I Explored Small-Town South Carolina To Visit 12 Donut Shops (And 4 Of Them Stole My Heart)
South Carolina’s small towns hide some seriously good donut shops, and I spent weeks tracking them down.
My journey took me from the foothills to the coast, chasing fresh glazed rings and wild toppings at family-run counters and weekend-only bakeries. Most places surprised me with their creativity and quality, but four shops left me completely smitten.
Here’s every stop I made, ranked by how hard they made my heart (and stomach) flutter.
1. Lickin’ Good Donuts & Coffee, Clinton
Clinton’s Broad Street wouldn’t be complete without Lickin’ Good anchoring the morning routine. This place serves both yeast and cake donuts, covering all the bases without trying to reinvent the wheel.
Their glazed yeast rings are simple but perfectly executed. Light, airy dough gets a thin sugar coating that doesn’t overpower the subtle sweetness underneath.
I grabbed a chocolate cake donut on my second visit, and it had that dense, satisfying crumb that pairs perfectly with black coffee.
Locals treat this spot like their living room, chatting with the staff while boxes get filled for office meetings and family breakfasts.
2. Sunny’s Donuts, Gaffney ❤️
Walking into Sunny’s feels like stepping back three decades. The counter setup is pure nostalgia, with trays of hot yeast rings lined up behind smudged glass that’s been wiped clean a thousand times.
Their apple fritters are legendary for good reason. Crispy edges give way to soft, cinnamon-spiced dough studded with real apple chunks, and they vanish before lunch hits.
I showed up at 10 a.m. once, and the fritter tray was already empty. The regulars know to arrive early, clutching cash and ready to grab their favorites before the day shift clears them out.
3. Big Apple Bakery & Restaurant, Greenwood
Big Apple fries glazed donuts fresh every morning, and the smell hits you before you even open the car door. The drive-thru line stacks up fast on weekends, filled with customers who know exactly what they want.
Hot glazed rings come out of the fryer with a sheen that catches the light. The dough is tender and slightly chewy, with a glaze that soaks in while still warm.
I watched the staff box up dozens of donuts for a church group during my visit. The operation runs like clockwork, with trays moving from fryer to glaze to counter in a rhythm perfected over years of early mornings and hungry crowds.
4. Chickenbutt Donuts, Chapin ❤️
Yes, the name is real, and yes, it’s as quirky as it sounds. Chickenbutt proudly calls itself the official donut of Lake Murray, and locals wear that title like a badge of honor.
Everything here is made to order, which means you wait a few extra minutes but get cake donuts that are still warm when handed over. Toppings range from classic chocolate to cereal-crusted creations that look almost too fun to eat.
My favorite was a maple-glazed ring topped with candied pecans. The cake base stayed moist without being greasy, and the topping added just enough crunch to keep things interesting bite after bite.
5. Laila’s Place Bakery & Café, Newberry
Laila’s saves their signature yeast donuts for weekends, turning Saturday and Sunday mornings into events worth planning around.
The rotating lineup keeps regulars guessing, with flavors like PB&J and maple-bacon making frequent appearances.
Their PB&J donut tastes exactly like childhood packed into pastry form. Creamy peanut butter filling meets a sweet jam center, all wrapped in soft yeast dough that doesn’t compete with the toppings.
I tried the maple-bacon version on a Sunday morning, and it balanced sweet and savory without leaning too hard in either direction.
The bacon stayed crispy even after sitting in the glaze, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.
6. Murray’s Donuts, Sumter
Murray’s is the kind of family-run spot where the same hands have been shaping dough for decades. Hot glazed donuts, twists, and cinnamon buns fill the case each morning, and nothing fancy tries to steal the spotlight.
Their cinnamon buns deserve special mention. Soft spirals of dough get loaded with cinnamon sugar and topped with cream cheese icing that melts into every crevice.
I chatted with a regular who’s been coming here for twenty years. She told me her kids grew up on Murray’s glazed twists, and now her grandkids ask for them by name.
That’s the kind of loyalty you can’t fake or buy with marketing.
7. Mama’s Sweet Shoppe, Due West ❤️
Due West is tiny, but Mama’s Sweet Shoppe punches way above its weight. This spot turns out craft donuts that rival anything you’d find in a big city, all fried fresh in a kitchen you can peek into from the counter.
Maple-bacon is a standout, with thick-cut bacon crumbles that add salty contrast to the sweet glaze. Lemon-filled donuts burst with tart custard that doesn’t taste like it came from a can.
College students from nearby Erskine line up here on weekends, and I can see why. The variety changes often, so repeat visits feel like a treasure hunt for your next favorite flavor.
8. The Donut Wagon Shoppe, Seneca
Tucked near Lake Keowee, The Donut Wagon Shoppe keeps things simple with daily specials, fritters, and filled classics. The shop is small, so crowds spill onto the sidewalk during peak hours.
Daily specials change based on what the bakers feel like creating, which keeps repeat visits interesting. Fritters are consistently excellent, with crispy exteriors that shatter when you bite through to the tender center.
Filled donuts here don’t skimp on the good stuff. Cream, jelly, or custard gets piped in generously, so you taste filling in every bite instead of hitting empty pockets of dough. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference.
9. Freeman’s Bakery, Florence
Freeman’s has been a Florence institution since 1964, outlasting trends and chains by sticking to what works. The donut case changes daily based on what gets baked that morning, so no two visits look exactly the same.
This place earned its longevity by treating customers like neighbors. Staff remember orders and ask about families, creating the kind of atmosphere that turns first-timers into regulars.
I grabbed a glazed twist and a chocolate cake donut during my visit. Both were solid examples of classic donut work, nothing flashy but executed with the confidence that comes from decades of practice.
Sometimes that’s exactly what you want from a bakery.
10. Alljoy Donut Co., Bluffton
Alljoy only opens on weekends, which makes every visit feel like a special occasion. Small-batch production means limited quantities, and the line forms early with customers who know the good stuff sells out fast.
Fritters here are worth the wait. Golden, craggy exteriors give way to soft interiors laced with cinnamon and fruit. Glazed spirals twist into beautiful shapes that look almost too pretty to eat, but taste even better than they look.
I arrived at opening time on a Saturday and still had to wait twenty minutes. The couple in front of me drove thirty minutes just for these donuts, and after tasting them, I understood why.
11. Maynard’s Ice Cream & Café, Port Royal ❤️
Maynard’s combines fresh donuts with hand-dipped ice cream by the waterfront, creating a destination that works for breakfast or dessert. The location adds to the charm, with views that make your morning coffee taste even better.
Donut flavors here lean playful, with fun twists on classics that appeal to kids and adults alike. The dough stays fresh and light, providing a good base for whatever creative topping gets added.
I watched a family order donuts and ice cream at the same time, and nobody judged them for it. That’s the kind of place Maynard’s is: relaxed, welcoming, and focused on making people happy with good food in a great setting.
12. Nelson’s Wee Bake Bakery, Denmark
Nelson’s Wee Bake Bakery is run by a Mennonite family, and their baking philosophy shows in every product: simple ingredients, careful technique, and no shortcuts. Fritters, bear claws, and classic donuts fill the shelves each morning.
Their fritters have a cult following for good reason. Perfectly fried with a tender crumb and generous fruit filling, they represent everything a fritter should be without any fussiness or gimmicks.
Bear claws here are massive, flaky, and filled with almond paste that tastes homemade. I bought one to share and ended up eating the whole thing myself.
Sometimes you just have to accept your limits and embrace the sugar rush.