Doughnut Plant

Lower East Side
379 Grand St.
between Essex/Norfolk Sts.

P: 212.505.3700

A doughnut shop that makes and sells doughnuts that merit their cult following. These are nothing like the doughnuts that come in those pink and white paper bags, made by some drone lamenting "it's time to make the doughnuts." Instead these are huge, seductive, and fragrant circles and squares of flavor and sweetness, created by someone who loves what he's doing.

Doughnut Plant doughnuts are also sold at Dean & Deluca, Zabar's Citarella, Orens, Whole Foods, and Agata & Valentina. But if you want the best selection and ones right out of the oven, visit their Lower East Side shop.

What's great:

The original glazed doughnuts come in flavors like Valrhona chocolate, banana pecan, coconut cream, peanut butter glaze, and fresh blackberry. They aren't just flavored -- you can see the fresh ingredients used to make these large (about 5" square) fluffy masterpieces. The cake doughnuts are smaller but more intense in flavor. Try the cake tres leches to have a spiritual experience.

What to know:

No eggs, preservatives or trans fats are used to make these doughnuts. They make their own jelly for their jelly-filled glazed doughnuts. The shop is closed on Mondays.