Guide to Portland’s Best Bakeries & Patisseries

Our complete guide to Portland’s Best Bakeries

(Last updated: 1.20. By Lizzy Caston and Food Dude)

Portland is well-known for great beers, coffee, and quality European style artisan bread, yet we also boast a very large choice of sweet shops, patisseries, chocolate purveyors and chocolatiers. For visitors or locals, here is our guide. Although this list doesn’t include everyone in the Portland area, it does cover many of the more popular spots.

If we’ve missed your favorite bakery, let us know and we’ll investigate, and add them to future updates.

85°C Bakery Cafe

85°C Bakery Cafe is an international chain that first opened in New Taipei in 2004. The bakery has enjoyed great success and locations have spread around the world.

The lineup includes buns from Taiwan, Japan, Denmark and Europe with a mix of sweet and savory options. They claim over 50 different types of pastries are baked fresh every hour, but since the chain has a USA central kitchen in La Brea, CA, I have a feeling some of cakes and whatnot are baked offsite.

I sampled sweet buns, custard tarts and a savory pork bun. Overall everything was okay. The selection is huge, the bread structure is serviceable if a bit doughy, the sweet items not overwhelmingly so, and flavors were okay though not remarkable. While 85°C is an average bakery, included here for the novelty of being in a shopping mall and for its international background; it’s fine if you are in the mall and want something sweet. Positives include a large selection; they have something for everyone including savory items like garlic cheese bun, ham & cheese, spicy sausage, etc. Finished cakes are very pretty with average prices – most are in the low $30 range. They have a large selection of cheesecake, tiramisu, mousse cakes, black forest, and more. The space is clean and the staff is pleasant and helpful. Prices are very reasonable; I paid less than $2.00 for most of my pastries. Finally, if you like old-fashioned egg tarts, you will like the version at 85°C.

You’ll find a complete review here.

• 9753 SW Washington, Square RD #D02Tigard OR 97223  (at Washington Square Mall)  Map
• (503) 352-4600

Bakeshop

Voted #3 in reader survey 2017 Best Bakeries.

Bakeshop, which opened in early 2012, is owned by Kim Boyce, of the James Beard Award-winning cookbook, Good to the Grain: Baking with Whole-Grain Flours. She worked for years with Nancy Silverton, founder of Pizzeria Mozza, Campanile, and La Brea Bakery. Bakeshop has a growing following for their seasonal whole-grain pastries, cakes, pies, cookies and more. You’ll find their pastries in many of the better coffee houses around town, but go by the little bakery; it’s well worth a visit to get their treats still warm from the oven.  It’s not always available, but you owe it to yourself to try their quiche if you ever get a chance – it’s the best I’ve ever had; rich, creamy yet somehow still light. Bakeshop on my list of the top 5 bakeries in Portland. You’ll find an interview with owners Kim and Thomas Boyce here.

Baker and Spice

A successful bakery in the suburbs-meet-the-city Hillsdale area, Baker and Spice are one of the most popular bakeries in suburbs of SW Portland. The bakery is the ideal union of these two schools: hippy, crunchy, organic and traditional desserts and patisserie. You can munch a toothsome, generously portioned slice of moist and earthy buckwheat banana bread for breakfast and follow it up with a mini lemon curd tart, or perhaps a flakey almond or chocolate croissant. If sweets aren’t your bag, you can choose from a number of savory bread puddings, galettes or croissants, as well as a selection of soups, salads, “grab-and-go” sandwiches and more, all of which are above average in quality. You can read our extensive write-up of the bakery here. They have also spun off  The Cakery cake shop just a few doors down from the main bakery. I’m addicted to the cookies and the Irish Whiskey Cake (only available around St. Patrick’s Day), but the coffee cake is a huge seller. But whether they’re satisfying your craving for sweet or savory, the bakery incorporates top-notch imported and seasonal ingredients from local farms and producers into their goods. Their commitment to sustainable and quality ingredients is reflected in the simple, down-to-earth charm of the bakery’s interior. Designed and built with mostly recycled and renewable materials by Richardson’s husband and business partner, Matt, there are eight small tables, a 10-12 seat community table and large windows that ample daylight as you nibble, read the paper, and covet your neighbor’s selections after your own have sadly disappeared. Beware, during peak hours it can be noisy and difficult to get a table.

