Thirsty Whale Bakery Minneapolis: Indigenous-Owned Custom Cakes & Gourmet Pastries

Thirsty Whale Bakery Introduce

Introduction / Overview

Nestled in the heart of North Minneapolis, Thirsty Whale Bakery is far more than just a place to satisfy a sweet tooth—it's an award-winning destination for extraordinary custom desserts. Led by nationally recognized pastry chefs, this local gem has built a reputation across the Twin Cities for pushing the boundaries of what a celebration cake can be, specializing in visually stunning, 'extreme custom cakes' that turn any event into an unforgettable masterpiece.

The bakery proudly offers a full spectrum of indulgence, from walk-in favorites like fresh, vibrant gourmet donuts and jumbo muffins to meticulously planned, multi-tiered wedding cakes. Their commitment to excellence has earned them accolades, with their team often winning top prizes in creative cake decorating competitions, establishing them as industry leaders right here in Minnesota.

A key point of pride for this establishment is its identity as an Indigenous-owned business, grounding its creative spirit in the rich, diverse community of Minneapolis. The environment is described as a cheery, cozy neighborhood haven where customers are invited to dream big. Their philosophy is simple yet ambitious: if they can draw your vision, they can bake it into a delectable reality. This unwavering commitment to creativity, paired with an extensive menu of unique and traditional flavor combinations, makes Thirsty Whale Bakery a truly unique and treasured find for local residents planning any type of celebration.

Location and Accessibility

Thirsty Whale Bakery is strategically located in North Minneapolis, making it a convenient stop for customers throughout the Twin Cities metro area.

The full address is:

4149 Fremont Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412, USA

Accessibility is designed to ensure a smooth, welcoming experience for all local patrons:

In-Store Experience: The bakery offers both In-store pickup for custom orders and In-store shopping for their daily selection of pastries, donuts, and fresh-baked goods.

Accessibility Features: The bakery ensures easy access for everyone, featuring a Wheelchair accessible entrance.

Parking and Transit: Located on Fremont Ave N, visitors benefit from the availability of Free street parking in the immediate vicinity, facilitating a quick and hassle-free visit to pick up treats or place an order.

Convenience: The business is noted as ideal for a Quick visit, whether grabbing a morning donut or swiftly collecting a custom cake.

Payment Options: For a modern, seamless transaction, they accept a wide array of payment methods, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Services Offered

Thirsty Whale Bakery provides a full suite of baking and dessert services to meet every need, from a quick coffee treat to a major event centerpiece.

Custom Cake Design: Their specialty, including multi-tiered wedding cakes, 3D cakes, and highly detailed celebration cakes for all occasions. They offer comprehensive design consultations to bring complex visions to life.

Wedding & Event Services: Full-service offerings for large events, including cake tastings, cake delivery & setup, and a variety of dessert options like mini-cupcakes, cake pops, and cookies.

Walk-In Bakery Items: A rotating daily selection of fresh treats available for immediate purchase, including various unique donuts, jumbo muffins (like Jumbo Blueberry and Maple Bacon), scones, pastries (e.g., Caramel Rolls, Croissants, Eclairs), and freshly baked breads (like Sourdough Loaf).

Diverse Dessert Menu: They also offer cheesecakes, a range of award-winning pies (including French Silk and Key Lime), cookies, bars, and cake slices for individual enjoyment.

Specialty Dietary Options: Recognizing the need for inclusive treats, they provide Gluten-Free (GF) options in cakes, muffins, and scones, along with other possible alternatives like Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, and Vegan choices upon request, showcasing a commitment to accommodating all guests.

Convenient Ordering: Multiple ways to receive your order, including Delivery, In-store pickup, and Takeout, making it easy to enjoy their products wherever you are in the Twin Cities.

Beverages: Offering a selection of Coffee and Espresso drinks to perfectly pair with your sweet treat.

Features / Highlights

The bakery’s reputation in the Twin Cities market is built upon several distinctive features that attract a loyal customer base.

Award-Winning Custom Cake Artistry: The team is nationally recognized for their artistic and technical skill, specializing in "extreme custom cakes" that are both beautiful and structurally complex. They take on tough design challenges and refuse to say no to a client's creative vision.

Indigenous-Owned Business: A proud and important distinction, supporting a local, minority-owned enterprise that contributes to the diversity and vitality of the North Minneapolis business community.

Unforgettable Flavor Combinations: Customers rave about the unique, gourmet cake flavors, such as the Honeywine Moscato with Raspberry Jam Fill and the rich Stout with Chocolate Whip Fill, which consistently receive five-star reviews for moistness and indulgence. The Funfetti with Custard is also a frequently mentioned favorite.

Gourmet Donut and Pastry Selection: Beyond cakes, they are known for their fresh, handcrafted, and visually exciting donuts, featuring bold colors and whimsical designs, making them a daily draw for local residents.

Exceptional Customer Accommodation: They are highly praised for being extremely easy to work with and accommodating, going above and beyond to provide services like stand rentals, setting up desserts, and managing complex custom orders flawlessly.

