Welcome to Surf Rat Donuts
At Surf Rat Donuts, nestled along the scenic shores of Cayucos, innovation and passion blend to create a donut experience like no other. Founded by Ben and Jessica, this charming shop is known for its made-to-order, artisanal donuts crafted from scratch. The warm, fluffy treats come underscored by unique flavors like maple bacon and gluten-free options that have patrons raving. Each visit is a delightful encounter, greeted by friendly smiles and the intoxicating aroma of freshly fried dough. Surf Rat Donuts not only satisfies sweet cravings but also fosters a community spirit, making it a beloved gem on the central coast.
-
101 D St, Cayucos, CA 93430 Hotline:
Welcome to the delightful world of Surf Rat Donuts, a hidden gem nestled in the charming beach town of Cayucos, California. Located at 101 D St, this local donut shop has quickly become a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with a warm smile and the tantalizing aroma of freshly made donuts, each crafted with love and care.
What sets Surf Rat Donuts apart is their commitment to quality and innovation. The owner, Ben, tirelessly experiments with flavors and techniques, ensuring that every donut is not just a treat, but an experience. As Kathy Y. eloquently captures in her review, "You step in and are greeted with a smile... then to try and pick what type of donuts you want!" The selection ranges from classic glazed to adventurous flavors like maple bacon and cinnamon sugar, all prepared fresh to order. Imagine biting into a warm, fluffy confection that melts in your mouth, invoking a child's joy at the carnival.
Customers rave about the freshness and quality of these donuts. Lovin C. describes the blueberry iced glazed raised donut as "the freshest donuts on the central coast!" Meanwhile, Sabrina D. shares the surprising delight of being able to enjoy a gluten-free option that retains a heavenly texture. Her mother's words, "I can die happy," speak volumes about the quality Surf Rat brings to the table.
Each donut at Surf Rat is made from scratch and crafted to perfection. John M. highlights the made-to-order aspect, where cake-style donuts are dunked in freshly prepared glaze, creating a delightful sticky treat worth savoring. While the prices may be on the higher side, the quality is unmatched—these are not your average mass-produced donuts. Rather, they are a labor of love, and the taste reflects that commitment.
Surf Rat Donuts also embraces the community spirit of Cayucos, becoming a beloved spot for families and pet owners alike. Riley B. enjoyed savoring donuts at outdoor tables with their dog after a leisurely beach walk, making it the perfect end to a sun-filled day. It’s this combination of a fantastic product and a welcoming atmosphere that keeps customers returning.
In essence, Surf Rat Donuts is not just a place to grab a quick snack; it’s an experience that enriches your beach getaway. As Sophia F. puts it, the shop offers "a timeless treat that combines the comfort of a homemade dessert with the joy of a classic donut experience." So next time you’re in Cayucos, don’t miss the chance to indulge in a warm, freshly made donut at Surf Rat Donuts. Your taste buds will thank you!
First, we are so Blessed that Surf Rat Donuts picked Cayucos to make it their home. From the start they have put their heart and soul into this business. Ben is constantly creating new and different types of donuts each received so well!! You step in and are greeted with a smile , a perfect start ! Then to try and pick what type donuts you want! Then you order and they make them fresh. You receive them warm!! Ohh so yummy!' Please try Surf Rat next time you're in Cayucos, They are worth it!'
The freshest donuts on the central coast! We ate a blueberry iced glazed raised warm donut We will continue to come by to try more delicious donuts!
"I can die happy" - my mom after eating Surf Rat's gluten free donut. These are frankly the best donuts we have ever had. Both with and without gluten. The texture of these donuts is the lightest fluff with a substantial and thick volume. It was like biting into cloud. I can't stress how astonishing that is for gluten free baking. My brother has been gluten free for 20 years and he couldn't believe a donut could be that soft. And the coating flavors pack a punch. Maple bacon for myself and sprinkle and glazed for my mom and brother. We are thrilled these guys opened in our little beach town so we can treat ourselves regularly. 11/10.
Great donut shop, the donuts are really fresh. My grandson loves them, when he visits it's one of his favorites.
It's clear that the quality of donuts are better than the others in town. They make them from scratch unlike the others in town and the quality is clear. I was waiting in line for the Hidden Kitchen and couldn't resist. I got the pumpkin spice donut and a plain cake donut that was FRESH OUT of the fryer. warm and fluffy and crispy on the outside. Besides, the people working there were so very nice. When I'm in the mood for the highest quality donut in town, I'm coming back to Surf Rat Donuts.
Went to Cayucos for the weekend and finally tried Surf Rat Donuts! I got a plain donut for my baby which was perfectly crispy and not too sweet. My husband got the maple donut and thought it was delicious and he said there was the right amount of maple frosting. I got the cinnamon sugar and it was super light, fluffy and delicious. Happy to have this spot in Cayucos and it's a sweet treat I'm looking forward to having again.
We're locals and are cheering on Surf Rat Donuts as they get established and wish them much success, especially as a locally-owned business in a small tourist town. Here's some information to supplement some of the comments in prior reviews: - The cake-style donuts are made to order, and they are dunked in the glaze you pick out right after they are removed from the deep fryer, so the glaze takes some time to dry if you don't want to get your fingers sticky (which, personally, I don't mind if it means that the warm donut melts in my mouth). - Yes, the donuts aren't cheap...but, these donuts aren't mass produced and this is a tourist town so what else do you expect? Plus, the prices are clearly marked so no one should be surprised. - The taste is great...if someone feels that more vanilla or something else is needed to make their "perfect" donut, then they should probably bake their own at home. - The shop has limited hours, but maintaining a business is hard in Cayucos especially off-season so it's understandable. And, the hours may not be listed correctly on Google or other pages. Bottom line: Nice addition to our wonderful vacation wonderland...we hope Surf Rat Donuts is around for a long time to come.
We tried Surf Rat for the first time over Fourth of July weekend and fell in love! Doughnuts were warm and tasty and the staff was friendly despite being so busy. We enjoyed eating them at their outdoor tables with our dog after a beautiful morning beach walk. We will definitely be back for more
The only place to serve Fresh, hot donuts; which is perfect to warm you up with this cooler climate! Perfect location to watch the waves crash while enjoying hot coffee and the perfect warm and fresh donut! Owners are always on site and it's such smooth operation considering they make the donuts to order (it may be a few minutes to wait but the location and quality make it totally worth it)! Have gone back too many times to count, and cannot wait to go again!
Delightful cake donuts made from scratch! They also make small batch FRESH glazes that will send your tastebuds into another dimension. Seriously, just get one of each. Ben and Jessica never fail to impress. Surf rat donuts are a timeless treat that combine the comfort of a homemade dessert with the joy of a classic donut experience. Set right on the beach: donuts, coffee and a stroll down the beach, it was the perfect start to a day!