This Colorado German Bakery Makes Pastries That Taste Like They Came Straight From Europe

A homesick German woman wanted real rye bread, so her family built a bakery to make it. That craving started something that has lasted more than fifty years in Colorado.

The early version was only open on Saturdays. It baked rye bread and nothing else. Today the shelves hold apple strudel, Black Forest cake, plum cake, almond croissants, and soft Bavarian pretzels.

I like how the original family recipes still guide the ovens. The breads use natural sourdough and no preservatives. A deli counter now sits beside the pastry case, stocked with brats, salami, and house-made sauerkraut.

A craving for the familiar can lead to something extraordinary. What began with a simple loaf of rye bread has grown into a beloved bakery where Bavarian traditions are still part of every bite.

A Craving For Rye Bread Started Everything

Gisela Wimberger missed the rye bread from her homeland. That simple craving became the seed for Wimbergers Old World Bakery and Delicatessen, which opened in 1970.

Gisela and her husband, Robert, came from Germany. They lived in Montreal and Ohio before landing in Colorado Springs.

Why stop here? Robert felt the area reminded him of Bavaria, his home region. Honestly, with mountains like these, the comparison makes sense.

The first version of the bakery was tiny in scope. It made rye bread only and opened just on Saturdays.

Rolls joined the lineup later. The business eventually grew into a larger wholesale-only operation before changing again.

In 1989, Ulrike Wimberger joined the family business with her husband, Randy. Gisela and Robert are her in-laws.

Ulrike still follows Robert’s original Bavarian recipes. That loyalty keeps the flavors tied to their roots instead of drifting toward trends.

Today the shop holds the title of the oldest German bakery in Colorado Springs. Not bad for a business that began with one homesick wish.

Knowing that backstory makes every slice of rye feel a little more meaningful. It is history you can actually eat.

Pastries That Could Fool A Traveler From Munich

Apple strudel, almond croissants, and chocolate-dipped croissants share space in the pastry case. Good luck choosing just one on your first try.

The Streuseltaler is a customer favorite. It’s a round German pastry topped with a crumbly streusel layer.

Poppy seed fans get their own reward here. The bakery makes large, fluffy poppy seed rolls that look hard to ignore.

Fruit pastries, turnovers, and raisin rolls round out the morning options. Cinnamon rolls sit in that lineup too, for anyone who wants a familiar comfort.

Marzipan also appears among the sweets. It’s a classic almond treat that shows up in many European bakeries.

My advice is simple. Pick one pastry you know and one you have never heard of before.

That way you get comfort and adventure in the same paper bag. It also gives you a reason to come back and try something new.

The bakery opens at 7 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Early arrivals usually get the widest choice, since baked goods can sell out as the day moves along.

The Cake Lineup Follows Old European Rules

Black Forest cake is the headliner many people know. Here it shares the spotlight with plum cake and German chocolate cake.

Plum cake is a true German classic. It’s often enjoyed in the afternoon with coffee, and it feels wonderfully homey.

One quirky detail stands out. Wimbergers makes cakes but purposely skips tortes.

That choice follows a European tradition. In that world, cakes and tortes are treated as separate kinds of baked goods.

So if you were hoping for a fancy layered torte, adjust your plans. The cakes are the stars, and they take that job seriously.

Planning a family gathering? The shop lets you call one day ahead for large quantities or special items.

Staff can then prepare everything fresh. You also get to pick a pickup time that works for you.

Keep in mind the business does not offer delivery or catering. Takeout is the plan, so bring a steady pair of hands for the car ride.

A slice of Black Forest cake deserves a careful driver, after all.

Bavarian Pretzels Worth Planning Your Morning Around

Few things say Bavaria faster than a big soft pretzel. The bakery makes authentic Bavarian soft pretzels along with pretzel sticks.

Those pretzels travel farther than you might expect. Edelweiss, a German restaurant in Colorado Springs, gets pretzels and other baked goods from Wimbergers.

Colonel Mustard Sandwich Emporium also uses bread from the bakery. Its pretzel rolls are an especially popular choice.

That means you might have tasted this bakery’s work without knowing it. Sneaky, in the most delicious way.

On Fridays and Saturdays, the pretzel gets an upgrade. Pretzels topped with cheese and salami are a popular pick on those days.

It’s basically breakfast and lunch rolled into one twisted package. Efficient and tasty, which is a rare combo.

Want something to dip it in? The shop makes its own honey mustard dressing in-house.

Grab a plain pretzel for the car and one with toppings for later. That plan covers both instant hunger and future you, who will absolutely be grateful.

