Best Pastries in South Loop

"Description: Summer House Santa Monica will transport you to the warmth of California. Try the Avocado Toast with perfectly poached eggs & house made bread!. Location: 1954 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614"

"How important are cookies to the ethos of this Lettuce Entertain You Lincoln Park favorite?. The huge display case is the first thing you see when you walk in the door. That is no accident, my friends."

"When the nickname for a hometown is The Windy City, it’s great to go somewhere that brings the summer vibes all year 'round. The Summer House employs bright décor and greenery to p..."

"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."

"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"

"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."

"If you’re looking for the perfect wedding cake, consider Alliance Bakery & Cafe in Chicago. Their team will work with you to select the ideal combination of fillings, flavors, and designs to suit your specific wedding vision. In addition to (or in lieu of) a wedding cake, they offer a variety of mini desserts, French and American, to create a mouthwatering sweet table."

"Their stunning desserts are each crafted by hand using traditional techniques. You’ll find macarons, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and fine pastries that are (almost) too pretty to eat."

"Description: Nutella® and Eataly are iconic Italian brands that share a common belief in amazing food. The Nutella Bar at Eataly Chicago is unreal. Be sure to try their all-natural gelato served in a crunchy waffle cup."

"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."

"Nowhere else can you find the most authentic Italian gelato outside of Italy. Skip the Nutella bar and head straight for Eataly’s gelato this summer."

"Le Macaron found on West Armitage Avenue invites guests to experience the best of French cuisine. The coffee shop’s website describes its macarons as the perfect delicacy, original and elegant, and we think they’re 100% correct. Le Macaron does offer some really fun flavors alongside the more traditional choices, though: including bubblegum, violet cassis, gingerbread, and strawberry key lime."

"A relative newcomer, having opened in 2012, L’Patron Tacos has quickly become a favorite for those in search for the perfect taco. The joint also offers tortas, burritos, and more of what the owners call “hearty, wholesome food.” The carne asada is a must-have. Pro tip: Try something new with the Gringo, which is a cross between a quesadilla and an al pastor taco."

"What pizza is to New York, tacos are to Chicago: we use it to fuel the party. Nothing will make you feel more prepared to take on a night of bar-hopping than the carne asada tacos. Enter Logan Square’s laid-back L’Patron, the best Chicago taco."

"Rick Bayless’s sandwich shop is a popular lunchtime destination for downtown workers. The menu highlights tortas — filled with proteins like braised short rib, pork carnitas, and roasted shrimp — cooked in a wood-burning oven. For a sweet ending, order churros or a cup of the Mexican hot chocolate that’s roasted in-house."

"We've all heard of XOCO'schurros, but they also have great tortas. This restaurant presents something new and interesting that its sister restaurant (Frontera Grill) doesn't quite do. That's why the whole no-reservations-line-out-the-door thing is pretty much worth it."

"This farm-to-table BYOB puts a "punk rock twist" on Mexican small plates, including grilled pork ribs with honey-pasilla sauce, and Duck Tinga. Guy's favorite was the flautas stuffed with chicken thighs in chipotle sauce. Watch the Video: Scratch-Made Chicken Flautas"

"Outstanding Mediterranean and Lebanese food consistently comes from the kitchen of this longtime Andersonville favorite. The large menu includes a mix of meat and vegetarian options (vegan options too). Roast lamb with couscous, Moroccan chicken with apricots, and Mediterranean eggplant are just a few of the goodies that await."

"The old Mongolian barbecue concept was perfected at the many Flat Top locations. The fresh meats and veggies alongside a myriad of sauces makes this a no-brainer for those interested in stuffing themselves with southeast Asian food."

"Let’s face it: Some of us are a little more last-minute with party planning than others. If you find yourself cakeless the day of, you could either pull through the nearest Portillo’s drive-thru and enjoy the reaction when you order an entire chocolate cake with a side of cheese fries or you could find a bakery with amazing pre-made cakes. Bennison’s, a North Shore institution since 1938, is one of those gems that stocks delicious 7” and 9” chocolate and yellow cakes with either fudge or buttercream icing."

"This Evanston stalwart celebrates the big day with glazed donuts for under a dollar, all day long in store. If you buy a dozen donuts, Bennison’s will donate $1 to the Salvation Army to aid needy veterans. Looking for flavor options?"

"After 80 years of business, these bakers know what people want and that would be a great cookie. They know when to stick to tradition and when their crowd wants something different."