Johnny Doughnuts Napa, California |
From old-fashioned favorites to doughnuts made with fresh potatoes, this Bay Area bakery has brought its handcrafted treats to downtown Napa. |
Napa has a new excuse to stop by Oxbow Public Market for something sweet. Johnny Doughnuts, the Bay Area bakery known for its handmade doughnuts, opened its newest location at the market this summer, bringing another breakfast and coffee option to downtown Napa.
If the name sounds familiar, you may have encountered one of Johnny's distinctive doughnut trucks at a Bay Area event or visited one of its shops in San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Larkspur or San Francisco. Now you can find its signature treats without leaving Napa Valley.
Not Your Average Doughnut
Johnny Doughnuts takes a traditional approach to its signature treats, making its doughnuts by hand rather than relying on mass production.
One of its specialties is a raised doughnut based on a recipe from the 1920s that incorporates fresh potatoes into the dough. The result is a light, fluffy doughnut with a little extra texture.
Flavors include familiar favorites such as chocolate, strawberry and cinnamon sugar, along with less conventional choices like lime poppy and rotating seasonal glazes.
For those who prefer a denser doughnut, there are old-fashioned varieties with slightly crisp exteriors and moist, cake-like centers. Maple and chocolate salted caramel are among the available glazes.
From Marin to Napa
Johnny Doughnuts began in San Rafael and has expanded throughout the Bay Area, developing a following for its handcrafted approach and mobile doughnut trucks.
Its arrival at Oxbow Public Market adds Napa to a growing collection of neighborhood shops. The market's combination of artisan food vendors, specialty retailers and casual dining makes it a natural setting for a bakery built around doughnuts and coffee.
For locals, it's another option for picking up something to bring to the office, treating the family on a weekend morning or grabbing coffee and a doughnut while shopping at Oxbow.
And with the shop opening early, you don't need to wait until lunchtime for an excuse to visit.
Not every food stop needs to be an occasion. Sometimes it's just a quick coffee on the way to work, a box of doughnuts for the office or a weekend treat with the family. With Johnny Doughnuts now at Oxbow Public Market, Napa residents have another place to enjoy those little everyday pleasures.
Where to Find Johnny DoughnutsOxbow Public Market
610 & 644 First Street, Napa
Open daily, 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Handmade doughnuts, coffee and seasonal specialties
Hours and location are listed on the bakery's official |
35 Comments
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Lime poppy is a bold choice. I’d try it, but my kids are definitely sticking with chocolate.
Good to have another quick coffee stop near First Street. I’ll check it out this week.
Tina Y.Let us know how it is. A good coffee stop downtown is always welcome.
Taking a box to the family this Sunday. Let’s see if they can agree on flavors.
I had no idea the raised doughnuts had potatoes in them. Sounds light and fluffy.
Gloria F.I had the same reaction. Apparently it helps give them that soft texture.
Nice addition, though Napa already has plenty of places to get a sweet treat.
Cinnamon sugar, please. Simple is best when the doughnut is fresh.
I like Oxbow, but parking can be a hassle on weekends. Maybe I’ll go early for these.
Riley B.Early is probably the move. Oxbow is much calmer before the weekend rush.
Hope they have coffee ready right at 7. That would make my commute a little better.
The potato recipe from the 1920s is the detail that got me. I’m definitely trying one.
Frank O.I’m curious too. The potato dough sounds like it would make them extra tender.
Strawberry doughnut and a walk around Oxbow sounds like a solid Saturday morning.
Anyone know if they have dairy-free options? Would love to bring something home for my kid.
We used to chase their truck around at events. Funny to have them right here in Napa now.
Amanda J.We used to spot that truck at the farmers market. Nice not having to wait for an event now.
I’m more of a cake doughnut person, so those old-fashioned ones sound right up my alley.
Gary S.Same here, I like the crisp edge on a good old-fashioned doughnut.
Glad they’re making them by hand. The mass-produced ones never have that same texture.
Nora K.Handmade really does make a difference. You can taste the care in the texture.
Open until 8 is handy. Sometimes I want a treat after dinner, not just at breakfast.
I tried the chocolate salted caramel at their San Rafael shop. So good, especially with coffee.
Janet W.That flavor sounds dangerously good with coffee. I’ll have to try it.
Oxbow keeps getting better. Nice to have another breakfast option downtown.
A box for the office might disappear before we even get to the coffee pot.
Seasonal glazes are dangerous for my wallet. Guess I’ll have to see what they’re offering.
Is the shop inside the market or on First Street? I always get turned around down there.
Elena M.It’s at Oxbow Public Market on First Street, so you should find it inside the market.
Maple old-fashioned is my usual pick. Hope they keep that one around.
I’ve had these at a Bay Area event and they were so fluffy. Glad they’re in Napa now.
Love that Oxbow is open early. A coffee and cinnamon sugar doughnut before work sounds pretty good.
A doughnut made with potatoes? Never heard of that. Now I want to try one.
Ooh, lime poppy sounds worth a stop. I usually go for chocolate but might have to branch out.
Maria G.Lime poppy caught my eye too. A nice change from the usual chocolate.