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    Colonial Donuts

    4.1 (675 reviews)
    InexpensiveDonuts, Coffee & Tea, Bagels
    Open Open 24 hours
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Colonial Donuts Photos

    COLONIAL DONUTS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for working
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Colonial Donuts

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    This ube donut from Colonial Donuts is soft, creamy, and dangerously good. If you're near Lakeshore, treat yourself.
    Dorothy D.

    If you know, you know... and this ube donut from Colonial Donuts absolutely delivered. First of all, just look at it. The color alone stops you in your tracks. That vibrant purple ube filling peeking through the fluffy donut makes it almost too pretty to eat. Almost. But the real surprise is the flavor and texture. The donut itself is soft and airy, with just the right amount of sweetness. Inside, the ube filling is rich, creamy, and packed with that signature nutty vanilla-like flavor that makes ube so addictive. Then you get that light glaze and crumb on top that adds a little sweetness and texture to every bite. It's one of those treats where you take a bite and immediately pause because you weren't expecting it to be that good. If you're anywhere near Lakeshore and want something a little special for yourself, do yourself a favor and grab one of these ube donuts. Pro tip: If you see them in the case, grab one before they're gone.

    Donut Flavors
    Lloyd C.

    My wife used to go to Colonial Donuts as a kid. This was my first time trying them. They are an East Bay institution serving old-fashion no frills type of donut place that started back in 1969. They are open 24×7 and constantly churning out their delicious donuts. No sitting available anymore since the pandemic, I assume as there are only tables there. I only had room for one donut and I got the blueberry cake donut. It had a crispy crunch on the outside yet moist cake-y inside.

    Late night eats.
    Tiffany S.

    If you've never been to colonial donuts, are you even from the bay? I love it here. This is the perfect late night snack. I always go between 10pm and 12am when the donuts are fresh out and piping hot. The customer service here is really good and there's always a line when I go. It's a cute little glass box, with well lit lighting, and I love that they're back to letting people inside to order their donuts. -- especially since it's been freezing in the bay If you're looking for delicious donuts that won't cost your normal and a leg, check out colonial.

    Daw M.

    Open 24/7 Yummy donuts Fast and friendly service Will be back to try those mochi donuts :)

    2 Sprinkled Donuts, 1 Cake Vanilla, the other a Chocolate Glazed
    Ryan B.

    If you ever around Lakeshore after midnight and are craving something to satisfy your sweet tooth, this Colonial Donuts is here to the rescue. I have come here several times over the years and have never had a bad experience. The donuts are always fresh, the service is always decent, and at least when I've pulled through there has never been too long of a wait. One thing that stands out, years back you used to be able to go through the backside of the restaurant, which I'm not sure if you're still able to do. The place also had more seating available for anyone who wanted to sit down and take a bite of their pastry or enjoy their coffee. That isn't a knock, nor is it a demand that they make the place more welcoming for dine in customers, but it couldn't hurt so people could stay/potentially order more items. I think if they did that could definitely give a boost to the atmosphere. Overall, this location gets a solid 4/5.

    Ham and Cheese Croissant
    Donyae L.

    24/7 donuts in Oakland is already a bonus Stopped by extremely early 1 person ahead of me. Cashless payments and parking is easy. Donut wasn't too special I kept it simple because if you make a bad glaze it speaks volumes. Ham and cheese croissant was pleasant and he heats it up for you :)

    2/8/2025 cherry filled $1.75 yummy
    Yvette F.

    Walked in she was so friendly. Greeted right away! She explained which donut was in each bag! I felt so much comfort in there. I really appreciated being recognized right a way. Greeted right away. And being thanked right away. Excellent customer service. When my daughter went to Oakland High school. I purchased donuts quite a bit. She's been out of school 7 years wow! Time flies! I will try to visit more often. Donuts are so fresh and delicious. Customer Service A1!

    Apple Fritters
    Cynthia P.

    Love this place for some quick donuts! Came by during mid noon to pick up some apple fritters. I was craving them, and these did not disappoint. It was a lot more dough, but still yummy! Service was quick and you can make cashless payments! Would come by again.

    Mylinh V.

    Nice little mom and pop shop on Lakeshore. They are 24hr so you can get your donut fix anytime. Super quick and they keep a steady flow of donuts. I did want to try an Apple fritter but they were out of them. The donuts are ok here. There are many options from regular donuts mochi donuts. Since they are 24hr, the freshness is questionable. Most of the donuts we got were stale and not the best.

    Dozen hand picked donuts and a scratcher!
    Teena B.

