This charming, roadside, mom-and-pop cottage doesn’t seem like much visually, but yeasty doughnuts and Bavarian filled maple squares make up for any lack of ambience. Long known as the “unofficial town hall of Conway,” the Leavitts sold the bakery to new owners in mid-2021 after over four decades in business, but it hasn’t skipped a beat. If ordering more than two dozen doughnuts, plan to give the bakery a heads-up and call ahead. It’s open seven days a week.

The Holy Donut popularized the potato doughnut, and the world is better for it. The now-closed flagship location in Old Port had lines spilling into the streets. Today the Holy Donut exists on Park Avenue in Portland, as well as in Scarborough and on Commercial Street in Old Port. The menu spans from traditional glazed and cake doughnuts to maple bacon and ginger varieties. (Note: The Auburn, Maine, location closed in February 2022 — just a little over a year after opening.)

With a rotating monthly menu of special doughnuts, along with lots of vegan and gluten-free options, there’s a lot to love at Lovebirds Donuts. Those heading up to Kennebunk or York Beach can grab these en route — and the crowd will go wild. There’s no going wrong here, but “experimental” flavors like London Fog (brioche ring topped with Earl Grey glaze and lemon-lavender butter cookie) are fun. Closed Tuesdays.

This is an 80-year old, full-service grocery with the most banging bakery around. For those heading to Crane’s Beach or Manchester-by-the-Sea for the day, it pays to call ahead to pick up doughnuts curbside. While anything with chocolate frosting is top-notch, Henry’s chocolate glazed is the perfect combination of cake, crunch, and airy lightness. The eclair is the length of a lower arm and a delight in every bite.

It’s easy to miss this unassuming storefront while driving by. For those who find it, Ziggy’s doughnuts are old fashioned dough boys. Grab one or two of Ziggy’s glazed or chocolate frosted and head over to Salem Willows Amusement Park. The arcade can transport visitors back to the 1970s along with the doughnuts (Ziggy’s has been around for 56 years). Open every day except Saturday.

Heading to Provincetown or spending a weekend on the Cape? Hole in One Bakery boasts two locations in Eastham and Orleans. Get doughnuts early, and note that in the summer, the lines can be long. The sour cream doughnuts and the coffee roll are worth a try when they’re available.

From cake to brioche doughnuts and even old fashioned, PVDonuts has something for everyone. The shop rotates its options monthly but will always have the honey cruller — for good reason. If available, try the purple cow with black raspberry jam or the samoa. Open mornings and afternoons Wednesday through Sunday.

Allie’s typically has a line, but this window service-only shop is ideal for old fashioned cake doughnuts on a trip to Newport or Narragansett. Get there before the 8 a.m. opening to possibly avoid the line, and grab a coconut or a Boston cream.

Located steps from Mystic Pizza, Young Buns features unique creations like the namesake “Young Bun,” a vanilla cake doughnut coated with vanilla glaze and vanilla streusel. Young Buns is open every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for takeout only, and the doughnuts tend to sell out. Order online if you have your heart set on a particular breed.