Best Pastries in Calumet Park

"Housed in a light-filled room with high ceilings and hanging ferns, Summer House recreates the magic of Southern California even in the dead of a Chicago winter. Using seasonal and local ingredients, trained chefs create fare that’s inspired by California but with a Midwestern heart. Kids can choose from quesadillas, burgers, grilled cheese, chicken fingers, or the ever-popular Breakfast for Dinner option."

"Even in the depths of winter this Lincoln Park restaurant is full of sunshine and joy. Channeling its inner Cali, the food here is light and bright – ahi tuna and watermelon tostadas, handmade local burrata and fresh salads. The kids’ menu mirrors that with fresh berries accompanying most dishes."

"Get a taste of California without leaving the city or even having to sit down through dinner. These cookies are always available alongside other sweets at their Market counter."

"Stan’s Donuts originated in Los Angeles, and has only showed up on the Chicago donut scene a few years ago. Regardless, they continue to open new locations and rarely run out of donuts unlike other shops in the city. The great perk about Stan’s isn’t just that you can actually sit down at any time of day and enjoy a donut and coffee, it’s also that they have endless donut options available that make choosing one nearly impossible."

"If you’re still trying to diet in this pandemic, well you should definitely avoid following Stan’s Donuts & Coffee’s Instagram, because one look at their photos will completely override any self discipline you thought you had. More importantly, Stan’s has the flavor to back it up. Featured flavors include: Biscoff Banana Pockets, Glazed Pretzels, Lemon-Pistachio Old Fashioneds, and their new Caramel Marshmallow Pockets."

"We like going to Stan’s when we want a lot of variety or a donut that sounds like it was created by an eight-year-old. For example, they have a caramel marshmallow, Cap’n crunch, and our personal favorite, the biscoff (a.k.a. cookie butter-filled) pocket. If you don’t feel like feeding your inner child, consider ordering something like their pretzel-glazed or the pistachio old fashioned."

"Break the cake mold and dream beyond the traditional sheet cake with one-dimension designs. Having served as Executive Pastry Chef at downtown hotels and winning or placing in several design competitions, Chef Peter Rios’ Alliance Bakery is ready to show you that if you can think it, he can bake it. Besides his three-dimensional edible works of art, Chef shows off skills he picked up training in Paris with his European-inspired pastries and desserts."

"From whimsical custom cakes (Narwhal cake, anyone? How about a 3-D Ninja Turtle?) and fruit tarts to macarons and kouign amann, the creativity at this lauded sweets emporium knows no bounds. Be sure to pair your sugar high with a caffeine jolt, courtesy of the bakery's full espresso bar. Sign up here for our daily Chicago email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town."

"A post shared by 早川茉希（Maki Hayakawa） (@maki_hayakawa) on Sep 12, 2018 at 10:16pm PDT. Here’s one place you’ll enter feeling lovestruck and exit feeling frustrated simply because you couldn’t try everything from their selection. Their light, airy, and puffy macarons available in many flavours are simply to-die-for."

"I have been going here for as long as I can remember; it may be my original first favorite restaurant in Chicago. Fun fact, I posted that first picture to my feed back when I started my account back in 2014!. Eataly can only be described as an Italian food mecca… With several different restaurants, markets, wine bars, even a nutella bar, this place is a true destination and SO much fun."

"The first-floor market is a bustle of activity, with Italian groceries and housewares, coffee bars, gelato bars, and food counters, while the second floor hosts a number of Italian restaurants and counters for full meals and quick bites. The versatility of offerings to enjoy freshly made Italian cuisine is perfect for either short or long attention spans!"

"Well, Eataly’s takeout pies are purposefully under baked so that, once you throw one in the oven for a couple of minutes, it’ll taste just like you’re at the restaurant. You can order Eataly today off Caviar."

"Churros are one of those glorious desserts that never disappoints. So, if you’re looking to turn your day into a fiesta, head down to the Xurro Factory. This eatery offers one of the best desserts in Chicago, but be warned, it won’t be easy to eat!"

