Overview
Many Melburnians have childhood memories of lining up at Queen Vic Market's American Doughnut Kitchen van to get a bag of fresh hot jam doughnuts. It's been kicking around since 1950, and still has masses of locals and tourists lining up every weekend to watch doughnuts be made right in front of them.
The team has always managed the small space well, cramming a heap of staff into the van and pumping out hundreds of doughnuts each day. But it's finally time for an upgrade. In autumn 2024, the American Doughnut Kitchen will open a bricks-and-mortar store down in Prahran Market, slinging the exact same doughnuts.
For a bit of fun, the new shop has been designed to give off the same look and feel as the famous van. You'll find the signature white and blue colour scheme, plus a similar open workstation where customers can watch the doughnuts be cut, cooked and filled with the mouth-watering raspberry plum jam before being tossed in a huge bowl of sugar.
Like the van, these are the only doughnuts that will be available. The family running the shop see no need to experiment with new flavours and offer a heap of different varieties. Truly, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. However, one change is coming, with the American Doughnut Kitchen's Prahran market spot also selling coffee. That means you can get your sweet treat and caffeine fix all in one spot.
"This expansion has been a long time coming and is a testament to our family's commitment to creating moments of delight and connection," said American Doughnut Kitchen Managing Director Belinda Donaghey.
"Our doughnuts are not just a treat; they are a symbol of tradition and indulgence. We're excited to share our legacy with more doughnut lovers in Melbourne's south while still staying true to our roots as a market trader."
The American Doughnut Kitchen is set to open its new Prahran Market store this autumn, with an exact date yet to be revealed. For more information, head to the venue's website.