Nodo, various locations: Perhaps Brisbane’s biggest doughnut-centric success story is Nodo, which took its brand of gluten-free, baked-not-fried doughnuts from humble market stall to cafe powerhouse. While Nodo now boasts a host of brunch-peddling locales, the doughnuts remain its most-popular export. The range is packed with drool-worthy options like Iced Vovo, raspberry and white chocolate, blueberry lemon cheesecake and pumpkin maple – there’s no wrong choice here.

Doughluxe Doughnuts, various locations: Exploding onto the scene in 2020, Doughluxe quickly established itself as a go-to supplier for any cafe wanting to add some bespoke treats to its range. This crew specialises in small-batch, slow-rise and hand-rolled doughnuts, with locally-sourced ingredients distilled into tempting flavours such as lemon meringue, salted caramel and popcorn, Nutella, creme brulee and many more. You can find Doughluxe Doughnuts at the Brisbane City Markets on Wednesdays and at a growing collection of cafes across town.

Dovetail Social, Highgate Hill: Dessert die-hards will likely already be well acquainted with the colourful confections at Dovetail Social. If you’re not, here’s the scoop – Dovetail’s Rejoice Thomson is putting her pastry chef skills to the test with a range of treats shaped by the flavours of her Filipino heritage. Doughnut fans can sink their teeth into ube (purple yam) doughnuts, yamington doughnuts, apple-crumble doughnuts and cookies-and-cream doughnuts – all of which are gluten free!

Darvella Patisserie, Bulimba: Pawpaw Cafe’s COVID-era doughnut pivot proved to be one of the year’s biggest hits, so much so that the crew decided to give the idea its own permanent dispensary, Darvella Patisserie. In addition to Darvella’s hand-crafted cakes, croissants and danishes, visitors can also snag a box of salted caramel, vanilla or Nutella-filled doughnuts. Heaven!

Dough Ma, Upper Mount Gravatt: We love a bit of variety – give us a list of out-of-the-box flavours and you can consider us happy campers. Few doughnut spots can match the sheer quantity of flavours available at Dough Ma, which boasts dozens of doughnut filling choices including New York cheesecake, pandan, mango macadamia, taro, Biscoff, Golden Gaytime and OG jam-filled varieties.

Flour & Chocolate, various locations: A queue snaking its way out of the door of Flour & Chocolate’s Morningside or Northgate locations is a common sight, but every member of the line knows the wait is worth it – especially when the bakery’s range of European-inspired doughnuts await you at the end. Here you can score classic cinnamon rings and filled varieties, including chocolate custard, strawberry fresh cream and salted caramel.

G-Free Donuts, New Farm: No visit to the Queen Street Farmers Market or Jan Powers Farmers Markets at Brisbane Powerhouse is complete without a stop at G-Free’s gluten-free doughnut stall. These beauties are fried and coated to order, with folks able to order a single doughnut or 99 doughnuts if they’re really keen to spread to cinnamon-coated love.

Brewbakers, Albion: Those seeking a sweet treat with a guaranteed artisanal lean should look no further than Brewbakers, which uses the best possible ingredients for its entire range of bakery goods – that includes its handcrafted doughnuts. Here you can score sugar-crusted doughnuts filled with butterscotch cream, Nutella or jam – all are surefire winners!

Eat Street Northshore, Hamilton: Brisbane’s largest night market and street-food hub is chock-full of noteworthy vendors, but if it’s doughnuts you seek, you’d best make your day to Kombi Alley. Here you’ll find The Doughnut Bar, which specialises in baked goodies, fried pastries and soft-serve ice-cream. These cool cats are slinging heavenly Nutella creme-brulee doughnuts, gluten-free vegan doughnuts and warm doughnut fries. The Chocolate Komberry Co. is another Kombi Alley resident that serves up cronuts and conuts – doughnut and croissant hybrids that are perfect vessels for decadent soft-serve.

OMG Decadent Donuts, various locations: If you can’t help but exclaim with joy whenever you open a box of doughnuts, then you’re likely already a fan of OMG Decadent Donuts. This crew slings 12 flavours of vegan and gluten-, egg-, dairy- and nut-free doughnuts at various markets around Brisbane – each dusted in bespoke sugars.

Brooklyn Doughnut & Coffee Co., Chermside and Indooroopilly: Take your tastebuds on a trip to the streets of New York City with a bite of the soft and seductive treats at Brooklyn Doughnut & Coffee Co. This confection crew boasts a killer menu of divine doughnuts, with flavours ranging from classic caramel, Boston cream and original glaze to lemon meringue, strawberry cheesecake and red velvet.