Bakery
Walk-up window selling all-vegan doughnuts and juices. Est. 2020 in an alley on the north side of Armitage and west of Halsted. Open Mon-Wed 7:00am-12:00pm, Thu-Sun 7:30am-2:00pm.
44 Reviews
First Review by peteycards
FroadEatz
Points +1034
Delectable Vegan Donuts 🍩 - Edit
I love Beacon Doughnuts! We started off conservatively and only got three donuts to try instead of a half dozen because I've been disappointed at other places before. All three were fantastic so we went back on Thanksgiving for a half dozen and a bonus fritter! The Boston Cream donut is like nothing I've had before. I'm obsessed with it now. The glazed brioche ring was so tall and puffy. The beignet with raspberry and grapefruit jam was delightful! We loved every donut we tried. Will definitely be back next time we're in Chicago!
Read morePros: Vegan donuts ❤️❤️❤️, Creative flavors, Delicious
Guest
rikkio16
Points +941
Best Chicago Vegan Donuts - Edit
The yeast donut was especially tasty! I want to try the chocolate one next time. The cake donuts were good too. The filling in each of them made them stand out!
Read moreGuest
AlexDikelsky
Points +76
Great! - Edit
I had glazed & chocolate frosted donuts, they were great! They don’t use tree nuts or coconuts often, but make sure to ask if you’re allergic
Read moreGuest
mrnicholasking
Points +136
Not my favorite - Edit
I would rank it 4th out of the 5 vegan donut shops that I’ve been to. The consistency of the donuts is thick and not as moist as I’m used to.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-11-17
Vegan Vagabond
Interesting ranking. I have to ask, which are the top 3 vegan donut shops you have been to?
Read moreGuest
·X·
Points +21590
Beacon Doughnuts - Edit
Pretty great for Chicago. I liked the vanilla cronut best but it had more icing than I’d care for, so I just ate around that. The chocolate donut was also good and my fiancé loved the apple fritter. Nice to see how packed they were during our visit!
Read moreGuest
Sampholland8
Points +82
Best doughnuts I've ever had - Edit
We loved Beacon's so much we got them a couple of times during our few days in Chi Town.
Read moreThe dark choc and sea salt and apple fritter were our first ventures and set the bar super high- the apple fritter in particular was an incredibly fluffy and the frosting was delicious.
Our second time around we knew two wasn't going to be enough! So we got:
- Blueberry pancake which had a soft and pillowy outer oozing with an amazing jam
- Vanilla iced cronut which may have been my favourite of all the ones we tried. Special.
- Cinnamon & coffee cake which was just like a softer cinnamon bun
- Raspberry pistachio- a really nice frosting but maybe overshadowed by the others just because the other three were so spectacular.
You seem to be able to get them all across the city as well as at their own shop/stalls, so seek them out and eat them all!
Guest
diannec
Points +786
Amazing show stopping incredible - Edit
Yes! Thank you beacon! You’re doing god’s work
Read moreGuest
sandralukic
Points +32
Always a hits the spot - Edit
These are not just the best vegan doughnuts, these are the best doughnuts period! Whenever I bring them to the office, they don’t make it to the end of the day. Each one is simply a beautiful to look at and sooooo darn good. If you crave a sweet treat, this is worth the calories! 😌 i love the cronut, the blueberry pancake, and the bismarck. Simple flavors but so satisfying!
