Th/Fri at 10am
Duration: 2.5 hours
$59 per person
Approx. 1 mile walking
The Essentials:
Try at least 3 types of coffee and multitudes of donuts at a total of 4-5 stops that locally roast or produce all of their food & drink items. There’s also plenty of quirky Portland history along the way, and interactive lessons from the experts themselves.
Stops
4-5 coffee and/or donut stops.
Group Size
Small groups of 2-8 people per tour.
Start & End Location
Starts in the heart of downtown Portland. Ends approx. 1 mile away from the start location. An email will be sent with detailed meeting location details immediately after booking.
Dietary Requirements
If your diet does not allow coffee or donuts then this tour is not for you. This tour is not recommended for caffeine-free individuals, but can be accommodated if requested (note that caffeine-free substitutions are not available at every stop). Please note all donut shops use ingredients containing gluten, soy, eggs, and dairy.
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Or check out our Food Cart, Pods, & Patios Tour!
Looking For a Weekend Tour?
Our Willamette Valley Wine Tour is available every Saturday, May-September!
About This Tour:
Of all the things to take very seriously, coffee is one of the best. Portlanders know this, being home to more coffee and tea purveyors than anywhere in the USA. Donuts might not rank highly on your list, but they do in Portland, and we’re certain we can convince you why.
This isn’t just a tour of Portland’s cafe scene, but also an exploration of coffee and donuts in their own right and how they came to be a modern mainstay in America. Learn how to pour the perfect cup of coffee, sip unique cold brew straight from the tap, and learn how Portland plays into coffee’s long history. Devour many types of donuts in off-the-beaten path shops, from classic to new flavors, including a donut that takes 3 days to make!
Across 4-5 stops, you’ll see Portland’s vibrant cafe culture and learn from the experts themselves on what makes an unforgettable morning experience.
Note: we do not visit Voodoo or Blue Star during this tour as they are on the common tourist track – instead we keep it local.
What You'll Do:
Enjoy artisanal coffee by learning how to appreciate the perfect pour-over from a quintessential Portland coffee shop.
Learn how Portland created coffee's "third wave," where it shifted from being a mass-produced staple to a finely sourced, highly crafted product.
Of the 10 billion donuts produced in the USA daily, sample some of the finest from Portland’s donut ecosystem which favors locally produced ingredients and unique flavors.
Sip some on-trend nitro cold brewed coffee poured straight from the tap from Portland's most celebrated roastery.
Try a unique donut that takes 3 days to make, an infinitely layered donut where each buttery bite tastes better than the last.
Experience a specialty latte and learn how this family-run cafe has kept Portlanders coming back for over 15 years.
Watch:
YouTube
Check out our tour highlight reel and see why you need to discover Portland’s coffee and donut scene with us!
YouTube
Our founder, Michelle, was featured in this Travel Oregon video about why using local guides are the best way to explore Oregon.
Featured In:
Exploring Local Craft Coffee And Donuts
"Portland Oregon isn’t just one of the quirkiest places on the West Coast, it’s the coffee and donut capital of the world. Enter Michelle, Julie, Lauren, and Ryan, local foodies and guides who want to take you on a fun tour of Portland’s best drinks and treats."
Customer Reviews:
“My brother and I were able to get in at the last minute and are so glad we did! Michelle was a great guide! Super fun and very knowledgeable. The coffee was great, the donuts were delicious, and it was cool to see places a little bit off the beaten path.”
myerslexie
January 2020
“I had such a fun time on my food tour with Michelle. She was engaging and bubbly and a delight to be around. I learned so much about coffee and donuts and we tried a nice variety in the downtown area. It was cool listening to the stories of how donuts and coffee influence the area. Thanks for showing me around and I look forward to taking another tour with you guys!!”
Kathryn Kelly
September 2019
“We had a wonderful tour with Michelle! She was very knowledgeable about the places we visited, the donut and coffee history of Portland, and many other little tidbits about the city. It was a great way to learn about the city and taste some delicious food! We were stuffed at the end of the tour. Michelle also gave us a great recommendation for wine tasting and other restaurants in town. I love that this is a small family-run business. Everyone we met was delightful! I would definitely do another tour with Lost Plate.”
Texasgirlamby
August 2019
“I’ve lived in Portland for almost 5 years now and hadn’t been to any of the 5 stops on the tour! The coffee education was fantastic – I learned a lot about the history of Portland and coffee and their relationship. The donuts were delicious and I loved the variety and styles of shops and donuts & coffee we tried out! I’ll be taking more friends and family on this tour!”
Elizabeth
June 2019
COVID-19 Health & Safety.
- We're taking the following steps on this tour to keep your safety our priority:
- Flexible Cancellation Policy: We have always offered one of the most flexible cancellation policies in the industry and that hasn’t changed. You are able to reschedule your tour or receive a 100% refund for all cancellations made at least 48 hours before the tour start time. Your reservations with Lost Plate are worry-free.
- Reduced group sizes of 6-10 people, not including your guide, are currently in place for public tours. Due to the limited group size, everyone in your party must book a spot, including infants and children of all ages. Parties over 10 cannot be accommodated at this time. Private tours of the same size are possible and subject to availability and private tour pricing.
