Was told these are the best donuts in the triangle. Didn’t disappoint in anyway. There was a longish line. Totally worth it.

I kept hearing great things about this place, so I finally made it here. The breakfast sandwiches & donuts were great but the customer service was absolutely terrible…. 5 stars for the food but 1 star for the service, I won’t be back

This was our first time coming here. It was easy to find and a little quiet spot. The gentleman who served us was very nice. They were sold out of everything except for the glazed donut holes by the time we got there after 12 noon.We bought all of them. They do have an extensive menu and it is nice and clean inside. The donut holes are very good. I would highly recommend coming here. Next time, we are in the area we will stop by. Im looking forward to trying their kolaches with sausage rolls.

Wow. I can just say wow. I dont love donuts. Never have. But this place has made me love their donuts. My husband worked at Duke for years and raved about their donuts, and every time I got a chance it was either on a Monday or we were on campus too late in the day. My first ever order here took place yesterday, however, and I got a cinnamon sugar donut filled with vanilla cream, and I would have eaten three or four if my stomach would have allowed me. It was rich but not overbearingly, the texture of the donut itself was fluffy but filling, and the atmosphere is idyllic café. Every time I come that way I will be eating there if possible! Just come as early as possible because they run out FAST. Just another mark of a quality product! Im blown away by my experience there.

I bought one raised glaze and one cream filled filled donut to see how they taste. The raised donut was adequate, just meh, and the cream filled. . . .? Well I actually realized about 1/2 way through that I was forcing myself to finish it, and was receiving no pleasure from eating it. So I just stopped, and put it back in the bag. Now my stomach feels queasy. Im not going back there again.

I would like to say I had a good experience, but a better adjective would be exceptional!From the perfectly made buttery croissant, to a turkey option for my wife, to the soft, chewy apple fritter...so wonderful. The choose your own filling option is not one I can say Ive experienced before, but is a cool alternative to prefilled.Also, grabbed a Vietnamese iced coffee that was made on the spot (as it should be) and was delectable.Glad to see a family owned-business doing so well and the products to back it up.We will be back! Cannot recommend enough. But shhhh, tell everyone its terrible to keep the lines shorter.

There is a reason when you don’t get there early that you only have limited options to choose from, because everything is so dang good!! The donuts are the lightest and most delicious donuts I’ve ever had. The breakfast croissant and coffee is also YUM! We will most definitely be back!

Fresh donuts deliver early in the morning! Don’t be late or you have to come again the next morning😁

Went by on a Saturday at 1pm to try out their donuts for the first time. They had nothing except coffee on hand. Why be open until 2 if youre sold out much sooner? I would understand if they had limited offerings later in the day, but nothing at all with an hour before closing seems like theyre just losing money by paying staff to be there longer with nothing to sell. That probably means your donuts are great, but youre disappointing a lot of folks by having posted hours that dont match up with reality. Just close earlier on weekends if thats what makes sense, or make more donuts.

This place is terrible. They have all these pictures of nice donuts but whenever I go they literally have zero donuts for sale. If I come at 10 or 11 am and you are open to 2 PM you should have donuts for sale. If you are selling out, newsflash bake more.

Visited on my way home from my trip to Duke and grabbed some coffee and donuts. The coffee was fantastic and the donuts were amazing. The staff was very friendly and I will definitely come back next time Im in town for doctor visits.

Super fresh local donuts. Even hours after ordering, they were still delicious. Bavarian cream just like I personally love. Donuts seemed to weigh a LOT -- and somehow retains airy features of delicious donuts. They pipe in filling based on your request. Friendly employees.

Fresh and friendly! Donuts were good, not stellar (among best Ive had in the Triangle though). Old fashioned options would have been nice.

They really are the early bird as they were open and happy to help me at 6:45am! The selection is large and fairly diverse with some specialty donuts. Pricing is also really good and is less pricey than Monuts and Rise. A great alternative to these other donut stores especially if you need to get places early in the day.

Love the donuts! The staff is hit and miss in friendliness though. Also, when they first opened they had a soda machine which was awesome but then it was persistently out of order and now they just don’t have it at all. There is a drink refrigerator but not a lot of options. But the donuts are the best I’ve ever had!

