These folks always do a fantastic job, and the donuts are some of my favorites in NC. Plus, the half-priced rainy day donuts always make my kitchen team happy when it’s gross outside. Keep it up!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ian McShane
I heard this place was opening 2 years ago and it's a sleeping gem. Do you want to remember what Krispy Kream was 40 years ago? It's this place. I have lived in Raleigh for the past 40 years and I cannot remember the last time I felt a bagel and donut place was "authentic" and not just a 'business'. The donuts taste like a fresh baked pastry, because they do bake them fresh. The bagels are home made, not some store bought junk they reheat, and the coffee is flavorful. I am a local so I know the local shops and I'm embarrassed to say I never knew they opened fully for business. I have been to Duck and had fresh Duck donuts, I have been to Krispy Kream on Peace and had theirs for the past 40 years, I have been up north to the original Dunkin, this place beats them all.
Absolutely love this place! Great donuts and coffee (and other yummy things), vibes are usually spot on, amazing staff, really cute location and atmosphere, friendly dog area outside with seating on nice days!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Croquettes, Doughnut Flavors
Tim Linko
Visited on 2/11, ordered a dozen to get a variety. The filled donuts were grease bombs; so either not cooked correctly or the dough is not correct for the application. The standard glazed donuts were well cooked and a had a pleasantly surprise chewiness to them. Cinnamon sugar was my favorite.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sugar Spice Donut
Robert Reynaud
Bright spot Donuts does it right. Deep delicious flavors. Wonderful texture. A must have for donut peeps.
This place is a little hard to find but well worth the effort. The selection of donuts offers something for everyone. The taste, quality and freshness of the donuts will not disappoint. We tried 3 different ones and would eat any of them again. Can't wait for our next visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Honey Sourwood Donut, Og Glaze Donuts
Im envious of anyone that lives in walking distance. Stellar service and the donuts were perfection!
Gab G.
Bright Spot is a doughnut shop run by the Boulted Bread people, so I figured it was going to be good. I prefer cake doughnuts over yeast as a rule, but this spot makes a strong case for them. I tried:+ Cranberry curd (seasonal special)+ Apple cider glazed+ Sugar and spice+ OG glazeThe cranberry curd and sugar and spice were my favorites. Loved the cranberry filling in particular. Overall would recommend!4.5 stars.
Diana X.
Some of the best donuts in RTP I've had so far.The Boston cream donut one might top the best of this kind, I've ever had. It has a fried, light airy texture on the outside and the ganache is rich and has a depth of chocolate flavor without being overly cloying, unlike most Boston creams. The donut nearly falls apart, for better or worse, because of it's wonderfully bouncy and cloud-like feeling. The custard inside is eggy and almost chantilly tasting, in a wonderful way. This particular donut of theirs also highlights what I think is the strength of Bright Spot Donuts so far as I've observed, which is the light, pillowy brioche style of donut.I also tried the OG glazed (vanilla buttermilk glaze) and sugar + spice (yeasted donut with a coriander-inflected dusting of sugar). The buttermilk is quite good as well - it's an upgrade on your classic glazed donut, and what was notable is how the vanilla notes really come through and a smoothness in flavor possibly from the buttermilk.I liked the sugar + spice too. The coriander is subtle and well-balanced, although the dough is not as flavorful or standout as the Boston cream. In fact, some of the "airness" of the donut was so intense that there were large air pockets that made the donut collapse as I bit into it. Because of that, eating it was less satisfying, and it wasn't helped by the high price and small size. Overall, my favorite was their Boston cream filled donut. I think the extra fermented, airy style is amazing and I'm glad to have a place like Bright Spot in the area. But this method did not work with the smaller size of the other two yeasted donut rings I had. My recommendation would be to increase the size and height of these donuts, so they do not fall flat as you eat them.
Erica S
Everything we got was incredible. Since it was our first time, we shared the original glazed, sugar and spice, Boston cream, and an order of croquettes. The donuts were all fluffy and soft. The pastry cream in the Boston cream was perfect (not some canned filling or boxed pudding masquerading as pastry cream) and the chocolate topping was delicious (also clearly real chocolate and not just chocolate-flavored glaze). The croquettes were flavorful, crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside, exactly as they should be. Is this place pricier than other donut shops? Yes. But for me, the quality of the ingredients and made-in-house pastry cream makes it worth it. Will definitely return!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Og Glaze Donuts, Sugar Spice Donut, Croquettes
K A
THE BEST DONUTS IN THE TRIANGLE - PERIOD. Such a gem! The staff is always friendly, attentive, and super positive and upbeat! Love the aesthetic of the interior, and the donuts are delicious!Definitely a staple place for me in Raleigh!Parking: Plenty of parking out front and in the surrounding spaces! There is a shared lot with Peter Millar, but you'll never have difficulties finding a space!Kid-friendliness: Super kid friendly! The shop is located in a beautiful neighborhood full of young families!
