🍨 Portland Dessert Trail: A Sweet Tooth’s Journey Through Ice Cream, Pastries, and Sugary Wonders

There are cities where dessert is an afterthought. Portland, Oregon, is not one of them. This city serves sugar with soul, where every dessert comes with a point of view—locally sourced, obsessively crafted, sometimes wild, sometimes nostalgic, always unforgettable. I’ve spent months exploring Portland’s dessert scene—walking block after block in the rain, sun, and even snow—to unearth every last scoop, crumble, and glaze this city has to offer.

I’ve burned through way too many pairs of walking shoes and definitely tested the limits of my metabolism, but I regret absolutely nothing. Because here, dessert is not just a dish—it’s a statement of identity. And this is my personal guide to Portland’s most memorable spots for pastries, ice cream, and all things sweet.

🍩 1. Blue Star Donuts

Address: 1701 SW Jefferson St, Portland, OR 97201

The first time I bit into Blue Star’s famous Blueberry Bourbon Basil donut, I had to sit down. It’s not hype—it’s harmony. The balance of tart blueberry jam, herby notes, and a whisper of bourbon over that pillowy brioche dough is so expertly done, it felt like eating art.

Unlike its more touristy cousin Voodoo (which I still visit occasionally for the sheer theater of it), Blue Star leans culinary. They use brioche dough that takes 18 hours to ferment, and you can taste the patience. I tried five on my first visit, including the Valrhona Chocolate Crunch and Real Maple Bacon. Each one had depth and restraint—not just sugar bombs.

Must-Try:

• Blueberry Bourbon Basil
• Hard Apple Cider Fritter (seasonal)
• Passionfruit Cocoa Nib

Booking Tips: Blue Star now offers pre-orders online via bluestardonuts.com to avoid lines. If you’re staying downtown, consider walking here early—they often sell out by mid-afternoon.

Savings Tip: Sign up for their newsletter and get surprise discounts or limited-run flavor alerts.

🥐 2. Ken’s Artisan Bakery

Address: 338 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Ken’s changed how I see croissants. One morning, I sat near the open window at Ken’s with a ham and gruyère croissant, a cup of Stumptown drip, and no plans. I tore into the croissant and the shards of buttery flake rained onto my lap like confetti. I didn’t care.

Founded by legendary baker Ken Forkish, this bakery feels Parisian but unmistakably Portland. The shelves are lined with crusty baguettes, tarts with jewel-toned fruit, and morning buns that are dangerously addictive.

Must-Try:

• Almond Croissant
• Pear Frangipane Tart
• Raspberry Pistachio Financier

When to Go: Weekday mornings are peaceful. Weekends get crowded, and pastries sell out fast. There’s no reservation system—it’s walk-in only.

Pro Tip: Combine this stop with a stroll through nearby Couch Park. Or better yet, bring a blanket and make your own picnic.

🍦 3. Salt & Straw

Address: 838 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

No dessert guide in Portland is complete without Salt & Straw. But here’s the thing: it’s not just about the ice cream—it’s about curiosity. This place isn’t afraid of strange ideas. Pear & Blue Cheese. Bone Marrow & Smoked Cherries. Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper. I know. It sounds like a dare, but it tastes like genius.

I’ve had ice cream in Rome, in Paris, in Tokyo. Salt & Straw remains in my personal top five. Their commitment to local ingredients, micro-seasonal menus, and strange-but-perfect combos makes each visit feel like a new tasting expedition.

Must-Try:

• Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons (classic, no regrets)
• Arbequina Olive Oil (silky and unforgettable)
• Any seasonal flavor (ask for samples!)

Reservation & Tips: No reservations needed, but there will be a line. Go between 2–4 PM on weekdays for the shortest wait.
Order online for pickup via saltandstraw.com. They also ship nationally.

Booking Platform Suggestion: Use OpenTable for nearby dinner spots afterward—you’ll want something savory to balance the sugar high.

