The Holy Donut — Restaurant in Portland

Humble beginnings The story of The Holy Donut is a heartwarming tale of determination, creativity, and the power of a dream. Leigh Kellis, a visionary single mother, turned her apartment kitchen into a donut laboratory armed with nothing but passion, love and a counter-top fryer. She was fueled by a desire to offer a healthier donut that she felt comfortable sharing with her daughter. Her goal was not just any donut, but a magical donut made with wholesome, trusted ingredients. Leigh’s path wasn’t paved with sugar and ease. It demanded perseverance, countless trials, and a belief in her product’s uniqueness. Her breakthrough came when she stepped out of her kitchen’s comfort zone, introducing her donuts to local coffee shops. Leigh’s donuts were not just well received; they were a sensation! Securing her first wholesale order of seven dozen donuts a week was a testament to her hard work and the undeniable appeal of her potato donuts. Behind her success was a family united by a common dream. Her father, Allan, offered unwavering support, from peeling potatoes to making deliveries asking for nothing in return. The opening of the first Holy Donut in Portland in 2012 was a collective effort, with her mother, Cynthia, investing her savings, and her sister, Elizabeth, leaving her job to join the venture only working for tips in the early days. The business’s growth was further propelled by Jeff Buckwalter, Leigh’s brother-in-law, who introduced structure and vision for sustainable growth. The Holy Donut became a true family affair, involving even the youngest members: Avery, Riley, Kady and Griffin in its operation creating lifelong memories. This story is more than just about donuts; it’s a testament to the power of a dream, a family’s love, and the community that embraced them. Fast forward to today, more than a decade (and a pandemic) later, The Holy Donut continues to grow and open new locations including a commissary facility and has more than 120 valued team members. The Holy Donut has plans to continue spreading positive vibes in Maine and beyond by making a one of a kind, delicious donut from scratch every day, with wholesome and local ingredients, the way donuts should be made. The Holy Donut is a family-owned business and choice destination for gourmet donuts, coffee, employment, and positive vibes in each of our...

We had the chance to stop at The Holy Donut during our cruise through Canada and New England. Portland was one of our port stops, and our tour guide highly recommended this place as a must-visit. We were told the donuts were famous and worth the wait, so we decided to give it a try—and we are so glad we did.

When we arrived, there was already a long line stretching outside the shop. It took us a little over 30 minutes to get through, but the time passed quickly thanks to the friendly atmosphere and the anticipation of trying something truly special. It was clear from the energy around us that this place was a local favorite as well as a destination for travelers like us.

We ordered the four most popular donuts they had that day. Each one had its own unique flavor and texture, and you could really taste the quality ingredients. We also ordered a chai, a hot chocolate for the kids, and a cappuccino for my husband. Everything was delicious and freshly made. The drinks were just as impressive as the donuts and made for a cozy treat on a cool morning in Maine.

The staff was welcoming and efficient despite the busy rush. They handled the crowd with smiles and patience, and the service felt personal even though they were moving quickly to keep the line moving.

We walked away feeling like we had just experienced something truly local and memorable. It was more than just a donut shop—it felt like a little taste of Maine hospitality and flavor. If you're in Portland, especially on a cruise or tour, do not miss this stop. Get there early, expect a bit of a wait, and prepare to enjoy one of the best donuts you'll ever have.

We would absolutely return if we find ourselves back in...

Friends of mine got me $100 gift certificate to the holy donut in February for my birthday thinking that they shipped. They did not so I called them and asked them if they would. I would sign a piece of paper saying I know the donuts won’t come in one piece, etc. They would not budge on that. But said hopefully in the future they were going to start shipping and the gift certificate has no expiration. So once a month I go on still no shipping. Today, I go on and by the grace of God they have started to ship! Best day ever right? So I go and I put my order in for my chocolate toasted coconut gluten-free donuts, and the gift card isn’t working. So I shoot them an email and they get back to me basically saying the gift certificate was bought before they started doing shipping so I can only use the gift certificate in store. and I said OK well I live in New York. I’m not planning on coming to Maine at all. there’s nothing you can do? Can you cancel this gift certificate and re-issue me one that I can use online so they wrote me back and said we discussed it and there’s really just nothing we can do. So my boss, owner of a small business bakery, called and tried to talk to them from a business perspective, and they still would not budge and said they would not give me a new certificate to use online. I had to use the one I have in store only! I was someone who praised this company at their amazing donuts, I sent anyone who said they were going to Maine to this establishment and I will never do that again. What a bad...