- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Lee's Donuts of Granville Island
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
36 reviews for Lee's Donuts of Granville Island
Review Highlights
"Honey dip, mango filled, coconut filled, oh my."
(in 7 reviews)
"Comments: If you like Krispy Creme donuts - this is similar."
(in 3 reviews)
"He bought the Mini Apple Fritter, maybe 2/3 the size of a..."
(in 1 review)
Loading...
36 reviews in English
-
Review from Lolia S.
10/17/2011 3 photos
First thing you see when you enter Granville Public Market...donuts, lots of donuts. You can see them making the donuts from the window.
Lee's has donut holes, cake donuts, fritters, raised donuts, crullers, etc. Flavors include honeydew, honey dip (a favorite with regulars), mint chocolate, Bavarian, etc. They also have crème puffs, crepes, cinnamon rolls, and muffins. I thought I saw a donut with a mini crème puff on top and frozen donuts.
* Chocolate crunch - an extra fluffy, thick plain cake donut, tender on the inside, lightly crunchy outside with tiny bits of chocolate, so good
* Devil's food donut - rich, chocolate donut with an extra thin, crunchy sugar glaze, clean tasting, fresh though not warm, fluffy
* Buttercrunch donut - vanilla cake donut with tiny vanilla bits, didn't have much vanilla taste and the donut seemed a bit too moist
Every October is pumpkin donut month at Lee's and I heard their pumpkin donuts are something special.Listed in: Canada, I love you, The Shameful List of Donut…
-
Review from Stu C.
9/13/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I moved to Vancouver a few months ago and was told by friends, that have lived here for years, I had to visit Lee's donuts on Granville Island since I was only a 10 min walk away. After my first bite of the donut, I can see exactly why they told me I had to go.
Compared to a popular Canadian chain donut shop, who am I kidding...compared to Tim Horton's, the donuts are superior in every characteristic. They have more flavor (but aren't necessarily sweeter, which is a good thing), larger and depending on the type of donut, are either more cake-like or airy. You can tell they're made fresh, in-house and not frozen. They are more expensive than Tim Horton's at $2+ a donut. I've tried their Honey Dew, Chocolate and Apple fritters at separate times and have enjoyed all of them. Others on Yelp have complained that the consistency of the quality or the quality itself is an issue. To be honest, I have no idea where these allegations are coming from. I don't expect to achieve nirvana from a donut. I really hope enjoy the treat and that's exactly what Lee's delivers. Compared to others: it's fresher and tastier than Timmy's or Dunkin' Donuts and less artificial tasting and nauseatingly sweet than Krispy Kreme.
I must agree though that the staff is what prevents me from giving Lee's a 5 star rating. Every time I've gone, the staff have been short with their words and they don't reflect that they are happy for the business you bring. Now, it is just a donut shop in a very busy Granville Island Market setting, but I know for myself, I am extremely more likely to frequent a place that gives a good product and make me feel "welcome" for lack of a better term. Perhaps, this compounded with the little bit higher price leaves a negative overall impression to some people and their resulting review. For myself, I choose to focus primarily on the donuts in this review, since when a product is good, I'm willing to put up with a little lack in customer service touches since I'm only interacting with the people for a minute at most.
All in all, these are the best donuts I've had in a while and stand well above in taste and texture compared to other chain store donuts. Lee's Donuts is a shop I recommend you check out to get your donut fix in Vancouver. -
Review from Siri W.
9/11/2011
I must have gone on an off day, because everytime I talk about going to Granville Island I have at least one person go, "Oh man have you been to Lee's Donuts? They're the best!"
Well eventually I got tired of hearing this, and had a hankering for a donut anyway, so decided to head down, walk around a bit and satisfy my donut craving. Ordered the regular glazes, bit in expecting something wonderful and...letdown. Nothing special or unusually fresh tasting...I've had better at Timmy Ho's.
