Definitely recommend stopping into Bittersweet if you're in the area. I tried the fruit tart, chocolate peanut butter torte, double chocolate cashew cookie and fudge cupcake and it was all delicious! The shop is really cute on the inside and the staff is very friendly. I can't wait to go back and try some of their other pastries! read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was my first time coming here and I will definitely be back! I ordered an iced latte with almond milk and it was some of the best coffee I've had so far in the city. The food options also seem great and I will definitely be ordering food next time. The staff was welcoming, and the inside is adorable. There were many people working from here and in the back there's a table where you can watch the bakers working. Highly recommend! read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Rice Krispie Treat - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is amazing. Everything on the menu is done artfully and with purpose. The cake we got was amazing, the croissants are perfect, and the breakfast sando is instaworthy. The staff is really friendly and serves you quickly. The dining area has great natural light and is clean and cozy. read more

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Holy cow! Our wedding cake was unbelievable and so gorgeous. I recently got married and I was lucky enough to have Bittersweet Pastry Shop be the cake vendor for our wedding package. Before going in for the cake tasting I of course looked them up on Yelp and was pleasantly surprised by the positive reviews as well as checking out their Instagram for inspiration. I instantly fell in love with their customized wedding cakes that were both fun and elegant. On the day of the wedding cake tasting my husband and I got caught downtown in the Pokémon shuffle which made us 30 minutes late for our hour appointment but the coordinator was still kind enough to still meet us on the scheduled day so we didn't have to move our appointment. The shop is super cute and I was not expecting an actual café setup. We had a reserved table which was a lifesaver because the place was busy. Like any person that loves cake I expected to devour the cake but wedding cake is so much different than a birthday cake. The cake was we were offered was a mix of super flavorful and thick to light and fluffy. We settled on a combo of the banana bread cake (which is UNBELIEVABLE) and yellow cake. We were super excited because we were able to select the Chicago skyline design with a red heart above the skyline. We were told we only needed to deliver a cake topper if we wanted to at least a week before the wedding and leave our cake platform at the venue. A few days before the deadline to deliver the cake topper (which we delivered roughly two weeks prior), we got a message from the coordinator reminding us to drop the cake topper off. Of course I called and it turned out the person that took the cake topper from us didn't put it in the proper cake topper location in the store. It was frustrating but it was fixed within the hour of my call. My main recommendation would be to contact the coordinator a few days after you drop off the cake topper if it wasn't directly to them to verify they have it. On the day of the wedding, we had absolutely no issues. The cake was unbelievable. It was so delicious and out guests couldn't stop telling us how delicious it was on the day and still to this day. I have already been asked for the name of the bakery from another soon to be bride. Highly recommend!! read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Passing by we walked in for a Lavendar latte and sweet treat, picked an ube white chocolate croissant, which was amazing. Cute place with lots to pick from and coffee was delicious. The line was long but it moved fast. We felt bad for the employee as he was the only one, he was doing everything on his own. He handled it well and was on top of it all. read more

Amazing croissants, but awful cake. The cake was dry and the frosting was hard at room temp.

A case study in inefficiency. I've been a customer for 30 years and since it changed ownership, I continue to be disappointed with its service and disorganization. Brunch order menus should be placed at the entrance not at the register so you can determine your order before you get to the register. Please bring back waitstaff to take care of the dining room to take orders, care for customers, etc. it is our first time dining in-- Why did we wait 40 minutes for our lunch of 2 corned beef sandwiches? With seat yourself service, the tables had dirty dishes, tables weren't wiped clean, no one asked us if we needed anything or checked on our order. Truly dismal. It's a good thing the pastries are still good but Judy would be appalled at the lack of service, care for customers and no efficiency. read more

What an amazing bakery! I've been here twice now and have not been disappointed. They've pulled back their hours and are open Wednesday through Sunday, so plan accordingly. The fruit is always fresh and there isn't a pastry you could go wrong with. read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The worst place to order cake. I ordered their designer cake thinking it would come out as it is on the picture since it's their signature cake but they let me down with an ugly looking cake that doesn't look anything like the picture. I am so embarrassed to take the cake out on the table now. Imagine if I ordered custom cake instead it would be disaster. So disappointed. Never again and telling all my neighbors and friends how bad they are so they don't get disappointed with their order last minute. Attaching its original picture on the website and the cake I received. Definitely not +$100 cake. read more

