Portland consistently ranks highly as a top destination for gluten free travelers. There exists an abundance of gluten free dining selections in Portland, often overwhelming visitors with options. Cities usually have one, perhaps two dedicated gluten free bakeries assuming they have any. But Portland, powered by a thriving culture of small businesses and creativity, houses AT LEAST five fully gluten free bakeries. You read correctly – five dedicated gluten free bakeries operate in Portland. Here`s an overview to help satisfy your cravings for scones, muffins, donuts or other goods.
All of the bakeries below are 100% gluten free and Celiac-safe. I don’t mess with mixed gluten free bakeries, because the risk of cross-contamination is just too high for me.
PS: We have an entire guide dedicated to helping you find the ideal place to stay in Seattle perfect place to stay in Seattle. For more detail on each of these areas, you’ll want to head there.
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5 Incredible Gluten Free Bakeries in Portland, Oregon
Here are some local bakeries serving gluten free baked goods during your Portland visit.
New Cascadia Traditional
New Cascadia is, without uncertainty, our preferred gluten free baker in Portland, and likely the Pacific Northwest. Their bread, which you can also find in neighborhood New Seasons Markets (a high-end grocery store) and Whole Foods in Portland, is beyond remarkable. Alysha and I dream about their Rustic Italian loaf, which is crunchy on the outside, and soft and airy on the inside.
I believe their breads stand apart due to their process. Most utilize natural leavening rather than commercial yeast commonly found, relying instead on a starter created from flour, water, and time. Similar to a sourdough starter now familiar post-2020, yet distinct from sourdough itself.
At their bakery located on Division Street in southeast Portland, visitors will find a breakfast menu including a biscuit sandwich that is a favorite of Alysha`s – adding bacon of course – alongside a small lunch selection and freshly baked breads and pastries such as scones, muffins, and cupcakes made on site. Their bagels are excellent as well.
They also make some of the top gluten free donuts in Portland. Their brioche donuts are a little thicker and chewier than typical fried donuts, but still delicious. Get the maple bar if available.
In a somewhat surprising development, they also have some of the best gluten free pizza we`ve ever tasted. It`s so good, in fact, that our last two birthday meals by request were from New Cascadia Pizza. The reason is the crust. Locating a thick crust pizza that is gluten free can be difficult, since achieving a fluffy texture is challenging using gluten free flour, but they replicated it by folding the edge of the crust under to create a double layer around the perimeter, which makes it feel like a thick crust pizza.
You can grab an 18” gluten free pizza on Thursday-Saturday nights, or a smaller version on their lunch menu. One might assume that $30+ is pricey for a pizza, however waiting until viewing this pizza may alter that assessment. It’s extremely large. It`s quite easily sufficient nourishment for two meals for two individuals.
All of their products are certified gluten free by GFCO, which means their gluten content tests below 10ppm. They have dairy free and vegan options too – most of their breads are vegan, and any allergens are labeled (or just ask one of their helpful staff members to assist you in finding something that meets your needs).
Dreaming of their bread, but can’t make it to Portland? You can order it online! We’ve done it multiple times, and if you order enough, the cost of shipping becomes less significant.
Location: 2502 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202 | Website
Kyra’s Bakeshop
Kyra’s eatery is notable because the founder is the sole four-time victor of Cupcake Wars. She shares a tale similar to most individuals who endure autoimmune disorders like Celiac Disease (with a notable exemption). In the beginning, she spent years searching for what was incorrect with few concrete answers from doctors. Eventually, after trying numerous approaches, she eliminated gluten, and has not looked back. Does this sound familiar? Most people I speak with that live with an autoimmune condition, (I have TWO, hashtag blessed) have some variation of a comparable story.
But here’s the exception.
Instead of complaining about gluten free baked goods of poor quality, which is one of my favorite pastimes (especially a decade ago when the only gluten free bread available was frozen and had the consistency of a frozen game puck), she became an exceptional gluten free baker. She actually attended Le Cordon Bleu’s pastry program, which I didn’t know until just now!
Regardless, Kyra`s bakeries are extraordinary. We sampled both doughnuts and cupcakes…twice. The cupcakes are phenomenal. “I would never know this is gluten free” – Alysha, the sole occasional indulger (only gluten free due to me).
