Best Pastries in Downtown Chicago

We've collected top 10 mentioned pastry places in Downtown Chicago from other articles such as The Gardner School, Chicago Tribune, The Infatuation.

Best Pastries in Downtown Chicago

Summer House Santa Monica
Summer House Santa Monica
4.4 (1709 ratings)
Sunny restaurant serving New American grub, tropical drinks & more in an airy space with an atrium.
1954 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
New American restaurantAmerican restaurantBakeryBarBreakfast restaurantBrunch restaurantCalifornian restaurantEvent venueLunch restaurantPastry shopRestaurant
Mentioned by Thrillist
The Absolute Best Brunches in Chicago Right Now
"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"
Mentioned by The Gardner School
TGS Parent Picks: Top Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Chicago
"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."
Mentioned by Food Com
Chicago's Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants
"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."
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
4.4 (1393 ratings)
Stylish spot supplying gourmet donuts, milkshakes, hot coffee drinks & cold brew on tap.
181 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Donut shopBagel shopBakeryCafeCoffee shopDessert shopPastry shop
Mentioned by The Infatuation
The Best Donuts In Chicago - Chicago
"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."
Mentioned by Loop Chicago
Where to order takeout and delivery in the Loop
"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."
Mentioned by restaurantji.com
Where to Eat The Best Donuts in Chicago, IL
"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..."
Alliance Bakery
Alliance Bakery
4.4 (354 ratings)
Bakery for playfully decorated cupcakes, specialty cakes & European pastries, plus an outdoor cafe.
1736 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
BakeryCake shopCoffee shopPastry shopWedding bakery
Mentioned by Eater Chicago
Breads, Cakes and Pastries in Chicago: Where to Find the Best
"It should come as no surprise that Alliance Bakery is serious business when it comes to cakes. The shop proudly displays its elegant creations in the window and they taste as good as they look. In addition, there are also plenty of other French delicacies for sale such as macarons, croissants, eclairs, bombes, and tarts, plus a newer location downtown in River North."
Mentioned by Cool Things Chicago
Best macarons in Chicago | 12 Top Places to Find Macarons in Chicago
"Located on N State St, Alliance Patisserie offers a range of contemporary twists on classic European desserts. Its assorted range of macarons changes with the seasons, meaning you can simply never tire of those on offer. Our favorites, however, are strawberry (served with strawberry white chocolate ganache) and rose (with rosewater buttercream)."
Mentioned by Spoon University
The 11 Places That Serve The Best Cookies in Chicago
"With a warm oven and a warm heart, this bakery is Chance the Rapper's go-to place. Their Chance cookies helped raise money for Chicago Public Schools, giving the city even more of a reason to enjoy their shortbread cookies. Their cookies encompass the passion of Chicagoans more than anything."
Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe
Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe
4.5 (254 ratings)
Quaint bakery/cafe offering specialty cakes, cookies & breads, plus sweet & savory pastries.
1114 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
Pastry shopBakeryBreakfast restaurantCafeGift shopWedding bakeryWholesale bakery
Eataly Chicago
Eataly Chicago
4.4 (276 ratings)
43 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Italian restaurantCafeCooking schoolItalian grocery storePasta shopPastry shopPizza TakeoutWine store
Mentioned by The Blonde in Pink
The Best Lunch Spots in Chicago
"I have been going here for as long as I can remember; it may be my original first favorite restaurant in Chicago. Fun fact, I posted that first picture to my feed back when I started my account back in 2014!. Eataly can only be described as an Italian food mecca… With several different restaurants, markets, wine bars, even a nutella bar, this place is a true destination and SO much fun."
Mentioned by Spoon University
The 16 Most Instagram-Worthy Restaurants in Chicago
"Description: Nutella® and Eataly are iconic Italian brands that share a common belief in amazing food. The Nutella Bar at Eataly Chicago is unreal. Be sure to try their all-natural gelato served in a crunchy waffle cup."
Mentioned by UrbanMatter
Where to Get Takeout Tonight in Chicago
"Well, Eataly’s takeout pies are purposefully under baked so that, once you throw one in the oven for a couple of minutes, it’ll taste just like you’re at the restaurant. You can order Eataly today off Caviar."
TeaPotBrew Bakery
TeaPotBrew Bakery
4.7 (281 ratings)
1802 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
Coffee shopBakeryBreakfast restaurantLunch restaurantPastry shopTea houseTea store
Mentioned by Time Out Chicago
The 22 most amazing bakeries in Chicago
"Restaurants Bakeries Near South Side. Life's sweet at Veranda Runsewe's South Loop bakery, where the pastries are baked fresh daily and the custom cakes are crafted with love. The muffins and loaf cakes pair nicely with the lengthy list of tea varieties, from cinnamon-plum and jade oolong to matcha-ginger buzz."
Pilot Pete's Coffee & Treats
Pilot Pete's Coffee & Treats
5 (204 ratings)
128 W 1st St, Elmhurst, IL 60126, USA
Espresso barCafeCoffee shopCoffee standCoffee storePastry shop
Le Macaron French Pastries
Le Macaron French Pastries
4.8 (72 ratings)
543 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA
Pastry shopCake shopCoffee shopIce cream shopPatisserieTea house
Mentioned by Cool Things Chicago
Best macarons in Chicago | 12 Top Places to Find Macarons in Chicago
"Le Macaron found on West Armitage Avenue invites guests to experience the best of French cuisine. The coffee shop’s website describes its macarons as the perfect delicacy, original and elegant, and we think they’re 100% correct. Le Macaron does offer some really fun flavors alongside the more traditional choices, though: including bubblegum, violet cassis, gingerbread, and strawberry key lime."
Shokolad Pastry & Cafe
Shokolad Pastry & Cafe
4.8 (351 ratings)
European cafe offering pastries, cookies & a savory breakfast/lunch menu with crêpes & pierogi.
2524 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Ukrainian restaurantBakeryCafePastry shop
Tous Les Jours
Tous Les Jours
4.4 (398 ratings)
2144 S Archer Ave unit a, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
BakeryPastry shop

