Pao’s Donut & Coffee Shop

The absolutely best donuts in Tacoma. The Apple fritters are huge and although taste light, one is quite filling, and the BEST OF ALL is the hard to find Double Chocolate Donut — devils food with rich fudgy frosting. OMG, to-​die-​for good with a slightly crisp, yet tender outside and super moist inside!!! These sell out fast everyday, so go at 715 am when fresh and warm from the oven. They also have a convenient drive thru, coffee and lattes, and take large pre-​orders too! Yummy!!! Only one tiny inconvenience, unless it’s changed in the last 2weeks, they only accept cash, so scoot by the ATM on your way…

Donuts are very good and tasty and colorful. This is a good place to get fat. They also sell those fancy-​pants espresso drinks or just good olé ‘Merican coffee. And soft drinks too. The dining area affords an amazing view of the parking lot and beautiful 6^th Ave. beyond. Mr Pao is friendly and makes small talk as you stutter and mumble your donut selections to him. Drive thru available if you are disabled or just plain lazy. Bathroom only features air blower for drying hands, no paper towels. I’m drinking my coffee through two pretty straws, no extra charge.

I don’t know who some of these people are who say things like «one would only like a donut here if they’ve never had a donut before» or that this place is «overrated.» I would almost say it is underrated at 4.5 stars – it should be a straight up 5. The donuts are soooo good. Somehow dense and fluffy at the same time. So moist. Perfect texture. The maple bar icing is a bit too sweet for my liking, but my other family members loved it. And the blueberry scone — -best scone I have ever had in my life. I may have to make it a tradition to stop by Pao’s every weekend just for that scone.

This use to be my go to place for doughnuts. However the last 3 times I was here they didn’t have anything ready. By 8am you should have all your or at least most your menu items out. No maple bars, no glazed raised, no apple fritters. Last time I was there I only had cake doughnuts to choose from.
I’ve been inside and in the drive thru many times and tho it’s not the cleanest place in the world it’s usually clean where they have the doughnuts.
The drive thru line is ridiculous at times and the way the parking lot is positioned makes it impossible for people leaving if they have a full line. On multiple occasions I’ve held up the line because I can see people trying to leave but can’t.
The line inside is horrible too. Where they have the counter and front door is so close that if there is a line you can’t get inside.
I usually over look all that because I love their maple bar, and yes I’ve gone at different times to see if it would help. I’m only giving 3 stars because I no longer only go to paos for doughnuts due to the limited items at 7am, 8am, and 9am.

YES. Pao’s has a great selection of delicious, fresh donuts. We had a hard time narrowing it down to just a dozen… but I don’t think there’s a wrong choice! The cinnamon twist was our family favorite, but also ate up a maple bar, chocolate bar and apple fritter… all delish!

Has a Chipotle-​level of cleanliness to it — I am going to guess that many of the high marks given this place are from A) people who have never bought a donut before and B) use the drive-​thru and don’t see the mess. This might be the single most overrated eating establishment in Pierce County. And they don’t take plastic, either.

Their donuts are awesome! You have to get in early because they sell out of their most popular ones. The apple fritter is delicious (and usually gone by late in the morning). I’ve never once had a donut here that I didn’t enjoy. Make sure you bring cash!

These are my favorite donuts! Check out the Blueberry scone if you’re into that sort of thing! They are HUGE and cheap. Cash only

The best donuts I have ever eaten. Honestly.