Read morePros: Delicious crowd pleaser, Totally affordable, Small business
Cons: Coffe is not the best
Guest
KellyJC
Points +123
Lots of options - all vegan! - Edit
I go for a vegan doughnut any chance I get, but it's rare to find a 100% vegan doughnut shop. This place has several options to choose from (10-15 different varieties the day we visited), so you should be able to find something to love. The location is on a side-facing alley off the north side of Armitage Ave., so it can be tricky to find at first. Look for the brightly colored storefront around the side of "topdrawer". The doughnuts were all beautifully baked, and the selection was enticing, so we picked 6 varieties. We found most of the flavors and textures to be great, but a few slightly missed the mark for us. I especially loved the apple fritter (my go-to). It was smaller than other apple fritters I've had, but that said, it was a good size. There were chunks of perfectly cooked apple, a nice amount of cinnamon, a perfectly thin layer of glaze, and it wasn't greasy (A+). I also had the vanilla bean cronut, which I learned is like a mix between a croissant and doughnut. Think of it like a regular glazed but with layers of buttery dough that peel apart making it much heftier and taller than a regular doughnut. It was fun to eat but a bit savory for my taste, and the glaze was a bit too thick on the bottom. My third flavor was Boston cream. It had a lovely custard filling, and the texture was tender and cakey (almost crumbly) rather than yeasted, which is what I prefer. My partner chose 3 cake doughnuts: blueberry pancake (injected with blueberry pie-filling for big blueberry flavor), cinnamon coffee cake (he devoured this, so I guess it was good), and salted caramel mocha (more chocolate than mocha or salted caramel). All were pretty sweet, so we recommend balancing them out with some Beacon Doughnuts coffee.
Read morePros: Huge selection - all vegan, Creative flavors and varieties, Good coffee
Cons: Some crumbly textures, Glaze pooled on bottom of some doughnuts, No nearby seating
Guest
ndamato
Points +20
Perfection - Edit
Delicious doughnuts. If all vegan food alternatives were this close to (or in this case better than) the “real” thing, we would probably have a lot more vegans in the world.
Read moreWe ordered an assorted half dozen and particularly enjoyed the orange poppy and vanilla!
Guest
Audreyro
Points +36
Wonderful Doughnuts - Edit
Edit: Second time we came here. They've added cronuts to the menu and they are tall, flaky, and absolutely divine. 10/10.
Read moreWe ordered doughnuts ahead and picked them up. 2 vegan brioche, one chocolate glazed and one with caramel drizzle and shortbread crumbles, and 2 cake doughnuts, one double chocolate sea salt and one Boston cream. All 4 were absolutely incredible. Highly recommend!!
Updated from previous review on 2022-05-29
Pros: Fluffy vegan brioche dough , Lots of vegan options
Guest
tomtheplantsman
Points +761
Must Visit - Edit
One of the best doughnut shops around! Don’t worry about it being a storefront tucked into an alley, and make sure you preorder flavors you’re really interested in
Read moreGuest
beanbeenben
Points +438
Heaven omg - Edit
At least in terms of Vegan Doughnuts, this place BLOWS Stan's out of the water. Texture is perfect and every flavor I tried was put together so tastefully!
Read moreGuest
Vegan Vagabond
Points +4158
Very tasty yeasty fried donuts - Edit
The vast majority of vegan donuts around Chicago are cake donuts. Meh. This place makes very good yeast donuts, such as Boston cream, glazed, iced and some unique flavors. I’ll pick up a box or two and bring them to the office. They usually get devoured in no time. 
Read moreGuest
EmmaSwendsen
Points +98
Amazing Doughnuts! - Edit
Made the trek to Beacon while visiting Chicago and am blown away at how delicious their Doughnuts are! We got there near closing so only a few flavors left but love the fact that they offer a variety each day.
Read moreI try to get a vegan doughnut every time I travel and it is so often just one or two obscure flavor. This is the first time I've been able to snag a chocolate glaze and I'll be dreaming about it for a while.
It is also well priced and large Doughnuts which is fantastic.
Pros: Great Variety, Good Pricing, Delicious
Guest
rjmarciniak
Points +792
Best Doughnuts in Chicago - Edit
Amazing small doughnut shop in Lincoln Park. Hidden in a side alley, they have the best doughnuts in Chicago. You can’t go wrong with any of their options.
Read moreGuest
elysek
Points +29
Drooling thinking about it - Edit
Best vegan donuts I’ve ever had. Classic chocolate brioche is perfection
Read moreGuest
squirrelboy
Points +333
Best donuts of all time - Edit
The blueberry pancake donut is the best donut I think I'll ever have.