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Everything worked out great for the actual reception in Oct 2021! They were also able to remove the side cake from our order due to the decrease in number of guests with no problem. I loved the chocolate with cream cheese frosting - the vanilla with raspberry and chocolate was not quite as good as I remembered but still delicious! read more

We came here around 10AM on a Saturday and there was plenty of selection to choose from. The girl behind the counter was really friendly and helped answer all my questions about what the different pastries were. We ended up with the following: Brioche: The filling is where it shines, it's absolutely delicious. The brioche dough itself was standard Chocolate croissant: one of our favorite items that we got, good amount of chocolate and the croissant itself was deliciously soft Cherry almond cake: good, not too sweet Cinnamon roll: Fiance thought it was kind of dry but good flavor Chocolate cashew cookie: good, crisp texture Chocolate chip cookie: fine, also more of a crisp texture Definitely a solid place to get pastries. My faves were the brioche and chocolate croissant. I wanted to do a half sandwich/half soup combo but they stopped offering it. Would try a sandwich next time! read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - From L to R clockwise: cherry almond pastry, chocolate cashew cookie, chocolate croissant, cinnamon roll, brioche, chocolate chip cookie - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped in to pick up dessert while staying in Chicago for the weekend. The pastries I chose all tasted amazing! The interior is so cute and quaint and the selection of treats was incredible! The employees greeted me with a smile and service was quick. Beautiful job Bitter read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Blueberry scone, peanut butter torte, and macarons - All delicious!! - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went on recommendation of our Airbnb. Pastries were so so. Croissant was excellent. Scone and muffin were meh ... brought home for kids but even they weren't interested. Cute inside. read more

Come early before they sell out! Really enjoyed the pecan bun and cinnamon roll. Also tried the lemon tart which was lemon curd on top of a butter biscuit crust. Wasn't a huge fan of the turtle brownie because I felt it was a bit dry but maybe it was an off day. Will be back to try their full cakes or pies around the holidays or grab some birthday decor for sure. They also have an outpost at the timeout market if Belmont is too much of a hike. read more

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I love this pastry shop! I spent a few weeks working here when I was in high school during the holiday rush, they made my wedding cake, and everything I have had there is delicious. Most recently I bought a ten inch carrot cake with the words "Just Vaccinated" iced on it for a friend's Covid-19 vaccinated housewarming party. Fantastic! Buttercream icing on top and cream cheese icing between four layers in the center. read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Carrot cake to celebrate full COVID-19 vaccination status. - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We heard about this place after having amazing croissants at another local place from a loyal customer recommending the flourless cake we needed for a gluten sensitive friend. When we arrived, the staff was super friendly, the space was cutesy and pink. The case housed some lovely confections and my friend and I were completely caught up. I ended up snagging the creme brûlée cheesecake (good Lord it is creamy and delicious) and a cinnamon bun (it was ok, flavorful, but, a little tough though). The flourless cake was delicious, we were offered samples as we approached the counter. So rich and decadent!!! I can imagine this with raspberries, some time of coulis and vanilla bean ice cream for dessert. Ill visit again when I return to The Chi. read more

We adore Bittersweet's cakes. We've ordered four from them, and each one received numerous compliments from our guests. read more

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The BEST crème burulle cake EVER! Live in the south suburbs and don't have time to go as often as I like. read more

