Night Owls Only: There’s a Donut Shop Open 24-7 in Ohio

What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you hear “Ohio,” “late night,” and “comfort food”? Maybe a burger dripping with grease, fries dusted in salty perfection, a cocktail in hand as the city hums quietly around you. Or perhaps you think of the classic Ohio dessert: the Buckeye. Fair, but I have a sweeter suggestion: donuts. Yes, donuts. Golden, pillow-soft, sugar-crusted circles of joy that make the clock irrelevant and the world feel infinitely cozier.

I always start a new donut adventure with a glazed donut. Plain, unadorned, nothing fancy. The first bite tells the truth: is the dough tender but resilient, airy but substantial, coated in glaze that melts in your mouth without sliding off entirely? Nail that, and you can trust the rest of the menu. Red velvet, German chocolate, peanut cake, Buckeye: each one is an experiment, a little celebration of texture and flavor.

Buckeye Donuts in Columbus is one of those experiments done right. Founded in 1969 by Greek immigrants George Barouxis, Jim Barouxis, and George Sauter, it started as a Jolly Roger donut shop and grew into an essential part of Ohio State University campus culture. Famous visitors have included The Black Keys, George Steinbrenner, Woody Hayes, Foster the People, and Prince (wow). In 2012, they added all-day breakfast and gyros, blending donuts with hearty diner vibes in a way that feels completely natural.

Three locations serve up this sweet magic, and two of them never close. Midnight? They’re open. 3 a.m.? Still open. Walk in, and you’ll find neon lights reflecting on glazed pastries, a counter stacked with donuts, and students, locals, and night-shifters all sharing the unspoken understanding that some cravings cannot wait.

The Columbus neighborhoods around the shops are lively without being frantic. Near the OSU campus, streets are dotted with bookstores, cafes, vintage shops, and tiny diners. Students rush past with backpacks, locals stroll with coffee in hand, and delivery drivers hum past in a blur. Buckeye Donuts fits seamlessly into this world: part diner, part sweet shop, part social hub. A Polaroid would be perfect here: neon glow, a tray of donuts, and the energy of a college city in motion.

The donuts themselves are a parade of textures and flavors. Glazed donuts float like sugar clouds; chocolate frosted ones feel rich and plush. Old-fashioned donuts offer a crisp bite followed by tender dough; red velvet is decadence with a tangy cream cheese whisper. German chocolate donuts have coconut and pecan crunch; peanut cake is nutty, sweet, and somehow audacious. Then there’s the Buckeye Donut, chocolate frosting over peanut butter filling, a sweet echo of Ohio in pastry form. Long Johns, cronuts, cinnamon "stix," apple fritters—they’re all reasons to linger.

Not in a donut mood? (Author note: Are you okay?) Buckeye Donuts also doubles as a diner. Hot breakfast sandwiches combine bacon, sausage, ham, or kielbasa with eggs and cheese on bagels, croissants, or toast. Gyros arrive piled with grilled chicken, falafel, or Greek sausage, topped with fresh veggies and house-made sauces. Sides feature tater tots, hash browns, battered fries, jalapeño poppers, mozzarella sticks, and fried zucchini. Drinks run the gamut from hot chocolate and coffee to salted caramel, Buckeye, and Milky Way lattes, iced or hot. There’s even a full fountain drink selection.

Visiting Buckeye Donuts pairs perfectly with exploring Columbus. Step outside and wander through the Short North Arts District, where galleries, boutiques, and coffee shops hum with energy. Catch a campus event or a local show. Snap a Polaroid with your donuts in hand; document the neon glow, the student energy, the subtle chaos of a city that never truly sleeps.

Here’s your mission: pack a bag, book a Columbus vacation rental, and make a weekend of it. Begin with a classic glazed donut, work your way through the menu, and let a Buckeye Donut remind you why some things are worth staying up for. Visit Ohio, visit Columbus, and definitely visit Buckeye Donuts. Trust me: This is one adventure your sweet tooth will never forget.