Top Picks: New York's Best Donuts

Just how renowned chef Thomas Keller's (Per Se, The French Laundry) upscale boulangerie ended up on the third floor of a mall beneath a giant "SAMSUNG" sign is beyond me. … But nothing goes with a new pair of J. Crew khakis like a gourmet, European-inspired doughnut with sophisticated fillings and loads of sugary coating. Just be warned that Keller's creations go for $4.25 a pop! [link]

Let Bono and Jude Law eat their steak frites in peace; skip the Balthazar dining room and head over to the bakery at restaurateur Keith McNally's celeb-friendly … brasserie. Varieties like double chocolate and banana pecan exude complex flavors, while their miniscule stature allows for mass-consumption. [link]

Take your pick as to which early 1980s arcade game Alpha's signage reminds you of. Space Invaders. Galaga. Centipede. But once inside this Sunnyside doughnut hole, … the vibe goes even further back in time: Customers are greeted by name, the counter is clad with Formica, and doughnuts come in classic varieties like Boston crème, sugar-raised, and apple crumb. [link]

Park Slope parents beware ... of an impending obesity epidemic. As the Slope's exponentially growing infant population reaches maturity, they'll quickly realize they have … a delicious source of fried homemade sustenance right in their own backyard. And there's no avoiding the round-the-clock temptation of this 24-hour doughnut shop/greasy spoon. [link]

Convincing a Manhattanite to venture to the outer limits of Brooklyn for anything other than boardwalk kitsch or Totonno's pizza can be like convincing a rhesus … monkey to file your tax return. But I assure you, Mike's down-to-earth atmosphere and monstrous daily-made doughnuts are worth the clamorous trek on the R train. [link]

Amidst the frilly distraction of florally decorated cupcakes, it's easy to lose sight of Cupcake Café's doughnut prowess. But CC's cake doughnuts are some of the best in … the city, with subtle, scone-like sweetness and near perfect dunkability. If you prefer your doughnuts raised, the light and airy sweet potato glazed has loads of flavor and is roughly the size of a small child's head. [link]

Amidst the frilly distraction of florally decorated cupcakes, it's easy to lose sight of Cupcake Café's doughnut prowess. But CC's cake doughnuts are some of the best in … the city, with subtle, scone-like sweetness and near perfect dunkability. If you prefer your doughnuts raised, the light and airy sweet potato glazed has loads of flavor and is roughly the size of a small child's head. [link]

Few NYC doughnut shops have as much mom-and-pop charm as the Donut Pub. This bustling Chelsea doughnut dealer lives up to its name as locals and commuters saddle up … to bar stools and take away the pain with homemade doughnuts and black coffee. As far as ordering goes, keep it simple and go for the plain glazed. [link]

Inspired by his grandfather's old-school doughnut recipe, native North Carolinian Mark Israel has created one of the most critically acclaimed independent doughnut shops … in the country. His dough has the complex consistency of a bagel. His glazes are infused with fresh ingredients like lavender, rose petals, and cashews. And most impressive of all, Mr. Israel has the amazing ability to squeeze fillings inside a ringed doughnut! And it all happens on the disheveled streets of Manhattan's Lower East Side. [link]

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A union of dilapidated Williamsburg seediness and the dirty South, this greasy dive specializes in Southern staples like pulled pork, fried chicken, and of course, double-crust pies. But it's really all about the old-fashioned doughnuts. A hearty cake foundation, loads of spice, and an ample coating of cinnamon and sugar -- it's no wonder New York mag named Pies-N-Thighs' doughnuts the best in NYC. [link]

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Old-world locals mingle with gentrifying hipsters at this retro doughnut dealer in the heavily Polish neighborhood of Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The freshly made hand-cut doughnuts are thick and cakey and come in classic varieties like chocolate, powdered, and marble, while the mostly blonde counter girls show a surprising amount of leg. But eye candy aside, owners Christos and Donna Siafakas pride themselves on friendly, local atmosphere and hospitable customer service. [link]