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A Baker's Dozen Boston-Area Doughnuts That Expand Waistlines, Not Debt

In recent years, the Boston area has become a gourmet doughnut paradise, but sometimes what you really want is a cheap, no-frills version.

by Jacqueline Cain Updated
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Linda's Donuts
| Katie Chudy for Eater
by Jacqueline Cain Updated

In recent years, the Boston area has become a gourmet doughnut paradise. Union Square Donuts changed the game when its ample, often bacon-topped fried wonders came on the scene in 2013, and The Gallows played around with the confections before opening Blackbird Doughnuts earlier this year. But these treats, while worth every penny, are $3 and up. The Hub has long been a doughnut-friendly city (you could almost say we run on them); here are a baker's dozen options under $2.50, in honor of Cheap Eats Week.

Note: The points on the map are roughly north to south, not ranked.

Originally published on July 15, 2015. Updated on February 18, 2016 in honor of Breakfast Week.

Cheap Eats Week

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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.

Kane's Donuts

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Established in 1955, Kane's are the area's classic, gourmet doughnut, with flavors like maple bacon and creme brulee available daily. Kane's Handcrafted opened up in Boston proper in spring 2015, but the original Saugus cottage charges $2.14 compared to the $3.25 treats you'll find downtown. (Note: the "kronut" available in Saugus most weekends is at a $4 premium.)

120 Lincoln Ave, Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 233-8499
(781) 233-8499
Facebook

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Donuts with a Difference

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The bakers at Donuts with a Difference have perfected the crisp exterior and fluffy interior of a classic cake doughnut, and a raised choice is pillowy heaven. Speaking of heaven, these $1.10 donuts are all kosher, too. Weekends can be tough, though, so go early.

35 Riverside Ave, Medford, MA 02155
(781) 396-1021
(781) 396-1021
Google Maps

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Gail Ann's Coffee Shop

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Chocolate glazed is the go-to ring at this old-school shop; it's a soft, fluffy rendition. There is also jelly-filled, Boston cream, and other classics, and the confections are $1.20 each.

10 Medford St, Arlington, MA 02474
(781) 648-9584
(781) 648-9584
Yelp

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Demet's Donuts

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Classic doughnuts, like glazed, jelly, and coconut, are $1.30 each at this cash-only shop, which has been around since 1983. Though its orange signage is somewhat reminiscent of a different place for cheap doughnuts, Demet's rings are all "made in the back, sold in the front."

199 Mystic Ave, Medford, MA 02155
(781) 395-8422
(781) 395-8422
Yelp

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Verna's Donut Shop

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This classic North Cambridge shop offers a rich chocolate glazed doughnut and has several other dense varieties available daily. The shop specializes in cake doughnuts but offers raised and filled, too, and all are $1. The bakery also supplies doughnuts to other area spots, including Mike & Patty's.

2344 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 354-4110
(617) 354-4110
Facebook

Ohlin's Bakery

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Ohlin's Bakery makes what many consider the area's best doughnut. It certainly has tenure: The Belmont shop celebrated its 100th anniversary this month. Seven days a week and 365 days a year, Ohlin's offers about two dozen raised and cake options, including buttercrunch and maple bacon as a special, for $1.25 each, plus tax. If you're feeling decision fatigue, the honey-dipped is a classic go-to.

456 Common St, Belmont, MA 02478
(617) 484-0274
(617) 484-0274
Yelp

Linda's Donuts

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Belmont is the undisputed doughnut capital of the greater Boston area, and Linda's is the junior senator. The luncheonette was established nearly 50 years ago, and the same family has run it since 1983. It offers about 25 different varieties, including a classic Boston cream. Filled, hand-cut raised, and cake doughnuts are $1.25 each.

247 Belmont St, Belmont, MA 02478
(617) 484-9844
(617) 484-9844
Katie Chudy for Eater

Also featured in:

Twin Donuts

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Twin Donuts' iconic sign beckons hipsters and families alike to this classic shop on the corner of Cambridge Street and Brighton Avenue in Allston. The 85-cent donuts typically sell out early, especially on weekends, but when you get a chance to order, honey-glazed and powdered are good standbys. The pastries are also available at nearby Cafe Mirror and Brighton Cafe.

501 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134
(617) 254-9421
(617) 254-9421
Yelp

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Boston Common Coffee Company

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This local chain, with additional branches in the North End, Financial District, and the West End, launched "Donut Thursdays" in 2015 with a few varying specialties each week, like peaches and cream and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. There's always a vegan option, too. Available at all shops on Thursday mornings, the doughnuts include some $2.05 varieties. (Note: The shop's doughnut prices go up to $2.75 for some flavors.)

515 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 542-0595
(617) 542-0595
The Canal Street location/Katie Chudy for Eater

Doughboy Donuts and Deli

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This shop is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so head to Dot Ave. to satisfy your late-night and holiday cravings. With classic and gourmet doughnuts, including Fruity Pebbles and Oreo varieties, for $1.10 each (filled doughnuts go up to $1.25), Doughboy is a great value.

220 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02127
(617) 269-8741
(617) 269-8741
Yelp

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Mike's Donuts

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This independent doughnut shop, which has an additional location inside the Forest Hills MBTA station, offers the classics, including a ring with chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles. Service is quick, and the shop opens at 4 a.m. daily. The doughnuts are $1.10 each, so it's a cheap stop, too.

1524A Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120
(617) 427-6828
(617) 427-6828
Yelp

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Anna's Hand Cut Donuts

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This old-school shop is in its 49th year. Anna's $1.40 doughnuts are of the fluffy, cake variety, and flavors like glazed, chocolate crunch, and others are available every day. Make sure you bring cash, as the shop doesn't take credit cards.

