TODCO - The Oakleigh Doughnut Co

If you're after a doughnut in Oakleigh, TODCO is the name that keeps coming up. The corner shop sits in Eaton Mall, surrounded by restaurants on a busy strip, and the bright, art-covered exterior makes it easy to spot. Inside there's a small dining area as well as takeaway, so you can sit down with a coffee rather than just grab and go.

The business has been running since July 2017, and the focus is artisan doughnuts and specialty coffee. They make well over thirty flavours, covering yeast-raised, cake and choux pastry styles, with vegan and gluten-free options in the mix. Vegan doughnuts come up often among regulars, including a Biscoff creme that has its fans. Custom cake orders, delivery and pre-order pick-up are also on offer, so it's worth asking the team about timing if you're planning something for a gathering.

What people tend to rave about is the dough itself: soft, light and fluffy with a bit of crisp at the edges, and usually not overly sweet. There's a Greek-leaning streak running through the range, with the custard-filled Galakdough and the baklava-inspired Bakladough both earning praise. Others swear by the Nutella Snow, the peanut butter doughnut, the strawberry cheesecake and the passionfruit pie or passionfruit meringue, which one local described as oozing creamy, tangy filling with every bite. Everything is made fresh on site, and the decoration is pretty enough that one visitor compared the doughnuts to little works of art.

We hear the staff are friendly and welcoming, and that the coffee is a solid match for the sweets. Value is generally seen as fair for the quality, though one person did note these aren't the cheapest doughnuts around. Another thought the variety on the day was a touch smaller than expected, so if you have your heart set on a particular flavour, getting in early is the sensible move.

The shop is open into the evening every day, which makes it a handy after-dinner stop, but check the hours before you head in. It has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, free street parking nearby, and takes card payments.