Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Northlake

"Stan’s embraces the vintage vibe of a classic donut shop, with a modern spin. They’ve perfected the classics (glazed old fashioneds, cinnamon sugar cake donuts, massive apple fritters) and added in some of their own creations (peanut butter pockets, croissant-donut hybrids, and gluten-free options). Find the one closest to you here"

"Stan's Donuts has quickly become a Chicago icon with decadent flavored donuts, cookies and delicious beverages. They are currently open every day for takeout and delivery."

"The longest-established purveyor of canelés in Chicago, Floriole Café & Bakery's Sandra Holl may also be their least traditional practitioner. Holl produces her canelés without the use of beeswax, and has even been known to tweak the time-honored vanilla-rum flavor profile. (A chocolate version, for instance, makes an appearance in the café each February.) Traditional or not, her approach works."

"Floriole is home to some of the best desserts in Chicago, and they always aim to go organic and local with their ingredients where possible. What we love about this spot, is that their menu is constantly changing according to the availability of produce. While this vibe may not be for everyone, there’s something exciting about this potluck experience."

"This bright cafe and bakery is known for their rustic French pastries, made using fresh ingredients sourced from local, sustainable farms. Head straight to the dessert case to choose from a rotating selection of from-scratch goodies, like croissants, Basque cake, fruit galettes, and more."

"Come for Marty McFly's Delorean, stay for the coffee in this cozy Wicker Park space. The Wormhole is a fan favorite, and owner Dan Weiss is planning a ‘90s-style sequel in Bucktown called Wormhole 2."

"Like a trip back in time, The Wormhole Coffee in Wicker Park serves coffee in an atmosphere filled with quintessential nostalgia pieces, complete with an almost-to-scale model of the Delorean."

"A post shared by Walker Bros Pancake House (@walkerbrospancakes) on Oct 19, 2017 at 1:42pm PDT. With locations in Chicago, Schaumburg and Libertyville, you have no excuse not to get yourself in here and order the Signature Berry Bliss with vanilla anglaise, blackberry coulis, berry mascarpone and fresh berries. Or, order to-go for breakfast at home."

"Cupitol is an all-day eatery located in Streeterville and Evanston that serves just what you crave after the sun rises. Choose various breakfast sandwiches and protein breakfasts like housemade corned beef hash poached eggs; a deliciously sloppy country Benedict with buttermilk biscuits, pork sausage gravy, eggs; and a European Breakfast with the thickest Greek yogurt you've ever witnessed, sprinkled with homemade almond granola, berries and local raw honey. Pancakes and Belgian waffles are made with a proprietary mix."

"Restaurants Bakeries Lower West Side. Kristoffer's is synonymous with tres leches cake—more specifically, one of the best versions of the delicacy in all of Chicago. The family-owned business in Pilsen makes the milk-bathed sponge cake in seven flavors—from vanilla and coconut to chocoflan and caramel."

"Kristoffer’s Cakes is known for their iconic homemade tres leches cakes, which is the item that put them on the map. Their vanilla tres leches cake comes with white or chocolate frosting, and is known for its excellent crumb and springy texture. (It’s a family recipe that the owners have kept secret since the bakery opened over 13 years ago.)"

"A landmark in Pilsen, Kristoffer’s Cafe & Bakery has been serving coffee and Mexican desserts for years. Though the original owners have gone on to open a cafe in McKinley Park, the customers continue to flock for the bakery’s famous tres leches cakes. They’re a favorite among chefs, including Rick Bayless."

"Chef Rodolfo Cuadros of pan-Latin restaurant Amaru responded to the pandemic with Bloom Vegetarian Kitchen, a new virtual venture based in Wicker Park. Inspired by the Indian dishes he grew up eating n New Jersey and New York, Cuadros offers samosa chat with tamarind and cashew crema, Peruvian tacu tacu (crispy rice and chickpea cake, achiote) and crispy hand-pulled noodles (Beyond ragout, cumin, radishes). Order carryout and delivery via Grubhubor DoorDash."

"Pastry Chef Mary Winslow has been baking up wedding cakes for decades. If you’re looking for the best custom wedding cakes in Chicago, couples can choose from lace, basket weave, ribbon flowers, or other timeless designs. Or if you have something particular in mind, go with a custom design."

"Cake Sweet Food Chicago is the destiny of two separate companies born from the same passion. Mary Winslow began to take the cake by advancing a small area in a catering kitchen. But it wasn’t long before Mary found herself in a bigger kitchen with a bigger oven."

"Small-batch donuts are the name of the game at this adorable Glenview spot, where they bypass preservatives and trans fats in favor of natural ingredients, making all of the jams and fillings in-house. The Boston Cream, stuffed with rich pastry cream and glazed with shiny ganache, and the oh-so-springy Strawberry Glazed are highlights."

"A little walk-up stand in Little Italy with fantastic Italian ice, which we understand is not ice cream. But this is your summer power move when you need a break from the richness of creamier sweets (or just a palate cleanser between two other ice cream stops). All the flavors are good, but the go-to here is the lemon."

"Walk up and order from a menu filled with fresh Italian ice flavors with pieces of real fruit. This stand is only open from May to September each year so get it while you can."

"Veterans of Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant Moto, chef D’Andre Carter and Heather Bublick founded Soul & Smoke as part of their catering company—but the concept has since taken on a life of its own. Based out of Evanston (with takeout locations in Avondale and the South Loop, as well as a klitchen at Time Out Market Chicago), Soul & Smoke's menu is built around barbecue meats and homestyle sides, including delicate smoked brisket and a supremely creamy mac and cheese. Snag meats by the pound or between two buns—and keep an eye out for the Soul & Smoke food truck, which stops by farmers markets and festivals throughout Chicago and the suburbs."

"Soul & Smoke has a familiar story: a catering business designed for events like graduations and weddings buys a food truck and pivots to takeout and delivery because of the pandemic. But now this outstanding barbecue spot has (along with a food truck) two ghost kitchens in Avondale and the South Loop. And not only is the tender, meaty brisket incredible (currently the best in the city), but the sides (like creamy mac and cheese, cornbread muffins, and spicy baked beans) are all just as great as the meat."