Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee

Sidecar Doughnuts represents the gold standard of LA’s artisanal donut scene. This Costa Mesa-born mini-chain has grown to seven locations across Los Angeles, but their Santa Monica outpost remains a beloved neighborhood staple. Walking in, you’re greeted by glass cases filled with beautiful, carefully crafted donuts that look almost too good to eat. The vibe is clean, modern, and buzzing with regulars who know exactly what they want.

The food here is what elevated donuts to an art form back when they opened in 2013. Before everyone was putting fancy ingredients on deep-fried dough, Sidecar was pioneering toppings like salted malt cookie dough and huckleberry jam. Their signature Butter & Salt donut is nothing short of transcendent when eaten warm—a simple cake donut that proves sometimes restraint is the ultimate sophistication. Pro tip: go with the cake donuts over the yeast ones for the best experience.

This is the kind of place that makes a regular Tuesday morning feel special. Whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee and pastry before work or treating yourself to a leisurely weekend breakfast, Sidecar delivers. It’s perfect for anyone who appreciates quality ingredients and careful craftsmanship, without any of the pretension that can come with “gourmet” anything.

If you’re hunting for the best donut in LA, your search ends here. Sidecar set the standard for the upscale donut trend, and they’re still the ones to beat. Come early, grab something warm from the case, and prepare for what might just be a life-changing breakfast experience.