Highwheeler Cafe & Bakery

We visited for the first time on our way to the Alexander Graham Bell Museum and instantly understood why it’s a crowd favourite. Even with lots of parking around, the café was bustling, but the staff were so thoughtful, meeting you at the end of the line to explain the baked goods and make sure you didn’t miss out. I loved the bacon grilled cheese with its sweet red pepper jelly, and my husband’s Italian deli sandwich on focaccia was hugely incredible. We couldn’t resist the homemade poptarts either: one bursting with bumbleberries, the other cozy with spiced apples. My husband loved the sweets so much he had to go back for a classic date square before we hit the road! The café’s bright, bold colours and cheerful energy made it such a lovely stop.

Absolutely fabulous coffee, the bagel lox was exactly how it should be and the house made bagel was spectacular. I could have eaten two. I had a latte and an Americano, both were delicious and they roast the beans in house! They also have fabulous merch and the staff are so friendly, attentive and helpful. I will be going back again ASAP. Edit: I have now been three times in as many days! The bagels are spectacular, both the lox + shmear and the breakfast sandwich are scrumptious. They are neither Montreal nor New York bagels, they are a special Cape Breton bagel made from a 100-year old recipe and they are light and flavourful and robust enough to hold the sandwich fillings perfectly. I will plan my next trip to Cape Breton to make sure I come back for my Caper bagel fix!

Our favourite cafe and breakfast spot of our road trip! Everything was amazing, including the espresso, cappuccino, big breakfast sandwich, breakfast plate, chocolate peanut butter oatcake, and carrot cake. I especially loved the porridge bread and sesame bagels, which were soft and chewy. Everyone who works there was lovely and were giving great recommendations for our Cape Breton road trip, including other food spots to stop by. I also loved the interior, which was bright and colourful. If you’re starting or ending your drive on the Cabot Trail, I highly recommend stopping by here!

Absolutely FANTASTIC experience! We came from the UK and were so impressed with this beautiful little cafe. The food was absolutely delicious (I recommend the bumbleberry pie) and the staff could not have been friendlier! We had wonderful conversations with many of the staff members who all went out of their way to ensure we had a lovely time at the cafe but also gave us lots of tips for our trip to Cape Breton! Would thoroughly recommend this cafe to anyone in the area!

The Highwheeler Café in Baddeck is a true hidden gem! The staff were so warm and welcoming — genuinely friendly and eager to serve. You can feel the pride they take in every dish. The seafood chowder was outstanding — creamy, flavorful, and packed with mussels, haddock, salmon, clams, and more. The cheddar cheese biscuit alongside it was perfectly flaky and comforting. And don’t skip dessert! The pie had a buttery, homemade crust and the carrot cake was moist, perfectly spiced, and topped with rich cream-cheese frosting. A must-visit in Cape Breton for anyone who loves great food, friendly people, and genuine local charm.

Amazing bagel!!! (All the food, actually.) I hear sesame bagel and cringe, BUT, this bagel was the perfect combo of substance, fluff, and crunch, with a delicious taste, and the sesame seeds are not overwhelming!!! I will tie this bagel with my favourite nyc bohemouth (but they are very different styles!!). I asked about the bagel, and it turns out they make it in-house! The latte was also well-balanced (please dont judge my preference for iced, but had I known they roast their own beans in advance, I would have gotten the pure stuff). My family got the turkey sandwich, a bagel with schmier, and carrot cake, and loved it all. We did come in as part of a tour. The cafe handled us efficiently and kindly, but also balanced their regular customer balance. It was a brief but very pleasant stop. Highly recommend.

What a gem! We came to Baddeck to sample Cape Breton and tour the Cabot Trail we just might come back for the coffee. When you walk in the door you are welcomed by the owner who will tell you her favorites among the baked goods. Her son took our order and wouldn’t let us walk away without sharing a few “must see” items on our trail visit. The decor is so comfy and friendly and seriously, the coffee. Come for a coffee and maybe stay for a weekend.