I can't fathom why this should be, I must be missing something here. I'm gonna have to do some investigating and head back down to try another flavour. Until then, I'm sorry Lee's but I'll have to get my donut fix elsewhere. -
Review from Michael F.
11/30/2011
I had a coconut donut here and it was pretty good.
-
Review from Kenneth E.
Vancouver, BC
1/17/2012
their famous honey-glazed is absolutely the best in town, only when they're just fresh from the oven, so heavenly soft & just the right sweetness--though i dont mind more ;)
the only best time though is when they just making their rounds, usually 11am & 2pm, as i call in to make sure. sometimes they run out by 3pm! Last time had tried to buy a dozen but out of luck.
also enjoy their jelly ones too, sure don't skimp out ;) -
Review from Edward L.
Came here for some donuts.
There was 1 staff running the entire show. She was cheerful and chatty, which is always a good thing.
I had a chance to try the cinnamon bun. This is one of the better ones out there. Most other places make them way too sweet or gooey.
They also sell other donuts, and donut holes (aka "Timbits") here. They looked good but I didn't go for them today. As they're located right by the entrance, it's a good way to start or end your stroll of the Granville Island Public Market. -
Review from Martina M.
Vancouver, BC
8/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I finally had to check this place out after hearing that this place has the best donuts in Vancouver.
If you do a cost comparison to Tim Hortons, it costs $1.99 for 10 timbits or $2.50 for 6 donut holes. However, Lee's donut holes were lighter, cakier, and much more enjoyable (especially since you know they weren't made at a central location and trucked to the store *couchTimmyscough*). I wish they offered more donut hole flavors than 6, but all of the ones I tried were fantastic. Our out-of-town friends enjoyed them too!
As a side note, I was told to try the Honeydew donut. The donut itself was great, but I definitely didn't get a strong honeydew flavor. It might have been too subtle for my tastebuds. Maybe your tastebuds will be different?
I have to try more donut places before I can give Lee's Donuts the crown for best donuts in Vancouver, but the donuts here are great! -
Review from Justin L.
8/14/2011
Impressed some out-of-towners when I brought them here and Lee herself served them her well-made jelly-filled donuts.
(If you want some coffee, though, I'd grab it from the JJ Bean stall across the aisle...) -
Review from Trudi C.
8/1/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I visited here whilst on holiday in Vancouver, and now that I live here, I make a point of visiting Granville Island every few weeks purely for these donuts! I've never tasted anything like them!!
The strawberry iced donut is by far my favorite! The dough mixed with the super sweet icing, it really is to die for. Why doesn't Tim Hortons do a strawberry iced donut? Such disappointment ;)
So check it out! It's a little pricey but well worth it! -
Review from Ed U.
So I must have fallen off the Lee's love train somewhere south of the border maybe at a random Dunkin Donuts outlet in Seattle. Understand that Jamie W. and I came to Granville Market full of heart and desire since we knew we were in a foodie's haven. Appetizing items were laid out on display everywhere. Too-tall meat pies. Shiny produce. When we passed by a whole lotta donuts, how could we resist one or perhaps a dozen?
We just got a couple of the Coconut Cream Donuts and a handful of Plain Donut Holes. We parked ourselves on a bench overlooking Burrard Street Bridge and all the water taxis traversing False Creek. Sad to report nothing was astounding despite being fresh out of the fryer. Nothing. The coconut cream was near nonexistent in the center of the donut, and the plain holes were, well, plain. This was my second disappointing donut experience after trying the legendary Daily Dozen at Seattle's Pike Place Market about a month prior. Swear off donuts? Yeah right...
DONUTS - 2 stars...homemade doesn't mean a thing sometimes
AMBIANCE - 3 stars...basking in the Granville gourmet vibe
SERVICE - 2.5 stars...there's only so much you can do with a pair of tongs
TOTAL - 2 stars...now there's a few hundred calories I could have done withoutListed in: Vancouver, Victoria, Veni,…
-
Review from Richard U.
