Yeah there's nothing special if you just want well-made classic donuts and this is just the place. It gets busy so they are doing something right, right? Buttermilk donut for me. The kind u dunk in your coffee/latté-- thank you! This place is CASH ONLY too! And it doesn't surprise me as it shouldn't surprise anyone. Thats the "classic throwback donut" experience (NY style or worse maybe). Get with it or get out. read more

This spot has really pretty donuts, but the flavor profile and sweetness can vary. I got the cronut with custard filling. The cronut was flaky how I like, but the custard lacked any real flavor. My partner got and loves the glazed, as well as having the blueberry previously- which he didn't like as much. If you are looking for an artisanal, all about looks type donut that presents well, say, for co-workers, or to present when having guests at home- these are fun. Try some of the flavors and see how you like it. Staff is friendly and helpful to guide your selection and purchase. There is outdoor seating, nothing inside at all; it's not actually in an alley, it's moreso in a corner location which is more like a donut to-go window, with exterior benches and tables. Give 'em a try, they are cute. read more

The best suburbs in Marin!!! Hands down! The selection is fantastic but they taste amazing! It's might go to for sure!! read more

Donut Alley - Only a sample of what's there! - Donuts Near Me - Larkspur, California

Oh my goodness! These doughnuts are a treat!! This is my second time visiting here. So fresh and soft! The service was great. She was so cute, asked us if she can take a photo of us. Of course! Cute little shop! Can't wait to go back next time we go hiking in Larkspur! read more

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Their sugar donuts are sooo good! I also tried their old fashioned donuts, the original and glazed are both delicious. I'm a fan of raised donuts because I love their soft and floofy texture! I am sad that I only ordered one sugar donut, but can't wait to come back for more! read more

Fresh, melt in your mouth donut's! Every time and tucked away off of Magnolia in Larkspur. Sit a spell and enjoy your treat with a great cup of coffe. read more

I didn't even know that there are still places in Southern Marin where you can get a freshly-made donut for about $1.50. I've come to Donut Alley a few times now for a post bike ride snack and every time I just loved the atmosphere here. If you time it correctly, you can even see the staff preparing the fried goods right here and there. My go-to is the old-fashioned donut and usually get two of them ;-) read more

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I've been coming here for 20 years. It's changed ownership at least two maybe three times in that span. Each time the quality has dropped and the prices have risen. The most recent ownership change was in the past 2 or 3 years. Again, prices have gone up and quality and service have gone down. I live a couple blocks away and I go to Golden Cream in San Rafael (on the same block as Sol Food) or the Jelly Donuts donut shop in Northgate, next to Ping's and Starbucks. Nobody seems to have custard donuts anymore. All three of these places have "custard" that comes in 5 gallon jugs, not the stuff I grew up on that you make yourself with real eggs and milk. Donut Alley does make a decent glazed donut. Many of their other offerings are quite greasy. read more

Best donut shop in larkspur! Been going here since high school at Redwood. Will always be my accented Marin donut spot!

Hana hou! One mo time! So Ono! Check um out! Not going be disappointed. Clean, nice place to chill. Cheee! read more

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Great donuts. Made fresh. The best thing is you can see them making them right there.

What's a town without a local donut shop? Now really, if your town doesn't have one of these, then you are truly deprived. Which means that Corte Madera is deprived. All it has is two large shopping centers, one on each side of 101, and if you've seen one, you've seen a mall. Fortunately, the cute town of Larkspur next door does have a donut shop. And it's a nice one. Located on the main street, a little ways back in the shopping center, Donut Alley is where you can get your health food at good prices. I'll have a glazed or jelly, but I'd rather have a cinnamon roll or apple fritter. They did have an apple fritter, so I got it and went to the nearby open space preserve to eat it. It's smaller than what I prefer. But it has chunks of apples, not apple flavoring cooked into the dough. Those chunks more than make up for the size. Scarfing down a chunk-filled fritter while leaning against a log in a redwood forest, well baby, there's not a lot better than that. Or you can sit at one of the small tables and enjoy. There's seating for around 16, give or take a few, and it does feel like an old donut shop in a quaint downtown. Quiet and homey. The only reason Donut Alley is four stars instead of five is because its selection is smaller than most. I'm not sure how they can expand it, though, with their small space. Donut Alley: good for breakfast before school or church, a lunch dessert, or any time you have the urge for some sugary dough that fits into your seefood diet. read more

