Local Uncovered: Lee’s Donuts – Vancouver’s OG of Fresh, Fluffy, Legendary

✍️ By Karalee Greer | WBN News – Vancouver Edition | April 15, 2025

Fresh, fast, and dripping in nostalgia—Lee’s Donuts is more than a Granville Island icon. It’s Vancouver’s longest-standing love letter to the craft of handmade sweetness.

Lee’s Donuts – Vancouver’s OG of Fresh, Fluffy, Legendary

Walk into Granville Island and follow your nose—it’ll take you straight to Lee’s Donuts. Since 1979, this no-nonsense, all-flavour shop has been serving classic, scratch-made donuts that hit harder than your childhood sugar rush.

Born in a tiny market stall and operating across multiple locations, Lee’s isn’t just a donut shop—it’s a piece of the city’s culinary DNA. You know you're in for something real when you spot that line stretching out the door (which moves faster than you think).

So, what’s the magic?
It starts with fresh ingredients, continues with small-batch precision, and ends with a customer experience as sweet as the Honey Dip. That particular donut, by the way, is the undisputed king of the menu. Though if you’re name-dropping, Seth Rogen’s all about the jelly-filled.

New Digs, Same Donuts

Lee’s has grown up. Recently they’ve expanded beyond the island, with fresh openings in Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver, a pop-up at Coquitlam Centre, and even a YVR Airport kiosk for that pre-flight sugar hit. But the vibe? Still old school.

When Allan and Celine Bacani took over from founder Betty-Ann Lee in 2018, they kept everything that mattered—like the recipes, the smiles, and the smell of fresh glaze in the morning. They also brought serious growth chops. Allan, whose family also ran Armando’s Meats, knows how to scale without selling out.

Lee’s even got its moment in the spotlight thanks to Netflix’s Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, where Rogen helped catapult the jelly donut into the global hall of fame.

So yes, you might wait 10 minutes in line—but when the paper bag is warm and the donut’s still steaming? You’ll know why generations keep coming back.

Flavour Rundown:

Classic staples anchor the menu, but seasonal varieties keep things fresh—check their Instagram for the latest lineup. Keep in mind that not all locations carry every flavour.

Allergy + Dietary Info:

• ❌ Not vegan or gluten-free
• ⚠️ Not a nut-free facility

Ordering Info:

• ✔️ Pre-Order: Available with a one-dozen minimum via their form online.
• 🚫 No line-skipping for pre-orders—get in line and soak in the donut-scented anticipation.
• 🚚 Delivery: Available through Uber Eats.
• 🎁 Gift cards available in-shop—great for any sweet-toothed friend!

Other Sweet Notes:

• ❗Freshness matters – best consumed the day of!
• 🍩 Small-batch = rotating stock. Popular flavours may sell out before close.
• ❤️ Leftovers go to Vancouver Food Runners.

Line Tips:

Weekdays and rainy days are usually quieter. Granville Island's peak wait times rarely exceed 15 minutes.

You Can Now Find Lee’s Donuts In More Places Than Ever:

• Granville Island (flagship)
• Gastown (across from the Steamclock)
• Bentall Four Centre (Downtown)
• Willowbrook Mall (Langley)
• Marpole Commissary
• Donut Trailer (mobile)
• YVR Airport – Domestic Terminal, Gate B14
• Coquitlam Centre Pop-Up (Until August 2025)
• New Store in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale (Opened April 2025)

A Sweet Legacy

When Allan and Celine Bacani took over Lee’s Donuts in 2018 from original owner Betty-Ann Lee, they didn’t just buy a donut shop—they inherited a Vancouver legend. The Bacanis have grown the brand while staying true to its roots, continuing Allan’s own family tradition of local food excellence (his father founded Armando’s Meats 40 years ago).

Global Recognition

In 2019, Lee’s Donuts was featured in the first episode of Netflix’s Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner with Seth Rogen, catapulting the local favourite onto the international stage—one jelly donut at a time.

Why It Matters

Lee’s Donuts is more than a treat—it’s a piece of Vancouver history. Anchored in community, heritage, and the art of hand-crafted perfection, every bite connects generations of locals and donut lovers from around the globe.

WBN News Business Profile Series

Local Uncovered dives into the heart of small business—spotlighting the founders, flavours, and stories that fuel our neighbourhood economies. Each edition reveals what makes local legends tick, sharing insider secrets, growth journeys, and community impact from Main Street to the Market.

🖊️ Karalee Greer – WBN News - Kitsilano
📍 Reporting from Granville Island, Vancouver

TAGS: #Local Uncovered #Vancouver #Lees Donuts #Granville Island Eats #Small Business Spotlight #Iconic Vancouver Eats #Foodie Favourites #Handmade Donuts