Minnesota’s big north-south road trip runs on I-35, the highway that carries drivers from the Iowa border through the Twin Cities and all the way up to Duluth on Lake Superior, and that long stretch is full of excellent places to grab a caramel roll or a fresh loaf. This list follows the drive in order, starting in Albert Lea and finishing near the lake, so you can plan your stops the way you plan your gas breaks.
You will find small-town bread shops, cinnamon roll specialists, an Italian pastry counter, a croissant-focused coffeehouse, and a famous halfway stop that has been feeding hungry travelers for years. Check the hours before you go, because several of these bakeries keep short schedules and sell out of favorites early.
1. Mom’s Bread Co., Albert Lea, MN
Crossing into Minnesota from Iowa, the first good reason to pull off the highway shows up almost right away. Mom’s Bread Co. sits at 118 S Broadway Ave in downtown Albert Lea, a short hop from I-35.
The name tells you the priority here. Bread is the main event, and the sourdough is the loaf to grab first.
If you like something a little sweeter, the cranberry walnut bread is another strong pick. It makes a great road snack on its own and an even better breakfast the next morning.
Traveling with kids in the back seat? The cookies here are big, fresh baked, and easy to share, which can buy you a few quiet miles.
Coffee is on hand too, so the stop covers both your caffeine and your carbs. Service is takeout, which suits a driver who wants to get back on the road quickly.
Timing matters with this one. Mom’s Bread Co. is open Wednesday through Saturday from 8 AM to 2 PM and closed Sunday through Tuesday.
Free street parking makes the stop simple. I would plan a midweek morning trip around it, then wander a block or two of Broadway before heading north.
2. OTB Cafe – Old Town Bagels, Owatonna, MN
Bagels are not the first thing most people expect in southern Minnesota, which is exactly why OTB Cafe stands out. Old Town Bagels sits at 207 N Cedar Ave in Owatonna, less than two miles from I-35.
The kitchen sink bagel is the savory favorite. It loads plenty of flavor onto one bagel and pairs well with a coffee for the road.
Sweet flavors are on the menu as well. A toasted bagel with cream cheese is the classic order, and the rotating cream cheese flavors are a big part of the draw.
Lunch travelers get options too. Bagel sandwiches like the Italian and a lineup of soups turn this into more than a breakfast stop.
Inside, you can sit down, use the free Wi-Fi, and find a restroom. That combination is gold on a long drive.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 7 AM to 3 PM. Sundays are closed.
Saturdays get busy, so a weekday visit is the easier play. There is a free lot plus free street parking nearby.
3. Crack Of Dawn bakehouse and market, Faribault, MN
Early risers will appreciate the name, and anyone who loves a good roll will appreciate the menu. Crack Of Dawn bakehouse and market is a locally owned shop at 209 Central Ave N in Faribault.
Signature cinnamon and caramel rolls are the headliners. The cinnamon rolls are fluffy and buttery with a creamy frosting and a lighter hand on the spice.
Quiche is the other reason to stop. It gives road trippers a real breakfast option instead of only sugar.
Sandwiches, home-baked breads, and rolls round out the counter. There is also a market side, so you can shop for something to bring home.
Craft coffee is part of the identity here, not an afterthought. That makes this a strong refuel point before the Twin Cities traffic starts.
The schedule is short, so write it down. Crack Of Dawn is open Thursday through Saturday from 7 AM to 2 PM.
Thursday afternoons tend to be quieter than Saturday mornings. Free parking, Wi-Fi, and a gender-neutral restroom make it an easy and welcoming stop.
4. Bread People, Northfield, MN
Northfield is a college town, and Bread People fits right into its creative streak. The bakery is now in downtown Northfield at 410 Division St S, reachable from I-35 by way of Highway 19.
Bread is the star, as the name promises. The hand-crafted sourdough wholegrain loaf is the one serious bread fans should look for.
Sliced loaves and cinnamon raisin bread are also on the shelves. Either one travels well if you are headed to a cabin up north.
The pastry case leans creative. Cookies and scones come in inventive flavor combinations that change things up from a standard bakery lineup.
Coffee is available, and you can eat in or take your order to go. Free Wi-Fi and a gender-neutral restroom are on site.
Hours run Wednesday through Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 7 AM to 3 PM. The shop is closed Monday and Tuesday.
I like this stop because it rewards a short detour with a stroll through one of the state’s most charming downtowns.
5. Sweet Kneads Farmington Bakery, Farmington, MN
Some donuts here are about the size of a plate, so plan your appetite accordingly. Sweet Kneads Farmington Bakery is a long-standing neighborhood bakeshop at 216 Oak St in Farmington, just east of the I-35 corridor.
The range is the big selling point. Breads, donuts, apple fritters, pastries, bars, cookies, and cupcakes fill out the cases.
Cinnamon rolls are a highlight, and the loaves of bread come out moist and full of flavor. Lemon bars are a nice pick if you want something bright instead of rich.