• 6330 SW Capitol Highway, Portland OR. 97239 Map
• 503.244.7573

Crema Coffee & Bakery

This café/bakery is almost always busy. It’s gone through a few changes over the years but continues to provide a bevy of house-made baked goods. It’s a large, bright and cavernous space that can also be painfully loud at times, but no matter. When the weather is fine, large garage doors open to the street, reminding Portlanders why we put up with 6 months worth of gray and rain each year. Expect scones, croissants and other breakfast type pastries, alongside cheddar corn biscuits, bread puddings, and very popular chocolate bread. They have recently opened a second branch closer in, so they are even easier to get to from downtown.

• 2728 Southeast Ankeny Street, Portland OR. 97214 Map
• 390 NE Couch, Portland OR. 97232  Map
• (503) 234-0206

 Decadent Creations Bakery – Hillsboro

You may have seen Decadent Creations at Beaverton Farmers Market. It opened in 2010 and quickly gained a following for their focus on local, natural ingredients. But it was owner Mindy Simmons’ win of a 2015 episode of the television show Chopped that brought them the most attention (season 23, episode 5). She won the ‘Chocolate Rush!’ episode in which she prepared a three-course meal, working chocolate into every dish. Since then the bakery which specializes in scratch-made goods has thrived. It’s in an old restored house on the edge of the downtown core. The interior is bright and open with plenty of seating both up and downstairs. Even better, there are lots of picnic tables outside for warm days. This is not a bread bakery. The focus here is on cakes, cookies, pastries, and a few pies as well as a small selection of breakfast sandwiches. I’m a sucker for anything with lemon curd and their scone, layered with a liberal dollop makes my knees weak. The same goes for the “decadent bar”. I like to get off the train at Cornell road and walk to the bakery and I frequently get something for the walk back. On a rare sunny day, the bar kept nagging me, and the bag was feeling heavy, so I decided it would be silly to wait for after dinner. As the flavors exploded across my palate I sat on the nearest bench and closed my eyes, overwhelmed with memories of my grandmother’s pastries from so long ago – coconut, almonds, dark chocolate, and salted caramel.

The breakfast sandwiches are as good as any I’ve had in Portland. Two types, one with a potato roll and another with a savory biscuit which manages to be moist and friable, yet holds together. My favorite is the Cowboy with crispy bacon, egg, roasted poblano and good aioli. Is it worth the drive from Portland? I’d say yes. Even better, take the train. Wander around the quaint old Hillsboro downtown. Swing by the bakery, explore the town – don’t miss the hobby shop that will make you flashback to your childhood.

You can read our full review of Decadent Creations here.

• 171 NE 3rd Ave, Hillsboro, OR. 97124  Map
• You’ll also find them at Beaverton Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.  Map
• (503) 430-7619

Fleur De Lis Bakery and Cafe

Fleur De Lis bakery is in the old Hollywood Library building at NE 40th and Hancock, which retains its library roots in the architecture of the building. Tall floor to ceiling windows allows light to spill into the room. Coffee and coffee drinks are available, all Stumptown blends. Owner Greg Mistell specializes in artisan French bread and pastries, of which there is a large selection: airy little apple puffs, flavorful rhubarb tarts, wonderful scones – may be the best in town – are available every day. For almond lovers, the almond ring is a winner, exactly the way it should taste on a perfect crust. The croissants are flaky, light, and buttery without being oily, unmistakably authentic. The pain au chocolat has a good amount of excellent bittersweet chocolate running through it. One of these and a cup of coffee and I’m set for the morning. Other notable offerings: walnut pecan rolls, cinnamon rolls, pecan coffee cake, apple mazurka, blueberry scones, orange-currant scones, banana-walnut scones. Not only is this an excellent bakery, but they have breakfast and lunch items such as pancakes, omelets, egg sandwiches, salads, sandwiches, etc. There is plenty of space to spread out – family-friendly and a patio out front.