Delicious!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
These folks always do a fantastic job, and the donuts are some of my favorites in NC. Plus, the half-priced rainy day donuts always make my kitchen team happy when it’s gross outside. Keep it up!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I heard this place was opening 2 years ago and it's a sleeping gem. Do you want to remember what Krispy Kream was 40 years ago? It's this place. I have lived in Raleigh for the past 40 years and I cannot remember the last time I felt a bagel and donut place was "authentic" and not just a 'business'. The donuts taste like a fresh baked pastry, because they do bake them fresh. The bagels are home made, not some store bought junk they reheat, and the coffee is flavorful. I am a local so I know the local shops and I'm embarrassed to say I never knew they opened fully for business. I have been to Duck and had fresh Duck donuts, I have been to Krispy Kream on Peace and had theirs for the past 40 years, I have been up north to the original Dunkin, this place beats them all.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Frosting, Chocolate Glaze, Sugar Spice Donut
Absolutely love this place! Great donuts and coffee (and other yummy things), vibes are usually spot on, amazing staff, really cute location and atmosphere, friendly dog area outside with seating on nice days!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Croquettes, Doughnut Flavors
Visited on 2/11, ordered a dozen to get a variety. The filled donuts were grease bombs; so either not cooked correctly or the dough is not correct for the application. The standard glazed donuts were well cooked and a had a pleasantly surprise chewiness to them. Cinnamon sugar was my favorite.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sugar Spice Donut
Bright spot Donuts does it right. Deep delicious flavors. Wonderful texture. A must have for donut peeps.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Frosting, Honey Sourwood Donut, Og Glaze Donuts, Sugar Spice Donut
Best donuts ever! Putting Krispy Kreme to shame!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pretty tasty donuts.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
This place is a little hard to find but well worth the effort. The selection of donuts offers something for everyone. The taste, quality and freshness of the donuts will not disappoint. We tried 3 different ones and would eat any of them again. Can't wait for our next visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Honey Sourwood Donut, Og Glaze Donuts
Wonderful donuts, great fun
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Og Glaze Donuts
Restaurantji Recommends
Im envious of anyone that lives in walking distance. Stellar service and the donuts were perfection!
Bright Spot is a doughnut shop run by the Boulted Bread people, so I figured it was going to be good. I prefer cake doughnuts over yeast as a rule, but this spot makes a strong case for them. I tried:+ Cranberry curd (seasonal special)+ Apple cider glazed+ Sugar and spice+ OG glazeThe cranberry curd and sugar and spice were my favorites. Loved the cranberry filling in particular. Overall would recommend!4.5 stars.
Some of the best donuts in RTP I've had so far.The Boston cream donut one might top the best of this kind, I've ever had. It has a fried, light airy texture on the outside and the ganache is rich and has a depth of chocolate flavor without being overly cloying, unlike most Boston creams. The donut nearly falls apart, for better or worse, because of it's wonderfully bouncy and cloud-like feeling. The custard inside is eggy and almost chantilly tasting, in a wonderful way. This particular donut of theirs also highlights what I think is the strength of Bright Spot Donuts so far as I've observed, which is the light, pillowy brioche style of donut.I also tried the OG glazed (vanilla buttermilk glaze) and sugar + spice (yeasted donut with a coriander-inflected dusting of sugar). The buttermilk is quite good as well - it's an upgrade on your classic glazed donut, and what was notable is how the vanilla notes really come through and a smoothness in flavor possibly from the buttermilk.I liked the sugar + spice too. The coriander is subtle and well-balanced, although the dough is not as flavorful or standout as the Boston cream. In fact, some of the "airness" of the donut was so intense that there were large air pockets that made the donut collapse as I bit into it. Because of that, eating it was less satisfying, and it wasn't helped by the high price and small size. Overall, my favorite was their Boston cream filled donut. I think the extra fermented, airy style is amazing and I'm glad to have a place like Bright Spot in the area. But this method did not work with the smaller size of the other two yeasted donut rings I had. My recommendation would be to increase the size and height of these donuts, so they do not fall flat as you eat them.
Everything we got was incredible. Since it was our first time, we shared the original glazed, sugar and spice, Boston cream, and an order of croquettes. The donuts were all fluffy and soft. The pastry cream in the Boston cream was perfect (not some canned filling or boxed pudding masquerading as pastry cream) and the chocolate topping was delicious (also clearly real chocolate and not just chocolate-flavored glaze). The croquettes were flavorful, crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside, exactly as they should be. Is this place pricier than other donut shops? Yes. But for me, the quality of the ingredients and made-in-house pastry cream makes it worth it. Will definitely return!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Og Glaze Donuts, Sugar Spice Donut, Croquettes
THE BEST DONUTS IN THE TRIANGLE - PERIOD. Such a gem! The staff is always friendly, attentive, and super positive and upbeat! Love the aesthetic of the interior, and the donuts are delicious!Definitely a staple place for me in Raleigh!Parking: Plenty of parking out front and in the surrounding spaces! There is a shared lot with Peter Millar, but you'll never have difficulties finding a space!Kid-friendliness: Super kid friendly! The shop is located in a beautiful neighborhood full of young families!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Glaze, Honey Sourwood Donut, Sugar Spice Donut