Photo: Google
Photo: Google
Photo: Google
Ken's Artisan Bakery
★4.4(1,041 reviews)$$Ice Cream
🕑 30-45 minutes👶 Best for all ages. Toddlers and preschoolers love pointing at the colorful gelato flavors and watching the bustling bakery action, while older kids appreciate choosing their own treats and enjoying more adventurous flavors. The casual atmosphere welcomes families with children of any age.🧡 Saved by 80+ families
About
Ken's Artisan Bakery is a beloved Portland institution where families can treat themselves to exceptional housemade gelato and sorbets alongside world-class pastries and wood-fired pizza. The NW 21st Avenue location offers a cozy café atmosphere where kids can watch bakers at work while enjoying sweet and savory treats that appeal to even the pickiest eaters.
Highlights
- ✓Housemade gelato and sorbets in rotating seasonal flavors
- ✓Open bakery where kids can watch dough being shaped and pizzas going into the wood-fired oven
- ✓Exceptional morning buns, croissants, and kid-friendly pastries
- ✓Wood-fired pizzas available for lunch and dinner
- ✓Cozy café seating perfect for a family breakfast or afternoon treat
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive early morning for the freshest pastries and shorter lines,weekends get very busy after 9am
- 2.Grab a window seat so kids can people-watch along trendy NW 21st Avenue while enjoying their treats
- 3.The gelato and sorbet flavors rotate, so ask for samples before committing,staff are very accommodating with indecisive kids
- 4.Consider taking treats to go and walking to nearby Couch Park (3 blocks away) for a picnic
- 5.Street parking can be challenging,arrive via public transit or plan extra time to find a spot
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings (8-10am) offer the calmest experience with fresh-from-the-oven pastries. Avoid weekend brunch hours (9am-1pm) when lines stretch out the door. Late afternoon (3-4pm) is perfect for an after-school gelato treat with shorter waits.
What to Know
Prices are moderate ($$) with pastries around $4-6 and gelato $5-8. Limited seating means you may need to take treats to go during busy times. Street parking only,metered spots available on surrounding blocks.
Seasonal Notes
Summer brings refreshing sorbet flavors perfect for hot Portland days. The bakery operates year-round with seasonal pastry specials during holidays. Patio seating may be available in warmer months, making it easier to accommodate families.
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