The best doughnut shops in NYC

What is it? A doughnut shop from award-winning pastry chef Fany Gerson.

Why we love it: Brooklyn doughnut expert Fany Gerson—the founder of Dough—launched a new vision in the same location when she opened Fan-Fan during the first year of the pandemic. Despite the risk involved with such an undertaking, the store is perhaps even more popular than its predecessor, with lines consistently queuing up down the block for mainstays like the Mango Lassi and Churros & Chocolate. 

Time Out tip: Pop open the freezer near the front for mango-raspberry and hibiscus paletas from Gerson's sister business, La Newyorkina. 

Address: 448 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn

Hours: Mon–Wed, 8am–4pm; Thurs–Fri, 8am–6pm; Sat and Sun, 9am–6pm 

What is it? A halal doughnut shop in Greenpoint.

Why we love it: This charmer churns out colorful, doughy circles perfect for a nosh in nearby McGorlick Park. You can find over 70 flavors handmade from Moe himself, who's been kneading, rolling and shaping donuts for close to 30 years. 

Time Out tip: You can get knafeh but in doughnut form. 

Address: 126 Nassau Avenue, Brooklyn

Hours: Daily, 7am–7pm

What is it? An imaginative bakehouse from the maker of the Cruffin. 

Why we love it: At this Lower East Side bakery, desserts are treated like they're art in a gallery: displayed on a terrazzo bar with shiny to-go, boxes fit for jewels. Though Supermoon has come to be known for its oozing, sumptuous croissants, its donuts are the sleeper hit. Flavors change constantly, so keep an eye out. 

Time Out tip: Popular pastries have a tendency to sell out, try to get there early to build your ideal box.

Address: 120 Rivington Street

Hours: Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm; Sat and Sun, 9am–6pm

What is it? A mom-and-pop donut shop that's sat in Greenpoint for over 70 years. 

Why we love it? You’ll find doughy fritters, not Tinkerbell, at this Greenpoint standby. Dip your lightly glazed doughnut into steaming coffee at the curved counter or box up a dozen still-warm chocolate cake rounds or (and?) honey dip French crullers—which are just some of the 20-odd varieties baked daily.

Time Out tip: Yes, its still cash only, but you can order ahead with a credit card. 

Address: 727 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn

Hours: Mon–Wed, 4:30am-6pm; Thurs and Fri, 4:30am-7pm; Sat, 5am–7pm; Sun, 5:30am–6pm

What is it? A vegan doughnut and coffee shop less than a minute away from the Montrose L stop. 

Why we love it: Brooklyn's vegan doughnut lovers are in luck—Dun-Well Doughnuts is about as good as you're going to get in the animal-product-free sweet-treats department. Consider the old-timey atmosphere a bonus.

Time Out tip: Flavors do rotate here but if you catch the Masal Chai with apple pie, you'll be glad you did.

Address: 222 Montrose Avenue Brooklyn

Hours: Daily, 8am-6pm

What is it? A small slip of a shop that's known for its fist-sized yeasty doughnuts. 

Why we love it: This Bushwick shop is truly eponymously named—its doughnuts are pretty plump. Catch flavors ranging from the classic chocolate frosted with sprinkles to house specialties like dulce de leche creme at a discount after 4pm, most days. 

Time Out tip: Head in with an appetite and take advantage of the hearty all-day breakfast menu.

Address: 50 Malcolm X Boulevard, Brooklyn

Hours: Mon and Tues, 8am–4pm; Closed Wed; Thurs and Fri, 8am–4pm; Sat and Sun, 8am–5pm

What is it? An Astor Place doughnut "pub" (with another locale in the West Village) that's been around since the '60s. 

Why do we love it? If it’s time to celebrate—whether it’s simply waking up or planning an extravagant sweet-filled birthday—then it’s time to head to Donut Pub. Here you can find donuts shaped like every letter of the alphabet (a new take on the old CONGRATS GRAD signage, perhaps?), rotating special flavors like the cannoli kreme and chocolate dipper, and The Donut Pub's own take on croissant donuts, including the delightfully salty-sweet maple bacon.

