The Absolute Best Bakeries in Chicago

Load up on award-winning tarts, pies, cookies, cakes, and more.

Shower thought : Do you ever call back about the improbability of humanity discover baking ? Do you ever opine about how , in decree to create cake , clams , pastries , and all of the other ripe , tasty , most delicious foods in the human race , some guy in Egypt around 8000 BChad to have the melodic theme to grab some gaga barm from a brewer , mix it with water , and then dig up a clustering of plant until they turned into flour ? Do you ever think about how they had to commix and inflame everything precisely , without stand social or accelerator ovens ?

Suffice it to say , the fact that sunbaked goods subsist today is nothing short of a miracle . fete this miracle this vacation time of year and beyond by strike up one of the standout Chicagoland bakeries that nobly carry on the custom of that one guy in Egypt all those year ago .

La Boulangerie

Multiple locationsA clams lover ’s dream , La Boulangerie imports all of their flour from France , and urinate all of their breads , pastries , and other treats from scratch every morning before they open . Grab a loaf each of Brioche and Sourdough and practice them to plow yourself to the better homemade french toast you ’ll ever have .

Aya Pastry

West TownHelmed by Michelin - starred pastry chef Aya Fukai , Aya Pastry is a must - visit in West Town for treats both sweet and savory . Their menu is astray - ranging , including overstuff Apple Pies and French Galettes made with seasonal fill flop alongside flossy Shokupan , a traditional Japanese milk dough . The most tempting and beautiful offering on the bill of fare include the ( gluten free ! ) marvelously chewy Matcha Mochi Cake and the toasty good of the Black Sesame Cake , but do n’t dominate their boodle and breakfast pastries either .

Good Ambler

Fulton MarketGood Ambler does n’t just append their deep brown offerings with a croissant or scone , they go all out with a sensational raiment of cakes , pastry dough , cookies , and adorably - beautify chocolates . No matter whether you ’re looking for a tradition specialty cake or a simple - but - perfectly - forgather BLTA , Good Ambler has you covered . The pro play is to convey a laptop , post up on one of the couches , and make Good Ambler yourremote power for the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , sipping coffee and treat yourself to pastries as necessary . Just retrieve , Kouign Amann is pronounced “ Queen Ah - mon . ”

Lost Larson

Andersonville & Wicker ParkLost Larson is a true baker ’s bakehouse . They mill around their own flour using a traditional stone manufactory , and they make their pastries and breads with a foresighted - fermentation method acting that really boosts natural flavors . Both locating offer a spacious variety of adust commodity , including not - to - be - missed rotating offerings like seasonal tarts and bread only available on certain days of the hebdomad ( do n’t leave out Friday ’s Challah ) , while the Andersonville emplacement also include cafe goods like quiches and sandwiches .

Bittersweet

LakeviewDating to 1992 , Bittersweet is one of Chicago ’s most legendary bakeshop , and has earned that reputation by creating some of the most stunning cake the city has ever take care . Do n’t believe us ? Ask Eddie Vedder , Michael Jordan , and Oprah , all of whom believe Bittersweet to create impost wonder for them . That said , even if you ’re not planning a wedding ceremony or some huge event that ask a four - groundwork - magniloquent bar shape like a dinosaur , Bittersweet is deserving your time , as they buy in a wide selection of pastry dough and sugar from Macarons to Brioche Rolls . We especially recommend their Tarte Belle - Hélène , a absolutely crafted and delicate blend of poached pear tree and deep brown frangipane .

Hendrickx Belgian Bread Crafters

Gold CoastThe story of how Renaud Hendrickx became a baker is a relatable one . Growing up at embarkation schooltime , he was on a regular basis pass on a piece of dinero alongside some black chocolate every day after deferral . It was the just bread he had ever had , and , unable to find any that matched up to it no matter where he travel , he vowed to recreate it . Years later , he did — only he leave to write down the proportions . Finally , he was able to vivify it a second fourth dimension , this time with a written recipe . All this is to say that as one of the city ’s only lawful Belgian bakeries , Hendrickx is whole devoted to the craftsmanship of breadmaking . The Belgian Country Bread is a must , but do n’t leave without taste the croissants and chocolates as well .

Kasama

Ukrainian VillageKasamaoffers a wide-cut range of marvelous Filipino foods , from Pickled Papaya to Adobo - marinate Chicken Thighs to Lumpia , which make the fact that they arealsoone of the city ’s best bakeries seem almost unfair . First - amount - first - served pastry dough from utterly - carry through classic like Apple Hand Pies to more creative item like Ube - huckleberry Basque Cake top the prized listing . Be sure to be quick , however — they regularly sell out .

Hewn

EvanstonYou’ll be heavily - press to find better hired man - fake bread than the attractively crusty loaf here , and pastry like Monkey Bread , muffins , and fruit - dot scones are delicious enough to turn just about anyone into a morning somebody .

Sprinkles Cupcakes

Gold CoastYes , holidaymaker , downtown shopper , and bachelorette parties flock to this local outpost of this cupcake chain like bees to love . But do n’t be gull by the cutesy branding and gimmicky cupcake ATM — the cupcakes are well worth the hype ( and the Gold Coast price tatter ) .

