Think Inside The Box: Photos of NYC's Best Doughnut Shops

Complex photographer Liz Barclay takes mouthwatering photos of New York's finest.

Jun 12, 2014
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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

New York continues to flourish in culinary aspirations, especially in the doughnut arena. Throughout the past five years, doughnut shops have popped up in every neighborhood, and the horizons continue to expand. Years ago, glazed doughnuts were the common choice, today's doughnut makers have pushed the boundaries. Glazes, toppings, infusions, and other eccentric ingredients have infiltrated the scene. If you are looking for a hibiscus, miso maple, bacon, or foie gras doughnut, you've come to the right place. I decided to hit the confectionery trail and explore the scene of both new and old-school doughnut shops around town. Here are the best NYC has to offer.

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Dough

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Image via Complex Original

Website: facebook.com
Location: 448 Lafayette Ave.

Brooklyn has a rich history in doughnuts. Dough, located in Bed-Stuy, has been in operation since 2010 and specializes in yeast-centric doughnuts with innovative glazes. Among these include the praised hibiscus, dulce de Leche, and chocolate with cacao nibs.

Peter Pan

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Image via Complex Original

Website: peterpan-donuts.com
Location: 727 Manhattan Ave.

Second stop in Brooklyn is Peter Pan Donuts, which I personally favored while living in Greenpoint. The interior is like entering a time warp, with sea-foam green trim on the counters, uniformed waitresses, and Polish patrons sitting at the counter eating dense cake doughnuts and washing them down with hot black coffee. The selection sticks to traditional flavors, such as the renowned red velvet cake doughnut and some seasonal items.

Dun-Well

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Image via Complex Original

Website: dunwelldonuts.com
Location: 222 Montrose Ave. 


Crossing over onto the other side of Manhattan Ave. towards Bushwick is Dun-Well, NYC's first all-vegan doughnut shop. This little spot has a decidedly contemporary spin—Dan Dunbar and Christopher Hollowell were inspired to open Dun-Well after they saw a Simpson's anniversary episode that highlighted Homer's famous love of doughnuts. They were also inspired by the fact that they couldn't find a decent vegan doughnut in NYC. Try the Mexican chocolate, PB&J, and blueberry. All of them are neighborhood favorites.


Orwashers

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Image via Complex Original

Website: orwashers.com
Location: 308 E 78th St.

Manhattan has its own scene of doughnut shops on the rise, which led me uptown to Orwashers. This bakery got a face lift when Keith Cohen took over in 2007. He focused on perfecting the French breads, pastries, and added a line of jam-filled doughnuts. Customers get a choice of plain dusted sugar or chocolate glazed filled with local preserves.

Dough Loco

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Website: doughloco.com
Location: 1261 Park Ave.


Hopping over into Harlem is Dough Loco, where eccentric doughnuts take the stage. Corey Cova, part of the ABV & Earls Beer Shop family and known for his imaginative cooking skills, opened this awesome doughnut space in 2010. The small shop holds room for about ten people, serves Blue Bottle coffee, and has a counter made from salvaged bowling alley lanes. Corey sells a daily rotation of whimsical flavors including miso maple, fruition chocolate, and raspberry sriracha. (Also: Corey is the man, further evidence of why you should pay a visit.)


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