First time here - very disappointed. Somewhat expensive considering nothing felt special. Came around 10:30, though, and they were already out of most of their signature things. So we got a buttermilk bar, a glazed old fashioned, and a cinnamon roll. The first two were too sugary and were very "lopsided" - way more oily fried crust than fluffy donut insides. And we only ate the middle of the cinnamon roll, which was fine, and tossed the rest. Reading some of the other reviews here, sounds like we maybe missed the good old days. read more

I had been making the drive from SF all the way here for probably 6 years, even as an escape during the pandemic just to retrieve donuts and head home. Best old fashioned donut I'd ever had even bypassing Bobs in SF! A year ago I moved away. On a return trip to SF for the weekend (today)I made it a point to head to Larkspur to get a dozen old fashioned; talking them up for several days preceding the trip; Such a disappointment. They're about 50% the size they were last time I was in but that wouldn't ruin it for me alone...... they're just not the same donut. No longer a notable donut at all. All the nuance that made them special is gone. read more

Best donuts ever. We've had others from nearby shops and we always come back to Donut Alley.

That was a seriously average glazed donut. Bombilini across the street is the better bet.

So disappointed! Saw at their website that they're selling malasadas. We missed Hawaii malasadas so much. So we ordered a dozen for $23.00, and drove their 30-45 mins away. They are friendly and had a great service but the malasadas we are expecting are not the same they had advertised at their website. For us, we got sugar cream filled donuts instead. Look at the pic, it's cute, shaped of hearts but they have to cut it to put in the cream. Very disappointed! read more

Donut Alley - What we got, disappointed! - Donuts Near Me - Larkspur, California

This is a nice little donut shop conveniently located for bike rides passing through the larkspur bike path. Donuts are under $2 each and they also have other shapes like chocolate feet, donut holes, and Malasada (Portuguese kind). My favorite flavors are lemon glazed and the Oreo crumble. The best time is early in the morning IMO. You will have the best chance of getting a fresh batch of donuts. Just be prepared to wait a few minutes. COVID-19 notes - Only one customer allowed inside at a time - No seating - take out only read more

Yes! This cash only local shoppe is known to run outta the strawberry sprinkle donuts early! So come join the line! If you're a cyclist this is one place you can't miss during your early morning ride. read more

Donut Alley - Donuts Near Me - Larkspur, California

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The donuts were pretty good but not good enough to warrant all of the other customer's flagrant disregard for social distancing. It also makes no sense to have tape showing how to queue up 6 feet apart if you are also letting your customers sit and eat on benches 2 feet from the marks. They allow 2 customers at a time but a tiny shop so not worth the health risk for us to return. Also cash only. From my son: "They glazed are ok, but they are terrible at making chocolate donut holes." read more

Donut Alley - It's fine enough. - Donuts Near Me - Larkspur, California

A quiet, unassuming corner of Larkspur provides a home to the unparalleled deep-fried, sugar-glazed deliciousness that goes by the name Donut Alley. On a relaxed Saturday afternoon my wife and I had a hankering for a donut. A quick Yelp search and 7 minutes later I stood before the counter staring at a variety of handmade, saliva-inducing confectioneries. As I watched in rapt attention, they added a batch of apple fritters to the display and one of them left with me in short order - accompanied by a traditional glazed donut. In a word ... Delectable. read more

Donuts are always fresh, thanks for bringing the delicious aroma of donuts to Magnolia!

