8 Maine Bakeries Where The Cinnamon Rolls Are Worth Getting Up Early For
You might have to set your alarm a little earlier than usual for some of these cinnamon rolls. One Maine bakery opens just two mornings a week, for only three hours at a time.
Another has a vending machine stocked with treats, so you can satisfy a sweet craving even in the middle of the night.
And then there’s the bakery that opens at 6 AM, when plenty of people are still asleep. Around here, getting there early can make all the difference, especially when the most popular cinnamon rolls sell out before lunchtime.
The bakeries on this list are spread throughout Maine, from Portland’s busy streets to a small island along the coast. You’ll find cinnamon rolls made with flaky, buttery pastry, along with soft, traditional versions covered in cream cheese frosting.
Each bakery has its own way of making them, and that’s part of the fun.
So if you love a good cinnamon roll, you might want to clear a morning on your calendar. A few of these places are worth getting out of bed early for.
1. Scratch Baking Co
Getting to a bakery that closes at 1 PM means your snooze button has to sit this one out. This South Portland favorite opens at 7 AM Wednesday through Saturday and wraps up at noon on Sunday.
The shelves hold artisanal breads, bagels, and pastries made in-house. You can also grab espresso drinks and sandwiches, so breakfast and an early lunch are both covered.
Now for the main event. The cinnamon rolls here are huge, with flaky pastry and a big swirl of flavor.
Plenty of people would happily make the drive for that roll alone. Honestly, that tells you a lot about how much care goes into each batch.
Don’t skip the bagels, though. The sea salt bagel is a standout, and it happens to be vegan, just like the sourdough.
Sweet tooths can also hunt down muffins and coconut cake. Giant chocolate chip cookies and blueberry breakfast bars round out a lineup that makes choosing tough.
Timing matters here. Saturday and Sunday mornings are the busiest stretches, while weekday afternoons tend to be calmer.
Of course, a calm afternoon only helps if the rolls are still around. Early birds have the best shot, so try to arrive soon after opening.
Plan for a quick stop rather than a long hangout. There’s no restroom on site, but free street parking makes popping in easy.
The shop sits just over the bridge from Portland, making it an easy add-on to a Maine weekend. Mondays and Tuesdays are off days, so plan around them.
Address: 416 Preble St, South Portland, ME 04106
2. The Baker’s Bench
Cream horns get top billing at this Westbrook bakery, but the cinnamon rolls refuse to play second fiddle. They’re the kind of rolls serious pastry fans rank among the best they’ve ever tried.
Picking just one treat is the real challenge here. The case holds croissants, cupcakes, cream puffs, and those signature cream horns, plus fresh bread.
Hungry for something savory? Breakfast sandwiches are on the menu, which makes a sweet-and-salty combo very easy to pull off.
Pair your sandwich with a cinnamon roll and a coffee. That’s a breakfast plan worth setting an alarm for.
The pastry work is a big part of the appeal. Gourmet pastries are the specialty, and the dessert selection runs deep for a neighborhood shop.
Hours run from 7 AM to 3 PM, Tuesday through Saturday. Sundays and Mondays are closed, so don’t show up hoping for a weekend lazy-morning treat on the wrong day.
Saturdays are the busiest day from morning into the afternoon. If you can swing a weekday visit, you’ll likely have an easier time grabbing your favorites.
Parking is refreshingly simple. You’ll find a free lot, on-site spaces, and street parking nearby.
Keep in mind there’s no restroom, so treat it as a quick stop. Westbrook sits just west of Portland, which makes this an easy detour before a day of exploring.
Take an extra cream horn for the car ride. Future you will be grateful.
Address: 33 Brackett St, Westbrook, ME 04092
3. The Place Bakery
Six hours a week is the whole window, so this Camden bakery rewards planners. The doors open Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to noon, and that’s it.
Small-batch baking explains the short schedule. The focus is on high-quality laminated pastries, the kind with buttery layers that take real time and skill.
The cinnamon roll is the headliner on the menu. Fans describe it in grand terms, calling it more of an experience than a simple pastry.
That’s a lot of praise for a breakfast treat. Then again, laminated dough rolled with cinnamon is hard to argue with.
Savory items share the counter too. If you like balancing sugar with something salty, you’re covered.
Here’s a smart move for nervous early risers. The bakery offers pre-order service, so you can lock in your goodies before the weekend rush.
Pick-up in store is an option, and takeout is the main way to go. There’s coffee to pair with your pastry and a free parking lot for easy access.
No restroom is available, so plan accordingly. A quick visit is the best way to think about this stop.
Camden is a pretty harbor town on the Maine coast, and it’s lovely for a weekend wander. Grab your roll, then stroll toward the water with a coffee in hand.
Just remember the clock. Show up at 12:15 and you’ll be staring at a closed door.
Address: 117 Elm St, Camden, ME 04843
4. Sweet Cheeks Bakery
A bakery with a 24-hour vending machine is the kind of sweet surprise Verona Island delivers. Late-night cravings, meet your new best friend.
The building is small, but the menu is anything but shy. Cinnamon rolls, pecan rolls, donuts, and hearty breakfast sandwiches all share the spotlight.
Those pecan rolls deserve a special shout. Pair one with a cinnamon roll and you’ve basically built a sticky-bun tasting flight.
Some cinnamon rolls here come built on freshly made croissant dough. That flaky twist sets them apart from the usual fluffy roll.
Donut fans have options too. Maple bacon donuts and apple fritters bring the sweet-and-salty energy.
