15 Chicago Vegan Bakeries & Dessert Spots Worth Visiting

There’s nothing quite like the smell of rich, decadent chocolate or freshly baked pastries dancing through the air — it’s like sugar-filled magic! If you’re in Chicago, you’ll be drooling once you lay eyes on all of the incredible options! From cream-filled chocolate cupcakes to lavish golden pastries and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, Chicago has many vegan bakeries and dessert spots to discover. So, get your taste buds ready to explore the best of what the Windy City’s vegan bakeries offer with this comprehensive sweet guide!

Jam-filled, cookie dough-topped, glazed — what’s your favorite kind of donut? It’s almost 100% guaranteed that you’ll love every plump donut that comes out of this Chicago kitchen! While they are well known for their insanely delicious vegan donuts, the sugar-filled fun doesn’t end there.

They regularly bake chewy chocolate chip cookies and have creamy soft serve that can be whipped up into a milkshake or donut sundae— how amazing does that sound? Oh wait, one more thing, they also carry slices of tender cake from Pie, Pie My Darling, our next delicious spot!

This vegan snackery specializes in crafting mouthwatering plant-based, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free treats! If you’re thinking, wait a second, sugar-free, will this taste like cardboard!? Oh, heck no! I promise you’ll be head over heels in love with one bite of their downright decadent Superfood Raw bars!

Many of their bars play off popular candy and cookie flavors like oatmeal cream pie, samosa, peanut butter cups, and more. If you love cookies and brownies, don’t skip the Slutty Brownie (chocolate cookie base with chocolate chip cookie dough, activated charcoal, cashew cream, cashew butter drizzle, and more).

Wait, there’s more. They also have handmade chocolate peanut butter cups filled with hazelnut, cookie dough, peanut butter, caramel cashew, and a small selection of baked goods. 

Don’t be surprised if you see a line forming around the block as you approach this vegan ice cream shop — it’s absolutely worth waiting for! This is Chicago’s first vegan soft-serve ice cream shop specializing in over-the-top sundaes and hand-mixed milkshakes.

Their soft serve flavors rotate regularly but always include the classic vanilla and chocolate that you can top with peanut butter caramel, chocolate shell, chunks of cake, sprinkle cookie dough, nuts, and more! For a special treat, check out their molten chocolate cake sundae — warm gooey cake with your choice of soft serve and chocolate sauce — yum!

If only all of the cows could runaway here! This electric moo-free ice cream shop on the Southside wanted to re-invent classic ice cream treats with a dairy-free spin. All of its ice creams are made from an oat milk base and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways! For those who love a classic cone, why not try their blue raspberry cone dip? Or, if you’re looking for something a little extra special, their creamy milkshakes and Snowstorms (their delicious ice cream blended with all sorts of treats) have your name all over them! The fun doesn’t stop there! They also have banana splits, peanut fudge parfaits, ice cream sandwiches, and a ton more!

Although this spot is tucked down in an alley off Armitage, between the sweet smell of fried dough in the air and the bright floral-covered front, you can’t miss it! Their donut menu is super vegan-friendly and has so many creative options you’ll want to try — good luck leaving without a box!

The flavor rotates, but if you’re lucky, don’t miss the Blueberry Pancake (vanilla cake injected with blueberry jam and topped with maple icing and powdered sugar) or a Blackberry Bismark (brioche donut filled with blackberry jam and topped with powdered sugar).  

Their flavors sell out quickly. To ensure you don’t miss the vegan options, order early!

Traditional Mexican sweets are far from vegan-friendly unless you come here! This family-run Mexican bakery has a full vegan menu to delight guests. You can try traditional Mexican favorites like Concha (colorful sweet bread), Palotiado (Mexican elephant ear), Bigote (croissant with pink sugar and chocolate sugar paste, and so much more. In addition to Mexican specialties, you’ll also find vegan cupcakes, muffins, and cookies. 

The baking team at this spot bakes for everyone, whether you’re vegan, nut-free, gluten-free, or soy-free! Their vegan-friendly cake, cupcake, and cookie options are available for pre-order and include favorites like peanut butter cup, chocolate raspberry, cookies and cream, and much more. If you don’t find a flavor you love, reach out and see if they can make your sugary sweet dreams come true!

This vegan-friendly ice cream shop has locations in Southport, Wicker Park, West Loop, and more! It’s well known for its creative and ultra-rich flavors — if you’re looking for plain ole vanilla, look elsewhere! You won’t always find the same vegan flavors at every shop, but a few favorites include Banana Cream Pudding, Cold Brew with Coconut Cream, Lemon Bar, and Dark Chocolate Truffle. If you love fruitier flavors, you’ll enjoy their frosé sorbet (a blend of pear, strawberry, and watermelon — like a frozen sangria).

Vegan Bakery Wrap-Up: More Vegan Help in Chicago?

Whether you’re hanging out in Chicago for one day or a week, you won’t want to miss these tasty articles to plan your entire adventure (you can’t just visit vegan bakeries in Chicago after all)!

The Best Vegan Travel Guide to Chicago
Where to Find Irresistible Vegan Pizza in Chicago
The Best Spots for Vegan Breakfast & Brunch in Chicago
Vegan & Vegan-Friendly Mexican Eats in Chicago