NYEA’s Lower Manhattan Picks for Best Donuts in NYC April 18, 2015

New York’s donuts are famously some of the best in the world, and there are enough donut shops to prove it. With literally thousands of options, New York has your appetite covered. So when you’re done gazing and grazing at one shop, head on over to the next hunger haven. If you’ve got a sweet tooth and you like round things with a hole in the middle, this City is the best place to explore the donut.

Donut or Doughnut: Which is it?

Do you know the difference between a donut and a doughnut? If you’re thinking that’s a trick question, you’re right. They’re the same thing. According to at least some sources, the spelling “doughnut” came first, used in a Washington Irving short story in 1808. This famous American writer’s story describes what we think of today as donut holes (fried balls of donut) but at least the “doughnut” spelling technically came before “donut”. The spelling widely used today showed up first in the book “Peck’s Bad Boy and His Pa” by George Peck, published in 1900.

In modern times, “donut” seems to have won out in American English as the more popular spelling, no doubt thanks in part to the iconic brand Dunkin Donuts. Anyway, on to more important things.

NYEA’s Picks for the Best Donut Shops in NYC

If you’re wondering where to get some of these famous New York donuts, we suggest walking past Dunkin Donuts and heading to one of the many artisan bakeries spread throughout Lower Manhattan. Below are seven shops that serve some of New York’s best donuts, in many amazing varieties.

The Donut Pub

Located at 203 W. 14th Street, it’s a 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week bakery that makes some good old fashioned donuts, among a variety of other sweets and baked goods. They’ve been around since 1964, so you know they mean business when it comes to making donuts. To add to their sugary deeds, custom orders are also available upon request. And, if you’re looking for something else, they make what are supposed to be some of NYC’s best black and white cookies.

Dough

Bragging about their handcrafted “artisanal doughnuts” (notice the “doughnut” spelling), Dough makes some very, very fancy donuts at 14 W. 19th Street. Inspired by European and Latin cuisine, you won’t find any generic glazed round sweet things here. Chocolate with Earl Grey tea, Tropical Chili, and Hibiscus flavored donuts are among their lineup.

Bottega Falai

Bottega Falai serves up some yummy Italian-style donuts called bomboloni. The difference with more standard American donuts is that these are always filled with some form of cream. You might fill your sugar needs for the month eating one of these, but you’ll enjoy every bite of it. Stop by their shop at the corner of Lafayette Street and Prince Street.

Cinnamon Snail

We’re not sure we ever imagined that donuts could be vegan, but Cinnamon Snail has found a way to do it. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, this is the donut shop for you. They have their own very creative variety, and you won’t regret trying them out. They also have a seasonal menu that “changes at their whim.” Did we mention that the Cinnamon Snail is a food truck? You’ll have to follow them on Facebook or Twitter to find out where they are each day, but it’s worth the trek to catch up with them and give vegan desserts a shot.

The General

This pastry shop, at 199 Bowery and Spring Street, may be new to the New York donut scene, but it’s made a splash with some of the more creative donuts we’ve seen. Their pastry chef has come up with a variety of breakfast cereal inspired donuts combining such yummy things as coco cream and Coco Puffs cereal (an American classic). If you want something your taste buds won’t find anywhere else, come check them out!

Holey Donuts

If you’re craving a donut but don’t want to feel guilty about all the fat and sugar, check out Holey Donuts at 101 7th Avenue South. According to their website, you’d have to eat four of their yummy, all natural, “low-fat” donuts to compare with just one from a normal chain donut shop.

Doughnuttery

The Doughnuttery is a gourmet donut shop that uses a variety of local ingredients and all sorts of interesting and untraditional types of flour when making their mini donuts. Try the Cacaoboy with its hint of mesquite or Cheesy Poof if you’re looking for something savory. They also have Pumpkin Pie Brulee and Cheeky Peach if sweets are more your thing. Either way, head over to 425 W. 15th Street and check them out.

Of course, you could always just go to your neighborhood bakery or pastry shop too. They might not have a treasure chest of gourmet desserts like the shops listed here, but even those treats will give you a little taste of why NYC is so famous for its donuts…or is that doughnuts?

Once you’ve “accidentally” eaten half a dozen donuts, you may want to consider reading our article on finding a cheap gym in Lower Manhattan where you can burn off all of those unwanted calories!