7/4/2010
I am a donut guy.
I can't help it! Naturally, I was drawn to this place with its freshly fried doughy fumes blowing into the public market on Granville Island. We went as they were kind of winding down so the choices were a bit limited. We got the glazed donut and it was ridonkular! Kind of a mix between a cake style and yeast style donut, nice thick glaze and toasty warm as it just came out of the fryer and recently glazed. Oh lordy! what a party in the mouth! For the sake of fitting into my pants we didn't over indulge but I probably will next time I am in town!Listed in: Vancouver Highlights
-
Review from Rachael T.
Toronto, ON
10/10/2009 2 photos
Mission to eat Vancouver's 101 Best Eats
Item: Honey Dip Donuts
Price: $1.75
Cuisine: Bakery / Baked Goods
Deserving to be on the list: Neutral
Comments: If you like Krispy Creme donuts - this is similar.... but very doughy... unlike Krispy Creme which I find very cakey, if you know what I mean. Fully glazed and super sweet, you can see the dough stretch as you take a bite.... kind of fun if you are a little kid enjoying a snack. I also tried the bavarian chocolate donut - which had bits of coconut as a topping, but there was not much coconut taste. The chocolate donut was much more fluffy, very different texture from the Honey Dip. There are so many kinds of donuts at this place... something for everyone!Listed in: Vancouver Magazine's 101 Best…
-
Review from Steve K.
Vancouver, BC
9/6/2009
I've been going to Granville Island for years. I live in the 'hood (I think I've earned the right on many levels to use the word "'hood"), but a friend finally convinced me to try one of Lee's finest.
This isn't Timmy's Ho's, which I thought was the pinnacle of deep fried clumps of dough. This is better.
So after looking over the selection, I chose a filled ball of batter . . . but what flavour to compliment the layer of sugar that coats the outside? Hmmmm, I loves me my tarty goodness so I go for a lemon filled doughnut. What a treat. "No miss, I'm not hitting on your daughter. I'm puckering because I just had a Lee's lemon filled . . . please try one for yourself before you slap me back to Terra Breads." Well, what really came out was "wamaaafaaammmewaawbbaaaaaaa." I got slapped anyway.
That pretty much says it all. A flavour so intense I couldn't talk right. What else would make me speechless? Hmmmmmm. Orgasmalicious. -
Review from Joyce D.
Burnaby, BC
2/9/2010
Finally got around to checking out a Vancouver favourite fix. Definitely a mom and pop place and that is a nice touch. Friendly staff to boot!
Now for the taste. Tried out their famous honey dip and while it was slightly warm and tasty it still does not live up to the famous Krispy Creme. The real difference is the glaze which KK has down to a fine art. My boyfriend is the real donut monster and he really liked the chocolate glazed which were twice the size of Tim Hortons.
Overall was glad I checked out the hype but consider it pretty hard to touch Krispy Kreme, especially honey glazed. Where as I would not go out of my way to go here again, I would make it a point to go back to KK time and time again. -
Review from Gina K.
10/5/2009 1 photo
Is it strange to wish I had one of their apple fritters for my birthday cake? Is that too much to ask?
My friend and I stopped at this shop when we saw this apple fritter the size of a dinner plate and as a joke, I dared him to pose with one. He bought the Mini Apple Fritter, maybe 2/3 the size of a dinner plate. I never thought that it would actually the best tasting pastry of my birthday weekend! Better than my cake! Jaw dropping good!
Can they sell Candles with the Fritter? -
Review from vanessa G.
Vancouver, BC
7/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
This is what i call a real donut place. Fresh, chewy, melt in your mouth insides, and coated with whatever picks your fancy outsides.
I usually end up with the sprinkles.. don't ask me why. It's the kid in me.
Supposedly are donuts are better for you then muffins.. go figure. Lee's will make you feel better about that for sure! -
Review from Lee E.
