Milwaukee's Best Cinnamon Rolls: The ultimate Guide

Last verified: June 2026. Every bakery below was open and serving at publication. Hours and prices change often, so call ahead before you go.

Whether you're celebrating a lazy Saturday morning or chasing the perfect post-soccer-game treat, the greater Milwaukee area serves up cinnamon rolls that run the full range, from towering brioche beauties to old-school classics your grandmother would approve of. Simply Cinnamon Bakery in Pewaukee consistently tops local rankings, but hidden gems throughout the North Shore, Wauwatosa, and Milwaukee proper mean you're never far from warm, frosting-drizzled perfection.

This guide covers everything families need to plan sweet adventures across the region, from addresses and hours to insider tips on catching those rolls fresh from the oven. We've organized it by area so you can build a stop into wherever your day already takes you.

The cinnamon roll specialist

Simply Cinnamon Bakery

Simply Cinnamon Bakery has earned its place at the top of Milwaukee's cinnamon roll rankings for good reason. Founder Barbara Sweet spent 37 years perfecting the craft at this small-batch downtown Pewaukee shop, and at the start of 2026 she passed the rolling pin to new owner Hannah Bradley, who is carrying on the same beloved recipes. The transition hasn't changed what brings people back: rolls that strike the ideal balance of sweetness and density, topped with frosting that regulars describe as amazing.

The 6-pack is the insider's choice. Smaller rolls mean a better icing-to-roll ratio, which devotees swear makes all the difference. Beyond cinnamon rolls, Simply Cinnamon turns out coffee cakes, scones, decorated sugar cookies, and Sunday hot ham with homemade rolls. Prices stay reasonable, and the limited hours plus loyal following mean items sell quickly, so arrive early. If you can't make the trip, their products also turn up at area Woodman's stores.

115 Oakton Ave, Pewaukee, WI 53072 | (262) 691-4022 | Wednesday–Sunday 8am–1pm; closed Monday–Tuesday

Milwaukee's artisan bakeries

For a more sophisticated take on the cinnamon roll, Milwaukee offers several destination-worthy bakeries where trained pastry chefs elevate this comfort food.

Amaranth Bakery & Café in the Walnut Hill neighborhood has been turning out what fans call world-class pastries since 2006. Their cinnamon rolls feature buttery brioche dough with a signature crisp crust surrounding soft, tender insides. The bakery leans on a heritage sourdough starter born in the neighborhood and organic flour, with sticky buns and kouign-amann rounding out the cinnamon-spiced lineup. Cinnamon buns sell out frequently, so arrive early, especially on Saturdays. Items generally run $4 to $6.

3329 W Lisbon Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53208 | (414) 934-0587 | Thursday–Saturday 7am–2pm; closed Sunday–Wednesday

Poppy Bakery rolls

Poppy Bakery is Milwaukee's newest addition to the artisan cinnamon roll scene, having opened in June 2025 on the Lower East Side. Owner Amy Gorski brings more than a decade of professional pastry experience to this seasonally driven bakery, which sources from Wisconsin farms and builds its menu around what's fresh. The fluffy brioche cinnamon roll comes topped with vanilla buttermilk cream cheese icing, and maple pecan sticky buns offer an alternative for sticky bun fans. A nice touch for parents: no artificial food colorings or sprinkles. Expect a line, and note that the bakery often runs until sellout.

2021 E Ivanhoe Pl, Milwaukee, WI 53202 | poppybakery.com | Thursday–Friday 8am–2pm; Saturday–Sunday 9am–2pm (or until sellout)

Wauwatosa's bakery row

Families looking to maximize a cinnamon roll expedition should head to Wauwatosa, where several acclaimed bakeries sit within easy driving distance of each other along the North Avenue corridor.

Rocket Baby Bakery is a perennial award winner, taking Milwaukee Magazine's Best of Milwaukee readers' choice for bakery in both 2024 and 2025 and adding a Best of the Burbs nod for 2026. Their cinnamon roll is a moist pastry smothered in frosting, and the monkey bread makes a fantastic shareable option for families. The bakery also sells at the Shorewood Farmers Market on Sundays and the South Shore Farmers Market on Saturdays from June through October, so you can pair a market stroll with fresh pastries. For more morning ideas in the same vein, our guide to Milwaukee's best donut shops covers Rocket Baby's neighbors along North Avenue.