Cream puffs, whoopie pies, scones, and cheesecake round out the case. You may need a second bag.
It’s a takeout-only shop with no dine-in seating. That works out fine, since a free parking lot sits right there for a quick grab and go.
Morning hours start at 7 AM Tuesday through Saturday. Sunday opens at 8 AM, and closing time is 3 PM on those days.
Mondays are closed, so plan your road trip around that. The bakery sits right on US-1, an easy stop on a drive along the Maine coast.
Friendly service makes the visit even better. Treats are priced on the lower end too, so stocking up won’t sting.
Address: 70 US-1, Verona Island, ME 04416
5. The Cann Family Bakery and Specialty Foods
Cream cheese frosting is the secret weapon at this Bridgton bakery. It’s simple, tangy, and a welcome break if super-sugary icing isn’t your thing.
The cinnamon buns wear that frosting proudly. Fans rank them right up there with the best they’ve ever had.
Berry rolls give the classic some fruity company. Ordering one of each is a very reasonable plan.
This locally owned shop also bakes fresh sourdough. You’ll find pastries, scones, and donuts that tend to be a big hit with kids.
Breakfast sandwiches are a signature item. Chicken pot pie also shows up on the menu, which makes this a handy stop for dinner planning too.
Service moves quickly, and the variety is impressive for a small shop. That’s helpful when you’re juggling a hungry family.
Hours run Wednesday through Saturday from 7 AM to 3 PM. Sunday is shorter, from 8 AM to 1 PM, and the shop closes Monday and Tuesday.
Unlike several bakeries on this list, this one has a restroom. It’s gender-neutral, and there’s free Wi-Fi too.
Think of it as a shop and takeout counter rather than a sit-down cafe. A free parking lot makes the stop painless.
Bridgton sits in the Maine lakes region, so a pastry box pairs nicely with a lakeside morning. Just don’t let the frosting drip on your map.
Address: 320 Portland Rd, Bridgton, ME 04009
6. TORTA.
Cake studio by trade, cinnamon roll champion by popular demand. This modern bakery on Mount Desert Island pulls double duty in the best way.
The counter in Southwest Harbor serves fresh-baked pastries, cake slices, and coffee. The cake side of the business gives the pastry case a polished, creative edge.
The cinnamon roll gets serious praise. Some visitors call it one of the best they’ve had in their lives.
Craving something savory first? The pizza roll is another favorite, and it makes a fun partner for the sweet stuff.
The coffee holds its own, too. It ranks among the best on the island for some fans.
Offerings change, so check the bakery’s Instagram for the daily lineup. That way you’ll know what’s waiting before you leave the house.
Hours are short, so timing matters. The counter opens Wednesday through Saturday from 8 AM to 1 PM, and it’s closed Sunday through Tuesday.
There’s no dine-in seating, so plan to take your treats to go. Delivery is also available, which is a nice perk.
Southwest Harbor sits on the quieter side of Mount Desert Island, near Acadia National Park. A cinnamon roll and coffee make a perfect fuel-up before a day on the trails.
Pack napkins for the car. Icing and steering wheels don’t mix.
Address: 201 Seawall Rd, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
7. Labadie’s Bakery
Six in the morning is when the doors swing open in Lewiston. If you want the earliest cinnamon roll on this list, this is your spot.
Bring cash, because that’s the only payment accepted. It’s an old-school detail that fits this classic neighborhood bakery.
Donuts are made fresh daily, and they’re soft and tasty. The selection includes Bismarks, those filled treats many Mainers grew up loving.
Cinnamon rolls hold their own beside the donuts. Together with the Bismarks and whoopie pies, they’re often called second to none.
Speaking of whoopie pies, this bakery is known for them. Maine treats whoopie pies as a point of pride, so grabbing one is practically required.
The coffee is good, and the service is wicked friendly. Prices sit on the lower end, so a dozen-donut splurge won’t wreck your budget.
Here’s the catch. The bakery runs on a weekday schedule only, closed Saturday and Sunday.
Monday hours are 6 AM to 1 PM. Tuesday through Friday, the counter stays open until 1 PM.
Parking is free in a lot and on the street. There’s no restroom, so think of it as a quick in-and-out stop.
Delivery is available if you’d rather skip the drive. Still, picking up a warm box yourself before work feels like a small victory.
Address: 161 Lincoln St, Lewiston, ME 04240
8. Katie Made Bakery
Dreaming about a cinnamon roll for years sounds dramatic. Then again, the rolls at this Portland bakery inspire that kind of devotion.
Plenty of fans call them their favorite cinnamon rolls in the city. In a town packed with great bakeries, that’s no small title.
The pastry case leans on farm and organic ingredients. You’ll find Danish, scones, and an assortment of fresh baked goods beside the rolls.
Hearty breakfast sandwiches are a big draw too. If you want protein before your pastry, this is the place to balance things out.
The coffee is wonderful, and the staff is incredibly welcoming. It’s the type of spot that makes an early morning feel like a treat.
Outdoor seating is available when the weather cooperates. A sunny Maine morning, a cinnamon roll, and a coffee outside?
Hard to top.
Hours run Wednesday through Sunday from 8 AM to 2 PM. Monday and Tuesday are off days, so plan your craving accordingly.
The bakery sits on Congress Street on Portland’s east end. Free street parking is available nearby, which helps on busy mornings.
Since it’s meant to be a quick visit, grab your order and go explore. The nearby Eastern Promenade is a lovely place for a pastry walk.
Consider buying two rolls. One for now, and one to keep the dream alive tomorrow.
Address: 181 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101