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Overhead view of a dozen doughnuts, each a different flavor, lined up in three rows of four on wax paper in a cardboard box.
An assortment of doughnuts from Donut Villa Diner
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Where to Eat Doughnuts in and Around Boston

Maple bacon, classic glazed, elaborately decorated, and more

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An assortment of doughnuts from Donut Villa Diner
| Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

This just in: Doughnuts are good. Fortunately for Bostonians, the city and its neighboring ‘hoods are dotted with a flight of quality doughnut shops. (Maybe you’ve heard of a little gourmet coffee shop called Dunkin’ Donuts? Just kidding. Sort of. Dunkin’ is good.)

There are many kinds of doughnuts — and many kinds of doughnut shops — but the two most commonly available varieties are cake and yeasted (otherwise known as raised). Cake doughnuts are denser than their yeasted counterparts, but they should not be stodgy — the crumb should be fluffy, and the exterior should be fried to a golden crisp. A good yeasted donut should be light and airy, and ideally it will melt in the mouth.

As far as differences between doughnut shops go, they are many in Greater Boston —some are old-school and have been in operation for more than 60 years, while others are shiny and new and filled with handcrafted wood furnishings and expensive coffee contraptions. These differences don’t matter, though, because every shop on this list is hawking truth in fried ring form — interiors notwithstanding.

Here are 15 of the top doughnut shops in and around Boston.

Explore further: Farther outside of Boston, check out the Donut Stand from Oleana alums Hanna and Mike Lombardi, popping up inside of wine and cheese shop the Vin Bin in Marlboro, Southboro, and Hopkinton; the Angry Donut, which began as a pop-up but now has a storefront in Newburyport as well as in Stratham, New Hampshire; and Basic Batch Donuts in Milford, from pastry chef Christina Larson, an alum of Menton and Bar Mezzana. Also keep an eye out for excellent local doughnut pop-ups Speakeasy Donuts, which sells elaborately decorated and themed doughnuts around the North Shore, and newcomer Neighborhood Donut Society, which sells mochi doughnuts around Greater Boston. (Another popular pop-up, Lionheart Confections, is featured in a map point below as it currently has a regular residency in Dorchester.)

See also: Where to Eat Cider Doughnuts Not Too Far From Boston

The latest CDC guidance for vaccinated diners during the COVID-19 outbreak is here; dining out still carries risks for unvaccinated diners and workers. Please be aware of changing local rules, and check individual restaurant websites for any additional restrictions such as mask requirements. Find a local vaccination site here.

This map was originally published on November 20, 2017. It is updated occasionally, and the date of the most recent update appears above.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Donuts With a Difference

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The raised doughnuts at Donuts With a Difference are light and airy and great for the eater who’s looking to take down two or three, but the best thing on its menu is the humble chocolate frosted cake. It’s dressed up a bit with chocolate sprinkles, and its exterior is crispy and perfectly fried without holding onto the taste of fry oil, which is a problem that too frequently plagues cake doughnuts.

Gail Ann Coffee Shop

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A-Town, represent. At Gail Ann Coffee Shop, doughnuts go for just $1.65. Best bets: chocolate glazed or the jelly. (Note: Gail Ann’s is closed for summer 2021 vacation from July 10 to 25.)

Donut Villa Diner

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Donut Villa Diner is a full-service breakfast-and-lunch joint, but “donut” is in the name for a reason. This doughnut-filled diner — which expanded to Cambridge in June 2021 — offers a variety of flavors (including some gluten-free and vegan options). While the classic honey dip is Donut Villa’s bestseller, doughnut enthusiasts should be sure to try the powdered doughnut stuffed with lemon cream or the Nutella-filled doughnut with chocolate glaze and hazelnuts. Donut Villa also serves dishes made with doughnuts, such as a cheeseburger with a doughnut instead of a bun and a doughnut Benedict. 

Closeup on several doughnuts on wax paper. The main doughnut in focus is topped with white frosting and Oreo cookie crumbles.
Doughnuts from Donut Villa Diner
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Demet's Donuts

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Another entry into the Medford doughnut pantheon, Demet’s Donuts packs a punch. The classic glazed is great, the classic jelly is great, but Demet’s glazed jelly is truly a thing to behold — and eat. Go get one right now.

