black coffee is the best breakfast."(4 Tips)
"The gingerbread stack is amazing, especially fresh and warm."(3 Tips)
"Hit up Do-Rite, Firecakes, or Glazed & Infused instead."(3 Tips)
143 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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Amanda JoyceSeptember 19, 2013what others said...GO EARLY !! First time we went at 10am, and they were sold out/closed for the day, and that was during the week. They were delicious though, worth the wait! I got the daily special.
Pro tip.. have your order ready when u get 2 front of the line. 6 donuts fit in a box. Tell them if ur going to need a box as soon as u get up to the counter. They accept CC but u pay a lil more.
Bitches Who BrunchOctober 23, 2015The Buttermilk Old Fashioned is the Vault’s most popular choice. Also, the cute outdoor photo-opp, traveling Doughnut Vault Van and $1 coffee makes this place high on my list of favorites in the city. Read more
Go on a weekday if possible. The space is crazy small but the donuts are crazy good. If you're lucky enough to be an early bird, order the daily special. Otherwise, get whatever. Music vibe is killer!
Tiffany WongAugust 14, 2016old-fashioned has a lot of fans here (get the ones at firecakes!), but their best are actually their jelly filled.
Coffee is Metropolis & only $1. But onto the Doughnuts! The Gingerbread Stack is such a simple breakfast delight so try them out OR try any doughnut that sounds yummy, you will like it.
Jayson MJune 6, 2015Unique experience to the Chicago area! Carrier early as they only make so many doughnuts per day and when they are gone they are gone! Harry Potter-ish side entry! Great taste!
DailyCandyFebruary 25, 2014Tucked inside an old vault, bakers riff on classic recipes to produce pitch-perfect donuts. Go early (it closes when it sells out), brave the lines, order the old-fashioned, and take yours to go.
Julia ParkAugust 9, 2013Get the Jelly-filled Donut (seasonal special). PHENOMENAL. All of their donuts are really good, but the vanilla glazed was a bit too plain (and just like any other glazed donut) for me.
- The best donuts in the city. Any city. Get the double old fashion. Get the daily special. And the massive chocolate
AngelaFebruary 7, 2013The chocolate glazed here is the best I've ever had. Melt in your mouth gooey good. Coffee is only a buck too. Get there before 11 am because they tend to run of doughnuts and then close for the day.
KarenApril 15, 2015This place makes me wish I lived in Chicago! Great donuts and $1 coffee that is actually good. Ummm yes.
Check their Twitter first thing in the morning to find out their specials and to get live updates on item availability. Lemon poppyseed old fashioned is one of the best around.
Time Out ChicagoApril 17, 2012Buttermilk and glazed yeast are staples, but the Twitter feed update dough lovers of daily specials that range from pistachio to birthday cake (cake dunked in vanilla glaze with rainbow sprinkles). Read more
Nigel KongJune 2, 2016There is a donut God. This is it. Paired with a $1 coffees and you're good as gold.
- Time Out ChicagoFebruary 28, 2012This shop puts out batches of vanilla glazed, chestnut, buttermilk old-fashioned and other doughnuts of both cake and yeast varieties. And they are marvelous—perhaps the best you will ever have. Read more
- Time Out ChicagoFebruary 17, 2012Doughnut makers using the noms de plume François and Henri Gras put out batches of vanilla glazed, chestnut, buttermilk old-fashioned and other doughnuts of both the cake and yeast variety. Read more
The raspberry old fashioned was worth the trek. I felt like a total bonehead when I ordered and realized I left my wallet at the office. The server was so great about it! I'll be back!
Aaron CruzMay 14, 2012Every morning people get in line hoping to get to the counter before the donuts are gone. Get the chocolate glazed or chestnut donut or the donut of the day. They're big, delicious donuts!
ChicagoistAugust 1, 2014The classic chestnut glazed option is my favorite, a slight nutty sweetness that is the perfect side to a morning coffee to start your day Read more
Serious EatsMay 21, 2013Lines are long in the mornings and on weekends, but after 10 am, its a little easier to slip in. Go for the buttermilk old fashioned or the yeasty glazed doughnut.
