Know the North Shore: Matilda Bakehouse brings pastry magic

This mother-daughter bakery has become the North Shore's most beloved gathering spot for families craving scratch-made pastries, artisan croissants, and the kind of warm, welcoming atmosphere that turns first-time visitors into regulars. Allie Fisher, a French Pastry School graduate with 14+ years of professional experience, and her mother Julie Howard opened their Fox Point retail location in April 2024 after building a devoted following through farmers markets and a pandemic-era cottage bakery. With a 4.7-star Google rating, daily rotating menus, and kid-friendly treats galore, Matilda Bakehouse delivers exactly what North Shore families need: an authentic neighborhood bakery where the croissants are flaky, the cookies are generously sprinkled, and everyone feels at home.

The heartwarming story behind the name

The bakery's name carries three generations of love. "Matilda" was the nickname Allie's grandfather called her mother Julie when she was little. He then called Allie the same thing, and now lovingly calls Allie's daughters—Isabella and Lola—Matilda too. This multigenerational connection runs through everything at the bakery, from the Lola Cookie (named after Allie's daughter, loaded with oatmeal, butterscotch, coconut, pretzels, and chocolate chips) to the family-focused atmosphere.

Allie Fisher trained at The French Pastry School in Chicago in 2009, following a traditional French Master-Apprentice model. She went on to work as pastry chef at The Pfister Hotel, SURG Restaurant Group, and Bartolotta Restaurant Group before the pandemic changed everything. When she lost her job in 2020, she launched Matilda as a cottage bakery with home pick-up and online sales. Demand grew through farmers markets, then wholesale partnerships, then finally into the Fox Point Shops storefront that now draws crowds every morning.

Her baking philosophy blends rigorous French techniques with nostalgic Midwest family recipes. Everything is made completely from scratch daily, and the menu changes based on seasonal ingredients and the creativity of the pastry team. Julie Howard, with her background in business management and interior design, handles operations and created the bakery's inviting aesthetic—sage-toned walls, black accents, and whimsical croissant paintings that Allie herself painted.

What families will find on the menu

The daily rotating selection means there's always something new to discover, but certain items have earned devoted followings:

Croissants and viennoiserie anchor the pastry case. The plain croissants are textbook perfect—soft, flaky, beautifully laminated. Almond croissants consistently appear in glowing reviews ("soft and flakey but not too sweet"), while the everything croissant and seasonal savory options like ham & swiss or potato leek satisfy breakfast cravings. The cinnamon knot has been called a "menu all-star" by Milwaukee Magazine, and the kouign-amann (a buttery Breton pastry) showcases Allie's French training.

Cookies rotate daily, typically three flavors available at a time. The Chocolate Chunk cookie is a signature—crunchy outside, gooey inside, topped with a Valrhona chocolate fève. Kids gravitate toward the Funfetti (sugar cookie with "ALL the sprinkles") and the Shortbread Sprinkle Bites, which one parent called their son's "favorite treat." Seasonal options include Ginger Molasses in fall and Chocolate Peppermint in December.

Bars and brownies include the fan-favorite Big Bottom Bar—soft oatmeal bars with homemade salted caramel and chocolate chips that reviews describe as "melt in your mouth with caramel, buttery goodness." The Matilda Brownie is rich and fudgy with chocolate ganache, and gluten-friendly options are available.

For special occasions, celebration cakes range from a 4-inch smash cake (perfect for first birthdays) to 10-inch cakes serving up to 18. Flavors include Funfetti with vanilla buttercream, Vanilla Strawberry with pastry cream, and the signature Matilda Chocolate. Cupcakes come in standard and large sizes.

Pricing families should expect

The bakery offers genuinely accessible price points. Petite cookies and small bites run $1.95 each, café-size cookies are $3.25, and a six-pack cookie box costs $9.00. Bars sell for $1.95 individually or $16 for a 9-serving pan. Cupcakes range from $3.50 to $5.00 depending on size and decoration. Celebration cakes scale from $35 (4-inch smash cake) to $85 (10-inch cake). Coffee comes from respected local roaster Anodyne. Reviews consistently describe the typical visit as $10-20 per person—reasonable for the quality.

For special events, the "Classics" catering box (12 pastries including cinnamon knots, croissants, and danish) runs $56, while the larger "Gathering Box" (24 pieces) costs $105. Catering requires 3 days minimum notice, with a $35 delivery fee in the Milwaukee area. A Cookie Club subscription delivers monthly limited-edition flavors for $30/month including local home delivery.

