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A dozen mini-doughnuts from Pip’s Original, topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce
A birthday dozen from Pip’s
Seiji Nanbu/EPDX

Where to Find Birthday Freebies in Portland

Restaurants giving out free desserts, a brewpub slinging complimentary birthday beer, and the iconic Pip’s dozen

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A birthday dozen from Pip’s
| Seiji Nanbu/EPDX

Despite the hectic nature of running a food business right now, many Portland cafes and restaurants are still offering little complimentary treats for those who choose to visit on their birthday, from a free dessert to a stein of beer. Some spots require a purchase to opt in, while others give out zero-dollar desserts, no strings attached. The map below details all the finest birthday freebies in town, be it mini-doughnuts, tiramisu, or pineapple-caramel buttercream cake. To find a full-on birthday cake, this map could help.

Note: Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

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Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai

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Likely the best birthday freebie in town, Pip’s Original gives out a dozen free birthday doughnuts to those who come in on their birthday — or within the next seven days. As always, every doughnut is made hot and fresh to order. Those willing to shell out a few extra bucks can pair the doughnuts with some of the city’s finest chai. Visitors need to be able to prove their birth date (via a driver’s license, for instance).

Dutch Bros Coffee

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This Oregon-founded coffee kiosk chain has its fair share of devotees, who sip elaborate drinks out of colorful straws on a regular basis. Those who download the Dutch Bros app can get a free drink on their birthday, as long as they are 13 years old or older. That counts toward any drink on the menu, from the chocolate-macadamia nut Annihilator to the Mangonada lemonade.

Pastini

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Pastini fans may remember when this Oregon-based Italian chain offered a full-on entree for birthday visitors; while those days are gone, customers can still get a free dessert after a birthday meal, be it a slab of tiramisu or a scoop of gelato. The restaurant’s chocolate tartufo — chocolate cake with a chocolate truffle center — may be the move, in terms of sheer decadence. Pastini operates locations throughout Portland, as well as cities like Eugene and Bend.

Portland City Grill

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Portlanders can stop in the Portland City Grill for stunning views of the city below, plus a free chocolate ganache lava cake for diners on their birthday. Those interested should let staff know when making a reservation and they’ll take care of the rest; gluten-free diners can swap out the cake for creme brulee or sorbet. No purchase necessary.

Mama Mia Trattoria

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This downtown Italian restaurant, with its red velvet curtains and hanging chandeliers, has some of the most tantalizing desserts available in town — things like zeppole (Italian doughnuts), cheesecake, cannoli, or tiramisu. Customers can choose from the list for a free birthday dessert, as long as they start with dinner. Mama Mia is open for takeout, delivery, and onsite dining.

Urban Farmer Portland

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Urban Farmer’s newsletter subscribers get a free birthday dessert each year, and this isn’t just a basic cookie giveaway: desserts range from pineapple caramel buttercream cake to lemon cream pie, as well as a seasonal selection of ice cream and sorbet. Those interested can sign up here.

The Melting Pot

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This chain of fondue spots operates a downtown Portland location, where couples on dates and groups of teens on prom night dunk bread and fruit in pots of molten cheese. After a birthday dinner, customers of the Melting Pot can get a complimentary box of six chocolate-covered strawberries. A purchase is required, and there’s a limit of one box per table (sorry, twins). Sign up with Club Fondue (essentially the Melting Pot mailing list), and let the team know 24 hours prior to the reservation if you’re coming in for a birthday.

Rogue Eastside Pub & Pilot Brewery

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Drinkers can chase down all that birthday cake in true Portland fashion with an ice cold beer. Portlanders can visit any Rogue pub to join its Rogue Nation Citizens program; those who sign up at least one day before their birthday can get a free 32-ounce beer under 8 percent ABV. That includes favorites like the brewery’s Dead Guy Ale.

The Waffle Window

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This Hawthorne neighborhood favorite, specializing in Belgian liege waffles, tops its yeasted treats with things like banana caramel sauce or dark chocolate magic shell. Those who join the “Waffle Club,” essentially the Waffle Window’s newsletter, will get a voucher emailed to them on their birthday, redeemable for a free standard-sized birthday waffle. Sign up here.