2056 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA 02132
(617) 323-2680
(617) 323-2680
Yelp

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Donut King

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The giant confections at Donut King are reminiscent of some of the area's gourmet rings. But with doughnuts priced at $1.34 each, it's worth heading out to Quincy on a Saturday morning.

151 Copeland St, Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 786-9881
(617) 786-9881
Google Maps

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Kane's Donuts

120 Lincoln Ave, Saugus, MA 01906

Established in 1955, Kane's are the area's classic, gourmet doughnut, with flavors like maple bacon and creme brulee available daily. Kane's Handcrafted opened up in Boston proper in spring 2015, but the original Saugus cottage charges $2.14 compared to the $3.25 treats you'll find downtown. (Note: the "kronut" available in Saugus most weekends is at a $4 premium.)

120 Lincoln Ave, Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 233-8499
(781) 233-8499
Facebook

Donuts with a Difference

35 Riverside Ave, Medford, MA 02155

The bakers at Donuts with a Difference have perfected the crisp exterior and fluffy interior of a classic cake doughnut, and a raised choice is pillowy heaven. Speaking of heaven, these $1.10 donuts are all kosher, too. Weekends can be tough, though, so go early.

35 Riverside Ave, Medford, MA 02155
(781) 396-1021
(781) 396-1021
Google Maps

Gail Ann's Coffee Shop

10 Medford St, Arlington, MA 02474

Chocolate glazed is the go-to ring at this old-school shop; it's a soft, fluffy rendition. There is also jelly-filled, Boston cream, and other classics, and the confections are $1.20 each.

10 Medford St, Arlington, MA 02474
(781) 648-9584
(781) 648-9584
Yelp

Demet's Donuts

199 Mystic Ave, Medford, MA 02155

Classic doughnuts, like glazed, jelly, and coconut, are $1.30 each at this cash-only shop, which has been around since 1983. Though its orange signage is somewhat reminiscent of a different place for cheap doughnuts, Demet's rings are all "made in the back, sold in the front."

199 Mystic Ave, Medford, MA 02155
(781) 395-8422
(781) 395-8422
Yelp

Verna's Donut Shop

2344 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

This classic North Cambridge shop offers a rich chocolate glazed doughnut and has several other dense varieties available daily. The shop specializes in cake doughnuts but offers raised and filled, too, and all are $1. The bakery also supplies doughnuts to other area spots, including Mike & Patty's.

2344 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 354-4110
(617) 354-4110
Facebook

Ohlin's Bakery

456 Common St, Belmont, MA 02478

Ohlin's Bakery makes what many consider the area's best doughnut. It certainly has tenure: The Belmont shop celebrated its 100th anniversary this month. Seven days a week and 365 days a year, Ohlin's offers about two dozen raised and cake options, including buttercrunch and maple bacon as a special, for $1.25 each, plus tax. If you're feeling decision fatigue, the honey-dipped is a classic go-to.

456 Common St, Belmont, MA 02478
(617) 484-0274
(617) 484-0274
Yelp

Linda's Donuts

247 Belmont St, Belmont, MA 02478

Belmont is the undisputed doughnut capital of the greater Boston area, and Linda's is the junior senator. The luncheonette was established nearly 50 years ago, and the same family has run it since 1983. It offers about 25 different varieties, including a classic Boston cream. Filled, hand-cut raised, and cake doughnuts are $1.25 each.

247 Belmont St, Belmont, MA 02478
(617) 484-9844
(617) 484-9844
Katie Chudy for Eater

Twin Donuts

501 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134

Twin Donuts' iconic sign beckons hipsters and families alike to this classic shop on the corner of Cambridge Street and Brighton Avenue in Allston. The 85-cent donuts typically sell out early, especially on weekends, but when you get a chance to order, honey-glazed and powdered are good standbys. The pastries are also available at nearby Cafe Mirror and Brighton Cafe.

501 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134
(617) 254-9421
(617) 254-9421
Yelp

Boston Common Coffee Company

515 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111

This local chain, with additional branches in the North End, Financial District, and the West End, launched "Donut Thursdays" in 2015 with a few varying specialties each week, like peaches and cream and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. There's always a vegan option, too. Available at all shops on Thursday mornings, the doughnuts include some $2.05 varieties. (Note: The shop's doughnut prices go up to $2.75 for some flavors.)

515 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 542-0595
(617) 542-0595
The Canal Street location/Katie Chudy for Eater

Doughboy Donuts and Deli

220 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02127

This shop is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so head to Dot Ave. to satisfy your late-night and holiday cravings. With classic and gourmet doughnuts, including Fruity Pebbles and Oreo varieties, for $1.10 each (filled doughnuts go up to $1.25), Doughboy is a great value.

220 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02127
(617) 269-8741
(617) 269-8741
Yelp

Mike's Donuts

1524A Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120

This independent doughnut shop, which has an additional location inside the Forest Hills MBTA station, offers the classics, including a ring with chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles. Service is quick, and the shop opens at 4 a.m. daily. The doughnuts are $1.10 each, so it's a cheap stop, too.

1524A Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120
(617) 427-6828
(617) 427-6828
Yelp

Anna's Hand Cut Donuts

2056 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA 02132

This old-school shop is in its 49th year. Anna's $1.40 doughnuts are of the fluffy, cake variety, and flavors like glazed, chocolate crunch, and others are available every day. Make sure you bring cash, as the shop doesn't take credit cards.

2056 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA 02132
(617) 323-2680
(617) 323-2680
Yelp

Donut King

151 Copeland St, Quincy, MA 02169

The giant confections at Donut King are reminiscent of some of the area's gourmet rings. But with doughnuts priced at $1.34 each, it's worth heading out to Quincy on a Saturday morning.

151 Copeland St, Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 786-9881
(617) 786-9881
Google Maps

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