When you think of donuts in Boston, your mind might immediately go to Dunkin’. And while it’s true that there’s a Dunkin’ (or Dunks or Dunkies, depending on who you ask) on every corner of Boston, that’s not really where Bostonians go for donuts.
The best donuts in Boston are so legendary that there are entire tours dedicated to them. From maple-filled treats that fit perfectly in New England to apple cider donuts that you can’t get anywhere else, Boston and its surrounding cities and towns are home to a litany of donuts. And I just can’t help singing their sweet praises!
If you want to put together your own tour of the best Boston donuts, I’ve compiled a list to help. These Boston donut shops are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you coming back for more.
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The 15 Best Donut Shops in Boston, MA
1. Blackbird Doughnuts
Blackbird Doughnuts has grown from its flagship location in the South End to having seven locations in the Greater Boston area. This Boston donut shop specializes in gourmet donuts made from scratch every morning.
They feature unique specials every month, but there are some flavors that you can find any time of year. Their Everything Bagel Doughnut, a brioche donut with a whipped cream cheese filling covered in everything bagel spice, is a true standout and a must-try for those who don’t mind going off the beaten path.
2. Union Square Donuts
If you’re looking for massive Boston donuts that are just bursting with flavor, you’re looking for Union Square Donuts. And luckily, with six locations in the Greater Boston area, you don’t have to look too hard.
With new flavors coming with the changing of the seasons, there’s always something new to uncover here. While they tend to go over-the-top with their donuts, even simple classics, like their apple cider donuts, are perfectly done.
3. Mike’s Donut Shop
Mike’s Donut Shop in Mission Hill has been a neighborhood institution since the ‘70s, with their donuts standing the test of time. They even opened a weekday location inside the Forest Hills T Station for commuters to start their day with something sweet.
Mike’s isn’t where you go to find gourmet donuts. It’s where you go to get a nostalgic treat that’ll transport you to when you got your first donut as a kid. Mike’s specialty is their honey-dipped donuts, which have just the right amount of sweetness.
4. Mass Hole Donuts
Mass Hole Donuts is a perfect part of the Boston donuts scene because it matches the city’s sense of humor. This Somerville spot is all donut holes, not whole donuts, as the name suggests. And it’s amazing how much flavor they fit into each bite.
Donut hole flavors rotate weekly, which is a great excuse to make a weekly trek to their location. Every flavor is named for something Massachusetts-related, like their P-Town, a chocolate donut hole with caramel and potato chips that’s named for Provincetown.
5. Kane’s Donuts
Kane’s Donuts has been doing gourmet Boston donuts right since the ‘50s. After its success in Saugus, another location was opened up in Boston, as well as a drive-through spot on Route 1. Whether you want cake donuts, raised donuts, or donuts stuffed with sweet fillings, you’ll find it all here.
Kane’s has one of the best Boston cream donuts around, and you know that’s high praise, considering you’re in the city the donut is named for. But their Turtle Donut and Creme Brulee Donut are also major standouts.
6. Doughboy Donuts
You’re out and about during a late night out with your friends. You’ve spent the late hours of the night partying. Now, you’re just a few hours away from sunrise, and you want to keep the party going. Where do you go? To South Boston’s Doughboy Donuts, of course!
This 24-hour Boston donut shop is unfussy and unassuming, but this straightforward spot is hiding a massive list of donuts, ranging from classic flavors to unique twists. There’s nothing like having a blueberry old-fashioned dipped in honey at three in the morning.
7. Donut Villa Diner
With locations in Malden, Cambridge, and Arlington, Donut Villa Diner is serving up some of the best donuts in the Greater Boston area. This diner, which is inspired by the retro, classic American diners of the ‘50s, doesn’t just serve amazing donuts. They also serve them in incredible ways.
There’s eggs benedict on a griddled donut, a cheeseburger served on a jumbo donut, French toast made with donuts, and even bread pudding made with donuts. If you like taking your donuts to the extreme, this donut diner is the place to be.