Christine DMay 27, 2015One of the best Donuts place in the world!!!!! Go early for more choices! Take out only except little table outside.
Vivian NguyenSeptember 21, 2015We arrived around 9:30 am on a Saturday morning, and waited about 30 mins. The chestnut glazed, old fashioned, and special filled were great
Catherine PunktFebruary 27, 2015The old-fashioned buttermilk doughnut is really good! Additionally, try the chocolate doughnut!
Mark ReynoldsMay 7, 2014Hip Hop, Hipsters and a sugar rush. The best doughnuts you'll ever eat, but beware the gut bomb coma!
- Christopher FlossDecember 12, 2014Awesome old fashioned donuts!!! Get there early (especially on the weekend) otherwise they may run out!!! The buttermilk donut is THE BEST!!!!!!!
JenKuduDecember 5, 2013Everything they say is true... They are amazing! Buttermilk, Chocolate and Salted Caramel were the three I got. Salted Caramel was my fav.!- Serious EatsSeptember 9, 2013Despite the high prices and long lines, this tiny takeout shops serves some of the most flawless doughnuts we've ever tried.
Ryan O'MalleyMarch 30, 2013Serves up creative flavors like birthday cake, dreamsicle and chestnut cream doughnuts alongside classic glazed and old-fashioned buttermilk (Eater)
AlisonJune 9Amazing doughnuts in the cutest shop. Super friendly employees. Be sure to show up early because they sell out quickly!
Inigo MontoyaMay 25, 2019Best overall donut experience in Chicago. May also be best overall donuts, but there are a few contenders.
Chefs FeedApril 15, 2016Huge and delicious, this doughnut melts in your mouth. Only a hot, fresh coffee will slake my thirst after that. Read more
Gloria ChinJanuary 17, 2013super popular in the morning & weekends!! go after 10 am for a shorter line. choose between the buttermilk old fashioned ($2.00) or the yeasty glazed ($3.00) doughnuts
Fiachra MaguireAugust 20, 2014Open till they sell out. Old fashioned buttermilk was a delight. All packaged into a room the size of a hallway.
Saif DiaAugust 7, 2015When the person in front of you is asking what's available, listen up to save time.- Time Out ChicagoJune 4, 2012Download a podcast. Bring a long-lost friend. Get there at 8:30am. This is the doughnut we’ve been waiting for.
Darius KalinauskasMay 21, 2018Get there early as they close as soon as they run out of doughnuts and they are all delicious! ;)- If the line reaches the corner, the wait'll be about an hour. Hit up Do-Rite, Firecakes, or Glazed & Infused instead. Live your life.
Erika DavisJune 28, 2016I should have gotten the glazed or old fashioned donuts. Seasonal jelly doughnut (raspberry is what I got) looked good, but way too sweet + tasted perfume-y.
The vanilla doughnut is life changing.. Avoid this spot of you're on your way home from the gym!!
- Time Out ChicagoDecember 6, 2011Try the Chestnut doughnut from our 100 Best list: It doesn’t get any better, any fresher, any more flavorful, any airier than this.
Kevin SkobacAugust 28, 2015They are only open for a few hours each morning. Go early to get their daily special.
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The Doughnut Vault
401 1/2 N Franklin St (at W Kinzie St)
Chicago, IL 60654
United States
Chicago, IL 60654
United States
Artisanal Handcrafted Doughnuts | Old World Recipe | Classic Flavors
Closed until 8:00 AM tomorrow (Show more)
- Mon–Fri
- 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
(312) 285-2830
View menu on http://doughnutvault.com/coffee
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Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
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"Coffee is excellent and chocolate glazed donut is... Superb"
Javier Lorenzo - 9.0
"You obviously come here for the spicy fried chicken sandwich & their donuts! Get their buttermilk old-fashioned donut! You could make any sandwich on a donut for $1 more."
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