A part of Lakeview since 1992 Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Café has made its name by designing Cakes for several famous Chicagoans, and operating at limited capacity amidst a global pandemic the storefront at 1114 West Belmont Avenue continues to serve guests from 8am until 2pm Wednesday through Sunday. A European-style stalwart in the age of Social Media, complete with an on-site dining menu alongside dozens of Pastries, it was moments after opening that shelves were found well-stocked, prices on par with other similar places and slightly less than new Artisans like Baker Miller or Lost Larson. A cozy shop turned somewhat cold by safety measures, its dearth of guests and one masked employee awkwardly quiet during an exchange of funds for Baked Goods, first bites of Bittersweet's Scone found Muffin-like texture dotted by Blueberries, the Thumbprint Cookie to follow unfortunately quite dry while an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie interestingly approximated Feuilletine. Increasing in size and quality henceforth, the $4.25 Pecan Roll sticky and crackling on the surface overlying wispy insides, those seeking a true European classic will find it in high-walled Clafoutis featuring plenty of tart Cherries suspended in a buttery Custard matrix. read more

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Typically I think Bittersweet is the best bakery (and lunch spot) around town. But I fell for the Thanksgiving ad for preordering goodies. I was disappointed to find that the items I picked up tasted like several day-old pastries and bread. Some were so hard I couldn't bite through them easily. I would never do holiday ordering again like this. Why would I want stale pastries for my guests? read more

Bittersweet is a go to place for me. Just know if you need plugs, that they are only available by counter seating. Also, they need to do a better job of cleaning the base of tables. Other than that, I really enjoy the pastries and the ambiance. read more

We tried a tarte citron, a croissant and a Easter hot cross bun.Tasted decent but not great. A male staff was nice. The shop gave us free filtered coffee while shopping,which was nice treat. We will try another menu someday read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Bittersweet couldn't have made the ordering and communication process any easier! I emailed them exactly what I wanted and they provided clear feedback with pricing. But that wasn't the best part! The best part was the delicious taste! It was lightly sweet and tart as requested. Lightly sweet from the strawberry cake and tart from the amazing lemon filling. If you are a lemon fan, you have to try their lemon sabayon! Every order of mine will now include their lemon sabayon! read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Custom Cake - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Tremendous pastry quality and service! Will be back whenever we are in Chicago. Family owned with an old time feel

Tried few of the pastries. The plain croissant, chocolate croissant and the pecan roll. The croissants were so buttery and fresh. Would come back to try their other items. read more

The customer service here was non-existent. Thus, my friend and I had a very disappointing and frustrating experience. We came to Bittersweet on a Tuesday for lunch. Our food took 45 minutes to arrive. We ordered one salad and one soup & sandwich. Nothing had to be cooked. Prior to the 45 minutes, my friend went up to the counter twice to inquire why our items were taking so long. Especially, since everyone who came in after us had already received their food. No one could give her an answer and said they would check into it. During the 45 minutes, not one employee came to our table to give us updates or apologize for the delay. One employee was rude to my friend when she was trying to explain why we were frustrated. We almost walked out to go elsewhere, but we had already paid. Considering this is a bakery, they could have at least offered us some baked goods in good faith. The food was good but pricey. There are better options in the neighborhood. I would not recommend this cafe, for they don't care about their customers and in providing good service. read more

We ordered a sandwich with soup and a salad, neither of which required anything cooked to order. Soup and sandwich was $22, salad was $19 - + tax and tip. It took 45 minutes for our food to arrive. When we asked about it at minutes 25 and 35, they provided excuses: the four tables that arrived after us were eating because their food was premade; there's only one person assembling lunches. What we didn't get was an apology or attention. At no point did anyone check on us or explain the delay. One staff person sniped at us because the 30 seconds spent listening to our complaint was too long. The very first words out of her mouth should have been "I'm sorry." When the food arrived after a 45 minute wait, it was good but not exceptional nor worth the price. The meal was prepaid and no one offered a refund or discount. They did not even drop off a few cookies as apology. There are plenty of better run places for sandwiches and salads that appreciate their customers. read more

Almond strawberry brulee cake was sooooo good. Sweet but not overpowering, a subtle flavor of almond and strawberry and frosting. The cake was very tender and moist. We were so impressed. read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Almond strawberry brulee cake - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bittersweet used to have the best cheddar chive scones in the city. Unfortunately, they changed the recipe so today was my last visit. My scone was wet and soggy inside. Scones are meant to be DRY. When I mentioned it to the server, I was told it wasn't a scone, it was a muffin despite the fact that the sign clearly said "cheddar chive scone." He gave me a very snarky "have a nice day as I left." . read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Not tender and flaky, wet and soggy. - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

