I absolutely love this place! I got there for the tea but they offer great coffee and pastry. Bitter Sweet is such a hidden gem with multiple locations. One of my faves is the Ube dessert that feels homemade with love. Perfect mix of cozy, creative, and so good. This is becoming a consistent spot for me and I love the tea O. I also tried other sweets and loved everything so far. read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Ube - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

After my friends and I had brunch in Pilsen we stumbled upon a charming family owned pastry shop called Bittersweet. It was such a nice day outside that they also had wonderful open air seating which was a really nice added touch. There aren't that many pastry options which I actually can appreciate as too many can make it hard to decide. They have plenty of cafe drinks which many customers were enjoying but there was this featured item that I am so SO glad that I got but regret that I forgot to take a pic. It was their homemade focaccia topped with Chicken and Mole Rojo. O. M. G. I would make the hike to Pilsen just for this. I did manage to capture a photo of their vanilla crème cake which was just the right thing to satisfy my sweet tooth. Such a lovely pastry and cafe shop and such lovely and friendly service! read more

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This is hands down one of my favorite coffee spots in Chicago. The vibe is cute, cozy, and perfect for getting work done--I bring my laptop here from time to time because the space is surprisingly spacious and comfortable. This is the second location of Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Café, and their pastry selection is dangerously good. Everything is tasty, but my absolute favorites are the cheese quiche--so flavorful and perfectly cheesy--and the ube croissant if you're an ube lover like me. For drinks, their honey lavender latte is a must. The lavender flavor is beautifully balanced, not overpowering, and not too sweet at all--just smooth and comforting. If you are not sure what to order , the staff are always super helpful and give you some suggestions base on what you like. Parking can be a little tricky, but street parking is usually easy enough to find. If you're in the Pilsen area, this spot is definitely worth a visit. read more

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Woke up early Sunday and finally made it to Bitter Sweet in Pilsen. Got there right when they opened, quiet morning, sun coming up, perfect start to the day. I ordered a hot chocolate and a pecan roll. That roll was amazing. Soft and fluffy inside, light crisp on the outside, covered in this buttery caramel glaze that soaked in just right. Pecans on top were roasted and a little salty, which gave it the crunch it needed. Every bite was balanced. Hot chocolate was rich, creamy, and actually tasted like real chocolate. Dipped the roll in it and yeah... perfect combo. The shop itself was calm, cozy, and the folks behind the counter were super friendly. No crowd yet, just an easy start to the morning. Left feeling like my Sunday was off to the best kind of start. read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Pecan croissant roll - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recently stopped by Bittersweet in the Pilsen neighborhood. This is the perfect place to meet of with friend for coffee or get some work done! The coffee is good and the pastries are divine! I tried the raspberry tart and the flourless chocolate cake! Delicious! The baristas are artisans! They are great and you can order quickly and grab a spot to stay or take it on the go! The shop is clean and gets lots of natural light and is calm! read more

Absolutely a great place if you want to study or work on your laptop! The staffs are nice and friendly. I really loved the peaceful atmosphere inside, which dramatically boosted my productivity! I got a chocolate croissant and a cold brew there. They were okay, but the vibe there definitely worth a five star. read more

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Cute bakery spots with good amount of seating for customers to dine in and even study! There's outlets against the wall and they're not too lousy/busy. I tried the strawberry matcha and wouldn't recommend it to be honest. The vanilla latte was alright. Overall, underwhelming in terms of their drinks. I did enjoy their baked goods. read more

I was walking in Pilsen one day on the way to Bittersweet, when I unknowingly stepped on an earring stud on Blue Island Avenue. At first, I thought I had stepped on a rock, but after two more steps, pain! A lady next to me asked "Are you ok?" as I lifted my right foot and proceeded to pull out a single earring stud that had punctured the middle of my shoe sole and seemingly felt like it had punctured the sole of my right foot. "Oh nooo, that's no good," she exclaimed! "There, you can toss it there," gesturing at the trash can in front of me. And that was how I limped my way to Bittersweet, to grab a cup of their Signature Hot Chocolate. Well, their hot chocolate was fine. It had some whipped cream in it. After placing my order, I went to their bathroom to examine the bottom of my foot. I thought I saw a small pin drop of blood, but it was hard to make out, so I was confused. Staggering back out, I sagged into their couch before moving over to a table top to admire their floral mural and airy vibe. A pretty zen coffee shop vibe, with wooden tables, and a high likelihood of wifi, judging by the number folks working and having meetings there. Menus are not made visible from afar; you have to go up to the counter to take a look. As I was sipping away at the hot chocolate, I took the opportunity to check for any pharmacies within walking distance offering a tetanus shot. Luckily I was able to find a Jewel-Osco about a mile away to the north. So after chugging away the remainder of the hot chocolate, I ventured out once more onto the streets of Pilsen, making my pilgrimage for a tetanus shot. But just before leaving, I gazed admiringly at the Ube Flan on display, topped with a dash of powdered sugar and 7 blueberries in a honeycomb arrangement, wondering when would be the next time I'd be able to try such a delicate confection. read more

