Minnesota takes its donuts seriously, and some of the best ones are sitting in small-town bakery cases far from the big chains. This list is for the food-focused day-tripper who will happily drive an hour for a filled long john or a perfect cake donut.
Each stop earned its spot with something specific, like a century-old family recipe box, Scandinavian-style glazed rings, or a signature glaze with a citrus twist. You will find river towns, lake towns, a Duluth classic, and two Minneapolis shops that sit just a few blocks apart on the same avenue.
Hours vary a lot, and a few of these bakeries close early or only open part of the week, so the practical notes matter here. Pack a cooler bag, bring some cash-friendly patience for Saturday lines, and plan your route around the glaze.
1. Bloedow Bakery, Winona, MN
Since 1924, the same corner of East Broadway in Winona has been turning out donuts for river-town mornings. Bloedow Bakery is a family-owned landmark, and a century of practice shows up in the details.
The donut lineup leans classic. The maple frosted long john, the raised glazed, and the chocolate-topped Bavarian filled are the names to know, and the Bacon Maple Long John adds a sweet and salty option.
Bread fans get rewarded too. Barrel bread and garlic toasts share the spotlight, and the apple turnover shows up on Fridays only, which is a nice reason to time your trip.
There is no dine-in, so this is a grab-and-go stop with window pickup. Prices stay friendly, generally in the $1 to $10 range per person.
Plan around the schedule. The bakery is open Tuesday through Friday from 6 AM to 3 PM and Saturday from 7:30 AM to 2 PM, with Sundays and Mondays off.
Saturday mornings are the busiest, and free parking is available in a lot and on the street.
2. Lindström Bakery, Lindstrom, MN
Lindstrom proudly calls itself America’s Little Sweden, so a bakery known for Scandinavian-style donuts fits right in on Lake Boulevard.
The glazed Scandinavian donuts are the headliner here. Old-fashioned donuts come glazed, honey glazed, or sugar coated, and the chocolate iced raspberry Bismarck is a fun pick if you like a filling.
I would also save room for the apple crispies, a flaky treat that gives this stop its own personality. Peanut butter cookies round out the case for anyone buying for the car ride home.
Coffee is available, and there is seating if you want to linger. The service is friendly and the prices are reasonable, mostly under $10 a person.
Hours run Tuesday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 3 PM, Saturday from 7 AM to 3 PM, and Sunday from 8 AM to 2 PM. Saturday is the crowded day, so a weekday or Sunday visit tends to be calmer.
3. Hanisch Bakery and Coffee Shop, Red Wing, MN
Indecisive donut fans should be warned. Hanisch Bakery in downtown Red Wing is known for inventive donuts and a huge spread of frosted options.
The menu even has an item called Donuts Galore, which sums up the vibe nicely. Apple fritters, cake pops, homemade pies, breads, and pastries fill out the case.
Unlike some quick-stop bakeries, this one works as a sit-down breakfast spot. Breakfast sandwiches, toasted bagels, and coffee are on offer, along with free Wi-Fi.
Custom cakes are part of the business as well, so it is handy for celebrations. The shop has a historic, friendly character that draws both locals and visitors exploring Red Wing.
Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 6 AM to 4 PM and Saturday from 7 AM to 4 PM. Friday afternoons and Saturdays get busy, and free parking is available on the street and in a lot.
4. Moon Donuts & Cafe, Buffalo, MN
Early risers win in Buffalo. Moon Donuts & Cafe opens at 5 AM most days, making it one of the best pre-dawn road trip fuel stops on this list.
Donuts are made in-house every morning. Apple fritters, maple bacon, and blueberry donuts get plenty of attention, and the selection stays solid even later in the morning.
Here is the twist. Along with coffee and croissants, the shop serves bubble tea and milk tea, which is not something you expect next to a fritter.
Breakfast sandwiches make it easy to turn a sugar stop into an actual meal. Service is counter-style, quick, and cheerful, and most orders land in the $1 to $10 range.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 5 AM to 2 PM and Sunday from 6 AM to 2 PM, closed Mondays. Weekend mornings are the busiest, and there is a free parking lot right off Highway 55.
5. Johnson’s Bakery & Coffee Shop, Duluth, MN
Timing is everything with this Duluth favorite. Johnson’s Bakery keeps a short schedule, open only Thursday through Saturday from 7 AM to 1 PM.
That tight window makes it a smart anchor for a North Shore weekend. Grab a box on the way in, then head for the lake.
The donuts cover both camps. Fluffy yeast donuts with well-made frosting sit alongside tender cake donuts and apple fritters.
Beyond donuts, this storied bakery carries breads, muffins, scones, and pasties, which are a nice nod to northern Minnesota tradition. Pies are budget friendly, and the cake selection includes birthday and wedding cakes.
Coffee is available, and there is room to eat in. Parking is on the street on West 3rd Street, and most visits cost under $10 per person.
6. Mel-O-Glaze Bakery, Minneapolis, MN
A glaze good enough to name the shop after deserves a closer look. Mel-O-Glaze in south Minneapolis is known for its signature glaze, which is lighter on sweetness and carries a citrusy note.
The glazed raised donuts are the main event, and they are big. Classic flavors win here, with nothing too fussy on top.
The menu has a playful side. Look for crack balls, eclairs, and a cheeky item called You Can Only Have One Donut.
The colorful, quirky shop fits its neighborhood well. Coffee is available, and it is a takeout and pickup operation.
Hours are generous, running every day from 7:30 AM to 6 PM. That makes this an easy afternoon stop when other bakeries on the list have already closed, though weekend middays draw the biggest crowds and parking is on the street.
7. A Baker’s Wife’s Pastry Shop, Minneapolis, MN
Just a few blocks north of Mel-O-Glaze on 28th Avenue, this old-school shop makes a strong case for cake donut supremacy. Pairing the two makes for a very efficient donut crawl.
The cinnamon sugar cake donuts are the reason to come. They have a slightly crisp outside and a light, fluffy inside, and the state fair cake donut follows the same winning formula.
The pastry case goes well past donuts. Chocolate croissants, sour cherry danishes, caramel rolls, ham and cheese croissants, cookies, and American tea cakes all show up.
Prices stay low, typically under $10 a person. Coffee is available, but there is no restroom, so plan accordingly.
Hours are long for a bakery, running Monday through Saturday from 6 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from 6 AM to 6 PM. That evening window means you can finish a full road trip day with one last sugar-dusted stop, and street parking is free.
Share this story
