When it comes to doughnuts, you really can’t go wrong with any flavor. And sometimes, you just need to treat yo self.
So, I've set off on a spiritual journey to find some of the best doughnuts East of the Hudson. I can’t promise that you’ll find a seat on the train, but I can try to make your commute a little sweeter. Here’s my guide to the best doughnuts along the Metro North's Harlem and New Haven lines.
Doughnut Plant at Grand Central
Owner Mark Israel’s family have been making doughnuts since 1910 in Minnesota, so they really are no joke. Since then, they’ve really expanded to share their doughnut expertise with the rest of the world. You can find them in Brooklyn, Queens, the Lower East Side, and Chelsea.
#SpoonTip: There are a few Shake Shack locations that also carry them, one of them being the Shake Shack in Grand Central. If you want the full experience, the nearest location is on 23rd St. in Chelsea.
These doughnuts are all natural, and range in flavors from Peanut Butter & Blackberry Jam, to Crème Brûlée, or Mochaccino Ripple. There are even vegan chocolate doughnuts. Plus, if you go during the holidays, they have a bunch of special flavors like roasted chestnut, gingerbread, or triple chocolate mint that are also shaped like Christmas trees.
Wilken’s Fruit and Fir Farm at Yorktown Heights
Wilken’s is mainly known for their pick-your-own pumpkins, apples, and Christmas trees. But you better not get too distracted by the holiday spirit on your visit because you have to make sure you stop by their bakery. On a crisp fall day, their lines are out the door.
They sell pies, brownies, and strudel sticks, but the main attraction is really their Apple Cider Doughnuts. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a fresh batch that is still warm and covers your lips in granulated sugar with every bite.
If you’re feeling spunky, go for the chocolate covered apple cider doughnuts because honestly, you can never go wrong with chocolate. You can also order a bunch of their pies in advance for Christmas and pass them off as homemade to your family, but be sure to place your orders early!
Donut Crazy at Stratford/Bridgeport/Shelton/New Haven
Donut Crazy is a small chain throughout Connecticut, so there’s bound to be one near your train station. Usually, I’m a sucker for a plain glazed, but here you really need to have a “go big or go home” mentality.
Of course, you’ve got your classics, like Powdered Jelly or Boston Cream. But be sure to indulge a little and try out the French Toast, S’mores, Maple Bacon, or Kookie Monster on your next visit for the full experience. I recommend bringing a friend and splitting some because it took me about 15 minutes to decide on a flavor.
Martine’s Fine Bake Shoppe at Tuckahoe/Scarsdale
It’s probably not socially acceptable to scarf down half-a-dozen doughnuts at this place, but Martine's is a cute place to grab some coffee (and doughnuts) and get some work done. Their main attractions are their cakes and vast macaroon selection (I’m personally very curious about the lavender macaroons), but they do have a few classic doughnuts scattered throughout their display case.
Although the flavors are nowhere near as daring as Donut Crazy or Doughnut Plant, this European-style bakery can still serve up a pretty good Boston Cream or Cinnamon Sugar doughnut. Their selections vary day-to-day, but I’ve heard that their lemon doughnuts are super refreshing
Their Scarsdale location is located right off the train tracks, and if the weather’s nice, I recommend walking around and exploring some of the cute shops nearby.
#SpoonTip: You may also recognize the inside of this bakery from HGTV’s Property Brothers, which is also a win on its own.
I wish you the best of luck on your next doughnut journey. You donut want to miss out on these picks!