SuzyQ Doughnuts Hintonburg — Restaurant in Ottawa

Suzy Q Donuts is a well-known spot in Ottawa for those craving a treat, and for good reason. The variety of flavors they offer is impressive, ranging from classic options like Maple Bacon to more unique choices like London Fog and Blue Vanilla. Each donut is beautifully crafted, with vibrant colors and creative toppings that make them as visually appealing as they are tasty.

The texture of the donuts is a highlight. They’re soft, fluffy, and have a lightness that makes them easy to eat without feeling too heavy. The dough is well-balanced, and most of the flavors strike a good harmony between sweetness and richness. The Maple Bacon, for example, offers a perfect blend of savory and sweet, while the Raspberry Cassis is tangy and refreshing.

That said, there are a few minor downsides. While the variety is impressive, some of the more experimental flavors don’t always hit the mark. Occasionally, a donut might feel overly sweet, and a few flavors lack the complexity you’d hope for. Additionally, the donuts can be a bit pricey for their size, which might not appeal to everyone.

The atmosphere at Suzy Q is cozy but can get quite crowded, especially on weekends, making it a bit difficult to fully relax and enjoy your treat if you’re staying on-site. However, the service is generally friendly and quick, so you’ll be in and out in no time if you’re grabbing to-go.

Overall, Suzy Q Donuts offers a solid experience with some standout flavors, but it may not always live up to the hype in every aspect. If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit, but perhaps not a place you’d go out of your way for unless you’re a serious...

I’ve generally always had positive experiences with Suzy Q’s and I do strongly believe in supporting local businesses, especially during the pandemic. I have supported Suzy Q’s since its very start. However in recent times over the last few visits, the quality of service and donut-for-price has deteriorated over time...they’ve grown too big to care anymore.

At my last visit, the individual at the front counter repeatedly advised me that I could not use a gift card at the counter to pay for my order and that I could only use gift cards online (which is not true). With a long lineup, I did not appreciate having to reiterate and clarify numerous times. Then, the individual did not even take accountability once she realized it was indeed possible to pay via gift card.

Moreover, and probably most frustrating, my order was wrong! For premium donuts at $20 for a half-dozen, I should not have check my order, especially since there was already the gift card issue and a lineup behind me where we need to respect physical distancing. I wasn’t about to just stand around to open the box or line up again.

Suzy Q donuts are not cheap relative to other donuts in the Ottawa area, so they should at least come with equivalent level of service and accuracy, at the very least. When I respectfully raised my issue well over a week ago privately to info(at)suzyq.ca, I didn’t even receive any acknowledgement or a response. That's not right.

While I can appreciate the need for kindness and patience even more so during the pandemic, I would have appreciated a bit more of both from Suzy Q, who has progressively lost my respect and...

My introduction to Suzy Q was in my Kanata office, when someone brought in a box of their doughnuts and said, “What do you mean you haven’t heard of Suzy Q?” Valid point—it’s truly a classic Ottawa spot now.

Ottawa has no shortage of amazing doughnuts, but Suzy Q consistently tops the list. Their rotating seasonal doughnuts are always inventive, but my absolute favourite was a strawberry cronut they had one summer—I would honestly give up my firstborn for them to bring it back. It perfectly captured the taste and feeling of summer.

From their standard menu, the Boston Cream is hands-down the best I’ve ever had. I bring all my friends who visit Ottawa to Suzy Q to try it, or bring it to them—it’s that good. The cream is light and not too sweet, and the thick layer of chocolate on top is just perfect. It always seems to be the first one to sell out, and for good reason.

If I have one plea, it’s this: please extend your hours! I would love to grab a Suzy Q doughnut at 7:30 pm—some of us need a late-night doughnut fix.

One last thing I appreciate: they pay their staff a living wage. It’s clear that this is a place that cares not just about the doughnuts, but about the people who make them.

Give Susan Q, as I call them, a try if you have not...