🍮 4. Maurice Luncheonette

Address: 921 SW Oak St, Portland, OR 97205

This one is a secret whisper among locals. Maurice is tiny—just a few tables—and it feels like someone turned a Parisian grandmother’s dining room into a Scandinavian tea salon. I came here once on a rainy Wednesday afternoon and ended up staying for two hours, slowly savoring a black pepper cheesecake with Meyer lemon glaze. It stunned me.

Owner Kristen Murray runs the kitchen like a poetic alchemist. Every dessert has restraint, elegance, and complexity. Nothing is overly sweet. Everything is a conversation.

Must-Try:

• Black Pepper Cheesecake
• Rhubarb & Rose Galette (spring only)
• Goat Milk Custard with Plum Compote

How to Go: No reservations. Arrive early for lunch, or call ahead to see if they can squeeze you in. Very limited seating.

Pro Tip: Combine this stop with a visit to Powell’s Books, just a block away. Dessert, then literature—Portland doesn’t get better than that.

🧁 5. Petunia’s Pies & Pastries

Address: 610 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97205

I’m not gluten-free, nor vegan, but Petunia’s doesn’t care. Their treats defy all dietary expectation. I first came here to meet a friend with dietary restrictions and ended up ordering three slices of pie. No regrets.

Everything is 100% gluten-free and vegan, but what you’ll taste is lush, rich, complex flavor. Their chocolate cream pie is silkier than most traditional ones I’ve had. And their churro cupcake? A soft, cinnamon-kissed miracle.

Must-Try:

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
• Strawberry Shortcake
• Raspberry Champagne Cupcake

How to Order: Walk-in or order ahead online at petuniaspiesandpastries.com. Their seasonal cakes sell out fast, especially on holidays.

Pro Tip: Check their Instagram for weekly flavor drops and flash deals. They often do “Buy One Get One Half Off” on Mondays.

🍓 More Sweet Spots I Loved

There are so many other places I fell for that deserve a shout:

• Pix Pâtisserie (2225 E Burnside St): For late-night macarons and dessert wines.
• Bakeshop (5351 NE Sandy Blvd): For morning coffee cakes that rival grandma’s.
• Doe Donuts (4110 NE Sandy Blvd): 100% vegan and unbelievably rich.

🧭 Planning Your Dessert Trail

If you’re flying into Portland for a weekend of sugar-soaked joy, I recommend booking early. Flights into PDX are reasonably priced most of the year. Use Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper to monitor price drops. For accommodation, boutique hotels near NW 23rd Ave or the Pearl District give you walkable access to most dessert destinations.

For your stay, I recommend platforms like:

• Booking.com – for flexible bookings and free cancellation.
• Airbnb – perfect for finding a cozy space with a kitchen (yes, to store leftovers).
• Hotels.com – stack rewards for future stays.

When dining or planning around sweet stops, I rely heavily on:

• OpenTable – ideal for finding dinner spots near dessert places.
• Yelp – for honest, local-driven reviews.
• Resy – great for harder-to-get reservations.

🍫 6. Creo Chocolate

Address: 122 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232

Stepping into Creo Chocolate feels like entering a tiny Willy Wonka factory—minus the gimmicks, plus a lot more bean-to-bar credibility. I didn’t just eat chocolate here; I learned chocolate. Family-owned and deeply connected to ethical cacao sourcing, Creo is a craft chocolate lab where the entire process—from nibs to bars—is transparent and tangible.

The staff offered me tiny spoons of warm, liquid chocolate as I browsed. I signed up for their chocolate-making tour, where I roasted, winnowed, and tempered my own bar. It was one of the most joyful hands-on food experiences I’ve ever had. Even if you skip the tour, their tasting flight is a must.

Must-Try:

• Toffee Chocolate Bar
• Himalayan Pink Salt Dark Chocolate
• Drinking Chocolate with Coconut Milk

Tour & Booking Info: Book workshops or tasting experiences through creochocolate.com. They fill up quickly on weekends, so reserve early.

Tip: Sign up for their loyalty program at checkout—it earns you credits and alerts for seasonal launches (I scored a free bar during my second visit).

