Portland has a very vibrant food scene. We are lucky to have so many places to shop for one of our favorite food groups…CAKE! Okay, maybe it isn’t a food group, but it is a category that is near and dear to our hearts. Spring seems to be birthday season for many families, and typically with birthdays, there is cake. Heck, you don’t even need a birthday to enjoy these local cakes. And don’t get us wrong; we love Costco cakes as much as the next person; however, sometimes you want something a little more special. We have compiled a list of the best cakes in the Portland metro area.
The Cakery – When you think of the quintessential cake shop, The Cakery is it. This place is ADORABLE! The Cakery is the cake part of the Baker & Spice Bakery. They are located a few doors down from each other in Hillsdale. Both are amazing. Get food at Baker & Spice and a cake from the Cakery! You got yourself a party! The cakes at The Cakery are smaller and oh-so-cute, but they really offer a lot of cake in a small footprint. Lots of great flavors are available as well!
Decadent Creations Bakery – This bakery is located in Hillsboro in a cute older house-turned-store with many great desserts. The cakes are pretty and yummy. One of the best flavors is the Louisette, a yellow cake with raspberry compote, lavender mousse, raspberry cream cheese, and a coconut macaroon crumble. OH MY! They also offer toppers for sale for the cakes, including these choices: fresh berries, fresh seasonal flowers, macarons, and shaped sugar cookies.
Farina Bakery – Specializes in pastries and is famous for its French macarons. Let’s be honest, the macarons are the main event. However, they also have really great cakes and cupcakes too. It is an excellent place for a quick slice or to feed your next group gathering.
Helen Bernhard Bakery – This bakery has served cakes and pastries in Portland since 1924. Their cakes are made from scratch daily and come in various flavors, including German Chocolate, Red Velvet, and Lemon Chiffon. And BIG BONUS, they have Barbie cakes. What a perfect treat for the new Barbie movie!
Kyra’s Bake Shop – A dedicated gluten-free bakery that has won multiple awards for its gluten-free cupcakes, cakes, and other goodies. The owner, Kyra Bussanich, is the only 4-time winner of Cupcake Wars on the Food Network. She learned to bake gluten-free in a desire to reclaim her health. The cakes are gorgeous and delicious.
The Hungry Hero – This bakery is known for its great staff and how inclusive they are. AND their cakes and other desserts are delicious to boot! The fan favorite is the red velvet cake, but they have lots of different flavors sure to be able to fit your needs. This adorable shop deserves a stop-by!
Papa Haydn – This is legit old-school Portland royalty. This classic Portland bakery has been around since 1978 and is known for its delicious desserts. They have an extensive cake menu with options like Blackout Cake, Tiramisu Cake, and Carrot Cake. They have a long wait to order their cakes (because they are that good), so hop on their “buttercream line” (their cake ordering portal) and preorder your cake.
Petunia’s Pies and Pastries – Offers gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-sensitive cakes known for their dreamy, creamy, and delectable caked flavors. Their website says, “We make downright delicious desserts that are guaranteed to please any tummy. Whether that tummy is gluten-free, vegan, or not!” They rotate flavors on their layer cakes, and you could be lucky enough to enjoy Coconut Mango Lime or Chocolate Peanut Butter Bomb.
We want to give a special shout-out to Banning’s Restaurant and Pie House. Banning’s has GIANT delicious cakes. Our personal favorite is the Berry Poppyseed cake. However, Banning’s recently had a kitchen fire and is in the process of rebuilding. They have been around since 1979 and are a staple in the community. Please visit them when they are back up and running.
We hope you find some family favorites with this list. Where do you get your cakes? Are there bakeries we missed? We would love to hear about your family’s birthday cake traditions.
Johanna is married with two kids, three dogs, three cats, one leopard gecko, several chickens, and a few fish. She has been in the Pacific Northwest since the dream was alive in the 90s but has Southern roots and hails from Arkansas. The family spends a lot of time at some sort of sporting event for the kids. Johanna likes to fast craft, garden, host parties, and bake. Johanna and her crew go hard traveling, DIY-ing, and are always up for a new adventure or challenge.