Golden Bell Donuts Introduce
Introduction / Overview
For Bay Area residents, finding that authentic, family-run **Donut shop** that truly captures the spirit of a community favorite can be a challenge. Look no further than **Golden Bell Donuts** in San Mateo. This highly popular establishment is a quintessential local spot, affectionately described by regulars as a "lovely **mom and pop shop**" that offers more than just your average sweet treat. It is a reliable destination for a quick, delicious, and satisfying breakfast or **Dessert**.
Golden Bell Donuts is celebrated for its commitment to classic, freshly made items. While the name highlights their famous donuts, the shop excels across the board, providing a variety of **Pastries** and is also well-known for its "**Great coffee**." The atmosphere is **Casual** and welcoming, filled with "lots of regulars and smiling faces," making it a beloved gathering place for the community. The high demand is evident, as it’s often "super busy," operating primarily as a convenient "**stop and go kind of place**" for those on the move. Whether you’re craving an **Apple Bearclaw** or simply need a superb cup of **Cappuccino** to kickstart your day, Golden Bell Donuts delivers quality with efficiency.
Location and Accessibility
Golden Bell Donuts is strategically located in San Mateo, making it an accessible and convenient stop for Peninsula residents, commuters, and those passing through the area. Its location is easy to find, yet retains a distinct local charm that draws a loyal customer base.
The address is: **1500 E 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA**.
Accessibility and parking are major considerations for any Californian rushing to grab their morning fix. Golden Bell Donuts offers key features for convenience:
- **Free parking lot:** The presence of a dedicated parking lot, while sometimes "a bit tough" due to the shop's popularity, is a major advantage in the busy Bay Area.
- Street Parking: If the lot is full, customers have the option to park along the street or in the plaza a block away, demonstrating that a quick visit is certainly manageable with a short walk.
- **Wheelchair accessible entrance:** Ensures that the premises are welcoming and easy to access for all customers.
- **Wheelchair accessible parking lot:** A highly valuable amenity that further enhances accessibility.
Designed primarily for a **Quick visit**, the shop has limited seating, which encourages the efficient flow of customers and maintains its reputation as the perfect place to grab and go.
Services Offered
Golden Bell Donuts focuses its services on high-quality, efficient transactions centered around its core offerings: fresh donuts and excellent coffee. The streamlined operations cater perfectly to the needs of busy Bay Area patrons.
The core services available at this local Donut shop include:
- **Takeout:** The primary service option, allowing customers to quickly purchase their items and depart, ideal for the "stop and go" environment.
- **Breakfast** and **Dessert** Service: Serving hot, freshly made items perfect for the morning rush or a late-day craving.
- **Coffee** Offerings: A full range of popular drinks, including **Hot Chocolate**, **Cappuccino**, and **French Vanilla** flavored coffee.
- **Variety of Baked Goods:** Offering not only donuts but also a selection of **Pastries** like the **Danish Raisin**, flaky **Croissants**, and convenient **Donuts Holes**.
- **Savory Options:** Simple additions like the **Bagel Cream Cheese** provide a nice contrast to the sweet items.
- **Payment Flexibility:** Accepting all major modern payment methods, including **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and **NFC mobile payments**, making transactions fast and hassle-free.
The overall service model is designed for a **Casual** and efficient interaction, ensuring a positive experience even when the shop is "super busy."
Features / Highlights
The menu at Golden Bell Donuts is a carefully curated selection of classic favorites and specialty items that have earned the shop its loyal following.
Key menu and service highlights that make this shop stand out include:
- **The Apple Fritter & Specialty Donuts:** Highly praised by customers, with the **Apple Bearclaws ($3.00)** specifically highlighted as a fantastic and filling item. Customers consistently mention the high quality of their plain and specialty **Donuts**, noting they are "amazing."
- **The Classic French Cruller:** A must-try option from the menu, the **French Cruller ($1.95)** provides a perfect, light, and airy contrast to the denser cakes or fritters.