Why this bakery works beautifully for families

The entire concept was designed around community gathering. Allie grew up in the North Shore and has fond memories of visiting Bay Bakery in Whitefish Bay with family and friends. She explicitly wanted to recreate that experience—"a place where people can gather, visit with friends and enjoy something delicious."

The space accommodates families comfortably. Seating options include traditional two-top tables, bar-style counter seating, and soft lounge-style areas. The café is described as "spacious" in reviews. It's wheelchair and stroller accessible, with outdoor seating available. Wi-Fi is free. The private meeting room hosts cookie decorating classes—a perfect birthday party activity.

Kid-specific menu wins include sprinkle-covered everything (Funfetti cookies, Triple Chocolate cookies with sprinkles, Shortbread Sprinkle Bites), the 4-inch smash cake for first birthdays, and apple juice alongside the coffee menu. Custom birthday cakes—including themed designs like Batman—get rave reviews from parents. The warm, cozy atmosphere and consistently friendly staff ("the best workers who are always so kind") make children feel welcome.

Essential planning details for your visit

Location: 6874 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Fox Point, WI 53217, in the Fox Point Shops shopping center. This is Fox Point—not Shorewood or Whitefish Bay, though it's close to both communities.

Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 7:00 AM–1:00 PM, Sunday 8:00 AM–1:00 PM. Closed Monday and Tuesday. The bakery closes at 1 PM, and popular items sell out—arrive early for the best selection. Many reviews mention items being gone by late morning.

Contact: Phone (414) 364-8869, email info@matildamke.com, website matildabakehouse.com. Follow @matildamke on Instagram for daily menu updates—the rotating selection means checking their feed before visiting is smart.

Parking: Free lot parking in the Fox Point Shops center. The Village of Fox Point confirmed sufficient parking exists to accommodate customers. This is dramatically easier than street parking in denser commercial areas.

Special orders: Custom cakes often book 2+ weeks out—plan ahead for birthdays and celebrations. Payment is due minimum 3 days in advance, with pickup between 9 AM and 4 PM.

What customers consistently praise

Reviews paint a remarkably consistent picture. The 4.7-star Google rating reflects genuine enthusiasm, not just satisfaction. Common themes include exceptional baked goods quality, warm atmosphere, and standout customer service. "WOW! What Matilda Bakehouse has created is amazing!" wrote one reviewer. "The bakery is wonderful and the atmosphere is so warm and cozy," said another.

The almond croissants, cinnamon knots, and Big Bottom Bars appear in review after review. Wedding and celebration cakes earn particular praise—"everyone loved it and wanted to know where I got it... you have a customer for many occasions to come." One telling detail: a reviewer mentioned that two different neighbors brought Matilda's treats as welcome-to-the-neighborhood gifts within weeks of each other. That's community reputation.

Staff friendliness comes up constantly: "the best workers who are always so kind," "super nice," "very friendly and helpful." The owners actively respond to reviews, showing genuine engagement with their customer community.

Recent recognition

Milwaukee Magazine featured Matilda in December 2025 as one of three bakeries "redefining what a neighborhood bakery can be," highlighting their cinnamon knot, kouign-amann, and carrot cake as menu all-stars. FOX6 Milwaukee covered the opening in April 2024, noting they were already selling out within weeks.

Beyond Fox Point, you can find Matilda pastries at the Shorewood Farmers Market on Sundays during outdoor season (they're also participating in the inaugural Winter Market in January 2026). Wholesale partners include Milwaukee Art Museum, Frannie's Market in Cedarburg, Lupi & Iris, and Sala Modern Sicilian—so you might encounter their work around town.

Conclusion

Matilda Bakehouse represents exactly what North Shore families deserve: a genuine neighborhood bakery with serious credentials, accessible prices, and an atmosphere built around community gathering. The mother-daughter ownership story adds authenticity, the French-trained pastry chef delivers quality that rivals any Milwaukee bakery, and the family-friendly details—from sprinkle-covered cookies to smash cakes to cookie decorating classes—show they understand their audience. Plan to arrive early (especially on weekends), check Instagram for the daily rotation, and order custom cakes well in advance. For North Shore families seeking a reliable spot for Saturday morning treats, birthday celebrations, or simply a warm place to gather over excellent pastry and coffee, Matilda Bakehouse delivers.