6822 W North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53213 | (414) 502-7323 | Weekdays 7am–2pm; weekends 8am–2pm

Simma's Bakery offers a European twist with its legendary morning buns: laminated dough swirled with cinnamon sugar that bakes into a crispy, crunchy exterior with soft layers inside. While not a traditional cinnamon roll, these draw morning bun devotees who consider them among the best in Wisconsin. The family-owned bakery earned the Wisconsin Bakers Association's Bakery of the Year honor back in 2017.

817 N 68th St, Wauwatosa, WI 53213 | (414) 257-0998 | Tuesday–Friday 8am–6pm; Saturday 8am–4pm; closed Sunday–Monday

Cranky Al's rounds out the Wauwatosa run with a cinnamon roll donut that combines the best of both worlds. Celebrity chef Alton Brown has praised this beloved doughnut shop, where gluten-friendly and vegan-friendly options make it accessible to families with dietary restrictions. The shop opens at 6am Tuesday through Sunday and regularly sells out within a couple of hours, so set your alarm. Cranky Al's earns a top spot in our ranked roundup of the best donuts in the Milwaukee area, too.

6901 W North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53213 | (414) 258-5282 | Tuesday–Sunday 6am–1pm (or sellout)

Brady Street's Italian landmark

Peter Sciortino Bakery has anchored Milwaukee's Brady Street neighborhood since 1946, and its very large cinnamon buns carry on an authentic Italian bakery tradition. Named Milwaukee's best bakery by both Shepherd Express and OnMilwaukee, this is the spot when you want to pair a cinnamon roll with legendary Italian cookies, sfogliatelle, and cannoli. The Vella family, longtime employees who purchased the bakery in 1997, keeps the commitment to scratch baking. Allow about 48 hours of advance notice for larger orders, and note that shipping is available nationwide.

1101 E Brady St, Milwaukee, WI 53202 | (414) 272-4623 | Tuesday–Saturday 7am–4pm; Sunday 7am–1pm; closed Monday

Colectivo's Troubadour rolls

For convenience without sacrificing quality, Colectivo Coffee's Troubadour Bakery produces cinnamon rolls served across a dozen-plus Milwaukee-area cafés. The operation runs around the clock, turning out tens of thousands of bakery items weekly, and the brioche-based rolls with sweet icing are big enough for two. Seasonal specialties like pumpkin cinnamon rolls appear in fall. The Bay View location at 2301 S Kinnickinnic Ave, where the bakery is attached, offers the freshest selection, but you'll also find the rolls at the Third Ward (223 E St Paul Ave), Shorewood (4500 N Oakland Ave), East Side (2211 N Prospect Ave), and Lakefront (1701 N Lincoln Memorial Dr) cafés, among others.

A cinnamon roll and a good cup go hand in hand, and Colectivo's lakefront café is a classic pairing spot. For more ideas, see our guide to the coolest coffee shops in the Milwaukee area.

Multiple locations | Generally 6am–5pm daily | Bay View bakery has the freshest selection

Old-school bakery tradition

Families seeking traditional bakery experiences will find plenty to love in Milwaukee's western suburbs, where multi-generational family bakeries have perfected their craft over decades.

National Bakery & Deli was named the Wisconsin Bakers Association's 2025 Bakery of the Year, a milestone that landed in the same year the institution celebrated 100 years in business. Their cinnamon bread layers cinnamon paste into sweet dough, brushed with butter and topped with cinnamon sugar, and sweet rolls are available daily at both retail locations. The longtime deal of free hard rolls with a ham purchase makes this an easy family stop. Online orders require about four business days of lead time.

Brookfield: 13820 W Greenfield Ave, Brookfield, WI 53005 | (262) 827-4097Greendale: 5673 Broad St, Greendale, WI 53129 | (414) 423-4620Monday–Friday 6:30am–3pm; Saturday 6:30am–2pm; closed Sunday

Aggie's Bakery & Cake Shop brings Sicilian family recipes dating to 1977. Now run by the third generation, the West Allis shop is known for cinnamon rolls alongside cherry and cheese danish that reviewers call exceptionally good: loaded, light, and flaky. A multi-time wedding-cake award winner, this is where to go when you want variety, and delivery is available throughout Milwaukee County.

7328 W Greenfield Ave, West Allis, WI 53214 | (414) 482-1288 | Monday–Friday 7am–6pm; Saturday 7am–5pm; Sunday 7am–1pm

Grebe's Bakery, a fourth-generation family operation since 1937, offers cinnamon raisin bread that's delicious toasted or used for French toast, plus buttercream-filled and streusel coffee cakes that satisfy cinnamon cravings in shareable form. Products are also distributed to Sendik's, Woodman's, Pick 'n Save, and other area grocers. Online orders require 48 hours of notice, and pickup isn't available on Mondays.