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I really wanted to like this place--I had high hopes after hearing so much hype about their croissants, and I was excited to see them on Too Good To Go. But the moment I walked in, I saw flies all over the pastries. Not just one or two--there were multiple flies buzzing and landing directly on the food being served. What made it worse was that the baristas clearly saw it happening and still continued to serve the pastries like it was totally normal. It was honestly such a turnoff and gave me the ick. The ambiance was actually really nice, which made the whole thing even more disappointing. But unfortunately, I just couldn't get past how unhygienic it felt. Definitely not coming back. read more

The service here was a little lack luster, not too open to starting convo but attentive to take your order. The food options look very good and when i came in the case was on the emptier side. So thats a good thing. The ube latte was good. Flavorful and not overly sweet. read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Bittersweet is consistently delicious, fresh, and a great spot for a morning drink and pastry. I've been here a couple of times, and each time, my expectations were exceeded. Their iced matcha with honey lavender and oat milk is delicious. My partner says their cold brew is some of the best in Pilsen! Their cinnamon roll is to die for. read more

Cute shop! Coffee and pastries were good. Nice seats and couches. Parking wasn't too bad. I'm not a fan of coffee that has a citrus tang to it, luckily this place doesn't have that. read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Outside Storefront - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I loveeee their pastry selection! Came here on a Sunday morning but it's not packed at all. They have a great selection of pastry with different flavors to choose from. I got the ube croissant and cinnamon muffin they were both delicious. The ube croissant is packed with ube filling and it's not too sweet which is rare. Their coffee is also good and they are reasonably priced. read more

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I stumbled upon this coffee shop while going to a pop up at the art gallery next door. The place itself was pretty busy so that was a good sign. They had a pretty flower mural on the side wall that caught my attention. The place was also very clean, You would be surprised at how many coffee shops I have been to with trash over spilling. It was a very hot day so iced drinks are the way to go. I ordered the Iced salted Caramel latte. While waiting for my drink, I noticed they had a little spread of pastries such as cheesecakes, brownies, tartes and even flan! I will have to try the flan next time. At the pick up counter there are a few plants with cute little planters. That was a nice little distraction while waiting for my drink. My favorite was Boo (from Mario). Now on to the drink. I do tend to like my lattes a bit sweeter so this was not my speed. Usually the flavor sits and the bottom and just needs a bit of stirring but this was not the case. I didn't taste any caramel at all. This one wasn't it for me but I would like to try the lavender latte hot next time. read more

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I really used to to love this place but man they've really got to do something's about the gnats. I ordered a salted caramel latte and a carnitas quiche which came up to about $19. This would be okay but I couldn't take more than two bites of the quiche without feeling absolutely sick to my stomach. Like I was moments from puking all over myself. Luckily, I was able to recover but I just tossed the quiche and haven't finished the coffee so it all went to waste. This is makes me extremely upset. I'm still feeling queasy. I used to love this place so much but yeah, I won't be back. They NEED to get rid of their bug problem. read more

Love this place! Pastries are honestly amazing. Coffee is great too. It's also a cozy WFH spot.

SUCH a cute place to work from home or catch up with a friend. They have a unique setup where they have a regular door but also a garage door, which it seems that they mostly open on weekend days with good weather to get some more fresh air and natural light in! They have such good and unique pastries but the ube croissant was definitely my favorite. Their drinks are a little sweet for my taste, but they will happily adjust for you! I have come here many times now to study and sometimes they even host wedding cake tastings (aren't too disturbing if you are studying or working), and if they have extra pastries from an event, they will have little samples near the cashier! The aesthetic is also super cute with a minimalist design and plants throughout the place. Free street parking nearby and also easy to access via the Ashland bus or the 60. This place has the perfect trifecta for students looking for a study spot -- free, strong wifi; lots of seating; and free parking! read more

