These Legendary Ohio Donut Shops Are Worth Every Mile Of The Drive

Ohio might surprise you with how seriously it takes its donuts.

Across the state, small bakeries and family owned shops fry up rings, fritters, and filled creations that draw travelers off highways and locals out of bed before sunrise.

Some have been serving the same recipes for decades, while others experiment with wild toppings that turn a simple pastry into a conversation piece.

I have crisscrossed the state chasing glazed rings and cinnamon twists, and the best stops always share one thing in common: they make you want to plan your next visit before you even leave the parking lot.

Whether you live in Columbus or you are just passing through on a road trip, these twelve donut shops deserve a detour.

Each one offers something special, and I promise the drive will feel shorter once you taste what is waiting at the end.

1. Buckeye Donuts – Columbus

Buckeye Donuts pulled me in the first time I wandered down High Street close to midnight.

The pink glow of the sign promised comfort, and the crowd piling in proved the promise real.

Inside, cases of crullers, fritters, and the famous chocolate peanut butter Buckeye donuts stare you down.

This campus legend at 1998 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201 keeps the griddle hot around the clock.

I grabbed a warm Buckeye donut, and the rich filling instantly justified every mile of the drive.

Regulars mix students with grandparents, all debating which cake flavor belongs in the next dozen box.

The menu stretches past pastries into hearty breakfasts, so nobody leaves with just a single treat.

Every visit here feels personal, a small reunion with Columbus that starts right at the pastry case.

2. Resch’s Bakery – Gahanna

This spot gave me the kind of morning that makes early alarms feel worthwhile.

I stepped into 150 N Hamilton Rd, Gahanna, OH 43230 and walked straight into a wall of warm sugar.

Trays of raised donuts, cinnamon rings, and long johns roll out from the back with steady confidence.

The staff moves with practiced rhythm, chatting with regulars who have been coming since family road trips as kids.

My first bite of a still slightly warm glazed ring had that soft chew I always hope for.

I watched a teenager pick out a celebration dozen while an older couple quietly split a single cruller.

Holiday specials crowd the cases during winter, yet the classic everyday donuts still steal most of the attention.

By the time I reached the door again, I already knew I would plan another detour through Gahanna.

3. Amy’s Donuts – Columbus

Amy’s Donuts greeted me with colors first, aroma second, and self control somewhere far behind.

At 650 Georgesville Rd, Columbus, OH 43228, the cases show rows of donuts decorated with almost playful excess.

Rows of cereal topped rings, candy covered creations, and gorgeously simple old fashioned donuts share the same stage.

I built a sampler box and realized halfway through that I had accidentally created a personal tasting adventure.

The staff nudged me toward a maple bacon donut, but the blueberry cake and sour cream old fashioned stayed in my mind.

Families roll through in sweatpants, office workers sneak in before meetings, and road trippers appear with sleepy excitement.

The menu shifts with limited runs, so there is always a new flavor tempting a repeat stop.

Driving away with frosting smudged on the steering wheel, I understood why locals try to keep this one quiet.

4. Donna’s Delicious Dozen – Columbus

This amazing spot turned my inner child loose the moment I saw the topping board.

You find it tucked at 5322 N Hamilton Rd, Columbus, OH 43230 with a line that moves quickly.

Here, you customize fresh fried mini donuts, choosing glazes, drizzles, and toppings while the fryer quietly hisses nearby.

I ordered a box built half on impulse and half on the staff’s cheerful suggestions.

Warm chocolate drizzle met powdered sugar, crushed cookies, and a cinnamon blend that perfumed the whole car later.

Families lean over the counter together, negotiating whose flavor gets space in the next dozen.

Even the simple cinnamon sugar version shines, with a tender texture that avoids any heavy, greasy feeling.

By the time my box cooled down, I had already mapped out which flavors I would try on the next visit.

5. Schuler’s Bakery – Springfield

The shop at 1911 S Limestone St, Springfield, OH 45505 glows softly before sunrise with racks already filled.

Old-fashioned donuts, cream sticks, and seasonal specials all carry that slightly uneven, hand-made character I trust.

I watched locals greet the staff by first name while I hesitated over whether to add a third donut.

The classic glazed ring turned out airy, while the chocolate-iced version delivered a gentle snap on top.

Boxes headed for offices and classrooms stacked up near the door, proof that this place fuels many mornings.

Prices stay reasonable, which makes adding one more pastry an easy decision rather than a guilty move.

Rolling back onto the highway, I realized Schuler’s had quietly become one of my favorite excuses to reroute.

6. Milton’s Donuts – Middletown

Milton’s Donuts in Middletown felt like walking into a local tradition already in progress.

At 3533 Roosevelt Blvd, Middletown, OH 45044, racks of raised donuts and cake rings stretch behind the counter.

I arrived before dawn and still found regulars halfway through coffee and conversation.

The staff recommended a maple iced long john and a seasonal apple fritter, and both disappeared faster than I expected.

