Somewhere in Northeast Minneapolis, a bakery pulls racks of pretzels out of the oven while most of the city is still hunting for its car keys. Bread here follows old German methods, and some loaves take three full days to make.
People drive across the metro for a single pastry, and one fan comes from two hours away. The prices are also friendly, which is rare news for any food lover in a Minnesota winter.
This story covers the history of the place, the breads worth the trip, the cozy evening side of the business, and the practical tips that will save you from arriving on a closed day. Food-focused day-trippers, this one is for you.
Grab a tote bag, because you will want room for more than one loaf.
A Bakery on Marshall Street
The mystery spot is Aki’s BreadHaus & WunderBar, found at 1712 Marshall St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413, in the Northeast neighborhood that locals lovingly call Nordeast.
It is a German-style bakery that makes sweet and savory baked goods using traditional German techniques. The setting is casual, so nobody needs to dress up to buy a loaf of bread.
Here is the twist in the name. The BreadHaus half handles the baking, while the WunderBar half is a cafe and bar space attached to the bakery.
That combination means the building works for a quick morning bread run and also for a relaxed evening with a board of bread, cheese, and meat. Few bakeries in the Twin Cities stretch their day this far.
The building also has a neighbor worth knowing about. Broken Clock Brewing Co-op shares the same address, which makes this stretch of Marshall Street a handy stop for anyone planning a Northeast outing.
Fans of the place give it a near-perfect standing of 4.9 stars across more than 560 posts online, a number that says plenty about how hard the crew works. Keep reading, because the story behind the bread goes back further than the new space suggests.
From Tiny Shop to Bigger Haus
Long before the roomy Marshall Street location opened, Aki’s pretzels were already famous in bars and taverns across Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The original Aki’s sat right next to Fair State Brewing. That earlier shop was small and no-frills, and it mostly kept daytime hours.
A fun bit of local history comes from that old spot. When Fair State opened, a small pass-through window was built straight into the bakery area, so pretzels could be sold directly into the brewery.
Saturday hours at the old shop were once limited to a few morning hours. Catching the bakery open felt like spotting a rare bird for night owls.
Then came the move. The new location is described as spacious and full of tributes to the history of Aki’s, with a more professional, larger bakery feel.
Staff remained as helpful as ever after the switch. Production also seems steadier, since regulars report they rarely need to make a substitution because something sold out.
Growing up without losing the friendly small-shop spirit is a tricky recipe. Aki’s appears to have kneaded it just right.
Pretzels That Built a Reputation
Pretzels are the headliner here, and no other item comes up nearly as often when people talk about Aki’s.
The headline promises a German deli feel, and the pretzel is where that promise lands hardest. They come in large classic form and also as pretzel sticks.
A big pretzel has cost around $4, and it arrives with complimentary house-made mustard. Options have included a cranberry mustard and a beer-style mustard.
Free mustard with a fair price is the kind of deal that turns first-timers into regulars. Some fans call these the best pretzels they have ever had.
A small pro tip is worth remembering. Pretzels are best eaten the day you buy them, since they do not keep well.
Get one fresh from the oven if you can. Otherwise, take it home, warm it in the oven, and serve it with mustard or cheese dip.
The bakery was busily turning out pretzels on an ordinary weekday at noon, so supply is steady. Still, a pretzel twisted into a classic knot has a way of disappearing quickly, so do not wait too long.
The Three-Day Sourdough Club
Patience is an ingredient at Aki’s, and the 3-day fermented sourdough proves it.
Many regulars call this loaf their go-to. Some say nothing else in the Twin Cities matches its freshness and flavor.
The sourdough is noticeably tangy with a good crumb, which pleases anyone who likes bread with personality. A sourdough baguette and a rosemary garlic loaf also earn praise.
Bread fans who crave classic German styles have plenty to explore:
Bauernbrot, the hearty farmer’s bread. Sunflower rye.
Hard rolls made with 100 percent rye. A crowd-pleasing Crazy Raisin Bread that makes great toast.
Brotchen, the traditional German roll, is another favorite, and it shows up on many shopping lists.
Several gluten-sensitive customers mention they can eat the sourdough here, and the bakery notes it has heard this from many people. Anyone with dietary concerns should still check with their own doctor first.
Prices stay friendly too. A white sourdough loaf has gone for about $7 and the 3-day ferment for about $9, which is a fair trade for three days of work.