    Went at 1030 at night on a Wednesday and there was a large selection of donuts including flavors like Ube, red velvet, and maple glazed buttermilk bars. The staff was friendly, fast, and offered plenty of advice for us first timers. All the donuts, raised, cake, and the crullers were fresh and moist. We ordered 2 dozen and a couple gluten free options which were also good according to the GF yuppie of the group and we also snagged a few lotto scratchers at the machine to entertain us while we ate a couple of our selections. My favorite was the blueberry cake donut and second was the maple cruller. I also didn't win a million dollars but that won't keep me from coming back for more sweet treats! Don't expect an instagram photo op wall and you may see some eccentric folks congregating out front, but don't worry that's only because their food is ACTUALLY GOOD without a gimmick and there's apparently always a line.

    Maple bacon donut

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    2 years ago

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    Excellent donuts. They stay open late and it is a casual ambiance. Go get u some. There is usually a line so be ready.

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    Ask the Community - Colonial Donuts

    Do you have gluten free options?

    They have some gluten friendly donuts now! They are labeled gluten friendly, made in a facility that processes wheat. As of June 2023.

    Is this place still open 24/7 during COVID?

    Hi there - yes we are open 24/7 during COVID for take out only at our Lakeshore Ave location.

    View All 4 Questions

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    Mohka House

    Mohka House

    4.8
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    1.6 mi
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    If I was purely reviewing the kind and wonderful staff and possibly coffee and tea, then 5 stars…read more But I ate a selection of pastries and chai, so I have to grade on that. I loved the ambiance, it felt we was in another country. The place was packed I have no idea where everyone parked haha. Very hard to find parking. The Adeni Chai I had was wonderful and I would get again. The lemon pastries I had were good & I would possibly get again. Both cheese pastries & meat pocket I didnt care for so much. I undetstand they are an acquired taste but me being Middle Eastern we have our own versions and I think that's why I didn't like as much. I would definitely go back and try more sweet pastries. They had a large selection I couldn't try them all haha. I would love to try more tea and coffee options as well. Go and try out several different pastries and discover what you like. It's cheaper than buying an airplane ticket to try another countries culture and delights. They also have outside seating which is especially nice on a beautiful day. Pro tip: take an Uber if you can. Parking is hard to get.

    Stopped by Mohka House in Oakland and honestly really liked it. The spot is owned and run by two…read morebrothers, which gives it a chill, personal vibe. We went mainly for drinks and tried a latte, tiramisu latte, and a Spanish latte. The tiramisu latte and Spanish latte were both really good and definitely my favorites. Smooth, flavorful, and not overly sweet. You can tell the coffee quality is solid. We also tried the matcha drinks in vanilla and strawberry. I liked the strawberry matcha more. It comes unsweetened, so I asked for it to be sweetened and it was great after that. The vanilla matcha was fine too, just not my top pick. They're also dropping a new Ramadan drink soon, a date latte, which sounds really good and I'll probably come back just to try that. Overall, great drinks and a nice place to hang out.

    Photos
    Iced oat mocha and the honeycomb bread
    Iced oat mocha and the honeycomb bread
    Menu as of April 2026
    Menu as of April 2026
    Our house coffee can be served in pot service for group sharing.

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    Our house coffee can be served in pot service for group sharing.
    Sanaa Cafe

    Sanaa Cafe

    4.5
    (183 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Discovered a new Mediterranean Cafe that carries variety of drinks, sweets and savories…read more Located at the corner of 48th St and Telegraph Ave in Downtown Oakland; Sana'a Cafe has a cozy vibe where one can hang out and chill. The interior makes one feel that you are in a high end cafe with its beautiful decor. Some many items to choose from, the person taking my order was very helpful in explaining the different kinds of drinks and pastries. Ordered the Ginger Honey Jobani as a hot drink, Biscoff Milkcake, Honeycomb, and a Beef Fatayer. There were several kinds of milkcakes which would have the texture like a tres leches cake. The Honeycomb had pockets of cream cheese and was drizzles with honey. The Meat Fatayer is like an empanada. The food and drink were very tasty. Highly recommend to stop by Sanaa Cafe and experience it. Their website shows more cafe openings in the future!

    I would first off like to start off by saying that the staff were exceptional. they were so helpful…read morein helping me with deciding on what drink I wanted. Suggested great recommendations. they had told me this is not the first sana'a cafe -- there are 10 other locations around the bay. this cafe, in particular, is great for work or even to sit down and sip some coffee. it is spacious -- with great amount of sunlight. when you go at golden hour -- its perfection. although the cafe is great, my chai wasn't so much. it lacked in flavor and wasn't iced the way I would prefer it to be. but I'd still definitely give this place a try again -- maybe a coffee this time around, haha.

    Photos
    Inside decor
    Inside decor
    Golden latte and acai bowls
    Golden latte and acai bowls
    Samoa Latte

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    Samoa Latte

    Colonial Donuts - donuts - Updated June 2026

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