The Hudson Valley is a prime foodie destination, especially for those with a sweet tooth. Chocolate shops craft gorgeous confections for the holidays. Residents and visitors alike cool off at iconic ice cream stands in the summer and warm up with hot cocoa in cozy coffee shops throughout winter. Plus, every autumn, people flock to the region for farm-fresh apple cider donuts.
Of course, there’s far more available on the donut front beyond the apple cider variety. Locally, Hudson Valley bakeries and coffee shops stock a wide variety of cake and yeasted confections that are just as Instagrammable as they are delicious. Keep scrolling to find your donut of choice, then browse a few other top picks along the way.
Boxer Donut & Espresso Bar
17 North Franklin St, Nyack
Known for: Unique flavors
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Boxer Donut serves up delicious fresh-fried donuts and hot coffee daily. Sample staple flavors like toasted coconut, maple bacon, and marbled old fashioned. Flavors change daily, keeping things fresh at this iconic Nyack spot. Vegan goodies include the one-of-a-kind green tea lavender and a coconut chocolate scone. Wash these decadent desserts down with fresh cortados, spicy chai lattes, or iced cold brew.
Cider Belly Doughnuts
53 Fuller Rd, Albany
Known for: Rotating specials
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Albany residents are lucky to live a hop, skip, and jump away from Cider Belly. The Fuller Road storefront sells a host of rotating signature and premium apple cider donuts. Try the Perfectly Peared, which comes glazed with fresh pear puree; the vibrant Fresh Maine Blueberry; or the French Apple, the typical cider variety enhanced with a thick vanilla glaze, maple drizzle, and spiced cinnamon. Check social media for weekly specials, gluten-free and vegan alternatives, and pickup times.
The Doughnut Dolly
932 Dutchess Tpke, Poughkeepsie
Known for: Filled donuts
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One of many businesses in the thriving Eastdale Village in Poughkeepsie, The Doughnut Dolly is a handcrafted donut shop with monthly specials. All desserts are made fresh daily with local ingredients, and May specials include rich and tropical flavors like ube Oreo, passionfruit, blueberry lemon poppy, dulce de leche, and death by chocolate. Browse the shop’s packed display case for your new favorite treat at the Dutchess County sweet spot.
Dream Donuts
72 South St, Warwick
Known for: Customizable mini donuts
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At this family-owned and -operated donut shop in Orange County, donuts get downsized so that you can enjoy more than one at a time. Dream Donuts dishes out mini treats fresh daily topped with everything from candy bars to ice cream to cereal. Try one of the daily special flavor combinations or build your own to create a sweet order of eight of the mini treats. Browse the gluten-free options, and be sure to check out the shop’s chocolate chip cookie sandwiches and donut cake towers for special occasions.
Glazed Over Donuts
315 Main St, Beacon
Known for: Customizable donuts
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Glazed Over won the Best of Hudson Valley Reader’s Pick for best donuts three years in a row — with good reason. Embrace childhood dreams and customize desserts with glazes, toppings, and drizzles for the ultimate Instagram foodie flex. Glazed Over serves the classics like chocolate glazed with sprinkles, but really goes wild with toppings like Fruity Pebbles, bacon, or marshmallows and graham crackers. On hot summer days, cool off with a donut ice cream sandwich or an ice cream sundae with the spotlighted sweet.
Half Moon Rondout Cafe
83 Broadway, Kingston
Known for: Sprinkled donuts
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A hidden gem in Ulster County, Half Moon Rondout Cafe is a welcoming shop for your donut fix. Although the cafe serves up more than just the fried sweets, they’re definitely the star of the show. All donuts are made to order in the sunny space, and classics like cinnamon sugar and glazed prevail, but the seasonal specials offer colorful selections for holidays and special occasions. Be sure to pair your snack with a dirty chai, iced coffee, or fun cotton candy latte.
Hole in the Wall Donuts
Kingston and Hudson farmers’ markets
Known for: Sour cream donuts
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This Ulster County business leans into old-school sensibilities. Hole in the Wall does simple, old fashioned sour cream flavors, plus so much more. This team of bakers smothers the classic treats with exotic glazes and icings. Sample fresh, fruity flavors like cherry almond, Fruity Pebbles, and strawberry tres leches. Keep an eye out for vegan and gluten-free options like mochi donuts, and contact the pop-up shop to book them for your event.
Mighty Donuts and Coffee
7265 S Broadway, Red Hook
Known for: Weekly flavors
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This gourmet donut and coffee shop in Red Hook hits every note with delicious flavor combinations and satisfying beverages. If you’re coming in the morning, grab a savory hand pie or breakfast sandwich, and don’t skip out on dessert — spring specials include donut flavors ranging from raspberry mint to blueberry lemon curd. Add a colorful strawberry matcha latte into the mix to make it a complete meal.
Peaceful Provisions
383 Main St, Beacon
Known for: Vegan donuts
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Family-owned and sister-run, Peaceful Provisions crafts small-batch and scratch-made vegan donuts. Complete any Beacon day trip with specialties like blueberry vanilla, maple pecan, banana cinnamon crumb, and peach basil. The menu changes all the time, as this creative team experiments with bold flavors and delightful designs. Check Peaceful Provisions’ social media for daily specials.
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