10 Wisconsin Bakeries You’ll Drive The Long Way For

In Wisconsin, the bakery is more than sugar and ovens, it’s tradition etched into flour, butter, and yeast. From Danish roots in Racine to artisan loaves in Madison, the state holds bakeries that demand detours.

I’ve plotted routes, tasted dozens, and these ten stood out, places where morning light, local loyalty, and perfect crumb make the drive worth every mile.

Whether you’re chasing kringles, croissants, sourdough, or rustic European loaves, these bakeries deliver not just pastries but memory.

1. O&H Danish Bakery — Racine

Neon-blue signage glints at dawn; inside, trays of kringle rings, coffee cakes, and Danish twists stretch down counters.

Founded in 1949 by Christian Olesen and Harvey Holtz, O&H has remained family-run for four generations, producing signature kringles in authentic style.

Go early, their kringles sell out. Driving in just for that flaky, buttery layer experience is not wasted: it’s devotion.

2. Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe — Green Bay / De Pere

Sugar-dusted donuts and puff pastries crowd glass cases; the gentle hum of ovens anchors the room.

Uncle Mike’s is a local chain beloved in the Green Bay/De Pere area, weekend crowds form early for their breakfast sweets and rolls.

Tip: grab extras. Their filled donuts vanish faster than your first cup of coffee.

3. Batch Bakehouse — Madison

Windows blur with steam; inside, croissants fold crisp, loaves crust with deep golden hue.

Batch Bakehouse bakes from scratch daily, croissants, baguettes, sourdough, and is known for using real butter and seasonal ingredients.

I once showed up late and got the last salty chocolate croissant. It tasted like the prize for perseverance.

4. Madison Sourdough — Madison

The sour aroma wavers in the air; shelves display boule after boule, crust crackling in golden light.

Madison Sourdough focuses on wild yeast and natural fermentation, offering loaves that grow tang and strength over time.

Ask the baker when the “window” opens for new batches. Timing your stop transforms decent bread into something you long remember.

5. Clasen’s European Bakery — Middleton

Lovely display of European breads, strudels, and cookies — aroma of dark rye and fruit loaves blends thick.

Clasen’s brings German, Czech, and Eastern European tradition to Middleton, baking recipes passed down through generations.

If you visit during holidays, expect lines. Their holiday stollen and nut rolls capture festive Wisconsin heritage.

6. Manderfield’s Home Bakery — Appleton (Fox Valley)

Warm ovens greet you before the counter does; cinnamon rolls rise, soft and tender, scents swirling.

Manderfield’s has been a Fox Valley staple for decades, producing cakes, rolls, pies, and traditional bakery staples beloved locally.

Go midweek to skip the weekend rush. But even then, their rolls deserve the detour.

7. Peter Sciortino Bakery — Milwaukee (Brady St.)

Brick interior, case stacked with Italian cookies, crusty loaves, biscotti, an old-world bustle amid city streets.

Sciortino’s is a legacy bakery in Milwaukee, known especially in the Brady Street neighborhood, handing down Italian baking traditions.

Order a loaf to split. Their rosemary focaccia and crusty semolina reward sharing, and give reason to return.

8. Cranky Al’s — Wauwatosa

Retro sign, happy chaos behind the counter, muffin tops heaped; people move with purpose and joy.

Cranky Al’s bakes daily in Wauwatosa, with vibrant pastries and bread offerings that draw locals across suburbs.

Pro tip: call ahead for specialty pastries. The ones in the back often sell before they even hit the front display.

9. Main Grain Bakery & Eatery — Stevens Point

Rustic interior, exposed beams, local grain bins on display, a bakery that wears its milling roots with pride.

Main Grain mills grains on site, crafting bread and pastries from Wisconsin grain. Their focus on terroir and source sets them apart.

If you’re drawn to local flavor, this is your destination. Even the crumbs tell stories of fields nearby.

10. North Shore Boulangerie — Shorewood

Morning light filters through glass jars of croissants and tarts; a soft hum of espresso machines joins the bake scents.

This French-style bakery on Milwaukee’s North Shore brings boulangerie technique to Wisconsin shores, baking classic viennoiserie and breads.

Try their morning baguette. It crisps, snaps, offers chew, and makes you grateful you detoured.