5 spots for sweet treats in Chicago

This all-day cafe is humble about its sweeter side, but it’s so good. Flavorful syrups made in-house mean you can order a Chocolate, Wild Cherry, or Lemon Lavender Phosphate with your brunch, or skip straight to dessert with homemade ice creams, egg creams, and a half-dozen freshly baked cookies. The candied ginger molasses? Chef’s kiss.

Sometimes, all you need is a really, really good cupcake. Sweet Mandy B’s has been perfecting its cupcakes for more than 20 years, methodically topping them with a dreamy dollop of frosting presented just so. Perfectly symmetrical bars and cookies fill out the cases.

Pie doesn’t seem like a destination treat…until you’ve tried Bang Bang. This unintentionally pie-shaped storefront lures customers to its wonderfully aromatic space with its perfectly thick, brown, flaky crusts filled with delicious ingredients.

Grab a basket as soon as you walk through the door of this Chinatown candy shop neatly arranged with bin after bin of colorful candy. Hard and soft, ginger and sour, chewy and crunchy – they’re all on display and beg to be scooped by the pound. On the shelves are an assortment of hard-to-find packaged cookies and candy bars.

Situated in a cute corner storefront dating to the 1930s, this throwback soda fountain and bake shop is a delightful destination. Every single detail is handled with care – from design choices like the hand-stenciled walls and vintage light fixtures, to the thick and crispy knuckle-pressed crust on the Key Lime Hibiscus Pie.