You’re driving down Kings Highway. It’s early. Maybe 7:00 AM? The salt air is already thick, and the humidity is starting to wake up, but there’s this smell. It’s not the ocean. It’s yeast, sugar, and frying dough. That’s when you see the sign. Donut Man Myrtle Beach. It isn't a massive, polished corporate franchise with a drive-thru that wraps around the block. It’s a humble, red-roofed building that looks like it belongs in a 1970s postcard, and honestly, that is exactly why people love it.
If you’ve spent any time on the Grand Strand, you know the food scene is a weird mix of high-end seafood and absolute tourist traps. Donut Man sits comfortably in the "local legend" category. It’s been a staple since the late 80s. While the rest of the world is obsessing over artisanal, $8 sourdough donuts topped with gold leaf and hibiscus dust, this place is busy making the classics.
They do them right.
The Mystery of the Donut Man Myrtle Beach Menu
People get confused. They hear "Donut Man" and they think of the famous Glendora, California spot with the strawberry-stuffed donuts. Let's clear that up right now: this isn't that. This is the South Carolina original. No relation.
The star of the show here is the glazed yeast donut. It sounds basic. It is basic. But have you ever had a donut so light it basically dissolves the second it hits your tongue? That’s the vibe. They make them fresh every single day, and if you get there when the "Hot" sign is glowing, you’ve basically won the Myrtle Beach lottery.
But it’s not just about the plain glaze. They do these massive apple fritters that are roughly the size of a toddler’s head. They are craggy, crispy on the edges, and filled with enough cinnamon and apple to make you forget about your beach body for at least twenty minutes.
Then there are the cream-filled ones. Heavily filled. Not that sad little squirt of industrial frosting you get at the grocery store. We’re talking about a serious commitment to dessert.
What to Order When You’re Overwhelmed
- The Classic Glazed: If you don’t start here, you’re doing it wrong. It’s the benchmark.
- Apple Fritter: Buy one to share, or don't. No judgment. It's crunchy, soft, and spicy in all the right ways.
- Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles: This is the one for the kids—or the kids at heart. The icing is thick and actually tastes like cocoa, not just brown sugar.
- The Raspberry Filled: It’s messy. You will get powdered sugar on your shirt. Wear it as a badge of honor.
Why Locals Choose This Over the Big Chains
Myrtle Beach has every chain you can imagine. Dunkin’ is on every corner. Krispy Kreme is down the road. So why does Donut Man Myrtle Beach still have a line out the door on a Tuesday morning?
Authenticity.
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The shop feels like a time capsule. The staff is usually a mix of long-time locals who have seen it all and seasonal workers hustling to keep up with the summer rush. There’s something comforting about a place that doesn't change. In a city that is constantly tearing down old motels to build shiny new high-rise resorts, Donut Man stays the same.
It’s cheap, too. Well, relatively. In 2026, finding a breakfast that doesn't require a small loan is getting harder. Here, you can grab a dozen and a coffee and still have money left over for arcade games at the Pavilion or a round of mini-golf.
The 24-Hour Legend
Here is the real kicker: Donut Man Myrtle Beach is open 24 hours a day.
Think about that.
It’s 3:00 AM. You’ve just finished a long night out at Broadway at the Beach. You’re hungry, but you don't want a greasy burger or a sit-down meal. The glowing sign of the Donut Man is like a lighthouse for the hungry. There is a specific kind of magic in eating a warm donut on a quiet beach street while the rest of the world is asleep.
It also serves the early birds. The fishermen heading out to the Pier 14 or the Apache Pier at 5:00 AM stop here. The construction crews, the surfers, the parents whose toddlers decided 6:00 AM was the perfect time to wake up—they all converge here. It’s the great equalizer of Myrtle Beach.
Survival Tips for the First-Timer
If you’re planning a visit, don't just wing it.
Bring cash. While they’ve modernized a bit over the years, small local shops sometimes have issues with card machines, or they prefer cash for smaller totals. Having a few fives and tens makes the line move faster.
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Parking is tight. The lot isn't huge. If it’s peak season (June through August), expect a bit of a scramble. Be patient. People move fast because they want to get to their donuts.
Check the "Hot" light. Just like that other famous donut place, timing is everything. If they’ve just pulled a fresh tray of glazed out of the oil, stop whatever you are doing and buy them. A cold donut is a snack; a hot donut is a religious experience.
Common Misconceptions
People often ask if they serve "real" food. You know, eggs, bacon, grits.
Nope.
This is a donut shop. They do donuts, some pastries, and coffee. If you want a full Grand Strand breakfast spread, go to a pancake house. There are approximately five million of them within a three-mile radius. Donut Man does one thing, and they do it better than anyone else in the area.
Another thing? Don't expect fancy seating. This isn't a "sit and work on your laptop for four hours" kind of cafe. It’s a "grab your box and go sit by the ocean" kind of place.
The Cultural Impact on the Grand Strand
You can't talk about Myrtle Beach food without mentioning the legacy of these independent spots. Donut Man represents the "Old Myrtle" that is slowly fading. It’s a piece of local history. When people come back for their annual vacation—the same week every July for twenty years—this is one of the first places they stop.
It’s about memory. It’s about the smell of the box in the backseat of the car. It’s about the sticky fingers on the steering wheel.
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How to Find It
It’s located at 200 South Kings Highway.
If you’re coming from North Myrtle, just head south. It’ll be on your right. If you hit the Family Kingdom Amusement Park, you’ve gone just a little too far. It’s centrally located, making it an easy pit stop whether you’re staying in a condo in the Golden Mile or a hotel downtown.
Why You Should Go Tomorrow
Seriously.
Don’t wait for the "perfect" time. The best time is right now, or specifically, about twenty minutes from now.
There is a reason this place has survived decades of competition. It’s not marketing. It’s not a fancy social media campaign with influencers posing with donuts in front of their faces. It’s just a damn good donut.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
- Check the Weather: If it’s a rainy day at the beach, Donut Man will be packed. Everyone has the same idea: "I can't swim, so I might as well eat."
- Variety is Key: Don't just get twelve glazed. Mix it up. Try a cake donut. Try the jelly-filled. The variety is half the fun.
- Coffee Pairing: Their coffee is standard "diner style." It’s hot, black, and strong. It cuts through the sugar perfectly.
- Walk it Off: After you finish, head two blocks east to the Boardwalk. Walk from the 2nd Avenue Pier up toward the SkyWheel. You’ll feel a lot better about that second fritter.
The Donut Man Myrtle Beach experience is a rite of passage. Whether you are a local who knows the staff by name or a tourist just passing through on the way to Charleston, that red-roofed building is a mandatory stop. It’s simple. It’s sweet. It’s exactly what a beach vacation should taste like.
Next time you see that sign, pull over. Your future self will thank you. Keep the box flat so the icing doesn't slide, and whatever you do, don't leave the bag open in the car—unless you want it to smell like a bakery for the next three days. Actually, that might not be such a bad thing.
Next Steps for Your Grand Strand Trip:
- Map your route: Save 200 S Kings Hwy in your GPS now so you don't miss the turn-off in traffic.
- Plan an early start: Aim to arrive before 8:00 AM to catch the freshest batches and avoid the heaviest tourist crowds.
- Check the local forecast: If a storm is brewing, head there immediately before the "rainy day rush" hits the counter.
- Secure your supplies: Grab a stack of napkins from the counter—you’re going to need more than you think for those filled donuts.