Bakeries near Lake Forest

“Beautiful old traditional European cafe which brings you into the 60’ vibe. The rum ball I’m having is so tasty and perfect in size. This place reminds me Lutz Cafe on Montrose in Chicago but their sweets (two small chocolate bites + rum ball is much more tasty and simply delicious!) Atmosphere is the „feel like home” kind and place has 5 tables. They don’t use plastic utensils which is a huge plus. If you are in Lake Forest and near train station go and experience it! Don’t miss it! Highly recommended!“

“Ordered Lemon Bars for a birthday gift and they arrived right on time! My dad loved them!! and said they were the best he had ever tasted (he's very picky). We are very happy with the excellent service and look forward to ordering some goodies for ourselves very soon!“

“My experience was great! During these challenging times, there was a minor situation that was out of their control. I called the Auntie Anne's the next day and spoke to Megan the acting/assistant manager. Megan listened to my concern and welcomed me to come back and have my order fulfilled properly. She also added free items to make sure I was satisfied. Megan was very relatable and it was a breath of fresh air to have a great discussion with her. I can't wait to come back to this location which is in a food court of lots of other fast food options and gas station!“

“Best Bakery ever. Their products are delicious and made with care and a lot of know-how. They use locally sourced wonderful flour (I use the same at home). Staff is wonderful as well. I visit them from out of state on a regular basis because they are better than anything I have found anywhere else.Even though fresh is the best, I can also freeze a loaf and it is still great after being defrosted.Their croissants are out of this world.“

“Adore Tina's and Tina herself!! Best big assortment of Italian cookies yummy! I always order egg salad sandwich and green salad with fresh fruit. So delicious every time. My dtr in love and her mom get Chicken Parm and so love it! Charming and quaint! Canolis to die for. Special place for birthdays!!“

“Me, my fiancé and our friend came here to check it out on a rainy day and super glad we did! The three workers who helped us were super chill and made it a very comfortable experience. We all got different infused lemonades that were super tasty! We will definitely be back to try their other flavors and pastries. If you have been considering coming in, it’s definitely worth it :)“

“These politics out these dangerous times in the world. We need unity not division in this day and age. People should enjoy donuts and coffee in a non political environment. I suggest that the owner of this establishment should tell the person who put up several Israeli flags to remove them. The donuts were excellent and the customer service was great. I do not feel comfortable going back to this establishment who obviously promotes and supports a political agenda. Let's stick with good food and great customer service this is a winning mix.“

“These scones are AMAZING! He had bagels one day, and it was quite the treat. My grandfather has been a regular customer for years, and can confirm the quality is consistent and customer care is superb. Many people think of scones as dry, but these are wonderfully moist! My suggestions would be the apple cinnamon or strawberry scones for a first time try.Dietary restrictions: They had options for vegan and gluten free sensitivities. Not all options are gluten free, but are clearly labeled as such.“

“The cookies are DELICIOUS! The company tries to switch up the flavors weekly and always does a great job deciding on new flavors. The cookies are very large too, and we split one between 3 people. They are approximately $6 per cookie, so a little expensive but worth it. I highly recommend trying this place! (Pictured is the Tres Leches Cookie)“

“We were staying in the area and looking for a breakfast spot. It is important to know that this place has a table or two, but not an eat in restaurant. We grabbed a half dozen of the freshest, fluffy doughnuts-ube, cream-filled, jelly-filled, chocolate and strawberry iced and a blueberry. We couldn't try them all, but we made a dent, taking it all back to our hotel to enjoy.“

“Ordered 72 bundt cakes for a wedding reception and it was the hottest item on the dessert bar. The order process was smooth and thorough. The staff was very pleasant. The owners take great pride in customer service and it shows. Looking forward to ordering for our next event. Thanks again to Neil for everything!!!“

“OMG the hot chocolate is to die for! Like drinking a melted candy bar and served with milk and whipped cream. Just like I've had many times in Switzerland and France. Spot on! And the Pain Au Chocolat was amazing and they warmed it up for us. Lots of seating. Definitely a go-to spot from now on!“

“Everything I have ever purchased from here has exceeded my expectations and when I bring donuts to work, everyone raves how good they are. Other than sub par chain donut places in the city, there are almost none that I know of in the NW side of Chicago that are as good as Deerfield's. I do not mind the drive bc I know Im getting the best donuts.“

“Our wedding cake turned out absolutely STUNNING and delicious. We received so many compliments on our cake because it was so good. It was definitely the best cake I've ever had. It was so fresh and turned out absolutely beautiful. They made the experience of designing our cake so easy and I trusted them throughout the whole process. Such a timeless design and the size was absolutely perfect. They exceeded our expectations and we will be going back for other goodies and may make it a tradition to order a cake for our wedding anniversaries. Highly recommend!! “

“I stopped by for the first time last week while I was in the area and was absolutely thrilled with what I found! This place is amazing, both in terms of food and service! Such a small spot with so much to choose from. We ordered a khachapuri hot from the oven, some pkhali, eggplant walnut rolls- all delicious! There’s also a frozen section with khinkali dumplings and khachapuri to take home. Not to mention the Georgian wines, spices, and sauces available for purchase. I even found my favorite tarragon lemonade there! I can’t say enough good things about this little gem of a shop. I’ll be back!“

