Mack and Renee McGaugh’s namesake doughnut shop used to be Madison’s location of Shipley Do-Nuts, but the quality of both the cake and yeast doughnuts remains the same despite the name change. The tiny, no-frills dining room and drive-thru window open daily at 4:30 a.m. for bear claws, eclairs, and all sorts of other classic glazed, coconut-iced, and cinnamon sugar doughnuts.

Gourmet Donuts, a family-owned spot in Mt. Juliet, offers fritters, giant cinnamon rolls, and fresh, pillowy soft doughnuts from old-fashioned to eye-catching, adorned with vibrant frosting and sprinkles. Open every day from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Serving both yeast and cake doughnuts plus a flaky doughnut-croissant hybrid called a “doughssant” (not a Cronut, mind you), this Hermitage shop is a go-to for many locals. Donut Palace’s other popular offerings include espresso eclairs and lemon twists.

Order online from East Park Donuts & Coffee, a cute, modern shop that specializes in brioche and cake donuts alongside good espresso and coffee near East Nashville’s East Park. Several unique flavors await, from margarita brioche to an everything doughnut with cream cheese icing and everything bagel seasoning, and you can even get sandwiches like a turkey club or grilled cheese on doughnuts instead of bread.

Texans in Tennessee know Shipley Do-Nuts well: The company has been around since the 1930s when the original Houston shop started selling a dozen doughnuts for just five cents. Popular for yeasted doughnuts, cake doughnuts, filled doughnuts, and kolaches, the chain now has over 300 franchised stores throughout the South and beyond, including this unassuming Donelson location and another in nearby Hendersonville.

Fox’s Donut Den in Green Hills is Nashville doughnut OG, a go-to for well over 30 years. Offering all the classics, the shop opens early (5 a.m. during the week and 6 a.m. on weekends) and closes late, making it a great place to grab a quick breakfast or tasty dessert on the go.