The Ultimate Donut & Coffee Pairing Guide
After months of systematic tasting, we've mapped every donut on our menu to its ideal coffee partner. From espresso to cold brew, light roast to London Fog — here are 12 pairings that will transform how you eat donuts.
Pairings
12
8 permanent + 4 seasonal
Coffee Styles
8
Espresso to cold brew
Months Testing
3
Systematic tasting
Tasters
6
Barista + baker panel
A great donut deserves a great coffee alongside it. We've believed this since day one — it's why we partnered with Sweet City Roasters for our house coffee and invested in proper espresso equipment at every location. But we also know that the number of possible combinations is staggering. So we sat down with our barista team and worked through every combination, taking notes, debating, and occasionally arguing. What follows represents our collective best judgment.
The Fundamentals
Coffee-and-donut pairing follows the same logic as wine-and-food pairing: you're looking for either complement (flavors that echo each other) or contrast (flavors different enough to create interesting tension). Sweet donuts pair with coffees that have bitterness or acidity. Rich donuts need strong coffee that cuts through. Light donuts need lighter coffees that won't overpower them.
All coffees available in-store
The Permanent Menu Pairings
Classic Glazed + Pour-Over Light Roast
Best StarterThe clean, bright notes of a light roast — we currently pour a washed Ethiopian with citrus and floral characteristics — let the buttery sweetness of the glaze shine without competing. The coffee's natural acidity resets your palate between bites. This is the pairing we recommend to first-time visitors. If you don't usually drink light roasts, this might change your mind.
Chocolate Dream + Espresso
BoldFight richness with richness. A bold espresso cuts through the triple-chocolate intensity and resets your palate. The espresso's natural chocolate notes create a complementary echo — like a deconstructed mocha. Drink it straight for the full experience; a cortado works too if straight espresso is too intense.
Maple Bacon + Cold Brew
Summer PickCold brewing produces a concentrate that's naturally sweeter and less acidic than hot-brewed coffee. That smoothness is the perfect backdrop for the Maple Bacon's complex profile — the maple syrup's caramel sweetness, the bacon's smoky saltiness, and the dough's buttery richness all come through clearly. Especially good in warm weather.
Ready to try these pairings?
Grab a donut and a coffee at any of our three locations. Our baristas know every pairing on this list.
Matcha Green Tea + Oat Milk Latte
Staff FavThe creamiest pairing on this list. Oat milk's gentle sweetness complements the earthy matcha without overpowering it, while the espresso adds a roasty bridge between tea and coffee worlds. For the full Japanese tea-house vibe, skip the latte and order a straight ceremonial matcha — double-matcha is surprisingly not too much.
Boston Cream + Cappuccino
IndulgentThe microfoam adds a creamy, velvety texture that echoes the vanilla custard, while the espresso's bitterness complements the chocolate ganache. The milk softens everything into a cohesive experience. This is a Saturday-morning-treat-yourself pairing.
More Permanent Pairings
Strawberry Delight + Medium Roast Drip
A clean, balanced medium roast lets the strawberry flavor take center stage. The coffee's warmth brings out the berry sweetness.
Blueberry Burst + Flat White
A strong, milky flat white cleanses the palate between bites of tangy blueberry without adding competing flavors.
Cinnamon Sugar + Black Drip Coffee
The most nostalgic pairing. Hot black coffee + warm Cinnamon Sugar creates a textural experience that changes with each sip-and-bite cycle. Come before 8 AM when they're still warm from the fryer.
Spring 2026 Seasonal Pairings
| Donut | Coffee | Why It Works | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemon Lavender | London Fog | Bergamot echoes the floral lavender; vanilla bridges to the lemon curd | Complement |
| Honey Cardamom | Chai Latte | Cardamom harmonizes with chai spices for a warm, enveloping experience | Complement |
| Rhubarb Crumble | Flat White | Clean espresso lets the tartness shine; milk echoes the buttery crumble | Contrast |
| Pistachio Rose | Espresso Macchiato | Concentrated bitterness cuts through sweet pistachio cream and rose water | Contrast |
Our coffee program
Find your perfect pair
The best pairing is whichever one makes you happiest. Visit any location, grab a donut and a coffee, and start experimenting.