We loved visiting this gem of a place before embarking on our Cabot trail adventure! We were so happy that they were able to make their Grilled vegetable sandwich on homemade focaccia vegan for us! And they had vegan and gluten-free baked goods available too! Amazing experience. Great little front patio! It was quite busy when we arrived but they were organized (thanks to the mom of owner)and made people’s orders quickly!

This place is full of energy and great breakfast offerings. The bagged lunch is excellent. The Lattes were terrific as were the bagel breakfast sandwiches. The next day we had the apple strudel and a scone. Both fresh and delicious. The owner and staff are exceptionally nice. If you're in Baddeck, this is a must try.

After watching the energetic Canada Day parade... our crew of 9 went looking for something to eat to satisfy the need for homemade, veggie, vegan, and meat eater preferences. We chanced on the quaint High Wheeler Cafe & Bakery which hit the mark on all of it! Really nice and welcoming staff. I ordered the soup of the day: curried and pureed veggies and the grilled veggie foccia sandwich. The cuban was fresh and flavorful. The pepper jelly that accompanied the grilled cheese was very tasty as well. My most favorite were the oatcakes, baked fresh. Crunchy and delicious! Many sandwich and fresh juice options as well. They have seating inside and outside... and is the perfect spot to take a break, regroup and plan the rest of the day ahead.

I had high hopes for this cute cafe.... I had to get breakfast, snacks and lunch to go as I was about to jump on the Cabot Trail, which was a bit longer than expected 6 hour journey... I had an apple and cranberry scone, a breakfast bagel, a sandwich for lunch and coffee.... all packed up and ready to go. The bagel (you can see in the pic) was cut in 1/4 and then the other part was the remaining 3/4... it wasn't great, average at best in taste. I give it 2 1/2 stars. The coffee wasn't great, I give it a 2. The apple and cranberry scone, that was pretty good, I'll give it a 4. The sandwich was average, about a 3. I don't know what's so fantastic to everyone else. I'll chalk it up to just not the best tasting day? I'd go elsewhere in the future.

Decent cafe experience. Standard breakfast cafe fare. Service is friendly but extremely slow and disjointed. Nice outdoor seating. Food is simple but well executed. Not a destination but gets job done in area.

Incredible stop at the Highwheeler. Staying a few nights in Baddeck while exploring Cape Breton and stopped in here for our caffeine fix and left with a lot more. Never met a friendlier staff who explained all the delicious treats they had and even some of the local secret places to check out. We had a couple breakfast sandwiches, coffee, OJ, and homemade pop tarts. Everything was A+ but again it was the incredibly friendly and kind staff that make this a stand out spot. Felt like you were talking to your cousin you hadn't seen in awhile. Thanks Highwheeler!

Best coffee in Baddeck. Friendly service. Breakfast was good. Pastries looked old. Service was good despite the crowds.

We found there pastries to be meh, the cinnamon roll was dry and lacked any icing. The apple turnover was dry and had very little filling. The hot chocolate was very good, they used real milk instead of a water based blend.

Wonderful service and very thoughtful menu. Tasty stuff in a quaint town by the water. Recommend any time you're going through. We did breakfast but the lunch menu looked great. All fresh.

Wow!! We wished we could take this whole place back to the US with us after our vacation. The homemade pop tarts are AMAZING, the oatcakes delicious, the coffee superb, the service impeccable, and the bagel sandwich mouth-watering. Of the two mornings in Baddeck, we went both days and wished we were in Canada longer to eat there more. Do NOT MISS this local treasure!!

This family-run cafe offers something for everyone! Enjoyed coffee and cappuccino daily, along with their rotating baked goods. We enjoyed a cinnamon roll, berry crumble, soup, bagels (one kind-sesame) and a variety of muffins over our 4 daily visits. Gluten free products are available, as are sandwiches, picnic lunches and chicken pot pies. This is the best-staffed and most friendly establishment that we visited over 8 days in the town. The morning vibe is refreshing, locals and visitors coming together in a friendly atmosphere, a special place.

