Top 10 Best Must Try Donuts in Portland (tested)

Portland has sneakily become quite the place to head to for donut lovers, maybe because it’s home to an increasing amount of legendary shops. Portlanders – like me – also can’t get enough of their morning coffee accompanied by a delicious, straight-from-the-oven doughnut. From baked beauties adorned with colorful sprinkles to traditional iced donuts filled with jam, here are my personal favorite donuts in Portland, Oregon (tried and tested)…

Our Top 3 Best Must Try Donuts in Portland
1.
Voodoo Doughnuts l Global Grasshopper – travel inspiration for the road less travelled
2.
Doe Doughnuts l Global Grasshopper – travel inspiration for the road less travelled
Best For Vegan Donuts
Doe Doughnuts
3.
Blue Star Donuts l Global Grasshopper – travel inspiration for the road less travelled
Best For Gluten-Free Donuts
Blue Star Donuts
Best For Great Taste

Voodoo Doughnuts

Voodoo Doughnut Portland

Voodoo Doughnut Portland

Located on SW 3rd Avenue in Old Town, Voodoo Donots earns plenty of praise online for their innovative doughnuts and other treats, including ones with icing piped on in the shape of trucks, cars, and other quirky items. I’m also a huge lifelong fan.

Voodoo Doughnut was founded in May 2003 by Kenneth “Cat Daddy” Pogson and Richard “Tres” Shannon III and has since opened in cities all over the USA thanks to its huge popularity.

It’s been called ‘the happiest place on earth (other than Disneyland, of course)!  The coffee and other hot drinks get lots of thumbs up, too. Served in a traditional diner setting, Voodoo hearkens back to the days of vintage diners who pour endless cups of delicious, steaming Joe – nothing better first thing in the morning.

It opens daily at 5 a.m. and closes at 3 a.m. — just long enough to get more batches in the ovens! Just be prepared to queue during peak times at this legendary donut shop, but don’t worry; it will be worth the wait! I’d personally suggest trying my favorites Blueberry Cake and Grape Ape.

Pros

Flavorful and very creative donuts in a colorful environment

Great variety and outdoor seating area

Vegan and eggless donuts option

Cons

Can be crowded and noisy

No gluten-free options

Best For Vegan Donuts

Doe Doughnuts

Doe Donuts vegan donuts

Offering some of the best vegan donuts in Portland, this donut shop on NE Sandy Blvd. and I’m a huge fan. It is open Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Everything on the menu at Doe’s is vegan, and even folks who aren’t strictly non-meat and dairy eaters love the doughnuts here. But there’s more on offer than donuts – ice cream and seasonal sweets.

Consider candy crush or pink peppermint for your non-dairy ice cream, or a classic doughnut with your coffee. I’d recommend trying my favorites the chocolate glazed or pumpkin spice.

If you fancy something savory, opt for a “sloppy doe,” a doughnut without the usual heaping sweetness, or the more gooey and always delicious buttered rum and coke flavor. Now that’s creative doughnut-making!

Pros

Classic and creative flavored donuts

Vegan icecreams and soft serves

Shady outdoor picnic table area

Unique toppings and fresh juices

Cons

No seating area inside

Delivery not available

Best For Gluten-Free Donuts

Blue Star Donuts

Blue Star Donuts Portland Oregon

One of the most famous and popular donut shops in Portland, this cozy spot on SW Jefferson Street offers plenty of favorite doughnut flavors, including glazed varieties, some with sprinkles, and other tasty treats.

But the location bases its goodies on a traditional recipe from the south of France, so the doughnuts have a nip of taste reminiscent of French brioche – a specialty of the house.

The cake donuts are gluten-free and vegan for those who enjoy a healthy take on classic doughnuts. Try the buttermilk old-fashioned doughnut, an apple cider cake, or any creative flavors baked with organic, local ingredients.

Open Thursday to Monday from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m., Blue Star will ship goodies anywhere you like, providing your order is $75 (USD) on your order.

Pros

Creative flavors and organic ingredients

Gourmet donuts with fresh herbs

Vegan cake donuts are available

Moist and fluffy donuts

Cons

Closes early at night

Can be pricey

Donuts can be heavy

Best For Brioche Donuts

Coco Donuts

Coco Donuts Portland

You’ll find this doughnut shop on NE Broadway, serving croissants, cakes, and plenty more, in addition to traditional, classic doughnuts. Coco open at 6 a.m. Monday to Friday, and stays open until 2 p.m.

On the weekend, it opens at 7 a.m. and remains open until 2 p.m. Come for one of the classic doughnuts but stay and eat it with some of the neighborhood’s best coffee. Simply homey and welcoming atmosphere – the perfect place to indulge in your favorite doughnut.