8. Brooksby Farm
There’s nothing like an apple cider donut on a crisp fall day. It’s a New England tradition, which is why everyone seems to have their favorite farm or donut shop serving up these treats. But my favorite apple cider donut can be found over in Peabody at Brooksby Farm.
While not technically a Boston donut shop, you can easily get to Brooksby Farm by taking a day trip over to Salem, Peabody’s neighbor, from Boston. Spend some time at the farm and then enjoy the spooky scene of Salem in the fall.
9. The Broadway
For another Southie spot you need to check out, head to The Broadway. The Broadway is where to go in Boston if you’re looking for donuts that look as amazing as they taste. Every donut is as Instagrammable as it is delicious.
The donuts are available on weekends, and they also come with a pipette of a boozy shot to really up the ante.
10. Back Door Donuts
Over on Martha’s Vineyard, Back Door Donuts is an institution, but it’s new to the Boston donut scene. Technically, it’s a pop-up over in Fenway, but there’s no end date for when they’re taking their sugary goodness away from the city.
The pop-up is currently serving donuts out of a side door of Loretta’s Last Call, where you’ll find their famous apple fritter, which is definitely renowned for a reason. But you can also find plenty of other flavors, like their Buttermilk Glazed and Buttercrunch Donuts. And remember, they’re only available after sunset.
11. Twin Donuts
Located in Allston, sporting a retro pink neon sign you can’t miss, Twin Donuts has been a sweet staple since the ‘50s. And not much has changed since then. It’s still one of the best donut shops around Boston. Even the prices haven’t changed much, making this neighborhood joint one of the best places for cheap Boston donuts.
The donuts here are straightforward, with both classic and more unique favorites. Powdered sugar-coated, lemon-filled donuts are a major draw, but the honey-dipped donuts are another hit. You don’t go here to get an Instagram picture. You go here for a donut under a dollar that tastes like the best donut you’ve ever had.
12. Demet’s Donuts
Located over in Medford, Demet’s Donuts is well worth the trip. This old-school donut shop focuses on perfecting classic donuts rather than going gourmet. The result is a donut that’s simple and yet oh-so-delicious.
Despite being outside Boston, Demet’s boasts one of the best Boston cream donuts around. Even just a straightforward glazed donut is a must-try. Demet’s is beloved by locals so much that they have tons of regulars coming in every day. One stop in here, and you’re bound to join their ranks.
13. Donuts with a Difference
If you find yourself in Medford, Donuts with a Difference is another donut shop you need to stop for. Like Demet’s Donuts, Donuts with a Difference is another unassuming spot, but it’s hiding some of the fluffiest donuts you’ve ever had.
Also, like Demet’s Donuts, Donuts with a Difference doesn’t do fancy donuts. They do donuts that are nostalgic favorites. The honey-dipped donuts are a great go-to, but the chocolate-glazed cake donuts are light and fluffy in a way that so many other cake donuts at other shops just can’t measure up to.
14. Linda’s Donuts
Found over in Belmont, Linda’s Donuts is a true hidden gem in the Boston donut scene. This hole-in-the-wall donut shop has old-school vibes and is a neighborhood favorite. The donuts here are fluffy with just the right amount of sweetness.
If you’re stopping by Linda’s, look for literally anything with honey in the name. Their honey-dipped donuts are easily some of the best donuts in the Boston area.
15. Lionheart Confections
Lionheart Confections is a pop-up pastry shop that works with restaurants, breweries, and other locations in the Greater Boston area, though they do have a brick-and-mortar in the works. Led by pastry chef Kate Holowchik, Lionheart doesn’t do anything small. They focus on big flavor and decor that you just have to take a picture of.
You won’t find typical flavor combinations here. Instead, Holowchik goes off the beaten path. For instance, instead of pumpkin spice like so many other Boston donut shops were slinging in the fall, Lionheart put out a Pumpkin Ube Oreo Cake Donut. Where else are you going to find that? Keep an eye on their Instagram to see where Lionheart will be next.