I usually stop by here to grab donuts for my employees. Good selection of donuts and they do taste very well

Went for the doughnuts over the weekend. At 10am there were only doughnut holes. Decided to get sandwiches instead. Wow, so bad. Very greasy biscuit, super dry croissant, and horrible overcooked egg and sausage. You could tell it was quality sausage but really badly overcooked. To top things off, the customer service (if you can call it that) was, at best, ackward. Counter person mumbled incoherently at us as an apparent sign to order and then brought our terrible sandwiches out without a word. I dont need someone to bend over backwards in service but everyone seemed to not want to be there. I definitely wont be in a rush to go again. Maybe by then the doughnut shop will have doughnuts...

Giant Donuts! Awesome flavor! If there is such a thing a gourmet when it comes to a Donuts, this is it!!!

This is a little gem of a donut shop that we have just recently discovered. They have become my familys favorite donuts. I however do recommend that you go early to get a good variety. Their donuts are very fluffy and cake-like. I make the drive from Raleigh just to get their donuts.

This is my best donut place forever. I am not a donut fan. After several tests with Dunkin Donuts, Duck Donuts, Monuts, I stick with my early bird for the morning sugar rush! Please aware of the Monday and 2pm closing. Othewise, a cup of hot, creamy, no sugar coffee and a piece of chewy, fluffy donut will make your date. I wish they would have something like donut membership.

First, the donut shop is located in kind of an odd spot below some apartments, in Erwin Terrace, so its isnt the easiest to find. Second, it is a visible enough location once you know where to look, and third, it isnt all just young people. Its clean, friendly, and the price is okay. Acoustics are bad (tough to hear much).The donut holes taste a bit, well, fried. They taste like they were cooked in oil that can use a replacement. Their taste was dominated by the oil.The apple fritter is big. Like jumbo big. Like two meals big. Flavor wise its a bit of a sugary monster, and the apple isnt as strong as it could be. Spices are okay, the cinnamon smooth and strong. Wouldve liked more apples. Outside is crispy, inside is a bit mushy. Value wise I cant really see you getting more calories for the price. Overall, while a colossal donut, definitely not a star donut.I also got a bavarian cream filled chocolate glazed yeast donut. The yeast donut is kind of meh, a bit chewy and that same oil taste. The chocolate and cream though? Heavenly.The sausage biscuit is tasty stuff. Buttery, flakey, buttery (did I mention buttery?). It will not disappoint.Small note about the employees: they all wear gloves. One set of gloves. One set of gloves to do everything (including being on their phone, touching door handles, handling donuts, etc.) Just a cautionary note if youre a bit of a germophobe.

Love, love, love. Best donuts around.

I have now had donuts here a few times. Today I decided to get two and eat in rather then leaving. The coconut donut was great, the apple fritter was raw dough in the center. Also I asked for regular coffee, they didnt have any brewed, the soda machine was also not working. Water it is! Lasty I went to use the restroom prior to leaving and no hook on the door for your purse in the ladies room as well as no paper towel. When I pointed this out to the person at the counter when I left she just pointed to a roll set on the counter. Overall usually good donuts but the rest is a bit questionable.Update 10/11: went in today to get 12 assorted at 745 and they were nearly out of everything. No need to increase the review.

Great donuts, they fill the creme ones right in front of you.

Donuts and biscuits are so good. Been there twice, and they may become a new guilty pleasure.

Best Boston Cream on the planet. They fill it when you order it and its HEAVY!

Great Donuts, friendly staff. Love that one can choose the filling for the filled donuts. Good selection.

The donuts are incredible and the customer service is outstanding! Go check this place out!

I just moved to the area and one of the first things I do in a new place is find a donut shop: Early Bird hit it out of the park in the first try! Delicious breakfast sandwiches, donuts, and cinnamon roll - were already planning our order for the next time we stop by 😋

These are some of the very best ever, still warm and crispy. You get to pick your filling! A fat boys dream!

Early Birds yeast donuts are soft and pillowy, but have enough resistance to be satisfying. Theyre also delightfully large -- check out the dozen in my photo! They also have a surprising number of fillings available -- try the cherry filling. They do sell out of donuts as the morning progresses, though. The holy grail when theyre in season is a donut thats filled with whipped cream cheese frosting and strawberries.Why you should listen to me:I am a donut fiend. Ive had donuts from every single shop in the Triangle, from Carolina Glazed, Monuts, Rise, Krispy Kreme, Duck, Dunkin, you name it. I eat donuts in other big cities when I travel, too. Early Bird is my favorite. I am so happy theyre here in Durham!

