Holy Donut
Doughnuts · Park Ave, Portland
Restaurant in Portland, United States
The Read
Potato-Based Doughnut Counter
Chef
Leigh Kellis
Dress
Casual
Why go
Holy Donut is a nationally recognised, walk-in donut counter in Portland, ME; ranked by Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats in North America list in 2023, 2024, 2025. The potato-based dough is the defining difference from standard donut shops. No booking required, but popular varieties sell out before closing, so earlier visits give you the widest selection.
About Holy Donut
The Verdict
Holy Donut is easy to visit and worth the trip. There is no reservation system, no booking anxiety, no velvet rope; you walk in, you pick your donuts, you leave happy. The real question is timing: this is a walk-in operation with a finite daily supply, so arriving late in the day or assuming it will be open after dinner hours carries risk. For anyone planning an evening food crawl through Portland, Holy Donut should be an early stop, not a late one. If you are specifically hunting for a late-night donut window, plan around their posted hours rather than assuming availability.
About Holy Donut
Holy Donut has earned a consecutive spot on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats in North America list; ranked #261 in 2024 and #308 in 2025, with a Recommended nod in 2023. That is a credible, independently verified signal that this is not just a local favourite but a nationally recognised operation in its category.
The draw here is the potato-based donut formula, a detail that puts Holy Donut in a different register from most donut shops. Potato in the dough produces a denser, moister crumb than a standard yeasted or cake donut, the result has a following that extends well beyond the Portland food scene. Founder Leigh Kellis built the concept around that distinction, it remains the core of what makes the stop feel purposeful rather than incidental.
The location at 177 Commercial St places it in a high-traffic part of Portland, ME, useful if you are already moving through the waterfront area. Visually, the case of donuts is the focal point: glazed, filled, seasonal options arranged where you can see exactly what is left. That display is also your inventory signal, if the case is thinning, you are late in the day and selection will be limited.
For the food-focused traveller who wants to understand what Portland's independent food scene produces, Holy Donut is a practical and low-cost data point. It sits alongside spots like Berlu and Kann as evidence that Portland, ME punches above its size in independent, chef-driven food, just at a very different price point. If you are already building a Portland itinerary using our full Portland restaurants guide, Holy Donut belongs on the list as a low-friction, high-return stop.
Compared to the national donut conversation, Holy Donut holds its own against operations like Blue Star Donuts and Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai in Portland, OR, competes in the same artisan tier as Dynamo Donut & Coffee in San Francisco and The Doughnut Project in New York City. The OAD recognition places it in credible company at the Cheap Eats level, a category that has also recognised far more expensive operations in other cities.
Practical Details
| Detail | Holy Donut | Blue Star Donuts (Portland, OR) | Pip's Original (Portland, OR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisine | Artisan Doughnuts | Artisan Doughnuts | Mini Doughnuts & Chai |
| Price tier | $ (Cheap Eats) | $ (Cheap Eats) | $ (Cheap Eats) |
| Booking required | No, walk-in only | No, walk-in only | No, walk-in only |
| OAD recognition | #261 (2024), #308 (2025) | Not listed | Not listed |
| Data not available | Data not available | ||
| Leading for late-night | Check hours, supply limits apply | Check hours | Check hours |
Booking & Timing
No advance booking is needed or possible, Holy Donut is a walk-in counter operation. The practical constraint is supply: donuts are made in batches and popular varieties sell out before closing. If late-night is your only window, call ahead or check their current hours directly, as a half-empty case late in the evening is a real possibility. Morning and midday visits give you the widest selection. For the rest of your Portland planning, see our Portland bars guide, Portland hotels guide, and Portland experiences guide.
Pearl Picks Nearby
- Kann, Haitian, Portland
- Berlu, Vietnamese, Portland
- Ken's Artisan Pizza, Pizzeria, Portland
- Blue Star Donuts, Doughnuts, Portland
- Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai, Doughnuts, Portland
Explore more: Portland restaurants | Portland bars | Portland hotels | Portland wineries | Portland experiences
Planning details
- Location
- 177 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
- Website
- theholydonut.com
- Phone
- (207) 331-5655
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Holy Donut sits squarely in Portland’s waterfront food corridor, occupying a compact, counter-focused footprint that reads as approachable and quietly notable. The piece positions the shop within a larger reassessment of doughnuts as a serious food category, aligning it with makers who emphasize technique and premium ingredients. Repeated recognition on Opinionated About Dining’s Cheap Eats list across multiple years underscores a sustained execution rather than a fleeting moment of popularity. The result is a small, scenic counter that feels like a purposeful local player — uncomplicated in concept but serious about flavor and consistency.
Best For
Holy Donut is best enjoyed as a casual stop on a waterfront stroll, especially for morning or brunch visits when doughnuts naturally fit the bill. Its counter format suits solo visitors or small groups looking for a quick, high-quality bite amid Portland’s Commercial Street energy. Because the shop is framed alongside Portland’s celebrated casual food offerings, it also works as an easy family-friendly treat or a low-key addition to a day of sampling the city’s coastal specialties. The emphasis is on quick, excellent doughnuts rather than a formal sit-down experience.
