Best Pastries in Wicker Park

"Located on the Northside in Lincoln Park, Summer House Santa Monica comes from our friends at the ever-growing Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant group. There’s a front patio, but the whole vibe is like you’re outdoors. With whitewashed wood walls, gauzy white curtains, and a huge atrium in the middle open to clouds and sun, there is so much natural light in here, it truly feels like  you are in Santa Monica."

"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."

"How important are cookies to the ethos of this Lettuce Entertain You Lincoln Park favorite?. The huge display case is the first thing you see when you walk in the door. That is no accident, my friends."

"If you’re still trying to diet in this pandemic, well you should definitely avoid following Stan’s Donuts & Coffee’s Instagram, because one look at their photos will completely override any self discipline you thought you had. More importantly, Stan’s has the flavor to back it up. Featured flavors include: Biscoff Banana Pockets, Glazed Pretzels, Lemon-Pistachio Old Fashioneds, and their new Caramel Marshmallow Pockets."

"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"

"Break the cake mold and dream beyond the traditional sheet cake with one-dimension designs. Having served as Executive Pastry Chef at downtown hotels and winning or placing in several design competitions, Chef Peter Rios’ Alliance Bakery is ready to show you that if you can think it, he can bake it. Besides his three-dimensional edible works of art, Chef shows off skills he picked up training in Paris with his European-inspired pastries and desserts."

"Alliance Bakery specialises in French pastries|Courtesy of Alliance Bakery. Wicker Park’s Alliance Bakery has become a mainstay on the Northwest side. Offering mostly French pastries, Alliance’s own Chef Peter Rios studied in Paris for several years."

"Their stunning desserts are each crafted by hand using traditional techniques. You’ll find macarons, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and fine pastries that are (almost) too pretty to eat."

"The first-floor market is a bustle of activity, with Italian groceries and housewares, coffee bars, gelato bars, and food counters, while the second floor hosts a number of Italian restaurants and counters for full meals and quick bites. The versatility of offerings to enjoy freshly made Italian cuisine is perfect for either short or long attention spans!"

"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."

"Nowhere else can you find the most authentic Italian gelato outside of Italy. Skip the Nutella bar and head straight for Eataly’s gelato this summer."

"Churros are one of those glorious desserts that never disappoints. So, if you’re looking to turn your day into a fiesta, head down to the Xurro Factory. This eatery offers one of the best desserts in Chicago, but be warned, it won’t be easy to eat!"

"Restaurants Bakeries Bridgeport. This iconic Polish bakery closed in October 2019 after decades of serving pączki, doughnuts, cookies and other candy-colored sweets to its fans. Thankfully, new ownership swept in and restored the spot to its former glory."

"If you’re wondering what happened to Bridgeport Bakery 1.0, it closed. But thankfully version 2.0 has the same delicious treats as the original. And while they have a lot of baked goods besides donuts, we like coming here for their long johns and bismarks."

"Check out this delightful rooftop deck overlooking Evanston’s Central Street. Their Mexican cuisine-with-a-twist is something to be savored, from the Sweet Potato and Green Chili Latke with apple salsa and citrus crema to the Roasted Cauliflower Queso served with crisp tostones (fried plantains). I recommend a Mezcal Paloma to wash it all down under the twinkly lights."

"The city’s finest shish kabobs are found on the Northwest Side at this mom-and-pop joint. Owners Mike and Ann Antonopoulos set up shop in Montclare back in the ‘60s and have gained a cult following over the decades for their sandwiches. The shish kabobs are marinated in a special sauce, charred on the grill, and served on a French roll with onions and tomatoes."

"Among the 26 different gardens here are the three-island Malott Japanese Garden, the 5-acre Evening Island, and the Grunsfeld Children's…"

"The park that gave the neighborhood its name is Chicago’s largest. Its 1200 acres stretch for 6 miles from North Ave north to Diversey Pkwy, where it narrows along the lake and continues on until the end of Lake Shore Dr. On sunny days locals come out to play in droves, taking advantage of the ponds, paths and playing fields or visiting the zoo and beaches. It's a fine spot to while away a morning or afternoon (or both)."

"Once you’ve gotten your fill of sky-high views, catch a ride up to Lincoln Park, one of North Side Chicago’s trendy residential neighborhoods, and named for the city’s largest park, which is the lakeside centerpiece of this part of town. The Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory are both fun to wander through, but I love Lincoln Park for its cafes, boutiques, and adorable homes."

"If it’s warm enough when you visit, try one of the beaches in Lincoln Park. The park also houses a zoo and museums."

"Must Try:Banana Split If you are a chocolate lover, look no further than the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop located just steps from Michigan Avenue. Moments after entering, you will be offered samples of the fine chocolates to get your taste buds ready for the decadent dessert you are about to indulge in. Here, they serve ice cream sundaes large enough for four to share with toppings like hot fudge, caramel sauce, fresh strawberries, and homemade brownies."

"This San Francisco chocolate company sells some of the best chocolate squares in the country, however their ice cream creations are just as good, if not better. Grab a cone or milkshake while shopping on Michigan Avenue or sit and enjoy a sundae by the river."

"You know you’re in for something good when there’s a James Beard Award-winning pastry chef in the kitchen. And HotChocolate doesn’t disappoint. Order a cup of their ultra-rich hot chocolate, topped with a homemade marshmallow."

"Little ItalyThis Japanese-influenced dessert destination brings pillowy soft serve adorned with edible gold and silver leaf, colorful flavored cones, and crave-worthy boba and milk tea to the heart of Little Italy. And the cozy, sundrenched scoop shop is as slickly decorated as the ice cream it dishes up, with large-scale cartoon sketches lining the white walls and brilliant neon illuminating the front window. Keep an eye on their social media channels for news on the forthcoming Wicker Park spot, too.How to book: Stop by for counter service, order take-out online, or get delivery via Caviar."

"This new spot in Mckinley Park has incredibly creamy soft serve, ice cream, melon pan ice cream sandwiches, and boba tea. The flavors change, but you’ll find not-too-sweet varieties like taro, red bean, sesame, milk tea, and earl grey. And one of our favorite things here is the messy boba - your choice of soft serve topped with boba in a cup."

"Restaurants Ice cream parlors Logan Square. It’s nostalgia that draws people in droves to this kitschy diner and ice-cream parlor. Fancy silver trays, paper doilies and saucers filled with chocolate and caramel sauces bring back fond memories for many who’ve made this place a tradition since it opened in 1921."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Marc Heiden - Use... used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Anyone and everyone would love to have a scoop of ice cream when they walk past Margie’s Candies shop."

"This old-fashioned ice cream parlor offers delicious sundaes and ice cream classics. If you’re feeling brave, try the “World’s Largest Sundae."