What a gem with lots of wonderful pastries. Staff is super friendly and helpful. Pop tarts are huge and delicious And the rhubarb strawberry strudel. danish and blueberry scone were amazing! What a cute café! Got takeout, but will definitely be back to sit down and enjoy the ambience.

Went for breakfast and had the bacon egg and cheese on a bagel. It was the best I've ever had. Coffee is excellent!!

Friendly service, plenty of locally produced options to tempt your tastebuds... we eventually agreed the carrot cake was our family favourite and of course the coffee was excellent. They even confirmed the size of the cup to ensure the right balance between the expresso and the milk. We stayed in Baddeck for 3 nights and stopped by for a flat white and carrot cake every morning. And you can also tell the locals go here as well which is always a great indicator.

Excellent breakfast, nice location and the nicest folks you could ever meet. Their bagels are the best I have ever eaten - light, fluffy and delicious. We left with macaroons and cinnamon buns and we devoured them. Wish we could have taken more - their carrot cake looked mouth-watering. Couldn't recommend them more highly.

Great Cafe. Don't miss this one. Seafood chowder, the best. Ask for pepper jelly. Service outstanding. Family owned. The best for a local place.

Great atmosphere on the street patio. Downtown Baddeck is a treasure especially as the morning sun is shining over the bay!

Absolute gem of a spot. Growing up I would beg my mom to let me get a sweet here almost every single day. I had not been in the Highwheeler for years and to walk back in the doors to see what the current owners have created was incredible. The staff are kind and welcoming. They are passionate about the business and the products they offer. It is as though you are walking into your Nans house to grab a cup of coffee and an Oatcake. They have made immense leaps to modernize the business while staying true to what the community and travellers have come to know of the Highwheeler over its many years in operaction. This is an absolutely incredible feat and a clear indication of the love, care, and hard work they've put into not only this business but their community as well. They roast their own coffee now! they still have their famous porridge bread and those DELICIOUS sandwiches. The cheesy bread sticks with the poppy seeds! Highly recommend you stop by and see the folks at the Highwheeler.

Excellent service, with a smile and top notch customer service! We enjoyed the soup and sandwich we shared and bought a loaf of the famous porridge bread! You really need to try a slice, it's sumptuous!

Ordered a latte and an Americano and toasted bagel and some carrot cake. This place is pretty cute with some outdoor seating. They have a table number system so they'll bring you your order even though you order at a counter. Lots of people had sandwiches and the like. They have a cute Cabot trail bagged lunch they sell that has a sandwich and 2 cookies and a beverage? Cute idea.

Worth stopping for a delicious breakfast or lunch is an understatement! When visiting Cape Breton, this is a must! Not only did I have the best latte on the island from master barista Grace, but the turkey sandwich on their extraordinary porridge bread with pickles was out of this world. The owners showered my family with East Coast hospitality spending time chatting and recommending places to visit around the island as well as Halifax. Our trip has been enriched just by spending time at this amazing spot!

What an treasure, stopped for lunch on our way to Ingonish. Decided on sandwiches, not knowing they were HUGE. Half sandwich would have done, but so glad for leftovers!! Small portions for anything, is not on their menu. Cinnamon rolls, great, Scones.. proper delicious, Iced Americano, tasty!! ( in itself an accomplishment), Extremely friendly operator, Wanted to stop on our return trip but we were all just too tired. DEFINITELY going back at some point. Typical Cape Breton atmosphere, it felt like home.

An excellent bakery in the picturesque Baddeck. Owned by a local man and staffed with three generations of family and friends. Delicious soups. Generously sized sandwiches. Fresh baked bread and pastries. Dining in the cute cafe or on the front porch. A real find in a small village. Highly recommend.

