15 Small-Town Minnesota Bakeries Worth The Stop
Minnesota’s small towns hide delicious secrets in the form of family-owned bakeries. These flour-dusted havens serve up homemade treats that put big-city bakeries to shame, often using recipes passed down through generations.
These 15 bakeries showcase the best of Minnesota’s baking traditions and are absolutely worth a detour on your next road trip.
1. Hanisch Bakery & Coffee Shop – Red Wing
Morning sunlight streams through the windows of this Red Wing gem as locals line up for their famous apple fritters. The family-owned shop has perfected their donut recipe over decades.
Their decorated cakes transform ordinary celebrations into memorable events. Stop by Tuesday through Friday from 6 am to 4 pm or Saturday from 7 am to 4 pm at 410 W 3rd Street, but arrive early – popular items sell out fast!
2. Bloedow Bakery – Winona
Since 1924, Bloedow’s has been Winona’s sweet spot, with locals swearing by their maple long johns. The vintage charm remains unchanged – walk in and you’re transported to simpler times.
The classic buns and breads use the original recipes that made them famous nearly a century ago.
Located at 451 E Broadway Street, this hometown icon welcomes visitors Tuesday through Friday, 6 am-3 pm, and Saturday, 7:30 am-2 pm.
3. World’s Best Donuts – Grand Marais
Perched near Lake Superior’s shoreline, this seasonal donut shop lives up to its bold name. I still remember my first skizzle – their signature fried pastry that’s halfway between a donut and funnel cake.
The harbor views complement their perfectly executed cake donuts. Plan your visit carefully as they’re only open seasonally (May 22-October 17) at 10 E Wisconsin Street, and closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
4. Cold Spring Bakery – Cold Spring
Operating since 1946, this bakery maintains old-world craftsmanship in everything they create. Their wedding cakes have become centerpieces at celebrations across central Minnesota for generations.
The display cases overflow with donuts that strike the perfect balance between fluffy and substantial. Find them at 308 Main Street in Cold Spring, Monday through Friday 6 am-5 pm, and Saturday, 6 am-4 pm, or visit their second location in Waite Park.
5. Nelson Bros. Bakery – Clearwater
Truckers spread the legend of the “donuts the size of your head” found at this travel plaza bakery. My family’s road trip tradition includes pulling over for their apple fritter bread – a loaf-sized version of the classic pastry.
Their pies feature flaky crusts that shatter perfectly with each forkful. Located inside Clearwater Travel Plaza at 950 State Highway 24, this 24-hour bakery serves sweet salvation to travelers day and night.
6. Tobies Restaurant & Bakery – Hinckley
Halfway between the Twin Cities and the North Shore sits this legendary stop known for caramel rolls bigger than your fist. The sticky, gooey perfection has caused countless sticky steering wheels over the decades.
Their cinnamon bread makes exceptional French toast the next morning if you can resist eating it on the drive. Find this landmark at 404 Fire Monument Road in Hinckley, open daily from early morning until late evening.
7. Sunrise Bakery & Pizzeria – Hibbing
Slovenian traditions shine at this Iron Range institution where potica – a walnut roll pastry – reigns supreme. The espresso bar provides the perfect pairing for their European-inspired cookies and cakes.
Wood-fired pizzas make this more than just a morning stop. Located at 2601 1st Avenue in Hibbing, they welcome guests Monday 6 am-1 pm, Tuesday through Friday 6 am-7 pm, and Saturday 7 am-5 pm.
8. Rush City Bakery – Rush City
Stepping into Rush City Bakery feels like walking into your grandmother’s kitchen – if she were an exceptional baker. I watched a child’s eyes widen at their first bite of the bakery’s cloud-like donuts, a reaction I see repeated daily.
Their bread has that perfect crust-to-soft-interior ratio that’s increasingly rare. Find this community gathering spot at 450 Eliot Avenue, open Monday through Friday 7 am-4 pm and Saturday 7 am-2 pm.
9. Carl’s Bakery – Granite Falls
Perched along the Minnesota River, Carl’s fried rolls have been the town’s morning ritual since the late 1950s.
The from-scratch ethos extends to everything – cookies that snap perfectly, breads with developed flavor, and sandwiches that elevate lunch breaks.
Longtime customers point to the unchanged recipes as proof that some things shouldn’t be modernized. Find this Main Street institution at 810 Prentice Street in Granite Falls.
10. Brainstorm Bakery – Ely
Creative energy fills this Boundary Waters gateway bakery where outdoor enthusiasts fuel up before wilderness adventures.
Their pastries provide portable energy while their unique “Crapola!” granola has become a cult favorite with a name you won’t forget.
The recently expanded café space welcomes hikers, canoeists, and locals alike. Visit them at 402 E Sheridan Street in Ely, Monday through Saturday, from around 7 am until 4 pm.
11. Raphael’s Bakery & Cafe – Bemidji
Paul Bunyan himself would approve of the hearty, made-from-scratch breads at this northern Minnesota bakery. My fishing guide once claimed their sourdough improved his luck on the lake – while that’s debatable, its flavor certainly isn’t.
Lunchtime brings locals in for soups and sandwiches built on their exceptional breads. Find this Bemidji treasure at 319 Minnesota Avenue NW, Tuesday through Friday 6 am-5:30 pm and Saturday 6 am-2 pm.
12. Oma’s Restaurant & Bakery – Wadena
German baking traditions flourish at this charming spot where European-style breads have crisp crusts and dense, flavorful interiors. The pastries transport you to a Black Forest café without the airfare.
The restaurant portion serves authentic German dishes that pair perfectly with their baked goods. Experience this taste of Europe at 10 Aldrich Avenue in Wadena, Tuesday and Wednesday 7 am-3 pm, and Thursday through Saturday 7 am-8 pm.
13. Knotty Pine Bakery – Nisswa
Lakes country vacationers line up for the signature kronuts – a croissant-donut hybrid that puts ordinary pastries to shame.
Their pie selection rotates with the seasons, showcasing Minnesota’s fruit harvests from strawberry to apple. The full coffee bar serves specialty drinks that pair perfectly with their baked goods.
Located in the heart of Nisswa at 25469 Main Street (with a second location in Brainerd), the Nisswa location welcomes guests daily from 7 am to 3 pm; the Brainerd location operates different hours.
14. Pine River Bakery – Pine River
Old-fashioned donuts coated in “sawdust” (cinnamon sugar) pay homage to the town’s logging history. The apple fritters here are the size of softballs, with chunks of fruit in every bite.
During the winter months, locals gather for homemade soups served alongside fresh bread. This seasonal favorite operates at 215 Barclay Avenue, Tuesday through Friday 6 am-2 pm and Saturday 6 am-1/2 pm, though hours vary depending on the time of year.
15. Lanesboro Pastry Shoppe – Lanesboro
Nestled in Minnesota’s most picturesque bluff country town, this bakery serves scratch breakfasts that fuel bicyclists tackling the Root River Trail. I once pedaled an extra 10 miles just to justify a second slice of their berry pie.
The pastry cases feature flaky creations that pair perfectly with morning coffee. Find this gem at 202 Parkway Avenue North, typically open Wednesday through Sunday, 7 am-1 pm, though it’s wise to check for same-day updates.