Read moreGuest
badlucky
Points +68
Believe the hype. Quite possibly the best donuts anywhere. - Edit
I've searched the world for the best vegan donuts. I've sampled them across Europe, North America, and Australia. Honestly I think my search is over. I've tried seven different varieties from Beacon in the last 24 hours (yes I am obsessed) and every single one is a winner. As others have noted, when Beacon fills a donut, they are generous. The Blueberry Pancake bursts blueberry sauce with every bite. The Boston Cream has more vanilla cream than I would have thought possible. The donuts are light, the sweetness is balanced, the flavors are innovative, they are rich but never overwhelming. These guys are setting the standard for other donut bakers to follow, vegan or not. I'm only visiting Chicago for a week, but after finishing a Beacon mixed dozen, I think I might have to move here.
Read moreGuest
UnhealthyVegan
Points +106
Boston Creme Donut - Edit
These donuts are so good you would walk thru a back alley just to order them. Oh wait! That's exactly what you have to do for these! And honestly it's worth it. The boston cream donut is unlike any other donut I've ever had. The creme is in every bite and it is an experience to have. Sure, the other donuts are good and solid, but even if you don't usually like cream filled donuts, this Boston one is a MUST ORDER.
Read morePros: Plenty of options, Fresh donuts, One of a kind donut
Cons: Entrance is hard to find, Back of alley
Guest
leahk3
Points +566
Great vegan donuts - Edit
Yummy! Get their brioche based donuts. Not the best vegan donuts I’ve ever had, but pretty sweet and perfect for a pick me up.
Read moreGuest
jadaruss
Points +1839
Delicious treats - Edit
I love the donuts from beacon they’re delicious and sweet. Highly recommend.
Read moreGuest
NoFussVegan
Points +343
I’m not even a doughnut kinda person.. - Edit
Yeah, it’s just… Short ‘n’ sweet: They. Are. The. Bomb.
Read moreFlavours are varied. Not too greasy. Not too sweet. I was baffled that I even liked the one with vanilla cream so much. They are the kind of place that makes you wonder: why aren’t all doughnuts a) this good, and b) vegan. Enter at own risk, however, ‘cause they will put you off the Stan’s/run of the mill garbage that’s 99% of doughnuts out there.
Verdict: just go!
Updated from previous review on 2022-12-16
Pros: Plenty of vegan options, Great, great texture and flavours, Amazing service
Cons: None
Guest
thevegancreator
Points +626
Super delicious vegan donuts - Edit
The Boston cream is my absolute favorite but I can highly recommend the Birthday Cake and Old Fashioned Oreo one, too!
Read moreThis place only has pickup so if you’re looking to sit down to have some donuts you can find their donuts at Dollop Coffee as well 😊
Pros: Lots of different vegan donuts , Boston Cream is the best!!
Cons: Only for pick-up
Guest
Davesw
Points +3874
OMG! Fabulous! - Edit
Amazing donuts! Who needs eggs, butter or dairy? These are great, and there are a lot of flavors!
Read moreCons: Expensive, No parking
Guest
Oliviathevegan
Points +151
Best donuts ever - Edit
I loved the chocolate ganache donuts because it was so much richer than your typical chocolate glazed donut. The best donut for me was the double chocolate sea salt as it was not to sweet, the perfect balance.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan option, All vegan, Delicious
Cons: Expensive ($3 a donut)
Guest
Kallday
Points +301
Best Doughnuts in Chicago - Edit
Some of the Best Cake Donuts I’ve had in the US! They definitely had the most unique vegan flavors I’ve tried at a vegan doughnut shop & I’ve tried ALOT of places.
Read moreOne suggestion is delivery. Yes, the bus ride wasn’t bad, but it would be great if they delivered too. Then again if they delivered I’d be fat
Pros: Lots of Vegan Options
Cons: Wish they delivered
Guest
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