"Restaurants Bakeries Near South Side. Life's sweet at Veranda Runsewe's South Loop bakery, where the pastries are baked fresh daily and the custom cakes are crafted with love. The muffins and loaf cakes pair nicely with the lengthy list of tea varieties, from cinnamon-plum and jade oolong to matcha-ginger buzz."

"Furious Spoon chef Shin Thompson is adapted to the times and launching his first "virtual restaurant" concept, Chicago's first Japanese curry house. Thompson credits his grandmother's curry as the inspiration for his latest to-go-only venture. Japanese curry is sweeter and milder than the Indian flavors we're more familiar with."

"The gist: Sushi chef Otto Phan, the mastermind behind the acclaimed omakase restaurant Kyoten, returns with this bi-level, dual concept spot featuring a casual first-floor walk-in izakaya abutting a reservation-only omakase upstairs.The food: Downstairs, expect a modern take on Japanese street fare like butter shoyu chicken, shrimp and pork gyoza with shiitake XO sauce and gochujang, and soy braised short rib, among other shareables. Upstairs, Phan offers one 6 pm seating per night (two on Saturday) of a 15-course, 90-minute Edomae-style sushi omakase, with each component spanning different aging and marinating techniques. The cost: Izakaya dishes $6 - $14, omakase $125 - $150 per person, cocktails $14, wine and sake by the glass $10 - $18, wine and sake by the bottle $45 - $120.How to book: Reserve via OpenTable."

"Hinoki Sushiko offers two distinct experiences: snag a spot in the sleek first-floor Izakaya-style lounge to try new twists on Japanese street food between sips of craft sake. On the other hand, you could reserve a spot upstairs for an Omakase experience, where the chef presents you with 18 pieces of traditionally prepared sushi. (Hop on that reservation, though—there’s only one Omakase seating per night, with limited availability.)"

"The investors behind Hinoki Sushiko reeled in a big fish when they brought in Kyoten chef Otto Phan into the project. While Phan remains focused on his Logan Square sushi den, he’s lent his talents in developing the menu and sharing where he sources his imported fish. Hinoki Sushiko will be a fun spot for Japanese pub snacks and drinks on the first floor."

"This center dedicated to the famous artist is located in Jefferson Park, and with its bright mural you can’t miss it. You can check out an iPod at the front desk for a self-guided tour, or visit the first Thursday of the month at 2pm for a thirty-minute guided tour."

"The Smart Museum of Art has impressive collections of European, American and Asian art|© Andre Jenny / Alamy Stock Photo. Located on the University of Chicago campus, the Smart Museum of Art bills itself as “an intimate museum for bold encounters with art.” The collection – which includes pieces by Edgar Degas, Frank Lloyd Wright, Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko and Pablo Picasso – is renowned for its extensive array of fine art and objects representing a plethora of eras, continents and genres."

"Plan ahead to pack a few stops in the surrounding area of this museum. You could explore the beautiful campus setting (University of Chicago in the leafy Hyde Park neighborhood) as well as other Museum Campus South attractions — like DuSable Museum of African American History — with budget-friendly admission prices. At the Smart Museum, everything is free."

"Founded in 1974, the Smart Museum of Art is part of the University of Chicago and is home to acclaimed special exhibitions and a permanent collection that spans five thousand years of artistic creation."

"Finish your ride at the waterfront behind the Alder Planetarium, for your very last photography stop. With dreamy views of the skyline framed by the glittering lake, it’s considered one of the best spots in the city to watch the sunset and makes for the perfect ending to a whirlwind Chicago getaway."

"Art Institute of Chicago* – Fast PassOR Adler Planetarium* – VIP Entry *Your CityPASS tickets include the option for you to choose between two attractions. There’s no need to decide upfront where you’d like to visit. You can choose when you get there."

"The Adler Planetarium has a lot to offer curious visitors. With nine special exhibits, multiple theaters, and the historic Atwood Sphere experience, you’ll enjoy a plethora of things to do, whether you’re traveling with kids or a group of adults."