Some people drive across state lines for concerts or ballgames. Others make the trip for a single cinnamon roll, and they come home convinced it was the smartest drive of the year.
A small bakery in Minneapolis has people from Wisconsin, Los Angeles, and every corner of Minnesota lining up on the sidewalk before the doors even open. The rolls are huge, the frosting comes with extras, and first-timers often get a free treat at the counter.
This guide covers where the bakery sits, what to order, how long the line can run, and the best times to slip in without a wait. Food-focused day-trippers, this one belongs on the list.
A Tiny Bakery on West 28th Street
The address worth plugging into the GPS is Isles Bun & Coffee, 1424 W 28th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408. It sits in a neighborhood setting in south Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it is small by design.
The bakery is described as petite, and the menu centers on one thing above all else. Cinnamon rolls are the specialty here, with other baked goods and coffee drinks filling out the rest of the counter.
That focus is a big part of the appeal. Instead of trying to be everything, the kitchen leans into the item that put it on the map.
With a 4.7-star standing across nearly 2,000 opinions on Google, the bakery has earned a loyal following. Cinnamon rolls come up close to 500 times in those comments, which tells you exactly why people show up.
The building itself is charming, with a decent amount of room inside. It feels local and unpretentious, the kind of place where regulars drift in for coffee and a fresh pastry on an ordinary weekday.
Day-trippers from far outside the Twin Cities treat it as a destination. Folks have driven in from Wisconsin just to see what the fuss is about, and plenty of them leave planning a return trip.
So what exactly earns all that loyalty? The answer starts with a roll the size of a small plate.
The Original Cinnamon Bun Holds Court
First-timers face a menu full of temptations, but the advice from repeat fans is simple. Start with the Original Cinnamon Bun.
These rolls are big. Many people say a single bun is more than plenty for one person, and pairs often end up boxing half of their order to take home.
Fans describe the dough as fluffy yet dense, with a soft texture. Some note it lands sweet without going overboard, and a few mention a slight tang in the dough that sets it apart.
Presentation gets plenty of credit too. The rolls look impressive when they arrive, and many arrive fresh out of the oven.
Not everyone falls in love, and that is worth knowing before the drive. A handful of guests found their rolls drier or milder than expected, and some wanted more cinnamon in the swirl.
The owner has responded to that kind of feedback by asking for details to address the issue, calling it not the usual style. Still, the majority clearly leave happy, with many calling it the best cinnamon roll they have ever had.
The bakery has even drawn national attention, with the New York Times among those singing its praises. That kind of buzz helped turn a neighborhood shop into a road trip stop.
Of course, a great roll is only half the story. The frosting has a fan club of its own.
Extra Frosting, No Questions Asked
Frosting comes up nearly 200 times in comments about this bakery. That is a lot of attention for a topping.
The reason is simple. Guests can add more frosting to their order, and many consider that extra cup the highlight of the visit.
Regulars spoon it onto cinnamon buns, caramel rolls, and especially the puppy dog tails. One longtime fan who admits to not even being a big cinnamon roll person keeps coming back for puppy dog tails with extra frosting.
It is a classic style of icing rather than a cream cheese version. That detail splits opinion a little, as some prefer a tangier topping while others love the straightforward sweetness.
Knowing that ahead of time helps set expectations. Fans of old-fashioned bakery icing tend to be the happiest customers.
Staff are known to toss in extra frosting for first-timers, along with other small surprises. It is a generous touch that makes the counter feel welcoming even during a rush.
The best strategy is to grab a cup and decide for yourself how much your roll needs. There are no frosting police here.
Speaking of surprises at the counter, there is a little twisted pastry with a playful name waiting to be discovered.
Puppy Dog Tails and the First-Timer Perk
Here is a fun bit of bakery trivia. The second most talked-about item at this shop is not a roll at all, but something called a puppy dog tail.
Puppy dog tails are smaller twisted cinnamon pastries, basically a cinnamon roll in stick form. They earn more than 100 mentions on their own.
And the best part for newcomers? Staff often hand out a free puppy dog tail to people visiting for the first time.
So mention it is your first trip when you reach the counter. Guests from Wisconsin and Los Angeles alike walked away with a bonus tail after saying so.
The tails are a popular pick for sharing and snacking on the drive home. Some families buy them by the box.
Opinions vary, as they should. A few folks prefer the full-size bun, while others call the tail their favorite item in the whole case, especially with a layer of extra frosting on top.
Either way, the freebie is a smart way to sample both. Order a bun, collect a tail, and you have a built-in taste test.
