Pan Artesanal Bakery
Logan Square • $
The cajeta churrito alone justifies the weekend-only line at this Logan Square Mexican bakery. Laminated croissants, silky caramel fillings, and chilaquiles for anyone who misses the pastry case.
Desserts in Chicago worth going out for.
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Verzênay Chicago
Sheffield & DePaul • $$
A Lincoln Park patisserie where a Paris-trained chef turns out textbook French classics—chocolate eclairs, kouign amann, apple pie—alongside surprises like passionfruit ricotta cake. Worth the weekend crowd for a warm sourdough baguette.
Nomad River North
Nomad-Chicago · Near North • $
Part boutique, part café, part secret office: Nomad hides a Parisian-inspired coffee bar behind its retail shelves, complete with a quiet co-working alcove. The matcha is ceremonial grade and the seasonal lattes get genuinely inventive.
Swedish American Museum Cafe — Mormor’s Café
Andersonville • $
Tucked inside the Swedish American Museum, Mormor's Café is Chicago's coziest spot for fika, the Swedish coffee-and-pastry ritual. Warm cardamom buns, cinnamon rolls, and bread pudding at prices that won't stink.
BONBON BAKESHOP
Skokie • $
Skokie Farmers Market regulars already knew: Karianne's pastries are the real deal, and now they're here all the time. Creative flavors, perfect textures, and a carrot cake worth the trip alone.
The Matcha Bar @Kurimu
Little Italy • $$
Matcha obsessives, this one's for you: Kurimu whisks up rich, earthy matcha in flavors like Mango Sticky Rice and Black Sesame, plus swirls of ube soft serve for the indecisive.
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52 activities · Page 1 / 1
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La Baguette Bakery
Marshall Square
$
Sweet Mandy B's Bakery
Lincoln Park
$$
Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe
Lake View East
The Bakehouse Chicago
The Bakehouse Chicago · North Center
$
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Fulton Market District
Magnífico Coffee Roasters & Coffee Shop
Magnífico Coffee Roasters & Coffee Shop · Avondale
Bourgeois Pig Cafe
Lincoln Park
$$
Goddess and the Baker, 33 S Wabash-Millennium Park
Chicago Loop
TE'AMO Boba & Desserts - Orland Park
Orland Park
$$
El Nopal Bakery
South Lawndale
$
Crave Cookies - Schaumburg
Schaumburg
Nova Greek Frozen Yogurt
West Loop
Brew Brew Coffee and Tea
Avondale
$
Aya Pastry
West Town
Mustafa Coffee House
Hoffman Estates
$
GG's Chicken Shop
Lake View
$
West Town Bakery
West Town
$$
Logan Vegan
Logan Square
Farmer’s Milk Cafe & Bakery
Lincoln Park
$$
Crave Cookies - Schaumburg
Schaumburg
Yoberri Gourmet
Lincoln Park
Levain Bakery
Fulton Market District
$
Panadería Nuevo León
Lower West Side
$
Sarima Cafe
West Town
$$
Shakou Restaurants
Arlington Heights
$$
Roeser's Bakery
Humboldt Park
$$
Floriole Cafe & Bakery
Lincoln Park
Crave Cookies - Lake View East
Lake View East
Sugar Moon
Logan Square
Grand Marais
Grand Marais
Brown Sugar Bakery
Greater Grand Crossing
$$
Mindy’s Bakery
West Town
$$
Crumbl Cookies
Crumbl Cookies · Tinley Park
Crave Cookies - Berwyn
Berwyn
Stan's Donuts Chicago
Stan's Donuts Chicago · Chicago Loop
$
SUGOi Sweets
West Town
Muah Cotton Candy
Streeterville
Daeji Dough Co
Lake View
$$
Chiu Quon Bakery
Armour Square
$
Hello Kitty Cafe
Chicago Loop
Cafe Cremerie
River North
$$
Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store
Lake View East
$$
Jennivee's Bakery & Cafe
Lake View East
$$
Loba Pastry + Coffee
North Center
$
Justice of the Pies
Marynook
$$$
Crave Cookies
Orland Park
Desserts in other cities
Frequently asked questions
Where do I start with Chicago’s live-performance scene?
Check what’s playing at Steppenwolf Theatre Company for theatre, or Sleeping Village for live music. Read about the actual production or listen to the artist before choosing. You don’t need to recognise a name for it to be your kind of evening.
How do I turn a Chicago event into a whole evening?
Choose the show first, then make plans nearby. Leave enough room between dinner and curtain time to enjoy both. Tell me where you’re staying and whether you’re taking transit, and I can help narrow the search to an evening that fits together.
How can Outgoing help me find something I’ll actually want to do?
Tell me when you’re free, where you’ll be, and what sounds appealing. “Live music near me, somewhere I can sit, under $30” gives me more to work with than “something fun.” You can keep narrowing it down with me.
Do I need an account to use Outgoing?
You can browse these pages without an account. Sign in to save activities and help me learn your taste, so future suggestions have a better starting point.
Is Outgoing free?
Outgoing is free to use. Events have their own admission prices, including some that are free. Check the listing for prices and booking details before making plans.