Time Out tip: Can't make it to either shop? You can get its dougnuts on Goldbelly. 

Address: 203 West 14th Street

Hours: 24/7!

What is it? The original gourmet doughnut is now found in five locations across NYC. 

Why we love it: This quirky and inventive doughnut shop is best known for its unique square donuts stuffed with house-made jams and cream fillings (peanut butter banana, coconut cream). But bakers here also sling chubby yeast-raised rings that are fluffy yet substantial and glazed in rotating flavors (pistachio, strawberry, vanilla bean, Valrhona chocolate), plus cake-style donuts like Brooklyn Black Out and carrot cake. Vegan and gluten-free options are available as well.

Time Out tip: They are credited with making the first-ever Crème Brûlée doughnut back 2008. 

Address: Multiple locations (Lower Manhattan, Midtown and Long Island City, et al.)

What is it? A viral vegan doughnut shop with two locations, one in Brooklyn Heights and the other in NoLita. 

Why we love it: The small-batch bakery has over 40 flavors of doughnuts, both regular and of the mini variety, and all of it vegan and cruelty-free. Flavors rotate often, so follow them on Instagram to see the next drop. 

Time Out tip: Catch the sweet potato cinnamon roll, if you can. 

Address: 209 Mott Street and 14 Columbia Place, Brooklyn

What is it? A gluten-free mochi doughnut shop in Chinatown.

Why we love it: Every single creation at Alimama is a spectacle: a gorgeous symphony of color, design and taste that makes as much for a gorgeous photo as it does a delicious experience. The highlights here are the gluten-free mochi doughnuts, which are infused with flavors like salted caramel Nutella and matcha toasted rice crispies.

Time Out tip: A worthy pair, their boba tea comes in all colors here, thanks to the addition of butterfly pea flower. 

Address: 89A Bayard Street

Hours: Daily, 11am–8pm

What is it: It's Dominique Ansel's bakery, commonly known as the home of the Cronut.

Why we love it: Dominique Ansel honed his skills as executive pastry chef at Daniel for six years before opening this American and French patisserie. Caramelized croissants, rainbow colored macarons and the chef's signature Cronut (croissant-doughnut hybrid) creations make up just a few of the sweet selections at the counter.

Time Out tip: Cronut fillings rotate each month, with flavors that include black sesame ganache and salted pretzel ganache.

Address: 189 Spring Street

Hours: Daily, 8am–7pm

What is it? A Taiwanese bakery from the makers of Win Son, which is right across the street. 

Why we love it: Josh Ku and Trigg Brown’s restaurant, Win Son, proffers inventive takes on Taiwanese-American bites. The duos bakery across the street (plus another location in the East Village) serves fried-chicken sandos on milk bread (made in-house by pastry chef Danielle Spencer) and wonderfully chewy mochi doughnuts.

Time Out tip: There's only two flavors of mochi doughnuts: the millet mochi donut and the fermented red rice donut. Order them both. 

Address: 164 Graham Avenue, Brooklyn

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What is it? A 24/7 donut spot in Sheepshead Bay.

Why we love it: This charming old-school haunt is also lovingly referred to as The Donut Shoppe. Shaikh's Place is a lunch counter serving tacos, chicken sandwiches and breakfast options—but fans come hungry for a date with their donuts. 

Time Out tip: A dozen of doughnuts will only run you $10. Ball out accordingly. 

Address: 1503 Avenue U, Brooklyn

Hours: Daily, 24 hours

What is it? A cake doughnut found in Staten Island. 

Why we love it: Staten Island doesn't get enough credit for a lot of dishes, but these doughnuts top the charts. Donut World could be easily missed in its strip mall, but once you find it, you'll be coming back again and again. We love the comic book-style signage and its sentient donut mascot, too.

Time Out tip: As you fill up your dozen, maybe add in the Chicken & Waffles with maple icing and syrup.

Address: 11 Holden Boulevard, Staten Island

Hours: Closed Mon; Tues–Sat, 9am–7pm; Sun, 9am–6pm