Fat Cupcake

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Customers of this Portland chain of cheery cupcake shops can receive a free full-sized cupcake on their birthday. Visitors can choose from a long list of fancy flavors like chocolate cake with espresso mousse or pink champagne with vanilla buttercream, as well as vegan and wheat-free options. Fat Cupcake also operates locations in Happy Valley and Oregon City.

Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai

Likely the best birthday freebie in town, Pip’s Original gives out a dozen free birthday doughnuts to those who come in on their birthday — or within the next seven days. As always, every doughnut is made hot and fresh to order. Those willing to shell out a few extra bucks can pair the doughnuts with some of the city’s finest chai. Visitors need to be able to prove their birth date (via a driver’s license, for instance).

Dutch Bros Coffee

This Oregon-founded coffee kiosk chain has its fair share of devotees, who sip elaborate drinks out of colorful straws on a regular basis. Those who download the Dutch Bros app can get a free drink on their birthday, as long as they are 13 years old or older. That counts toward any drink on the menu, from the chocolate-macadamia nut Annihilator to the Mangonada lemonade.

Pastini

Pastini fans may remember when this Oregon-based Italian chain offered a full-on entree for birthday visitors; while those days are gone, customers can still get a free dessert after a birthday meal, be it a slab of tiramisu or a scoop of gelato. The restaurant’s chocolate tartufo — chocolate cake with a chocolate truffle center — may be the move, in terms of sheer decadence. Pastini operates locations throughout Portland, as well as cities like Eugene and Bend.

Portland City Grill

Portlanders can stop in the Portland City Grill for stunning views of the city below, plus a free chocolate ganache lava cake for diners on their birthday. Those interested should let staff know when making a reservation and they’ll take care of the rest; gluten-free diners can swap out the cake for creme brulee or sorbet. No purchase necessary.

Mama Mia Trattoria

This downtown Italian restaurant, with its red velvet curtains and hanging chandeliers, has some of the most tantalizing desserts available in town — things like zeppole (Italian doughnuts), cheesecake, cannoli, or tiramisu. Customers can choose from the list for a free birthday dessert, as long as they start with dinner. Mama Mia is open for takeout, delivery, and onsite dining.

Urban Farmer Portland

Urban Farmer’s newsletter subscribers get a free birthday dessert each year, and this isn’t just a basic cookie giveaway: desserts range from pineapple caramel buttercream cake to lemon cream pie, as well as a seasonal selection of ice cream and sorbet. Those interested can sign up here.

The Melting Pot

This chain of fondue spots operates a downtown Portland location, where couples on dates and groups of teens on prom night dunk bread and fruit in pots of molten cheese. After a birthday dinner, customers of the Melting Pot can get a complimentary box of six chocolate-covered strawberries. A purchase is required, and there’s a limit of one box per table (sorry, twins). Sign up with Club Fondue (essentially the Melting Pot mailing list), and let the team know 24 hours prior to the reservation if you’re coming in for a birthday.

Rogue Eastside Pub & Pilot Brewery

Drinkers can chase down all that birthday cake in true Portland fashion with an ice cold beer. Portlanders can visit any Rogue pub to join its Rogue Nation Citizens program; those who sign up at least one day before their birthday can get a free 32-ounce beer under 8 percent ABV. That includes favorites like the brewery’s Dead Guy Ale.

The Waffle Window

This Hawthorne neighborhood favorite, specializing in Belgian liege waffles, tops its yeasted treats with things like banana caramel sauce or dark chocolate magic shell. Those who join the “Waffle Club,” essentially the Waffle Window’s newsletter, will get a voucher emailed to them on their birthday, redeemable for a free standard-sized birthday waffle. Sign up here.

Fat Cupcake

Customers of this Portland chain of cheery cupcake shops can receive a free full-sized cupcake on their birthday. Visitors can choose from a long list of fancy flavors like chocolate cake with espresso mousse or pink champagne with vanilla buttercream, as well as vegan and wheat-free options. Fat Cupcake also operates locations in Happy Valley and Oregon City.

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