Portland's donut scene has a real, well-documented star: The Holy Donut, founded by Leigh Kellis, who began selling potato-based donuts from her home kitchen in 2011 before opening her first shop in 2012 — using Maine's signature crop, mashed russet potatoes, folded directly into the batter for a moist, dense, cake-style texture unlike a standard donut.
Best Spot
The Holy Donut
Best Area
Park Avenue & the Old Port
Price Range
$3–$4
Must Try
Maine Potato Donut
Also on globaaal.com: 🥐 Pastry Guide · 🎂 Cake Guide · 🥪 Sandwich Guide
🍩 What Makes Portland's Donut Different?
A cake-style donut made with real mashed Maine russet potatoes folded into the batter, giving it a denser, moister texture than a standard donut — not to be confused with potato-flour donuts elsewhere.
🍩 Anatomy of Portland's Donut
🍩 Dough
Yeast-raised or cake batter, fried fresh and never more than a few hours old at a good shop
🍯 Glaze
A simple sugar glaze while still warm is the American default
🎨 Toppings
Sprinkles, chocolate icing, or fruit fillings for the specialty case
☕ Pairing
Black coffee is the standard order alongside
🌅 Timing
Best in the early morning — good independent shops sell out by mid-day
🍩 Must-Try in Portland: Maine Potato Donut — A cake-style donut made with real mashed Maine russet potatoes folded into the batter, giving it a denser, moister texture than a standard donut — not to be confused with potato-flour donuts elsewhere.
📍 Where to Get It in Portland
The Holy Donut — Founded by Leigh Kellis in 2012 (Park Avenue location), now with multiple shops across Maine — the originator of the potato donut concept and the city's clear donut destination.
- 🍩 The Holy Donut (Park Avenue and other Portland locations)
💷 What You'll Pay
| Format | What to Expect | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Single Donut | One donut, eaten in or grabbed to go | $3–$4 |
| Half-Dozen Box | Six donuts to share or take home | $12–$18 |
| Full Dozen | A dozen box, the standard office or family order | $24–$38 |
| Catering / Party Order | Bulk order for an event, starting price | $75+ |
💡 Portland Donut Tips
- Flavors rotate daily — expect classics like sea salt dark chocolate alongside more playful options like sweet potato ginger.
- Go early; popular flavors at The Holy Donut sell out, sometimes by mid-morning.
- Vegan and gluten-free versions are available, a genuine point of pride for the shop.
❓ FAQ
What is the best maine potato donut in Portland?
The Holy Donut is widely regarded as one of Portland's best spots for maine potato donut. Founded by Leigh Kellis in 2012 (Park Avenue location), now with multiple shops across Maine — the originator of the potato donut concept and the city's clear donut destination.
How much does a good donut cost in Portland?
Expect roughly $3–$4 for a single donut, rising to $75+ for a catering or party order.
What makes maine potato donut unique to Portland?
A cake-style donut made with real mashed Maine russet potatoes folded into the batter, giving it a denser, moister texture than a standard donut — not to be confused with potato-flour donuts elsewhere. It's a style shaped by Portland's own local bakery culture rather than a generic donut you'd find anywhere.
Where's the best area in Portland to find one?
Park Avenue & the Old Port is generally considered the strongest area in Portland for maine potato donut and bakeries generally.