Excellent lunch and friendly staff. Bought cinnamon rolls and brownies for later in the day.....delicious! Highly recommend

My family loved our vegan lunch here: delicious and flavorful lentil burgers, black bean and corn salad, coffee, and best of all, AMAZING BREAD! We bought the multigrain loaf and whole wheat rolls - it was incredibly soft and absolutely delicious. We will talk about this bread for a long time. Friendly staff, quick service, and great atmosphere (with outdoor seating).

Really great baked goods (all of them) good fresh coffee (bottomless cup), super tasty sandwiches, and attentive and kind staff. What's not to like?

Great for breakfast the two days we were in Baddeck. Bottomless cups of coffee. Great muffins, brown bread, cinnamon rolls. Outside seating was enjoyable start to the days.

excellent service! everyone is extremely friendly and sweet. staff gave some great recommendations for our travels. overall good vibes. chowder is excellent.

Gluten free options! Blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls are perfect. Chia latte to top it off. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Husband had coffee and BLT bagel sandwich, delicious! Definitely coming back again.

Good vanilla latte yummy Extraordinary apple strudel most excellent Had this after our waterfall walk A great find will be back

I had the Bagel breakfast sandwich with Bacon, fried egg, lettuce, tomato on a sesame seed bagel. Literally the best bagel I have ever had, it is not dense, but light. Since the bagel was so good, I ordered a bagel and cream cheese to go, which was just as good. Highly recommended!

Good food here at the High Wheeler Cafe! I ordered a sub and chicken soup which was absolutely delicious!

Beautiful day to eat outside!! High Wheeler Cafe has a wonderful outside dining area that is well shaded, yet breezy. AND it is the first place in Canada that had unsweetened ice tea!! Yippee for hubby!! We're waiting for food now - I will continue after we eat!!!! Okay, lunch is over. We both had the soup and salad special. Soup was homemade, tasty but heavy on broth - a little lacking on substance (he had chicken veggie, I had lentil veggie). We both had the Greek salad - it was good, very good really. But also very small portion. As for their baked goods - they LOOK wonderful, but not allowed on a low carb diet ! All in all, lovely setting, polite staff, good food, nice place overall. A bit pricy for portion size. Still, I'd eat there again. The atmosphere and location earns it the extra 4th star - food and portion size for the money - warrants 3 stars in my book.

This place had amazing food, who knew a little town like Banneck would have a gourmet restaurant. The food was unique, beautifully served and beyond delicious. Don't miss this spot if you are in Cape Breton. Laid back atmosphere. I had a grilled cheese with Brie, jalapeño havarti and apricot jam plus some of their wonderful seafood chowder. Hubby had a Rueben with cesear salad that was the best he ever had.

Great lunch! We had their craft sandwiches on homemade bread and everything was delicious! Gluten free bread was incredible. They offer soup, salads, fresh bakery, specialty coffee and teas! Gluten free selection of baked goods included muffins and cookies! Yum! Good seating area, courteous staff and clean bathrooms.

this place was recommended by a friend... great coffee, yummy food and the most welcoming smile and menu explanations from the owner... who had been there since 5:00 am that morning. wow... true Baddeck hospitality

Food is good but found it a bit too pricy..a sandwhich with small bowl of chowder and a whrap was $46.

Fish chowder full of great chunks of fish- tasty; and half an egg salad sandwich on homemade wheat bread. Peanut butter cookie to finish. Yummy lunch, eaten outside on a beautiful September day.

