Blue Star Donuts
Doughnuts · Goose Hollow, Portland
Restaurant in Portland, United States
The Read
Brioche-Base Precision
Chef
Katie Popp
Dress
Casual
Why go
Blue Star Donuts is Portland's strongest case for a late-night sweet stop, with evening hours until 22:00 most days and OAD Cheap Eats recognition (#129 in North America, 2025). No reservation required, accessible pricing. Best used as a post-dinner detour rather than a standalone destination.
About Blue Star Donuts
The Verdict
Blue Star Donuts earns its spot on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats in North America list; ranked #129 in 2025, up from #169 in 2024; which tells you this place is moving in the right direction and has credible outside endorsement. If you are in Portland and want a late-night sweet stop, the evening hours (open until 22:00 most days) make it a practical choice when nearly every other notable Portland doughnut shop has closed. For a special occasion that does not require a reservation or a dress code, this works well as a dessert detour or a low-key celebration treat.
Portrait
Blue Star Donuts operates out of 1701 SW Jefferson St in Portland, Oregon. The kitchen is led by chef Katie Popp. The concept sits firmly in the craft doughnut category: this is not a quick-service chain, but a focused operation with enough critical recognition to suggest real kitchen discipline behind the product.
What separates Blue Star from Portland's other doughnut options is availability after dark. The shop runs evening service (18:00–22:00) Tuesday through Sunday, adds a lunch window (12:00–14:00) on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. That evening window is rare in this category. Most craft doughnut shops in the Pacific Northwest run morning-only hours and sell out before noon. If you are planning a late dinner elsewhere and want to finish the night on something sweet, Blue Star is one of very few operations in Portland that can serve that role without requiring you to plan your entire day around a 7 AM doughnut run.
For a special occasion framing: this is not a white-tablecloth experience, but a well-regarded craft food stop that translates well to a date or a low-pressure celebration. Think of it as a considered ending to an evening in Portland rather than the main event. Pair it with dinner at Kann or a cocktail at one of Portland's bars, then walk over to Blue Star before 22:00.
Price range data is not available in the record, but OAD Cheap Eats inclusion signals this is accessible pricing by definition. You are not dropping serious money here. That makes it a low-risk add to any Portland evening itinerary.
Among Portland doughnut options, Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai and Holy Donut are the most direct peers to consider. Neither matches Blue Star's evening hours, which is the practical differentiator if you are planning around a dinner-first itinerary. If you are a doughnut-specific traveller comparing West Coast stops, Dynamo Donut & Coffee in San Francisco and The Doughnut Project in New York City operate in the same craft category but different markets.
Awards & Recognition
- Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats in North America, Ranked #129 (2025)
- Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats in North America, Ranked #169 (2024)
- Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats in North America, Recommended (2023)
Booking & Access
No reservation is required. Walk-in only, which makes this one of the easiest operations to access in Portland's food scene. Booking difficulty: easy. If you are planning a Portland evening that includes dinner at a reservation-required spot like Ken's Artisan Pizza or Berlu, Blue Star works as a no-friction follow-up with no advance planning required.
Practical Details
| Detail | Blue Star Donuts | Pip's Original Doughnuts | Holy Donut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Craft Doughnuts | Craft Doughnuts | Craft Doughnuts |
| Evening Hours | Yes (until 22:00) | No (morning-focused) | No (morning-focused) |
| Reservation Required | No | No | No |
| OAD Cheap Eats Listed | Yes (#129, 2025) | Not listed | Not listed |
| Not available | Not available | ||
| Booking Difficulty | Easy | Easy | Easy |
Address: 1701 SW Jefferson St, Portland, OR 97201. Phone number not publicly listed in our data. Check directly for current availability.
Hours
- Monday: 12:00–14:00, 18:00–22:00
- Tuesday: 18:00–22:00
- Wednesday: 18:00–22:00
- Thursday: 12:00–14:00, 18:00–22:00
- Friday: 12:00–14:00, 18:00–22:00
- Saturday: 12:00–14:00, 18:00–22:00
- Sunday: 12:00–14:00, 18:00–22:00
Explore More in Portland
- Our full Portland restaurants guide
- Our full Portland hotels guide
- Our full Portland bars guide
- Our full Portland wineries guide
- Our full Portland experiences guide
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: 12:00-14:00 18:00-22:00 · Tuesday: 18:00-22:00
- Location
- 1701 SW Jefferson St, Portland, OR 97201
- Website
- bluestardonuts.com
- Phone
- (503) 265-8410
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Blue Star Donuts reads as purposeful and unflashy: a shop built around technical discipline and pastry tradition rather than novelty. The tone is understated and everyday, serving commuters, hospital staff and neighborhood residents. The counter-focused layout keeps attention on the display case — finished doughnuts that signal consistency and craft — and the brioche-style dough gives the lineup a rich chew that feels artisanal without theatrics. Expect a calm, workaday energy where the product does the talking and the service keeps transactions short and efficient.
