Bakery counters in Chicago worth queuing for: levain breads, laminated pastry, regional bakes and the morning ritual.

Where to queue for bread and pastry

Lost Larson ★ 4.7

Wed-Sun 08:00-15:00, closed Mon-TueWalk-in onlyScandinavian breads, kardemummabullar

Lost Larson in Chicago is Bobby Schaffer's Andersonville Scandinavian bakery on Clark, with stone-milled rye and the cardamom bun that pulls the morning queue.

Tip: Cardamom buns sell out by 11:00 on weekends. Arrive at 08:30 or call ahead to set one aside.

Worth the queue: Cardamom bun (kardemummabullar)

5318 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 Book →

Publican Quality Bread ★ 4.5

Wed-Sun 09:00-17:00Walk-in onlyWholegrain breads, Detroit-style focaccia

Publican Quality Bread in Chicago is One Off Hospitality's wholegrain bakery on Grand, supplying The Publican, avec and Big Star with sourdough and laminated buns.

Tip: Friday is the kouign-amann day; they bake a single batch in the morning and it is the move.

Worth the queue: Country sourdough boule

1759 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 Book →

Kasama (bakery) ★ 4.7

Wed-Sun 07:00-15:00Walk-in onlyFilipino pastries, ube cruffin

Kasama in Chicago is Tim Flores and Genie Kwon's Ukrainian Village daytime bakery, with the ube cruffin, longanisa breakfast plate and pan de sal at a small counter.

Tip: Doors at 07:00 weekends; ube cruffins gone by 10:30. Get there at 07:15 and order three.

Worth the queue: Ube cruffin

1001 N Winchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 Book →

Stan's Donuts ★ 4.1

Daily 06:00-22:00Walk-in onlyYeasted doughnuts, glazed and pocketed

Stan's Donuts in Chicago is the Wicker Park doughnut chain on Damen from the Sahagun family, with yeasted pocketed long johns and red-velvet doughnut frosting.

Tip: Order online for pickup if the line is out the door, which it usually is on Sunday mornings.

Worth the queue: Long John with red velvet

1560 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 Book →

Middle East Bakery & Grocery ★ 4.4

Mon-Sat 09:00-19:00Walk-in onlyLevantine flatbreads, spinach pies

Middle East Bakery & Grocery in Chicago is the Andersonville Lebanese bakery on Foster, with manakeesh from a brick oven, spinach pies and pickled vegetables.

Tip: Order a za'atar manakeesh hot from the case and a bag of pickled turnips; eat the bread in the car.

Worth the queue: Za'atar manakeesh

1512 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 Book →

Weber's Bakery ★ 4.4

Mon-Sat 06:00-17:00Walk-in onlyPolish doughnuts (paczki), Polish ryes

Weber's Bakery in Chicago is the Garfield Ridge Polish bakery on Archer since 1930, with rye breads, kolacky cookies and the Fat Tuesday paczki line out to the kerb.

Tip: On Fat Tuesday the queue is two hours. Pre-order on the website by the Friday before; collection runs all day.

Worth the queue: Paczki

7055 W Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60638 Book →

Bakeries in Chicago, FAQ

When is the best time to eat in Chicago?

Peak food season in Chicago is year-round.

What time do people eat in Chicago?

Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.

How does tipping work in Chicago?

service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.

What is the one dish to try in Chicago?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Chicago rewards trust.

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