Doughnuts are kind of my thing. I'm always on the hunt for the latest and greatest doughnut—especially on National Doughnut Day. I've had them all: everything bagel-flavored, cookie dough-topped, layered rainbow cake, Nutella-stuffed, and ricotta-filled.
Living just a bus ride away from New York City, there's no doubt in my mind that New York has the best doughnuts in the world. And in case you didn't know, November 5th is one of TWO National Doughnut Days. Yeah, doughnuts are that important.
So here's a compilation of all the best places to celebrate National Doughnut Day in the Big Apple:
1. Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop
Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop has been around since 1953. Tina Fey says it's her favorite doughnut shop, and it is home to (what I think are) New York City's best doughnuts. Even though it's in a somewhat inconvenient part of Brooklyn, Peter Pan is so worth the trip.
Hood: Greenpoint, BrooklynWhat to order: Bavarian Cream or Red Velvet
2. Doughnut Plant
Doughnut Plant holds a special place in my heart because it was the first doughnut-only shop I ever went to in New York. Another reason Doughnut Plant has a special place in my heart is because it has what feels like a gazillion locations all over Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Along with their storefronts, Doughnut Plant provides their doughnuts to various coffee shops in the city and Dean & DeLuca.
Hood: Literally anywhere in ManhattanWhat to order: Tres Leches
3. Dough
Like Doughnut Plant, Dough has a few storefronts and provides their product to a lot of third party sellers, which is awesome for you because their doughnuts rock. They're easily the fluffiest, most delicious yeast doughnuts in all of New York.
But for all you cake doughnut lovers, they make them in limited quantities at their Flatiron location after 12 pm.
Hood: Anywhere in Manhattan; Bed StuyWhat to order: Almond Dulce de Leche
4. The Donut Pub
Since 1964, The Donut Pub has been making doughnuts for New York City. Not only is The Donut Pub home to some amazing doughnuts, they are also open 24/7, which means doughnuts at anytime. Basically, that is my greatest fantasy come true. Hood: ChelseaWhat to Order: S'mores Doughnut
5. The Doughnut Project
Tucked away on a side street of Greenwich Village, The Doughnut Project houses some of the best doughnuts in Manhattan. Unlike many other doughnut shops in the city, the Doughnut Project makes unique-flavored doughnuts like beet and ricotta, olive oil, and everything bagel. Recently, they also opened up a stand at the new Gansevoort Market.
Hood: Greenwich VillageWhat to Order: Those Beetz are Dope (Beet and Ricotta)
6. Cinnamon Snail
Vegans, these doughnuts are for you. Prior to its location at the Pennsy, The Cinnamon Snail was famous for its amazing vegan food trucks in both New York and New Jersey. If you're planning on hitting up the storefront at the Pennsy, I highly suggest you get there early because, unsurprisingly, they sell out fast.
Hood: MidtownWhat to Order: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
7. The Queens Comfort
I am 100% convinced that Montana, of Queens Comfort and Donut Diva NY, makes the best cake doughnuts in the world. Every weekend, Montana serves up her weekly doughnut at the Queens Comfort, so make sure to get there bright and early if you want to try one of her heavenly creations. For those of you not interested in long weekend lines, Montana does custom orders for special occasions.
Hood: AstoriaWhat to Order: Whatever Montana is serving
8. Underwest Donuts
Hidden away in a car wash on the West Side Highway, Underwest Donuts is truly a hidden gem. Even though the space is very small and a bit of a trek, it is beyond worth it. If a trip to the West Side Highway is a little much for you, a new location is opening soon at 2 Penn Plaza.
Hood: Hell's KitchenWhat to Order: Maple Waffle
9. Erin McKenna's Bakery
Erin McKenna's Bakery is not only vegan, but it also kosher and grain-free. Basically, this is the perfect doughnut shop for any of your super picky friends or friends with any type of dietary restriction. Although they have tons of different baked goods, their doughnuts are out-of-this world for being grain-free and vegan.
