Highest-rated dessert shops in the Chicago area by diners
Highest-rated dessert shops in the Chicago area by diners
There's no denying that Americans have a sweet tooth—nearly 41% say they enjoy a sweet treat at least once a day, according to a November 2024 YouGov survey.
One of the most popular desserts to dig into is ice cream. An International Dairy Foods Association survey from May 2024 found that just about all Americans (97%) love or like ice cream. The frozen confection has held a special place in the U.S. since the turn of the 19th century with the invention of insulated ice houses. By the mid-1800s, ice cream was manufactured and sold to the masses. Soon, old-fashioned soda fountains started selling sundaes, milkshakes, and ice cream sodas, becoming a gathering place for young people. Today, more than 150 years later, those dessert options not only remain perennial top choices but also evoke a sense of nostalgia and community.
Over the years, Americans' dessert tastes have led to some other tasty trends, from the cupcake craze of the early 2000s thanks to bakeries like Magnolia, Sprinkles, and Crumbs, to the self-serve frozen yogurt frenzy that followed in the early 2010s via Pinkberry, 16 Handles, and Red Mango. Most recently, the 2020s have seen cookies sweep the nation, with chains like Insomnia and Crumbl stoking childhood memories, launching TikTok trends, and growing exponentially.
Today's desserts also go far beyond ice cream, cupcakes, and cookies. Many modern dessert shops are redefining the experience by fusing timeless recipes with multicultural flavors, offering creative twists such as matcha-infused cupcakes, horchata ice cream, and Basque cheesecakes that celebrate both tradition and innovation.
To keep up with the ever-evolving dessert trends, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated dessert shops in the Chicago area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Chicago were included. As a result, some restaurants featured may primarily serve other food items.
Whether indulging in a time-honored pie or exploring a fusion delight, the world of desserts remains as vibrant and diverse as the communities that enjoy them. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list or to find your next sweet treat!
#30. Matcha En
- Rating: 4.3/5 (240 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2167 South China Place Floor 1 Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Desserts, Japanese
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Gussie's Handmade Italian
- Rating: 4.3/5 (318 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 227 West North Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Italian, Desserts, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Antepli Mediterranean Grill
- Rating: 4.4/5 (118 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4849 North Kedzie Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Turkish, Desserts, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Te'amo Boba Bar
- Rating: 4.4/5 (232 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2169A South China Place Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Bubble Tea, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Nazareth Sweets
- Rating: 4.5/5 (159 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4938 North Elston Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Loopie & Nato's Gelato
- Rating: 5.0/5 (108 reviews)
- Address: 4968 North Milwaukee 1N Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Desserts, Gelato, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Sweet Mandy B's
- Rating: 4.3/5 (119 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 254 East Ontario St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Desserts, Cupcakes, Custom Cakes
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Xurro
- Rating: 4.3/5 (272 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2214 South Wolcott Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Lula Cafe
- Rating: 4.3/5 (2352 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2537 North Kedzie Blvd. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: New American, Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Vanille Patisserie
- Rating: 4.3/5 (377 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2108 North Clark St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Desserts, Macarons, Custom Cakes
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Rating: 4.3/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1953 North Clybourn Ave. Ste G Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Desserts, Cupcakes, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Don Churro
- Rating: 4.3/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1626 South Blue Island Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Desserts, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Beavers Coffee Donuts
- Rating: 4.3/5 (231 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Desserts, Donuts, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Windy City Sweets
- Rating: 4.3/5 (218 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3308 North Broadway St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Candy Stores, Desserts, Chocolatiers & Shops
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Cloud Cookie
- Rating: 4.3/5 (126 reviews)
- Address: 3809 North Clark St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#15. 26th Street Sugar Shack
- Rating: 4.4/5 (243 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 630 West 26th St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Cinnaholic
- Rating: 4.4/5 (127 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1295 North Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Polombia
- Rating: 4.4/5 (125 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 500 West Madison Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Polish, Colombian, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Jennivee's Bakery
- Rating: 4.4/5 (657 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2925 North Halsted St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Desserts, Cupcakes, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Mango Mango Dessert
- Rating: 4.4/5 (354 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2161 South China Place Floor 2 Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Monteverde
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1369 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1020 West Madison St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Italian, Desserts, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Same Day Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (248 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2651 North Kedzie Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Eli's Ark
- Rating: 4.5/5 (311 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1843 West North Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Gelato, Patisserie/Cake Shop, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Mario's Italian Lemonade
- Rating: 4.5/5 (751 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1068 West Taylor St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Shaved Ice, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Vaca's Creamery
- Rating: 4.6/5 (167 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1436 West Blackhawk St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Dear Margaret
- Rating: 4.6/5 (149 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2965 North Lincoln Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: French, Comfort Food, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Aya Pastry
- Rating: 4.7/5 (192 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1332 West Grand Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Verzenay
- Rating: 4.7/5 (167 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2507 North Lincoln Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries, Patisserie/Cake Shop
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Defloured
- Rating: 4.7/5 (226 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1477 West Balmoral Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Cake Sweet Food Chicago
- Rating: 4.9/5 (229 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1635 West Walnut St. Chicago, Illinois
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 241 metros.
