Top 10 Unique Donut Destinations in Portland / Vancouver

A box of Voodoo donuts is almost cliche here in Portland, and they got that way from being long-time truly original. They hold the #1 spot below because they set, and continue to carry the standard of what Portland is all about: food creativity. Photo Courtesy: Jae Park/Envato.com

From classic glazed to unconventional flavors, the Pacific Northwest is known for its diverse food scene, and donuts are no exception. If you're a donut lover, Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington are great places for these oft-round treats. Boasting unique donut shops that will satisfy your cravings and leave you soon thinking about next time. Here's a list of the top 10 donut spots to visit in Portland /Vancouver:

1. Voodoo Doughnut (Portland, Oregon)

22 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204 Website: https://www.voodoodoughnut.com/ Phone: (503) 241-4704

Voodoo Doughnut is a must-visit when in Portland. Known for their quirky and unconventional flavors, this place offers a variety of donuts that you won't find anywhere else. From their signature Voodoo Doll donut to their Maple Bacon Bar, Voodoo Doughnut is a staple in the Portland donut scene.

2. Blue Star Donuts (Portland, Oregon)

1237 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205 Website: https://www.bluestardonuts.com/ Phone: (503) 265-8410

Blue Star Donuts offers artisanal, brioche-based donuts made from scratch daily. With flavors like Blueberry Bourbon Basil and Valrhona Chocolate Crunch, this place is perfect for those looking for a gourmet donut experience. Don't forget to try their famous Cointreau Crème Brûlée donut, complete with a syringe filled with Cointreau syrup.

3. Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai (Portland, Oregon)

4759 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97213 Website: https://www.pipsmobile.com/ Phone: (503) 206-8692

Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai is the go-to spot for mini donuts and house-made chai. These bite-sized treats are made to order and come in various flavors, including Nutella & Sea Salt and Candied Maple Bacon. Pair your donuts with one of their eight signature chai blends for a perfect combination.

4. Coco Donuts & Coffee (Portland, Oregon)

2735 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232 Website: https://cocodonuts.com/ Phone: (503) 477-9824

Coco Donuts & Coffee is a small-batch donut shop that focuses on quality and sustainability. They use locally sourced ingredients to create delicious donuts like Lavender Glaze and Marionberry. Don't forget to try their signature Coco Donut, which features a coconut milk-based glaze.

5. Doe Donuts (Portland, Oregon)

4110 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97212 Website: https://www.doedonuts.com/ Phone: (503) 333-4404

Doe Donuts is Portland's first all-vegan donut shop. They offer a wide range of flavors, from classics like Chocolate Glazed to inventive options like Hibiscus Chai or Strawberry Shortcake. Their vegan donuts are a delicious, guilt-free treat for everyone to enjoy.

6. Delicious Donuts (Portland, Oregon)

12 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214 Website: https://deliciousdonutspdx.com/ Phone: (503) 233-1833

Delicious Donuts is a family-owned shop that has been serving Portland since 2005. They offer a wide range of donut flavors, from traditional favorites like Old Fashioned and Apple Fritters to unique creations like the Oreo-covered Cookies & Cream or Delicious Donuts is a family-owned shop that has been serving Portland since 2005. They offer a wide range of donut flavors, from traditional favorites like Old Fashioned and Apple Fritters to unique creations like the Oreo-covered Cookies & Cream or the S'mores donut. This cozy spot is perfect for grabbing a freshly made donut and a cup of coffee to start your day.

7. NOLA Doughnuts (Portland, Oregon)

110 NW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 Website: https://noladoughnuts.com/ Phone: (503) 895-6350

NOLA Doughnuts brings a taste of New Orleans to Portland with their signature La'ssant donuts. Made with a 3-day laminated dough process, these donuts have a unique, flaky texture that sets them apart from the rest. Choose from flavors like Raspberry Nutella and Vanilla Bean Glaze or try their famous Beignets for an authentic taste of the Big Easy.

