12 New York Donut Shops That’ll Make You Skip Dinner For Dessert
New York City’s donut scene is nothing short of magical, a sugary playground where creativity meets tradition in the most delicious ways.
Over the years, I’ve spent countless weekends crisscrossing all five boroughs in search of the perfect fried dough creation, and the journey has been as satisfying as the treats themselves.
From melt-in-your-mouth classic glazed rings that taste like childhood memories to daring flavor mashups that push the limits of what a donut can be, the city never stops surprising. These 12 standout destinations prove that sometimes the best dinner plan is skipping straight to dessert—no regrets, just pure joy.
1. Underwest Donuts: Car Wash Confections
Hidden inside a working car wash on the West Side, Underwest Donuts caught me completely by surprise. The contrast between industrial surroundings and delicate pastry artistry is absolutely delightful.
Their brown butter glazed donut haunts my dreams – perfectly caramelized with just the right balance of sweetness. The halva flavor showcases owner Scott Levine’s culinary expertise with its nutty, complex profile.
I love watching cars roll through while savoring these cake-style masterpieces. There’s something wonderfully New York about enjoying a gourmet treat in such an unexpected location.
2. Fan Fan Doughnuts: French-Caribbean Fusion
Award-winning pastry chef Fany Gerson pours her heart into every creation at this Bedford-Stuyvesant gem. My first bite of her Mango Lassi donut was a revelation – tropical fruit meets creamy yogurt in fried dough form!
What separates Fan Fan from the pack is Gerson’s brilliant fusion of French techniques with Caribbean flavors. The Churros & Chocolate donut brilliantly transforms a beloved street food into donut form.
Watching Fany work through the open kitchen window feels like witnessing culinary magic. Her flaky, light-as-air dough creates a texture that’s unlike any other donut in the city.
3. Moe’s Doughs: Halal Heaven in Greenpoint
Family-run and fantastically friendly, Moe’s Doughs won my heart with their staggering selection of over 70 handmade varieties. The display case is a rainbow of frosting and toppings that makes choosing just one nearly impossible.
Their knafeh-inspired donut brilliantly marries Middle Eastern pastry traditions with American donut craft. Crispy, cheese-filled, and soaked in sweet syrup – it’s cultural fusion at its finest.
What I appreciate most is how this halal bakery brings together diverse communities through shared love of sweet treats. The shop buzzes with neighborhood energy from sunrise to sunset.
4. Supermoon Bakehouse: Cosmic Creativity
Walking into Supermoon feels like entering a pastry spaceship. Their iridescent packaging and futuristic aesthetic perfectly match their boundary-pushing creations.
The rotating donut menu keeps me coming back weekly. I once scored a black sesame filled donut injected with yuzu curd that literally made me gasp out loud at the flavor combination.
Owner Ry Stephen doesn’t just make donuts; he creates edible art installations. The textures are impossibly perfect – crisp exterior giving way to pillowy centers and generous fillings that ooze dramatically when you take that first glorious bite.
5. Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop: Old-School Brooklyn Classic
Stepping into Peter Pan is like time-traveling to 1950s Brooklyn. The staff in mint green uniforms, counter seating, and no-nonsense attitude create an atmosphere you can’t manufacture.
For over 70 years, they’ve perfected classics like honey dip and sour cream cake donuts. My personal ritual involves their red velvet donut paired with their remarkably good coffee at the counter.
Celebrity sightings are common, but nobody gets special treatment here. I once shared counter space with a famous actor, both of us silently enjoying our donuts with equal reverence – the great equalizer of New York experiences.
6. Doughnut Plant: Pioneering Perfection
Before artisanal donuts were trendy, Mark Israel was quietly revolutionizing the craft at Doughnut Plant. Their square-filled donuts remain a stroke of genius – each bite delivers the perfect ratio of filling to dough.
The tres leches cake donut deserves its legendary status. Somehow it maintains structural integrity while delivering the milk-soaked magic of the traditional dessert.