Mass Hole Donuts

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A relatively new addition to Arlington, Mass Hole Donuts sells — you guessed it — doughnut holes (and only doughnut holes). The flavors change weekly and often pay tribute to local towns, landmarks, and themes. There’s the Peabody Peach Party, for example: a brioche hole dipped in a peach and honey glaze, topped with a spiced cinnamon drizzle. Or try the Masshole Tea Party, a classic cake hole in a milk tea-infused glaze, topped with caramel drizzle and vanilla teacake crumbs.

A paper tray brimming with three kinds of doughnut holes topped with cinnamon sugar, caramel sauce, and plain
Apple cider doughnut holes from Mass Hole Donuts
Mass Hole Donuts/Official Site

Union Square Donuts

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Union Square Donuts in Somerville (and now in the Boston Public Market, Time Out Market Boston, and Brookline) is a doughnut shop of a different breed. Instead of having a plain old bakery display case — utilitarian furnishing is typical to old-school doughnuts shops — Union Square Donuts’s shops are furnished with fancy espresso machines and tables and countertops crafted by someone who cares about wood. Don’t let the hipster facade deter you; these are some of the best doughnuts you’ll ever eat. The brown butter hazelnut crunch is a treat, but Union Square’s doughnut magnum opus is its maple bacon. The flavor combination is a borderline cliché at this point — seemingly every cool doughnut shop from Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine, has a maple bacon situation — but it doesn’t matter because it’s perfect.

Overhead shot of a maple glazed doughnut with pieces of bacon on it. It’s sitting on a white paper bag on a rustic wooden table.
The Maple Bacon at Union Square Donuts
Terrence B. Doyle for Eater

Linda's Donuts

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The Boston cream is a popular option at Linda’s Donuts, but please, please, please do not skip the honey dipped. It is simplicity perfected.

A plain jelly doughnut sits on a piece of tissue paper on a blue surface; a Boston cream doughnut sits right on top of the jelly one.
A Boston cream and a jelly doughnut at Linda’s
Katie Chudy/Eater

Kane's Donuts

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The original Kane’s is in Saugus. It’s perhaps most famous for making coffee rolls the size of bowling balls, but its doughnuts aren’t half bad either. After six decades of operation in Saugus, Kane’s decided to expand to Boston in 2014. When that happened, every doughnut-loving Bostonian got a little luckier. Honestly, everything on the menu is worth trying. And a note for the coffee snobs: Kane’s uses beans from Atomic Coffee Roasters in Beverly.

Closeup overhead shot of a swirled coffee roll with a white glaze
Honey-glazed coffee roll at Kane’s Donuts
Kane’s Donuts/Official Site

Twin Donuts

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Twin Donuts possesses one of the very best facades in all of Boston, but it’s more than just a pretty storefront: Twin is also serving some very solid doughnuts. And for $1.25, they might be the cheapest in the city. The classic honey dipped never disappoints, but if Twin’s got chocolate butternut — which is a rarity — be sure to grab one of those, too. Twin is also an excellent spot for a cheap greasy spoon-style breakfast.

Overhead view of a simple doughnut on a white paper plate on a black-speckled white table
The honey dipped is the right call at Twin Donuts
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

Blackbird Doughnuts

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Blackbird Doughnuts in Boston’s South End (and also Beacon Hill, Brighton, Fenway, Harvard Square, and Newton Centre) is, it has to be said, now iconic. It’s slinging some of the city’s most excellent doughnuts. The salted toffee is perfectly balanced and should be part of your dozen, but the signature flavor — a vanilla bean old fashioned with vanilla bean glaze — is what keeps the lights on. Also worth your pennies: something savory from Sally’s Sandwiches, which is located inside the original shop on Tremont Street. (Note: The Harvard Square location is temporarily closed but expected to reopen in September 2021.)

A hand grabs a doughnut with chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles. Five other doughnuts of various flavors are also in view.
A variety of doughnuts from Blackbird Doughnuts
Brian Samuels Photography

Doughboy Donuts & Deli

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Hungry for a 3 a.m. doughnut? All good: The drive-through at Doughboy Donuts & Deli in Southie is open 24 hours, and it’s got a strawberry frosted that would make Homer Simpson freak out.

Mike's Donuts

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Mike’s Donuts has been a staple of Mission Hill since the 1950s. A fresh, hot honey dipped from Mike’s is tough to beat, citywide. Bonus: Whenever you order multiple doughnuts, Mike’s employees include a couple of doughnut holes on the house.

