(773) 929-1100
1114 W Belmont Ave
Chicago,
IL
60657
41.9399
-87.6572
Neighborhoods: North Side, Lakeview
What People Are Saying About Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short – This cozy Lakeview cafe draws rave reviews for its fresh, delicate pastries and other baked goods, from miniature lemon meringue tarts to fancy decorated cookies and cakes. From morning till early evening, neighborhood regulars dash in for a quick bite or settle down with coffee and a scone at one of the small tables scattered around the bright, comfortable space. Wedding cakes are a specialty, from a tier cake topped with red roses to simple almond-butter cake filled with espresso-milk chocolate mousse. Though sweets are the big draw, Bittersweet also does a bustling lunch…
Avoid the French Macaroons!
by Edluv at Citysearch
After spending the last few years living in London and becoming addicted to the macaroons in the London branches of Laduree and La Maison du Chocolat and the numerous patisseries that sell them in Paris, I decided to look for them upon my move to Chicago. I tried them at Bittersweet and they were the WORST macaroons I have ever had. I also tried some of their tarts. awful! They need to send their pastry chefs to France to truly learn the art of making this extremely difficult pastries. However, there is a silver lining for Chicago, I then went to Vanille Patisserie on Clyborne and tried them there. They were phenomenal!! The chef is french and has brought the art of french pastries to Chicago. I wish this store had a more visible location and seating like Bittersweet, because it would then have the atmosphere that Bittersweet has but would have the wonderful pastries that Bittersweet lacks.
- Pros: European style seating and atmosphere
- Cons: The pastries
NOT recommended for cakes
by muangel83 at Citysearch
I ordered a birthday cake here and I agree while the cake was very pretty on the outside, it was very dry and tasteless on the inside. The icing tasted like paste, it had no flavor. The chocolate cake was dry and not enjoyable. I asked for fresh strawberries on the inside of the cake and I was disappointed when I got little chunks of strawberries in the strawberry gel, exactly what I didn't want. We ended up throwing most of this cake away and eating a deliciously moist cake from Jewel. Very disappointed and I would not go back here.
- Pros: friendly, pretty cake
- Cons: dry and tasteless
, florist, etc.) but when we received a peach tart from Bittersweet, i found my new sweet supplier...since then have ordered cakes for special
by thjm at Citysearch
Suburb to city without recommended sources, (dry cleaner, florist, etc.) but when we received a peach tart from Bittersweet..i found my new sweet supplier...since that first tart, i have ordered over the phone and in person , pastries for all occasions...the wait staff is very knowledgeble and always come up (patiently) with good ideas when i start to hem and haw over decisions...to my great joy they even serve in a lovely cafe, wonderful tasting and creative meals....no more suburbs..hello Bittersweet
- Pros: all thumbs up
The Details on Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe
Save Money:
Bittersweet will deliver wedding cakes to receptions free of charge; they encourage checking in around 10 days before your wedding in order to discuss last-minute details.
Category:
Restaurants, Bakeries, Dessert Shops
Payment Methods:
Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Smoking Permitted:
No








