Best Bakery and Cake Shops in Downtown Chicago

"Little Goat is a perfect interpretation of modern-day diner with swivel counter seating, tufted leather booths, and mid-century lighting. And one glance at the menu is bound to spark smirks here, thanks to names like This Little Piggy Went to China (a sesame-cheddar biscuit with eggs and Sichuan pork sausage). Leave it to "Top Chef" winner Stephanie Izard (also behind Chicago favorites The Girl & the Goat and Cabra) to ensure the food is every bit as fun and flavorful as their printed descriptions."

"Restaurants Bakeries West Loop. Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard puts her gourmet spin on the old-school diner model with this sweet West Loop restaurant that serves breakfast all day. Dig into reimagined classics like the Bull's Eye French toast on sweet onion brioche with eggs, crispy chicken and barbecue maple syrup."

"Chips drenched in cheese and sour cream and covered with bbq pork, beans, peppers, and avocado. It’s food porn heaven. Just don’t forget to share them, so you leave room for the rest of the meal."

"This sunny Lincoln Park outpost continues to serve up Cali swag via a full bill of brunchtime favorites. Hass avocado BLTs, loaded cobb salads, housemade English muffins, breakfast burritos stuffed with fluffy scrambled eggs and sausage, and Guiliana Prosecco-fueled mimosas keep the grown-ups humming while junior takes on a heap of silver dollar pancakes crowned with fresh fruit and maple syrup.How to order: Head to OpenTable for all-season courtyard and indoor dining reservations or grab pick-up and delivery via ChowNow, Caviar, Uber Eats, GrubHub, and DoorDash. Available for Delivery/Takeout"

"Housed in a light-filled room with high ceilings and hanging ferns, Summer House recreates the magic of Southern California even in the dead of a Chicago winter. Using seasonal and local ingredients, trained chefs create fare that’s inspired by California but with a Midwestern heart. Kids can choose from quesadillas, burgers, grilled cheese, chicken fingers, or the ever-popular Breakfast for Dinner option."

"Even in the depths of winter this Lincoln Park restaurant is full of sunshine and joy. Channeling its inner Cali, the food here is light and bright – ahi tuna and watermelon tostadas, handmade local burrata and fresh salads. The kids’ menu mirrors that with fresh berries accompanying most dishes."

"Given that Sweet Mandy B's and Floriole are the charming bakeries sharing the same block and producing some of the best baked goods in the city -- let alone, their neighborhood -- we couldn't recognize one without the other. Washed in pastel hues and equipped with a pastry display bursting with colorful cookies and cupcakes, Sweet Mandy B's is a veritable sugar fiend's fairytale. Floriole plays it a bit more simple, with an airy space conducive to working while you munch on European pastries, like almond-y gateau Basque, pain au chocolat, and a variety of scones; don't forget to pick up a loaf of fresh-baked bread on your way out."

"This Lincoln Park shop is sure to charm anyone with a cupcake tooth. The adorable old-fashioned charmer sells pies, cookies, and other sweet baked treats, but the cupcakes and cakes are perhaps the best in Chicago, coming in traditional flavors and creative seasonal varieties worthy of regular visits."

"Pastel frosting and rainbow sprinkles may make you write this one off as kid stuff, but the bakery’s exemplary buttercream is plenty grown-up—lush and never tooth-achingly sweet. $3.25 for a four-inch version, 1208 W."

"We like going to Stan’s when we want a lot of variety or a donut that sounds like it was created by an eight-year-old. For example, they have a caramel marshmallow, Cap’n crunch, and our personal favorite, the biscoff (a.k.a. cookie butter-filled) pocket. If you don’t feel like feeding your inner child, consider ordering something like their pretzel-glazed or the pistachio old fashioned."

"Stan's Donuts has quickly become a Chicago icon with decadent flavored donuts, cookies and delicious beverages. They are currently open every day for takeout and delivery."

