1. Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee

270 E 17th St #18, Costa Mesa; 949-873-5424; sidecardoughnuts.com

Extra credit goes to this chain of eight Southern California shops (one in O.C.) for maintaining the original spelling of the pastry rather than the Americanized “donut.”

The King’s English notwithstanding, there is plenty to recommend Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee and place it at the top of the list with our readers and a growing legion of fans.

Founded in Costa Mesa in 2013 from a renovated 1959 Helm’s Bakery Truck and test kitchen, Sidecar has grown and flourished.

The shops pride themselves on fresh ingredients, scratch cooking, and organic, vegan and gluten-free options that elevate the fare beyond the regular doughnut experience.

According to its website, “we infuse an exciting, soulful energy into the art of doughnut making, and stand by our commitment to serve the World’s Freshest Doughnuts.”

Sidecar also has seasonal and daily options that range from sweet to savory to combinations of the two.

Looking for something a little different? How about the Honey Butter Jalapeño, “a golden corncake studded with chopped jalapeños and fresh corn, dipped in a sweet whipped honey butter glaze.”

Or Basil Eggs Benedict, a Malasada-style doughnut stuffed with poached egg and a basil hollandaise sauce.

There are also a wide array of berry, honey, chocolate and many other glazes and doughnut styles.

Sidecar also features a dozen specialty coffees and other signature beverages.

2. Oliboli Donuts

135 West First Street #B, Tustin; 877-646-1380; oliboli.com

When you step up to order at family-owned and operated Oliboli Donuts, you will get the freshest pastry imaginable.

“Our doughnuts are made to order,” shop owner Victor DesPrez said. “That makes them light and fluffy, they don’t feel crumby.”

Add in the quality ingredients, a sourdough that goes through a 40-hour cold fermentation process, organic coffees, and a seasonal menu tied to peak harvest times, and you have a doughnut of a different order.

“A lot of competitors see what we’re doing and mimic it,” said DesPrez, who manages the store with his children, Hailey and Hunter.

Olboli features both sweet and savory items. Sweets include bumbleberry, with a glaze of fresh organic berries, and the Banofee, with banana, streusel and toffee. On the savory side, a three cheese pizza doughnut with mozzarella, gruyere, ricotta and a side of house-made buttermilk ranch.

Oliboli also offers a wide selection of specialty coffees and teas.

3. The Donuttery

17420 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach; 714-847-7000; thedonutteryhb.com

A Surf City standby for 55 years, the Donuttery describes itself as being artisanal in its approach to the craft, thanks to its dedicated, veteran crew of  “donuteurs.”

In addition to traditional yeast-raised and cake doughnuts, the shop offers a variety of vegan and gluten-free friendly doughnuts and pastries.

According to the shop’s website, “Since the beginning, our goal has been to create a range of unique and recognizable doughnuts by perfecting techniques for enhancing the taste and texture profiles of doughs.”

Worth checking out is their take on the Malasada, a lighter, brioche-like version of the traditional Portuguese pastry, with a vegan Madagascar vanilla bean custard.

Or try the Keto Cake with “fresh milled nut flours, butter and the full fat deliciousness of avocado oil.”

An added bonus, it’s the only 24/7 shop on our list, so you don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn to be first in line.