Great options. HUGE donuts.. they can even make a Donut cake. I liked how the fill their donuts to order. We even got to meet a legendary Blue Devil basketball coach, who popped in for a morning snack.

This is by far the best “normal” donut in Durham. You won’t find any truly out-there flavors like pistachio hibiscus, but if you’re looking for a glazed or a Boston creme or an apple cider donut, this is the place. The donuts are large, fried so they’re pillowy but with the slightest outside crunch, and glazed perfectly.(And the family that runs the store are the absolute nicest people!)

Easily the best apple fritter in Durham. Their service has always been great, and the other options like breakfast sandwiches and donuts are very good.

There is no donut like a raised yeast donut, and these Early Bird yeasties are the bomb!! I also love that the jelly and cream filled are filled right when you buy them! Awesome!

Great family owned business!

Love this place.......Great Food..... Great Selection....

Love this place. Great breakfast sandwiches and the doughnuts are sublime. Multiple fillings for the filled doughnuts and friendly staff.Can not say enough good things about this place.

Love Early Bird Donuts, it’s got hands down the best Donuts in the Area.Gotta support local businesses especially in this tough time so I’d recommend to swing by.BUT the owner has to improve its inventory forecasting. I came in multiple times and had people waiting in line (included my self), ask for items that weren’t available (like sausage croissants)

Got a donut cake for daughters birthday- no, its not a cake made of donuts, it is one big donut! Delicious (made of high quality donut dough) and fantastic deal! Be careful, though - the donut cake comes in the same box they use for a dozen donuts so it is very flimsy under the weight of the cake. Will definitely making return visits.

Best donuts in the triangle!! go early because they run out by 10 on sundays

Delicious donuts, filled with whatever filling you want. Giant donuts, fritters, and cinnamon rolls available. Got a Vietnamese iced coffee, mixed dozen donuts, and some donut holes.

Been there twice and each time they didn’t have donuts. Very disappointing. The croissants were very hard and dry. Won’t be returning.

Always fresh, wonderfully risen donuts even when close to the end of the day. Filled on order donuts, vietnamese drip coffee, and donut holes are a couple of notable items. A must try for donut and coffee lovers.

Stumbled upon this place today and...all I gotta say is the donuts are BOMB!! Sooo good, very fresh, lots of flavors to chose from, you wont be disappointed! Workers were nice and friendly, and it wasnt a long wait. I purchased a dozen assorted for like $13 and then theres breakfast sandwiches😳. I purchased a sausage, egg, a cheese croissant, and it was HUGE! Was made to order right in front of me on a grill, literally was one of the best breakfast sandwiches Ive EVER tasted, no cap. Once you try Early Birds, krispy kreme, duck donuts, dunkin donuts wont even compare. Im definitely going back, you gotta go see for yourself...worth every penny!!! 👌🏾

The big birthday donut is amazing! Must order ahead.

Their donuts are the best around! I love that they can fill the donuts with any of 5 fillings and their donuts are always fluffy and fresh!

Not much of a selection available this lunchtime.

I have been searching for the best donuts in the triangle and this is IT! The donuts are delicious...I haven’t tried anything else because I can’t get past the donuts! My kids ask every weekend when we can go to early bird donuts!!

Historically speaking Ive not been a big doughnut fan, but early bird doughnuts is delicious! They have a good variety of offerings and have also expanded to serve breakfast sandwiches. One of their specialties is choosing your own filling for stuffed donuts – – May I recommend the cookies and cream vanilla icing filled? A coworker claims that their apple turnover is like crack.The staff is very friendly and every time Ive been in I have gotten to talk to the owner who is a pretty cool man. I bring my customers early bird doughnuts and they all love them.One note: sometimes they have a big order and run low on doughnuts. This is a little bit of a problem since they are primarily a doughnut shop, but this is not a common issue. But, get there early just in case.Speaking of big orders, Ive used them for some large meeting a few times and they have always pulled through with boxes of coffee and doughnuts.Tl;dr: early bird is a great place to satisfy that sweet tooth.

