Hofer's Bakery and Cafe
About This Spot
Stepping into Hofer's Bakery and Cafe in Helen, Georgia, feels like entering a warm, bustling corner of Bavaria right in the heart of the North Georgia mountains. This cozy spot hums with the quiet excitement of early mornings and the gentle murmur of friendly conversation. Whether you're settling in for a leisurely breakfast or pausing by the bakery case for a sweet treat to take on the road, there’s an inviting pace here that matches the charm of the town itself.
Inside, the space feels snug and personal—tables close enough to catch snippets of neighboring stories yet arranged to keep things intimate and comforting. The modest dining area often fills quickly, a testament to how cherished Hofer’s has become among locals and visitors alike. The rhythm of service always respects the morning rush while unfolding with a relaxed steadiness. It’s the kind of place where the clink of coffee cups and the scent of fresh-baked pastries set a soothing backdrop to the day.
At the heart of the experience is a menu that honors tradition without fuss. Think of belly-warming breakfasts scored by savory house-made deli meats, the faintly sweet and buttery fragrance of fresh-baked apple strudel, or the golden crispness of a Belgian waffle that invites sleepy smiles. There’s an authentic German soul here, vibrantly alive in dishes shared with a sense of community and celebration. And when the afternoon wanes, the beer garden beckons with classic brews that balance perfectly against the shade and chatter of the space.
Beyond just food, Hofer’s quietly carries the warmth of a local gathering place. It’s the kind of spot where mornings can stretch into stories told over second cups of German-style coffee, and departures are softened by a final taste of a rich chocolate cake or a flaky cream puff to-go. Patience finds its reward in the genuine smiles of servers and the comforting familiarity of well-loved recipes, making each visit feel like rediscovering a hidden gem cherished by many.
What’s Available Here
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On-site services
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Delivery
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Fast service
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Great coffee
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Great dessert
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Great tea selection
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Serves local specialty
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Quick bite
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Small plates
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Vegan options
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Wine
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Breakfast
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Brunch
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Catering
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Toilet
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Wi-Fi
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Wi-Fi
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Casual
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Cosy
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Historic
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Trendy
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Tourists
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Usually a wait
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
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High chairs
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Kids' menu
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Free of charge street parking
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Free parking lot
Location & Hours
| Monday | Closed | |
| Tuesday | Closed | |
| Wednesday | Closed | |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM | |
| Friday | 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM | |
| Sunday | 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
Carlos Rivera 21 Dec 2025
Worth the wait! The wait wasn’t bad and the food was amazing! From my many years visiting Helen this was my first time visiting this cafe and it was amazing! The food was delicious and we loved everything! Service was fast after the initial waiting for the table which wasn’t bad at all. It was morning, it was Sunday and it was breakfast time so your normal waiting time! The food came really fast and the staff were really attentive! We will definitely try to come back again when we visit!
Neri Colón 04 Dec 2025
It was an hour wait but it was such a popular spot - small restaurant dining area with short staff so please be patient. It’s worth it. Great service - servers did not let us run out of coffee (the German coffee is delish!). My corned beef hash breakfast was yummy and I also enjoyed the German Chocolate Cake.
David Lewis 23 Nov 2025
the food was amazing had the farmers breakfast and French toast, two entrees were only I believe 22-24$. We got there 45mins before they open because it gets packed fast. Around 7:45 there was already a line up to the next street over it was a Saturday but with how small it is, its kind of unbelievable. There was 5 of us we all ordered two entrees and we didn't really have room on our table but the waitress was super diligent about helping us and cleaned as we ate. If you visit this area you have to try this the food was good and its a lot for what your ordering.
charles altman 01 Nov 2025
Was in town to see the Christmas decoration with some friends, I have eaten here before I suggested this for our breakfast the morning we were leaving. Everyone loved the food. Plus we all stopped by the bakery and took stuff with us. The blueberry cream cake we had for breakfast the next morning on the road was amazing. The apple strudel was delicious
Erica Santana 20 Oct 2025
We stopped here before we left Helen. Sadly, it's closed Tuesday and Wednesdays, which is when we were there. We only bought stuff from the bakery. I got: -3 twists- 2 cinnamon sugar and 1 glazed. They were okay. Taste like bread- not sweet. They didn't have great flavor. -3 cranberry muffins- they were good, flavorful and moist. I think it would be better with orange and more cranberries. -3 chocolate croissants. These were amazing! They had a lot of chocolate and were flaky. I wish I got more. -1 piece of hazelnut torte- It was okay. Chocolate cake was dry and the jelly overpowered other flavors. -2 Linzer tart cookies- These were okay. There was not enough jelly and the cookie was too soft for my liking. The bill came out to be almost $100! There is no price list, but I thought it was a little much especially because that means each thing averaged about $8. Most items were not worth that. I do want to go back and get more chocolate croissants! It was busy, but everyone we helpful and nice!
Tonya R 04 Oct 2025
Amazing, outstanding, can't miss. Best Helen has to offer. We were on our way out of Helen today and wanted to try one last place. Boy, did this place deliver! The pastry case was filled with so many luscious options. Shiny, laminated pastries, decedent cakes, huge cookies... It was a delight for the eyes. Also, they have a whole selection of boxed and bagged German treats and groceries. They have a deli counter with a large selection of German meats, cheeses, and breads as well. The food was delectable! My husband and I got got the Reuben... Believe the hype! It should be famous. I got spatzel soup, which was great... Pretty much chicken noodle with spatzel in place of the typical flat noodles. The star on the plate was the pretzel roll with the BUTTER!! My husband says he can't tell a difference, but MY taste buds were singing with the flavor of the butter lol .. I could distinguish another special about it via the wrapper, but just trust. It was amazing. We finished with the Apple Strudel, which we hoped to have a la mode, but they were out of ice cream.. so sad. Regardless, it was super tasty. There were minced up apples and apple chunks which lent beautiful texture to the dish. It was exactly as sweet as a dessert should be, which is to say sweet, but not cloying in the slightest. The whipped topping it came with have it the perfect little something extra. This place hit on all accounts. Fast, friendly service, outstanding food, variety, the works. I'm delighted we stopped in and we'll be heavily suggesting the place to our families, as well.
Kristina Lynn 02 Oct 2025
There is a reason there is usually a wait list! The food is amazing. But let's talk about the bakery the variety they offer is pleasing for the whole family, there is something for everyone. Even though there is a line, it goes fairly quickly with their amazing service. They have someone boxing the goodies while another member is waiting to check you out, the line goes smoothly. The shelves are loaded with authentic German goodies that are easy to travel with when visiting and my family was excited back home when I brought back some snacks. Highly recommend!
Chrystal Baker 24 Sep 2025
Awesome German lunch and dessert! They serve breakfast and lunch. They have a line to the left for the bakery and cafe to the right. It says they serve lunch at 11, but they do serve all sitting breakfast guests and wait for them to leave before sitting the lunch guests. We got there at 11:30 (on a Saturday), we were sat at 12:30. There are only about 15 tables. Everything was worth the wait, just be prepared to wait through the entire process. Remember to be nice to the wait staff, they deal with impatient tourists all year long! #patiencepantsrequired