Delicious Bakeries in Chicago
Bakeries in Chicago are as varied as the Windy City itself. From the humble donut shop to authentic French patisseries, Chicago has no shortage of neighborhood, friendly bakeries that anyone can enjoy. Let’s take a look at some of the best bakeries in Chicago to visit the next time you want a flakey, baked treat.
Photo Credit: chicagotribune.com
Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken (Near North Side)
233 E Erie St, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
(312) 344-1374
For an all-day donut fix, Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken is a Chi-town favorite spot. With a huge assortment of donuts baked up fresh daily, there is literally a flavor for every taste. One of the most loved is a cake donut slathered with Meyer lemon glaze and covered with crushed pistachios, but the candied maple bacon yeast donut runs a close second. Make any donut a sandwich by adding in a crispy chicken layer for an anytime treat. Do Right also offers up three daily gluten-free options (their Valrhona chocolate-dipped one is to die for), promises at least three vegan options each day, and always has locally brewed Dark Matter Coffee ready to sip as well.
Photo Credit: timeout.com
Doughnut Vault (Near North Side)
401 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
(312) 285-2830
One thing doughnut lovers like is ample portion sizes, and the Doughnut Vault does a great job serving up oversized pastries. The beautiful setting is almost a distraction from the real star of the show, the soft, pillowy goodness served up in the familiar circular-shaped treat. Popular old-fashioned varieties are the Lemon Poppyseed and the Pistachio. The Apple Fritter and Chestnut option are seasonal favorite yeast flavors that patrons of the Doughnut Vault will be lucky enough to nosh on if they arrive before these delicious doughnuts sell out (which they often do!) at one of the best bakeries in Chicago.
Photo Credit: Facebook
Firecakes Donuts (Near North Side)
68 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
(312) 329-6500
This bakery’s history traces back to the 1930s when the Firecakes founder’s grandfather fried up hot pastries over an open fire. Now, Chicagoans can sample these tasty treats at Firecakes Donuts where such mouthwatering flavors are served up daily like Wildflower Honey Glazed and Tahitian Vanilla Iced. Seasonal flavors are plentiful at Firecakes, and guests can choose from flavors like Apple Cider cake, Valrhona Chocolate and Espresso Cream. This bakery offers up delicious coffees, hot teas, and even creamy ice cream to enjoy with the donuts as a sandwich or just in a cone or cup.
Photo Credit: timeout.com
Hoosier Mama Pie Company (West Town)
1618 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
(312) 243-4846
This quaint little bakery focuses on making the flakiest, most delectable pies in Chicago. Pick up a pie for later or a slice to enjoy right at one of the countertop seats along with a cup of locally brewed Metropolis Coffee Company. In the morning, Hoosier offers other breakfast foods like quiche, galettes, and assorted pastries, but of course, the real star is the pie. Order a frozen dessert pie to bake at home for absolutely the freshest tasting sweet pie or even their savory offering, the chicken pot pie. With regular pie flavors that include gluten-free options and a few boozy pies, Hoosier is a great little bakery with a big following.
Photo Credit: Facebook
La Fournette (Near North Side)
1547 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610, United States
(312) 624-9430
A beautiful French bakery nestled in the Old Town of Chicago, La Fournette’s cozy warm wood seating and bakery display cases invite visitors to order a flakey pastry and warm coffee and stay awhile. Offering all manner of French bread and sweets like Chocolate Beignets and Brioches share space with homemade hazelnut and salted caramel spreads. Guests love to nosh on traditional French bites like Croque Monsieur while sipping a milky Café Au Lait in this Parisian gem so authentic that you will think you left the Windy City for the City of Lights.
Photo Credit: chicagotribune.com
Magnolia Bakery (Downtown/The Loop)
108 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
(312) 346-7777
This darling bakery’s weekly special cupcakes are so delicious you will want to come back every week to taste them all – or you can just order one for delivery if you can’t make the trip back. Famous for their stellar banana pudding, Magnolia is known for big flavors in all kinds of baked goods like pies, cakes, brownies, cookies and even gluten-free flourless cakes. Morning offerings include delightful scones and muffins, and Magnolia makes outstanding cheesecakes and custom cakes for every occasion. On a visit to Magnolia, you can order a slice of cake to enjoy with a warm Vanilla Latte to inhale right there or grab a full-size treat to take home for later. Magnolia is a popular bakery with Chicagoans and visitors alike who are also familiar with Magnolia’s flagship NYC store. This local bakery has become just as wildly popular becoming one of the best bakeries in Chicago.
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Molly’s Cupcakes (Park West)
2536 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
(773) 883-7220
While cupcakes are the primary focus of this cute little bakery, the namesake of Molly’s is a wonderful bonus to this local favorite place. Named after Miss Molly, the founder’s childhood teacher, this store donates a portion of all profits to neighborhood schools in the community. Visitors are the real winners here though since Molly’s Cupcakes bakes up a their famous filled-center cakes that can be customized. Along with cupcakes, Molly’s also churns out creamy ice cream as well as other sweet treats like brownie, cakes, bars, and a decent variety of cookies. A past winner of a Cupcake Wars competition, Molly’s huge selection of flavors of cupcakes and fillings will make a visit to this iconic bakery a must in Chicago.
Photo Credit: Yelp
Vanille Patisserie (North Side)
131 N Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
(773) 868-4574
Authentically French, Vanille Patisserie is a gorgeous, sleek bakery in Chicago baking up light macarons, petit fours, and even mille feuille. Visitors to Vanille Patisserie can select an individual pastry, carefully crafted by French-inspired bakers with incredible attention to detail along with masterful baking skills. Afternoon high tea is also offered here, if you make a visit and want the full experience with plates of goodies served up with steaming tea. This bakery’s enticing display of colorful macarons make choosing just one of the flavors difficult to do when Vanille makes such interesting flavors like apple pie, maple, cookie dough, and mango passion.
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