Lee's Donuts

One of the donut staples in Vancouver

Pros - wide selection of freshly baked donuts with a variety of unique flavors.

Cons - long line but moves fast

A neat place to get some well loved donuts. Get a sampler box to enjoy when you are here

I wasn't too impressed with this donut shop. I came about a year and half ago and I had gone through a door that I guess was the market exit and saw this shop so I decided sure I needed a snack so let's try it. I did not know the line started outside lmao. Knowing now? Isn't worth the hype in my opinion they are just ORDINARY donuts with various toppings and every single one was sweet sweet sweet. I tried to find one that was less sweet but ultimately I had to find a napkin in the marketplace and wipe off the sugar. So grossed out it was so sweet. And I can't believe the lines go out the door apparently it's the norm and this place is "the place" cuz even tourists come here just for the famous donuts.

I will pass I wouldn't want them even if free. But I'm not a fan of sugar so that may be why. If they had plain donuts I didn't see any. Staff was polite and let me buy even after I found out I had cut the line by oh like 10-15 mins worth of people.

Lee's is my go to donut spot in Vancouver. It's always very consistent in quality and can't be beat for variety. They've got a mix of both yeast and cake donuts (yeast being my favorite).

There is almost always a line - so be prepared to wait and you won't be disappointed.

If you're looking for a classic donut I recommend the honey dip!

Great addition to any get together or party! Our friend brought these to our BBQ party and it was a hit.

So many different flavors, there was something for everyone.

Lees is always a solid stop when in Granville island. Do not be worried about long lines the staff does an amazing job moving the lines. The Ube selections are all phenomenal. Enjoy.all their other selections soft, flavorful can't go wrong.

Get the one without any toppings or sugar coated.
Get the one without any toppings or sugar coated.
Get the one without any toppings or sugar coated.
It's very important so I repeat this three times. The donuts are soft and fluffy, it's great to eat them without any extra sugar, the so-called #1 honey dip is in fact a market "honey dick", it's just a normal sugar coated donut, all their donuts are made overly sweet.
It's wasn't a line when we ordering, the staffs were not busy but this guy still served us with a sour face.
I suggest to go other places for better donuts, their donuts are just average.

Why 4 stars? Because these donuts are apparently an institution and I'm glad I tried them.

--- --- ---

I was told that when visiting Granville Island Market, the one thing I absolutely had to try were the donuts from Lee's. There were a million options, all of which looked great, so we just went with two of the most popular, which were noted on the menu: The Honey Dip and the Bavarian Cream Filled.

Both were high quality, enjoyable donuts. I wouldn't label them amazing, but I think they could have been if I'd had the ability to warm them up a bit.

I shoveled these down as we walked through the market and would love to stop by a Lee's again if I ever find myself in Vancouver. Do they have the "Hot Donuts Now" sign like Krispy Kreme? If so, I'm sold.

Here is my general take on donuts - if the place has great donuts, then it's definitely worth it, but I am not otherwise a donut guy. Grocery store donuts, for example? No thank you. But the donuts at Lee's were excellent! The honey donut was definitely a standout, but every kind we tried was really good.

FOOD
- Dutch crumb, chocolate-glazed sprinkles, strawberry-glazed sprinkles, and coconut donut: they were all good. 4/5

SERVICE: the line was out the door but it moved fast. 4/5

FINAL THOUGHTS: nothing special but good donuts for a decent price. If the line is out the door, I wouldn't wait in it again.

Lee's Donuts. Now these were some good donuts, and the price is spot on. Yellow branding really catches the eye and gives off an overall relaxed cute vibe.
There was a bit of a line, but it moved quickly. I just wish it were easier to see the donuts in the back and read the flavours -- though I get that keeping them away from customers is more hygienic. They weren't greasy at all, a bit dense, and nicely sweet. If I get the chance to go back, I'll definitely try some of the filled ones.