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5 Best Lincoln Park Bakeries: A Sweet Tooth’s Guide to Chicago

As a Chicago resident and devoted pastry enthusiast, my quest for the best bakeries in Lincoln Park is a never-ending hunt for delicious finds. There is something special about discovering a new bakery, with tempting baked goods and the delicious scents of vanilla and cinnamon giving you the slightest hint about what you might find.

macarons at a lincoln park bakery in chicago

Map of the 5 Best Bakeries in Lincoln Park Chicago

Click on the map below to go to an interactive Google map of bakeries in Lincoln Park Chicago to start planning your visit.

map of the best bakeries in lincoln park chicago

5 Best Lincoln Park Bakeries: A Sweet Tooth’s Guide to Chicago

Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood has many excellent bakeries for you to explore, some tired and true favorites and some new spots to check out. From classic American treats to exquisite French pastries, there’s something for every sweet tooth in this vibrant neighborhood.

So, grab your reusable tote bag and get ready to indulge in some sugary goodness at these five must-visit bakeries in Lincoln Park. I’ve even included an interactive map to help you plan your visit.

cakes, cupcakes and cookies at Sweet mandy B's , one Lincoln Park's best bakeries
Photo from Sweet Mandy B’s

Sweet Mandy B’s: Grandma’s Kitchen in Lincoln Park

Address: 1208 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Walking into this warm and inviting bakery in Lincoln Park is like walking into your grandma’s kitchen. Known for its old-fashioned charm and irresistible treats, Sweet Mandy B’s is a cheery place, with neat display counters filled with frosted sugar cookies and cupcakes, flaky pies, and muffins that will transport you back to your childhood.

Pie specialties at Sweet Mandy B’s include Chocolate Cream, Peanut Butter Chiffon, Banana Cream, Pecan Pie, Apple Streusel and many more. Sweet Mandy B’s also has a location in Streeterville, at 254 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611.

EXPERT TIP: Sweet Mandy B’s also makes one of the best Key Lime pies north of Florida. Call ahead to make sure they have it in stock.

Croissants from Vanille patisserie
Photo from Vanille Patisserie

Vanille Patisserie: Parisian Elegance in the Heart of Chicago

Address: 2108 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

Step inside Vanille Patisserie and you’ll be automatically transported into a sleek and modern Parisian pastry shop. Tucked into a cozy little spot on Clark Street, you’ll find a dazzling display of French confections ranking from mini chocolate ganache tarts and raspberry bars with a light white chocolate mousse to cakes of vanilla mousseline and even Mille Feuille, a layered pastry with French cream. They also have some beautifully decorated layer cakes, especially during holidays and other special events.

You’ll want to take home some of the macarons that come in every flavor imaginable, as well as some delicate petit fours. You can also reserve a time for Afternoon Tea which features three courses including finger sandwiches, pastries, and tea.

EXPERT TIP: Macarons in every color imaginable, delicate petit four, and custom cakes that are works of art are just a few of the tempting treasures you’ll find here. Don’t miss their raspberry macarons – they’re like little bites of heaven!

passionafruit cupcake from molly's cupcakes
Passionfruit Cupcake / Photo from Molly B’s

Molly’s Cupcakes

Address: 2536 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

No bakery tour of Lincoln Park would be complete without a stop at Molly’s Cupcakes. Yes, this popular cupcake boutique now has four locations throughout the city, but their original location on Clark Street is my favorite.

Molly’s has a home-y feel that you’ll pick up on as soon as you enter and make your way to the counter, where center-filled cupcakes in every color and flavor are waiting for you. That’s right: these cupcakes are filled with delectable flavors like the Samoa, which is vanilla cake filled with caramel and topped with toasted coconut, chocolate and caramel drizzle. Then, there’s the Rob Bennington cupcake, which is made with chocolate cake, peanut butter filling, chocolate ganache, and crushed butterscotch topping.

Molly’s Cupcakes: Beyond the Center-Filled

There are other treats, too, like layer cakes, cookies and bars, (their chocolate chip cookies are some of the best around), and you can find a comfy seat here so you can sample to your hearts content. The cheesecakes, which come in four flavors including plain, cherry, pumpkin caramel and chcoclate chip, are pretty amazing, too.

EXPERT TIP: Molly’s also makes their own ice cream, with flavors like vanilla, cake batter, cookie dough, chocolate, and cookies-n-cream that you can enjoy in a cone or a carton to take home.

Salted maple chess pie from Floriole, one of the top bakeries in lincoln park chicago
Salted Maple Chess Pie / Photo from Floriole

Floriole Café and Bakery: Where Artisanal Breads and European Pastries Meet Chicago Charm

Address: 1220 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

I love stopping into this light and airy café and bakery in Lincoln Park for breakfast, lunch, brunch or just to grab a cup of coffee and some French pastries. Known for their artisanal breads, croissants and European-style pastries made from local ingredients, you’ll also find inspired pies like the Salted Maple Chess pie with a gingerbread crust or Coconut Cream with a layer of chocolate-passion-banana caramel, coconut cream, and a cloud of whipped cream.

Bread is baked daily at Floriole Café and Bakery, and they have one of the best sourdough loafs in the city, including a seeded sourdough. Floriole also has frozen items, like scones, croissants, cookies and even turkey pot pie, that you can take and bake yourself to bring a little bit of France into your own home!

EXPERT TIP: Floriole is my favorite bakery in Chicago for breakfast sandwiches. You’ll love the custardy egg patty, loaded with creamy gruyere cheese and fresh herbs. It’s perfectly nestled into a croissant burger bun with a kiss of house-made tomato jam….yum.

cakeopos on the counter at Klein's Bakery in Lincoln Park Chicago
Cake pops and other treats on the counter at Klein’s Bakery and Cafe

Klein’s Bakery & Café: A Taste of Latin America in Lincoln Park

Address: 426 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614

This inviting bakery and café is the perfect neighborhood gathering spot, with comfy seating outdoors when the weather is nice. You’ll find Latin American inspired treats including both sweet and savory pastries. From Alfajores filled with dulce de leche, and guava and crème cheese pastries to ham and cream cheese Cachitos baked fresh daily, there are amazing baked goods here.

My favorite here are the dessert shots, like the Caramel Cheesecake Shot, the Tres Leches or the Tiramisu shot, made with sponge cake soaked in espresso, layered with mascarpone cream, chocolate chips and cocoa powder.

Klein’s Bakery and Cafe also offers artisanal coffee drinks, American breakfast and traditional Venezuelan baked goods. Their signature Tres Leches Cakes feature a Venezuelan style sponge cake soaked in three kind of milks, and decorated with flamed Italian meringue and cinnamon on top. If you’ve got a birthday or special event coming up, they make some really cute custom cakes, too.

EXPERT TIP: One of the best things about Klein’s Bakery and Café is their location: they are so close to Lincoln Park and North Pond that you can pick up your treats and walk a few steps to a cozy park bench to enjoy.

Bonus Lincoln Park Bakery Tip

If you’re looking for a great vegan bakery in Chicago or just want something a little different, check out Luella’s Bakery & Cafe. They specialize in gluten-free and vegan pastries that are just as delicious as their non-allergic counterparts.

Lincoln Park is a haven for bakery enthusiasts. Whether you crave nostalgic treats, Parisian delights, or Latin American-inspired pastries, this neighborhood has it all. Embark on a sweet journey through Lincoln Park and indulge in the diverse flavors that make this community a pastry paradise.

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