I’ll be blunt. I didn’t find that Wilmington had the best food of the south – that is except for their donut scene. It’s phenomenal – local shops, regional franchises, and donut overlords all mingle together. Why not tour the donuts of the area and find your favorite?
The Locals
+Britts Donuts, 11 Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
If you go off your diet once in your life, do it here. I feel that this place hasn’t changed much since it opened in 1939, you don’t have to when you do something so simple and perfect. Their donuts are the only thing on the menu besides coffee and milk. They are best eaten immediately, hot and fresh out of the fryer. Warm and delicately textured with glaze they melt in your mouth.
You have never tasted something so purely satisfying, instantly classic, you will always imagine these when you crave a donut forever after. The walls are plastered with their achievements, each one so truly deserved.
The shop is seasonal and has rotating hours – generally open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting in March. Check their website or call to be sure. Located in the sweet and salty town of Carolina Beach, you can snag a free parking spot post-7PM when the meters run out. Cash only establishment!
+Wake N Bake, 114 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Hands down, your choice for funky inspired flavors in the area.
Where else are you going to find a classic like, Dat Ghost Fire with its ghost pepper infused chocolate glaze, candied jalapeno, and chocolate cherry whipped filling? Or Purple Rain with vanilla glaze, lavender sprinkles, and white chocolate chips. I don’t know if it was the good marketing with the name or the look of the donut itself, but I couldn’t resist a Carolina Sand.
The maple glaze and cinnamon sugar were a match made in heaven, I loved the feel of the granules and the flavor was spot on. Chocolate Couch Potato was another winner – because I can never resist the sweet and salty combo.
Actual donuts beneath the toppings are moist and flakey. Vegan options are available. You can also indulge in cinnamon rolls, fritters with rotating daily flavors, and even pop tarts. This location is nestled into the downtown area of Wilmington and there is an additional location in Carolina Beach.
+Loops Donuts, 32 N Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28411
If you’re looking for local donuts in the Wrightsville Beach area, this is it. Classic and creative ideas, but the donuts themselves could have been a bit fresher!
Catch them while they’re hot and I bet they’d be sensational. It feels like a hidden gem with the store being located inside the market and there is free parking in Robert’s Grocery lot.
The Franchises
+Duck Donuts
A lesser known, yet growing group of stores makes donuts fresh on the spot and allows you to design your own!
This is a fun and interactive way to eat donuts, and guaranteed that they are always fresh! The original location is 4½ hours away in the Duck, North Carolina in the Outer Banks, but there are multiple locations in Wilmington.
+Krispy Kreme
There are over 1,000 locations open nationwide, but the very first one was located in North Carolina 3 1/2 hours away from Wilmington in Winston-Salem. If you’ve never tried these donuts, they’re classic and a standard of what all donuts should be held to! While in Wilmington, if you see the ‘Hot Light’ on make sure to stop by.
That means the donuts are rolling out fresh and you can watch them being made!
Wilmington really surprised me, you’ll love it there!!
Interesting! I had no idea Wilmington was so known for their donuts. Great list. Will have to check it out if I’m ever in the area!