Best Bakery and Cake Shops in Waukesha

"Cranky Al’s has been a Wauwatosa institution for fresh made doughnuts for years. Their selection is made up of all the classics like crullers, glazed, yeast, fritters, long johns, all made by hand using fresh, local ingredients… and boy are they tasty. Photo by Craig John Photography / Styling: Events To A T / Rentals: Relics Vintage Rentals"

"Located just across the street from Rocket Baby in East Tosa, Cranky Al's is the Milwaukee area's go-to donut headquarters, with a wide variety of flavors and styles, including a great apple fritter and a Nutella-filed. Some mornings the line is out the door."

"Don’t let the name intimidate you — these donuts are some of the best in the city!. Whether you’re in the mood for a long john or a jelly donut, Cranky Al has you coverd."

"North Ave., the bakery and breakfast and brunch spot, which offers coffee and tea and more, is the highest-rated cheap bakery in Milwaukee, boasting 4.5 stars out of 266 reviews on Yelp. The spot also offers breads, pastries and sandwiches, according to the website."

"That describes the atmosphere at Rocket Baby, which opened just more than a year ago and serves up pastries and baked goods, savory and sweet. Its standout creation?. A tall breakfast muffin made with Nueske’s double-smoked bacon, parsley and aged cheddar cheese."

"Come for the bread – like the crusty, yet light as air, pan de mie, or a honkin’ big, rustic country miche sourdough – and stay for the house-made brioche, pop tarts, multi-hued macarons or insanely good chocolate croissants."

"Amaranth on the west side turns vegetables, often local, into lunch. Soups are stocked full of them, like the savory gazpacho with zucchini, tomato and more, diced so finely, and Southwestern corn chowder with Italian sausage. Sandwiches are cut from a wheel-shaped loaf; the roasted vegetable is my perennial favorite."

"Lisbon Ave., (414) 934-0587amaranthbakery.com In addition to bringing a little life to a strip that could use a boost, Amaranth also makes some of the crustiest, airiest, most delectable bread in the city."

"This hidden gem is sure to be your new go-to for breakfast baked goods!. Don’t forget to check them out for lunch and dinner, too."

"America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee, espresso, breakfast sandwiches and donuts. Order your Dunkin’ faves via the drive-thru or order ahead of time with the Dunkin’ mobile app for a fast grab and go experience."

"This mobile mini-donut bar (yes, that actually exists!) makes balls of dough into perfectly shaped mini-donuts right before your hungry eyes. Check out their festival and farmer's market schedule on their website."

"The gist: Owner Taqwa Obaid uses her mother's Palestinian recipes for this restaurant, which grew out of a home business selling taboun, a flatbread. The food: Middle Eastern breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served, with an emphasis on bakery items, which are baked fresh to order. Foul, falafel, hummus, salads, various kabobs, and grilled chicken make up the bulk of the traditional menu."

"Taqwa's Restaurant is a newcomer to the South Side, but it's well worth your time to check out. Gloss over the menu and you’ll find familiar dishes like hummus, baba ghannouj, falafel and kabobs. But you’ll also find less common offerings, including traditional breakfast items, manakish, fatayer and delicious housemade desserts."

"Reason to go: A menu filled with standout bar food and two dozen beer options to wash it down. It’s hard to find a weak pour among the 24 taps that Doble has flowing. Bigger brews like stouts, barleywines and Scotch ales shine, but don’t miss out on the tasty crispness of the Patagonian Hitchhiker Lager."

"Located inside the Southridge Mall, Explorium offers a fun casual atmosphere, a crowd pleasing menu and a list of brews that's perfect for the beer-curious. Take some time and explore it."

"We are a locally owned brewery and restaurant offering 24 taps of house-made beer in a comfortable family-friendly environment in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward."

"Riverwest's cafe offers an extensive menu full of vegan options. From vegan pancakes, to tofu banh mis, to French toast and tempeh reubens, there's something to delight every vegan at this humble co-op cafe. Get out the stretchy pants—they have vegan cupcakes, and brunch too."

"The Riverwest Co-op Cafe offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. You can sit-in or order to go. It’s an unassuming spot from the outside, but offers some of the best vegan and vegetarian food in Milwaukee."

"Dedicated to providing nutritious and affordable natural foods to the neighborhood, this local grocery is also a favorite spot for local vegetarians and vegans to grab lunch or all-day breakfast."

"Nestled in a cozy Eastside neighborhood and exuding the charm of an antique-accented European bistro, The Pasta Tree Restaurant & Wine Bar is a charming eatery with a lovely garden patio that serves dinner only Tuesday through Sundays. The welcoming restaurant serves a menu of simple, delicious fare such as fresh pasta and house-made sauces, freshly baked bread and mouthwatering desserts daily, along with seasonal and changing entrées and specials. All the cuisine is prepared with locally sourced and organic ingredients where possible and accompanied by a creative wine list of globally-inspired wines, craft beers, and signature cocktails made with imported spirits."

"The love story Chef-Owner Suzzette Metcalfe weaves in the kitchen each night is about as romantic as the setting itself. The Pasta Tree has been an East Side staple since opening in 1982; Metcalfe, who used to work at the restaurant, took over in 2007. Couples cozy up in either the original dining room (narrow and elegant, with a mix of tables and banquettes) or the newer wine bar, which features a crackling fireplace."

"This Third-Ward fixture is famed for its spiced and candied nuts, sold in specialty shops throughout the city and online. But on Fridays, Treat cranks up the heat in its kitchen by offering a limited number of cookies, including one of the best chocolate chip cookies we’ve ever tasted."

"Donuts go fast at this Italian bakery, so you might have to choose an almond bear claw or eclair instead, which probably have spots somewhere in the great donut pantheon. But whatever donut you pick, from jelly filled to cruller, it will be soft and fresh. Don't bother trying to ignore the Italian cookies, you'll need a pound of those, too."

"A Milwaukee native’s tried and true, this bakery is filled with not only donuts, but coffee cakes, muffins, pastries and pies!. Your sweet-tooth is looking forward to the trip."