Stopped in at the tail end of a busy lunch service on a Saturday. I have to say, for our most expensive lunch the whole week, I was expecting better. Torn between 2 and 3 stars, I chose 3 because the food and service are good, it's the value for $$$ I question. So for a pastrami sandwich, BLT sandwich, a cup of seafood chowder and tap water for $30, I kind of expect to be wowed. Order and pay at the counter, you are given a number, when your number is called, identify yourself and your meal is brought to your table. They ran out of rye bread so had to choose another for the pastrami. The BLT, except for the homestyle bread was no better than I could make at home and the seafood chowder was the biggest disappointment, no flavor, no seasoning, even after I piled on the salt & pepper. It was milk based, which is fine, there was a variety of seafood but seemed to be more potato with a bit of celery. It's a nice spot on the main drag of Baddeck, nice outdoor deck seating and plenty of indoor seating. Staff is friendly and helpful in decision making. Lots of fresh baked goods that looked good but we didn't indulge. I get that they likely have to do their business in a limited time and that their product is fresh made on premises, however, I was expecting better value for the high prices and it just wasn't there for me. I doubt I'll be back to Baddeck any time soon but if I do, I might look for somewhere else to try.

There are quite a few spots to eat along the main drag in Baddeck, it just seems like this spot is where I tend to stop in. This is a little cafe / bakery with patio. Lot of the options are healthy wrap, sandwiches or soups. Of course the baked goods look fantastic (I've never bought anything), however while waiting I see a constant stream of people walking in and getting some sweets. The wait is a long one, especially during the lunch hour. We ordered two chicken wraps and water. Total came up to 25$ which is on the expensive side. And yes, there was no side, just the wrap - small one at that.

We stopped here by chance while on vacation The breakfast was great with all sorts of selection from the bacon eggs fare to the fresh fruit and oatmeal crowd All of it looked great and our food was perfect

Stopped in here for a breakfast on a quick trip to Baddeck. The staff were very friendly & quick. The location also has a full bakery(everything looked delicious) and deli to purchase from aside from breakfast & brunch. I said to my husband..."This place feels like one of those home town cafe's where the same people come every day to stop in".

This cafe has amazing baked goods. Delicious blueberry muffins, hom made scones and great coffee. They have a seasoned baker who has been here 20 years. From our frequent samples this past week, she doesn"t make mistakes. This was our favorite breakfast place in Cape Breton.

Went on vacation in August. Ate there every day for breakfast. Delicious food,friendly,fast.

After a day of hiking, had a great lunch here. Sandwiches and salads available for the whole family (of picky eaters). Vegetarian wrap was delicious! Even brought home some bread and treats for later.

I had to come back for a second visit before I left Cape Breton! The first time I had a BLT, nanaimo square and peanut butter rice crispy square. The second time I had the same thing, just added turkey to the BLT. The portion size is great for the turkey on the BLT. The squares are phenomenal! The staff is very friendly and it's a great cafe atmosphere. The upper area at the back of the cafe has a huge window where it is nice to sit and get a breeze while having coffee or lunch! I would highly recommend this cafe!

Found this place while touring the Cabot Trail. Ate there for breakfast twice in two days. What a gem!! Delicious baked goods, including unbelievable cinnamon rolls. They were to die for. The Egg White sandwiches on English Muffins with Spinach, cheese and tomato were very good. Great Apple turnovers and coffee. Service was very friendly, although a tad bit slow, but only because everything is handmade. A must go in Baddeck for breakfast or lunch!!

We only had the peanut butter oatcake cookies but they were delicious!!! Word from a local is that everything is good!!

Even though there is an iconic Canadian coffee shop just outside of town, we decided to buy our breakfast-to-go from the High Wheeler Cafe for our trip around the trail. Probably took a bit longer and was definitely more expensive, but the quality and friendly service make this cafe a great alternative. Will definitely return.

The High Wheeler Cafe is the mecca for participants in the Cabot Trail Relay. This bakery and cafe offers up fabulous bread, scones and other sweet breakfast treats, cookies, sandwiches, and breakfast. They make boxed lunches for travellers (sandwich, juice, fruit, and cookies) or eat at the cafe, indoors or out. It's a great place to meet the locals and makes a perfect staging venue for an exploration of the Cabot Trail. Open seasonally from May to October.