Lionheart Confections at Reign Drink Lab

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From local pastry chef Kate Holowchik — an alum of Yvonne’s, the Townshend, and more — the Lionheart Confections pop-up has been amassing a cult following during its frequent 2021 pop-ups in and around Boston. Catch Lionheart, with its ever-changing menu of whimsical doughnuts, at its Reign Drink Lab residency throughout summer 2021; it’s appearing there every weekend. (Watch Instagram for updates, flavors, and other special events, and stay tuned for news of a permanent location.) If the ube cinnamon roll is available, definitely get it.

Four different doughnuts fill a cardboard box, each with a different type of glaze and topping.
Assorted doughnuts from Lionheart Confections
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Anna's Hand Cut Donuts

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Anna’s is as old-fashioned as it gets, with a purple formica counter and circular swivel stools upholstered with cracked black vinyl and bolted to the tile floor. Get a jelly here.

Donut King

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Donut King is just a short drive south from Boston, off Rte. 93. It’s very busy in the mornings, so get there early to ensure your favorite doughnut doesn’t sell out. Highly recommended: the butternut. At $1.64 plus tax, these doughnuts are also on the cheap side of the fence.

A line of doughnuts are on tissue paper on a metal tray. They’re all decorated like Cookie Monster, with light blue frosting, blue sprinkles, and eyes.
Decorated doughnuts from Donut King
Donut King/Official Site

Donuts With a Difference

The raised doughnuts at Donuts With a Difference are light and airy and great for the eater who’s looking to take down two or three, but the best thing on its menu is the humble chocolate frosted cake. It’s dressed up a bit with chocolate sprinkles, and its exterior is crispy and perfectly fried without holding onto the taste of fry oil, which is a problem that too frequently plagues cake doughnuts.

Gail Ann Coffee Shop

A-Town, represent. At Gail Ann Coffee Shop, doughnuts go for just $1.65. Best bets: chocolate glazed or the jelly. (Note: Gail Ann’s is closed for summer 2021 vacation from July 10 to 25.)

Donut Villa Diner

Donut Villa Diner is a full-service breakfast-and-lunch joint, but “donut” is in the name for a reason. This doughnut-filled diner — which expanded to Cambridge in June 2021 — offers a variety of flavors (including some gluten-free and vegan options). While the classic honey dip is Donut Villa’s bestseller, doughnut enthusiasts should be sure to try the powdered doughnut stuffed with lemon cream or the Nutella-filled doughnut with chocolate glaze and hazelnuts. Donut Villa also serves dishes made with doughnuts, such as a cheeseburger with a doughnut instead of a bun and a doughnut Benedict. 

Closeup on several doughnuts on wax paper. The main doughnut in focus is topped with white frosting and Oreo cookie crumbles.
Doughnuts from Donut Villa Diner
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Demet's Donuts

Another entry into the Medford doughnut pantheon, Demet’s Donuts packs a punch. The classic glazed is great, the classic jelly is great, but Demet’s glazed jelly is truly a thing to behold — and eat. Go get one right now.

Mass Hole Donuts

A relatively new addition to Arlington, Mass Hole Donuts sells — you guessed it — doughnut holes (and only doughnut holes). The flavors change weekly and often pay tribute to local towns, landmarks, and themes. There’s the Peabody Peach Party, for example: a brioche hole dipped in a peach and honey glaze, topped with a spiced cinnamon drizzle. Or try the Masshole Tea Party, a classic cake hole in a milk tea-infused glaze, topped with caramel drizzle and vanilla teacake crumbs.

A paper tray brimming with three kinds of doughnut holes topped with cinnamon sugar, caramel sauce, and plain
Apple cider doughnut holes from Mass Hole Donuts
Mass Hole Donuts/Official Site

Union Square Donuts

Union Square Donuts in Somerville (and now in the Boston Public Market, Time Out Market Boston, and Brookline) is a doughnut shop of a different breed. Instead of having a plain old bakery display case — utilitarian furnishing is typical to old-school doughnuts shops — Union Square Donuts’s shops are furnished with fancy espresso machines and tables and countertops crafted by someone who cares about wood. Don’t let the hipster facade deter you; these are some of the best doughnuts you’ll ever eat. The brown butter hazelnut crunch is a treat, but Union Square’s doughnut magnum opus is its maple bacon. The flavor combination is a borderline cliché at this point — seemingly every cool doughnut shop from Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine, has a maple bacon situation — but it doesn’t matter because it’s perfect.

