You can find a decent glazed donut in any city, but the real question is whether it’s worth the hunt for the kind of donut that makes you rethink what a donut can be. In New York, the answer is yes—if you’re willing to wait in line, carry cash, and accept that some shops sell out before lunch.
Donut Crawl
Foodie
Family-Friendly
Day Trip
New York’s donut scene has exploded past the standard glazed ring. You’ll find Japanese soufflé donuts, Filipino yeast-raised flavors, alcohol-infused rings, and vegan options that don’t taste like a compromise. The tradeoff is that many of the best shops are small operations with limited hours, long lines, and no delivery. If you’re planning a family trip, you’ll want to pick your stops carefully—some are more kid-friendly than others. For a full rundown of everything NYC, start with the complete New York City guide on this site.
At I’m donut? in the East Village, wait times of 1–2 hours are common, and the shop only accepts walk-ins—no pre-orders or delivery.
— Sophie
What You’re Actually Signing Up For: Lines, Sell-Outs, and Cash-Only Counters
The biggest reality check for a donut crawl in New York is that most of the inventive shops operate on tiny margins with tiny storefronts. They sell out. They close early. Some are only open three days a week. Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop in Greenpoint has been family-owned since 1953, opens at 4:30 AM, and is cash-only. That’s not a gimmick—it’s how they keep a classic glazed at $2–3. On the other end, Kora in the Lower East Side sells out by noon most days, and it’s only open Wednesday through Sunday. If you’re bringing younger kids, the long waits at places like I’m donut? (1–2 hours) might be a non-starter unless you’ve got a stroller and a backup plan. The good news: many shops are clustered in walkable neighborhoods, so you can pivot easily.
The Classics That Earned Their Reputation
Some shops have been doing it right for decades, and they deserve a spot on your list even if you’re not a purist. These are the places where the donut itself is the star—no gimmicks, no mirror glazes, just excellent technique.
Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop — Greenpoint, Brooklyn
This is the donut your grandmother would approve of. The honey-dipped, red velvet, and blueberry are all made fresh from a family recipe that hasn’t changed since the 1950s. The crullers are especially good—light, with a slight crunch. Hours are daily from 4:30 AM to 9 PM, but early morning is best because the selection is fullest. No frills, no pretension, and the line moves fast. Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop official site.
Doughnut Plant — Lower East Side
Doughnut Plant is the reason square donuts exist. They use organic ingredients and make everything from scratch, including the jam in the PB&J. The Blackout Cake flavor is a chocolate lover’s dream. The original location on Grand Street opens at 7 AM daily. There’s also a Brooklyn outpost at 245 Flatbush Avenue that often has shorter lines. Vegan options are available. Doughnut Plant website.
Loeser’s Bakery — Pelham Bay, The Bronx
If you’re venturing into the Bronx, Loeser’s has been a neighborhood staple since 1960. The old-fashioned cake donuts and crullers are the draw. They’re closed on Mondays and prefer cash. It’s a bit of a trip from Manhattan, but the donuts are worth it—and the area is quiet enough for a family stroll. Loeser’s Bakery.
The New Guard: Experimental, Vegan, and Boozy
This is where NYC’s donut scene really shines. If you’re willing to try something weird (or alcohol-infused, or completely plant-based), these are the shops to seek out.
I’m donut? — East Village
Japanese-style soufflé donuts that are light as air. The matcha cream and strawberry shortcake flavors are the signatures. The catch: you’ll wait 1–2 hours, and there’s no way to skip the line. I’m donut? on Instagram updates daily wait times, but that’s the only intel you’ll get.
Kora — Lower East Side
Filipino-American yeast-raised donuts with flavors that change weekly. Ube coconut, calamansi cream, and champorado (chocolate rice) are recent examples. Kora was started by pastry chef Kimberly Camara and partner Kevin Borja in a Queens apartment during the pandemic. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 AM–3 PM (or until sold out). No pre-orders, so go early. Kora’s website.
Moe’s Doughs — Williamsburg, Brooklyn
New York’s only alcohol-infused donut shop, and yes, the flavors are real: Maple Bourbon Bacon, Espresso Martini, Champagne Strawberry. You must be 21+ with ID. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM–6 PM. The donuts are made with real liquor, so they’re not for kids. Moe’s Doughs.
Fan Fan Doughnuts — Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
Opened in 2022 by acclaimed pastry chef Fany Gerson, Fan Fan brings Mexican flavors like Oaxacan toasted milk with prickly pear, and Miso Ringo (miso caramel with apple chip). The shop is small and sells out regularly. It’s a great stop if you’re exploring Bed-Stuy. Fan Fan Doughnuts.