- Symptom-Free: We require that all guides and guests are free of any symptoms. Guides or guests showing symptoms of any illness, including fever, cough, or shortness of breath, will be asked to not join the tour.
- Social Distancing Measures: We will maintain social distance whenever possible during the tour. We follow all local regulations and restaurant requirements, which means it’s possible your group may be seated at multiple tables at a venue.
- Masks: There is no longer a face mask mandate in Oregon, however, the establishments we visit may require you to wear a face mask and/or show proof of vaccination. Plan on carrying your face mask and COVID-19 vaccination card with you. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact us prior to your tour.
- Sanitization: Hand sanitizer and/or hand-washing facilities will be provided at each stop.
- Individual Portions: When possible, all portions will be served in individual servings. If larger dishes must be shared, public utensils will be made available to ensure each guest’s safety.
- All restaurants that we visit follow local requirements. Temperature checks, proof of vaccination, personal registration, and/or other screening may be required. It is the guest’s responsibility to meet requirements at each stop.
- Your guide has the right to refuse service to anyone not complying with safety protocols. If you have any questions or concerns with any of these details, please contact us before your tour begins. All Lost Plate tour guides are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will I be drinking full-size coffees and whole donuts at each stop?
All coffee is poured in easy-to-drink sizes at each stop; all coffee sampled over the entire tour equates to about 2 full cups of coffee.
All donuts eaten over the entire tour equates to about 5-6 whole donuts. Donuts are served in portions so you’ll be able to try a lot more than5-6 flavors and varieties.
How do I know what coffee and donuts to try?
The best thing about this tour is that we do all the hard work for you! We have personally met with the owners and makers of these products and hand-selected the best coffee styles and donut types. We promise there is something for everyone!
Will I have the chance to purchase coffee or donuts to take home?
Each coffee shop sells bags of their coffee beans that you are able to purchase and take home. There are often unfinished donuts from the tour that you are able to take home, but if you would like to purchase more donuts to snack on later, you’re more than welcome to!
Will I need to walk very far?
This tour covers about 1 mile by foot, so we recommend leaving the heels at home. This distance is split up between 4-5 stops, so it’s roughly 5-8 minutes between each stop and a great chance to digest a bit before the next stop. We also find that exploring by foot is the best way to explore the area and fun relics dotted throughout.
I’m a local Portlander, will your tours be fun for me?
Of course! We explore off the beaten path places you may not have tried yet. After our tour, you can impress your friends with all kinds of fun facts about Portland.
What if I’m vegetarian, vegan, or have food allergies?
Our tours have been designed to accommodate as many diets as possible while still remaining authentic and stupid delicious. If you cannot have coffee and donuts, then sadly this tour is not for you. Please let us know if you have any questions prior to booking.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts right on time at a local coffee shop in the heart of Downtown Portland. You’ll get the exact address, directions, and transportation details immediately after booking.
The end location is approx. 1 mile away from the start location.
How many people will be on my tour?
Our minimum is 2 and maximum is 8. There’s no flag to follow, or megaphone, or tacky uniforms. It’s small enough to be intimate, but big enough to get away with trying several dishes at each stop. You’ll get plenty of face-time with the experts. Bottom line is, you’ll follow the guide through a super-local experience and make friends along the way.
How long does this tour last?
This tour lasts about 2.5 hours and ends in a great part of Downtown, the Pearl District.
If you have any concerns about timing and meeting up based on your itinerary, let us know and we’ll see what we can do to make this as hassle-free as possible.
Can I bring my pet on a tour?
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed inside food and drink establishments in Portland. While we would love to meet your furry friend, pets are not able to join our tours for the comfort and safety of all guests and vendors.
Can I smoke in the tour?
For the safety and comfort of our guests and guides, all tours are smoke-free. This includes nicotine, cannabis, and vape devices.
Should I sign up for multiple Lost Plate Tours? Are they all different?
We have many happy customers who do more than one of our tours in Portland. We have designed our tours to focus only on very different parts of the city and different cuisines. This means that each dish, story, and vibe is unique to each tour and there aren’t any repeats.
Most people are very surprised how broad the culinary scene is in Portland, and our tours are a good way to discover those differences. We cover everything from food carts to private kitchen experiences, morning coffees to wine tastings. We encourage you to pick the tours that best fit your itinerary and we offer a 10% discount if booking more than one tour.
Do you offer private tours for special groups/events?
Yes we do! If you would like to book a special tour for your organization or group, just contact us and we’ll take care of you.
Do you offer discounts?
We sure do! If you decide to do more than one tour with us we are happy to offer you a 10% discount off your total amount. It doesn’t matter if the tour is in the same city or a different city, we want to keep feeding you as long as you let us. Our online booking system will automatically deduct the discount from your total if booking online at the same time. If you decide to add more tours later, your original confirmation email will include a promo code to use on those bookings.
What is your cancellation policy?
Bookings cancelled 2 days (48 hours) or more before your tour are fully refundable (100% refund). Bookings cancelled within 48 hours notice are not refundable. Cancellations must be communicated by email to info@lostplate.com or by phone. If you would like to reschedule your tour with less than 48 hours notice, we will need to charge 50% of your total since we are unable to fill your spots at short notice.