PORTLAND | The question of where to find the best donuts in Portland is a subjective one, and Portland has no shortage of donut shops that sell fantastic donuts. A good donut is one of life’s simple pleasures and whether it’s traditional, modern cake, old fashioned, raised, crueller or any other kind of donut you can think of, the places below are where you’ll be able to find some of the best donuts in Portland.
Helen Bernhard Bakery
Helen Bernhard Bakery operates out of an old house and has been selling a variety of traditional baked goods to the people of Portland since 1924. When a place has been around for this long it can sometimes be a matter of people recommending it because it’s an institution rather than amongst the best any more but in this case, the doughnuts at Helen Bernhard are still fantastic. It’s all about traditional, no-frills donuts here – try the old-fashioned glazed with its crisp crust, dense cake and not too sweet glaze or the classic jam donut.
Two other great no-nonsense old school donut shops worth checking out are Annie’s Donut Shop and Tonalli’s Donuts & Cream.
Helen Bernhard Bakery
1717 NE Broadway Street
Portland
Oregon 97232
United States
Blue Star Donuts
Blue Star Donuts are considered by many to be the best donuts in Portland. What makes Blue Star donuts so good? It’s all about the brioche base, which takes 18 hours to prepare and is made fresh each day. Think the yeast based donuts you’re used to but with less air and more eggs and butter. You can get cake donuts too nowadays, but the brioche creations are still the most popular and it’s easy to see why – they’re springy and dense yet somehow light and not at all greasy.
The ingredients are locally sourced where possible and of the highest quality and this continues through to the toppings, which are decidedly grown up and contain a selection of core and seasonal flavours. Try the Raspberry Rosemary Buttermilk with the intense, slightly sweet raspberry blending wonderfully with the contrasting herbaceous rosemary.
Blue Star Donuts
1237 SW Washington Street
Portland
Oregon 97205
United States
Coco Donuts
Coco Donuts have 4 locations in Portland and are famous for their high quality handcrafted classic donuts, made fresh daily using a family recipe. The coffee here is fantastic too – Coco Donuts ethically source and roast their own beans and every cup is served with a free mini donut. Try local’s favourite the Lavender Glazed, or the wonderfully soft on the inside, crispy on the outside Apple Fritter.
Coco Donuts
814 SW 6th Avenue
Portland
Oregon 97214
United States
Pip’s Original Doughnuts
Pip’s Original Doughnuts is one of the many donut shops in Portland and stands out from the other contenders for Portland’s best donuts by focusing on simplicity. Owners Nate and Jamie Snell focus on mini donuts and simple flavours – raw honey and sea salt, Nutella and cinnamon sugar and put the focus on getting these right. Ingredients are sourced from local, independent businesses and the donuts are fried in super-heated organic soy shortening which results in donut that’s super crispy and caramelised on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside and not at all greasy.
Pip’s are also famous for their chai, which and uses a variety of teas and natural ingredients to come up with some unique flavours such as the delicious Emmylou which combines lavender, chamomile and cardamom.
Pip’s Original Doughnuts
4759 NE Fremont Street
Portland
Oregon 97213
United States
Fleur De Lis Bakery
Fleur De Lis Bakery is known for its artisan breads and pastries, and supplies several of Portland’s cafes and restaurants. It’s sourdough is legendary but it’s also famous for its potato donut, a denser than normal cake donut dusted in cinnamon and sugar and topped with the donut hole. The raised donuts are great too, but if you can only try one, go for the potato donut.
Fleur De Lis Bakery
3930 NE Hancock Street
Portland
Oregon 97212
United States
Voodoo Doughnut
Voodoo Doughnut is one of the most famous stores in Portland, with a reputation that extends beyond the USA. Locals don’t rate Voodoo donuts too highly these days, with many dismissing the places as “for tourists”. While it’s true that these aren’t the best donuts in Portland, if you haven’t been and want to try a creation that probably nobody else is doing, Voodoo certainly warrants a look – just go there with the right expectations.
Voodoo Doughnut
1501 NE Davis Street
Portland
Oregon 97232
United States
Staccato Gelato
Staccato Gelato is primarily a gelato shop, which makes proper gelato in a variety of flavours using the highest quality local produce but on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in comes the donut maker to make… well donuts. Some of the flavours here are divisive, but one thing that everyone can agree on is that the Prince of Darkness is a thing of brilliance – a crunchy, chocolate glaze and sprinkle covered shell with a crumbly fudge brownie interior that has just the right level of sweetness.
“Mini me” donut holes are available Monday – Thursday, but you really want to be coming here for the full sized donuts.
Staccato Gelato
232 NE 28th Avenue
Portland
Oregon 97232
United States
Who do you think does the best donuts in Portland? Is there a particular type of donut you just can’t miss? Let us know in the comments section below.