• 3930 NE Hancock St, Portland, OR 97212  Map
• (503)459-4887

Grand Central Bakery

#6 in Best Bakeries 2017. Though Grand Central Bakery has its roots in Seattle, the first Portland branch opened way back in 1993. Since then, they have slowly expanded to seven branches, all featuring local and sustainable ingredients. The bakery has a wide selection of bread: sesame currant loaf, como, ciabatta, levain, etc. Grand Central also has a large number of pastries, pretty much what you would expect to find, and they draw a large lunch crowd with a selection of made to order sandwiches and salads. Of course, you can get a variety of espresso drinks too. Also popular are their frozen U-Bake products – pie dough, pizza dough, puff pastry, and pies.

• GrandCentralBakery.com
• Multiple Portland branches – (map) see website for details

Grano Bakery & Market

Grano Bakery and Market is located in downtown Oregon City. After a recent rave in the Oregonian, we decided to drive out and pay them a visit. The bakery is easy to find and offers easy parking. The bakery is known for bread, so we bought two loaves, brioche, and a spelt flour loaf. At the same time, we bought several types of dessert bread, and a white nectarine polenta cake, and a chocolate rye hazelnut cookie.

We thought everything was just fine, but not up to the raves in the O. Their strength is definitely the bread. The brioche was light and airy, with just a slight sweetness. The spelt was great, dense but moist, ready for the dinner table.

Coffee, as seems to be true for many of the bakeries we’ve visited, was awful – I threw mine away.

If you are in the area, definitely give Grano Bakery a try, but I wouldn’t drive all the way to Oregon City for it.

• 1500 Washington St, Oregon City, OR 97045  Map
  
• (503) 882-2980

Helen Bernhard Bakery

Helen Bernhard is a Portland institution. In a city with Parisian quality patisserie and James Beard award-winning artisan bakeries, sometimes you just want a good old-fashioned American Bakery. Helen Bernhard will take you back in time, to the kind of bakery with a scuffled Formica floor, a take a ticket number system for customers, cakes, cookies by the dozen, and even that antiquated, “ladies who lunch” classic: petite fours. We keep coming back to Helen Bernhard’s because after being in business since 1924, they’ve perfected their craft. Bernhard’s also makes bread daily from thin-sliced white for canapés, to classic raisin bread.  A go-to for custom birthday and other cakes – always moist, light, perfect using real buttercream, vanilla, and sugar.

• NE Portland, Irvington: 1717 NE Broadway St Portland, OR 97232  Map
• (503) 287-1251

Ken’s Artisan Bakery

#2 in Best Bakeries 2017. Ken Forkish opened Ken’s Artisan Bakery in 2001 to accolades from Travel + Leisure, The Los Angeles Times and more. Known mostly for their artisan bread, Ken’s also makes a variety of pastries. Expect French traditional selections like croissants, cannelés, brightly colored macarons, and seasonal fruit tarts. American-style baked goods include pound cakes, Valrhona chocolate chip cookies, and flaky, sweet, orange Morning Buns. This café is a popular spot on bustling NW 21st. Expect long lines and hectic service during the morning rush and especially on the weekends. However, hit it on an off time and have a moment of relaxation with a cup of coffee and a pastry. Ken’s has recently started offering pastries along with pizza at Trifecta Annex in Pine Street Market, SW/Downtown. In 2012, Ken wrote Flour Water Salt Yeast: The Fundamentals of Artisan Bread and Pizza for which he won a James Beard Foundation award. It remains Amazon’s #1 in the bread baking category. Want more? Try Ken’s Artisan Pizza, which is consistently voted one of the best in Portland by our readers.

We have an interview with owner Ken Forkish here.