Best service ever mixed with awesome donuts and a great experience. Im glad that I found this place. Im super happy about it and Im definitely going to come back and eat some more. Plus they feel the Boston creams on the spot.

Great donuts - very fluffy (coconut frosted is my favorite). Sausage Egg and Cheese Croissant is amazing as well.

Great donuts but don’t forget the breakfast sandwiches.

Love their sausage breakfast sandwiches!

First time here was hen they had a cute Halloween make your own donut/story time for kids. The event was great and hope they schedule more like it. Fortunately I tried some menu items while there and I can’t wait I go back.The donuts are SO good! My favorite was the salted caramel yeast donut. It just melts in your mouth!Also had a bacon, egg, cheese croissant that was out of this world.If you’re looking for simple, delicious donuts I would definitely try Early Bird. You won’t be disappointed!

Best doughnuts in Durham and for a good price!

Have been here before early in the morning and it was fine, nothing super special. But came an hour and a half before they closed on a Saturday (at 12:30), and they were sold out of everything. Pretty disappointing. They should change their hours if they’re not gonna have anything to sell that far in advance of closing.

Best in Durham.. hands down!!!

Took the drive to check it out, only to see that they closed early. Saw some other reviewers that complained about the same thing, so it looks to e a common practice. Ill try again on another day so hopefully I can leave a better review.

Ran into grab coffee and a donut and discovered that they cook breakfast too! So, it was a perfect day for an egg biscuit while using their free wifi. Nick ambiance, small place with folks coming and going. Good service and selection of breakfast food--your typical eggs served up by a short-order cook. It was summer time when i was there; might be busier when Duke students return to campus. Convenient parking right outside the door. Ill be back.

As far as donuts go, Early Bird has the best donuts in the Durham-Chapel Hill area. They are better in quality than both Rise and Monuts. Rise has a wider range of exotic donuts but Early Bird absolutely nails variations on the standard yeast, cake, and filled donuts.The staff are friendly and attentive and the shop itself is super nice.There is some room for improvement on the biscuit/breakfast sandwich side of the menu, but if you are looking for donuts (the Sour Cream Old Fashioned is particularly choice) and coffee, this is THE place to go in the area.

These donuts remind me of home, Oakland, CA. The owner is nice and so are the other ppl that work there. The donuts are always fresh and theyre huge. My husband, son and coworkers are all addicted.

Donuts are decent but the breakfast sandwiches are delicious! Popular spot near Dukes Medical Canter and Dukes campus.

Tasty stuff!

My wife brought some donuts home from Early Bird donuts. wow are they awesome. We meet the owners the other day and they are awesome people. Go check them out you wont regret it!

The BEST donuts going & fresh! I hesitate to rate this place, as they sell out & I want to keep it as a secret!

The young man behind the counter had no personality and seemed annoyed to have to answer any questions at all. However the food spoke for itself. The donuts were incredible and so was the fresh made bacon, egg and cheese on a croissant. Mmm

Driving through DurhamStumbled upon this gem. Never had such fluffy donuts, its like eating air. Also ate a sausage biscuit . The sausage was the so good. Everything was handmade and from scratch the owner is there personally making donuts. If you strike up conversation you may get some fresh out of fryer . Wish it was in Arizona

My one true vice. Early Bird donuts! Filled on demand when you order! A great spot for indulgence!

These donuts are some of the best I have ever had! The raised are light and taste amazing. It would be well worth a visit 😊

The women working at the counter were very nice. Thats about the best thing I have to say about Early Bird. The donuts were fine. Given the variety of really good donuts in the area, these arent anything to write home about. The blueberry cake donut tasted like a blueberry bagel with glaze. The old fashioned donut was pretty good and not overly glazed.We were really excited to see kolaches on the menu and then were told they didnt have them. They werent making them because no one ordered them. (So why are they still on the menu?) Now apparently people are asking about them, but they still werent available.We decided to try biscuits instead. We ordered a biscuit sandwich, and she asked if a croissant would be okay? No, thank you. It was 9:00 am on a Saturday, it wasnt busy inside, and there were no biscuits? It was a very disappointing experience. I wont bother to go back with so many tasty options and efficient operations in town.