Pros

Donuts along with coffee and espresso drinks

Pink-accented pastry shop selling fresh donuts

Vanilla with crushed candy cane donuts

Cons

Difficult to find seating

Working hours are limited

Limited selection of donuts

Best For Unique Toppings

Heavenly Donuts

Heavenly Donuts Portland

Offering some of the best donuts in Portland, this spot is located on North Lombard Street. It is open for business 24/7, making it a popular destination for late-night sweet cravings when heading home after the club or a neighborhood party.

The doughnuts are traditional – maple glazed, apple fritters, and caramel frosted – and all get raves online. This doughnut shop also has locations in California and Washington, so the bakers are doing something right.

Pros

Freshly baked and decent price

Variety of traditional fruit fritters

Beautiful outside and fluffy inside

Perfect for events and celebrations

Cons

Can be high in calories

Frosting is thick

Not halal

Best For Mini-Donuts

Pip’s Original Donuts and Chai

Pip's Original Donuts and Chai

 Locals and visitors alike line up for the treats and chai served at Pip’s, so you know they have lots of wonderful goodies on offer.

The specialty of the house is mini, fried on-the-spot doughnuts, so be sure to save room for a couple of these, even if you order something more traditional, like a raspberry cake. To avoid lining up, make a doughnut for breakfast early. Located on NE Fremont Street, it opens daily at 8 a.m.

Best For Great Variety

Donut Queen

Pros

Glazed donuts and maple bars

Incredible quality of texture and flavor

Perfect for apple fritter lovers

Made daily on the premises

Cons

On the pricey side

Can be too sweet for some

Donut Queen Portland Oregon

This is a simple, plain, old-fashioned shop located on Burnside Street, and the doughnuts they make are raved about by locals and visitors for exactly that reason.

Donut Queen is all about making great doughnuts, and they come in every variety, like glazed and jelly-filled, and just about every other kind you can imagine.

One customer says it even “smells great!” the moment you walk into this shop – is there higher praise than that? The store opens every morning at 8 a.m. until the last doughnut is sold.

That could be three o’clock, or that could be eight o’clock. But why risk missing out? Get to Donut Queen early, and get your doughnuts straight from the oven for the family (or your coworkers). Easily have some of the tastiest donuts in the city of Portland! 

Pros

Hip and casual cafe and bakers

Specializes in donut and chai

Perfectly warm with great texture

Japanese Garden and seasonal donut

Cons

Limited working hours

Waiting time is long

Crowded on weekends

Best For Unique Flavors

Sesame Donuts

Sesame Donuts Portland

Open from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. every day, this shop on SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway bakes a big range of doughnuts in two categories: classic and fancy, as the menu lists them. They’re famous for their unique sesame donuts, donut holes, cake, and raised donuts.

That means your craving for a traditional jam-filled treat can be satisfied here, but so can a desire for something more unusual, like a raspberry cake with vanilla glaze. Customers appreciate the down-home atmosphere and the not-shy-high prices.

And there are more treats available than doughnuts, including chocolate eclairs and mini bites covered in bits of nuts. The coffee is good, too – hot, strong, and flavorful.

Pros

Selling classic and specialty donuts

Flavorful pastries and strong coffee

Great location near the park

Amazing collection of donut flavors

Cons

Gluten-free options not available

Seating is limited

Long waiting lines

Best For Breakfast Options

Angel’s Donuts

Angel's Donuts Portland

Just like the name says, there’s more on offer at Angel’s than just doughnuts. One online review says the breakfast bagels are the best in Portland, while others rave about burgers and other savory items.

But the doughnuts get lots of praise, including the maple-glazed, chocolate-glazed, and jam-filled ones dusted in icing sugar. Located at NE Alberta Street, Angel’s is open daily from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Pros

Old-school bakery serving in counter setting

Fresh donuts and tasty cakes

Vegan and dairy-free options

Great variety of icecreams and sandwiches

Cons

Small selection of donuts

Located in a busy area

Best For Cake Donuts

Delicious Doughnuts

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Delicious Doughnuts Portland

This shop opens at 5 a.m. every weekday but stays closed on weekends. Located on SE Grand Avenue, customers rave about the variety – not just donuts, but also s’mores, bagels, and different types of steaming hot coffee and ultra-rich hot chocolate.

The doughnuts come in just about every flavor imaginable, so go hungry and leave with your sweet tooth satisfied for another day. Some of the most delicious donuts to try in the city.

Pros

Great spot for donuts and coffee

Breakfast sandwiches and crunch burgers

Fair priced and great presentation

Light and filling donuts

Cons

Vegan options only on weekends

Can be crowded at times

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