We dutifully scour the city’s grocers for food and drink, often squaring Portland brands off against national competitors. Our breakfast victors reveal the very best morning meal you can enjoy round these parts, no compromise necessary: local items beat out-of-state competition in every instance. 

Best Chai

Soul Chai Original Masala Chai Powder 

Soul Chai earned unanimous praise for its pepper-forward flavor and strong tea presence that’s both tingly and gingery on the tongue. Since the powder is unsweetened, you can customize the sugar level, and it’s shelf-stable (vs. most concentrates that last only a week or two). 

Best Yogurt

Tillamook Plain & Simple Greek Yogurt

While its texture leans looser than most thick Greek yogurt, its balance of creaminess and tartness is pitch-perfect—plus there’s an impressive 18 grams of protein per serving. “It’s ideally rounded, and you can eat it with anything,” said one staff taster.

Best Sourdough Bread

Café Olli Every Day Loaf

Café Olli’s menu revolves around wood-hearth-baked dough, from pizza to sandwiches to pastries. The Every Day Loaf is big and round, with a crackly crust that packs a nutty, malty flavor with a well-balanced hint of bitterness. The bread has a moist, open crumb with lots of fluffy air pockets, and its tang makes it delightful to eat even on its own.

Best Bacon

Otto’s Alder Smoked Bacon

We tried eight brands of bacon in one morning—and lived. Our winner: this hearty, thick bacon from Portland’s 101-year-old meat market in Woodstock, with a lightly smoky flavor and just the right meat-to-fat balance. “The fattiness just kind of dissolves on your tongue, but it’s meaty enough that you get the two experiences,” said one tester. Pair it with fried eggs, crumble it on a salad, or layer it in a sandwich.

Best Jam

Alchemist’s Jam, various flavors

A tiny shop in McMinnville produces imaginative, eclectic flavors of lightly sweetened jam made with seasonal fruit. Our testers loved the peach nutmeg vanilla, with sizable chunks of fruit and a light touch of spice. It immediately conjures images of summertime peach cobbler as well as premium peaches in syrup. You can’t go wrong with basics like the vibrant, tart strawberry, or a marionberry that adds coffee for a bit of buzz. Fair warning: it’s $16 for nine ounces.

Best Marmalade

Sebastiano’s Marmellata di Arance

Making a good marmalade is tricky; many brands are too heavy on the sugar or too sour. Sebastiano’s Sicilian-style marmellata is our favorite, with finely sliced bits of orange rind, delicate sweetness, and a vibrant sour punch that sings on toast, a scone, or a cheese plate. 

Best Instant Coffee

Coava Instant S. O. Blend

With small roasters joining the game, instant coffee is no longer a last-resort source of caffeine. Coava Coffee Roasters supplies beans to many of your favorite local cafés and restaurants, and its take on instant coffee serves up a hint of acidity followed by chocolaty smoothness.