Jan 25, 2021

Fargo is a vibrant city nestled along the Red River on the eastern border of North Dakota. The area known as Fargo actually consists of three cities across two states — Fargo and West Fargo in North Dakota and Moorhead in Minnesota. You’ll find a welcoming Midwestern attitude and a bold, pioneering spirit here. It’s this spirit that’s launched the handful of distinctive doughnut and coffee shops that are beloved staples of Fargo.

Considering the wide coverage of Fargo, it’s no surprise that many of these locally owned shops have branched out into multiple locations to provide ample coverage for all the area’s residents. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, start at one of these destinations recommended by Rydell Outlet Center.

Sandy’s Donuts & Coffee Shop

Someone shopping for donuts in lit display case photographed from behind from behind
Image via Flickr by drewtarvin

300 Broadway North, Fargo, ND | 4281 45th Street South, Fargo, ND | 301 Main Ave. West, West Fargo, ND

Sandy’s Donuts & Coffee Shop offers dozens of doughnut flavors and bakes over 10,000 fresh doughnuts daily. You can choose from classics like sour cream, cinnamon sugar, and glazed doughnuts as well as intriguing options like cherry bismark, maple fried cinnamon, double chocolate peanut butter, and lemon blueberry cake.

The selection of gourmet doughnuts includes playful picks like the Cookie Monster doughnut, which features a playful face and cookie chunk in the center, or the Dirt ‘n Worms with crushed cookie dirt and gummy worms on top. If you’re looking for rich flavors, the S’mores Long John or Espresso Bismark are made to please.

Sandy’s got its start in 1983 in a small building in West Fargo. The donut shop later moved to a larger building just up the street on Main Avenue West. This location is considered the flagship store for Sandy’s and is the most spacious of the three destinations that the shop now maintains. In addition to its ample indoor seating, this spot also offers a drive-thru so you can pick up doughnuts on the run. With more than 80 flavors to choose from, you’ll find that you’re never lacking for options.

Sandy’s opened its second shop in 2014, adding a store in historic downtown Fargo by the Fargo Theatre. This central location is the perfect pick if you want to order morning treats for your team at the office. You’ll find 70 flavor options in this store, so you can easily find a delicious doughnut that suits your tastes.

The third Sandy’s location opened in 2019, bringing the now-famous doughnut selection to a more convenient spot for customers on the south side of town. Located in the Osgood area, this is now the most popular of the three Sandy’s shops. This location offers a drive-thru for your convenience, but you won’t want to miss the experience of stopping inside at least once. Here, you’ll find a 5-foot-tall caveman statue posing with an equally large doughnut, providing the perfect spot for a playful photo.

Beans Coffee Bar

5675 26th Ave. South, Suite 100, Fargo, ND | 2550 S. University Drive, Fargo, ND | 201 5th St. North, Fargo, ND

Beans Coffee Bar is another Fargo favorite with three locations to choose from. Don Larson’s daughter Heidi opened Beans in her father’s memory, as an homage to their shared love of coffee. While the brews are the main focus here, it’s hard to pass up a helping of the shop’s fresh miniature doughnuts. These are available by the bag or by the bucket. If you’re looking for a fun family tradition, consider sharing a heaping bucket of hot doughnuts with a warm drink on Saturday mornings. These doughnuts are available in cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar flavors.

Make sure you indulge in a gourmet drink alongside your doughnuts, so you can truly appreciate the distinctive flavors that the Beans Coffee Bar has to offer. In addition to traditional coffee drinks, the menu also includes options like the Beans mocha in turtle, berry, minty, or s’mores flavors. Kids might enjoy options like a caramel apple cider or the Beana Colada, made with pineapple, coconut, cream, and sparkling soda.

If you’re having trouble making your coffee selection, default to the daily brew. There’s a different treat on the menu each day of the week. With intriguing picks like Cookiedoodle or Zombie Cure, there’s always something tasty to try.

Red River Coffee, Treats, & Boutique

2600 52nd Ave. South, Fargo, ND

If you’re seeking to satisfy a group with several different cravings, Red River Coffee, Treats, & Boutique is the perfect place to stop. Here, you’ll find a diverse breakfast menu that includes oatmeal, breakfast sandwiches, muffins, scones, and more.

Naturally, doughnuts are included on the menu as well. Grandma’s Donuts are baked fresh daily and in limited quantities, so you’ll want to stop in early to ensure that you can score one. If you’re picking up doughnuts for the office, the Meeting Pack includes coffee for eight people and a dozen doughnuts. Red River proudly serves premium coffee, all of which is certified organic and fairly traded. If you find a taste you like, you can purchase a bag of beans either whole or custom ground to your preference.

If you have time for a leisurely morning, take the time to relax in the warm and cozy atmosphere of this coffee shop. You’ll find an inspirational gift boutique inside the shop with a variety of fun finds for you to browse while you sip. Red River partners with local creators and artists to feature distinctive items that are truly unique to the area. If you’re looking to shop local, you’ve found the perfect place.

Contact Rydell Outlet Center

These sweet spots are Rydell Outlet Center’s top choices for doughnuts in the Fargo area. Did we miss any great places for a breakfast treat? If your favorite doughnut shop is missing from the list, let us know so we can update our recommendations and point customers in the right direction. If you haven’t tried these destinations yet, pop in and give Fargo’s top doughnut shops a try to see which one best suits your tastes.