Scarborough, ON
10/20/2011
Every time I go to Vancouver I visit Lee's donuts at least once. This time it was 3 times. Donut holes are fabulous and if I get the chance to go back before I fly out I'll be a happy camper. These are MUCH better than Tim Horton's.
-
Review from Adam R.
Vancouver, BC
3/17/2010
If Lee's was a chain, Timmy's would be put out of business. I always pick the yeasted doughnuts and the honey dip is always great but the piece de resistance is the jelly. It is not filled with the usual corn starch based concoction you find elsewhere, it is the real thing in there! Nobody beats these jelly doughnuts.
Friendly service, always fresh warm doughnuts coming out and it's right by the door so you can nip in and grab half a dozen in no time.
Now I really want one... -
Review from Kimberley B.
Vancouver, BC
8/23/2010
Though the days of being able to eat 12 donuts in a weekend and not burst open my pants, I still enjoy a little bit of Lee's every once in a while. When people try and tell me about Timbits etc, I tell them to go to Lee's and experience a real donut. Made fresh every morning, don't go there before 11am if you want their full range of donut deliciousness. My favourite(s): 1. Vanilla donut with strawberry icing and sprinkles 2. Chocolate Bavarian 3. Choclate doughnut with mint.
Worth the guilt! -
Review from Stephen Y.
Vancouver, BC
8/11/2009
Been coming here since grade school... Certainly the best donuts (honey-glazed) in town even compared to KK (Is it still around ?) and of course way better than Tim's (its mindless devotion boggles the mind)
There is a modest selection of donuts and they also make crepes as well -
Review from Barry M.
11/3/2009
Maybe I picked a bad day or time, but there wasn't a huge selection, they didn't look super appetizing, and what I tasted was.... meh.
I would have rather had timmy's. -
Review from Kathleen H.
3/8/2010
"All you have to do is ask!"
This was the response to my pitiful expression of disappointment when I saw that the Bavarian cream rack was empty. And voila!- a fresh batch of donuts magically appeared, and the thick, creamy goodness nestled inside the warm dough was the best $2 spent in the market that morning. -
Review from David F.
Vancouver, BC
8/29/2009
These are the best donuts I have ever had. Waaaay better than Tim's. The honey glazed, which are usually fresh and warm, are orgasmic. I also love the more dense non-yeast donuts. They are crispy, but with a nice cakey inside. The yeast donuts are lovely and light.
This is one of the best treats on Granville Island and if there's a better donut in Vancouver, I want to know about it. -
Review from Mark H.
3/8/2010
I was told by two trusted individuals that this was THE place for fresh, handmade Donuts. Luckily after tasting Lee's, they still have my trust.
With Olympic chaos in full-swing, Granville Island was as packed as People's Square in Shanghai. Luckily the line at Lee's was very short. The selection was kind of sparse as I guess they were making a fresh batch.
I think we tried the peanut covered one, honey dip and honey glaze (my memory is like a boomerang, right now it's up in the air). I'd have to say my favourite was the peanut one, but all were very good. I don't know why people like Krispy Creme, I find the sugar levels to be off the scale of acceptableness.
Summary: Go local, go Lee's and enjoy Granville Island while you're at it. -
Review from Robyn G.
Vancouver, BC
2/14/2011
I have only tried the Glazed (usually the only donut I will eat) and the jam donuts. I loooooved both.
100% better than Krispy Kreme!
They have a good assortment of donuts and if I was less of a picky eater then I am sure I would have tried a better variety of their products!
I recommend an afternoon down at Granville perusing the stalls whilst sipping fresh lemonade and walking out with at least one item from Lee's Donuts! -
Review from Luisa S.
Vancouver, BC
11/3/2008
Whether you think it's "donut" or "doughnut", Lee's Donut does doughnuts well (that word has now officially lost all meaning). Twisted into knots, coated in icing sprinkled with coconut, no matter the appearance, Lee's doughnuts are always fresh and always good.