• Artisan Bakery: 338 NW 21st Ave, Portland. Map  (503) 248-2202
• Trifecta Tavern: 726 SE 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97214 (503) 841-6675  Map
• Trifecta Annex: 126 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204   Map (503) 841-6675

Jinju Patisserie

Jinju Patisserie, new for 2019, is one of the best dessert stops in Portland. Everything from the little chocolates to the desserts are flooding Instagram with breathless descriptions. This is well deserved; their creations are gorgeous. I happened to review Jinju just after I finished the La Rose review, so had an easy time comparing my top choices for the best patisserie. I don’t remember ever seeing such beautiful pastries in the past, and if you show up to a gathering with a box of these you’ll be serenaded with ooh’s and aah’s. One in particular, a peanut butter chocolate bar, stopped me in my tracks, and I leaned against a wall while I finished it. The brownies were very good as were the macarons and the six-layered chocolate mousse cake. The jewel-like bon-bons are a must try and reasonably priced. Be sure to pick some up.

My only complaint about JinJu is everything is incredibly sweet. Yes, I know this is pastry, but it is over the top for my palate. Still, I’ll be back when I’m in the area.

• 4063 North Williams Ave., Portland, OR. 97227  Map
• (503) 838-7728
• Be warned – closed Tues – Wed.

La Rose Patisserie

As I’ve said before, I’ve considered adding the line to bakery reviews, “are the pastries as good as they look?” This is the first time not only can I say yes but to most of them I’ll say the flavor combinations are frequently even better than you expect.

Chef Dan calls La Rose a “modern pastry shop.” Outside of a few standards like delicate almond croissants ($4.50), Grolet’s influence shows in the carefully airbrushed pastries and jewel-like colors. A truly enthusiastic, happy baker, she uses flour, butter, and purees imported from France, matcha from Japan and durian from Thailand. Gorgeous cakes are her specialty, one encrusted six-tier version runs $3,000, but fear not, her more standard cakes are $60 and up, though the price tag on the custom ones is high enough to stop your heart; many start at $150.

There are a few things that make La Rose stand out from other bakeries. One is the balance of flavors. Take, for example, the tiramisu. We’ve all had it in restaurants; usually, it has too much alcohol, too much espresso or is teeth-shatteringly sweet. Not so the La Rose version. The dance between flavors is perfect in every bite ($5.99). Secondly, nothing is overly sweet. Chef Dan mentioned several times that she always uses less sugar than normal for everything including the caramel which I find enhances rather than distracts from the overall flavors. You can read our (updated) full review here.

• 17020 SW Whitley Way, Suite 102, Beaverton OR. 97006  Map
• (971) 217-0838

Lauretta Jean’s

#5 in Best Bakeries 2017. When you specialize in pies you’d better be Blue Ribbon State Fair worthy. Loretta Jean’s pulls through, with great pies – flaky crusts and tender, never too cloying sweet fillings. Pies are often seasonal: Strawberry in late spring, Blackberry in summer, S’mores Pie in winter. Other pies rotate on the menu from a textbook traditional pecan and coconut cream to a fancy pear strudel and salted honey pie. The Division Street location also acts as a breakfast-lunch spot with a tight menu of biscuits such as biscuits Benedict or biscuit egg sandwiches, while lunch offers homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches. The atmosphere is a flashback to cozy cafés, comfortable alone or with a friend. On a recent warm weekend evening, the cafe was packed with happy people. Don’t miss the pies in the cooler behind the register.

The downtown location also serves coffee and espresso drinks out of a tiny, but charming storefront.

• SE Portland: 3402 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202  Map (503) 235-3119
• Downtown: 600 SW Pine St., Portland 97205  Map  (503) 224-9236
• PSU Park Blocks Farmers Market (Saturdays Nov-Feb 9 am to 2 pm, 8:30 am to 2:00 pm Saturdays (March-Oct)  Map

Little T American Baker

Reader’s Choice #1 in 2017. Little T  quickly gained a legion of fans for their French baguette and other bread, and many people consider the best bakery in Portland. Though they have a comfortable seating area, the selection of pastries is usually limited to ten or so, but the focus shows in the food. The selections are flawless and sell out quickly, so get there reasonably early. Sometimes I get up early on Sunday morning and drive over just to beat the crowds and quietly indulge it still warm baked goods. I’ve been known to eat an entire mini-baguette in a sitting, and their toffee cookies call to me like a siren on the rocks. Just get over there and try them for yourself. In my opinion, Little T is easily one of Portland’s best bakeries.

