After indulging in Chicago's savory delights like deep-dish pizza and Italian beef, you'll definitely want to save room for dessert! The city boasts a fantastic and diverse sweet scene, offering everything from legendary old-school institutions to innovative modern bakeries and artisan confectioners.
Whether you're craving a perfect slice of pie, a decadent donut, gourmet ice cream, delicate pastries, or classic candies, Chicago has a treat to satisfy every sweet tooth. Get ready to explore some of the city's best dessert destinations!
Perfect Pies
Chicago takes pie seriously, with several shops dedicated to perfecting the craft.
- Hoosier Mama Pie Company (West Town & Evanston): A beloved pie shop known for its incredible variety of seasonal sweet and savory pies, all made with flaky, buttery crusts. Enjoy by the slice in their charming, retro-style shops or take a whole pie home. Don't miss their classic Sugar Cream Pie.
- Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits (Logan Square & Ravenswood): Famous for both its delicious, often inventive pies (like Key Lime or Chocolate Pecan) and its equally amazing biscuit sandwiches. A great spot for a sweet treat or a savory bite.
- First Slice Pie Cafe (Andersonville, Ravenswood, Manor): A non-profit cafe serving up delicious pies where proceeds help provide meals for those in need. Offers classic flavors and seasonal specials.
Dreamy Donuts
The artisanal donut trend is alive and well in Chicago.
- Doughnut Vault (River North & West Loop): A tiny, often cash-only spot famous for its classic, high-quality glazed, buttermilk old-fashioned, and daily special donuts. Be prepared for lines, and they often sell out early!
- Firecakes Donuts (River North, Lincoln Park, Oak Park): Known for creative flavors, small-batch production, and quality ingredients. Try their signature Donut Ice Cream Sandwiches in the summer.
- Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken (Various Locations): Offers an excellent array of donut styles, including yeast-raised, cake, and old-fashioned, alongside delicious fried chicken sandwiches. Vegan and gluten-free options are often available.
- Stan's Donuts & Coffee (Various Locations): A popular chain with LA roots, offering a wide variety of classic and creative donuts, plus coffee and gelato.
Ice Cream & Frozen Delights
Cool off with some of Chicago's best scoops.
- Margie's Candies (Bucktown & Ravenswood): A true Chicago institution since 1921. Step back in time at this old-school ice cream parlor, famous for its massive sundaes and turtles served in iconic seashell dishes with pitchers of homemade fudge on the side.
- Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (Various Locations): An Ohio-based chain beloved for its unique and creative flavor combinations made with high-quality ingredients (like Brambleberry Crisp or Brown Butter Almond Brittle).
- Black Dog Gelato (West Town & Logan Square): Offers inventive and delicious gelato and sorbet flavors that change regularly, often featuring unique combinations.
- Scooter's Frozen Custard (Lakeview): A seasonal walk-up stand serving rich and creamy Chicago-style frozen custard with rotating flavors of the day.
Bakeries & Pastries Galore
From classic American cakes to European-inspired treats.
- Lost Larson (Andersonville & Wicker Park): Specializes in beautiful Scandinavian-inspired pastries (like cardamom buns), artisan bread, and excellent coffee in chic settings.
- Mindy's Bakery (Wicker Park): From James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Mindy Segal, this spot offers incredible bagels, bialys, cookies, babkas, quiches, and other sophisticated baked goods.
- Kasama (West Town): Beyond their savory breakfast, Kasama's daytime bakery offers exquisite Filipino-inspired pastries, cakes, and croissants that are works of art.
- Alliance Bakery (Wicker Park): A neighborhood favorite known for its beautifully decorated cakes, French macarons, cupcakes, and European-style pastries.
- Sweet Mandy B's (Lincoln Park & Streeterville): Famous for its classic American desserts like cupcakes with pastel buttercream frosting, cookies, and old-fashioned layer cakes.
Candy Shops & Chocolatiers
For classic sweets and gourmet chocolates.
- Vosges Haut-Chocolat (Lincoln Park & Michigan Ave): Luxury chocolate shop known for its exotic flavor combinations, often incorporating spices, herbs, and flowers into truffles and chocolate bars.
- The Fudge Pot (Old Town): An old-school candy shop making fudge, chocolate-covered strawberries, caramel apples, and other classic confections for decades.
- Amy's Candy Bar (Lincoln Square): A charming shop offering a curated selection of nostalgic candies, imported treats, and modern artisan chocolates.
Conclusion
Chicago's dessert scene is rich, varied, and incredibly delicious. Whether you seek nostalgic comfort or cutting-edge pastry art, there's a sweet shop ready to delight your taste buds. Don't limit yourself – try a few different spots and discover your own favorite Chicago treat!