Locals Say This Brooklyn Donut Shop Is The Best In New York
I stumbled into Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop on a gray Tuesday morning, chasing the kind of sugar rush only a legendary donut can deliver.
What I found was a Greenpoint gem that’s been feeding locals and movie stars alike for decades, with lines that snake out the door and glazed goods that live up to every bit of hype.
From its retro counter vibe to its Spider-Man cameo, this place isn’t just serving donuts—it’s serving up a slice of Brooklyn history, one honey dip at a time.
Welcome In
Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop is alive and thriving at 727 Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint, so you can stop worrying and start planning your pilgrimage.
The shop opens absurdly early—4:30 a.m. on weekdays—which means you can grab a fresh-from-the-fryer treat before most of Brooklyn has hit snooze. Hours stretch until 6 or 7 p.m. depending on the day, giving you plenty of time to swing by.
You can even order online for pickup or delivery if you’re feeling lazy or strategic. The location is a quick hop from the G train at Greenpoint Ave, making it accessible whether you’re a local or just donut-curious. No excuses left—just go.
A Greenpoint Time Capsule
Walking into Peter Pan feels like stepping through a portal to 1950s Brooklyn, complete with classic uniforms and a counter that’s seen generations of sugar-seekers.
The shop has been a neighborhood fixture for decades, preserving that old-school counter-service charm that most modern bakeries have abandoned for Instagram-worthy minimalism. Regulars still belly up to the same spots, ordering the same donuts they’ve loved for years.
Eater NY highlights those retro uniforms and the timeless vibe that makes this place feel frozen in the sweetest kind of time. It’s not trying to be trendy or reinvent the wheel—it’s just serving excellent donuts with zero pretense, exactly as it always has.
Why Locals Call It Best in NY
Nostalgia alone doesn’t earn you a spot on The Infatuation’s 2025 best donut list—you need serious game, and Peter Pan delivers.
Respected food guides consistently rank this Greenpoint icon among the city’s top donut destinations, proving the hype isn’t just neighborhood loyalty talking. When critics who eat for a living put you on their short list, you know you’re doing something right.
The legend isn’t built on bias; it’s built on butter, sugar, and decades of consistency that newer spots can’t touch. Brooklynites know their food, and when they call Peter Pan the best, they’re speaking from years of delicious, glazed experience. Trust the locals—they’ve done the research, one donut at a time.
What to Order
Insiders will steer you straight to the honey dip and sour cream cake—pillowy clouds and craggy perfection that’ll ruin all other donuts for you.
The honey dip has that perfect glaze-to-dough ratio, while the sour cream cake delivers a tender crumb that practically melts on your tongue. But don’t stop there—apple crumb, red velvet, Boston cream, blueberry buttermilk, and chocolate cake all have their own devoted fan clubs.
My advice? Start with a mixed half-dozen and thank yourself later when you’ve hit all the greatest hits in one box. You can’t go wrong, but you can go hungry if you don’t order enough. Plan accordingly and maybe grab an extra.
A Pop-Culture Icon, Too
If the storefront looks oddly familiar, that’s because Spider-Man swung through here—literally.
Peter Pan served as a key setting in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” cementing its status as a bona fide NYC landmark for movie fans and donut die-hards alike. Esquire even called out the shop’s Hollywood moment, proving that great donuts attract superheroes and civilians equally.
It’s not every day your local bakery becomes part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Peter Pan earned it. Now you can grab a donut in the same spot where Peter Parker pondered his multiverse problems. Film buffs and foodies alike have one more reason to make the pilgrimage to Greenpoint.
When to Go (and How to Beat the Line)
Lines at Peter Pan swell like rising dough in late mornings and weekends, so timing is everything if you want to avoid the wait.
Aim for early morning—when the donuts are freshest anyway—or later in the afternoon when the rush has died down. The good news? This place moves product fast, so even a long line rarely means a long wait.
Don’t be shy about snagging a counter seat if one opens up—it’s part of the authentic experience. Guides note that a line out the door is practically a badge of honor here, proof you’re about to eat something worth waiting for. Embrace the queue; it’s half the fun.
Plan Your Visit
Getting to Peter Pan is easy: hop the G train to Greenpoint Ave and walk a few blocks to 727 Manhattan Ave.
Hours run early to evening daily, with weekday mornings starting at 4:30 a.m. and weekend hours slightly later. Pro tip: grab a box of donuts and stroll down to the Greenpoint waterfront for skyline-view snacking that’ll make your Instagram followers weep with envy.
Or pull up a stool at the counter and eat your donut like a true local, coffee in hand and no agenda beyond pure enjoyment. Either way, you’re in for a treat that’s worth every subway transfer and every calorie. Plan smart, eat happy.