Hood: Lower East SideWhat to Order: Samoa Donut
10. Sullivan Street Bakery
Although Sullivan Street Bakery is more well-known for their other amazing bread, their bombolinis, or Italian doughnuts, are out of this world. Sullivan Street Bakery is definitely a great place to celebrate National Doughnut Day a little differently. Hood: Hell's Kitchen and ChelseaWhat to Order: Any bombolini flavor
11. Leske's
More old school than some of the other, newer doughnut shops, Leske's is a Brooklyn institution. For a simple, delicious doughnut on National Doughnut Day, Leske's is your spot.
Hood: Bay RidgeWhat to Order: Cream Doughnut
12. Orwasher's
Also known for their bread, Orwasher's has beautiful jelly doughnuts that really need to be talked about more often. All their tender, yeast doughnuts are filled-to-order with fresh fruit preserves from upstate NY. Orwasher's will make you realize that jelly doughnuts are so underrated.
Hood: Upper East and Upper West SidesWhat to Order: Jelly Doughnut
13. Dun Well Doughnuts
In 2011, Dun Well Doughnuts became the first all-vegan doughnut shop in New York City. With rotating daily flavors, the best way to find out which location has the flavors you want is to check out their flavor-orientated Instagram account: @dunwelldaily. Dun Well Doughnuts is a perfect option for vegans and non-vegans alike. Hood: East Village and WilliamsburgWhat to Order: Flavors rotate daily
14. Mike's Donut Shop
Since 1976, Mike and his wife, Christina, have been making doughnuts daily in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Twice a day, doughnuts are made at the store to ensure freshness all day. With about 35 different types of doughnuts, there is an option for everyone. Hood: Bay RidgeWhat to Order: Jelly Pom Pom Doughnut
15. Mah Ze Dahr
Previously only an online bakery, Mah Ze Dahr finally has a storefront in the West Village. Their famous brioche doughnuts have been featured as one of the best doughnuts on dozens of blogs, newspapers, and magazines. The best part? The fluffy doughnut hole included on top of the actual doughnut. Hood: West VillageWhat to Order: Brioche Doughnut
16. Pies 'n' Thighs
If you ever find yourself in Williamsburg for some of the best southern food in New York City, a doughnut from Pies 'n' Thighs is a must-order. Like a lot of the other doughnut shops on this list, their flavors rotate with the seasons, which is a great excuse to try the new flavors all the time.
Hood: WilliamsburgWhat to Order: Whatever they have
17. Doughnuttery
What to Order: Green Tea Buzz
18. Dominque Ansel Bakery
If you haven't heard of the cronut, you probably live under a rock. The cronut, or croissant doughnut, is a Dominique Ansel creation that has caused extreme hype in New York City. Lines begin at around 6 am every single morning, and they still continue to this very day.
I have had the pleasure of waiting in line for two hours, and it was definitely worth the experience. Plus, the cronut is pretty dang good. For indecisive people, the cronut is great because Dominique Ansel only serves up a monthly flavor.
Hood: SohoWhat to Order: Monthly Cronut
19. Gossip Coffee
Although they specialize in coffee (obviously), Gossip Coffee also delves into the world of artisanal doughnuts. They specialize in what they call a "donutcinno," which is a frappe smoothie with a doughnut on the straw; this is perfect for anyone with a major sweet tooth. They are also one of two outstanding doughnuts shops in Queens.
Hood: AstoriaWhat to Order: Donutcinno
20. Carpe Donut
Perfect for your friend that never knows what they want, Carpe Donut only serves one type of doughnut: apple cider. The good news is that they are not only made fresh, but also delicious. If you want to spice things up, order your doughnut a la mode, or as an ice cream sandwich. Hood: Food truck; location variesWhat to Order: Apple Cider Doughnut
Now that you know where to find the best of the best donuts in NYC, be sure to stop by one (or a few) of these locations for National Doughnut Day.