Sweet Things in the Pastry Case
Choosing just one item from the bakery case is a real challenge, and many guests give up and buy a bagful.
The lemon poppyseed roll has a loyal following. Some call it one of the best baked goods they have tried all year, with a remarkably soft texture.
Cinnamon fans have options too. Cinnamon sticks, cinnamon rolls, and the beloved cinnamon nuggets all appear on the shelves.
Those nuggets have such a following that one fan admits to driving halfway across the metro just to buy them. Eating only one is considered nearly impossible.
Other treats worth a look include:
Cardamom bread, a Scandinavian-style favorite that fits right in with Minnesota tastes. Blueberry streusel.
Nutella pastries that are not overly sweet. Chocolate chip cookies that some first-timers rave about.
Not every bite wins everyone over, and a few folks have found the cinnamon rolls on the dry side. Pairing one with coffee is an easy fix.
A box of mixed goodies also makes a handy treat for an office meeting. Expect your coworkers to suddenly become very punctual.
Savory Bites and Lunch Plates
Sweet treats get the spotlight, but the savory side of the menu deserves its own moment.
Early on, lunch options were limited to a daily soup and a couple of savory breads. Onion and bacon, plus sauerkraut and cheese, were among those first choices.
The owners promised to expand, and a lunch program followed. Today the menu includes items like a chicken salad sandwich.
Soup remains a reliable choice. A vegan potato soup served with a sourdough roll and butter has won fans.
Savory pastries also fill the case. Look for the cheddar bacon chive roll and an assortment of cheese and veggie tarts.
The German platte is a standout, especially in the evening. The bread, cheese, and meat board gets praised for its presentation.
Food-focused day-trippers should plan a full meal here rather than a quick stop. It is hard to leave with just a sandwich in hand, since the bread shelves sit right there tempting you on the way out.
Room to Linger
Plenty of bakeries are built for grab-and-go, but this one practically begs you to stay a while.
The cafe space is large and laid back. It offers a variety of comfortable seating options, from standard tables to some fun, unusual chairs that encourage face-to-face conversation.
Natural light fills much of the room. Outlets are available in some spots, so remote workers have turned it into a favorite workspace.
The decor gets compliments for being cozy and calming. Rotating art also gives repeat guests something new to look at.
Book lovers will find it a pleasant place to read with a pastry. Friends can settle in for a long chat without feeling rushed.
The people behind the counter add a lot to the mood. Staff are often described as easygoing and friendly, and a chat with the owner’s wife has become a highlight for some guests.
Owners also respond to nearly every comment online, often thanking guests by name. That personal touch matches the welcoming vibe in the room itself.
Hours, Parking, and Smart Timing
Nothing spoils a bread run like a locked door, so here are the details.
Wednesday and Thursday: 8 am to 9 pm.
Friday and Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm.
Tuesday: 8 am to 4 pm.
Sunday and Monday: closed.
Popular loaves can sell out, so mornings are the safest bet for the widest selection. One lucky shopper grabbed the very last sourdough of the day, which is not a gamble worth taking with your favorite bread.
Weekday street parking tends to be manageable, though winter snowbanks can make spots harder to use. Plan an extra minute or two in January.
Accessibility is covered through the rear parking lot entrance. That entrance is finished and serves guests who need step-free entry.
Prices remain a big draw. Two treats have come to about $7 together, and a pretzel runs about $4, so a generous haul will not empty your wallet.
Bring a sturdy bag for the trip home.
Worth the Drive to Nordeast
Some places are worth a detour, and this bakery makes a strong case for a full day trip.
The pull is clear. Traditional German baking, long-fermented sourdough, famous pretzels with free mustard, and a roomy cafe all sit under one roof.
Fair prices seal the deal. Few bakeries offer this much craft at numbers that feel this reasonable.
Not every loaf will match every taste, and a few shoppers have wished for more value from certain breads. Most guests, though, leave planning their next visit before they reach the car.
The space suits remote workers, book lovers, families on a weekend outing, and friends meeting for an evening platter. Food-focused day-trippers from across Minnesota will find enough variety to justify the miles.
One fan who lives two hours away has already made the trip twice. That says more than any sign could.
Pack a cooler bag and an appetite. A small slice of Germany is waiting on Marshall Street, no passport required.
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