Donut Friar
Donut Friar — photo 2
Donut Friar — photo 3
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Donut Friar

634 Parkway #15, Gatlinburg, TN

★★★★★4.6(3,288 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

This beloved Gatlinburg institution pairs exceptional fresh donuts with genuinely warm hospitality, creating a gathering spot where locals and visitors alike linger over coffee and conversation. Their rotating selection spans everything from delicate blueberry crullers to decadent eclairs and cinnamon rolls, each one worth the cash-only trip to this small but mighty shop. Travis and the team have built something special—a place where a quick pastry grab can unexpectedly turn into the highlight of your day.

What to expect

Family friendlyTraditional drinksSlow sitMeetingsPastriesQuick grab

Google Reviews

Bethany LeSuer
★★★★★2 months ago

We stopped into The Donut Friar and had such a great experience. Travis was incredibly welcoming, and we ended up having such a wonderful conversation while we were there. The donuts were fresh, delicious, and honestly some of the best we’ve had. The whole place had that cozy, old-school charm that just makes you want to slow down and enjoy the moment. Great people, great conversation, and great donuts. We’ll definitely be back!

A Warren
★★★★★2 months ago

Yes and YES! After seeing this place on Tik Tok I decided to go! This will be a favorite from now on. It’s just a small shop but it packs huge amounts of delicious! The young man that was working behind the counter was awesome! So friendly. FRESH and so good. Just go 🍩

Curtis Stone - The Realtor
★★★★★4 months ago

We stopped by The Donut Friar while on vacation in Gatlinburg and grabbed a few donuts, partly because it’s a local favorite and partly because… donuts. I tried the blueberry cruller and the apple-filled cinnamon sugar donut. Both were good, solid, fresh, enjoyable, but nothing that completely blew me away. I did ask for an apple fritter, since it’s the obvious undisputed pinnacle of pure donut perfection, but apparently the Friar doesn’t make fritters. While I respect a shop that knows its lane, that alone means I can’t give it five stars. It’s easy to see why The Donut Friar is popular with tourists. The shop is charming, the donuts are well-made, and it’s a fun stop while walking through town. At the end of the day, though, the donuts are good… because let’s face it, they’re donuts. A worthwhile stop if you’re nearby, just don’t expect your life to change.

Allie M.
★★★★★6 months ago

CASH ONLY with ATM onsite. Staff was prompt and friendly. Wonderful selection of donuts, from cake to dough, crullers to eclair, cinnamon rolls. They have a nice selection. Honestly, the best donut I have had in years! I went a little before 7. I had no problem finding free street parking on River Street (besides my GPS freaking out once I arrived to town). I didn't realize one can park on the main drag at that time of day, or else my trip would have been much quicker without a 5+ minutes walk each way.

Blanca Roman
★★★★★7 months ago

I stopped by after having a huge breakfast at another place. Honestly, I wish I would have just gone here and had myself a donut and coffee. Loved the location, history of the shop and the donuts are a gift from heaven. Fresh, tasty, an absolute satisfying treat. I bought the coconut which is a cakey donut topped with a bit of a frosting with coconut flakes. The blueberry cruller with a lovely glaze. The unique find which was amazing was the glazed croissant. I left wanting to try all the flavors. Worth going back over and over. Very important, this is a cash only store. There is an ATM in shop, but better to go with cash in hand just in case the ATM not working.

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