Best of Boston

1999 Best Doughnuts

Gail Ann Coffee Shop

Practice makes perfect, and Gail Ann has been baking more than 20 varieties of fresh doughnuts daily for 45 years, since the shop was opened by its French immigrant founder. Still independently owned, it’s a rare counterpoint to the conglomerate doughnut chains, and Gail Ann’s big, soft, fluffy doughnuts are not greasy or heavy.

10 Medford St., Arlington, 781-648-9584,