"Amazing is the first word that comes to mind when describing these doughnuts (or donuts). We ordered an Apple fritter, glazed pretzel, cinnamon roll, and..."

"This charming ice cream parlor serves up root beer floats from an old-fashioned soda fountain. Their homemade ice creams, pies and cakes are fresh, delicious and definitely worth the trip to Forest Park. Double up on the chocolate-chip ice cream sandwiches — they are divine!"

"Small-batch donuts are the name of the game at this adorable Glenview spot, where they bypass preservatives and trans fats in favor of natural ingredients, making all of the jams and fillings in-house. The Boston Cream, stuffed with rich pastry cream and glazed with shiny ganache, and the oh-so-springy Strawberry Glazed are highlights."

"West Town Bakery blends urban street art and music in creating delicious pastries. Using unique techniques and ingredients, they have perfected making colorful and artistic loaves of bread, pastries, coffees, and cakes. With their all-natural ingredients, they can especially bake vegan, nut free, soy free, gluten-free, and dairy-free cakes suitable for the required diet of every individual."

"Restaurants Bakeries Garfield Ridge. If you grew up in the Midwest, there’s a good chance your archetype of a bakery looks a lot like this Southwest Side institution. After all, the focus at this perpetually packed spot is on hearty, comforting fare that’s descended from German, Polish and Scandinavian roots, yet over time has evolved into its own regional character."

"Another long-standing destination is Weber’s Bakery, which takes on an almost prairie-style general store atmosphere in its design. Known as one of the best bakeries in Chicago, Weber’s Bakery is quite frequently packed with customers, waiting in line for their delectable sweets, including seasonal patzckies. If you’re in need of some fresh bread, pastries, or cakes, you know where to go."

"Bourgeois Pig Cafe may just be the coziest spot in Chicago—but online ordering is now available until coffee shops become our home-away-from-homes again. This coffee shop has a menu full of delicious coffee and food options."

"The Bourgeoise Pig cafe is Lincoln Park’s favorite hipster hangout. It’s a top spot for casual brunch, excellent coffee and cozy vibes. It’s one of those hidden gems that only locals know about."

"Located in the heart of The University of Chicago campus, the SMART Museum of Art truly makes art accessible for their youngest guests. On the first Saturday of the month, the museum hosts a free Family Day where kids can participate in hands-on art projects highlighting current art exhibits. After creating their masterpieces, kids and their families can join a docent-led tour or listen to a story being read in the art gallery."

"The Smart Museum is small, free, an easy and engaging place to museums in Chicago. It’s easily accessible by public transit and there is a parking garage nearby. Exhibitions, which rotate, are really tremendous, tending towards the avant-garde but including the historical and always celebrating the vast diversity of the art world."

"The Smart Museum of Art is scheduled to re-open April 8, 2021. These aren’t the only free things to do in Chicago!. Find more in our ultimate guide."

"Sweet Shot Cookies specializes in infused cookies and cookie cakes. Their homemade gooey infused cookies can be filled with anything from marshmallow fluff to dark chocolate ganache—you name it, they infuse it. They can be ordered pre-filled or if you're a DIY'er, they can be delivered with a syringe of flavor so you can inject it yourself with as much filling as you'd like."

"A post shared by Insomnia Cookies (@insomniacookies) on Jul 17, 2019 at 12:04pm PDT. If even picking up cookies is low on your to-do list, Insomnia Cookies comes to the rescue. This chain specializes in late-night cookie delivery (yes, you read that right), including sugar cookies, double chocolate mint cookies and drool-worthy smores cookies."

"Insomnia cookies are next on this list of the best desserts in Chicago. Cookies are the perfect addition to any day, so why not stop by Insomnia Cookies for an ice cream sandwich fix?. Unlike some other joints that offer ice cream sandwiches, Insomnia Cookies lets you customize your treat every step of the way!"

"6 locations in and near the city; Online: insomniacookies.com. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Defloured Bakery (@deflouredbakery) on Aug 4, 2019 at 8:26am PDT"