Kora — Queens, New York

Pastry chef Kimberly Camara of Queens, New York was inspired to open Kora in her apartment after she found her late Filipino grandmother’s proven recipe for leche flan. The flan quickly took off, leading to the launch of a full-scale operation. Some scrumptious options include the Niyog at Asin (fried brioche with brown sugar coconut jam), the yam-based Ube, and the Filipina (a roasted rum-butter cruller). Of course, you cannot stop by without picking up the flan, the dessert that started it all. The welcoming vibe is the cherry on top of Kora and its delicious donuts.

Peter Pan Donuts & Pastry Shop — Brooklyn, New York

This modest Brooklyn store has been serving customers since the 1950s, and their value-for-money goodies are certainly going to be around for a long time to come. We loved their Apple Crumb and Toasted Coconut, while their Blueberry and classic Chocolate Frosted Sprinkle were immensely satisfying as well. You can’t take a bite into the Big Apple without taking a bite into a Peter Pan donut — ’nuff said!

Pink Love Donuts — Fort Lauderdale

Pink Love Donuts got its start in Fort Lauderdale before opening a second location in Miami Beach due to its immense popularity. The shop boasts over 80 different types of donuts, including vegan options. The letter-shaped donuts can be special ordered to create personalized messages for any occasion. Pink Love Donuts also offers a variety of savory breakfast options such as burritos, egg sandwiches, empanadas, croissants, and more. The bright and cheerful digs will make you as happy as the delicious donuts.

Union Square Donuts — Boston

You cannot go wrong with a visit to Union Square Donuts in Boston. The light and pillowy donuts are what dreams are made of. Visitors will find unique flavors such as a brown butter and hazelnut crunch donut or a Vietnamese coffee donut made with condensed milk and espresso.

Among the delicious regular menu, there are even some vegan options too. If you’re in a hurry, you’ll appreciate the take and bake options. Choices include sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, blackberry danishes, and brioche rolls. All the donuts are made fresh by hand every day, guaranteeing perfection in every bite.

The Salty — Miami

It only took about five years for The Salty to go from a small outpost run out of a trailer in Miami to a large-scale operation with locations as far as Texas. This is how you know that these donuts are something special. The unique flavor profiles pair with the sweet glaze to create donut nirvana. The artisan donut shop features a number of seasonal flavors that rotate in and out of the shop.

Mainstays include the guava and cheese, maple and bacon, and brown butter and salt. Come hungry as the serving sizes are known to be large. You’ll also enjoy the vast premium coffee and tea options that will go perfectly with some tasty donuts.

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken — Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.’s Astro Doughnuts is best known for its fried chicken and doughnut combination. It will satisfy both your sweet tooth and your savory cravings. Everything’s prepared daily onsite, including the regular rotation of doughnuts and the crispy fried chicken. Choose from the traditional buttermilk fried chicken or kick it up a notch with the Sriracha blend. Round out your meal with a side of tater tots, cheddar biscuits, or jalapeño coleslaw. In addition to the location in the heart of the nation’s capital, you can also visit Astro’s in the suburb of Fall Church, Virginia. Be warned that some of the doughnut flavors may sell out early in the day.