Though I struggle to pinpoint exactly when it happened, some time over the past decade, Portland became a donut town. Of course, I would be lying if I said I was not totally excited about that. Donuts are a great equalizer. Every culture on planet Earth has their version of sweet, deep-fried dough, and all of them are amazing. If a visit to Portland is on your itinerary, then that means you must ensure ample time for donut eating. If you would like to know more about which spots deserve a visit, then read on to learn about the top donut spots in Portland.
Almost as famous as the city itself, VooDoo Doughnut is a destination for many of the city’s tourists. Their offerings are as fun as they are delicious. When I visit, I treat myself to their maple bacon bar. Bacon is not the only unique donut topping they offer. You can get yours topped with your favorite childhood cereal or filled with fluffy lemon cream. I can't tell you how many times I have been to this donut shop and just let loose and ordered everything there is to order that day. Honestly, the variety of options is honestly just a tad overwhelming, which is why I go wild sometimes with the amount of donuts I get. The good news is that there are no wrong choices at VooDoo Doughnut. No matter what you order, you are going to enjoy the unique indulgence that is VooDoo Doughnut.
What I recommend: Their monthly or weekly special is a great option every time
Location: 22 SW 3rd Ave Portland, OR 97204
With locations throughout Oregon and California, Blue Star Donuts has been serving up coffee and donuts since 2012. The variety of options they offer are as unique as they are tasty. Though they sell all the traditional donuts such as the old fashion, I highly recommend that you branch out and give their raspberry rosemary buttermilk a try. Just like VooDoo Doughnuts, Blue Star is just as popular and there is always a line out the door every time I come by. A common problem in a Portland donut shop, you may struggle to choose a favorite and it is always frustrating because You want to try them all. So far, I have not had any that are not amazing, so you are in for a treat no matter which of their offerings you select.
What I recommend: If they have original donuts that day, I say try it because it is not your average Krispy Kreme doughnuts
Location: 3325 SE Division St Ste 1 Portland, OR 97202
Pip's Original Doughnuts and Chai
If you are not able to come to the donuts, the donuts will come to you because Pip’s also has a mobile location. If you are lucky enough for their truck to pay you a visit, then I recommend treating yourself to an order of their raw honey and sea salt cake donuts. Along with their donuts, they offer many custom chai recipes to wash them down. My personal favorite is their Heart of Gold chai which features toasty coconut, cloves, and golden turmeric. Some of their doughnut flavors are questionable at first glance but they make it work and I love being able to try such unique doughnuts. If you have a special event coming up, a visit from Pip’s Mobile is way more fun than plain old cake and ice cream.
What I recommend: raw honey and sea salt cake donuts
Location: 4759 NE Fremont St Ste C Portland, OR 97213
If you are the type of person who plans their future trips around where to get an awesome donut, then I am here to tell you that a visit to Portland is a must. All of the old standard donuts are great as an occasional treat, but these shops have taken the donut to a whole new level. I can’t wait for you to try them and find a new favorite. Keep Portland weird, but keep their doughnuts weirder!