Focus on Quality Ingredients: The commitment to scratch-made desserts and the use of high-quality ingredients are evident, from their moist cakes to their buttery, flaky pastries.

Contact Information

Whether you’re ready to place a custom cake order or just want to confirm the daily donut selection, here is the contact information for Thirsty Whale Bakery:

Address: 4149 Fremont Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412, USA

Phone: (612) 259-7168

What is Worth Choosing

For Minneapolis residents, Thirsty Whale Bakery is the clear choice when the event demands a dessert that transcends the ordinary. What sets this bakery apart, and makes it supremely worth choosing, is the unique blend of high-end culinary artistry and a welcoming, local neighborhood charm. You are not just buying a cake; you are commissioning a piece of edible art from an award-winning team who refuses to tell you your vision is impossible.

For major life events like weddings, their ability to deliver a show-stopping, multi-flavored cake with options like the much-loved Honeywine Moscato, while simultaneously providing peace of mind through excellent service, is invaluable. Furthermore, their dedication to inclusivity, with delicious options for guests requiring gluten-free, dairy-free, or other alternatives, ensures every person at your Minnesota gathering can fully participate in the sweet celebration.

Choosing Thirsty Whale Bakery also means supporting a dedicated, Indigenous-owned local business that is a vibrant cornerstone of the North Minneapolis community. When you need a celebratory masterpiece—or even just the best gourmet donut in the Twin Cities—you can trust the passion, skill, and creative excellence found at 4149 Fremont Ave N. Their reputation for delivering beautiful, delicious, and unforgettable treats is well-earned and makes them a premier destination in the Minnesota food scene.

Thirsty Whale Bakery Details

From the business
Identifies as Indigenous-owned

Service options
Delivery
In-store pickup
In-store shopping
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance

Planning
Quick visit

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Parking
Free street parking

Thirsty Whale Bakery Photos

Thirsty Whale Bakery Location

Thirsty Whale Bakery

Minnesota Hennepin County Minneapolis Camden Fremont Avenue North

4149 Fremont Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412, USA

Thirsty Whale Bakery Reviews

An average rating of ★4.7 from 521 user reviews.

donutscupcakesflavorswedding cakepartycreativestorefronthoney winemoscatocake pops

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

*Delivery review*Ive seen this bakery many times but never stopped in so when I was ordering an online breakfast for delivery at the spur of the moment I decided to add some sweet treats - as you do!The mango bomb donut was good but maybe a little too sweet and had a slight artificial sweetness about it! Hard for me to say that as I adore mangoes! It's filled with some kind of mango jellyThe banana muffin is jumbo sized and good it would be better if they added chocolate chips!
July 25 · Kavitha P
🌟 5-Star Review 🌟Thank you, Thirsty Whale Bakery!We’re still swooning over the show-stopping 3-tier cake that Thirsty Whale Bakery sponsored for TCWEP’s 16th Gala & Awards Show at Leopolds Mississippi Gardens! 🎂✨ It was not only a centerpiece of the evening but also an absolute masterpiece—both visually and flavor-wise!Each tier was a delicious surprise:🍯 6" Honeywine Moscato with Raspberry Jam Fill🍫 8" Stout with Chocolate Whip Fill🎉 10" Funfetti with Custard FillEvery bite was heavenly and had guests talking all night. It was the perfect mix of elegance, creativity, and pure indulgence.Thank you, Thirsty Whale Bakery, for making our celebration truly unforgettable!#TCWEPGala #ThirstyWhaleBakery #CakeGoals #SweetSponsorLove #tcwepnetwork
April 24 · TCWEP Network
My husband and I can’t say enough great things about Thirsty Whale. Our best friends surprised us with their custom cakes for both our gender reveal and baby shower! And let me tell you, they did not disappoint! Our friends and family will be talking about both cakes for ages. You give them an idea for a custom cake and it is perfectly executed. All of the flavor options and combinations are great too, there’s truly something for everyone. 12/10 recommend for your desserts for any occasion!
March 31 · Brittney Watson
My husband stopped here to grab some donuts this morning (Friday). He was the second customer in. They state online that not all flavors may be available. Understandable. This, however, seems like a pretty big misrepresentation of their offerings. I included a photo THEY provided online. My husband chose three flavors. One was packaged alone, and two were pu in a bag together on their sides. While certainly not life changing, why bother with the cute topping if they will be getting tossed in a paper bag like a sack lunch. To top it all off, the donuts seemed chilled. As in, I strongly feel they were not made the morning of. They also relied too heavily on the frosting/icing. Which were mostly just too sweet without any real flavor to note. All in all, for the price, just go to Cub or your local donut shop for a better selection, quality, and freshness. It is also worth noting that this is my only experience with them so, their other products might be of higher quality. The cake decorating seem to be their real talent. The photos look stunning.
June 13 · Jaime Maki
They did our wedding cake! It was amazing, all of our guests thought the cake tasted so good. They also made these super cute mushroom cupcakes for us that were a big hit with my nieces and nephews!
June 10 · Joycelin Lopez