Underwest Donuts — Hell’s Kitchen (inside a car wash)
Yes, you read that right. Underwest is a kosher-certified brioche donut shop inside a car wash at 614 W 47th Street. The halva, tahini chocolate, and pistachio flavors are Middle Eastern–inspired and unlike anything else. Car wash parking is available, which is rare in Manhattan. Open Monday–Friday 7 AM–7 PM, Saturday 9 AM–7 PM, Sunday 9 AM–6 PM. Underwest Donuts.
Planning Your Donut Crawl: Timing, Cash, and the Subway
Most of the shops listed above are within a 30-minute subway ride of each other, but you’ll want to plan a route rather than zigzagging across boroughs. A good strategy: start in the Lower East Side (Doughnut Plant, Kora, Supermoon Bakehouse), walk to the East Village (I’m donut?, Dunwell Doughnuts), then subway to Brooklyn for Peter Pan in Greenpoint and Moe’s Doughs in Williamsburg. Budget a full day, and accept that you might not hit every stop—many shops close early or sell out.
| Shop | Price Range | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Pan Donut | $2–3 | Cash only; opens 4:30 AM |
| I’m donut? | $5–7 | 1–2 hour wait; no delivery |
| Kora | $4–6 | Sells out by noon; Wed–Sun only |
| Moe’s Doughs | $5–6 | 21+ only; no delivery |
| Doughnut Plant | $4–6 | Lines can be long at Grand St. |
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What to Pack and What to Know Before You Go
Bring cash—many smaller shops don’t take cards. Wear comfortable walking shoes because you’ll be on your feet. If you’re going with kids, pack snacks and water; the long waits can be tough. Most shops don’t have seating, so plan to eat as you walk or find a nearby park. Also, check Instagram or the shop’s website before heading out—many post daily sell-out times.
- Bring at least $40 in cash for multiple stops.
- Check Instagram for sell-out updates before you leave.
- Plan a route that clusters shops by neighborhood—don’t cross boroughs mid-day.
- If you’re visiting with kids, target Peter Pan, Doughnut Plant, or Underwest Donuts (car wash novelty is a bonus).
- Pre-order Cronuts from Dominique Ansel Bakery two weeks in advance if that’s a priority.
- Download the MTA app for subway delays—your crawl will thank you.
NYC’s Donut Shops: Your Questions Answered
Can I find vegan donuts that my kids will actually eat?
Yes. Dunwell Doughnuts in the East Village is entirely vegan and open until 10 PM, with flavors like cookies and cream and peanut butter and jelly. Cloudy Donut Co. in Bushwick is a weekend pop-up (Friday–Sunday) with vegan maple bacon and churro cloud—but it sells out fast. Dunwell Doughnuts website has the full menu.
What’s the best time to avoid lines?
Weekday mornings before 9 AM, especially at Peter Pan (opens 4:30 AM) and Doughnut Plant (opens 7 AM). Weekend afternoons are the worst. If you’re set on I’m donut?, arrive at 8 AM when they open—the line is shorter, but you’ll still wait 30–45 minutes.
Are any of these shops worth a detour from Manhattan?
Peter Pan in Greenpoint is worth the subway ride. The donuts are that good, and the neighborhood is pleasant for a walk. Loeser’s in the Bronx is a bigger commitment but a true old-school experience. Fan Fan in Bed-Stuy is also excellent if you’re already exploring Brooklyn.
Can I pre-order donuts for a group?
Some shops allow it. Doughnut Plant and Dominique Ansel Bakery take pre-orders online. Kora and Supermoon Bakehouse do not. For a group, your best bet is to order a variety box from Doughnut Plant or Peter Pan (call ahead for large orders). The Doughnut Project in the West Village also offers delivery through Seamless and UberEats, but the selection is smaller.
What about the Cronut—is it still worth the hype?
Dominique Ansel Bakery invented the Cronut, and it’s still a feat of pastry engineering. But the two-week pre-order requirement and limited walk-in availability make it a hassle. If you’re in SoHo and see a short line, grab one. Otherwise, the DKA (Dominique’s Kouign Amann) is just as good and easier to get.
Final Thought: The Best Donut Is the One You Eat Before It’s Gone
New York’s donut scene is a reflection of the city itself: inventive, inconvenient, and absolutely worth the effort. You won’t hit every shop in one day, and that’s fine. Pick a neighborhood, bring cash, and let the line guide you. For more ideas on what to do after your sugar high, read about Williamsburg’s art, food, and riverfront views—another great Brooklyn stop.
Sources
Best Donuts in New York City. Nearby Donuts, 2024.
Best Donut Shops in NYC: Timeless Classics & Trendsetters. The Exploreist, 2024.
Exploring NYC with Eva: Digging into Homie’s Donuts. The National Herald, 2025.
Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop. Official site.
Doughnut Plant. Official site.
Kora. Official site.
Fan Fan Doughnuts. Official site.
Dunwell Doughnuts. Official site.
