Rock’n Rolls German Bakery and Bistro Opens in Cape Coral
Joe Domscheit isn’t afraid to get up early in the morning.
And that’s very good news.
“I come in every morning at 3 o’clock to make dough for bread and rolls,” says the owner of Rock’n Rolls in Cape Coral. “We’re the only German bakery in Southwest Florida that makes our own bread.”
Domscheit, originally from Hamburg, opened this quaint bakery and bistro on Chelsea Place off Del Prado Boulevard in early May.
Since then, he has been filling his display cases and shelves with customers’ favorite breakfast and lunch specialties, as well as German breads, cakes and pastries.
“I bake it every morning,” he said. “German cheesecake, sourdough bread, quiches.”
Cinnamon rolls, chocolate buns, German plum cakes, doughnuts, fruit rolls, pastries, muffins, croissants, German chocolate cakes and more filled the shelves, while the smell of gourmet coffee filled the air during our recent visit.
Rock’n Rolls is Domscheit’s second bakery in the last two years.
Problems with his partners led him to close the first one — Bread Annett near College Parkway in Fort Myers — in September 2023 after being open less than a year.
Today, 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 looking for something new,” says Domscheit, who has owned a catering business for 12 of his 30 years in the food business. “I live here. It’s a great location and the owner is great.”
While the flavors of Germany (think schnitzel, bratwurst, leberkaese (meatloaf), and goulash) are ubiquitous, this region also plays a significant role.
“We also pay homage to Cape Coral,” he said, pointing to a map of the city on one wall and nostalgic photos of the area on another.
Sandwiches named after Cape Coral streets keep the theme going throughout the menu.
Top-selling items included the Del Prado Blvd with a New Jersey pork roll, fried egg and melted cheese on a Kaiser roll, and the Santa Barbara Blvd, a croissant breakfast sandwich. Our Beach Blvd offered freshly fried schnitzel, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, ketchup and coleslaw on a baguette.
Breakfast — omelets, bagels, hash browns, egg bowls and sandwiches on croissants, baguettes, wraps — is served all day. If Domscheit doesn’t make something himself, he sources it locally, including farm-fresh eggs and aromatic Cape Coral coffee.
In case you missed it:Cape Coral sandwich and hot dog restaurant closes less than six months after opening
“People come and love our facility,” he said. “A lot of people have told us they’re really happy we’re here.”
It is a quiet space, perfect for a peaceful 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.”
Bread alone is enough to keep us fed there.
3512 Del Prado Blvd., Suite 104, Cape Coral; open 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed Monday; (941) 249-3384, rocknrollsbakery.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram
Rock’n Rolls is the latest German-owned restaurant to open in Cape Coral this year. Here’s a quick look at three others:
The Rustic Sandwich Caterer
Dennis Friedmann quietly opened the breakfast and lunch shop with his father, Martin, on Feb. 19 in American Plaza.
“I love this neighborhood and the people,” he said shortly after the opening. “What I’m bringing here is authentic, old-school German food with an American twist.”
Hearty sandwiches served on NY-NJ Par Baked Breads include house-made schnitzel and sausage, as well as the Grilled Jeff, which is grilled chicken with mozzarella, roasted peppers, tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. There’s also the Rustic, which is made with German meatloaf, hash browns, Swiss cheese and mayonnaise.
Breakfast consists of eggs, bacon, German sausages and steak on Kaiser rolls. Salads, including potatoes, German sausages, tuna, chicken and macaroni, are freshly prepared, as is the coffee. 2924 Del Prado Blvd., Unit 5, Cape Coral; (239) 710-5835; le-rustique.com or follow 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 restaurant 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 only sell the lobster shank and claw,” explains Stefan Raab.
Lobster rolls range from classic New England and Connecticut style to spicy Buffalo, garlic and truffle. Soup, salad, crab cakes and grilled cheese sandwiches with fried chicken, fish and lobster are also on the menu. 1260 EAST 8th St., Suite 111, Cape Coral; (239) 257-1705; lecapitaineaffamé.com or follow Facebook And Instagram
Let’s make waffles
Nadin Feix fell in love with Cape Coral after visiting Sanibel in 2014 and moved here in 2022. She opened this cute little shop on March 9 on the Santa Barbara Plaza at 10 Twenty Five. Sweet and savory waffles are offered, as well as a freestyle option where customers can create their own using a variety of toppings including sauces, fruits, candy, cheese, meat, greens and more. 1031 Santa Barbara Blvd., No. 12, Cape Coral; (239) 898-1041; letswaffleflorida.com or follow us on Facebook
Robyn George is a food and culinary reporter for The News-Press. Contact us at rhgeorge@fortmyers.gannett.com
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