Delightful Pastries

Jefferson ParkUnlike most Chicago - area bakeries , which only take out the Pączki once a yr , this European shop class offers the traditional Polish pastry dough year - round for your enjoyment . The treats come in flavors like plum jelly and custard - fill up , and share the stage with everything from Apricot Kolaczki to Blueberry Turnovers . If you ’re not in the humour for pączki , Delightful Pastries also offers a motley of other pastry , cakes , and cooky , all made with the philosophy that wonderful ingredients do n’t need to be covered in sugar to taste great .

Dinkel’s Bakery

LakeviewFrom strudels and tarts to cookies and its famous Stollen , this German frontier settlement has been the solvent to Chicago ’s collective oven - fresh needs for the ripe part of a one C — they’ll be observe 100 years in business in 2022 . If sweetness are n’t your thing , do n’t worry , they also bid a selection of sandwich and quiches to live up to the savorty set .

Sweet Mandy B’s

Multiple locationsWashed in pastel hue and fit with a pastry dough presentation bursting with colorful biscuit and cupcake , Sweet Mandy B ’s is a veritable sugar fiend ’s fairytale . Go forth and banquet .

Floriole

Lincoln ParkGiven that Sweet Mandy B ’s and Floriole divvy up the same block and produce some of the best baked good in the city , we could n’t acknowledge one without the other . Floriole blow a varied menu full of fresh pastry both savory and sweet — our lip are water right now imagine their Basque Cake . But do n’t overlook their frozen take - and - bake offer . If you go to Floriole and leave without a four - pack of Croissant Dogs , you ’re doing it wrong .

Scafuri Bakery

Little ItalyThis time - tested , family - owned establishment has been around since 1904 , and after just one bite of its housemade Cannoli , you ’ll sympathize why — it ’s that practiced . The assorted Italian cookies and Sfogliatelle deserve credit for its longevity as well , but do n’t allow for the bakeshop without at least glancing at their pie menu , which features almost 20 dissimilar rima oris - tearing varieties .

Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits

Logan SquareGet your pie fix alongside a piping hot scale of Biscuits and Gravy at this rustic eat - in bakeshop and coffee bar . The pies revolve day by day , and are available for pre - order every day of the calendar week . It ’s legendary for a rationality .

Revival Cafe Bar & Bakery

LoopHelmed by pastry corking Mindy Segal ( Mindy ’s Hot Chocolate ) , this informal oasis within the buzzy Revival Food Hall is stock with all matter caffeinated , boozy , and baked . Stop by the one - period shop class for Brioche Donuts and nitro lattes on draft during the day , follow by stiff ( and java - impregnate , if you wish ) cocktail in the eve .

Goddess and the Baker

Multiple LocationsSure , you’re able to mark a well - rounded meal here , but would n’t you rather have a multi - course feast of Rainbow Layer Cake , Iced Cut - out Cookies , Pecan Sticky Buns , and predominate Rice Crispy Treats instead ? The pick is yours .

Hoosier Mama Pie Company

Multiple LocationsWith locating in both Chicago andEvanston , this kitschy Proto-Indo European shop class has earned a slice of both metropolis and suburban pie markets with its rotate selection of fresh - bake endeavors . The sweet world are available whole , by the cut , or in flights , and come in smell like Hoosier Sugar Cream , Pear Apple Cranberry with walnut crumble , and Maple Pecan .

La Fournette

Old TownStep inside this classical Gallic bakery and you ’ll blaspheme you ’ve just been teleported to a tranquil Parisian side - street . Brioche , crescent roll , beignets , and baguettes abound , and , as an added incentive , most of their breads contain raw sourdough starters , sacrifice everything La Fournette makes a special tactile sensation .

Panaderia Nuevo Leon

PilsenPanaderoa Nuevo Leon has been a staple in the Pilsen community for the preceding half - century . The Mexican bakehouse specializes in traditional favorites , admit Pan Dulce , Churros , and Flan , as well as savoury tortillas slather with jalapeño and chili guajillo .

Baker Miller

Lincoln SquareWhether you ’re lingering over a casual oatmeal breakfast or drip by to pick up a Bacon , Egg , and Brie Sandwich on the go , there ’s no better place to kickstart your twenty-four hour period inLincoln Squarethan here . All the baked goods are made with flour mill in - house . It ’s also located mighty across the street from a gym , but nobody needs to have sex that .

Sugargoat

West LoopThis carbo - loaded attachment to Stephanie Izard ’s Little Goat Diner sells a lot of cookies and sparkler cream , but the honest belles of the ball are the super - experimental scorched goods they trot out , from a cake that looks like a pie , to a have - to - try - it - to - read - its - illustriousness Chocolate French Fry Pie .

West Town Bakery

Multiple LocationsArtsy , graffiti - urge wall and cherry-red , livid , and blue booth - seating area reflect this bakehouse and diner ’s playful menu . Dark Matter coffee , booze aplenty , sustainability - driven baked goods , and intestine - break brunch eats like a Chorizo - bollock Croissant Sandwich and Caramel Apple French Toast round off things out .

Fruit tart from Kasama