We sampled a peanut butter chocolate cupcake, and a New York cheesecake cupcake, and they excelled at the cream cheese frosting on the cheesecake version.
The donuts are more like dessert in the form of a donut, which seems standard for gluten free donuts in most cases, but that doesn’t imply they aren’t delightful! We had Raspberry Crumb and Espresso Marionberry and cherished every bite.
Currently, there are two locations – one in Lake Oswego, and one in Portland on the western side of the river near downtown.
Address: Lake Oswego: 599 A Ave, Lake Oswego, OR 97034 | Portland: 685 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209 | Website
Petunia’s Pies and Pastries
If looking for a longer hike, I’d opt for either the Chesler Park Viewpoint (6 miles RT) or Druid Arch(11 miles RT).
They focus exclusively on gluten free AND vegan options, yet one would never guess it.
Again, the story behind Petunia’s strikingly resembles my own experience, and likely many of yours. The founder, Lisa Clark, was facing some health issues that led her to remove gluten and dairy from her diet. Lo and behold, she started feeling better! She launched Petunia’s in 2010 at some of Portland’s farmers markets, and it has been explosively successful since. The downtown Portland location opened in 2014, and is an obligatory visit for me on any trip to Portland.
At their bakery / cafe, you can find a wide range of sweet and savory treats like cupcakes, donuts, and biscuits, along with some more substantial meals. They also make amazing cakes, though I’ve never actually tried one of them.
In my opinion, the star attraction is the doughnuts. I`ve tried several doughnuts during past trips to Portland, and have never been let down. My favorite so far was the tiramisu-filled doughnut I had a few years ago, which might be among the best gluten free doughnuts I`ve ever had.
They also produce their ice cream on-site, which makes Petunia’s one of the best places to get gluten free ice cream in Portland. And you should absolutely get the house made waffle cone too, needless to say.
The selection of pastries alternates, and they sell out rapidly. Come early to have the best variety!
Address: 610 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97205 | Website
Gluten Free Gem
Gluten Free Gem is based near the eastern bank of the river and north of the Moda Center. It first opened in 2006 when owner Annie Miller’s daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, and they’ve experienced steady growth since. They relocated to the current place in 2017.
At Gluten Free Gem, you’ll discover all the familiar sweet items – muffins, coffee cakes, scones, and doughnuts, among other treats – along with some savory alternatives if sweets aren’t what you seek.
The standout item I’ve had over multiple visits to the shop is their marionberry coffee cake, which I thought was extraordinary.
If you’re seeking a gluten free birthday cake in Portland, this could be a good choice. They do customized cakes (72 hours notice necessary).
You can also find a small selection of their baked goods at your local New Seasons in Portland, along with traces of local coffee shops – such as Water Avenue, one of the finest coffee shops in Portland.
Address: 140 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232 | Website
Liberated Baking Co.
Technically located in Clackamas, approximately twenty minutes south of Portland, but close enough for inclusion on this list.
I couldn’t find too much information about them, but they are a dedicated gluten free bakery, so I decided to stop by and see what they had. You know, for science.
The highlights for us were the hand pies, which come in a variety of sweet and savory flavors like shepherds pie and cherry. They’re flaky and soft, and the fillings are good – I would definitely go back to try more of those.
While the marionberry scone did not visually resemble a traditional scone, it truly captured the taste and texture expectations. The fresh marionberry topping provided a pleasant tart counterbalance to the buttery, sweet scone portion.
You’ll also find a full breakfast and lunch menu, with items like bagel and biscuit sandwiches and chicken pot pie, but we were just there for the pastries.
Address: 16100 SE 82nd Dr, Clackamas, OR 97015 | Website
That wraps up this roundup exploring Portland`s dedicated gluten free bakeries!
Planning a gluten-free trip to Portland? Refer to additional Portland travel guides here forrecommendations on the perfect gluten-free eats.
- A complete resource for individuals with celiac disease visiting Portland
- Locations to find gluten free beer in Portland
- The top ciders available in Portland, Oregon (Cider bars + bottle shop options)
- Guide to the best neighborhoods for accommodations in Portland
- Highly-rated Airbnbs in Portland
- 14 unique hotels to consider in Portland, OR
- Great day excursions available from Portland
- A complete manual for planning an Oregon road trip
- Top-rated Airbnbs found across Oregon