Ordering Tips
Treat the counter as the natural point of service and focus your order on the shop’s signature flavors — chocolate sea salt, blueberry lemon, maple and vanilla cannoli are highlighted as standout options. The framing in the description emphasizes small-batch, ingredient-driven doughnuts, so expect focused choices rather than an overwhelming menu. Recognition on national Cheap Eats lists signals consistent execution, so sampling one or two of the signature varieties gives a reliable sense of what the shop does well. Keep the visit simple: order at the counter and enjoy your selections while exploring the nearby waterfront.
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Kann; Hatian, Haitian, Hatian, Haitian
- Nostrana; Italian, Italian
- Ken’s Artisan Pizza; Pizzeria, Pizzeria
- Coquine; New American, New American
- Multnomah Whiskey Library; Small Plates, Small Plates
Restaurant context
Holy Donut sits in a different category from most of Portland's notable dining options; it is a Cheap Eats counter stop, not a sit-down restaurant. That makes direct comparisons to venues like Kann or Coquine more about trip-building than head-to-head competition. If you are planning a Portland food day and want to know where Holy Donut fits: it is your low-cost, no-booking, high-return morning or midday stop; not your dinner reservation.
For dinner with genuine ambition, Kann is the most distinctive option in Portland right now; Haitian-inspired cooking with a serious culinary point of view. Nostrana and Ken's Artisan Pizza cover the wood-fired, Italian-leaning end of the spectrum at mid-range prices, both require advance booking on busy nights. Coquine is the neighbourhood bistro option for a more relaxed New American meal. For late-night drinks and small plates, Multnomah Whiskey Library fills a different need entirely; it is a whiskey-forward bar destination that runs later than most kitchen-focused spots.
The practical read: build your Portland day around Holy Donut in the morning (no booking, low cost, OAD-verified quality), then use your one dinner reservation on Kann or Ken's Artisan Pizza depending on whether you want something adventurous or reliably satisfying. Holy Donut does not compete with those venues; it completes a day alongside them.
Explore Portland
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Holy Donut guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Holy Donut
| Venue | Cuisine | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Donut | Doughnuts | Easy | No published awards |
| Kann | Hatian, Haitian | Unknown | 2026 Food & Wine Top 10 US Restaurants · #92026 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1012026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 World's 50 North America's Best Restaurants · #272025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #802025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1172025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 Resy Best of the Hit List2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #97 |
| Nostrana | Italian | Unknown | 2026 50 Top Pizza USA · #482026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 50 Top Pizza USA · #292025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #6012024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2352023 OAD Casual in North America Highly Recommended |
| Ken’s Artisan Pizza | Pizzeria | Unknown | 2026 50 Top Pizza USA · #102026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #1332025 50 Top Pizza USA · #82025 50 Top Pizza World Best Pizza · #432024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #3572023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended |
| Coquine | New American | Unknown | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #712026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #1372025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #592023 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #12023 OAD Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Ranked · #125Pearl Recommended Restaurants |
| Multnomah Whiskey Library | Small Plates | Unknown | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2522024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2742023 OAD Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Ranked · #1012023 OAD Casual in North America Highly RecommendedPearl Recommended Bars |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Holy Donut handle dietary restrictions?
Holy Donut's signature donuts use potato flour as a base, which sets them apart texturally from standard wheat-only rings. Specific allergy or dietary accommodation details aren't documented in available venue data, so contact the shop directly at 177 Commercial St before visiting if cross-contamination or ingredient detail matters to you. Given it's a high-volume counter operation, options may be limited on that front.
What should I wear to Holy Donut?
Come as you are. Holy Donut is a counter-service donut shop on Commercial Street; there's no dress code, no maître d', and no table to dress for. Whatever you'd wear to grab coffee and a pastry on a weekend morning is exactly right.
Is Holy Donut good for a special occasion?
It works well as a low-key celebratory treat; picking up a box for a birthday morning or a group gathering is a legitimate move, especially given its Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats recognition two years running. For a sit-down special occasion dinner, look elsewhere in Portland. Holy Donut is a grab-and-go counter, not a destination dining room.
Can Holy Donut accommodate groups?
Groups are fine operationally; you queue, you order, you go. There's no reservation system and no private space, so large groups should expect to split up or eat standing. If you're buying for a crowd, go early: batches sell out, showing up with ten people at midday is a risk.
What are alternatives to Holy Donut in Portland?
Holy Donut is specifically a donut counter, so direct swaps are limited in Portland, Maine. For a broader cheap-eats meal rather than a pastry stop, Opinionated About Dining's same list covers other Portland options worth checking. If you're after a sit-down breakfast or brunch experience, Holy Donut doesn't compete in that format at all.
How far ahead should I book Holy Donut?
No booking exists or is needed; Holy Donut is walk-in only. The real planning question is timing: donuts are made in batches and sell out, often before midday on weekends. Arriving early in the morning is the only strategy that reliably works.
What should a first-timer know about Holy Donut?
Show up early, full stop. Holy Donut at 177 Commercial St has been ranked on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats in North America list in 2023, 2024, 2025; that level of recognition draws a crowd. The operation is counter-service and cash-or-card; once the day's donuts are gone, they're gone. There's no online ordering buffer to save you.
