The Holy Donut Introduce
For anyone living in or visiting the vibrant city of Portland, Maine, a trip to The Holy Donut is often at the top of the list for a sweet indulgence. Renowned for its unique approach to a classic treat, The Holy Donut has firmly established itself as a beloved local institution. This article delves into what makes this donut shop a true Maine original, from its distinctive offerings to its welcoming atmosphere and prime location.
The Holy Donut isn't just another donut shop; it's an experience rooted in local flavor and creativity. What sets them apart is their signature use of Maine potatoes in their donut batter, resulting in a product that is uniquely dense, moist, and incredibly flavorful. This innovative twist on a traditional favorite has garnered widespread acclaim, drawing in both curious visitors and loyal locals who crave a taste of something truly special. It’s a testament to how local ingredients can elevate a simple concept into an extraordinary culinary delight.
Beyond the unique base, The Holy Donut offers an impressive array of creative and classic flavors, ensuring there's something to tempt every palate. Their commitment to quality ingredients and warm, efficient service has created a cozy and welcoming environment that encourages patrons to linger and savor their treats. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast or enjoying a leisurely coffee break, The Holy Donut provides a quintessential Portland experience that combines delicious food with a genuine sense of community.
The Holy Donut boasts a highly accessible location right in the heart of Portland, Maine, specifically at 177 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101, USA. This prime spot on Commercial Street places it squarely within the bustling Old Port district, a popular area known for its shops, restaurants, and waterfront views. For locals, this means it's often a convenient stop during a downtown errand run, a weekend stroll, or as part of a breakfast or lunch outing. The central location makes it easy to reach whether you're coming from other parts of Portland or venturing in from nearby towns like Scarborough, as highlighted by satisfied customers. While street parking can be competitive in the Old Port, there are usually public parking garages and lots within a short walking distance, making it feasible to visit. Its position also means it's an ideal spot to grab a treat before exploring other local attractions along the waterfront, adding to its appeal as a convenient and enjoyable destination.
The ease of access and its integration into one of Portland's most vibrant areas contribute significantly to The Holy Donut's popularity. It’s not just a place to get donuts; it’s a destination that fits seamlessly into the local lifestyle, inviting people to stop by and enjoy a sweet moment amidst their daily routines or leisurely explorations of the city.
The Holy Donut provides a range of services and products centered around their distinctive potato donuts, alongside complementary beverages. Their offerings are designed to provide a memorable and satisfying experience for every customer. Here's what you can expect:
- Signature Potato Donuts: The star of the show, these donuts are made with Maine potatoes, resulting in a uniquely dense, moist, and flavorful texture.
- Wide Variety of Flavors: They offer an extensive rotating selection of flavors, catering to diverse preferences. Popular choices highlighted by customers include key lime, blueberry glazed, maple bacon, and chocolate whoopie pie.
- Coffee and Beverages: To perfectly pair with their donuts, The Holy Donut serves quality coffee, such as the caramel coffee, and other beverages.
- Dine-in and Takeaway Options: While the lobby area for seating can be cozy and sometimes limited, customers can enjoy their donuts on-site or easily take them to go.
- Efficient and Friendly Service: Despite often having a steady stream of customers, the staff is consistently praised for being friendly and efficient.
- Unique Maine Experience: The shop offers a culinary experience that is distinctively Maine, emphasizing local ingredients and flavors.
The Holy Donut stands out for several unique features and highlights that contribute to its widespread appeal and positive reputation among locals and visitors alike. These attributes are often cited by customers as reasons for their enjoyment and why the shop is highly recommended:
- Unique Potato Donut Base: The most distinctive feature is the use of Maine potatoes, which gives the donuts a unique dense and moist texture, setting them apart from traditional cake or yeast donuts.
- Creative and Delicious Flavors: The bakery excels in offering innovative and well-executed flavors, with standouts like key lime, blueberry glazed, and maple bacon consistently receiving high praise for their balance of sweetness and texture.
- High-Quality Ingredients: Customers consistently note that they can "really taste the quality ingredients," which contributes to the superior flavor profile of the donuts.
- Warm and Welcoming Vibe: Despite often being busy, the shop maintains a casual and inviting atmosphere, making it a comfortable place for both locals and tourists.
- Friendly and Efficient Staff: The service team is frequently commended for their positive attitude and ability to handle a steady flow of customers effectively, enhancing the overall experience.
- Local Maine Identity: The Holy Donut is celebrated for offering a treat that is "uniquely Maine," embodying the local culinary spirit and providing a genuine taste of the region.
- Popularity and Buzz: The consistent hype around the donuts lives up to expectations for many, solidifying its status as a must-visit destination in Portland.
