Krispy Kreme Auburn

If you're after a donut run in Auburn, Krispy Kreme is a familiar name to head for. It's the home of the Original Glazed, and the shop runs a full counter of the signature range alongside barista coffee, shakes and bagels. You can take it away, dine in at the seating, use the drive-through, or have it delivered. We've also heard that in-store pick-up works smoothly for people who order ahead.

The fresh-from-the-oven factor is a draw. Locals say the donuts are at their best hot, soft and slightly chewy, and the rotating flavours are a big part of the appeal. One regular mentioned a tangy lemon donut that surprised them, and another was pleased by a pistachio and apple crumble special. Fair warning: the double glazed ones are very sweet, and one customer found them hard to eat more than one of.

The staff get a lot of friendly mentions. We hear they'll happily help if you change your mind at the counter, and one local singled out a team member named Hamza for making their visit a good one. The store is busy, parking is shared with the neighbouring McDonald's, and there's outdoor seating if you'd rather eat on the spot. Access is good too, with a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance and toilet. Pricing is seen as reasonable for the quality, and card payments are accepted.

To be fair, it isn't flawless. Locals are a little split on a few things: the coffee gets mixed reactions, with one person finding it better than a fast-food cup and another finding it burnt, and the odd grumble about cleanliness and hygiene has come up. On a busy day, freshness can also vary. Most still come away happy, especially with the donuts themselves.

The bakery keeps long hours, opening early and running late most nights, but check the hours before you head in, particularly for a late-evening craving.