🍡 7. Oyatsupan Bakers

Address: 16025 SW Regatta Ln, Beaverton, OR 97006

A bit outside of central Portland, but this Japanese-style bakery is 100% worth the MAX ride or rental car trip. Oyatsu means “snack” in Japanese, and here, it becomes a sugary art form. Their mochi donuts, melon pan, and custard buns remind me of Tokyo street bakeries—but with a Northwest twist.

I came in thinking I’d grab a few bites. I left with a box of 12, including matcha cream buns, yuzu-glazed donuts, and red bean-filled milk bread. Every item is elegant, soft, and just sweet enough.

Must-Try:

• Matcha Custard Cream Bun
• Black Sesame Roll
• Mochi Doughnuts (weekends only)

How to Go: No reservations—walk in early to get the best selection. Closed on Mondays. Bring cash or card—some items rotate daily and sell out fast.

Insider Trick: Follow them on Instagram for flash menus and rare seasonal flavors like sweet potato anpan in the fall.

🍧 8. Wailua Shave Ice

Address: 920 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

Tropical vibes meet Portland drizzle in the most delightful way at Wailua. This isn’t the neon syrup-style shave ice from childhood carnivals—it’s silky, real-fruit, made-from-scratch Hawaiian goodness. I wandered in here on a gloomy Saturday afternoon and walked out beaming like I’d just come back from Maui.

Flavors change weekly, but everything is made with fresh fruit purées, real cane sugar, and no artificial dyes. They pile it high and light—no sticky heaviness, just joy.

Must-Try:

• Lilikoi Cream (passionfruit and vanilla heaven)
• Strawberries in Paradise
• Haupia Foam (yes, it’s a thing—and it’s divine)

How to Visit: Limited seating; expect a short wait on sunny days. They don’t take reservations. Best to come before 5 PM if you want the full menu still available.

Pro Tip: Ask for half-and-half flavors—it’s the best way to sample multiple options. They often do limited collabs with local bakeries for special toppings!

☕ Dessert Pairing Ideas: After-Sugar Rituals

When you’ve reached your limit (it happens, I promise), Portland has a perfect coffee scene to balance your blood sugar and your soul.

Some of my favorites:

• Coava Coffee Roasters (1300 SE Grand Ave): Industrial-chic with espresso that sings.
• Barista (539 NW 13th Ave): A quiet hideaway in the Pearl District.
• Deadstock Coffee (408 NW Couch St): Streetwear meets serious coffee.

I usually grab a pour-over and journal for a bit—it’s the perfect slow-down moment after a dessert-heavy day.

✈️ Getting Around & Travel Tools

Portland is a walkable city, but some dessert gems are scattered across neighborhoods. Here’s how I move between bites:

• TriMet MAX Light Rail: Reliable, clean, and connects most of the dessert-heavy areas.
• Biketown (by Lyft): Great for hopping from downtown to the Eastside.
• Uber/Lyft: For late-night cravings or rainy-day bakery hops.

When I plan multi-day food trips, I book flights into PDX through Google Flights or Hopper, then look for stays on Booking.com or Airbnb close to NW 23rd Ave or the Pearl District. The proximity to both food and charm is unbeatable.

For dining beyond dessert, I use OpenTable and Resy for reliable reservations—especially for dinner after a day of sugar.

🍒 Why I Keep Coming Back

There’s a moment, usually around the third bite of something extraordinary, when you feel more alive. Maybe it’s a whipped lemon custard that hits your tongue like sunlight. Or the gentle crackle of a mille-feuille collapsing under your fork. Portland has more of those moments than almost anywhere else I’ve eaten. These desserts don’t just taste good—they feel good. Thoughtful, generous, quietly rebellious. Like the city itself.

I come back not just for the pastries or the ice cream, but for the sense that joy here is edible. It’s served with a side of intentionality. No two dessert experiences are the same, and no craving is too strange. Whether it’s a mochi donut in Beaverton or black pepper cheesecake downtown, there’s room here for all flavors—and all dreamers.

And that’s the sweetest part of all.