Years of practice show in the texture, from pillowy yeast dough to sturdy cake bases that stay tender.

This shop anchors a small regional chain, yet the vibe stays firmly focused on hometown familiarity rather than polish.

Boxes leave under arms and in back seats, destined for break rooms, fishing trips, and long drives across Ohio.

When I pulled away with crumbs on my shirt, I understood why people plan detours around Milton’s hours.

7. Oxford Doughnut Shoppe – Oxford

This tiny spot at 120 S Locust St, Oxford, OH 45056, sits close to Miami University but feels timeless.

Inside, the menu stays refreshingly simple, focused on classic glazed, twists, jelly-filled treats, and a few fun specials.

I grabbed a still-warm glazed donut and immediately understood why it earned a place on the Butler County Donut Trail.

College students shuffle in with headphones, while retirees linger over coffee and carefully chosen pastries.

The staff works quickly, yet still finds time to nudge newcomers toward their personal favorite flavors.

By the time the sun cleared the rooftops, many of the most popular donuts were already gone from the case.

Leaving town, I caught myself planning an early alarm just to justify another morning visit here.

8. Crispie Creme Donut Shop – Chillicothe

Crispie Creme Donut Shop turned a simple stop in Chillicothe into one of those trips I keep mentioning later.

The building at 47 N Bridge St, Chillicothe, OH 45601, stays modest while the aroma does all the talking.

This family-run shop traces its roots back to 1929, and the recipes show it in every carefully fried batch.

I tried a classic glazed ring that felt impossibly soft, followed by a cinnamon creation that disappeared in about two bites.

Locals slide through quickly on their way to work, leaving with big white boxes balanced on one hand.

The display is not fancy, just rows of fresh donuts that clearly sell themselves.

Even late in the day, the staff welcomed me with the same energy they gave the morning crowd.

Driving away along the Scioto, I finally understood why some people happily cross counties for these donuts.

9. Madsen Donuts – Geneva-on-the-Lake

You will find this shop at 5426 Lake Rd E, Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH 44041, just a short stroll from the water.

The line often stretches outside, filled with families, bikers, and sleepy travelers clutching coffee cups.

I ordered the signature plain glazed donut, and the thin, crackly icing with soft interior earned every bit of its reputation.

Cake donuts dusted in cinnamon sugar and blueberry varieties add options, but the simple classics keep most people loyal.

Because the shop operates seasonally, every visit feels special, tied to a very specific summer mood.

Kids leave with sticky fingers and wide eyes, adults leave with plans to return before the season ends.

As I walked back toward the lakefront, a second donut somehow vanished before I reached the next bench.

10. Biagio’s Donut Shop & Pizzeria – Eastlake

Biagio’s Donut Shop & Pizzeria in Eastlake surprised me by smelling equally of fresh dough and strong coffee.

Set at 35523 Vine St, Eastlake, OH 44095, it opens in the quiet hours when most people are still asleep.

The cases hold maple bars, apple-filled donuts, and classic rings that show a very clear old-school approach.

I grabbed a maple donut and listened to regulars talk about how many years they have stopped here before work.

Later in the day, pizza takes a turn at center stage, but the morning belongs entirely to the donuts.

Prices stay gentle enough that grabbing just one more treat rarely feels unreasonable.

There is no flashy decor, only simple counter service and a staff that clearly values familiar faces.

By the time I stepped back into the parking lot, my biggest problem was wishing I had ordered a second box.

11. Goldie’s Donuts & Bakery – Lyndhurst

The shop at 5211 Mayfield Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124, lives in a cluster of businesses yet somehow feels celebratory.

Inside, brioche donuts stuffed with pastry cream share space with colorful ring donuts and a few tempting savory options.

I tasted a salted caramel creation that walked the line between rich dessert and easy breakfast.

Staff reminded me that weekends often mean early sellouts, so I took that as permission to order extra.

Families pose for quick photos with their boxes, and solo regulars settle into window seats with coffee and a book.

Holiday flavors rotate in and out, giving frequent travelers through northeast Ohio a new reason to stop again.

With every bite, I felt grateful that someone decided the suburbs deserved showpiece donuts too.

12. Stownut Donut & Diner – Stow

Stownut Donut & Diner in Stow gave me a two-for-one experience, breakfast counter and donut case together.

Located at 3055 Graham Rd, Stow, OH 44224, it looks simple from the road until you step inside.

The donut selection covers glazed, filled, and specialty options, while the diner side turns out hearty breakfasts and lunches.

I started with a classic cake donut, then somehow ended up with a plate of eggs and hash browns as well.

Locals trade stories across tables, and the servers move with the easy rhythm of people who know their crowd very well.

Prices stay friendly enough that grabbing a to-go box of assorted donuts after a meal feels natural.

The combination of hot coffee, warm donuts, and real conversation creates a very comfortable kind of road trip pause.

When I finally headed back to the highway, the to-go box on the seat beside me felt completely justified.