5132 W Lincoln Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53219 | (414) 543-7000 | Open daily

North Shore options

While the North Shore doesn't have a dedicated cinnamon roll shop, several bakeries offer excellent alternatives without a longer drive. If you're building a full North Shore morning, our North Shore brunch guide is a good companion to this one.

Breadsmith of Whitefish Bay has served the community since 1998, and its Cinnamon Cobblestone Loaf, built on sweet cream butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, eggs, and vanilla, disappears lickety split, according to regulars. Call by 1pm the day before to reserve specific breads, and ask about the Bread Card loyalty program.

420 E Silver Spring Dr, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 | (414) 962-6203 | Monday–Saturday 7am–6pm; closed Sunday

Blooming Lotus Bakery provides allergen-friendly cinnamon rolls for families navigating dietary restrictions, completely grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and refined-sugar-free, sweetened naturally with fruit and coconut palm sugar. The apple cinnamon scone is a customer favorite. The main location on East North Avenue keeps daily hours, while the Shorewood spot on North Maryland Avenue is open weekend mornings only.

Main: 2215 E North Ave, Milwaukee, WI | (414) 800-5030 | Monday–Saturday 8am–6pm; Sunday 9am–5pmShorewood: 3948 N Maryland Ave | Saturday–Sunday 9am–1pm only

North Shore Boulangerie in Shorewood focuses on authentic French and Alsatian pastries rather than American-style cinnamon rolls, but its croissants, cherry danish, and Berliner beignets make excellent alternatives for families chasing European-style morning pastries.

4401 N Oakland Ave, Shorewood, WI 53211 | (414) 963-2153 | Monday–Saturday 7am–5pm; Sunday 7am–3pm

A surprise cinnamon roll in the Third Ward

Smoke Shack might seem like an unlikely cinnamon roll destination given its barbecue focus, but its weekend brunch features a massive, made-from-scratch cinnamon roll that multiple reviewers call one of the best they've ever had. It typically arrives complimentary with brunch orders, and live music runs from 11am to 2pm on both Saturday and Sunday, making this a fun outing for families who appreciate great food and atmosphere. Brunch is a weekend-only affair, so plan around it, and call ahead to confirm the roll is on. For more weekend ideas, browse our guide to the best brunch in greater Milwaukee.

332 N Milwaukee St, Milwaukee, WI 53202 | (414) 431-1119 | Weekend brunch Saturday & Sunday

Planning your cinnamon roll adventure

For families mapping out a dedicated excursion, a little strategy goes a long way.

If you want the best traditional cinnamon rolls, make the drive to Simply Cinnamon Bakery in Pewaukee. Arrive by 8:30am Wednesday through Sunday, grab a 6-pack, and consider picking up their decorated cookies for the kids.

If you'd rather do a multi-stop Wauwatosa morning, start at Cranky Al's when the doors open at 6am, then swing by Rocket Baby and Simma's as they open. All three sit along North Avenue within a few minutes of each other.

For North Shore convenience, Breadsmith in Whitefish Bay opens at 7am for the cinnamon cobblestone loaf, or hit Blooming Lotus on weekend mornings for allergen-friendly options in Shorewood. You can also build a stop around the Whitefish Bay Farmers Market, where local bakers set up all season.

To combine a roll with a larger outing, Colectivo's Bay View location offers fresh Troubadour rolls steps from Kinnickinnic Avenue shopping, while Peter Sciortino on Brady Street pairs perfectly with exploring the East Side. And for brunch with entertainment, Smoke Shack's weekend service combines a giant cinnamon roll with live music, a memorable experience for the whole family.

Most bakeries sell out of popular items by late morning, so plan to arrive within the first hour or two of opening for the best selection. Several spots, including Simply Cinnamon, Breadsmith, and National Bakery, offer pre-ordering for families who want guaranteed availability.

A final note on freshness and timing

The best cinnamon rolls are fresh cinnamon rolls, and timing matters. Bakeries typically bake in the early morning, so rolls pulled before 9am will still be warm at most locations. Weekend mornings see higher demand, so weekday visits often mean shorter lines and better selection. Many bakeries close early or sell out, so checking hours before your visit prevents disappointment, especially when you've got eager young cinnamon roll enthusiasts along for the adventure.

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