Heads up --- this place is under a new ownership now - prices sky- rocketed and the atmosphere changed from warm and welcoming to cold and "nothing but $ - $ - $ " No more friendly faces and cheerful welcome - the neighborhood spirit seems gone. So sad. read more

I have picked up donuts from this location several times. I really enjoyed the fun flavors they had like the lemon poppy seed donut & the butterscotch bacon. Keep in mind it's hit or miss as to whether they will have the favored donut you like so be ready to have a plan B or C. They also no longer have the Croissant donut. I thing the donuts are good & I love how they get creative from time to time with modern fun favors & experimenting with a Cronut. Maybe the cliental is the reason they no longer have the same offerings. Some customers are unwilling to try different things. read more

Cash only, rude employees, oily donuts. These donuts taste like a mouthful of oil. They are so fried and nasty. You're better off with a grocery store donut. Overpriced. read more

Donut holes - 5 stars Buttermilk old fashioned - 4 stars Cinnamon twist - 4 stars Strawberry glazed - 3 stars Service /selection - 3 stars read more

Best donut shop ever! And they have donut cake! They always sell out so get there early.

Review is just for the lemon poppyseed yeast donut 5/5 Really tasty, fluffy dough with great texture Lemony glaze with poppy seeds -- key was that there wasn't too much of this. Some places just use too much glaze which can become overwhelming. Also, it was under $2. Amazing deal! Well balanced doughnut! read more

This place is a hole-in-one! Sorry, couldn't resist. Donut Alley's been a Marin staple for as long as I can remember. My friends and I used to come here when we were in high school for our sugar fix. A number of local stop in for chocolate and/or glazed donuts, or their signature bear claw. As for me, I'm a traditionalist. Their sugar glaze does the trick for me every time. Why mess with perfection? They have plenty of parking in front. If you live in Larkspur or just happen to be passing by, Donut Alley is def worth a visit. read more

As a kid, I grew up in a house on an alley. The alley microcosm-- a place I learned to ride a bike, where I first stepped on glass playing barefoot basketball, where I got in my first fistfight, where I drank my first beer... The list goes on-- is a unique place that is inexorably linked to the man I've become. Arguably, this has no bearing on the quality of donuts at this establishment, but it is the alley moniker that caught my eye, prompting me to pull in one dark, chilly Marin morning. The owner was mildly surly for such a well-lit fluorescent pastry paradise, but I didn't mind... Just ordered up my coffee, a chocolate old fashioned, an apple fritter, and some donut holes. It is these four items that, in my considerable experience with donuts, serve as an holistic litmus test for every item in the case or on the counter. The chocolate old fashioned was fresh and still a little warm in the middle-- bonus. Maybe a little heavy on the non-nutritive food varnish/wax in the chocolate glaze, but not distracting from the slightly crunchy outer/slightly chewy inner. A solid 4/5 on the Gigante Picante deal Monte Donut Metrics. The coffee-- as previously stated, there are eleven cups of coffee that changed my life. This wasn't one of them. Maybe I'm spoiled on extra-elbow Starbucks espresso add-shots, but this needed a little more viscosity in the dark roast department. Counter creamer and an extra two-count of semi-solidified sugar shaker made it go down and get my plaque flowing. 2.5/5. Apple fritter: Smallish, and a little doughy. Again, I'm spoiled by my little local Donut vixen who always picks my chubby self the biggest fritter from the case, gives me a little Vietnamese language lesson each time I stop by, and reminds me why the gods gave women the gift of a smile. Donut Alley's fritter was plenty sweet and awarding an extra love handle style point for the bigger hunks of cinammon-ey apple, but it only merited about a 3.5/5. How do you screw up donut holes? Donut Alley doesn't seem to know-- theirs are light and fluffy, with a nice sticky, flaky coating of glaze. Bonus hole in the bag. Go home, 5 AM donut generosity guy, you're still drunk! Overall, when I start seeing those baby redwoods on the far end of the Bridge, and remember that Tiburon means shark in Spanish, I don't think, "Oh snap! Subba' say I don' say I pray to J I gotta getta Dizzlohnut up in this truck!" ... 'Cause i don't talk like that. And there are sweeter reasons to head North. read more