Ordered a gluten free birthday cake for Thanksgiving day to be picked up the day before Thanksgiving. I picked the decorations that had real flowers on it. I show up and there are no flowers or any kind of decoration on it. They offered to crumble non gluten free cookies on it or put flowers from Mariano's on it. I said no bc I didn't want it to not be gluten free, my family members have celiac and I also didn't want disgusting chemically sprayed flowers on it either. DO NOT TRUST THIS PLACE WITH AN IMPORTANT EVENT. read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - A very expensive non decorated cake - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What an amazing addition to the neighborhood! The staff is super friendly. They have a great selection of traditional pastries, such as croissants, pecan rolls, scones, etc. They also have items that reflect the Hispanic demographics of the area and the owner's Mexican heritage, such as conchas, ube pastries and a carnitas quiche, made with carnitas from Uruapan! I tried the chocolate cheesecake, a guava pastry, cheese scallion scone, chocolate croissant and a limited edition chocolate raspberry iced latte. The space is cozy and hip and I'd hang there if I needed to get some work done. There's a big couch, tables, and plenty of natural light from the large floor to ceiling windows. The only draw back is the lack of parking and the ridiculous traffic since it's behind the nearby HS, but that's clearly not their fault. Overall, an epic place!! read more

I really want to love this place because they do have a good selection of pastries and drinks but they constantly have bugs all over their pastries. Please be aware when you order! read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bittersweet is quickly becoming my favorite work from home not at home locations! They have some many wonderful pastries and drink options. I really enjoyed their chi latte. They have plenty of seating and outlets. I also really enjoy how quiet it is. It's perfect of focusing or taking a meeting. I will be back! read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Chi Latte - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I don't think I can rave about this place enough. Right in the heart of Pilsen, Bittersweet offers a spacious, beautiful seating area with huge, floor-to-ceiling windows, perfect for hanging out, working remote, or whatever else you do in coffee shops. The servers were super friendly and gave some great recommendations - we got an ube croissant, a mixed berry cheesecake, a matcha, and a strawberry lemonade. Each item was unbelievable. First off, ube is king. If you haven't had it yet, get it. And especially get it here, omg. The cheesecake was also super moist and soft, and the berries were perfectly picked. I also normally hate matcha, but I somehow loved it here, so that alone is enough to bring me back. The strawberry lemonade was our least favorite item, but even then, it's a 4 star drink read more

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The coffee was decent, but the pastry was definitely overhyped. The chocolate inside of the croissant was like a thin little logged roll that was so hard and dense. It didn't even break evenly when I split open the pastry. They should probably offer to serve this one warm because cold it was simply not good. What I return again? Probably not because you can find a way better chocolate croissants at French bakeries all over the city. read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recently found this place and I immediately became obsessed. The vibes, the lighting, the wifi, the outlets, the food, the drinks, the service. Everything is a 10/10 read more

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This is the least friendly atmosphere I have ever encountered. The barristas will literally have a staring contest with you when you're at the register. It is always so awkward. I always have to nervously say, "hello." They won't say hi back, I guarantee u. read more

Great pastries! The Ube flan was a personal favorite. Its a beautiful space- very serene. The music is perfect to study or work

Great spot. We tried the Ube Pastry which was spectacular. Will be craving this one again and again. So pretty and so tasty! Not too sweet, just right. read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Ube Croissant Pastry....so pretty and so delicious! - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Very excited to have Bittersweet nearby! We've stopped in twice this past week. They weren't very busy both times - weekday morning. It's a super cute bright space with minimalist/Scandi interior and a large floral mural on one of the walls. The baristas were friendly and there's free wifi that was working well. They serve Metropolis coffee and the cortado was solid. There's a good selection of savory and sweet pastries. The ham and cheese croissant was perfect - flaky and delicious. I love quiche and they had a carnitas quiche on one of the days. My husband liked it more than I did. Good amount of carnitas, but too much cheese and not an enough egg for me. It came with a pickled jalapeño that paired really nicely with it. I wonder if they'll have quiche more regularly, as they didn't have quiche the second time we went. The cinnamon roll was good and the frosting was nice. It would've been better warmed up. I didn't ask and they didn't offer, so I'm not sure if that was an option. The cheesecake was great... really nice consistency and flavor, perfectly rich. Overall, we're very pleased with the experience and think their pastries are the best in the area. We'll be making Bittersweet our go-to coffee shop! read more

