Dubai's best doughnuts

Time Out takes a bite at finding Dubai’s best fritter 2 Comments

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Baker & Spice

5/5
Holy smoke! These fried beauties are so sublime they’re almost other-worldly. Handmade with love (and organic ingredients), these babies are light, airy and filled with a selection of interesting jams. The only drawback is that Baker & Spice doesn’t always stock them, so you have to call ahead.

Critic’s pick: Doughnuts filled with cream and plum jam – like a heaven-sent scone.
Souk Al Bahar (04 425 2240). Dhs12 each

Dante

3/5
These crullers are for those that like their sweets with a healthy sheen. Baked rather than fried and not as sweet as the traditional pastry, Dante’s doughnuts aren’t likely to excite the sugar-addicted among us. They’re also not as light as we like our doughnuts – they can be a tad bready. Still, at least we don’t feel too guilty consuming them.

Critic’s pick: Chocolate doughnut.
Green Community (04 885 3399). Dhs12 each

Dunkin’ Donuts

3/5
If we’re honest, we’ve never been massive fans of Dunkin’ Donuts, and things haven’t changed while researching this round-up. The brand does have two things going for it: variety and consistency. While the doughnuts aren’t bad, they do tend to be pretty constant.

Critic’s pick: Double chocolate doughnut – a rich cocoa hit.
Various locations. Dhs4 each. Dhs35 for 18 doughnuts, Dhs45 for 24 doughnuts

Donut Empire

4/5
Doughnuts can be pretty standard; few shops venture far beyond sugar-coated and jam-filled varieties. Not the case with this Singaporean brand, which offers five (five!) coffee-themed doughnuts, in addition to a green tea and a mango version. Plus, these doughnuts seriously rock. Our only quibble is that sometimes they’re a little too sweet. Otherwise, thumbs up.

Critic’s pick: Latte hill – a tasty coffee cream-filled doughnut.
Trade Centre Road, opposite BurJuman (050 990 4848). Dhs5 each

House of Donuts

2/5
This hole-in-the-wall shop is a bit out of the way. Tucked away inside the Al Ghurair Mall, the diminutive store carries a small yet reasonable offer of all the classics, although the counter staff take their time putting a batch together – which is odd, given that the place was relatively empty on our visit. The doughnuts themselves are too bready for our liking and without nuance.

Critic’s pick: Go for the classic jam doughnut.
Al Ghurair Mall (04 345 2373). Dhs4 each

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

4/5
Krispy Kreme’s doughnuts are undeniably some of the world’s best. We’re not sure what we love most about them: their fluffy, cloudlike texture or their sweet, gooey glaze. If you ever get a chance to get them fresh from the oven, do.

Critic’s pick: Try the signature glazed, cream-filled doughnut.
Various locations. Dhs5 each

Papa Roti

5/5
These aren’t technically doughnuts, but boy are they good. These baked buns (see? They’re already healthier) have a caramelised exterior and coffee flavour, plus a groove full of melted butter. We don’t know how they get the butter in, but we don’t care – we’re busy eating.

Critic’s pick: Bun (it’s the only food item on the menu).
The Dubai Mall (no number). Dhs11 each