These are the best donuts Ive ever had. They yeast ones are so freaking fluffy, and the cake ones have the perfect texture. Very good service. I saw Coach K getting some donuts the other day!! The other menu itemslike the sausage kolache, or the breakfast sandwiches are making my mouth water right now. Come early because the sell out !!!!!!

Are the donuts good? Of course they are. Be ready to pay a premium, though. This will have to be a very special occasion treat for me until they can get their price point into a more competitive range.

Some of the best donuts in the area!

Always stop when I visit. Doughnuts are light and so soft, sandwiches use real egg and real cheese. Always clean and can never have enough!

We went in on a whim just to check it out but came out with a dozen. Dont regret it. The donuts are awesome and well priced.

Delicious and freshly baked donuts. Very family friendly. A great spot. Also very well-priced.

Best donuts thus far.. amazingly good and fresh. Will not be disappointed.Treat your loved ones with caution, because they are addictive. Yummy!!

Ot the best donut Ive ever had, not terrible either.. just ok.A pretty expensive drop by at 6 bucks and change plus tip for 3 Donuts...Just ok. Very dry service attitude. I probably wouldnt recommend or return.

First, yes to the doughnuts! Cake, yeast, french, cruller, huge cinnamon rolls, old fashioned, maple bacon, salted caramel...Second, yes to the biscuits! They are made to order and taste better than Rise. Try the jalapeno chicken sausage and cheese in a croissant.

Variety of donut types and the donuts were fresh. We liked that they fill the donuts per order and the coffee was good too. While there a little boy fell down and was crying. Once the boy stopped crying the person behind the counter brought him a sprinkle donut. We will definitely be back!

I love to come early in the morning and eat breakfast with my child while we chat about teens ☺️

These donuts are way better than the food chains. If your from the Durham area you should try it. Large warm soft donuts that are really yummy. Best I have had in the area. They also have a variety of drinks and breakfast biscuits and croosandwiches.

The donuts are good and the breakfast sandwiches are even better! Hopefully you’ll go on on a day they have kolaches. SO GOOD!

Great twist on the classic local donut shop. Early bird lets you choose your filling! I cant tell you how happy that made me when I first realized it. Want an Oreo donut with chocolate cream and one with custard? Done. Want a smores donut with vanilla cream and one with apple? Go for it. They also have great breakfast sandwiches and something called kolache which was sausage filled and delicious. Overall this is a great little breakfast stop with great coffee. Highly recommend.

For anyone looking to work here; one of my favorite jobs while I was a student. The ambiance was great, staff is cooperative and friendly, and management is the best ive ever had in a work setting!

Best donuts ever, but, ge there early because they go fast! The Early birs gets the donuts!! :)

The best donut shop in the RTP and they are always so friendly. These donuts are delicious!

First time to check it out on Sunday. Not a big selection at 9am. I dont know whether we were late or if that is how it is. Doughnuts were all good and mostly fresh by the time we got home. Will try again.

Great sandwiches & donuts. The owner was working behind the counter, a really friendly dude. Hope this new local business thrives!

Best donut Ive ever had, no lip service here, come early if you want a bigger selection as they dont seem to last long!

Great staff, owner is behind the counter taking your order. Donut selection is unique. Unpretentious.

Went early on a Thursday with my toddler. We enjoyed the donuts. It was quiet and clean. Will be back.

We ordered biscuit sandwiches and they were really buttery. Then we split a cake donut, which didnt taste fresh, tasted more like Entenmanns chocolate covered yellow cake donuts from a grocery store. Would recommend Rise and Monuts over these.

HUGE donuts, good atmosphere but a little pricey

The food was terrible. The service was bad too. My donuts were dry, and stale. My food was covered in salt.

I stop here once a week around 8 and haven’t had a bad experience yet. The staff is friendly, the shop is clean, they have a huge variety of breakfast items and donuts. I go for the cinnamon rolls, which are about the size of my head. They’re so soft, almost like a croissant on the inside. I haven’t had a bad donut there yet.

The donuts are fresh and quite delicious. We also enjoy the hot breakfast sandwich options.

Great place to go if you DONT want a donut!!!

Very good egg and sausage crossiant and excellent donuts