The Best Gourmet Donuts in Las Vegas: How Pinkbox Doughnuts Became a 24-Hour Vegas Institution

Walk into any Pinkbox Doughnuts location at 3 a.m. on a Saturday, and you'll understand why this place has become one of the most photographed donut shops in America. The walls drip with oversized pink frosting, three-dimensional sprinkles hang from the ceiling like candy-colored chandeliers, and a neon sign announces what thousands of late-night Vegas visitors have already discovered: "Every day is a good day for a doughnut."

It's barely dawn, and the place is packed. Casino workers ending graveyard shifts stand next to tourists who haven't been to bed yet, all staring at glass cases holding 75 different varieties of donuts that look like they were designed by someone who raided a candy store while having the best fever dream of their life. One customer orders the Sup Shorty—a glazed raised donut stuffed with fresh strawberries and cream that's become something of a cult favorite. "How can you not like a glazed raised doughnut stuffed with fresh strawberries and cream?" one regular writes in a review. "Since the first time I tried it, I became instantly obsessed with it."

That's the thing about Pinkbox. This isn't your grandfather's donut shop.

From Two-Shop Wonder to Vegas Empire: The Stephen Siegel Story

Stephen Siegel didn't start out in the donut business. He built his fortune in Las Vegas real estate, buying struggling hotels and transforming them into destination properties. The Gold Spike. The Artisan Hotel. Properties where he learned that in Vegas, experience trumps everything. But Siegel had been a Pinkbox customer since the first location opened in 2012, and when the original founder decided to sell in 2018, Siegel saw something others didn't: a small mom-and-pop donut shop with the potential to become a Vegas icon.

"A few years ago, Pinkbox Doughnuts could best be described as a mom-and-pop store without sophisticated branding," Siegel explained in an interview. The donuts were good, but the brand identity? Practically nonexistent.

Siegel and his wife Judith Perez Siegel purchased the two-location chain and completely reimagined what a gourmet donut shop could be. They created Pinky, the brand's larger-than-life mascot. They designed Instagram-worthy interiors where every surface begs to be photographed. They expanded the menu from a handful of varieties to more than 100 rotating flavors. And critically, they made several locations 24 hours—a move that transformed Pinkbox from a breakfast destination into an around-the-clock Vegas experience.

"I don't think anyone has been in something like this before," Siegel says. "We call it the Willy Wonka of doughnuts. It's like Disneyland inside there. That's part of our brand, as well—not just fun doughnuts, but the whole fun experience."

Since Siegel took over, Pinkbox has exploded from two Las Vegas locations to 14 shops across Nevada and Utah, including spots at Allegiant Stadium, the Plaza Hotel and Casino on Fremont Street, and their first out-of-state location in St. George, Utah. They've become the official donut partner of both the Las Vegas Raiders and Vegas Golden Knights. And they've been voted "Best Doughnuts in Las Vegas" by the Las Vegas Review-Journal multiple years running.

The 24-Hour Gourmet Donut Experience: Why Pinkbox Owns Late Night in Vegas

Here's what makes Pinkbox different from every other fancy donut shop trying to ride the artisan pastry wave: they actually understand Vegas. Multiple locations are open 24 hours, with drive-thrus that stay operational even when the dining room closes. That means shift workers at 6 a.m., gamblers at 3 a.m., and families road-tripping to Utah at midnight all get the same fresh-baked, Instagram-worthy donuts.

"The staff is friendly and always welcoming, if not a little tired - they are open 24 hrs and always busy!" writes one customer who visits regularly. Another notes: "Great selection of donuts & being open 24 hours makes it convenient for anyone."

This isn't just about convenience. It's about understanding that Vegas runs on a different clock than the rest of America. When you're coming off a long night on the casino floor or wrapping up a graveyard shift at one of the Strip resorts, a mass-produced gas station donut doesn't cut it. You want something that feels like a treat, something that acknowledges you're still awake at an ungodly hour and deserve something special for it.

The Boca Park location features a 24-hour drive-thru where you can roll through at any hour and order from their full menu. The Lake Mead location—the original Pinkbox that started this whole empire—stays open until midnight on weekends, with the drive-thru accessible even later. "Pinkbox is open 24 hours but only the drive through is open after 10pm," one reviewer notes, detailing their late-night Vegas donut runs.

