New bakery & bistro is latest German-owned eatery to open in Cape Coral
Joe Domscheit doesn’t mind getting up early in the morning.
And that’s very good news.
“I come in at 3 every morning to make the dough for the bread and rolls,” said the owner of Rock’n Rolls in Cape Coral. “We’re the only German bakery in Southwest Florida to make its own bread.”
Domscheit, who hails from Hamburg, opened this quaintly charming bakery & bistro in Chelsea Place plaza on Del Prado Boulevard in early May.
Since then, he’s been filling up his display cases and racks with customer-favorite breakfast and lunch specials, plus German breads, cakes and pastries.
“I bake it fresh every morning,” he said. “German cheesecake, sourdough, quiches.”
Cinnamon rolls, chocolate filler rolls, German plum cake, doughnuts, fruit rolls, pastries, muffins, croissants, German chocolate cake and more filled the shelves, while the smell of gourmet coffee filled the air on our recent visit.
Rock’n Rolls is Domscheit’s second bakery in the last two years.
Issues with partners led him to close the first — Bread Annett off College Parkway in Fort Myers — in September 2023 after being open less than a year.
Now, he couldn’t be happier in his small space (1,000 square feet compared to 3,000 at Bread Annett) in Cape Coral.
“I was searching for something new,” said Domscheit, who owned a catering company 12 of his 30 years in the food industry. “I live here. This is a great location, and the landlord is awesome.”
While the flavors of Germany — think schnitzel, bratwurst, leberkaese (meatloaf), and Goulash — are all around, this area also plays a big role.
“We pay homage to Cape Coral too,” he said, pointing out a map of the city on one wall and nostalgic pictures of the area on another.
Sandwiches named for Cape Coral streets keep the theme going throughout the menu.
Best-sellers include the Del Prado Blvd with New Jersey pork roll, fried egg and melted cheese on a Kaiser roll, and the Santa Barbara Blvd, a breakfast sandwich croissant. Our Beach Blvd featured freshly fried schnitzel, lettuce, tomato, mayo, ketchup and coleslaw on a baguette.
Breakfast — omelets, bagels, hashbrowns, bowls and egg sandwiches on croissants, baguettes, in wraps — is served all day. If Domscheit doesn’t personally make something himself, he gets it locally, including farm-fresh eggs and the aromatic coffee from Cape Coral.
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“People come in and love it,” he said. “Many have told us they are so happy we are here.”
It’s a tranquil space, perfect for a leisurely breakfast, lunch or coffee and pastry break.
“It’s really nice and quiet,” Domscheit said. “Take your time. We want you to stay here with us.”
The bread alone is enough to keep us eating there.
3512 Del Prado Blvd., Suite 104, Cape Coral; open 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed Monday; (941) 249-3384, rocknrollsbakery.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram
Rock’n Rolls is the latest German-owned eatery to open in Cape Coral this year. Here’s a quick look at three others:
The Rustic Sandwich Deli
Dennis Friedmann quietly opened this breakfast and lunch shop with his father, Martin, on Feb. 19 in American Plaza.
“I love this area and the people,” he said shortly after opening. “What I’m bringing here is old authentic German food in an American style.”
Hearty sandwiches served on NY-NJ Par Baked Breads include house-made schnitzel and bratwurst, and The Grilled Jeff — grilled chicken with mozzarella, roasted peppers, tomato and balsamic. There’s also the Rustic — with German meatloaf, hash browns, Swiss cheese and mayo.
Breakfast consists of egg, bacon, German sausage and steak on Kaiser rolls. Salads — including potato, German sausage, tuna, chicken and macaroni — are made fresh as is the coffee. 2924 Del Prado Blvd., Unit 5, Cape Coral; (239) 710-5835; the-rustic.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram
The Hungry Captain
The family behind Holy Moly Ice Cream (temporarily closed according to a sign on the door) and Raabery Ink Society is part of this Maine lobster roll joint in northeast Cape Coral.
It opened Feb. 26 behind the new Total Package Car Wash off Pine Island Road, just west of Del Prado Boulevard in Pine Island Park plaza.
“We sell only the knuckle and claw of the lobster,” said Stefan Raab.
Lobster rolls range from classic New England and Connecticut styles to Buffalo spicy, garlic and truffle. Soup, salad, crab cakes, and fried chicken, fish, and lobster grilled cheese sandwiches are on the menu too. 1260 NE 8th St., Suite 111, Cape Coral; (239) 257-1705; thehungrycaptain.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram
Let’s Waffle
Nadin Feix fell in love with Cape Coral after visiting Sanibel in 2014 and moved here in 2022. She opened this sweet little shop on March 9 in the Santa Barbara Plaza, around the corner from 10 Twenty Five. Signature sweet and savory waffles are offered, along with a freestyle option where customers can craft their own using a variety of toppings, including sauces, fruits, candy, cheese, meats, greens and more. 1031 Santa Barbara Blvd., No. 12, Cape Coral; (239) 898-1041; letswaffleflorida.com or follow on Facebook
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Rock'n Rolls German Bakery & Bistro opens in Cape Coral