Boston, MADonuts

Union Square turns out huge, airy doughnuts in flavors like maple bacon, sea salt whiskey caramel, and raspberry lime rickey. The original Somerville shop has grown into a destination with outposts across the metro, and the weekend morning lines tell the story.

Known for pillowy brioche doughnuts topped with creative combinations, from ruby chocolate sprinkles to bananas Foster to an everything bagel and cream cheese filling. The South End original has spun off locations in the Fenway and Harvard Square, and the old fashioneds are as strong as the showpieces.

A longtime name that has been overloading cake and raised doughnuts with crunchy toppings since the 1950s. Flavors like maple bacon and creme brulee sit alongside classics at the Financial District outpost of the original Saugus shop, and the honey dip is a benchmark version.

A Mission Hill neighborhood institution since the 1970s, steps from the Roxbury Crossing T station. The honey dipped doughnut is the order people make the trip for, enjoyed with coffee in one of the shop's take home mugs, and the prices have stayed refreshingly old school.

Pastry chef Maura Kilpatrick, co owner with Oleana's Ana Sortun, bakes weekends only doughnuts with Middle Eastern flavor at this Cambridge bakery. The Persian spice doughnut, a brioche rolled in cinnamon, rose petal, black pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, and coriander, is the one people plan their Saturday around.