Of course, cinnamon is not the only flavor pulling people through the door.
Caramel, Pecans, and the Rest of the Case
Cinnamon gets the headlines, but the caramel side of the menu has serious backers. Caramel rolls, the Caramel Sticky Bun, and the Caramel Pecan Bun all draw steady praise.
The pecan version comes loaded with nuts. Some guests declare the sticky bun the best they have ever tried, and one pair who ordered a cinnamon roll and a pecan roll called the contest a tie.
The house-made caramel rolls are described as original takes on a classic. A few people wished for even more caramel, so tastes clearly differ.
Beyond the buns, the case holds scones, coffee cake, cookies, and quiche. Scones in particular earn dozens of mentions.
The fruit-covered coffee cake has its fans, while others prefer a more traditional style. Carrot cake also appears on the menu for anyone curious.
Variety is a real plus for groups. Someone who is not in a cinnamon mood can still find a treat or a savory quiche.
Plenty of regulars rotate through the menu over multiple visits. That is the beauty of a bakery close enough for a weekend drive.
Every great pastry deserves a sidekick in a cup, though.
Coffee, Cider, and Something to Sip
The name says coffee for a reason. The drink menu holds its own beside the rolls.
Espresso drinks earn compliments, and the Americano is noted as a good value. Even people who typically skip cafe coffee have come away impressed.
Warm apple cider is a favorite on chilly days. It gets credit for being nicely seasoned without being too sweet, a welcome reward after waiting outside in cold weather.
Chai is on the menu too, though it draws mixed opinions. As with any coffee shop, personal taste plays a role.
Free self-serve water is available inside. That small detail helps when you are working through a roll that could feed two.
The coffee pairs well with the baked goods, making the bakery a natural pick for a casual breakfast or midday break. Plenty of locals stop by just for a cup and a scone.
For travelers, a hot drink makes the line easier to handle. And that line deserves its own section.
The Line Is Part of the Legend
Drive past on a weekend and you will likely see people waiting outside. The line is famous in its own right, with more than 60 comments about it.
Wait times vary widely. Some guests got through in about five minutes, others spent 20 minutes on a weekday at 10 a.m., and busy stretches have stretched to 40 or 45 minutes.
A line often forms right at opening, so arriving early does not guarantee a short wait. Weekends tend to be the busiest.
Smart timing helps. Late Thursday mornings and Friday around noon have been reported with no line at all.
In winter, dress warmly because the queue often runs outside. Staff stay calm and patient even when things get hectic, which keeps the pace moving.
The wait can even be entertaining. On one sunny Saturday, the bakery hosted a trinket market while a musician played at the end of the line, a treat for vintage browsers and pastry fans alike.
Through the windows, guests can watch bakers rolling dough into pinwheels and mixing big bowls of icing. Not a bad show while you inch toward the counter.
Hours, Seating, and Parking Know-How
Planning a cross-state trip means doing a little homework. Here are the basics.
The bakery opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. It is closed on Mondays, so avoid that day on your road trip calendar.
Seating is available inside, and outdoor tables appear during warmer seasons. Indoor tables can fill up during peak times, although many people take their orders to go.
There is one single-stall restroom. Parking outside the business is paid, so bring a way to pay for a meter or app.
Prices are considered fair and reasonable for the portion sizes. Given how filling the rolls are, many guests feel they get strong value.
Large orders add up, of course. Buying a dozen rolls for a holiday gathering will cost more than a quick stop for one bun and a coffee.
For the full menu and updates, the bakery keeps a website at islesbun.com. Checking it before leaving home is a good habit for anyone driving in from far away.
With logistics sorted, the last question is who will enjoy this place most.
Worth the Miles for Pastry Pilgrims
So, is the drive worth it? For most people who make the trip, the answer is a confident yes.
Food-focused day-trippers will find a bakery that does one thing exceptionally well and backs it up with friendly service. Staff earn constant praise for being kind, efficient, and patient, even handling small mix-ups with good humor.
Families will appreciate the free puppy dog tail for first-timers and the generous portions. Couples can split a bun and still head home with leftovers.
A few honest notes help set expectations. The frosting is classic rather than cream cheese, the line can be long, and not every palate is won over.
Those who go in curious tend to leave impressed. Many skeptics have walked out calling it a roll that meets the hype.
Pair the stop with a stroll through the neighborhood, aim for a weekday morning, and mention your first visit at the counter. Those small moves make a good trip even better.
A bakery box riding shotgun on the way home might be the best souvenir Minneapolis offers. Just try to save some for later.
Share this story
