New York puts on quite the show when it comes to its donuts (and any other sweet treat, really). The days of simple, strawberry-glazed and cinnamon sugar are long gone, making way for inventive flavors and decadent dessert hybrids. While there are plenty of places to find great donuts in New York, this list covers my all-time favorites – the ones that I crave on a daily basis.
S’mores donut at Flex Mussels
Plates of mussels and oysters don’t really do it for me, but hand me a box of puffy little donuts and you have my attention. Luckily, you don’t have to dine at this seafood restaurant to take advantage of their donut collection: simply stop by, pick your flavors and wait. Made fresh in-house, the s’mores donut is stuffed to the brim with piping hot chocolate and melted marshmallow, which comes oozing out after just one bite.
Address: 174 E 82nd St, NY 10028
Carrot cake donut at Doughnut Plant
Doughnut Plant’s distinctly shaped donuts are well established in New York, but my favorite is their “regular” carrot cake donut. It’s chock full of spices, whole raisins and nibs of walnuts, finished off with a cream cheese coat and filling (a welcome surprise!). And with so many shredded carrots popping through the dough, the cake manages to be incredibly moist and soft.
Multiple locations in NYC
Crème brûlée doughseed at Doughnut Plant
While you’re at it, you might as well follow your dose of vegetables with something sweet. Inspired by a French classic, the crème brûlée doughseed is filled with creamy vanilla bean custard, which contrasts its crackly, caramelized layer of sugar on top. Dough seeds are small in size (a bit like donut holes), so you’ll always have room for this sweet treat.
Multiple locations in NYC
Maple cruller at Daily Provisions
Is a cruller technically a donut? Answering that question is a bit like the whole doughnut-versus-donut debate. It’s pointless, because all that matters is that you try these maple crullers ASAP. Crisp and shiny on the edges, while soft, eggy and custard-like on the inside – it’s rich, life changing and the best $3.50 you’ll ever spend.
Address: 103 E 19th St, NY 10003
Beet-glazed donut at The Doughnut Project
Back in 2015, the scientific masterminds behind The Doughnut Project were leading the way with unexpected combinations of savory and sweet. Cream cheese gets sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning, a simple glaze is far from simple with olive oil and black pepper, and my beloved beet-glazed donut is stuffed with ricotta. It’s called “Those Beetz Are Dope” and I couldn’t think of a more suited name.
Address: 10 Morton St, NY 10014
Blood orange donut at Dough
Dough definitely wins the award for biggest donuts in New York, but they deliver on the other aspects too. The dough itself is super fluffy, the flavors vary from modest to Mexican, and changing specials keep you coming back for more. The blood orange donut is both sweet and tart, complete with a slice of candied orange on top.
Multiple locations in NYC
Cheesecake donut at Dough
Talking of specials, Dough wraps up New York’s iconic dessert into their deep-fried circles. Smothered in vanilla cream cheese frosting and copious amounts of crumbled graham crackers, this donut is a fun way to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Multiple locations in NYC