“We love Mrs. Fields! It’s a birthday tradition for my fiance, myself, and our daughter to have cookie cake from here. I was super excited when I looked up Mrs. Fields to place an order for my daughter’s cake at the Milwaukee location to see there’s one in Gurnee Mills now. Placed the order online a day ahead and we were in and out under 5 minutes. I will definitely be back!“

“We had the BEST time at Punky Cake yesterday. My daughters and I took the cake decorating class and had so much fun and learned so much from Ashely! Ashley has such an amazing energy and taught us all the steps and techniques needed to make a double layer 8” rainbow cake! The experience was so fun we can’t wait to go back for another class! We were able enjoy eating the cake with our family and we are pretty picky about cakes and we ALL raved about the flavor and how it wasn’t too sweet and heavy. The flavor was a perfect balance of flavors. We were all very impressed!! Thank you Ashley and Punky Cakes you’ll be seeing us again very soon!“

“The very best the North Shore has to offer in Italian food. This small cozy restaurant serves the most authentic Italian dishes and the baked goods are incredible. Gino the owner is an amazing person in every way and a great friendTonight the squash stuffed raviolis in a sage butter sauce with sugar brought me back to Tuscany 5 stars and get a cannoli“

“A cute lovely welcoming atmosphere a very friendly mum and daughter partnership. I am very fortunate to have this bakery on my doorstep. Fabulous bonus that I am able to enjoy delicious cakes, cookies all dairy, nut and egg free. If you have not tried any of their products you should stop by. You will not be disappointed.“

“I don't get why more people don't frequent this cute and underestimated coffee shop in the heart of Hubbard woods ! The coffees are delicious. I love the chai latte, and the prices are reasonable, for the coffee is as well as the baked goods.. staff is kind and helpful“

“We love O'Brothers! We have been going for years and now we bring our kiddo in every Sunday, it has become a tradition that we look forward to every week. Couldn't recommend this bakery enough - great customer service and everything we have gotten here has been delicious!“

“There’s no doubt that this is the best ice cream shop in the greater Chicagoland area, however the staff is what makes the experience much more worth it each time we come. We came in a few nights ago and were helped by the lovely manager Zelle, who made my little brother’s birthday 10x better by not only treating him to a delicious sundae with a fun candy face and lots of sprinkles, but served it with a beautiful smile! Her and other staff were having lots of fun behind the counter and engaging in jokes and conversation with my family. They really made us feel like we were old friends to them, like regulars that they’ve known their whole lives, something you really don’t see anymore. You would think that’s how every service worker would be while working in ice cream? Nope, only at this Graeter’s. Thank you Zelle and thank you Graeter’s team!“

“This adorable bakery is just amazing. They were kind, responsive (even while taking a sick day), the cake was delicious,and the price was right. I reached out to Bent Fork after terrible experiences w lovin oven. Even with a short turn around time I got an amazing cake that was just what we needed. Everyone loved it esp my bday boy. And at cake pickup they told me “we just love what we do”.You have forever customer in me. I appreciate your amazing service and delicious cake so much!“

“Everything here is incredibly delicious! I guarantee that anything you try you will love! ☺️ I have been getting my cakes from Gourmet Frog for over 15 years, and from my wedding day to just because I was having a bad day and needed a little treat, it's always a hit! I can't recommend froggies enough! (What I endearingly call them ?)“

“Incredible customer service! Christine + Anthony were working today and gave me the full red carpet treatment (first time ever eating Mochinuts!). Mochnuts are an incredible novelty we just discovered! (Imagine a chewy donut). Highly recommend pairing food with the refreshers!! So as long as I'm in the area I'm probably going to be a weekly or bi-weekly return customer.“

“It was my first time here, but I had heard a lot about this establishment. Excellent service, recommendations on choosing cakes or pastries. While I was here, I noticed that a lot of regular people came. The atmosphere here is warm. Choice of coffee ☕️ or tea ☕️ - milk or cream. You can also pre-order for a specific date.Parking: We parked without any problems and were able to visit this wonderful place“

“Comfort food in a cozy country-style atmosphere. Classic food prepared fresh with generous portions for the price ($10-14). We had the fried chicken & philly steak flatbread - delicious! This really is a hidden gem with a wonderful mission to support adults with intellectual disabilities. Why stop at a chain restaurant when your money can go to such a good cause? TIP: We were glad we wandered around because we picked up some delicious chocolates & cookies in the little country store around the corner from the pet stop.“

“It’s a lovely bakery. I’ve had their cakes, macarons and pastries. My new favorite is the ube latte!Would love to give 5 stars however their customer service could use some work. The young lady working on Sunday 3/3 was very rude to my husband and I.“

“Just like in life, everyone deserves a second chance. This is my third time at Sugarcoated and my second review. This time everything purchased was wonderful and as fresh as could be. My biggest surprise was the Old Fashion Oatmeal cookie, there are not your grandmother’s oatmeal cookies, these are amazing! I also feel a real good vibe from the owner who was very cordial and appreciative of my support. I will be back!“