They're a bit cakier than Krispy Kreme's offering, which I swear is made from deep-fried air, and are a more substantial way of obtaining a sugar fix. They offer your standard flavours, like honey dip or jelly, and are consistently good.
Service here, on the other hand, fluctuates--seems like you're less likely to get a smile on weekends. Overall, though, this place is nice.
Have to agree with the two reviewers, there are better ways to sate your gastronomic desires in Granville Island. -
Review from Kat S.
5/10/2010
These donuts are just like Grandma used to make! They are a little crispy on the outside, with a dense, but soft and chewy interior. These are hefty donuts! The way they should be made, and not overly melt-my-teeth-out sweet, either. Perfect. Granted I only tried one, which was cinnamon, it was still one of the best donuts I have ever had.
-
Review from Dan M.
8/14/2011
I love donuts, so I made it a point to seek out Lee's Donuts while on vacation in Vancouver. These donuts are very good, a nice consistency and flavor. I especially liked the maple-frosted cake donut, as well as the honey glazed. My only regret is that I didn't make another trip to Lee's so that I could try a few more varieties. These treats are so much better than the generic, mass-produced ones at Tim Horton's. Lee's gets four stars rather than five because only one donut shop in my life gets five stars, and that's Peterson's Donut Corner in Escondido, CA.
-
Review from Ali L.
Montréal, QC
10/14/2009
Sugar rush! I have never had a better doughnut. Ever. Krispy Kreme? You must be kidding. Tim Horton's? Don't even start... The cakey atrocity they sell at Starbucks? Oh hell no...
Lee's Donuts is the real deal. These are fresh made, fresh cooked. And so tasty.
I've never tried the crepes. They're probably good, but I come here for the light but substantial honey dipped.Listed in: Granville Island Picks and…
-
Review from Nadine N.
Vancouver, BC
10/6/2008
I think Lee's Donuts are better than Tim Horton's, but I think I am going to follow Brian K's advice next time. I've had better donuts and he's right, there are better ways to enjoy fat and calories at Granville Island. I'm looking forward to doing more research on that and will report my finding back on Yelp to help justify my sweet tooth.
-
Review from Ashley S.
Vancouver, BC
12/10/2009
The donuts here are perfection. I always get the simple honey glazed donuts, cause they're just that: Simple. And classic. And delicious.
-
Review from Nestor B.
Vancouver, BC
5/29/2009
I have trouble believing the ratings and reviews that I'm seeing here. For me, Lee's positively makes *the* best donuts in the city. I've yet to come across anything quite as fluffy and yet still substantial. I can't say I've ever had Krispie Kreme, but I do think I've sampled most of the other major players in the area. And as far as I'm concerned, none of them can hold a candle to Lee's.
-
Review from Brian K.
8/31/2008
They look "cute" all nicely lined up but the taste is average. I think real donuts should have a very thin layer of crispy crust surrounding a soft, plush inside but these donuts, like a lot others, don't have this mystical, elusive crust. Anyways, something different.
-
Review from Claire M.
11/30/2008
These donuts were not worth the hunt through the market. The profiteroles were declared DELICIOUS by my donut-eating-partner-in-crime.
-
Review from Jennie N.
1/7/2010
Honey dip, mango filled, coconut filled, oh my! Decisions, decisions. I obviously chose all three. I shared of course. The cococnut was my favorite.
-
Review from Bruce L.
Vancouver, BC
10/1/2009
This used to be a great place for donuts! New owners make it not worth the effort or expense and the great donuts are just a memory; too bad! My daily donut journey needs a new destination. A great donut place can be measured by the quality of their old fashioned donuts. Lee's first took the nutmeg out of the donuts (expensive spice, wonderful taste!) and now are only making the originals one day a week! Soo saad! On the other hand, if you want to spend much more to get much less and have a parking problem to boot, give it a try! The donuts are best at 7AM when they are fresh out of the fryer!