For those eager to experience the unique delights of The Holy Donut, here is their essential contact information:
- Address: 177 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
- Phone: (207) 331-5655
It's always a good idea to check their website or social media for the most current hours of operation and any seasonal flavor updates, as these can vary.
The Holy Donut is exceptionally suitable for locals in Maine for numerous compelling reasons. Firstly, its core product, the potato donut, is deeply rooted in Maine's agricultural heritage, making it a truly authentic local delicacy. This connection to local ingredients resonates strongly with residents who appreciate businesses that celebrate and utilize regional resources. Beyond the unique product, The Holy Donut embodies the spirit of a beloved local business: it offers a consistent, high-quality product in a friendly and accessible environment. For many Mainers, a stop at The Holy Donut isn't just about getting a donut; it's about supporting a local success story and enjoying a taste of home. Its location in the bustling Old Port means it’s conveniently situated for residents working or recreating downtown, making it an easy and rewarding stop in their daily routines. The welcoming vibe and friendly staff also contribute to its local appeal, fostering a sense of community where regulars feel known and new customers are quickly made to feel at home. Whether it's a morning pick-me-up, a weekend treat with the family, or an item to share with out-of-town guests, The Holy Donut delivers a quintessential Maine experience that locals can be proud to call their own.
The Holy Donut Menu
Donut Flavours
- Chocolate Sea Salt
- Chocolate Cinnamon Sugar
- Cinnamon Sugar
- Lemon
- Maple
- Maple Bacon
- Ginger Holy Cannoli
- Pomegranate
V
- Toasted Coconut
- Old Fashioned
V
- Vanilla
- Sweet Potato Cinnamon Bun
Hot Food
- Bacon Cheddar
The Holy Donut Details
Service options
- In-store pick-up
- In-store shopping
- On-site services
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Highlights
- Great coffee
Popular for
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Offerings
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Table service
Amenities
- Gender-neutral toilets
- Toilet
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
Crowd
- Family friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
The Holy Donut Photos










The Holy Donut Location
The Holy Donut
177 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
The Holy Donut Reviews
dark chocolatepotatoescannolicheddarpomegranatechocolate sea saltdenseblueberry lemontoasted coconutblueberry glaze
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1A Sweet Slice of Maine at The Holy DonutThe Holy Donut is a must-visit if you're anywhere near Portland or Scarborough. We stopped in during our trip to Maine and were blown away by the unique flavors, warm service, and cozy atmosphere.Their famous potato donuts live up to the hype, dense, moist, and full of flavor. We tried a variety, but the standouts were the key lime, blueberry glazed, and the maple bacon. Each one had a perfect balance of sweetness and texture, and you can really taste the quality ingredients.The caramel coffee paired perfectly with the donuts, and the staff was friendly and efficient, even with a steady stream of customers. The vibe is casual and welcoming, and it’s clear this place is loved by both locals and visitors.If you're looking for a treat that’s uniquely Maine, The Holy Donut delivers in every way. We’ll definitely be back next time we’re in town.
July 08 · Dustin SchroederMeh. Not bad, but nothing to rave about. And pretty dense too. To be clear, I think they are just different than what I’m used too. And it’s good to point that out. It’s a potato flour donut. It’s different. Heavier than a regular cake donut. Kinda greasy too. But the chocolate whoopie version was the best. Vanilla version wasn’t bad either. But give it a whirl… just not my thing. Small lobby area, limited seating.
July 10 · Charlie MatthewsMust eat when visiting Portland NH. They have multiple locations. We visited the one in downtown area.There was a line when we arrived, even a longer line when we left. The staff were friendly and efficient as they could be.The dough was not fried. A healthy way to indulge the sweet. Many different flavors to choose. They also offered hash browns for savory treats.Pretty much take out only. There were some benches inside. Merchandise shelves and small company items. Not much of the decoration.
June 01 · Sharon H.This is a very popular tourist spot in Old Port. We saw lines going around the shop, but luckily when we came it was few people in front of us. The store itself is small, only couple of chairs and tables for dining in.Guests need to order straight at the register. They got a a variety of donut flavors, alongside few drinks options. They make the donuts in huge batches, saw the stacks of donuts in the back of the kitchen. They serve the donuts on the spot from the stack.We got the vanilla and sea salt flavors. They were decent. The unique part was they were made out of potatoes. But I still wondered what’s the reason behind such popularity for their donuts!!!
June 07 · Nehal AhmedMy fiancé and I have been to Portland twice now. We always heard amazing things about it here and were skeptical. But we figured we would go ahead and try it. We split a maple donut and it was so good!!! A great donut that we will definitely have again during our next visit! ☺️
July 11 · Emma-Rose Geisler
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