- **Quality Coffee:** Despite being primarily a Donut shop, the coffee is a significant highlight. Customers emphasize that the coffee is "great," making the pairing of a fresh donut and a hot drink a superb value proposition.
- **"Mom and Pop" Charm:** The atmosphere is warm, friendly, and features "smiling faces," which contributes to a positive environment and attracts many **Solo dining** patrons who appreciate the efficient yet personal touch.
- **Freshness and Variety:** The selection ensures that whether a customer wants a pastry, a **Danish Raisin**, or a simple donut, everything is freshly baked and ready to go. The availability of **Muffins** further diversifies the breakfast and dessert options.
Contact Information
To plan your visit, confirm the availability of your favorite pastry, or inquire about larger orders, please use the contact information provided below.
Address: **1500 E 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA**
Phone: **(650) 343-0126**
Mobile Phone: **+1 650-343-0126**
What is Worth Choosing
For Californians in the San Mateo area, **Golden Bell Donuts** is worth choosing because it embodies the best of a local, independent bakery: unparalleled freshness, great quality staples, and genuine community charm. In an era of large chains, this establishment stands out by delivering a consistent, handmade product.
You should choose Golden Bell Donuts for these compelling reasons:
- **Exceptional Value & Quality:** For the price, the quality of their donuts and pastries, particularly the highly-praised **Apple Fritter** and **Apple Bearclaws**, is fantastic. They deliver both satisfaction and nostalgia in every bite.
- **The Perfect Combination:** The shop is known for more than just sweets; the **great coffee** elevates the entire breakfast experience, making it a reliable one-stop shop for a superior morning fix.
- **Ideal for Efficiency:** The operation is built for speed. With ample parking, a **Wheelchair accessible entrance**, and a takeout-focused model, it is the perfect spot for busy professionals or families needing to grab a quick and easy breakfast.
If you are on the Peninsula and looking to support a cherished **mom and pop shop** while enjoying some of the freshest and most delicious donuts and pastries around, make your next stop Golden Bell Donuts.
Golden Bell Donuts Food & drink
Donuts
- Hot Chocolate
- Cappuccino
- French Vanilla
Pastries
- Danish Raisin
- Croissants
- Donuts Holes
Fancies
- Plain Bars
- Apple Bearclaws $3.00
- Bagel Cream Cheese
Others
- French Cruller $1.95
Golden Bell Donuts Details
Service options
- Takeout
- Delivery
Highlights
- Great coffee
Popular for
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Table service
Atmosphere
- Casual
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free parking lot
Golden Bell Donuts Photos










Golden Bell Donuts Location
Golden Bell Donuts
1500 E 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA
Golden Bell Donuts Reviews
pricepastrydonut holesglazedareacoffee and donutsparkingdozen
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Charming local donut shop with fantastic pastry and donuts, plus. And the coffee was great. I had the apple fritter and hubby had two donuts, which were amazing. Lovely place, super busy, just great.
March 21 · MollyLovely mom and pop shop with lots of regulars and smiling faces. Got a dozen donuts and they were a hit with the family. Their muffins aren't bad either. Parking is a bit tough sometimes, but if you don't mind a walk, you can park along the street or in the plaza a block away. Seating is limited. This is really a stop and go kind of place
September 17 · Andrew JaruThis place is an absolute gem for early morning breakfast. Their doors open as early as 4:30 am, catering perfectly to early risers. I had the pleasure of trying their Croissant sandwich, and it was delightful. The freshly baked donuts were also a highlight of my visit. It feels like a family-owned establishment, with just two dedicated individuals putting in great effort to make this place a success. The cozy ambiance and friendly service make it a wonderful place to start your day.
April 13 · Sravan NGolden Bell was my first donut and has yet to be beat. They are always fresh, fluffy, and light. Not sure what other places are charging for donuts but it’s always felt cheap. Highly recommend!
May 28 · Sophie Pickett10/10. Best doughnuts I’ve ever had. Great service. Friendly.
June 15 · Mark A
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