The Donut Friar: Fresh-Baked Donuts & Coffee in Gatlinburg

For a simple morning treat or an afternoon coffee break in downtown Gatlinburg, The Donut Friar is a longtime local tradition inside The Village Shops. The family-run shop has been making donuts and pastries there since 1969 and is recognized as one of Gatlinburg’s longstanding food businesses.

For guests staying at Sunshine Around the Bend, The Donut Friar is an easy stop to pair with a morning walk through The Village, especially when the group wants something sweet without planning an entire meal around it.

About The Donut Friar

The Donut Friar is located at 634 Parkway, Suite 15, within The Village Shops, a European-inspired collection of 27 specialty shops in downtown Gatlinburg.

Since 1969, the Ryan family has operated The Donut Friar, making donuts and pastries that have become part of Gatlinburg’s food traditions. The shop is also known for coffee, giving visitors the option to pair a fresh pastry with a warm drink.

The location makes it particularly easy to include in a larger morning or afternoon outing. After picking up a treat, guests can continue exploring The Village’s shops, browse nearby downtown Gatlinburg, or simply take a little time to enjoy the courtyard.

Why Guests Love It

A longtime Gatlinburg tradition
The Donut Friar has been part of The Village since 1969, giving it more than five decades of history in downtown Gatlinburg.

Fresh donuts and pastries
The shop focuses on freshly made donuts and pastries, making it a natural choice when you’re looking for a sweet breakfast or snack rather than a full sit-down meal.

Coffee to go with your treat
Coffee is another part of the Donut Friar experience, making it easy to turn a quick donut stop into a relaxed morning coffee break.

Located inside The Village
The Donut Friar sits within The Village Shops, where guests can browse boutiques and specialty stores before or after stopping for a treat.

Easy for families
The grab-and-go nature of donuts makes this a convenient option when traveling with children or when different members of a group want a small treat at different times.

Insider Tips

• Pair it with The Village Shops. Plan your donut stop around a little browsing rather than making a separate trip just for dessert.
• Consider it for an early morning treat. The Donut Friar is frequently highlighted as a breakfast or morning stop in Gatlinburg.
• Save room for coffee and a pastry. This works especially well when some guests want a sweet bite while others simply want a warm drink.
• Enjoy the courtyard. The Village provides a pleasant place to slow down after picking up your treats.
• Check current hours before visiting. Operating hours can change seasonally.

Stay Hello Sunshine Tip

For guests at Sunshine Around the Bend, make The Donut Friar part of a relaxed Gatlinburg morning. Pick up fresh donuts and coffee, wander through The Village Shops, and let the morning unfold without rushing to the next activity. Then, when you’re ready to head back toward the cabin, you’ll have a sweet little memory to take with you.