15 New York Donut Shops Locals Say Are Absolutely Worth Waking Up For
New York wakes up fast, but there’s always time for a donut. Walk a few blocks at sunrise and you’ll smell it before you see it: coffee drifting from sidewalk windows, warm sugar rising from a paper bag, someone biting into a glazed ring on the go.
I’ve started countless mornings this way, ducking into tiny shops where the trays refill constantly and the counter crew knows exactly how to keep a line moving. Jelly-filled, powdered, old-fashioned cake, each one feels like a small pause before the day kicks back into motion.
These aren’t the flashy dessert spots with long waits; they’re the neighborhood places that keep mornings gentle and late-night cravings satisfied. Here are 15 New York donut shops locals trust for something fresh and warm to take with them.
1. Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop, Brooklyn, New York
The bell on the door, the clink of mugs, and a soft butter scent feel like Greenpoint in miniature. Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop keeps a chrome-counter diner vibe that never strains for nostalgia, it just is. Morning lines form fast, but the smiles from regulars signal you’re in the right place.
Old-fashioned sour cream, red velvet, and honey-dipped yeast rings sit in long trays, glossy and proud. Crullers have a ridged snap, cream-filled shells wear a light sugar coat, and the chocolate glazed is airy without feeling empty. Coffee is straightforward, which suits the donuts’ gentle sweetness. The texture is the reason locals come back.
Grab a box at the takeout counter, cash moves quicker than cards at peak hour. Weekends see a steady stream, so early is best. You’ll leave with a warm bag and powdered fingers.
2. Doughnut Plant, New York, New York
A wall of quilted donut tiles hints at the singular focus inside. Doughnut Plant treats dough like a canvas, and the shop hums with the precision of a bakery that knows its audience. The room smells of vanilla and warm oil, clean and inviting.
Square jelly-filled donuts are the signature, with house-made fillings like seasonal jam or crème brulée. Cake varieties, including tres leches and blackout, have tight crumb and confident flavors, while yeast rings stay buoyant without greasiness. Glazes are often real fruit, which comes through clearly.
Order at the counter, watch boxes slide to a dedicated pickup shelf, then step back onto the sidewalk with coffee. Busy mornings move fast, and preorders help. Locals tuck a half-dozen into tote bags and keep walking.
3. Cider Belly Doughnuts, Albany, New York
The first breath of apple and spice tells you you’re upstate. At Cider Belly, the line curves toward a case of cinnamon-kissed rounds that feel like peak fall even in July. The room is bright, with a steady shuffle of office workers grabbing boxes for meetings.
These are cider donuts first, with tight, tender crumb and a crust that holds a sugar coat. Toppings shift from maple glaze to toasted coconut and seasonal fruit drizzles. The classic cinnamon-sugar lands balanced, never cloying.
Order at the front counter, and pickup is quick, with labeled boxes for preorders. Mornings run busiest, particularly Fridays. People snag a dozen to go, still warm enough to fog the lid.
4. I’m donut ?, New York, New York
Early arrivals hover by the window, watching staff stack puffy rings like pillows. I’m donut ? brings the airy, mochi-leaning texture of Japanese-style donuts to Soho, and the room buzzes with curiosity and phone cameras. The smell is light, more butter and milk than oil.
The signature dough is stretchy and soft, often knotted into pon de ring-style segments. Flavors rotate: custard-filled, strawberry cream, chocolate glaze that stays thin and crisp. Sweetness is dialed down, letting the chew speak.
Lines start before opening, so join the queue or preorder when available. A walk-up pickup window keeps things moving, with staff calling names. Boxes travel well for mid-morning coffee breaks a few blocks away.
5. Peaceful Provisions, Beacon, New York
There’s an easy hum on Main Street, where hikers and art day-trippers drift past a tiny storefront. Peaceful Provisions feels thoughtful and calm, and the glass case glows with carefully decorated donuts. The vibe matches Beacon’s slow morning rhythm.
The donuts are vegan, but the pleasure isn’t. Yeast rings rise tall with clean bite, while filled options like Boston cream or berry jam are plush without heaviness. Maple pecan and cinnamon crumble show careful balance, and the glazes set neatly.
Walk in, order at the counter, and claim a neatly labeled to-go box. Weekends get busy around noon, so earlier is smarter. People carry boxes to the river or the train platform, coffee in the other hand.
6. Washboard Donut Shop And Laundromat, Tupper Lake, New York
There’s a faint thrum of machines alongside the fryer, an Adirondack two-for-one. The Washboard pairs laundry with donuts, a practical local rhythm that turns errands into breakfast. It feels friendly and particular to Tupper Lake.
Expect classic cake and yeast styles, often simple and fresh. Cinnamon-sugar cake donuts have a sturdy crumb that holds up to coffee, while glazed rings shine lightly and crackle when you bite. Seasonal apple spice shows up when the leaves change.
Order at the counter window, watch trays shuttle from the back, and take your warm dozen to go. Mornings are best for freshest batches. Locals swing in before errands, boxes tucked beneath an arm like a small secret.
7. Schneider’s Bakery, Cooperstown, New York
The village wakes slowly, and the bakery lights on Main Street flick on before the Hall of Fame crowds arrive. Schneider’s smells like butter, sugar, and coffee drifting through a door that never stops swinging. It’s small-town steady, not showy.
Donuts run classic: powdered, glazed, jelly, and the beloved cruller with ridges that shatter, then melt. The dough leans tender, and fillings stay balanced rather than overly sweet. Chocolate icing sets to a soft sheen.
