Cartems Donuterie in Vancouver

So about a month ago I was in downtown Vancouver waiting at a bus stop when I looked across the street and realized there was a donut shop there that I'd never seen before.

I was all, "Whaaaaaa!?!" and nearly ran across the street right that instant, dodging cars Frogger-style and abandoning my plans to get onto any bus that would take me further away from this donut shop.

I've got a bit of a thing for donuts.

Well I didn't launch myself into traffic that particular day, but you can bet your sweet ass that Cartems Donuterie went into my mental pocket and stayed there. I knew I'd be back.

A couple of weeks later I was downtown running errands and decided to bop into the donuterie to check it out, which was - as you can imagine - an amazing decision on my part. The place was hoppin'!

The bright white high ceilings and exposed brick make the place seem pretty big, and the open bakery in the back of the room extends back even further:

Look at this clever table and chair situation they have in one of the front window corners:

So Cartems is the kind of donut place that serves really special flavors - not just the "chocolate glazed" or "raspberry filled" type of stuff. While Cartems doesn't seem to feature outlandish toppings like that of, say, Voodoo Doughnut, they do have some interesting combos and tantalizing flavors. During that first afternoon trip to the donuterie (yes, the first - I've obviously gone back again since), I picked up a Citrus Dust donut and a Salted Caramel donut... Guys. They were both really, really, really good. I ate the citrus one on my way home that day.

From the Cartems website:

Citrus Dust: Four citrus fruits, that we juice ourselves, and essential oils make up the glaze. Peeled and dried citrus zest is then blended into a dust and sprinkled on top for an extra kick.

Salted Caramel: A chocolate donut topped with sweet buttery goodness and course sea salt. Sweet and salty deliciousness.

And when I say that these donuts were "really good" I do not only mean that they tasted fantastic. I also want you to understand how soft and fluffy these donuts were. We're talking very well-made donuts. These guys know what they're doing! The second one was even still super soft and fluffy the next day!

Other flavors included Earl Grey, Maple Walnut, Chocolate Sweet Snow, Triple Chocolate Threat, Canadian Whiskey Bacon, Mexican Mole, Classic Vanilla (with vanilla bean frosting!). There are vegan and gluten free flavors available as well. They also have different feature flavors daily. You can read descriptions of all of these amazing donuts on their website here.

You definitely pay for the quality of the donuts at Cartems...

.  nawt cheap  .

But..... delicious fried dough and sugar.

Fast forward a couple more weeks and I found myself on a bus heading all the way downtown with one thing on my brain: DOZE DONUTS DOE.

Yep, I was going back. And, I mean... if you're going to go all that way just to get a donut... you might as well get half a dozen of them, right? So I did.

WHOOO!

.  LIKE A BOSS  .

Clockwise from top left: Raspberry Lemonade, Apple Crumble, Chocolate Sweet Snow, Triple Chocolate Threat, Salted Caramel, and Chocolate Glazed. So good, so good, so good. 

It says on the Cartems Donuterie website that the business is about three key things: smiles, conversation, and donuts.  I can vouch for the first and the last - I didn't converse with anyone either time that I was there.

Also... they freaking DELIVER via bike to the downtown area. Perhaps you noticed their delivery bike propped up against the window in some of the above pictures. So get your donut delivery on, ladiiiiies!

Are you as crazy about donuts as I am?

What's your favorite donut flavor?

If you don't like donuts, what's wrong with you?

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This isn't a sponsored post, I just really effing love donuts.