I've been on a mission to explore the city of Larkspur recently, and just ran across this place today. It's a local family run donut shop in the downtown area. I'm very impressed that the wife/husband team that own this spot can keep up so well, and they consistently make delicious, fresh and fluffy donuts. The selection is no doubt limited, but they make that up by providing great taste. You can't go wrong with picking anything these guys make, but my personal favorite is their maple donut. It's incredible, and no joke one of the best maple donuts I've had in a long time (check out my picture). Prices are very reasonable, as I payed about $7 for two medium coffees and three donuts. Given the fact that they are in Larkspur downtown, I imagined they would be pricier. Keep in mind, it is a cash only place, so be prepared for that and stop by the bank first, unless you already have cash (but let's be real, who carries cash these days?). When it's all said and done, it's a great place to go in the morning for a quick bite and coffee, or on your way to work. Worth a visit, especially for that maple donut! read more

Donut Alley - The donuts and coffee! - Donuts Near Me - Larkspur, California

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The almost perfect doughnut shop. Super nice people and superb doughnuts. BTW, I am very puzzled by Jayme D.'s snarky little review. My experience has been only one customer in the store at a time and social distancing seems to work just fine. This is the best doughnut shop around. read more

Donut = tasty (old fashioned maple glazed) Price = a little high Service = a one man show. Friendly describes the owner best. Wi-fi = several unsecured wireless signals nearby to check in on Yelp and/or Foursquare. Overall - still on the fence on whether to go back as it is off the beaten path from my work. Decisions, decisions.... read more

Donut Alley - Old Fashioned Maple Glaze! - Donuts Near Me - Larkspur, California

Mmm...tasty tasty donuts! I really like that these donuts are sort of crispy and not totally mushy. At least mine was. I had a chocolate donut in a funky shape (no hole), and liked it very much. The price is fabulous too, about $1 per donut. However, if you're a germ freak like me, beware. I saw the cashier grab money, donuts, and the garbage can all with the same hands that I don't believe were washed in between. Also, if you're looking for a unique donut, they sell bacon donuts...that should be interesting. I wasn't feeling quite ambitious enough to try one this time! read more

Donut Alley - Donuts Near Me - Larkspur, California

Doughnut Alley has gone way downhill they don't have coffee ready quite often and get grouchy when you ask them. Sitting on their phones until you ask twice for help Disappointing read more

Randomly stopped here for breakfast one morning. The Bavarian cream stuffed donuts are the best I've ever had. They use a ton of cream/custard and the donut is cooked to perfection. Great set up during Covid and friendly service. It is cash only so beware of that. But absolutely stop in for some delicious donuts and baked goods. read more

I have been to a lot of donut shops because it's one of the few desserts my son can eat. He has a severe peanut allergy and cannot have traditional pastries. Donut ally makes donuts the traditional way and they are heavenly. Also for the less traditional birthday cake, Donut ally will make a donut cake and decorate it with icing. So cool. Their donut rings and foot longs are also amazing. The only thing is that you have to get their early in the morning because they run out of donuts by noon. read more

I do laundry next door to this place nearly every weekend and honestly aim to go for when they're closed. The donuts are so old school, classic, airy, sugary and delicious that I have to stop myself from even looking. Yum. Go here if you want a real donut, you won't be disappointed. read more

ATKINS CRAZE SURVIVOR! Thank goodness Donut Alley did not belly-up during the Atkin craze. Thanks to the local P.D. and sugar-carb addicts out there. Donut Alley is tucked away down a driveway off Magnolia Ave. If you didn't know it was there, you could easily miss the A-frame sign on the sidewalk. Once you find it, though, you will never drive by again without an internal wrestling of "should-I-shouldn't I?". Besides the absolutely excellent customer service, these guys make some awesome donuts. Just the right amount of crumb, chewiness, sweetness. A donut a day keeps the crankies away. read more

still the best donuts in Marin! Outrageously delicious, I crave them almost every day. The photos don't do them justice. As Mike says, "they are old school good!" read more

Donut Alley - mmm! - Donuts Near Me - Larkspur, California