The Flavors That Made Pinkbox Famous: From OG Classics to Instagram-Worthy Creations

Let's talk about what's actually in those cases. Pinkbox organizes their menu into tiers that range from affordable classics to over-the-top specialty creations that cost as much as a decent lunch.

The OG Classics start at around $1.35 and include glazed donuts, old-fashioned cake donuts, apple fritters, and maple bars—the kind of reliable favorites that locals pick up by the half-dozen. "We always pick up two of the classic maple bars and a plain ol' twist since they're so delicious and one of the least expensive options," one regular customer writes.

Then you get into the Good Fellas category, where things start getting creative. This is where you'll find donuts rolled in Cocoa Pebbles and Fruity Pebbles, creating what they call Coco Loco and Tutti Fruity. These are the donuts that make millennials reach for their phones.

But the real action is in the Fancy Pancy lineup—$2-4 donuts that push the boundaries of what constitutes a breakfast pastry. The Sup Shorty, stuffed with fresh strawberries and cream, has such a devoted following that multiple reviewers mention it by name. The Cookie Monster features Biscoff cookie butter and rates a 9.6 out of 10 from one customer who tried six different varieties in a single visit. The maple bacon cronut "does not skimp on bacon," according to another fan.

"Tried 6 different types of doughnuts," writes a customer who went all-in on their Pinkbox experience. "Angry Samoa rated 8.8/10, classic coconut taste. Biscoff cookie monster rated 9.6/10, good flavor and not overwhelming. Nutella Doughcro rated 9.5/10, not too much nutella, balanced well. Pink people eater White Cake rated 9.4, tastes like a wedding cake with a strawberry coating."

The DoughCros—donuts made with light, flaky croissant dough—bridge the gap between French patisserie and American donut shop excess. Flavors like the Nutella DoughCro and peanut butter variations show up repeatedly in customer favorites.

And then there are the truly bizarre options that only make sense in Vegas: the poo emoji donut (yes, really), Pop-Tart donuts, cannoli donuts, and seasonal specialties like key lime pie donuts and sweet potato donuts that show up when the kitchen team gets inspired.

"We have NEVER had more delicious donuts!" writes one tourist who stopped at the Plaza location downtown. "We had a chocolate chip fritter, a maple glaze donut (our favorite), a Bavarian filled 'Vegas' donut and a raspberry filled donut. The coffee is great, too and the prices are very reasonable. (4 BIG donuts and 2 large coffees for under $22.)"

Pinkbox Goes to Utah: St. George and American Fork Embrace Vegas-Style Donuts

In August 2022, Pinkbox made its first move outside Nevada, opening a 2,700-square-foot location in St. George, Utah. The expansion was strategic—St. George sits on Interstate 15 between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, making it a natural stopping point for travelers craving a taste of Vegas excess on their road trip.

"Since we're a family-run company, St. George's tight-knit community had just what we were looking for," Judith Siegel explained when announcing the location. "We can't wait for our new friends and neighbors to experience Pinkbox Doughnuts and for all of the smiles we will bring to the St. George community."

The St. George opening was a festival-style event featuring a donut-eating contest, appearances by mascot Pinky, and the debut of a Utah-specific donut inspired by lime Jell-O salad—a regional favorite that newcomers find baffling and locals defend passionately. The community named it "Oh My Heck, Grandma!" after an online contest received more than 400 submissions.

The line wrapped around the building on opening day. More than 2,500 people showed up to see what all the Vegas hype was about.

In January 2025, Pinkbox opened its first northern Utah location in American Fork, with plans for a Sandy location coming in summer 2026. The American Fork grand opening featured the same festival atmosphere—DJ, balloon art, face painting, donut-eating contests, and free limited-edition t-shirts for the first customers.

"Utah has an incredible love for sweet treats, and we couldn't be more excited to bring Pinkbox Doughnuts to northern Utah," Stephen Siegel said. "Community involvement is at the heart of our brand, and we're thrilled to jump in through local partnerships and charitable events that truly connect us with the people who live here."

The Vegas Advantage: Raiders, Golden Knights, and Fremont Street

Pinkbox's Vegas roots give them access to marketing opportunities most regional donut chains could never touch. They're the official donut partner of the Las Vegas Raiders, with a booth inside Allegiant Stadium that exposes the brand to fans from across the country every game day. They have a similar partnership with the Vegas Golden Knights, embedding themselves in the city's professional sports culture.