Hand-decorated cookies and artisanal cakes are part of the business too. Birthday and wedding cakes are on the menu, and the website makes ordering straightforward.
Early drivers, take note. Weekday hours start at 5:30 AM and run until 5 PM.
Saturday hours are 6 AM to 2 PM, and Sunday runs 7 AM to 1 PM. Weekend mornings are the busiest, while weekday afternoons tend to be calmer.
Coffee is available, and there is a restroom. It is an old-school bakery stop that suits a dawn departure from the metro.
6. Sunflour Cakes, Lakeville, MN
Custom cakes are the specialty, but you do not need a party to justify a stop. Sunflour Cakes is a woman-owned family bakery at 17697 Kenwood Trail in Lakeville, right by I-35.
Elegant, elaborate celebration cakes are what built the business. For road trippers, the grab-and-go side of the menu is the real prize.
Fruit Danish here is tender and flaky. Cinnamon rolls are soft and gooey, and the caramel rolls are a top reason people come in.
There is also a curated lineup of gourmet pies, cookies, cheesecake, and cake by the slice. A single slice is a fun way to taste what the cake side can do.
Dietary needs get real attention. Cakes and most treats can be made gluten-friendly or vegan with advance notice, and select versions are available for takeout.
The staff are known for being cheerful and sometimes offer samples. That small touch makes the visit memorable.
Hours run Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 6 PM and Friday and Saturday until 8 PM, with Sundays closed. There is a free parking lot, but no public restroom, so plan that part elsewhere.
7. Isles Bun & Coffee, Minneapolis, MN
Ask a Minneapolis local where to get a cinnamon bun, and Isles Bun & Coffee comes up fast. The tiny bakery sits at 1424 W 28th St, close to the I-35W route through the city.
Cinnamon rolls are the specialty, and they are huge and fluffy. Caramel rolls and caramel pecan buns give you sticky alternatives.
Then there are the puppy dog tails. These playful pastries are a signature item and a fun one to try if you have never seen them.
Baked oatmeal is another favorite, with a vegan version on the menu. Coffee cake and scones round out the case.
Coffee and cold press are taken seriously here. The space is small but has indoor and outdoor seating, and the music tends to lean upbeat and funky.
Hours run Tuesday through Sunday from 6:30 AM to 4 PM. Mondays are closed.
Weekends are the busiest time, and Wednesday afternoons are usually calmer. Parking is paid street parking, so have your payment app ready.
Restrooms, Wi-Fi, and a gender-neutral restroom are available, which helps when you are taking a city break mid-drive.
8. Rebecca’s Bakery & Cafe, Minneapolis, MN
A generous slice of tiramisu cake for a few dollars is the kind of deal that makes a city detour easy. Rebecca’s Bakery & Cafe sits at 2211 E Franklin Ave in Minneapolis, near the I-35W and I-94 interchange.
Italian pastries and artisan cakes are the focus. Everything in the case is made from scratch.
The tiramisu cake slice is a signature. Pan di Spagna lemon cake is another menu highlight with a lighter, citrusy profile.
Cream puffs have a loyal following here. Chocolate croissants, almond croissants, and apple turnovers are often served warm.
Prices are friendly for a bakery of this quality. That makes it easy to pick up a few treats for passengers too.
Hours are generous, running every day from 8 AM to 7 PM. Sunday afternoon and evening tend to be the calmest times.
Free parking is available in a lot and on the street. Dine-in seating, coffee, and a restroom make it a comfortable break from the highway.
9. Cafe Latte, St Paul, MN
Grand Avenue has plenty of places to eat, but the cake case at Cafe Latte is a St. Paul landmark of its own. The cafe is at 850 Grand Ave, under a mile from the Grand Avenue exit on I-35E.
Service is cafeteria-style, so you walk the line and pick what you want. That keeps things moving fast.
Desserts are housemade and the main attraction. Tres leches, the tiramisu tres leches, raspberry cream torte, turtle chocolate cake, flourless chocolate cake, and the chocolate chocolate cake all have fans.
Scones are another standout. Freshly baked breads like focaccia rolls and sourdough are available to take home.
If you need a real meal, the cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with salads and other American fare. A full vegetarian menu is available.
Hours run daily from 9 AM to 10 PM, which helps late drivers. Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons are busiest.
Parking can take a little hunting, with street spots, lots, and a garage nearby. High chairs and a family-friendly setup make it easy for groups and kids.
10. Bread & Chocolate, St Paul, MN
Right across Grand Avenue from Cafe Latte, Bread & Chocolate makes a strong case for a two-stop sweet tour. The family-owned bakery and coffeehouse is at 867 Grand Ave in St. Paul.
Croissants are the calling card. Almond croissants, apple croissants, and savory ham and Swiss croissants all appear in the case.
Cookies are a close second. The chocolate chip and chocolate chunk cookies are often warm and gooey.
