Jersey Shore Food Guide: 8 Doughnuts Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Frog Hollow Bakery in Greenfield | Photograph by Jason Varney

Whether you like your doughnuts cake-y or light-as-air, tossed simply in sugar or smothered in some candy-colored glaze, everyone pretty much agrees that hot doughnuts during a weekend at the shore are one of life’s little pleasures.

Shore Good Donuts
Long Beach Island

Wacky flavor combinations and choose-your-own toppings have earned this place an evangelical following since its opening in 2011. But don’t let the Instagram-worthiness fool you: These showstoppers would be delish even if they weren’t all dressed up. The must-order: Anything that’s a special — Key lime pie or Creamsicle — or the Donut Sundae, if you dare.

See also: The Best Shore Spots for Takeout and Delivery

Junior’s Donuts & Dogs
Margate

There’s a new owner at Junior’s, but (thankfully) the recipes are the same — so you’ll still want to sit at one of the outdoor picnic tables and scarf down a doughnut before you have to bring the rest home to the group. The must-order: Red velvet or coconut.

Oves Restaurant
Ocean City

It’s nearly impossible to choose between Browns and Oves, both of which get serious props for sticking with traditional flavors through the generations. But the apple cider rounds from Oves are the ones we see in our dreams. The must-order: Apple cider doughnuts.

Frog Hollow Bakery
Greenfield

This inconspicuous bakery (which is tucked between a farm and the woods on Route 50) is just outside Sea Isle proper, but these doughnuts are way worth the drive. Never dry and perfectly fried, they’re everything a cake doughnut should be. And that makes sense, since the Patterson family has been making them, in just six simple flavors, since 1971. The must-order: Cinnamon.

Kohler’s Bakery
Avalon

Since 1949, no true Avalonian has considered the day properly started without a bite of something sweet from this iconic bakery. Just avoid 45 minutes after every hour on Sundays, when the hordes let out of Mass and head over to grab a spot in line. The must-order: The filled-with-heaven four-bite cream doughnut.

Donna’s Place
Stone Harbor

This no-frills family spot serves sit-down meals — but it’s the sticky bun that draws the in-the-know locals. It’s one of Stone Harbor’s only places for fresh doughnuts, so to beat the crowds, go before 9 a.m. The must-order: That cinnamon sticky bun (ask for it grilled); the vanilla cream doughnut.

Britton’s Gourmet Bakery
Wildwood Crest

People beg the owners to start shipping their treats across the country — Britton’s stuff is just that good. While the line moves faster than you think it will, go early, because they can sell out by mid-morning. The must-order: Apple fritters.

RSK Doughnuts
Cape May After nine years of selling mini doughnuts at farmers’ markets, RSK has opened a brick-and-mortar shop. Head inside to see the cakey goodies being freshly fried. The must-order: A bag of the classic cinnamon-and-sugar, or the maple glazed.

Published as “This Way to Good Food” in Philadelphia magazine.