• 2600 Southeast Division Street, Portland, OR. 97202.  Map
• (503) 238-3458
  

Lovejoy Bakers

A recent post on the Lovejoy Bakers Blog read, “Light, Airy, Buttery, Goodness.” Yep, that pretty much sums it up. Baked in the Viennoiserie style, this means baked goods here are in the classic patisserie tradition of feather-light croissants, creamy éclairs, and a very addictive hazelnut caramel tart. Scones are textbook British with the addition of things like crystallized ginger or dates. American treats include rich moist coffee cakes, muffins, and Walnut Cinnamon Gooey-Buns. This is also a full-service café serving breakfast and lunch alongside espresso and coffee.

• Pearl District: 939 NW 10th Avenue, Portland 97209  Map
• Northwest: 33 NW 23rd Pl, Portland OR 97210  Map

New Cascadia Traditional

This is a completely gluten-free bakery offering bread, pastries, and cookies. New Cascadia sells at the Portland Farmers Markets, but they also have a new storefront café near SE Hawthorne with coffee, tea, and other beverages. Cookies include peanut butter chocolate, ginger lemon, and a vegan chocolate chip version. Pastries include things like fruit pies, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes and brownies. Whole cakes are available by special order.

• 1700 SE 6th Avenue (at SE Market), Portland OR. 97214  Map
• Phone: 503-546-4901

Nuvrei

You’ll know you are there by the odor of baking pastry. “Founded by Owner/Pâtissier Marius Pop, Nuvrei is a pâtisserie in Portland’s Pearl District, known for skill, sophistication, and innovation. Marius Pop worked under François Payard in New York before returning to Portland to open his own shop. Trained in French techniques, Pop uses classic pastry as a platform for modern experimentation and creativity. Nuvrei uses the highest quality ingredients in all of their products, each made carefully by hand.” Nuvrei sells wholesale to many of Portland’s coffee houses and cafés, so you might already be familiar with their brioches, chocolate chew cookies, and croissants. Yet, Nuvrei also has a storefront located in the Pearl District, with a macaron store downstairs. Orders can be placed, including special orders for cakes by calling ahead. Look for the macaron bakery hidden below street level on NW 10th st. Their products are also available at many Portland coffeehouses.

• 404 NW 10th Avenue, Portland OR. 97209  Map
• (503) 546-8430

Oyatsupan Bakers

I’d heard rave reviews about the Japanese bakery, Oyatsupan, and made the treck to Beaverton with great expectations. They specialize in “oyatsu pan” bread you see in most of the Asian markets around town – soft, silky loaves that are baked in a pan. I always pick up a loaf to munch on over the next few days.

The Oyatsupan space is bright and airy, one wall lined with bins of pastries that remind me of a 50’s automat – wander down the row with a pair of tongs and a tray, oohing and aahing over the cute little pastries. You’ll find all kinds:  mini chocolate croissants, puff pastry, red bean rolls, cinnamon rolls and more. There is also a refrigerated section for more perishable items and a selection of savory pastries like a terrific jalapeno bread.

It’s a fun experience to wander down the row of pastries, and if you want to take photos for your Instagram feed, this is the place.  Service is great, and the whole place has a friendly, family atmosphere. A musician is frequently playing in the corner. Oyatsupan has a small selection of sandwiches, but I tried the hotdog, which was interesting – made with a pastry bun with a glaze of mustard which is baked on. Prices are a bit higher than you may be used to; about $2.50 and up, but they are worth it. The only negative I can come up with is the coffee – it’s not very good.

The bakery is easily worth the drive to Beaverton, especially if you are heading that way. Your kids will love it. You can read our full review of Oyatsupan here.

