The best doughnut shops in NYC

What is it? This brick-and-mortar extension of a home kitchen passion project serves up Filipino flavors like purple yam and flan alongside donuts filled with tart cherry jam and coated with green pistachio butter glaze. 

Why we love it: We no longer have to wait for Kora’s latest doughnut “drop,” but the rotating flavors keep us on the hook. Flavors like rhubarb with white chocolate chantilly go way beyond rainbow sprinkles, and even the simplest crullers are made with Ceylon cinnamon. 

Time Out tip: Earthy ube is used a few ways here, from an ube-and-coconut cookie to the babka swirled with ube butter and topped with crunchy sugar pearls. Our favorite iteration is the royal purple ube doughnut, which is stuffed with ube pastry cream and then covered in an ube glaze. Pair it with a mesmerizingly layered ube latte, and you’ve got yourself a pretty good morning. 

Address: 45-12 Greenpoint Ave, Sunnyside, NY 11104

Opening hours: Wed–Thu, Fri, 7:30am–4pm; Sat, Sun, 9am–4pm

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What is it: Food-with-holes-wise, Montreal is best known for Montreal-style bagels, which are boiled in honey-sweetened water and significantly denser than their New York counterparts. Homie’s, a Montreal import to NYC, makes the case that the province should be famous for yeasted doughnuts, too. 

Why we love it: Super-soft and extremely photogenic, these Simpsons-inspired donuts are shinily drizzled and glazed in shades of pink, blue and Dubai-chocolate green. Go for one with rainbow sprinkles (that’s what Homer would pick, probably) or a cannoli donut covered with vanilla frosting and cannoli chips, then topped with custard cream. 

Time Out tip: Alongside your more elaborate options, make sure you grab a simple glazed. It’s the best way to appreciate the soft, fresh-off-the-fryer texture that Homie’s is known for. 

Address: 23 Cleveland Pl, New York, NY 10012

Opening hours: Mon–Thu, Sun, 10am–8pm; Fri, Sat, 10am–10pm

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

Why we love it: Fany Gerson, the founder of Dough, launched this new vision during the first year of the pandemic. It’s perhaps even more popular than its predecessor, with folks consistently forming lines down the block for mainstays like the Mango Lassi with mango-cardamom glaze, yogurt glaze drizzle and pistachios and the White Coffee, with a glaze steeped with coffee beans, café con leche and espresso powder. A rotating cast of sticky buns, like the Citrus Bun with cream cheese frosting, and glazed bread “fan fans” (an eclair-like filled doughnut) keeps everybody in the queue on their toes. 

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 Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Opening hours: Mon–Thu, 9am–4pm; Fri–Sun, 9am–5pm

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What is it? This halal doughnut shop in Greenpoint churns out colorful, doughy circles perfect for a nosh in nearby McGolrick Park. You can find over 70 flavors from Moe himself, who's been kneading, rolling and shaping donuts for close to 30 years. 

Why we love it: The old-school pastry case is packed with gooey cinnamon rolls, apple fritters the size of your head and classic old-fashioned cake donuts, crisped perfectly brown and covered in a crackling glaze. 

Time Out tip: Try the knafeh donut, inspired by the traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with crunchy kataifa, filled with sweet cheese and topped with pistachios. Moe’s take transforms it into a tender, oversized treat that makes you wonder why all donuts aren’t this crunchy. 

Address: 126 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Opening hours: Daily 7am–8pm

What is it? At this imaginative bakehouse, known for its chocolate-stuffed cruffin (a mashup of a croissant and a muffin), desserts are displayed on a terrazzo bar, with shiny to-go boxes fit for jewels. 

Why we love it: Though Supermoon makes headlines for its sumptuous croissants and savory treats like the Jalapeno Popper Sconut (a mashup between a donut and a scone…), don’t sleep on their doughnuts. The rich, vibrant passionfruit curd is worth your continued tolerance of the bakery scene’s increasingly elaborate use of portmanteaus. (Has the “Dan Dan-ish,” a mashup of a Danish and dan dan noodles, gone too far? Discuss.) 

