Mass. has probably the greatest doughnut outlets in America

Travel

Find out where to get your sweet treats this summer.

Somehow the smell of doughnuts is even sweeter when the shop is nationally renowned, and Massachusetts boasts one of the best in the nation, according to USA Today readers.

The publication released a list of the 10 best donut shops in America on Wednesday, part of its 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and Back Door Donuts in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard ranked No. 5.

“These 10 donut shops across the U.S. offer a unique charm and personal touch that large chains often can’t match,” wrote USA Today.

Here’s what the publication wrote about Back Door Donuts:

This donut shop’s history in Martha’s Vineyard began in the late 1940s, and though it’s gone through a few iterations, the shop has been selling hot donuts at all hours from the bakery’s back door since 1971. Back Door Donuts specializes in apple fritters, raspberry jelly donuts, and a variety of other fried donuts. The Martha’s Vineyard location is open from Friday to Sunday, morning to early afternoon, though you can still line up at the back door on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Back Door Donuts posted the following on social media about the USA Today recognition:

WOW We seriously have no words for how incredible our community is. You continue to show up for us again and again, and now we’ve officially scored th place on @10best’s list of best donut shops in the country! With over 25,000 donut shops nationwide, being in the top 5 is unreal.

Thank you for every vote, every share, and all the love. You helped make this happen. We love you, Fritter Fam. We may be #5 in the country, but always #1 in your hearts

New York Times best selling author E. Lockhart, who spends summers on Martha’s Vineyard and features island businesses in her books, told Boston.com that Back Door Donuts is one of her favorite spots.

Travelers don’t have to take a ferry for the sweet treats anymore ever since the businesses opened a pop-up in Boston 2023 at Loretta’s Last Call on Lansdowne Street.

The No. 1 doughnut shop, according to USA Today, is Donald’s Donuts in Zanesville, Ohio.

For the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards lists, USA Today travel experts select 20 nominees in topics from food to lodging, destinations to things to do. Then the publication asks readers to cast votes to determine the top 10.

Check out USA Today‘s list of 10 best donut shops in America.

Heading to Martha’s Vineyard this summer? Check out our 5 things to do on Martha’s Vineyard travel guide.

Kristi Palma

Culture writer

 

Kristi Palma is a culture writer for Boston.com, focusing on New England travel. She covers airlines, hotels, and things to do across Boston and New England. She is the author of Scenic Six, a weekly travel newsletter.