Need lunch instead? Panini and a tuna melt give the menu some savory weight, and brownies and pecan treats fill out the sweets.
Espresso drinks use fair-trade coffee, and cold brew is available for warm-weather drives. Fresh bread is on hand to take home.
Hours are a dependable 7 AM to 6 PM every day. Weekend mornings are the busiest, so a weekday stop moves faster.
Free Wi-Fi, a restroom, and dine-in seating are all here. Parking includes free street spots and lots, though some lots are paid.
11. Kingdom Baking, Circle Pines, MN
A bakery with a drive-through is a road tripper’s dream, and Kingdom Baking has one. The locally owned shop sits at 10130 Sunset Ave in Circle Pines, just off I-35W.
Everything is made from scratch. The pastry lineup includes chocolate croissants, almond croissants, cinnamon rolls, caramel rolls, and financiers, a small almond butter cake.
Breakfast sandwiches are the headline order. Many are built on croissants, which makes a big difference for a quick meal in the car.
Coffee here gets plenty of praise as well. Pair it with a sandwich and you are set for the next stretch north.
Prefer to stretch your legs? There is dine-in seating with a quiet, laid-back setup, plus free Wi-Fi and a gender-neutral restroom.
Hours run Tuesday through Friday from 6 AM to 4 PM and weekends from 8 AM to 2 PM. Mondays are closed.
Sunday mornings are the busiest. A free parking lot keeps things easy.
12. Keys Cafe & Bakery, Forest Lake, MN
Forest Lake is where I-35W and I-35E come back together, which makes it a natural regroup point. Keys Cafe & Bakery is at 1960 W Broadway Ave, right off the highway.
Keys is a long-running Minnesota cafe brand. This location pairs a full sit-down menu with a bakery counter.
The caramel rolls and cinnamon rolls are local favorites. Homemade bread, cookies, scones, cakes, cupcakes, and pies fill out the bakery side.
For a real breakfast, the Loon omelet, eggs Benedict, and Cajun breakfast are on the menu. Lunch and dinner are served too.
Families are well covered with high chairs and a kids’ menu. Birthday guests may get a gigantic cupcake.
Hours are Monday 7 AM to 2 PM, Tuesday through Saturday 7 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday 8 AM to 7 PM. Weekend mornings are busiest.
Parking is usually plentiful. Outdoor seating, a drive-through, and takeout give you options depending on how much time you have.
13. Tobie’s Restaurant & Bakery, Hinckley, MN
For generations of Minnesotans headed up north, Hinckley means one thing: a caramel roll at Tobie’s. The roomy restaurant and bakery sits right off I-35, roughly halfway between the Twin Cities and Duluth.
The bakery counter is expansive. Huge caramel rolls, sticky cinnamon rolls, caramel pecan rolls, and apple fritters lead the lineup.
Buttermilk cake donuts and raspberry Bismarcks are worth a look too. Breads and pies round things out.
Packaged baked goods make it easy to bring treats to the cabin. There is also unique merchandise if you want a souvenir.
The restaurant side serves hearty breakfast and lunch. The Northwoods walleye breakfast and cinnamon swirl French toast are fun picks.
Hours run every day from 7 AM to 9 PM, which fits almost any travel schedule. Free parking is available along with Wi-Fi and restrooms.
This is the classic halfway break on the drive, and it earns its reputation one roll at a time.
14. Duluth’s Best Bread, Duluth, MN
Bold name, and the pastry case backs it up. Duluth’s Best Bread is a French-German bakery at 2632 W 3rd St, close to the 27th Ave W exit on I-35.
Artisanal breads are the foundation. The pastry side mixes European technique with a playful streak.
Chocolate almond croissants and Nutella croissants are standouts. Macarons add a delicate option.
Then there are the strawberry pop tarts, a fun homemade take on a childhood favorite. They are an easy pick for kids and grown-ups alike.
Coffee is available to go with your pastry. Prices are budget-friendly, often under ten dollars a person.
This is a grab-and-go shop. There is no dine-in seating and no public restroom, so plan to enjoy your treats on the road or by the lake.
Hours run Tuesday through Sunday from 7 AM to 2 PM, with Mondays closed. Free street parking makes the quick stop simple.
15. Great Harvest Bread Co., Duluth, MN
Finishing the drive near Lake Superior calls for one more loaf. Great Harvest Bread Co. sits at 3 S 13th Ave E in Duluth, just off the northern end of I-35.
Great Harvest is a bakery chain known for whole-grain breads made with Montana wheat. This Duluth shop bakes a wide selection of loaves.
Scones are a menu highlight and a favorite here. Muffins are part of the lineup too.
Sandwiches are made on the bread baked in-house. That makes it a smart lunch stop after hours on the highway.
Coffee is on hand, along with dine-in seating and a restroom. The service is friendly and the pace is relaxed.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 7 AM to 2:30 PM. Sundays are closed.
Free lot and street parking are available. I would save this one for stocking up on bread before a weekend at a lake cabin.
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