Order at the front counter and watch staff load pink boxes, cash and cards both fine. Early is calm; late morning can mean sellouts. People grab a box for the lake or a bench, napkins tucked in pockets.
8. Glazed & Confused, Syracuse, New York
Bright chalkboard menus and a playful logo set a light mood. Glazed & Confused keeps a college-town pace, joking with customers while stacking racks behind the counter. The air feels cheerful, like a sugar rush without the crash.
Donuts skew creative: cannoli-topped, maple bacon, and cereal-sprinkled, plus reliable glazed and chocolate iced. The yeast base is soft and fresh, with cake donuts offering a tighter crumb for the heavier toppings. Seasonal specials rotate quickly.
Order at the takeout counter, and preorders rest on a labeled shelf by the door. Weekend mornings draw lines, but they move. Boxes leave tucked under arms, destined for campus steps and office kitchens.
9. Burrville Cider Mill, Watertown, New York
The waterfall churns nearby, and the mill’s wooden siding smells faintly of apples. Burrville Cider Mill makes fall feel official, yet locals swing in during shoulder seasons too. The porch fills with people dusted in cinnamon sugar.
Fryers turn out cider donuts that are firm, fragrant, and still warm in the bag. The crust carries a gentle crunch, while the inside stays tender. A light glaze or plain sugar lets the cider speak clearly.
Order at the counter inside, then step out with a box and a jug of cider. Lines peak on weekends and foliage days, but they move. Most folks eat one hot in the lot, then save the rest for the drive.
10. North Fork Doughnut Company, Mattituck, New York
Beach-bound cars pull off the highway and a breeze carries salt and sugar together. North Fork Doughnut Company greets them with a bright, coastal look and racks of oversized rings. The space feels like summer even in February.
Donuts lean big and plush, with flavors like blackout, blueberry crumb, and seasonal fruit glazes. Yeast dough stays fluffy, while cake versions handle heavy toppings. Fillings are generous but controlled, never slipping out the sides.
Order at the counter, and pickup boxes stack fast on busy weekends. Arrive earlier than brunch crowds to avoid the longest line. Locals snag a half-dozen for beach mornings and winery picnics, coffee riding shotgun.
11. Paula’s Donuts, Tonawanda, New York
Early shifts meet here, trading weather notes while watching racks roll out. Paula’s Donuts runs like a well-oiled Western New York institution, backed by a bigger kitchen and a loyal crowd. There’s a hint of fryer and vanilla in the air.
The jelly and cream-filled are the calling cards, and the peanut stick is a local legend, crunchy and sweet. Yeast rings are generous, with a chew that holds up to glaze. Apple fritters lean huge, studded with fruit.
Lines move quickly at the takeout counter, and drive-thru lanes at some locations make mornings easier. Weekends get busy, but staff keep boxes moving. People ferry dozens to offices and tailgates all year.
12. Fred’s Coffee & Donuts, Tannersville, New York
Steam curls from paper cups while Catskills hikers compare trail dust. Fred’s has a tiny mountain-town charm, the kind of place where you remember the bell above the door. The mood is unhurried, practical, neighborly.
Donuts trend classic: glazed yeast rings, powdered jelly, and cinnamon-sugar cake with a fine crumb. The glazes set thin and shiny, and the chocolate tastes like chocolate, not syrup. It’s simple in the right way.
Order at the window, grab a warm box, and head for the trailhead or the porch. Weekends start early; arrivals after nine risk sellouts. I tucked two into my pack and they held beautifully till noon.
13. Moe’s Doughs Donut Shop, Brooklyn, New York
The neon glows on Nassau Avenue and trays crowd the case. Moe’s Doughs keeps things loud and friendly, a steady hum of regulars and commuters passing through. It feels like a neighborhood kitchen first, a destination second.
Expect a wide mix: classic glazed, cream-filled, pistachio, blueberry, and the popular red velvet cake donut. Yeast doughnuts sit soft without collapsing, and chocolate icing is glossy with a neat snap. Quantities are generous.
Counter service is quick, with boxes tilting warm in your hands as you exit. Mornings are busiest; late afternoons still yield surprises. Locals grab a dozen for work and a coffee for the walk to the G train.
14. Dominique Ansel Bakery, New York, New York
Before sunrise, a small line curls along Spring Street, hushed and hopeful. Inside, the pastry cases gleam, and staff move with near-silent efficiency. The energy is anticipatory rather than frantic.
While famed for the Cronut, the bakery also turns out excellent traditional donuts and filled pastries. Flavors shift monthly, with careful layering: custards that stay light, fruit glazes that taste like fruit. Dough is tender, never oily, and the sugar work stays clean.
Join the rope line, order at the counter, and pick up a labeled box. Preorders for specials are limited and sell fast. I ate mine on a stoop, and the glaze crackled like thin ice.
15. South Dayton Supermarket, South Dayton, New York
The grocery aisles are quiet, and the bakery corner carries that warm fairground smell. South Dayton Supermarket keeps a hometown pace, with a rack that empties as fast as it fills. It’s unpretentious and easy to like.
Donuts lean classic and hearty, especially the cinnamon-sugar rings and jelly-filled. The crumb is substantial without heaviness, good with strong coffee. Glaze sets thin and sweet, just enough.
Order at the bakery counter, where boxes are taped neatly for travel. Morning is prime; later runs risk slim pickings. Locals snag a dozen during grocery runs, then share them in parking-lot tailgates before work.