Time Out tip: Popular pastries tend to sell out, so get there early to build your ideal box.

Address: 120 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Daily 8am–10pm

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What is it? This mom-and-pop donut shop has been a Greenpoint staple for over 70 years. Every morning, you’ll find the small space packed with regulars and tourists, all holding up their cash while they clamor for honey dip French crullers right out of the oven or a red velvet cake donut that borders on transcendent. While “red velvet” sounds like it might be slathered or stuffed with cream cheese frosting, it’s actually perfectly elegant: a simple ring with a tender red crumb, hand-dipped in glaze that clings to its slightly irregular shape. 

Why we love it: The 20-odd varieties are baked daily starting at midnight, then served every morning as early as 4:30 by folks in mint-green and pink diner uniforms. This place is old school, and we sincerely hope it stays that way forever. 

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

Address: 727 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 4:30am-6pm; Thu, Fri 4:30am-7pm; Sat 5am–7pm; Sun 5:30am–6pm

What is it? This shop in Chinatown offers up hot and cold teas, tiny “munchkin” mochi and delicate, sugar-dusted cream puffs alongside its signature gluten-free mochi donuts. 

Why we love it: Highlights here include the black sesame donut, topped with candied black sesame flakes, and the brulee donut covered in a caramelized sugar glaze. Since you’re here, you might as well grab a cream puff: they’re not technically donuts, but they’re soft on the inside and filled with velvety Hokkaido custard, vibrant ube or matcha and brown sugar with chewy pops of boba. 

Time Out tip: Want to make your grid even more colorful? Pair a pink strawberry mochi donut with royal milk tea with mini boba, which is made pastel blue with butterfly pea flower. 

Address: 89A Bayard St, New York, NY 10013

Opening hours: Daily 11am–8pm

What is it: The home of the Cronut®, this is the bakery that launched a thousand lines. Trademarked in 2013, we’re talking a doughnut that went so viral we’re still dealing with all the cruffins, croffles, cragels and crookies it left in its wake. 

Why we love it: Dominique Ansel honed his skills as executive pastry chef at Daniel for six years before opening this patisserie. His signature pastry remains on the menu (the tourists of the world would never recover if it didn’t!), although he has kept it fresh all these years with a filling that rotates every month, including black sesame, caramelized banana pudding and pineapple, salted pretzel and white peach and lychee. 

Time Out tip: Come for the Cronut®, stay for the Blossoming Hot Chocolate™, which comes with a blooming marshmallow flower.  

Address: 189 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Opening hours: Daily 8am–7pm

What is it? This bakery comes from the folks behind Win Son, the Taiwanese-American restaurant right across the street. 

Why we love it: Serving up bacon, egg, and Havarti cheese, and mortadella and pepperoncini on milky sweet buns isn’t enough for these inventive chefs. The chewy millet mochi donuts here come coated in a sugar-and-spice mix made with fragrant cardamom and ginger, and the fermented red rice donut has a level of umami rarely seen (but greatly appreciated) in the doughnut world. 

Time Out tip: Even though there are only two options on the menu, both earn their place in any NYC doughnut crawl. They’re more reasonably sized than some of the whoppers on this list, so fair warning if you’re coming with a friend: you won’t want to share. 

Address: 64 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206

Opening hours: Mon 9am–3pm; Tue–Wed, Sun 9am–9pm; Thu–Sat 9am–10pm

What is it? This vegan doughnut and coffee shop is less than a minute away from the Montrose L stop, making it a must-stop spot for a Monday morning pick-me-up or a you-made-it-to-Friday treat. 

Why we love it: As the very first vegan doughnut shop in NYC, they were early to stake their claim in the dairy- and egg-free dessert department. They’ve more than proved that they’ve got staying power, serving up classics like glazed and strawberry with sprinkles alongside more complicated fare like caramel peanut candy bar, almond butter banana pudding and buttery cornbread with hot honey. 

Time Out tip: Their flavors are always changing, but if you happen to catch the masala chai with spiced apple pie filling, you simply must order it. 

