For a casual atmosphere, visit Floriole Café and Bakery, a charming open-floor café in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Floriole, amazingly enough, started out as a pastry stand at Chicago’s Green City Market. Owners Sandra and Mathieu Holl knew they wanted to expand their menu and they did so in 2010 with their current brick and mortar digs. Your children will delight in the colorful treats on display: sticky buns, gateau Basque, fruit galette, pain au chocolat, fruit scones, at least seven different kinds of fresh bread, passion fruit tarts, canelé de Bordeaux, several different kinds of cookies, sea salt caramels . . . the list goes on and on. It’s a French education in desserts! After enjoying some sweets at your table, bring a box home to nosh on later — you won’t regret it!
Side note: another great Chicago-style bakery, full of cakes, cookies and pies is West Town Bakery & Diner. Inside is a huge display case full of colorful desserts. There’s a sizeable outdoor patio for enjoying the outdoor weather as well.
Floriole Café and Bakery
1220 W. Webster Ave.
Lincoln Park
773-883-1313
Online: floriole.com
West Town Bakery & Diner
1916 W. Chicago Ave.
West Town
773-904-1414
&
5 E. Ohio St. (located in ACME Hotel)
Near North Side
312-894-0935
Online: westtownbakery.com