With multiple locations including Grand Central Terminal, they’ve managed to scale without sacrificing quality. I’ve gifted their donut boxes to countless friends, and watching their eyes widen at first bite never gets old.
7. The Donut Pub: 24-Hour Donut Destination
Neon lights have beckoned night owls to this West Village institution since 1964. I’ve found myself here at every conceivable hour – post-theater indulgence, early morning craving, and once during a 3 AM existential crisis that only a fresh cruller could solve.
Their black and white donut perfectly captures the essence of the iconic New York cookie. The half chocolate, half vanilla glazed beauty pays homage to city traditions while standing firmly in donut territory.
Counter service remains charmingly no-frills despite the changing neighborhood. Watching fresh donuts being made through the kitchen window at dawn feels like accessing a secret side of New York.
8. Dough: Artisanal Giants
Size matters at Dough, where their yeasted creations are nearly the size of my face. Founder Fany Gerson (who later opened Fan Fan) started a donut revolution here with her oversized, brioche-style approach.
The hibiscus donut with its electric pink glaze became an Instagram sensation for good reason. Its tangy floral notes cut through the richness of the dough perfectly.
What amazes me is how light these giants remain despite their imposing size. The dough pulls apart in gorgeous, gluten-developed strands that show the craftsmanship behind these beauties. Their Flatiron location provides the perfect midday sugar rush during shopping expeditions.
9. Daily Provisions: Maple Cruller Magnificence
Danny Meyer’s neighborhood cafe concept might be known for their rotisserie chicken, but donut enthusiasts know the real star: their maple cruller. This ridged wonder achieves the impossible – a crackling exterior giving way to a custardy, almost pudding-like interior.
I once waited 45 minutes in the rain for these crullers. The maple glaze doesn’t just sit on top but somehow permeates every ridge and valley of the pastry.
Their limited daily production creates an urgency that’s justified by the quality. The staff remembers regulars and their orders, creating that special New York feeling of being a neighborhood fixture rather than just another customer.
10. Du’s Donuts: Chef-Driven Delights
When celebrated chef Wylie Dufresne pivoted from molecular gastronomy to donuts, the culinary world raised collective eyebrows. Those doubts evaporated with one bite of his brown butter key lime donut.
The Williamsburg shop applies chefly precision to cake donuts with flavors like peanut butter yuzu and pistachio pink lemonade. Each creation balances sweetness with acidity in a way that reveals Dufresne’s fine dining background.
The minimalist space lets the vibrant donuts take center stage. I appreciate how the staff can explain the thought process behind each flavor combination – these aren’t random mashups but carefully considered culinary statements.
11. Dominique Ansel Bakery: Beyond the Cronut
Yes, the Cronut started here and still draws lines, but insiders know Dominique Ansel’s donut game extends far beyond his famous hybrid. His traditional French donuts filled with lemon curd showcase his classical training.
The ever-changing DKA (Dominique’s Kouign Amann) isn’t technically a donut but delivers that same fried dough satisfaction with its caramelized layers. I’ve spotted celebrities and tourists alike in the charming garden seating area.
What impresses me most is how this James Beard Award-winning pastry chef maintains quality despite global expansion. Each seasonal creation feels thoughtful rather than gimmicky – the mark of true culinary artistry.
12. Comfortland: Queens’ Quirky Contender
This Astoria hotspot shatters donut conventions with creations that border on the absurd – in the best possible way. Their birthday cake donut comes topped with an actual slice of funfetti cake!
Owner Montana D’Alessio Barbieri brings punk rock energy to pastry. My favorite is their “Bodega” donut – bacon, egg and cheese stuffed into a savory-sweet glazed donut that somehow works brilliantly.
The shop’s retro diner aesthetic perfectly matches their nostalgic flavor inspirations. Childhood cereals, candy bars, and snack foods transform into sophisticated donut interpretations that make you laugh before making you moan with pleasure.