Address: 222 Montrose Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206

Opening hours: Daily 8am-6pm

What is it? This small shop, known for its fist-sized yeast doughnuts, has recently reopened with a refreshed look, making it a destination for remote work with a cold matcha or a friendly (or not-so-friendly, depending on how competitive you are) round of chess. 

Why we love it: All doughnut bodies are beautiful, but this Bushwick shop’s are more beautiful than most. Try their plump donuts with classic flavors like chocolate cake and maple glazed, plus house flavors like dulce de leche and cookies and cream. 

Time Out tip: Why shouldn’t a donut be an appetizer? Head in hungry to take advantage of their all-day breakfast menu.

Address: 50 Malcolm X Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11221

Opening hours: Mon–Tue, Thu–Fri, 8am–4pm; Sat, Sun, 9am–5pm

What is it? One of the last remaining 24-hour spots in Manhattan, Donut Pub has been slinging doughnuts, coffee and black-and-white cookies since it opened in 1964. 

Why do we love it? Every donut is peanut- and tree nut-free, making it an excellent choice for those with nut allergies. They offer custom donut designs for parties, but we’re partial to celebrating with their letter donuts, which make a great centerpiece when you spell out HAPPY BDAY. Rotating flavors include the cannoli kreme and chocolate dipper, plus their take on croissant donuts with flavors like apple cider, maple syrup and tiramisu. 

Time Out tip: Can't make it to the shop? You can order their doughnuts straight to your house through Goldbelly. 

Address: 203 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

Opening hours: Daily 24/7 

What is it? This viral vegan, Black-owned doughnut shop has two locations, one in Brooklyn Heights and the other in NoLita. Named for their cloud-like insides, these doughnuts are made in extra-small batches with an emphasis on detail. (Take the grapefruit mimosa donut, which comes with a grapefruit-champagne glaze and brûléed grapefruits, plus your very own teeny-tiny pipette of champagne.)

Why we love it: The small-batch bakery has over 40 flavors of doughnuts, with six to eight flavors available at a time. On a recent visit, we tried the brown butter chocolate chip, made with a toasted brown-butter glaze and topped with chewy cookie chunks, and the sugarberry, their signature donut tossed in a sweet, colorful mix of berries. 

Time Out tip: Their doughnuts come in both full-sized and mini sizes, but we’re partial to the mini…that way we can try more flavors. 

Address: 14 Columbia Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Fri–Sun 9am–4pm

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What is it? Serving up “classic” donuts topped with chocolate chips, rainbow sprinkles and coconut flakes, plus vanilla-frosted donuts topped with fruity cereals and then drizzled with marshmallow, this doughnut shop is worth the ferry ride and the resulting trip to the strip mall. 

Why we love it: Their specialty donuts are even more over the top, with flavors like the Chunky Monkey with banana icing, peanuts and peanut butter buttercream, and the Devil Dog, a chocolate donut cut in half and then filled with sweet, fluffy Holland cream and chocolate chips. 

Time Out tip: No one could accuse Donut World of not putting their fryer to good use. After you choose your donuts, grab a six-pack of fried Oreos, a deep-fried croissant (!) stuffed with cannoli cream or cheesecake filling (!!) or gooey fried s’mores bites oozing melted marshmallow and chocolate. 

Address: 11A Holden Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314

Opening hours: Mon, Wed 9am–3pm; Thu–Sat 9am–6pm; Sun 9am–5pm

What is it? This charming old-school haunt in Sheepshead Bay is technically a lunch counter that serves up tacos, chicken sandwiches, and breakfast options like French toast and eggs with BECS—but you’re coming for the doughnuts, right?

Why we love it: A baker’s dozen is just $15.75 (that rings up to just about $1.21 a doughnut, according to our calculations), and you can fill ‘er up with classic flavors like Boston cream, vanilla with rainbow sprinkles, chocolate frosted and glazed crullers. 

Time Out tip: Shaik’s Place is open 24/7, so you can get your doughnut fix anytime, day or night. 

Address: 1503 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11229

Opening hours: Daily 24/7