• 16025 SW Regatta Lane, Beaverton, OR.  97006  Map
• (503) 941-5251

 Papa Haydn

A Portland dining institution, Papa Haydn are full restaurants, but they are best known for their huge selection of desserts. Desserts are available for carryout and are often from the ooey-gooey chocolate and dairy-rich school of pastries, but hey there’s nothing wrong with that. They often look like something you’d expect to see on the British Baking Show. Expect a large selection of New York-style cheesecakes, panna cotta, and crème brulee alongside Dobos torte, Cassata cake, and a variety of cream and fruit pies. Whole cakes are available for order with 24 hours advanced notice, and they do offer an extensive custom wedding cake service. One warning, both locations are extremely popular – be prepared to wait for a table.

• SE Portland: 5829 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland OR. 97202  Map
• (503) 232-9440

• NW Portland: 701 NW 23rd Ave, Portland OR. 97210  Map
• (503) 228-7317

Piece of Cake Bakery

This bakery in the Sellwood neighborhood runs the gamut from elaborate tiered fantasy wedding and other cakes, to basic desserts, cookies, and other treats. Cakes come in a huge amount of types and flavor combinations. These include standards such as carrot, lemon poppy seed, and Devil’s Food, alongside oatmeal cake, apple rum, berry, and chocolate peanut butter. They even provide options such as sugar-free, vegan, and gluten-free. You name it, they can probably make it. Living up to their namesake, Piece of Cake has all of their cakes for sale by the slice, while whole cakes come to order in several sizes. Pies include fruit versions as well as a signature Key Lime. Cupcakes, brownies, and tiramisu round out the offerings. This is not a place to visit if you are claustrophobic –  it is jammed from counter to ceiling with sample cakes, cake decorations and other bakery accouterments such as bride and groom toppings, ribbons and boxes. They do wedding cakes and custom orders, of course.

• 8306 Southeast 17th Ave., Portland OR. 97202  Map
• (503) 234-9445

Pix Pâtisserie

Pix is the Parisian princess of the Portland sweet shops, showing up in international guidebooks and is a de facto stop for many visiting guests and locals alike. Part quirky “date” bar serving champagne and other cocktails, part daytime cafe with the usual fixings, and part dessert shop, the funky French thrift store decor and late-night hours only add to the vibe. Yet, Pix is also a serious patisserie and chocolatier featuring classic small pastry offerings such as Dobos torte, Gateau Opera, Macarons, and various creative creams, cakes and tarts. Their signature Amelie once won the Patis France Chocolate Competition. It is made with orange vanilla crème brûlée atop a glazed chocolate mousse, caramelized hazelnuts, praline crisp, and Cointreau génoise.  Chocolates include house soaked kir cherries covered in dark chocolate and a variety of infused, stuffed and flavored selections; they also make their own ice-creams. Pix has won many awards for having one of the best wine lists in the nation, and the best Champagne and Sparkling Wine List in the World… and the staff is knowledgeable about many selections. Look for special events such as their prix fixe dessert dim sum, spirit and dessert pairings, or kitschy movie nights.

• 2225 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214  Map
• (971) 271-7166

La Provence & Petite Provence Boulangerie and Patisserie

La Provence has three formidably sized locations in the Portland area, and one in the Dalles, making them more Grande Provence than Petite. And even though this self-proclaimed boulangerie and patisserie have an extensive menu more suited to a restaurant, including sandwiches, soups, salads, and full breakfast, they do indeed offer a huge selection of pastries. Look for French favorites such as croissants, pain aux raisins, and palmiers alongside more Yankee sweets such as Bear Claws, fruit turnovers and coffee cakes. Dessert pastries are indeed quite Gallic though, including Chocolate Mousse, Strawberry Charlotte, and a classic apple and salted butter caramel Tart Tatin. Custom catering orders and wedding cakes are also available.

