Chicago, a city renowned for its deep-dish pizza and hot dogs, also boasts a vibrant and diverse bakery scene. From classic French pastries to innovative modern creations, Chicago's bakeries offer a delightful array of sweet and savory treats. This guide explores 26 of the city's best, catering to every taste and preference. We'll explore different neighborhoods, styles, and specialties, ensuring you find your next favorite Chicago bakery.
Exploring Chicago's Best Bakeries by Neighborhood
Chicago's diverse neighborhoods each contribute their own unique bakery experiences. To help you navigate this delicious landscape, we've categorized our top picks by location:
Downtown Delights:
- Floriole Cafe & Bakery: Known for its exquisite pastries and bread, Floriole offers a sophisticated European-style experience. Their croissants are legendary, and their seasonal tarts are always a highlight. They are particularly popular for brunch and afternoon tea.
- Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken: This spot seamlessly blends savory and sweet. Their creative donuts, often featuring unique and unexpected flavors, are a must-try. They're known for their excellent fried chicken as well, making it a great option for a unique meal.
- Stan's Donuts: A Chicago institution, Stan's offers classic, delicious donuts. While not as adventurous as Do-Rite, their consistently high quality and timeless appeal have cemented their place in the city's bakery scene. They are a great option for a classic donut experience.
Lincoln Park's Lovely Loaves:
- Wildflour Pastry: This bakery prioritizes high-quality ingredients and innovative flavor combinations. They showcase seasonal ingredients and constantly offer exciting new creations. Expect exceptional pastries and cakes.
- Katherine Anne Confections: Specializing in handcrafted chocolates and confections, Katherine Anne offers a luxurious experience. They are perfect for gifts or an indulgent treat. Their unique flavor combinations are worth the trip.
- Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine: While primarily known for its cheese selection, their bread is outstanding and worth a visit. Their crusty loaves are perfect with their cheese selection.
Wicker Park's Wonderful Whiskies (and Pastries!):
- Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits: This bakery is famous for its incredibly flaky biscuits and creative pies. They're a great choice for a casual, delicious meal. Expect long lines but it's worth the wait.
- The Girl & The Goat Bakery: This bakery is an extension of the popular Stephanie Izard restaurant. They offer a sophisticated selection of pastries and bread, utilizing top quality ingredients.
- Piece Brewery & Pizzeria: While known for its pizza, their dessert selection is also excellent. A good option after enjoying a pizza.
Lakeview's Luscious Layers:
- Dimo's Pizza: Another pizza place worth mentioning for its excellent dessert selection. A great option for a post-pizza treat.
- A.J. Hudson's: A classic neighborhood bakery specializing in cakes and cookies. A good choice for simple, delicious baked goods.
- Hoosier Mama Pie Company: As the name suggests, this bakery focuses on pies. Their pies are made with high-quality ingredients and boast incredible crusts.
Other Notable Chicago Bakeries:
This list showcases bakeries across various Chicago neighborhoods. The following are some other standouts:
- Molly's Cupcakes: Known for its creative cupcake flavors and beautiful designs, Molly's is a popular choice.
- Sweet Mandy B's: This bakery offers a range of cookies, cakes, and other treats, all made with love.
- Pequod's Pizza: Similar to Dimo's and other pizza places, Pequod's boasts surprisingly great desserts.
- La Colombe Coffee Roasters: While mainly a coffee shop, their pastries are delicious and made fresh daily.
- Bonjour Bakery: A classic French bakery offering authentic pastries and bread.
- Krushem: This spot specializes in ice cream sandwiches, providing a unique take on a classic dessert.
- Cakewalk: Offers a sophisticated selection of cakes, perfect for special occasions.
- The Rolling Pin Bakery: Provides high-quality bread and pastries in a cozy setting.
- Mindy's HotChocolate: While mainly known for hot chocolate, their pastries are excellent companions.
- Vanille Patisserie: This French-inspired bakery is known for its elegant pastries and cakes.
- Ellie's Bakery: A beloved neighborhood bakery offering classic treats.
- Antique Taco: While known for its tacos, their churros are surprisingly delicious.
- Lonesome Rose: This casual spot offers excellent bread and pastries to accompany their pizzas.
- Rosebud Restaurants: With various locations, this restaurant boasts delicious desserts alongside its Italian food.
Choosing Your Chicago Bakery Adventure
This list offers a diverse range of bakeries, ensuring there's something for everyone. Whether you're looking for classic donuts, innovative pastries, or luxurious chocolates, Chicago has a bakery that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Remember to check the operating hours and consider making reservations, especially for popular spots. Happy baking (and eating)!
