Best Bakery and Cake Shops in West Chicago

"The fried egg salad on an everything bagel–seasoned crumpet is reason enough to visit Little Goat Diner. Owned by Stephanie Izard, who also runs Girl and the Goat and Duck Duck Goat, Little Goat is one of the best places in town for an unfussy yet deeply thoughtful meal. With elevated diner classics (a kimchi-slathered Reuben, a goat burger, a sundae dripping with apple cider vinegar caramel), and mainstays like corned beef hash and cinnamon buns, it’s an ideal spot to bring families made up of both picky and adventurous eaters."

"Culinary wizard and Top Chef winner Steph Izard brings her innovative cuisine from The Girl and The Goat to a more casual setting at Little Goat. Especially on the weekends, you’ll find tables filled with young families ready for one of the best brunches in Chicago. Breakfast is served all day, and kids can choose from fluffy pancakes or delectable egg dishes."

"Stephanie Izard’scontemporary West Loop diner’s open all day, and most kids will be thrilled that they can order breakfast at any time. The dark chocolate chip crunch pancakes with chocolate malt butter, Fat Elvis waffles with bananas, peanut butter-butter and bacon maple syrup or gooey, house-made Cinnabons should put them on happy street."

"Normally this place will make you feel like you’re in California, but now they are only offering breakfast delivery options near you on the weekends. You can get drink kits to make Bloody Marys and also their silver dollar pancake party, which is basically a charcuterie board for pancakes."

"Never again choose between a chocolate-chip cookie and a Rice Krispie treat. This slightly salty and super-fudgy cookie is studded with chunks of the classic bar. The whole thing is massive, yet you’ll find yourself refusing to share."

"Located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, Summer House is the perfect place to escape the city to feel like soaking up the sunny vibes of the West Coast. The setting features..."

"In 2002, Sweet Mandy B’s opened its doors to sprinkle some magic into the community. This nostalgic cake shop in Chicago features old fashioned vibes and pastel colors. From Adult Cakes and Holiday Cakes to Special Occasion Cakes and a never ending selection of cupcakes, there’s something for everyone at Mandy B’s!"

"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."

"As one of Chicago's overall go-to bakeries, Sweet Mandy B's gives us the classics we need. Their chocolate chip and confetti flavors puts comfort back into the best cookies in Chicago."

"Stan’s embraces the vintage vibe of a classic donut shop, with a modern spin. They’ve perfected the classics (glazed old fashioneds, cinnamon sugar cake donuts, massive apple fritters) and added in some of their own creations (peanut butter pockets, croissant-donut hybrids, and gluten-free options). Find the one closest to you here"

"Stan’s Donuts are next on our list of the best desserts in Chicago. Stan’s Donuts is a classic choice for desserts in Chicago, and they’re seriously delicious too!. In fact, if you ask any local Chicagoans they’ll probably have heard of Stan’s Donuts!"

"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."

"From challah and sweet rolls to rugelach and babka, this far North Side kosher spot has everything for the Jewish holidays or for anyone who appreciates delicious breads and pastries."

"With three locations, Coast is known for its high quality sushi coupled with outstanding service. Weekends can get loud and very busy, especially at its city locations. The Bucktown hotspot (BYOB) features a warm and sexy interior while its South Loop locale is a bit more stark and modern in ambiance."

"This Ukrainian Village outpost is coming in hot with an ambitious all-day menu of cheffed-up Filipino comforts like housemade longganisa sausage with garlic fried rice and fried eggs and plump pork-stuffed lumpia Shanghai complemented by deliciously offbeat pastries like palm-sized Basque cakes laden with ube and huckleberry and aromatic cardamom Kouign-Amann. Throw in some locally roasted coffee, handpicked natural wines, and picturesque sidewalk seating and you’ve got yourself one quality Sunday hang.How to order: Stroll over to the Augusta Avenue storefront for counter service or grab pick-up and delivery via Toast, Tock, and DoorDash. Available for Delivery/Takeout"

"Just as we are committed to serving the best quality food every single day, we are committed to serving you during this time. Whether it’s via dine-in, the drive-thru or delivery where available, we remain focused on having your back."

"Arguably the best of the city's arcade bars stands in Logan Square at the corner of Western and Fullerton. The converted hardware store sports an eclectic craft beer selection. The gaming aspect isn't an afterthought."

"Fans of Iliana Regan’s cooking will know they’re in the right place upon entering this cozy corner spot, which is brimming with some of the chef’s signature animal-inspired quirks including chopsticks that rest on a porcelain rabbit and red fox pitchers to hold broth and guard the kitchen pass. Kick things off with one of the team’s house made sodas (make it the Galangal ginger beer) before delving into texture-driven starters like green garlic chawanmushi and steamed scallop gyoza with charred turnips. A donabe hot pot is packed with mackerel and serves as the perfect accompaniment to an umami-rich bowl of ramp ramen noodles."

"Kitsune Restaurant and Pub is unpretentious by design, focusing in on Japanese flavors with touches of Midwestern. Pulling local ingredients, the restaurant aspires to not be a “fusion” of some sort but to just, well… be. Located within a quaint and modern haunt, Kitsune features Sake cocktails, Omakase dining, and a rotating menu of delicious eats that change along with the season."

"We know, it might seem like a stretch to include a theater—and Shakespeare, no less—on a kid’s map. But the Navy Pier’s Chicago Shakespeare Theater showcases a ton of kid-friendly performances, including shorter 75-minute abridged productions geared toward families and students. Check their website for the latest shows and schedules."

"With attractions as varied as the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater to a massive concert venue, you can practically spend the entire day here! One of the most popular attractions on Navy Pier is its iconic Ferris wheel, visible from many vantage points across the city."