Readers Say

Where to find the best doughnuts in Greater Boston, according to readers

Top 5 reader-recommended doughnuts in Greater Boston

5. Donuts with a Difference

Donuts with a Difference in Medford is not fancy, according to reader GM of Arlington. While you won’t find “all the hipster toppings,” he said the place has “just incredible, top quality doughnuts at an affordable price.”

Other readers described the shop as having the best traditional cake doughnuts and impeccable classics. Some reader favorites include the coffee roll, honey dip, Boston cream, lemon filled glazed, and honey dip doughnuts.

“Donuts with a Difference in Medford is my hands-down favorite! Their doughnuts are never greasy, they aren’t humongous, and they remind me of the old-school doughnut shops I used to go to growing up in northern California,” said Allison M. from Charlestown.

Donuts with a Difference received 32 votes, or 4% of the total vote.

35 Riverside Ave., Medford

4. Donut King

Readers said Donut King in the South Shore has better glazed doughnuts than anywhere else, with some saying that they are even better than the ones at Dunkin’.

“Being a senior, I like the old fashion doughnut. Plenty of other flavors too. All made fresh on premises by real bakers,” said a Boston.com reader from Weymouth.

Greg H. in Quincy said, “Great homemade-style donuts and the staff is always friendly! Easily my kids favorite doughnut.”

Others praised the creativity and fun-looking doughnuts offered at this spot.

Some reader favorites are the honey dip jelly, chocolate butternut crunch, Oreo, and maple bacon.

Donut King received 37 votes, or 5% of the total vote.

Multiple locations

3. Blackbird Doughnuts

Blackbird has been named a favorite doughnut place by multiple publications from Boston magazine to Thrillist. And Boston.com readers agreed.

“Blackbird has incredible, melt-in-your-mouth, tender and moist cake doughnuts. Their eponymous Blackbird doughnut, a simple and deceptively unassuming vanilla cake doughnut, is the stand-out but the chocolate old fashioned and double chocolate doughnuts are excellent too,” said Chelsea K. in Cambridge.

Readers also said that Blackbird usually has options that are dietary-need friendly like vegan doughnuts. Some reader favorites include the brioche, chocolate, cider, and Blackbird doughnuts.

“Love everything about Blackbird,” Jenny in the South End said. “Always from scratch and we love their vibe.”

Blackbird Doughnuts received 42 votes, or 5% of the total vote.

Multiple locations

2. Union Square Donuts

Readers said that Union Square Donuts’ offer the best quality with the best flavors, and you can’t beat the texture.

“So pillowy with a great bite,” said Dulaney M. from Somerville.

Union Square was praised by multiple readers for their innovative flavors. Their maple bacon doughnut was voted the best unique doughnut by Underground Donut Tour in 2022, and named by several readers. The Vietnamese coffee doughnut also received multiple mentions. If you head over to one of their locations in Boston or Somerville, other readers suggested the brown butter hazelnut crunch, sugar raised, honey glazed, plain sugar, and sea salt whiskey caramel.

Union Square Donuts received 91 votes, or 11% of the total vote.

Multiple locations

1. Kane’s Donuts

The majority of readers would agree that Kane’s has some of the best doughnuts around. Their honey dipped doughnut is a top-ranked doughnut in the country. And according to readers, this doughnut lives up to its name.

“I order the honey dipped at Kane’s. It’s kind of a miracle of a donut, perfectly light, sweet, and flavorful. I used to pick up a doughnut from Dunkin’ in Back Bay Station on my way to NYC, but switched to a bagel once I discovered Kane’s. It ruined me for other donuts,” said Rick B.

Readers mentioned several other flavors as their favorites, too.

“The donuts are huge, and delicious. They are always fresh, and the staff is so kind every time I go in! I order one of everything, but really the favorites are Boston cream, strawberry frosted, Maine blueberry, and the Bismark, if you’re lucky enough to get one,” said Michaela C. from Chelsea.

Co-owner, Maria Delios, said that their quality is something that has been passed down through the family from her dad, Peter Delios. In their 68 years of business, Kane’s has used the same recipe that Peter used from the beginning. They incorporate local, fresh ingredients into their doughnuts, valuing the taste and texture of each doughnut.

“We want to make sure it’s absolutely delicious and that it’s a good experience here,” said Maria. “My dad would always tell us doughnuts are love, when people bite into one of these doughnuts look at how happy it makes them, even for a minute.”

Kane’s Donuts received 339 votes, or approximately 42% of the total vote.

Multiple locations