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Finally a place in Pilsen larger and better-lit than a closet or limestone cave, with delicious espresso drinks and next-level pastries! Bittersweet is a bright, airy cafe with well-studied thoughtful details and plenty of space to privately dive into your work. There are large tall long tables for sitting with strangers or collaborating with a group, low tables with rocking chairs and a couple plush benches which is also nice for a group of maybe 10 to comfortably talk, as well as private tables for two. Baristas make the vibe easy going and unpretentious, performing skilled extractions of Metropolis beans with nonchalance: neither perfunctory nor steampunk hipster-dilettante, reaching its zenith on mornings when barista Ri spins modal jazz or deep cuts like Miles' Ascenseur pour l'échafaud. The music isn't too loud or quiet, and the cement floors and wooden tables belie how comfortable Bittersweet's acoustic space is for sensitive ears and private conversations. The sound isolation is such that one is able to have a quiet zoom call in the cafe without disturbing or being disturbed by others. The WiFi is fast. The capacious bicycle rack and water cooler make it Pilsen's best post-ride stop for the peloton, especially due to the two massive glass garage doors which open in good weather to unify the outdoor tables and indoor Italian-style high-top coffee bar. In that way I feel Bittersweet really contributes to a delightful, walkable, interactive neighborhood. The bicycle rack boasts five well-spaced arch bars and is given a car's full parking space on the street so that two-wheeled arrivals need not swarm onto the sidewalk aggravating any patrons or pedestrians, with direct open access to the cafe after locking up without need to squeeze between parked cars or around planters. Anyone who rides bikes will appreciate this even if they don't consciously note the thoughtfulness, since Bittersweet will be filed away in the mental map as an easy hassle-free stop. Bittersweet's dessert cooler is also a great choice for a beautiful and petite last-minute pickup if you're on your way to anyone's house for dinner, especially since they're open until 6pm. Some small thoughts on leveling-up. A spray coat of plasti-dip or similar scratch-prevention on the bicycle rack would truly raise this to one of the top bicycle racks in Chicago and cement it on the cycling scene's map as Bittersweet rendezvous ramp up with the advent of cycling weather. Tiny table lamps at the two-chaired tables near the cash wrap would brighten the only place inside where it's hard to read text on a non-backlit page, if anyone still does that these days. A few stools at the bar behind the espresso machine would also really give the space a kind of Australian beach feel when the front is fully open or evoking some of my favorite indoor-outdoor spaces in Austin (TX) and helping to create a beautiful, walkable neighborhood interactional space between those seated at the bar, at tables outside, and passers-by. And while I understand why the pandemic and break-ins encourage the expediency of cashless storefronts, I think Bittersweet should seriously reconsider what it says to be cashless in a neighborhood traditionally home to a higher number of hardworking people whose status force them into a cash-only economic life. I think that, particularly, the hard-won currency of a single, bank-less, undocumented mother should be accepted on the rare occasion she has between long shifts to take her kids out in her neighborhood for one of Bittersweet's beautiful treats. I would feel uncomfortable here if I ever were to feel it is a beachhead business for gentrification. But I'm encouraged that's not the case. I'm excited to see how Bittersweet will further develop Latin American-inspired pastries and desserts such as their flan, to perhaps embrace more of Pilsen's Latin American character and heritage. I have a good feeling that things at Bittersweet are only going to grow better than they already are! Meanwhile I'm happy as a habitué in its productive winter refuge while anticipating it as one of the city's best neighborhood Summer indoor-outdoor cafe destinations. read more

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The vibe is always so peaceful here, and the staff is super nice. Their salted caramel latte is really good, as is their vanilla bean latte.

I was introduced to this shop by a friend and she gave me wonderful reviews, I happened to come visit this place today. Only to have to encounter bad customer service as well as cold pastry due to their inability to make their oven work. If this was the case they shouldn't have sold any cold pastry's to anyone. Please do better, greet your customers and make them feel welcome. read more

this coffee/pastry shop is a treasure. the coffee and baked goods are delicious and it has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. so glad I discovered it a couple weeks ago.. read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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After that obnoxious incident, I wanted to stop by and check things out. It's very unique which I liked; especially the exposed brick. My honey lavender latte was as good as it sounded as was the sugar cookie. The ambience sets this place apart. Staff were friendly. Nice alternative from the tray and tongs at the panadería. read more

Great addition to the neighborhood. All of the best attributes of a local coffee shop with the benefits of outstanding pastries and baked goods. read more

Obsessed with this place! Amazing drinks - love their iced strawberry matcha latte. They have some of the most beautiful pastries I have ever seen and a very nice ambiance and outdoor area. read more

expensive. not that great Very limited menu. Cheesecake was average. 85 characters really yelp!!