Beacon Doughnuts Introduce
For Illinois residents in search of the perfect morning treat or an indulgent dessert, **Beacon Doughnuts** has rapidly established itself as a must-visit destination. This exceptional **Donut shop**, located in the vibrant Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, is celebrated for mastering the art of the doughnut—with a unique, high-quality twist. While it is officially categorized as a donut shop, it is, in reality, a beloved local **small business** and a hidden gem, delivering gourmet-level treats that defy expectation.
What sets Beacon Doughnuts apart is its commitment to being a **fully vegan** bakery. For many Illinois patrons, the term 'vegan' often implies a compromise in flavor or texture. Beacon Doughnuts shatters this preconception, crafting soft, fluffy, and richly flavorful treats that are a true indulgence for everyone—regardless of dietary preference. Their brioche and cake doughnuts are often described by loyal customers as "billowy in texture," "moist," and "never greasy," proving that cruelty-free baking can be utterly decadent.
The shop’s menu is a testament to creativity, featuring unique flavors alongside elevated classics. From the popular **Blueberry Pancake** doughnut filled with house-made jam and topped with maple icing, to the satisfying crunch of the **Double Chocolate + Sea Salt**, every item is made in small batches and with thoughtful care. Paired with their noted offering of **Great coffee**, a visit here provides the quintessential Chicago sweet spot experience, whether you are planning a **Quick visit** for **Breakfast** or picking up a box of **Dessert** treats.
Introduction / Overview: The Alleyway Secret
Beacon Doughnuts is a dedicated **Donut shop** located at a unique and charming address: **In The Alley, 810 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA**. This specific location—tucked just off the main street—adds to its allure as a discovery. Established as a small business, the focus here is purely on quality, creativity, and customer satisfaction. It operates with a **casual** and friendly **Atmosphere**, making every interaction personal and welcoming.
Their specialty is, without question, the diverse range of freshly made, **all-vegan** doughnuts. They rotate seasonal and unique flavors, ensuring there is always something new for repeat customers. Core flavors include the **Raised Glazed** brioche, the decadent **Chocolate Glazed Brioche**, the comforting **Apple Fritter**, and the signature **Birthday Cake** doughnut. The dedication to this specific niche has made them a standout bakery in Chicago’s competitive culinary scene, celebrated by local food critics and customers alike for not just being a great vegan option, but for simply being one of the best doughnut shops, period.
Location and Accessibility
The donut shop's address is **In The Alley, 810 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA**. This unique, slightly concealed location in the bustling Lincoln Park neighborhood is part of its signature charm. While it requires a small detour into the alleyway off Armitage, the discovery is well worth the effort for those seeking a true Chicago local experience. The location is easily accessible for residents and visitors throughout Illinois, particularly those navigating the North Side.
For convenience, customers benefit from flexible parking options, including both **Free street parking** and **Paid street parking** nearby—a valuable amenity in a busy urban area like the 60614 zip code. The nature of the shop is designed for efficiency, offering **In-store pickup**, **In-store shopping**, and **Takeout**, making it a perfect spot for those on the go or those looking for a quick morning indulgence. Modern payment is also streamlined, accepting **Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments**.
Services Offered
The service model at Beacon Doughnuts is focused on providing exceptional baked goods and coffee with maximum speed and quality:
- In-Store Shopping: Customers can step into the shop's charming space (or walk-up window) to view the daily selection and make their purchases.
- In-Store Pickup: Facilitating the modern need for speed, pre-orders can be placed online and scheduled for guaranteed, quick pickup at the shop, strongly suggested for popular flavors.
- Takeout: All items are available for convenient takeaway, perfect for grabbing a box of treats for the office, a picnic, or a family gathering.
- Daily Gourmet Coffee Service: Offers high-quality, locally roasted coffee, including hot drip coffee (often a Brazil Roast by 4 Letter Word, roasted by Dollop Coffee) and Cold Brew (from Happy Monday Coffee Roasters), which is a noted **Highlight** and a perfect complement to the doughnuts.
- All-Vegan Menu: Ensures that every single doughnut is accessible to plant-based eaters, making it a reliable and inclusive option for the entire Illinois community.
Features / Highlights
Beacon Doughnuts’ standout features are central to its popularity among local Illinois patrons:
- Exclusive All-Vegan Menu: The entire selection, from the **Raised Glazed** to the **Boston Cream** and **Choco Caramel Shortbread**, is completely plant-based, yet maintains a universally satisfying, non-vegan taste and texture.
- Exceptional Coffee Pairings: Recognized for offering **Great coffee**, sourcing locally roasted beans to ensure a flavorful and complementary beverage experience.
- Unique Flavor Creativity: A deep menu featuring imaginative specialties like **Blueberry Pancake**, **Lavender Vanilla**, and seasonal selections, moving far beyond typical doughnut fare.
- The ‘Hidden Gem’ Location: The shop’s unique placement **In The Alley** off Armitage provides a charming, secret-spot atmosphere that appeals to those looking for a truly local, independent Chicago experience.
- Focus on Solo Dining: Highly **Popular for** a quick stop for **Solo dining**, welcoming individuals who want to enjoy a moment of quiet indulgence with a coffee and a specialty doughnut.
Contact Information
Customers can easily find and contact the shop using the following information:
Address: In The Alley, 810 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Phone: (773) 698-2839
What is Worth Choosing Beacon Doughnuts
For Illinois residents, choosing **Beacon Doughnuts** is choosing to support a thriving local **small business** that refuses to compromise on quality or flavor, regardless of its dietary restrictions. It is worth choosing for the simple fact that it offers a rare combination: a gourmet-quality, creative doughnut that happens to be entirely vegan, making it accessible to every person and every preference. Customers consistently rave about the texture, describing the cake doughnuts as "little cakes" that are incredibly moist, and the filled doughnuts, like the **Blackberry Bismark**, as perfectly balanced and flavorful.
