Best Donuts Around Boston

June 7, 2013 is National Doughnut Day. Of course, we all know the names of the big donut chains. And yes, their donuts are delightful. But whether you think donuts are best served at breakfast, snack time, or for dessert – there are some great local shops where bakers arrive bright and early to bake you fresh, sweet treats.Related: You Pick: What's Your Favorite Doughnut?

Verna's Donut Shop

2344 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 354-4110
Website & Reviews

Verna's makes its donuts fresh in-store every morning. There are customers who have moved away and say that every time they come home, they have to stop at Verna's. Donuts are less than a dollar each, but the store does not accept credit/debit cards, so be sure to bring cash. In addition to donuts, the store has sandwiches and other sweet treats.

Anna's Hand Cut Donuts

2056 Centre Street
West Roxbury, MA 02132
(617) 323-2680
Info & Reviews

Anna's Donuts is truly a Mom & Pop shop. The husband-wife team gets up bright and early to cook a fresh selection each morning in the tiny shop. People rave about their jelly donuts, as well as their fresh honey-dipped and coconut. Anna's closes down in the early afternoon, so you'll have to hold your late-day cravings for tomorrow. Another local place that doesn't take credit cards, so be sure to bring cash.

Linda's

247 Belmont Street
Belmont, MA 02478
(617) 484-9844
Info & Reviews

Coming from someone who lives within smelling-distance of Linda's I know how tantalizing the donuts can be. "Worth every single calorie" as one customer put it. Made fresh at the store every morning, Linda's donuts sell out quickly. In addition to the glazed and honey dipped, they also make a popular coffee roll and breakfast sandwiches. Get there early and with cash in hand, as it doesn't accept credit/debit cards.

Ohlin's Bakery

456 Common Street
Belmont, MA 02478
(617) 484-0274

Customers joke that if they keep going to Ohlin's for their donuts, they're going to go into diabetic shock. (For people who actually are diabetic – they make no-sugar-added turnovers.) Another place that sells out quickly, the donuts are known for being big and super sweet. If you miss the morning's fresh batch of donuts, you have a good excuse to try their bagels, cookies, cakes or pies.

Kane's Donuts

120 Lincoln Ave
Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 233-8499
http://kanesdonuts.com

Kane's makes its donuts in the shop every day and has a wide selection. The no-frills shop has built a far-reaching reputation and attracts people from all over. In addition to the selection of delicious donuts – chocolate honey-dipped, nut crunch, jelly-filled, powder sugared – they also have monstrous coffee rolls. In 2010, Bon Apetit named Kane's one of the 10 Best Places For Donuts.

Demet's Donuts

199 Mystic Ave
Medford, MA 02155
(781) 395-8422
Info & Reviews

Demet's has some loyal customers who come back often and boast about their love of Demet's to anyone who will listen. The homemade donuts sell out fast, but when the baskets are full, the variety is impressive. Just like many other local donut shops, this place doesn't take credit/debit cards, so be sure to bring cash for each of your treats.

Tell us about your favorite donut shop in the comments below.