National Bakery and Deli ★ 4.6
National Bakery on South 16th Street has baked Wisconsin kringle, paczki on Fat Tuesday and Polish pastries since 1925, with five locations.
Worth the queue: Almond kringle
Bakery counters in Milwaukee worth queuing for: levain breads, laminated pastry, regional bakes and the morning ritual.
Where to queue for bread and pastry
Peter Sciortino's Bakery ★ 4.7
Peter Sciortino's Bakery on East Brady Street is the city's Italian-American bakery since 1948, with cannoli, biscotti, Italian wedding cookies and weekday.
Worth the queue: Cannoli
Rocket Baby Bakery ★ 4.7
Rocket Baby Bakery on West North Avenue in Wauwatosa bakes cream cheese danishes, chocolate croissants, French macarons, baguettes and sourdough loaves.
Worth the queue: Kouign amann
Miss Molly's Pastry Shop ★ 4.4
Miss Molly's Pastry Shop on West Center Street in Wauwatosa runs an American pastry case with tarts, scones and cakes alongside the brunch room next door.
Worth the queue: Lemon tart
Amaranth Bakery and Cafe ★ 4.5
Amaranth Bakery on West Lisbon Avenue in Washington Park bakes hand-shaped sourdough, scones and quiches in a small neighborhood bakery cafe since 2007 today.
Worth the queue: Whole-wheat sourdough loaf
The Cake Lady ★ 4.4
The Cake Lady on South Muskego Avenue in Walker's Point bakes the city's most-ordered birthday cakes, with butter cream icing, custom decorating.
Worth the queue: Butter cream cake
Outpost Natural Foods Bakery ★ 4.2
Outpost Natural Foods Bakery on East Capitol Drive runs a whole-grain in-store bakery, with sourdough breads, vegan cookies and a gluten-free range.
Worth the queue: Whole-grain sourdough
Purple Door Ice Cream ★ 4.5
Purple Door Ice Cream on South 2nd Street in Walker's Point is a craft ice cream shop with Wisconsin dairy, rotating flavours and sundaes alongside espresso.
Worth the queue: Wisconsin honey ice cream
Grebe's Bakery ★ 4.5
Grebe's Bakery on West Lincoln Avenue is a Polish-American bakery, founded in 1937, with babka, donuts, paczki on Fat Tuesday and a long South Side following.
Worth the queue: Babka
Greige Patisserie ★ 4.6
Greige Patisserie on West Florida Street in Walker's Point bakes French laminated pastries including almond croissants, kouign amann and macarons in the Brix.
Worth the queue: Almond croissant
Book food experiences in Milwaukee
Milwaukee: Brady Street Lunch Food Tour
Taste your way through Brady Street on a guided food tour in Milwaukee. Try Italian specialties, Mexican street food, local beer, and more across 5 to 6 stops.
Milwaukee: Pedal Tavern Tour
See Milwaukee from the best seat in town: a private or shared pedal tavern. Expect great vibes, drink specials at each bar, and the freedom to bring your own drinks an...
Milwaukee: Dairyland Delights Food Walking Tour
Taste classic Wisconsin specialties on a guided walk through Milwaukee. Try cheese curds, bratwurst, a butter burger, beer, and dessert along Old World 3rd Street.