Vacations are a time to relax, enjoy peace and quiet, and try new things. You might even head out for a meal or two while you get to know your temporary home or sample some treats from a local bakery.
After all, there’s something comforting about starting your day with a coffee and a donut or grabbing baked goods to enjoy at your vacation rental. South County’s abundance of local eateries makes finding a freshly-made goody simple, as long as you’re willing to seek these locations out.
The region has numerous locally-owned donut shops that are worth your time. Here’s a look at some of the best donuts available in South County.
RI Guys Donuts
The eastern end of the University of Rhode Island’s main campus is home to RI Guys Donuts, a small shop that has quickly made a name for itself after opening in 2021. Perhaps the main reason is that all donuts are made with 100% natural ingredients and are free from dyes, soy, nuts, and gluten.
This shop has various classic donuts available, in addition to some seasonal specialty donuts that appear from time to time. You can also grab a house-made pop tart if you’re looking for nostalgic flavors from your childhood.
RI Guys Donuts is a little out of the way if your vacation rental is near the beach, but the trip is worth it because of the unique donut varieties they have available.
Master Homemade Donuts
Route 1 in North Kingstown is home to Master Homemade Donuts, another local gem that makes everything fresh on-site every day. This venue doesn’t have the same quantity of donut flavors as other bakeries on this list, but they still serve various glazed, jelly-filled, and long John options, in addition to fritters, cinnamon rolls, and muffins.
You can get smoothies, bubble tea, coffee, ice coffee, cappuccino, and English muffins or bagels with egg, cheese, bacon, sausage, or cream cheese, as well, if you aren’t in the mood for a donut. When you’re looking for a quick breakfast in North Kingstown, you could certainly do worse than Master Homemade Donuts.
Allie’s Donuts
Allie’s Donuts is a little hidden, as it sits just off Route 4 in North Kingstown. It’s a bit of a drive to get there if you’re staying in Narragansett or South Kingstown, but the selection of donuts makes it worth the time.
You won’t be alone if you head to Allie’s Donuts either, as there’s commonly a lineup to get inside to place your order. You’ll want to arrive early in the day to ensure you don’t miss out.
Allie’s has all your favorites, like powdered sugar, chocolate frosted, and Boston creme, available for purchase, and they also make cinnamon buns from scratch if you want to give them a try.
This establishment has been a South County staple since 1968. One taste of their creations, and you’ll quickly see why.
Knead Donuts
Knead Donuts is a small Rhode Island chain with three locations in Providence. They also have a restaurant in downtown Westerly that is easily accessible from Watch Hill, Weekapaug, and other oceanfront areas.
The first thing you’ll notice about Knead Donuts is its trendy vibe. This establishment feels more like a busy coffee shop than a bakery, so there’s a good chance you’ll want to stick around and hang out for a while.
You’ll also notice that they have three different donut types: old-fashioned, cake-style, and brioche, which involves allowing the dough to ferment for 24 hours before baking, creating a more complex flavor.
There’s a good chance you’ve never tried anything like the brioche donuts available at Knead, so you’ll definitely want to stop by if you’re in the area.
Bess Eaton
Bess Eaton is a locally-owned coffee shop with locations in Westerly, Wakefield, and Pawcatuck, Connecticut. All sites serve donuts from 5:00 AM until 9:00 PM every day of the week, so if you’re out and about in South County, Bess Eaton will be open.
The menu at Bess Eaton is straightforward, as they serve coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and donuts. You’ll also find muffins, bagels, and pastries on the menu, but the venue doesn’t stray too far from those basics.
You always know what you’re getting when you set foot in a Bess Eaton location, which is why this small chain has been so successful in South County.
Finding Donuts on Your Vacations
South County is on the East Coast, so there are countless Dunkin’ and Honey Dew Donuts locations in the area, and you’ll likely stop by one of those chains for a coffee during your travels. However, there’s some value in sampling some local offerings and seeing how they stack up.
These small donut shops and bakeries could be a little out of the way, but the trip will be worth it once you give them a try.