New York may be the Big Apple, but the Hamptons are a true apple haven, with farms, baked goods and pillowy cider doughnuts stealing the spotlight. From crisp Red Delicious to tart Granny Smith, apples define the season. Here are the seven best ones to indulge in.
See also: The Best Pumpkin Patches in the Hamptons
Grindstone Coffee & Donuts
Although its small-batch process takes up to two days, it will only take you two seconds to decide that you need a doughnut to accompany your hot latte. Open year-round since 2016, Grindstone Coffee & Donuts prioritizes fresh brioche and cake doughnuts daily, using the finest and locally sourced ingredients to create glazes and fillings that are all made in-house. The apple cider doughnut consists of a spice-caked dough base with cinnamon and sugar, and is topped with a tart apple drizzle. With plenty of other doughnut varieties, such as lemon poppyseed, maple sea salt or the iconic classic glazed with a hint of citrus, nothing will ever top the delicious duo of warm doughnuts and coffee to heal the soul. 7A Main St., Sag Harbor
The Milk Pail
Since 1640, the Halsey family has been farming in the Water Mill and Bridgehampton area known as Mexcox. Now, the owners and founders of The Milk Pail Fresh Market & U-Pick, John and Evelyn Halsey, along with their daughters Amy and Jennifer, are the 11th and 12th generation of Halseys, carrying their family tradition and hoping they can become a part of others' family traditions as well. Besides being an outlet for all fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers and baked goods, their apple cider doughnuts come plain or topped with cinnamon sugar and are a seasonal sweet treat that brings a smile to every face. Even though they are popularly known for their apples, apple pies and apple cider, they have grown to be a year-round gourmet source for everything good. 1346 Montauk Highway, Water Mill
Hallock’s Cider Mill
As soon as you set foot into this quaint market, be prepared to be wafted away by the aroma of buttery baked goods and treats. This old country roadside market sells fresh homemade pies, jams, local produce, and award-winning soups and chowder that are perfect for those extra-chilly evenings. Along with their mouthwatering apple cider doughnuts, Wayne and Maryanne Hallock are preparing all of the fall favorites for every visitor or regular, where the taste of the homemade love and care shines through. As we head into fall, be sure to check out their Facebook and place a Thanksgiving pie order in flavors like apple crumb, chocolate cream or the highly recommended key lime pie. 1960 Main Road, Laurel
North Fork Doughnut Company
Doughnut heaven awaits at this North Fork shop, which has been making doughnuts fresh daily since 2018. We love the monthly flavor forecasts, which keep fresh, fun new doughnuts on rotation all year long. While October’s forecast hasn’t been released yet, North Fork Doughnut Company usually serves delicious, pillowy-soft apple cider doughnuts during the chillier months. Its permanent menu also offers incredible flavors such as the classics (think glazed, cinnamon sugar, vanilla and chocolate) and decadent treats (think apple fritters, maple bacon, caramel coffee cake and black raspberry jelly). 100 Love Lane, Mattituck
Harbes Family Farm
Starting as a modest gazebo, the Harbes Family farm stand has transformed into a local favorite and has become one of North Folk’s most popular farm destinations by committing to offering delicious food choices and some of the best farm-fresh produce. For over three decades, its apple cider doughnuts have been a star item on the menu, along with its gourmet super-sweet corn, tomato mozzarella paninis and the creamiest ice cream made from its own produce. If you want to see where the apples are grown that make the apple cider doughnuts to die for, check out the Harbes Orchard, featuring over 25 different varieties of apples and an assortment of other fall activities and treats. Plus, it offers pumpkin picking, corn mazes and fall hayrides all autumn long. 715 Sound Ave., Mattituck
Hank’s Pumpkintown
Nothing screams autumn more than visiting a place with Pumpkintown in its name. After the Kraszewskis were forced to supplement their own acreage following declining potato prices, they watched their business blossom with the additions of corn, strawberries, apples and, of course, pumpkins. Offering familiar fall family activities such as three different interactive corn mazes, wagon rides, apple picking, tractor train rides and more, the market is where the freshly made apple cider doughnuts and pies thrive. Besides doughnuts, they sell their delicious apple cider and hard apple cider available in cans made with all New York apples to take home for everyone. If you are looking for an additional apple treat to take home, indulge in their hand-dipped candy and caramel apples this season, as Hank himself debuts a new old-fashioned caramel made from scratch. 240 Montauk Highway, Water Mill
Woodside Orchards
Whether visitors choose to snack on one or order their iconic apple cider doughnuts in bulk online, baked goods and hard cider are the name of the game at this business. It started as a small family-run orchard offering fresh fruit and baked goods at its farm stand called the Apple Shed, but as the business grew, Woodside Orchards has transformed into a well-known spot that is still run by the same, and even bigger, family. In addition to their warm and cozy housemade apple cider doughnuts, the family also prepares huge apple pies and traditional apple cider. Plus, we have all heard of beer and wine tasting rooms, but for the fall season in Aquebogue, Woodside Orchards offers a hard-cider tasting room featuring brews like traditional dry, raspberry cider or the cinnamon apple that would go perfectly with a doughnut. 729 Route 25, Aquebogue
Seven Ponds Orchard
If you prefer your apple cider doughnut with a side of produce picking, look no further than Water Mill’s Seven Ponds Orchard. In the summer, this gorgeous orchard offers apple, zucchini, eggplant, string beans, cherry tomato, raspberry, blackberry and blueberry picking. You’ll find a large variety of apples available, which makes for a perfect day spent picking with family. To snag a few of the delicious apple cider doughnuts, be sure to arrive early, as it is known to sell out. 65 Seven Ponds Road, Water Mill
Let’s not glaze over the debate of the fall flavor being pumpkin spice or apple cider. Stop by any of these locations in and near the Hamptons and see why apple cider is truly the freshest fall flavor and tastes even better packed in fluffy, tender doughnuts.