Best For
This is a breakfast and quick-grab destination that thrives on morning rhythm. References to commuters, queues and the immediate aroma of fried brioche position the shop for early-day visits and routine stops en route to work or shifts. It deliberately avoids an expanded brunch menu, keeping the focus narrow and the operation efficient, so it is best for solo runs, quick pairings with coffee, or casual neighborhood pickups rather than long lingering meals or multi-course dining.
Ordering Tips
Let the display case guide you: the piece emphasizes disciplined finishing and pastry-rooted flavor combinations, so pick visually consistent doughnuts that highlight technique. Signature flavors called out include blueberry bourbon basil, maple bacon, buttermilk old fashioned, orange olive oil and crème brûlée — selections that reference classic pastry profiles rather than gimmicks. Expect brief, counter-style service and possible queues during peak hours; aim for an earlier arrival if you want the widest selection from the case.
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- 12:00-14:00 18:00-22:00
- Tuesday
- 18:00-22:00
- Wednesday
- 18:00-22:00
- Thursday
- 12:00-14:00 18:00-22:00
- Friday
- 12:00-14:00 18:00-22:00
- Saturday
- 12:00-14:00 18:00-22:00
- Sunday
- 12:00-14:00 18:00-22:00
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Kann; Hatian, Haitian, Hatian, Haitian
- Nostrana; Italian, Italian
- Ken’s Artisan Pizza; Pizzeria, Pizzeria
- Coquine; New American, New American
- Multnomah Whiskey Library; Small Plates, Small Plates
Restaurant context
Against Portland's wider dining scene, Blue Star Donuts occupies a different tier entirely from sit-down options like Kann or Coquine; but that is the point. If you want a no-reservation, low-cost stop to close out an evening, Blue Star is the most critically recognised option in its category in the city. Kann and Nostrana require advance planning and a meaningful spend; Blue Star requires neither. Use them together rather than treating them as alternatives.
Within the craft doughnut category specifically, Blue Star's OAD Cheap Eats ranking (#129 in North America, 2025) gives it a credibility edge over most Portland competitors. Its evening hours are the practical differentiator: Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai and Holy Donut are strong daytime options, but neither serves past mid-afternoon. If your Portland itinerary involves dinner first; say, at Ken's Artisan Pizza; Blue Star is the only craft doughnut operation with hours that actually fit around it.
For a drinks-and-snacks evening, Multnomah Whiskey Library is a stronger destination if the priority is atmosphere and a long sit. Blue Star does not compete on that axis. Where it wins is simplicity: walk in, no spend commitment, critical endorsement, out before 22:00. For value-conscious visitors who want one confirmed-quality food stop in Portland without booking effort, Blue Star is the call.
Explore Portland
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Blue Star Donuts guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Blue Star Donuts
| Venue | Awards |
|---|---|
| Blue Star Donuts | 2025 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #1292024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #1692023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended |
| Kann | 2026 Food & Wine Top 10 US Restaurants · #92026 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1012026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 World's 50 North America's Best Restaurants · #272025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #802025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1172025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 Resy Best of the Hit List2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #97 |
| Nostrana | 2026 50 Top Pizza USA · #482026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 50 Top Pizza USA · #292025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #6012024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2352023 OAD Casual in North America Highly Recommended |
| Ken’s Artisan Pizza | 2026 50 Top Pizza USA · #102026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #1332025 50 Top Pizza USA · #82025 50 Top Pizza World Best Pizza · #432024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #3572023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended |
| Coquine | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #712026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #1372025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #592023 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #12023 OAD Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Ranked · #125Pearl Recommended Restaurants |
| Multnomah Whiskey Library | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2522024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2742023 OAD Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Ranked · #1012023 OAD Casual in North America Highly RecommendedPearl Recommended Bars |
Comparing your options in Portland for this tier.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Star Donuts good for solo dining?
Yes; this is one of the better solo stops in Portland. Walk-in only, no reservation pressure, a grab-and-go format means zero friction. OAD's Cheap Eats ranking confirms it delivers quality without requiring a commitment of time or spend.
Can Blue Star Donuts accommodate groups?
Groups are fine in terms of access; no reservation is needed and the format is walk-in. For larger parties, the practical consideration is whether the day's selection will have enough variety to go around, especially during peak lunch windows. Arrive early in a service window to give the group the widest choice.
Is lunch or dinner better at Blue Star Donuts?
Lunch is the more reliable window. The shop opens for lunch service most days (12:00–14:00), and donuts are typically freshest at the start of a service. Evening hours (18:00–22:00) exist but Tuesday and Wednesday are dinner-only with no lunch, so plan around the hours listed for SW Jefferson St.
What should a first-timer know about Blue Star Donuts?
No reservation, no booking app; just show up at 1701 SW Jefferson St during service hours. Blue Star has ranked on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats in North America list three years running, most recently at #129 in 2025, which gives you a calibrated sense of what to expect: serious craft at a casual price point, not a tourist gimmick.
Can I eat at the bar at Blue Star Donuts?
Blue Star Donuts is a donut-focused operation, not a seated bar concept. Seating and counter details are not confirmed in the venue record. Treat this as a counter-service stop rather than a sit-down experience, plan accordingly.