Best Arts and Culture Places in Downtown Chicago

Oriental Institute Museum
Oriental Institute Museum
4.8 (205 ratings)4.5 (526 ratings)
Dedicated to researching ancient civilizations of the Middle East & educating the public about them.
1155 E 58th St, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Archaeological museumMuseumsArt museumHistory museumResearch instituteSpecialty Museums
Aspect/Ratio Gallery
Aspect/Ratio Gallery
5 (28 ratings)
864 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Art gallery
Mentioned by Widewalls
9 Must-Visit Chicago Art Galleries
"Founded in 2012, Aspect/Ratio is a contemporary gallery that showcases work by an international cast of contemporary artists, including local visual artist Nick Albertson, New York-based videographer Casilda Sánchez and Cuban conceptual artist Alejandro Figueredo Díaz-Perera. Their represented artists have been exhibited internationally at many major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Featured image: Aspect / Ratio, the View of Solid Echoes by Jean Alexander Frater, Nick Albertson exhibition, via Artsland."
Mentioned by Culture Trip
Must-Visit Galleries in Chicago, Illinois, for Art Lovers
"With a passion for video art that only grew when he moved to Chicago in the 2000s, Miami-born Jefferson Godard – a part-time professor of interior architecture at Columbia College Chicago – founded Aspect/Ratio Projects in 2012. Since then, this West Town gallery has become the number one destination for contemporary video art and performance art in the city, hosting a range of well-received exhibitions. It represents internationally recognized artists, including Sharon Louden, Casilda Sánchez and Guy Ben-Ner."
Carrie Secrist Gallery
Carrie Secrist Gallery
5 (9 ratings)
Modern art in many mediums, from painting & sculpture to video & photography, by emerging artists.
900 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Art gallery
Mentioned by Holidify
Art Galleries in Chicago
"Carrie Secrist Gallery, established in 1992, focuses on established contemporary artists and artwork by emerging and mid-career artists whose artworks are not just restricted to one particular style. The gallery has featured several paintings of Whitney Bedford, Stephen Eichhorn, Liliana Porter, Michael Robinson and Dannielle Tegeder. Shannon Finley, Diana Guerrero-Maciá, Andrew Holmquist, and Anne Lindberg"

