Where to find the best doughnuts in Edinburgh

What could be more Scottish than a doughnut in a kilt?! This little gem on Grassmarket was conceived by husband and wife team Mark and Lena. Their doughnut-making journey began in 2017 following inspiration on a honeymoon in New Orleans. From the city’s street food markets to full-scale shops both in the Old Town and Stockbridge, they’ve been feeding tourists and locals with their original artisan bakes for years. Kilted Donut has possibly the largest and most diverse range of options for the connoisseur. Try the Boston Cream (vanilla custard filling with chocolate glaze); Cannoli (mascarpone glaze, with crushed pistachio nuts and chocolate bits); Cranachan (cream filled with raspberry glaze and a sprinkling of oats); or Dragon Fruit Mango (dragon fruit glaze with mango drizzle, fully vegan).

Those seeking a 100% plant-based establishment from which to procure doughnuts should check out the neighbourhood haunt of Considerit. Primarily a chocolatier and confectioner, the shop runs a cracking line in doughnuts, often incorporating the house chocolate. The bakes are also dairy-free and hand-crafted daily, well paired with a Steampunk Roast coffee. Flavours change regularly, but we’ve spotted varieties such as strawberry shortcake, chocolate hazelnut, lemon poppy seed and mango coconut. You’ll find Considerit on Sciennes, open from Wednesday to Sunday.

Come here for a slightly different take on the British interpretation of a doughnut. Gulab Jamon is India’s own version; these hot doughnuts are slightly smaller than the standard ones you might imagine in the UK, but you get several, smothered with cardamom and honey rose syrup, and delectably dusted with a shimmer of sugar. Chaakoo is a popular restaurant chain in Edinburgh and Glasgow, known for its vibrant atmosphere and authentic Indian and Pakistani cuisine. Inspired by the Irani cafes of Bombay, the eatery offers a unique dining experience, bringing together the essence of a bustling vintage cafe with a touch of modernity. Its menu of small-plate street food is complemented by retro decor and an eclectic mix of artefacts from a bygone era on the other side of the globe.

Got yourself addicted to Gulab Jamon at Chaakoo? Get yourself down to Tuk Tuk for its version of the Indian doughnut. These warm sugary dumplings are made with milk, served with pistachio and cardamom syrup and a big blob of ice cream to offset that doughy texture. Like Chaakoo, Tuk Tuk is famed for its small plates and has venues across Scotland. The moment you step inside the orange-fronted restaurants, you are greeted with a lively and vibrant ambience that reflects the spirit of Indian street culture. Colourful artwork and Bollywood posters adorn the walls and you can take a pew in one of the rickshaw-inspired seating booths. The energetic atmosphere, combined with upbeat Indian music, creates a vibrant and fun dining environment at Tuk Tuk. Pop into one near you, on Drummond Street or Leven Street.

This scratch bakery makes each of its jams, custards and ricotta daily, using local, seasonal and organic ingredients. So your doughnut filling is of the freshest, finest and most eco-friendly form. There are seven outlets of Twelve Triangles across the city, so you won’t have to stray far to sample this baking. You could even do a doughnut crawl to enjoy a few of the different flavours at the various outlets. We’ve gobbled up lemon zest doughnuts in Morningside and vanilla custard ones in the Easter Road shop, as well as chocolate hazelnut and pumpkin. As the name would suggest, there’s also a host of wholesome sarnies to be had here, along with other bakes and breads.