Nomad Donuts' New Eatery Will Have Beer, Wine, and Wood-Fired Bagels

Since opening in North Park in December 2014, Nomad Donuts has established itself as one of the city's most creative doughnut destinations, with chef-driven flavors that run the full spectrum of sweet to savory — from guava-lychee and pink lemonade to Jamaican jerk sweet potato and honey-sesame kimchi bacon.

The popular shop, which also serves espresso bar drinks, has officially outgrown its original 850-square-foot space — but thankfully, its upcoming expansion plans will keep them in the North Park community. The second, much larger Nomad Donuts Bakery Cafe is coming to the corner of Illinois and University, where the new sit-down eatery will span 3,300-square-feet of indoor and outdoor space.

Co-founder Brad Keiller tells Eater that Nomad's main kitchen will relocate here, enabling them to ramp up doughnut production and expand the menu; a new wood-fired oven will bake up a variety of bagels that will be served with housemade spreads or used as a base for sandwiches. There will also be a chef's counter, where chef Kristianna Zabala will have free reign to create everything from special savory dishes to unique desserts. Scheduled to open by March 2017, the eatery will be open all day and have a beer and wine license.

Its existing 30th Street shop will remain open, selling doughnuts and coffee, and the relocation of the kitchen will allow for seating to be added inside. Keiller says Nomad may eventually explore expanding its cafe concept into other local neighboorhoods.