8. Fills Donuts (Portland, Oregon)

500 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210 Website: https://www.fillsdonuts.com/ Phone: (503) 477-5997

Fills Donuts is a unique donut shop specializing in filled donuts inspired by classic European pastries like Berliners and bomboloni. They offer a variety of fillings, such as Lemon Ricotta, Dark Chocolate Caramel, and seasonal fruit jams. Fills Donuts also serves a selection of savory donut sandwiches, making it a versatile stop for any meal of the day.

9. Sesame Donuts (Portland, Oregon)

1503 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97201 Website: https://www.sesamedonuts.com/ Phone: (503) 222-3256

Sesame Donuts is a family-owned business that has been serving Portland since 1999. They pride themselves on using quality ingredients to create their mouth-watering donuts. While they offer a variety of traditional and unique flavors, their signature Sesame Donut with a sweet honey glaze and a sprinkle of sesame seeds is a must-try. They also offer a range of specialty donuts, like the Chocolate Mousse-Filled and the Almond Cream-Filled.

10. Heavenly Donuts (Portland, Oregon)

1915 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97217 Website: http://heavenlydonutspdx.com/ Phone: (503) 289-0966

Heavenly Donuts is a classic donut shop with a wide selection of fresh, made-from-scratch donuts. They offer traditional favorites like Glazed and Chocolate Cake alongside specialty flavors such as Caramel Apple Fritters and Peanut Butter & Jelly. With their inviting atmosphere and delicious donuts, Heavenly Donuts is a must-visit in Portland.

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From the classics to the avant-garde, Portland and Vancouver have a donut destination for every taste. With an emphasis on quality, creativity, and local ingredients, these ten donut shops are sure to scratch your sugar itch and give you new ways to experience these great treats.

From timeless classics to the avant-garde, Portland and Vancouver serve as the ultimate destinations for discerning donut enthusiasts. Emphasizing exceptional quality, artistic flair, and a dedication to locally sourced ingredients, these ten tasty donut havens will not only satisfy your sugar itch, they’ll elevate your sense of what donuts should or can be. Want to make some yourself? Try out our recipe of classic maple bars below.

Recipe: Homemade Maple Bars

This relatively easy recipe yield12 donuts, or should I say maple bars (my favorite). Just be careful with the 2” of hot oil! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

While the recipe provided here doesn’t account for these plays on a maple bar’s frosting, once you master the basic bar you can begin experimenting with what goes above. Here it’s vanilla with sprinkles and exciting black licorice. Image Courtesy: Shayna Douglas/Envato Elements

For the donuts:

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 cup whole milk, warmed to 110°F (43°C)

  • 1/4 cup warm water (105-110°F or 40-43°C)

  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)

  • 1 large egg, beaten

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

For the maple glaze:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar

  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

  • 2-3 tbsp whole milk

  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • 1/4 tsp maple extract (optional, for a stronger maple flavor)

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes, or until frothy.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.

  3. In a separate bowl, mix together the melted butter, sugar, warm milk, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Add the yeast mixture to this bowl, stirring to combine.

  4. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until a sticky dough forms.

  5. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead gently for a few minutes, adding flour as needed to prevent sticking. The dough should be smooth and elastic.

  6. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and allow it to rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

  7. Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface to approximately 1/2-inch thickness. Cut the dough into rectangular bars (approximately 3x1 inches).

  8. Place the cut donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with a towel, and let them rise again for 30-45 minutes.

  9. While the donuts are rising, prepare the maple glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, 2 tablespoons of milk, vanilla extract, and maple extract (if using) in a medium-sized bowl. Add more milk as needed to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency.

  10. In a deep frying pan or pot, heat at least 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry the donuts in batches, cooking for 1-2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to carefully remove the donuts from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

  11. Allow the donuts to cool slightly before dipping the top side of each donut into the maple glaze. Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to catch any drips. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy your homemade maple bar donuts!






Dan Meyers