Rye, Kaiser Rolls, And A Loaf Named After A King

Kaiser rolls here start their life a day early. Half the dough ferments for 24 hours, following an original Vienna-style recipe.

The rolls also use a blend of unbleached wheat flours. Patience is clearly part of the recipe.

Rye bread is still the heart of the bakery. European sourdough rye leads the lineup, just like it did back in 1970.

You’ll find Eastern European style rye and Berliner bread. There’s also King Ludwig bread, made with spelt flour.

Any loaf named after a Bavarian king sets high expectations. It sounds like the bread version of a royal portrait.

Breads are baked fresh daily in the old European style. Family recipes, natural sourdough, and no preservatives guide the process.

Not into rye? White bread, French bread, and bratwurst rolls are available too.

Here’s a practical tip. Since there are no preservatives, plan to enjoy your loaf soon or freeze part of it.

The bakery also ships bread. Friends outside Colorado can get in on the fun without making the trip.

Mark Your Calendar For Schnitzel Thursday

Wednesday belongs to the Reuben. It’s made with fresh sauerkraut, and the shop makes its sauerkraut in-house.

Thursday brings the Schnitzel sandwich. The bakery calls it the town’s finest, which is a bold and confident claim.

Fridays and Saturdays bring Fleischkase. It’s a typical Bavarian dish that compares to meatloaf.

Here it’s served like a sandwich with sweet or regular mustard. Sweet mustard may sound unusual, but it’s a Bavarian favorite.

That weekly rhythm makes planning easy. Pick your favorite sandwich and let it choose your visit day.

Of course, some people might try to hit all three in one week. No judgment from me on that ambitious plan.

The deli runs on bakery hours. Doors close at 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

That means lunch here is a daytime mission. Show up too late, and the kitchen will already be calling it a day.

Keep in mind there’s no outdoor seating listed. Plan on takeout and maybe a scenic spot to eat it.

Sausages And Spreads You Won’t Find At A Supermarket

Blutwurst and Mettwurst rarely show up at an average grocery store. At this deli counter, they’re right at home.

The lineup includes Bavarian Nurnberg brats, which come highly recommended. Veal bratwurst, stuffed bacon, and peppered salami join them.

Fleischsalat is here too. It’s a German meat salad that many fans of the cuisine know well.

Parma ham and Swiss cheese cover the wider European side. Other imported meats and sausages fill out the case.

House-made items add even more personality. Liver pate, curry ketchup, and a unique house dressing are all made in-house.

Then comes Obatzda, a Bavarian brie spread. It mixes in onions, caraway seeds, paprika, and butter.

Curry ketchup with Nurnberg brats sounds like a smart weeknight dinner. It’s an easy way to bring a little Germany home.

Not sure what to grab? Start with one sausage, one spread, and a fresh roll.

That small trio builds a simple German-style meal at home. It’s a low-pressure way to learn the deli without overloading your cart.

Grocery Shelves That Feel Like A Mini Trip Abroad

Pastries may lure you inside, but the shelves deserve attention too. Wimbergers Old World Bakery and Delicatessen also sells imported European grocery items.

That makes the shop part bakery, part deli, and part market. It’s a three-in-one stop for anyone craving German flavors.

The official description calls it a neighborhood German bakery and grocer. It has been offering pastries, prepared foods, and grocery items since 1970.

For people with German roots, a shop like this can feel like a link to home. For everyone else, it’s a fun way to explore.

Here’s a useful approach. Pair a grocery item with something fresh from the deli or bakery.

That turns one shopping trip into a full themed dinner. Think fresh bread, house-made sauerkraut, and a sausage from the counter.

The shop accepts credit cards, which keeps checkout simple. No need to dig for cash before you leave home.

Bring a sturdy bag if you plan to stock up. Bread, sausages, and a cake box can turn into a balancing act very quickly.

Easter Braids, Lent Rolls, And Other Reasons To Return

Hefezopf arrives around Easter. It’s a sweet almond braid, and it makes holiday tables look instantly festive.

Lent brings Lachsbrotchen, which is salmon on a Kaiser roll. Seasonal treats like these give the calendar a tasty structure.

Finding the shop is straightforward. Wimbergers sits at 2321 Bott Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904.

The current building went up in the mid-1990s. A deli was added then, and it first included a drive-up window.

A private parking lot is available. That’s one less thing to stress about when you’re carrying cake.

Hours run Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the shop closes Sundays and Mondays.

Reservations aren’t part of the deal. You just show up, pick your treats, and head out happy.

Colorado has plenty of great food, but few spots carry a family story this rich. I can’t imagine a better excuse for a weekend detour through the Springs.