Furthermore, the experience of visiting is a highlight itself. Finding the charming shop tucked away in the alley creates a sense of discovery, reinforcing its identity as a truly local treasure. Whether you are seeking a decadent **Dessert**, a quick **Breakfast** on the run, or a box of treats guaranteed to impress a mixed group of diners, Beacon Doughnuts is the Chicago-based bakery that consistently delivers bites of heaven. The consistent quality, the friendly service, and the perfectly matched, locally-sourced coffee make this donut shop an absolute winner, worth the visit—and the line—every time.
Beacon Doughnuts Menu
Doughnuts
- Raised Glazed $2.95
Glazed yeast-raised ring, cut from our 24-hr brioche dough
- Chocolate Glazed Brioche $3.25
Chocolate-glazed 24-hr vegan brioche ring
- Choco Caramel Shortbread $3.95
24 hr vegan brioche, chocolate glaze, shortbread cookie crumble, salted caramel
- Blackberry Bismark $3.35
Vegan brioche filled with blackberry jam
- Apple Fritter $3.25
House-diced granny smith apples, kneaded into cinnamon-infused vegan brioche
- Cinnamon Bun $3.25
Double-glazed vegan brioche donut with layers of sweet, fragrant cinnamon
- Birthday Cake $3.35
Vanilla cake with bday frosting and rainbow sprinkles. Vegan!
- Blueberry Pancake $3.75
Maple cake filled with blueberry jam, topped with powdered sugar. Vegan!
- Boston Cream $3.35
Vanilla cake filled with pastry cream, topped with dark chocolate ganache and dusted generously with Dutch-processed cocoa. Vegan!
- Lavender Vanilla $3.25
Blue lavender-infused cake with vanilla bean icing and candied lavender. Vegan!
- Double Chocolate + Sea Salt $3.25
Dark chocolate cake topped with chocolate ganache, finished with flaky Maldon sea salt. Vegan!
Beacon Doughnuts Details
From the business
- Small business
Service options
- In-store pickup
- In-store shopping
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Great coffee
Popular for
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Beacon Doughnuts Photos










Beacon Doughnuts Location
Beacon Doughnuts
In The Alley, 810 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Beacon Doughnuts Reviews
veganvanillacronutblueberry pancakeboston creambriochepancake donutscinnamon coffee cakebirthday cake donutalleyway
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Beacon Donuts – A Hidden Gem for Vegan Treat LoversTucked away in a cozy alley in Chicago, Beacon Donuts is one of those rare finds that truly lives up to the hype. This fully vegan donut shop doesn’t just cater to plant-based eaters—it wows everyone, regardless of dietary preferences.The variety is impressive: from classic glazed to unique flavors like blueberry pancake, raspberry pistachio, and cinnamon roll, there’s something for every kind of sweet tooth. The donuts are soft, fluffy, and never greasy—just the right balance of indulgent and light. You’d honestly never guess they’re vegan.What really stands out is the creativity in their flavor combos and the quality of ingredients. Each donut feels fresh and thoughtfully made. Even those who typically side-eye vegan desserts will be surprised at how rich and satisfying these are.The location itself is charming—almost like a little secret spot you’d want to tell your friends about (but also kind of keep to yourself). Service is friendly, quick, and personal, even during busy mornings.If you're looking for a cruelty-free indulgence or just want to try some of the best donuts in the city, Beacon Donuts is absolutely worth the detour. Just be warned: you might end up coming back every weekend.
April 22 · Kyial SydykovaBest cake donuts! As a self proclaimed donut officiando, these are my favorite cake style donuts. They literally are like little cakes with each bite delivering moist cake. Depending on what you order, the inside fillings are either in the middle or within the cake itself. Super billowy in texture and mad flavorful. Bites of heaven. The crunch on the iced donuts are perfectly satifying. I never order just one, it's gotta be a mix and let me tell you, Beacon is always consistent! Worth the line, don't hesitate, it goes quickly and then it's your turn. Decide from what's remaining, especially if you're there later in the afternoon. The coffee is also flavorful. I forget what coffeehouse partnered with them for a Beacon brew, but it matches in delivery of flavor of the donuts. Hands down, win/win.
June 19 · CarefullyPlatedI’ve visited Beacon on two trips to Chicago thus far. Last year I tried their birthday cake flavor (all that was left) and today I tried the cinnamon coffee cake flavor (again, all that was left lol). Both of these were great! One day I hope to get there earlier in the day to try a couple of different flavors at once.
August 14 · Christine WilliamsLikely the best donuts you’ll ever have.I thought these could not live up to the hype surrounding them but oh yes they can. Quite large donuts with lots of flavors and exactly the right amount of sweetness. All are great but the vanilla cronut and the vanilla glazed brioche just stand out. Would recommend to order online even on the day off just to ensure your flavor is still available.Side note: they have a special paper they package their donuts in if it is not a larger number of donuts that would fit a box. This paper is awesome as it does not take on the fat or glazing through the paper and ensures you can eat your donuts without any hassle or sticky fingers!
September 23 · HannahTheir donuts are absolutely incredible. I am partial to the birthday cake donuts (and they ARE cake donuts, so they're heavier than, say, Krispy Kreme), but all their flavors are good. They're based in an alley, so keep your eyes peeled off Armitage, but you won't regret it!
July 04 · Michael Ginocchio
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