• 15964 SW Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego, OR 9703 5 Map  (503) 635 4533
• 1824 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211  Map  (503) 284-6564
• 4834 SE Division, Portland, OR 97206  Map (503) 233-1121
• 937 NE Orenco Station Loop, Hillsboro, OR 97124  Map (503) 747-3667
• 15151 SW Barrows Rd #153, Beaverton, OR 97007  Map  (971) 246-8627

Random Order Coffeehouse and Bakery

Random Order is a neighborhood café that makes cakes, pies, and other baked goods, but also sources from bakeries such as the Pearl Bakery. Yet when it comes to house-made pies, this is where Random Order really shines. Expect a dozen or so choices on any given day, including Banana Rum cream pie, Vanilla Apple Salted Caramel, or Oregon Cherry. Random Order Coffeehouse & Bakery has a full liquor license and is open till around 11 pm Thurs – Sat, making it a perfect stop for an end of the evening Spanish Coffee and a slice of Chocolate Cream pie, or a warm-up with a glass of champagne and a slice of Marion Berry pie before a night on the town. Pieces are available by the slice, or whole pies are available upon special order. Contact them for details, and be sure to reserve in advance for major holidays.

• 1800 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211  Map
• (971) 340-6995

Soro Soro Coffee & Dessert

While I can appreciate cute desserts, what is most important to me is the taste. Soro Soro, the new Korean bakery on 22nd and SE Burnside has very cute products which have catapulted them into the spotlight. But how do they taste? The coffee is just fine – a rarity in bakeries – though I wish they had a traditional cappuccino. Soro Soro uses Stumptown for espresso drinks and they have a selection of both hot and cold tea. But the pastries are a mixed bag. All of them are pretty adorable, but on our first visit which was a Saturday, most were just average; not that this is a bad thing. But on a later weekday visit everything was much better so we added Soro Soro to this list. Order your food and find a table, but keep your eye on the counter – your food will be waiting for you when it is ready. A plus: everything is on a tray with some little cream puffs to make you smile.

Of all the offerings, and we managed to consume eight of them in a sitting, the best were the cheesecakes and a peanut butter crumble. Those are better than you find in most bakeries. Overall, the space is great, with room to sit and a nice communal vibe, the service is excellent, and the pastries are just fine. I’d go again if I were in the area.

• 2250 E Burnside, Unit C, Portland, OR 97214  Map
• (503) 265-8236

St Honoré Boulangerie

#4 in Reader’s Choice Best Bakeries 2017. A quintessential Parisian style cafe/bakery/patisserie, or at least an American fantasy version of one. We’ll let you be the judge of St. Honoré’s quality and authenticity, but feel free to read our hotly debated review from 2007. However, on my last few visits, I thought the food has improved across the board.

A variety of croissants, brioche, and other classic French sweet breads share space with tarts, custard flavored Canelet, and Chouquettes – sugary, puffy baked pastry balls made from buttery pate á choux dough. Desserts include several French classics such as Eclairs, Napoleons, fruit and pastry cream-filled Mille Fleurs, and the like. A great selection of sandwiches and salads are also available, making this a great place to end a hike in Forest Park, or from the second location, stroll around SE Division. Both are close to Salt & Straw – why not throw the diet out the window and truly go for it!

• NW Portland: 2335 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR 97210  Map (503) 445-4342
• SE Division: 3333 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202  Map  (971) 279-4433
• Lake Oswego: 315 1st St, Lake Oswego, OR 97034  Map  (503) 445-1379
• Downtown: 501 SW Broadway St., Portland, OR 97205  Map (503) 954-3049

Sweetpea Baking Co.

100% vegan, Sweetpea offers standard bakery fare, sans animal products, including cakes, cupcakes, cookies and other pastries. Boston Cream Pie, Banana Peanut Butter, Chocolate Decadence, Lemon Chiffon are but a few of the flavors. They can make cakes, gluten-free in many cases, and can make some baked goods soy-free as well. Custom orders, including wedding cakes, are available. The storefront is also a café offering soups, sandwiches and coffee/espresso beverages.

• 1205 Southeast Stark Street, Portland OR. 97214 Map
• (503) 477-5916

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