desserts, etc

NYC Donut Guide

Donuts

With National Donut Day on Friday, I wanted to put together a list of my favorite donut spots in Manhattan. I illustrated a variety of donuts and then decided to create the island of Manhattan using my illustrated donuts. In hindsight, this silly illustration was probably not the best use of my time, as I got a little carried away and spent the majority of Sunday night drawing the donut map. But regardless, here you have it – my favorite donut spots in NYC. So if you were worried about finding a delicious donut for Friday – donut worry about it (said in a NY accent), I’ve got you covered!

Donut Map of NYC

Continue on to read a little about my favorites – and also hear my top donut picks for Brooklyn.

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Now in a city like New York, there’s of course a myriad of delicious donut bakeries. However, these five NYC spots really make my stomach happy.

1. Dough – Flatiron (14 W 19th St): I won’t list the others in rank order, but I will say that Dough is my top pick. Originally starting in Brooklyn, these donuts are now available in Manhattan and they are insanely delicious, with a melt in your mouth dough and the most amazing flavors. My personal favorites – hibiscus, passionfruit, dulce de leche, and the cafe au lait donuts. If you’re in Brooklyn, head on over to the birthplace of these heavenly treats in BedStuy (448 Lafayette) or you can grab them on weekends at Smorgasburg.

2. Doughnut Plant – LES (379 Grand Street): Doughnut Plant comes in a close second to Dough. Again, really delicious donuts – especially the blueberry and cinnamon sugar donuts. They also do a special matcha green tea donut that is ridiculously good. They have one other Manhattan location in the old Chelsea Hotel, and they’ve recently branched outside of Manhattan with a location in Prospect Heights and one in Long Island City. And best of all, Doughnut Plant is available for on-demand delivery across all boroughs via Postmates for $4.99.

3. Doughnuttery – Chelsea Markets (75 9th Ave): Doughnuttery is the place to go if you don’t have much of a sweet-tooth, but still want to indulge. Their mini donuts are as adorable as they are tasty. You can see one of them in action on my Breakfast Cupcakes.

4. Sullivan Street Bakery – Hell’s Kitchen (533 W 47th Street): While Sullivan Street isn’t most famous for their donuts and while they don’t have a massive donut selection, what they do have is classic italian donuts (bombolinis), and they are freaking fantastic. While you’re in Sullivan Street, make sure to buy some bread as well because Jim Lahey is a bread god (and also a world-renowned baker). If the Midtown locale is a little too uptown for you, there’s also a location in Chelsea (236 9th Ave).

5. Dough Loco – Upper East Side (24 E 79th Street): I’ve only made it to Dough Loco once, but I remember it vividly. It’s delicious and a top contender for the uptown residents of Manhattan. Rumor has it their donut selections dwindles down pretty quickly each day, so make sure to get there early in the am if you want the full selection.

And now for Brooklyn. Apologies BK – but I just don’t have the time (or energy) to illustrate you in donut form, but I will still fill you in on my favorites around my hood. My top choice (after Dough, of course) is Peter Pan Bakery (727 Manhattan Ave) in Greenpoint. A classic, delicious, family-run bakery. If you are going on a weekend, be prepared to wait in a line – nothing too crazy, but the place is small and counter space is limited. And also, it is cash only so make sure to bring a few dollar bills with you. In Greenpoint you can also grab some delicious Dough donuts (and beautiful housewares) from home.coming on Franklin (107 Franklin). For Williamsburg, Pies ‘n’ Thighs (166 S 4th Street) has some pretty stellar donuts (don’t pass up on the pecan crunch donut). There’s also a vegan donut joint which I’ve yet to try – Dun-Well Doughnuts (222 Montrose Ave). Vegan donuts may sound questionable, but I’ve had multiple non-vegan friends swear to me that they are top-notch. I’m just bitter they didn’t exist when I lived across the street from the location six years ago.

 

And before I start spitting out more donut puns, I’m going to stop here. NYC – you sure do have some delicious donuts!

Manhattan Donut Illustration

  1. Jenny

    June 2, 2015 at 7:28 pm

    I’m forwarding this on to my sister who is a donut addict and lives there!
    xx
    Jenny // Mish Mosh Makeup

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