Randy’s Donuts has opened in Greenwich Village, serving 35+ flavors of donuts and coffee.I sampled a few raised, cake, and deluxe options, ranging from Classic Glazed Raised to Red Velvet with GanacheRandy’s brings some West Coast flair with their big, glossy donuts, but New Yorkers will happily claim them as their own.
If there’s a grab-and-go sweet I will never betray, it’s a donut. My donut nostalgia is very “Dunkin’ at 7 a.m. before school” and “unmarked bodega brand dozen,” which scratches an itch—but truly excellent donuts in a city filled with every dessert variation under the sun? Rarer than they should be.
So when Randy’s Donuts, the L.A. legend with the giant rooftop ring on top that you’ve likely seen before, opened in Greenwich Village on December 9, my taste buds perked up. I might be anti-L.A. (only because I can’t drive), but I’m very pro-donut. Randy’s promises a 35+ variety, from classic Glazed Raised to deluxe Long Johns and Apple Fritters, and a full coffee lineup.
The only way I know how to consume donuts is in wildly excessive fashion, so I made sure my stomach was empty and sought out six different ones: Classic Glazed Raised, Holiday Bow Raised, Red Velvet with Ganache, Pink Sprinkles Iced Cake, Pink Raised with Sprinkles, and S’mores.
The Raised Trio (Glazed, Holiday Bow, Pink With Sprinkles)
Sean Abrams
Sean Abrams
My Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michelle. The Classic Glazed is the baseline test with a feather-light lift and a super-clean yeast flavor. I loved that the glaze itself had a soft crackle that wasn’t sticky to the touch. The Pink with Sprinkles is childhood theatrics in donut form with snappy frosting and rainbow sprinkles that may or may not be on my floor until I eventually move out.
Sean Abrams
As for the Holiday Bow, it’s just pure festivity with sparkles galore (and I swear, your brain will try to convince you “green and red” is a flavor, when, in fact, it is not). These three are clear proof that Randy’s understands structure.
Red Velvet With Ganache
Sean Abrams
Sean Abrams
This was definitely the most transformative of the box. The cake wasn’t dense, and actually delivers the required cocoa hit red velvet promises when it’s done right. The ganache topping is a much sleeker move than sugary icing with some adult “I put on real pants for this” energy.
S’mores
Sean Abrams
Sean Abrams
You really can’t go wrong with chocolate frosting, graham cracker crumble, and mini marshmallows in one bite. This donut is very much S’mores campfire cosplay in the best way. I was too busy shoveling this into my wide-open trap, but warming it for 10–15 seconds to loosen the chocolate would’ve definitely been the move without needing an actual flame.
Pink Sprinkles Iced Cake
Sean Abrams
Sean Abrams
Here’s my personal favorite: the ultimate bridge between Team Cake and Team Raised. Cake donuts can veer heavy, but this one stays moist in its cute petite size with a solid crumb-to-crust ratio. And it’s pink! With more sprinkles! If someone bet me to see how many I could fit in my mouth at once, I would lose gracefully (but happily nonetheless).
The Verdict
I’m a New Yorker, through and through, but Randy’s definitely brings its West Coast swagger without any of the driving anxiety. The Pink Sprinkles Iced Cake donut would’ve been worth the trip to L.A., but I’m glad I can access it via subway instead. The other flavors also just felt legitimate—Randy’s knows what they’re doing—and it wasn’t just donuts made bougie for no reason. If that’s what you’re after, this most definitely isn’t it. It’s classic-first, with just enough pow to still make your camera roll proud.