American Doughnut Kitchen: A Queen Vic Icon Hits the Southside

For years, American Doughnut Kitchen has been slinging out golden, jam-filled beauties from its iconic Queen Victoria Market van. Co-owner Belinda Donaghey—whose granddad, Arnold Bridges, scooped up the business over 70 years ago—says they’re cranking out about 150 kilos of doughnuts on weekdays and a whopping 400 kilos on weekends. If you haven’t caught the buzz yet, this legendary Melbourne institution has just dropped a new spot at Prahran Market, and they’re hyped to bring those ooey-gooey jam doughnuts to more pals on the Southside.

A Sweet Slice of History

These doughnuts aren’t just any treat; they’re a throwback to the German-style doughnuts (fun fact: the business was originally the German Doughnut Kitchen until Bridges made it his in 1950). The truck, which used to roll around town hitting up events like Moomba and even the ’56 Olympics, has been a Queen Vic Market mainstay since the '50s.

A New Era at Prahran Market

Now, Donaghey and her hubby have finally pulled up at Prahran Market with their first-ever brick-and-mortar joint. Unlike the van at Queen Vic, where all the magic happens on wheels (rolling, filling, frying—you name it), the Prahran Market shop is set up in a cosy spot overlooking the market square.

Watch the Magic—and Sip Some Coffee

Marketgoers can peep the doughnut-making action up close, and Donaghey says the new back-of-house setup means they’re cooking up some extra-special flavours and fillings. The classic raspberry and plum jam doughnuts are still the stars, but she hints there might be some cool collabs with other market vendors. Plus, they’re now serving Code Black coffee, so you can get your caffeine fix with your doughnut.