(DISCLAIMER: I only come here for the croissants) I'm not sure what happened to this place, but they used to have one of the best chocolate croissants I've ever had, let alone in the city. I went back a few days ago and was seriously disappointed. The croissants all had a sad, squashed look to them, and the flavor was very off. The chocolate was not super high quality, and the egg wash was so thick that the thing tasted like eggs. It was such a shocking drop in quality from only a few months ago. I'll be going back soon to see if this was just a fluke, but my expectations are low. Selling that product at that price is wrong read more

Used to be my go-to bakery for cakes. But the last two have been a huge disappointment. Both cakes were extremely dense and dry. I've had grocery store cakes that were spongier and fluffier. We even emailed the bakery about the declining quality of the product but we never heard back. Extremely displeased! Will look for other bakeries in the area for future events. read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Lemon raspberry cake - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We loved our wedding cake so much that the week after the wedding we ordered the exact same cake again. Delivery was smooth and everything was just like the pictures online. The team was also very responsive during the reservation/design process. Highly recommend! read more

Beautiful ambiance for a bakery in Lake View Chicago. The Quiche is what drawn me here in the first place. Was flaky, slightly moist, flavorful, and melt in your mouth good. The hot crossed bun was a first for me to have and I really enjoyed it. Soft and not too sweet. At the door they have free samples of baked goods as well and then too were moist and delicious. The establishment has a small retail side of you wanted to grab a gift, but in my option the baked items are a nice gift for any occasion. read more

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Bittersweet did a great job with my birthday cake! Ordering online was easy and the team was quick to respond when I needed to modify my order for an allergy. Pick up was easy and the funfetti cake tasted great (I liked the cake more than the frosting, but my friends were the reverse, so I guess it's a win all around). We cut small-ish slices and got about 10 servings from the smallest size. Would order from here again! read more

Great service and the flourless chocolate cake is a family favorite. We live further away, so we pick up the cakes on occasion now.

Based on the glowing reviews I've read, I was extremely eager to have this bakery make my gender reveal cake. Imagine my shock when they bluntly replied to my email stating they don't make gender reveal cakes. Yet, here I see pictures and recent reviews boasting their gender reveal creations. Not sure if this is discrimination against pregnant women or just not willing to help a customer. read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Here is their accommodating email. - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This has been our go to place for every special occasion including our wedding for the past 10 plus years. The cakes are not as good as they used to be and the customer service is pathetic. read more

The smiling faces greet you with enthusiasm even though the place is from-the-window-to-the-walls packed with customers. The pastry and cake selections incorporate traditional flavors and uniquely inspired creations alike all adorned and decorated with pure love. You can bet your breadsticks that they deliver the goods. A white box lowered gently into a stiff bag with rope handles give an accurate indication that what is inside is special. Truest... the o my way to get a cake from a box is to get it from BITTERSWEET. I will drive way past OAKTON and MILWAUKEE... everyday to get some BITTERSWEET!! Order about two-weeks ahead to make sure you get what you need. read more

Bittersweet Pastry Shop - Birthday Cake... it's a surprise!!! - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Only had the sour cherry clafoutis but it was great. Whole thing basically melted in my mouth!

My wife and I researched what were the best bakeries in Chicago when looking for someone to bake our wedding cake, and Bittersweet consistently showed up on multiple lists and websites, thus, we added them to our list for cake tastings. We did the tastings at a few different bakeries, but Bittersweet topped them all. All the different cakes and fillings we tried tasted amazing! The cakes were fluffy and full-flavored, and the fillings and icings tasted fresh and homemade as opposed to synthetic and mass-produced. Along with this, we were also able to provide an example of the design that we wanted around the cake and asked to be decorated with natural flowers, both requests which they knocked out of the park! I absolutely recommend Bittersweet, as not only did my wife and I love the cake but so did our guests! Edit: adding pictures of our cake! read more