12 best donuts in Boston to try right now

For 60+ years, the nationally-renowned Kane’s has churned out a rotating menu of some 40 daily flavors, from crème brûlée to eggnog. The Boston location in the Financial District ensures worker bees can get their donut fix — paired with Atomic coffee — while the two Saugus spots keep the North Shore happy. In addition to favorites like Honey Dip, try the unique Turtle Donut and the Reese's Cup, gluten-free and vegan varieties, and monthly flavors such as Lemon Chiffon and Pistachio. Look for limited collabs like the recent St. Patrick’s Day creation with Wormtown Brewery – a honey glaze infused with Irish Red.

This South End shop helpfully explains the differences between its raised donuts (made with a brioche dough) and cake donuts (made with buttermilk and sour cream). Keep an eye out for offbeat flavors such as sesame sriracha, blackberry lavender, and everything bagel (brioche doughnut filled with whipped cream cheese, topped with toasted garlic, onion, sesame, and poppy seeds).

How can you tell this place is a relic? “Do-nut” is hyphenated in the sign, it’s cash only, and the tiny shop closes at 1pm. But what’s old is still delicious, which is why regional residents trek over to West Roxbury for their donut fix. Here, the donuts are light and fluffy; coconut and honey dip are two of the musts, as well as a jelly stick that might take two to consume. 

This no-frills joint in South Boston has been a fixture for more than 40 years. Craving a doughnut at 3am? You’ll find a wide variety of fresh ones at any hour: Maple Frosted, Honey Dip, Boston Cream, Fruity Pebble, crullers, and more. Even the drive-thru is 24 hours, when you need that sugar fix, stat.

You can’t swing a cruller without hitting a Dunks (there are 85 in Boston alone). It might seem cliché, but even Ben Affleck has an affinity for this national chain that started in Quincy in 1948 and is filled with patrons craving everything from a basic glazed to toasted coconut. Pair any of their 50-plus flavors with one of their brand new ready-to-drink canned iced coffee inspired by beloved bakery items, Brownie Batter Donut, Cake Batter Donut and Coffee Cake Muffin.

This long-standing shop’s 1950s facade is an Allston icon — as are its cheap, tasty donuts. The compact joint opens at 6am, making it a regular haunt of early risers and night owls alike. Also an inexpensive spot for a hot breakfast, the kitchen churns out basic egg dishes and the like.

Martha’s Vineyard institution recently opened a late night pop-up in partnership with Loretta’s Last Call. Your after-hours munchies don’t stand a chance against these sweet treats being sent out of a space adjacent to Lansdowne Street restaurant from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. nightly. While they’re known for giant apple fritter donuts, they also have all the traditionals (chocolate frosted, party sprinkles, Boston cream, and maple bacon, to name a few).

The pie case at this modernized diner in Davis Square is a sight to behold, and the pies live up to the hype. The rotating weekend-only donut selection is worth seeking out as well. You may find flavors such as s'mores, topped with toasted marshmallow, or strawberries and cream.

On the Brighton-Brookline border sits a European-style bakery that makes out one of the most unusual donuts in the city: a currant donut that’s baked, not fried. Based on a rare Swiss recipe, the donut received the ultimate accolade from Food & Wine, which named it one of the best in the country. Arrive early or you may find it has sold out.

Homemade Greek honey donuts known as loukoumas—basically a far superior take on the Dunkin’ munchkin—are the perfect way to satisfy a sugar hankering without going overboard. And Gre.co, choose among five varieties, including the Yaya’s (hazelnut praline, Oreo cookies,) and the Golpho (caramel, almonds, sea salt). Or you can go (doh)nuts and fashion your own, choosing from toppings like dark chocolate, pistachios, coconut flakes and walnuts.

This hip cafe across from the Forest Hills T station serves gourmet coffee and pastries by day. A daily-changing selection of donuts often sells out; stop by for flavors such as white chocolate-apricot.

With five locations, including a recent Newbury Street opening, you might say beloved James Beard Award-winning chef Jody Adams’ Greek game is strong. Greek Donuts (also referred to as "Loukoumades" or "lokma") are bite-sized sweet, fluffy, airy, deep-fried donut bites. They offer a variety of different toppings for guests to choose from for a hole in one - Honey and Cinnamon, Sour Cherry, Nutella and Baklava, Caramel and Pistachio, and Greek Yogurt and Lemon Curd.