Overhead shot of a maple glazed doughnut with pieces of bacon on it. It’s sitting on a white paper bag on a rustic wooden table.
The Maple Bacon at Union Square Donuts
Terrence B. Doyle for Eater

Linda's Donuts

The Boston cream is a popular option at Linda’s Donuts, but please, please, please do not skip the honey dipped. It is simplicity perfected.

A plain jelly doughnut sits on a piece of tissue paper on a blue surface; a Boston cream doughnut sits right on top of the jelly one.
A Boston cream and a jelly doughnut at Linda’s
Katie Chudy/Eater

Kane's Donuts

The original Kane’s is in Saugus. It’s perhaps most famous for making coffee rolls the size of bowling balls, but its doughnuts aren’t half bad either. After six decades of operation in Saugus, Kane’s decided to expand to Boston in 2014. When that happened, every doughnut-loving Bostonian got a little luckier. Honestly, everything on the menu is worth trying. And a note for the coffee snobs: Kane’s uses beans from Atomic Coffee Roasters in Beverly.

Closeup overhead shot of a swirled coffee roll with a white glaze
Honey-glazed coffee roll at Kane’s Donuts
Kane’s Donuts/Official Site

Twin Donuts

Twin Donuts possesses one of the very best facades in all of Boston, but it’s more than just a pretty storefront: Twin is also serving some very solid doughnuts. And for $1.25, they might be the cheapest in the city. The classic honey dipped never disappoints, but if Twin’s got chocolate butternut — which is a rarity — be sure to grab one of those, too. Twin is also an excellent spot for a cheap greasy spoon-style breakfast.

Overhead view of a simple doughnut on a white paper plate on a black-speckled white table
The honey dipped is the right call at Twin Donuts
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

Blackbird Doughnuts

Blackbird Doughnuts in Boston’s South End (and also Beacon Hill, Brighton, Fenway, Harvard Square, and Newton Centre) is, it has to be said, now iconic. It’s slinging some of the city’s most excellent doughnuts. The salted toffee is perfectly balanced and should be part of your dozen, but the signature flavor — a vanilla bean old fashioned with vanilla bean glaze — is what keeps the lights on. Also worth your pennies: something savory from Sally’s Sandwiches, which is located inside the original shop on Tremont Street. (Note: The Harvard Square location is temporarily closed but expected to reopen in September 2021.)

A hand grabs a doughnut with chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles. Five other doughnuts of various flavors are also in view.
A variety of doughnuts from Blackbird Doughnuts
Brian Samuels Photography

Doughboy Donuts & Deli

Hungry for a 3 a.m. doughnut? All good: The drive-through at Doughboy Donuts & Deli in Southie is open 24 hours, and it’s got a strawberry frosted that would make Homer Simpson freak out.

Mike's Donuts

Mike’s Donuts has been a staple of Mission Hill since the 1950s. A fresh, hot honey dipped from Mike’s is tough to beat, citywide. Bonus: Whenever you order multiple doughnuts, Mike’s employees include a couple of doughnut holes on the house.

Lionheart Confections at Reign Drink Lab

From local pastry chef Kate Holowchik — an alum of Yvonne’s, the Townshend, and more — the Lionheart Confections pop-up has been amassing a cult following during its frequent 2021 pop-ups in and around Boston. Catch Lionheart, with its ever-changing menu of whimsical doughnuts, at its Reign Drink Lab residency throughout summer 2021; it’s appearing there every weekend. (Watch Instagram for updates, flavors, and other special events, and stay tuned for news of a permanent location.) If the ube cinnamon roll is available, definitely get it.

Four different doughnuts fill a cardboard box, each with a different type of glaze and topping.
Assorted doughnuts from Lionheart Confections
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Anna's Hand Cut Donuts

Anna’s is as old-fashioned as it gets, with a purple formica counter and circular swivel stools upholstered with cracked black vinyl and bolted to the tile floor. Get a jelly here.

Donut King

Donut King is just a short drive south from Boston, off Rte. 93. It’s very busy in the mornings, so get there early to ensure your favorite doughnut doesn’t sell out. Highly recommended: the butternut. At $1.64 plus tax, these doughnuts are also on the cheap side of the fence.

A line of doughnuts are on tissue paper on a metal tray. They’re all decorated like Cookie Monster, with light blue frosting, blue sprinkles, and eyes.
Decorated doughnuts from Donut King
Donut King/Official Site

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