“Stopped by on Sunday, October 22nd. My sister had never been before. The owner was so kind and gracious. The bunt lets were delicious. We were in and out in less than 5 minutes! The store is set up invitingly and with great ideas for celebrations of all kind.“

“TL;DR 5/5: This is how a café should be.Food 5/5: Spring Pea was the soup of the day on each of 2024 March 20 and 21. White cream decorated the vibrant, green soup as a barista would an artful latte and the colors enhanced a rich and textured soup which included strips of Genoa salami. The Rosemary Ham & Cheddar Savory Crepe, accompanied by a vinaigrette-topped salad, added further taste and temperature -- heavy and warm from the savory crepe, light and chilled from the salad -- to the meal. Next, while the Classic Bennie (Canadian bacon, poached eggs, with house salad) was also filling, the Denver Omelet (bell peppers, onion, rosemary ham, cheddar, and substituting chips for house salad) beat all of the above with not only its sunny eggs and bright red bell peppers but also its delicate flavor. And to drink, a hot, Honey Lavender Latte ("heavenly" was how I described it to a server who asked how everything was), proved to be popular for good reason.Service 5/5: Dining in was quasi counter-based, where one orders and pays at the counter, receives utensils and a number to set at their table, and has their meal brought to them and finished dishes cleared away by a server who may ask how the diner's meal was. Or at least that's how it went with me, with never a lag or rush. Great job.Atmosphere 5/5: Side street parking by this café was available. Inside it was fairly busy but not packed. And the interior was bright and airy, clean and comfortable, with tables and chairs thankfully not giving even a hint of violent wobbling, unlike those of some other eateries.“

“The only problem I had with this place was that my son ordered mozzarella sticks with marinara. They gave him mozzarella sticks with ketchup. When we asked for the marinara sauce, they didn't have any. They don't serve it, but it's on the menu.“

“If you like soft, chewy cookies, you really should try Crumbl! Some call them underbaked but IMO, they're usually perfect. Each week they have a new lineup to try and some are simple while others are a bit more unique. Located by Binny's on the corner of Lake Cook rd & Weiland, they're open every day but Sunday. On Sunday night, the next week's cookie selection is posted on TikTok, YouTube, & instagram. Milk chocolate chip & semi sweet chocolate chip are rotated every other week. Check 'em out!“

“I started going to this place before it switched owners and name. Continued to go because I was use to going there and actually started liking the new place. Already very friendly with the lady owner. They sometimes do vary the things they make. For example, one thing you buy one week might not be there the next week but whatever they have made is good. Everything always looks and taste fresh. They sometimes do have a variety of bread. I do recommend this place. I still need to try out their cakes.Update (12/2/23): I still go here to get my bread. There are usually other people at the register that make the experience iffy. When the owner use to be there charging, she would make you feel welcome and very friendly. But other than that the sweet breads are still good. They sometimes lack an extra baker that is why some times they have a fewer selection. I have by now tried their cakes a few times and they are very well done. Taste is on point, very delicious. They let you choose the details and make it as that. I still do recommend it. We have tried other places but end up coming back to this one.“

“Carols cookies not only makes incredible cookies but their service is unmatched. We chose to work with Carols Cookies this year to supply our clients with homemade style cookies as a thank you for working with us. We worked together to create custom lids with our business name, literature, and a gift message. Not only was the process smooth and quick but every employee at Carols Cookies was extremely professional and helpful. We look forward to working together!“

“West Town Bakery opened another location! They have branched out to the suburbs and created an awesome space with a connection to OKAY dispensary. This place is awesome. The bakery continues to impress and by the way has the most FABULOUS gluten free selections, I LOVE the cake balls! There is also a very cool inviting lounge attached to OKAY which I highly recommend visiting as well. Now I hear they are expanding and opening a new location in Evanston in early 2024, can't wait to see that. Nice job West Town, keep up the good work, I will see you soon!Dietary restrictions: BEST gluten free baked goods EVER!“

“I have now visited this place a few times. I was here when they first opened and they needed to work out the kinks. I visited again when their pastries seemed to only come out of the refrigerated shelves and now they have a case with pastries. The two women working were nice when I arrived both greeting me separately when I walked in. One worked solely on drive thru orders and didn't help out the main counter if there was no one in the drive thru. The other working the main counter took her time making my drink of choice: hot mocha with oatmilk and an extra pump of chocolate (not a coffee drinker here). She filled my mug to the brim with artistic yumminess. It's a fairly open concept inside with two Jeni's ice cream coolers along one wall and a refrigerated cooler with juice cold brew canned coffees, bagels, fruit and other items. There's plenty of seating and plenty of space so you aren't on top of others. They have bistro tables, high chairs with a counter along two windows, low tables for 2/4/6 people for privacy to collaboration, and they have comfortable chairs and couches with coffee tables. It's a great place to start your day, conduct business, meet up with family and friends or to just kick back with a nice cup of Joe and a decent nosh.“