Their location inside the Plaza Hotel and Casino sits right at the edge of the Fremont Street Experience, where tourists stumble in after a night of downtown debauchery looking for something to soak up the drinks. "You'll find PinkBox Doughnuts towards the end of the Fremont Street Experience," writes one reviewer, adding: "My husband has to stop there at least once during his stay in Vegas and bring home a box of his favorite doughnut."

The brand has expanded strategically to capture both locals and tourists—locations in Henderson and Summerlin serve residential neighborhoods, while spots near the Strip and in Primm (the Nevada border town where California drivers stop for cheaper gas) grab the tourist traffic.

"As of 2025, Pinkbox has grown to 14 locations with several additional locations under construction across Nevada and Utah—with plans to spread the fun (and the doughnuts) across the globe," according to Amazing Brands, the parent company Siegel created to house his food ventures.

Planning Your Visit to Pinkbox Doughnuts

Best Times to Go: If you want the full selection, hit Pinkbox early—before 10 a.m. on weekdays, before noon on weekends. The most popular flavors sell out by afternoon, though they continue baking fresh batches throughout the day at most locations. Late-night visitors (after 10 p.m.) will find a smaller but still impressive selection, with classics always available.

What to Order: First-timers should grab an assortment. Get at least one OG Classic to understand their baseline quality (the maple bar is consistently praised), then branch into the Fancy Pancy territory. The Sup Shorty, Cookie Monster with Biscoff, and maple bacon cronut show up most frequently in positive reviews.

Budget: Expect to spend $1.35-4 per donut depending on complexity. Most people walk out spending $15-25 for a half dozen mixed donuts—reasonable by Vegas standards, especially considering the size. A baker's dozen (13 donuts) runs around $16 and is consistently called a great value by reviewers.

Locations to Try:

• Lake Mead Blvd (7531 W Lake Mead Blvd, Las Vegas): The original location where this all started, open 24 hours on weekends
• Boca Park (800 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas): Features a 24-hour drive-thru
• Plaza Hotel and Casino (1 N Main St, Las Vegas): Perfect for downtown Fremont Street visitors
• St. George, Utah (938 E. St. George Blvd): The first out-of-state location, with drive-thru and patio seating
• American Fork, Utah (610 W Main St): The newest location serving northern Utah

Insider Tips: The lines can look intimidating, but they move quickly—most customers report being in and out within five minutes even when the shop is packed. If you're overwhelmed by choices, ask the staff for recommendations; they're consistently praised for being friendly and patient. And yes, it's absolutely worth following their Instagram (@pinkboxdoughnuts) for limited-edition flavor announcements.

Why Pinkbox Matters to America's Donut Scene

In a dessert category dominated by either legacy chains (Dunkin', Krispy Kreme) or one-off artisan shops, Pinkbox has created something unusual: a scalable brand that maintains quality while leaning hard into experiential retail. They understood that in the Instagram age, donuts aren't just breakfast—they're content. Every over-the-top flavor, every pink-dripped wall, every donut-shaped table exists to make customers want to share their experience.

"These doughnuts were fantastic," writes one tourist. "The variety was overwhelming and we got a dozen of 12 different ones. Each one was so good. If you like doughnuts you have to try these!"

But unlike many Instagram-bait restaurants where the aesthetics far exceed the actual food quality, Pinkbox consistently delivers on taste. "Do NOT believe anyone claiming that Pinkbox Doughnuts is in the same league as Dunkin' Donuts or Krispy Kreme because it isn't," writes an emphatic reviewer. "Those places are NO MATCH for the many creative and delicious offerings at Pinkbox!"

The 24-hour availability, the Vegas-appropriate excess, the commitment to fresh-baked product even at odd hours, the expansion into markets like Utah where they're bringing a taste of Vegas glamour to communities hungry for something beyond the usual chains—it all adds up to a brand that's figured out how to bottle the Vegas experience into a donut box.

"We're So Good You'll Lick The Box," their slogan promises. Based on the lines out the door at 3 a.m., thousands of Vegas visitors and locals think they're right.

Find Pinkbox Doughnuts on Instagram: @pinkboxdoughnuts