Better days are upon Toronto with the arrival of a new in-demand doughnut shop that pays homage to the ’80s.

With its retro-reminiscent colour scheme of vibrant orange, swanky blue and chocolate brown, paired with cushioned bar stools and a welcoming neon sign, Better Days Coffee and Donuts was crafted by Alisha Sturino of Studio Otty. The space epitomizes nostalgia, inspired by owner Dave Fish’s childhood in small-town Ontario, where doughnut shops were ubiquitous.

“It was often a treat for me and my brother and sister going to the doughnut shop,” says Fish, who has worked nearly two decades front of house in Toronto, including at Barque, Mamakas and Manita, among others. “I thought: why not revive that idea and bring it into the 21st century and make it a little more fun and a little more contemporary.”

Offering both cake doughnuts and lighter yeast doughnuts crafted fresh in-house daily, Fish has already observed lively debates among customers regarding their preferred style, with allegiances being readily declared.

Regardless of your preference, Better Days offers familiar flavours such as sour cream glazed, cherry stick and sprinkles. This return to classics, coupled with the vibe of a laid-back diner, often leads to Better Days selling out before closing time.

The shop’s current yeast doughnut flavours include chocolate dip, maple dip, lemon filled, raspberry filled, Boston cream and apple fritter, while cake doughnut flavours like double chocolate, cinnamon sugar, chocolate coconut and powdered sugar.

“A lot of people are excited about being able to get doughnuts that are a little more stripped down, a little more classic than what most doughnuts have become in the last 15 to 20  years,” says Fish. 

Better Days Coffee and Donuts is located at 963 Dovercourt Rd.