Best Comedy Club in Downtown Chicago Area

Gallery Cabaret
Gallery Cabaret
4.6 (252 ratings)
Quirky, low-key watering hole with live tunes nightly plus comedy & open-mike nights.
2020 N Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
BarArt galleryBeer hallComedy clubLive music venue
Mentioned by Flat Price Moving & Auto Transport
Chicago Nightlife | City Guides | Flat Price Auto Transport
"If you’re looking for fresh comedy or considering doing a 5-minute set yourself, the Gallery Cabaret is perfect for you. Located in Bucktown, just north of downtown, the Gallery Cabaret is a fun dive bar with comedy open-mic nights. They offer decent food, great cocktails, beer, and everything you need for making the nightlife in Chicago fun for you and your friends."
The Revival
The Revival
4.4 (112 ratings)
Destination for stand-up comedy & improv as well as classes, workshops & music events.
1160 E 55th St, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
Comedy club
Mentioned by Trip101
10 Best Comedy Clubs In Chicago, Illinois
"According to stories, The Revival was the birthplace of improv comedy. In fact, it got its name to indicate the intent of bringing it back to its glory days. As a comedy club, The Revival features a mix of acts and performances, ranging from stand-up and improv comedies to skits and musical acts with a humorous twist."
The Comedy Bar
The Comedy Bar
4.3 (569 ratings)
Stand-up comedy venue inside Gino's East River North pizzeria featuring local & national acts.
162 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Comedy clubBarCocktail barEntertainerEvent venueRestaurant
Mentioned by Chicago Traveler
The Best Comedy Clubs in Chicago
"Located on North LaSalle Drive in downtown, The Comedy Bar is a popular Chicago comedy club that brings the laughs to you on a nightly basis. Featuring an upper-level stage and a main-level stage, this popular Chicago attraction overlooks Gino’s Brewing company and each stage seats more than 100 people. Enjoy a cocktail, a few laughs and a casual night out in downtown with a trip to this venue, known as one of the best comedy clubs in Chicago."
Mentioned by Passion Passport
LOL Chicago: A Guide to the Windy City’s Comedy Clubs
"This club has a lot going for it: no drink minimum; no age requirements; pizzas, snacks, and drinks for purchase; and tons of stand-up comedians. Open-mic nights are free, but with relatively inexpensive tickets available for other shows, you might want to consider going to a headlining act — either on the main or B stage. The shows run every night of the week, attracting some of the funniest talent in the city."
Mentioned by Trip101
10 Best Comedy Clubs In Chicago, Illinois
"A post shared by Chris and Kerry Walker (@thewalkertwiins) on Oct 3, 2018 at 8:25am PDT. Guests can enjoy good food and drinks while they watch the acts on stage. Besides comedy shows, burlesque shows are also held here, so check the schedule and plan accordingly if you wish to watch a specific performance."

Free Museums in Downtown Chicago

DuSable Museum of African American History
DuSable Museum of African American History
4.6 (1145 ratings)4.5 (77 ratings)
Museum housing exhibits & artifacts that highlight African-American history, culture & art.
740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
History museumMuseums
Mentioned by Thrillist
The Coolest, Weirdest, and Best Museums in Chicago
"Washington ParkCelebrate the achievements of African-Americans in the past and present Named for Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, a Haitian who is credited for establishing Chicago in 1779, the DuSable Museum of African-American History celebrates African-American history, culture, and art through world-class exhibits and programming, including permanent exhibits highlighting African-Americans in the military and telling the story of the African-American experience, from the Transatlantic Slave Trade through Reconstruction, the Great Migration, the Jim Crow era, the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements, and the US’s first black president. What to know before you go: The DuSable Museum of African-American History is open 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5pm Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, $3 for children ages 6-11 and free for children 5 and younger, with discounts for Chicago residents and free admission every Tuesday."
Mentioned by Matador Network
The 7 best museums in Chicago
"Cool fact… the DuSable Museum of African American History is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the country. Another cool fact… Chicago-proud musician and celebrity Chance the Rapper added some star power to their efforts when he joined as a museum board trustee this year. It’s pretty special to be so rooted in history and heritage, but also very future forward."
Oriental Institute Museum
Oriental Institute Museum
4.8 (205 ratings)4.5 (526 ratings)
Dedicated to researching ancient civilizations of the Middle East & educating the public about them.
1155 E 58th St, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Archaeological museumMuseumsArt museumHistory museumResearch instituteSpecialty Museums
Wonder Works Children's Museum
Wonder Works Children's Museum
4.5 (486 ratings)4.5 (7 ratings)
6,400 sq. ft. of play areas & interactive exhibits plus concerts tailored to kids 1 through 6.
6445 W North Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, USA
Children's museumMuseums

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near Downtown Chicago

Bright and Cozy 1BR Apartment in Logan Square!
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The Sono Chicago
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$333 /night
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