Portland takes donuts very seriously. I know that sounds like a joke, but walk around this city on a Saturday morning and count the donut shops. It’s not just Voodoo Doughnut (which, honestly, is more of a tourist attraction than a donut shop at this point). Portland has legitimate, world-class donut makers who are turning out some of the best pastry in the Pacific Northwest. My husband and I have strong opinions about this, and we’ve eaten enough donuts to back them up.
Here’s where to find the best donuts in Portland, from the classic old-school spots to the newer shops that are pushing the boundaries of what a donut can be. For more on Portland’s food scene, check my restaurant guide and my cheap eats guide.
Blue Star Donuts
Blue Star is the donut shop that changed Portland’s donut game. They use a brioche-based dough that’s richer and more flavorful than a traditional donut, and the flavors are creative without being gimmicky. The Blueberry Bourbon Basil is their signature and it’s excellent. The Cointreau Creme Brulee is absurdly good. And the plain glazed is honestly one of the best donuts I’ve ever had, which tells you everything about the quality of the base dough.
Multiple locations around Portland (the one inside the Pine Street Market downtown is the most convenient for visitors). They sell out of popular flavors by mid-morning, so go early.
Pip’s Original Doughnuts
Pip’s does one thing and does it perfectly: tiny, made-to-order donuts served warm with creative dipping sauces. The donuts are small (you’ll eat 5 or 6 easily), they’re fried fresh when you order, and they come with sauces like Nutella, raw honey and sea salt, and seasonal fruit. The chai here is also legendary and made in-house.
There’s one location on NE Fremont, and the line on weekends can get long, but it moves fast because the donuts cook quickly. This is one of those Portland food experiences that doesn’t exist anywhere else. The combination of a warm Pip’s donut dipped in their honey and sea salt is genuinely one of my favorite food moments in the city.
Mikiko Mochi Donuts
Mochi donuts are having a moment everywhere, but Mikiko was early to the game in Portland and they do them really well. The texture is what makes mochi donuts different: chewy, slightly stretchy, lighter than a traditional donut. The flavors rotate and lean toward matcha, ube, black sesame, and yuzu. The signature ring shape (connected balls rather than a solid ring) is fun and easy to pull apart.
They have a few locations around Portland and they sell out fast, especially on weekends. If you’ve never had a mochi donut, this is the place to try one.
Sesame Donuts
Sesame Donuts is old-school Portland. No Instagram aesthetic, no creative flavor pairings, just really excellent classic donuts made fresh daily. The apple fritter is the size of your head and perfectly crispy-chewy. The old-fashioned is exactly what it should be. The glazed is warm and soft early in the morning. Multiple locations around the Portland area, all independently owned, all dependable.
This is where Portland locals actually go for donuts. Not for photos, not for an experience, just for a genuinely great donut and a cup of coffee at a reasonable price.
Coco Donuts
Coco Donuts has carved out a loyal following in Portland with their cake donuts, which are denser and richer than the raised donuts at most shops. The maple bacon bar put them on the map, but the buttermilk old-fashioned is the sleeper hit. Locations on NE Sandy, SE Belmont, and in the Pearl District. They’re a good middle ground between the classic donut shops and the more artisanal spots.
Doe Donuts
Doe Donuts is Portland’s fully vegan donut shop, and before you roll your eyes, hear me out. The donuts here are genuinely excellent regardless of dietary preference. The dough is light and flavorful, the glazes are creative (the lavender vanilla is beautiful), and you honestly cannot tell they’re vegan. My husband and I aren’t vegan and we go here regularly because the donuts are just that good. One location on SE Belmont.
An Honest Word About Voodoo Doughnut
I know, I know. You’ve heard of Voodoo. You’ve seen the line. You’ve seen the Instagram posts. And I’m not going to tell you not to go. Voodoo is a Portland institution and the experience of standing in line at 11 PM and walking out with a pink box is a lot of fun. The Voodoo Doll, the Maple Bacon Bar, and the Portland Cream are all solid.
But I will tell you that Voodoo is more about the vibe than the donut. If you’re judging purely on donut quality, Blue Star, Pip’s, and honestly even Sesame Donuts are making better product. Go to Voodoo for the experience if you want it. Go to Blue Star for the donut. You can always do both.
Tips for Donut Hunting in Portland
Go early. The best flavors at every shop on this list sell out by mid-morning on weekends. If you want the full selection, aim for 8 or 9 AM.
Blue Star and Pip’s are the must-visits. If you only have time for two donut stops, these are the two. Blue Star for the brioche dough and creative flavors, Pip’s for the warm, made-to-order experience.
Combine with coffee. Portland’s coffee scene is just as good as the donut scene. Many donut shops serve their own coffee, but if you want the best pairing, grab a latte from a nearby shop (Coava, Heart, Stumptown) and bring it with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best donut shop in Portland?
Blue Star Donuts makes the best overall donut in Portland. Pip’s Original is the most unique experience (warm, tiny, made-to-order). Sesame Donuts is the best classic/old-school option. Voodoo Doughnut is the most famous but not the best on quality alone.
Is Voodoo Doughnut worth the line?
The line has gotten much shorter in recent years since they opened multiple locations. The original on SW 3rd still gets lines late at night, but the other locations rarely have a wait. It’s worth going once for the experience. For the best donut in Portland regardless of hype, go to Blue Star or Pip’s.
I never thought I’d have strong donut opinions, but Portland does that to you. This city has genuinely changed what I think a donut can be. Blue Star’s brioche dough, Pip’s fresh-from-the-fryer minis, Doe’s vegan magic. It’s a great time to eat donuts in Portland. What’s your pick? Drop it in the comments.
