Craving donuts in DC that happen to be 100% vegan? Donut Run is a takeout-only shop that’s been voted the best donuts in DC three years running, and I finally got to try them fresh in person. Think blueberry glazed, Boston cream, and death by chocolate, all shockingly good.
I’d actually had Donut Run’s donuts before, but never fresh, and man, they’re next level when you catch them at their best. These live up to every bit of the hype, and the wildest part is that they’re 100% vegan. If no one had told me, I’d have absolutely no idea, and I mean that.
What Donut Run Is Known For
Donut Run’s whole thing is being 100% vegan without tasting like a compromise, which honestly still shocks me. They’ve been voted the best donuts in DC for the last three years, and after finally tasting them fresh, I’m not going to argue. They offer both yeast and cake donuts, and their flavors rotate often, so there’s always a reason to swing back through.
If you want something a little different on the DC sweets front, Ted’s Bulletin in NoMa makes their signature Ted’s Tarts in-house and serves breakfast all day, so it’s an easy stop if you’re already exploring the area.
If you’re deciding between the two styles, the yeast donuts are the lighter, airier, pillowy ones, while the cake donuts are denser and more, well, cake-like, which is what you want when you’re chasing something rich like their death by chocolate. I love that you don’t have to pick a lane here, you can grab a mix of both in one box. And because the lineup changes so often, it’s worth peeking at what they’ve got the day you go, since the flavor I gush about might’ve rotated out by the time you’re in line.
The shop sits right on the DC and Maryland line up in the Takoma area. It even earned a spot on my roundup of the best donuts in Maryland, since it’s close enough to count for my Maryland Nomsters too. Wherever you “file” it, it’s a must if you’re anywhere near the neighborhood.
What to Order at Donut Run
Here’s everything I got this time:
- Blueberry Glazed ($3.25): one of my top three of the whole box, and the most affordable one at that. Bright, fruity, and the glaze’s just right.
- Boston Cream ($3.75): another standout. If you’re a filled-donut person like me, you already know this is the move.
- Death by Chocolate ($3.75): rounds out my top three. Rich, deeply chocolatey, exactly what the name promises.
- DC Crumb Cake ($3.75): their crumb-cake style donut, and a fun local nod. I really enjoyed it, it just had tough competition.
- Cookies + Whipped Cream ($3.75): a creamy, cookies-and-cream leaning pick that I’d happily get again.
- Samoa ($3.75): their take on the classic Samoa cookie flavor. Solid and satisfying.
I’ll be honest, I loved every single flavor we got, which almost never happens for me, so there’s no real miss to warn you about here. The blueberry glazed, Boston cream, and death by chocolate were the ones I kept thinking about after, but you really can’t go wrong. The only downside is you’ll want to go back for the ones you didn’t grab, lol.
If it’s your first visit and you want a game plan, I’d build a box around those three and then let yourself go rogue on whatever specialty flavors they’re running that day. Six felt like the right number to split and really taste, and at $3.25 to $3.75 a donut, sampling a spread doesn’t hurt your wallet the way a fancy dessert would.
Are Donut Run’s Donuts Really Vegan?
Yes, every donut at Donut Run is 100% vegan, and it genuinely shocked me. There’s no eggy or dairy note missing, no weird aftertaste, nothing that would tip you off. That’s rare, because most donut shops around here aren’t vegan at all. If you want a non-vegan comparison, Donisima’s Latin American brioche donuts are another contender for the best donuts in DC, but Donut Run holds its own without any of the butter or eggs.
Is There Always a Line at Donut Run?
There’s almost always a line on weekends, so plan accordingly. My advice is to go early or hit it on a weekday if you can swing it, especially since their flavors rotate and the ones you want can move fast. It’s a small price to pay for donuts this good, but nobody loves waiting with an empty stomach.
Can You Dine In at Donut Run?
No, dine-in isn’t an option here, so plan to enjoy your baked goodies at home or wherever you’re headed next. It’s a grab-and-go spot, which honestly makes the go-early strategy even easier. Just budget a few minutes to get your box and get out. I actually think the donuts hold up beautifully at home, and there’s something to be said for spreading your box out on the counter and tasting them side by side without a crowd around you.
One tip from experience: don’t let them sit too long. Fresh is the whole point with Donut Run, and catching them the same day is the difference between good and next level, which is exactly why finally having them fresh changed my whole opinion.
Good to Know
Here are the quick practical details so you can plan your run:
- 📍 6904 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012 (Takoma area, right on the DC and Maryland line)
- Hours: 7am to 2pm daily
- Pricing: donuts run about $3.25 to $3.75 each
- Takeout only, no dine-in
- 100% vegan, both yeast and cake donuts, flavors rotate often
- Phone: (202) 506-3264
- Website: donutrundc.com
I highly, highly recommend Donut Run, and I don’t say that lightly about a spot that had this much hype to live up to. The fact that they’re 100% vegan and still some of the best donuts in DC is the kind of thing you have to taste to believe. Just remember to go early or on a weekday to skip the line, and plan to enjoy your donuts at home since there’s no dine-in. Have you guys been to this spot yet? If yes, let me know what your go-to flavor is by commenting below, Nomsters.