Bakeries, Donuts, and Sweet Treats

Our favorite local spots, new restaurant openings, summer concerts, and upcoming events

Author

Joe Arendt
February 13, 2025

Morning, it’s Burbs Explored, your trusted guide for exploring and living well in the Chicago suburbs. This week, we’re indulging your sweet tooth with a round-up of our favorite bakeries, donuts, and sweet treats across the burbs. We’re also sharing some exciting new restaurant openings, summer concert announcements, an interview with The Distance Social, and a curated list of upcoming events.

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Weekly Spotlight: Bakeries, Donuts, and Sweet Treats

Photo Credit: Hewn Bakery

Craving a sweet treat for Valentine’s Day or looking to reward yourself after a healthy January? This week, we’re sharing a few of our favorite bakeries, donut shops, and sweet treats across the Chicago suburbs. Whatever type of baked good you prefer, these local gems should have you covered.

North Shore

Northwest Suburbs

Western Suburbs

What are your favorite local bakeries, donut shops, and sweet treats? Hit reply and let us know what places we should check out!

News & Updates

  • Le Cochon Wine Bar & Bistro officially opened last week in Geneva (link)

  • Bad Alice, a new neighborhood bar, also opened this week in Geneva (link)

  • Ballyhoo Hospitality (Pomeroy, Sophia Steak, DeNuccis) will be opening a new restaurant in Winnetka within the One Winnetka development (link)

  • Buttermilk Cafe, the popular breakfast and lunch spot with locations in Naperville, Geneva, and Vernon Hills will be opening another location in Downers Grove this March (link)

  • Treehouse Play Cafe, the popular indoor playground and cafe from Lake Zurich, has opened a new location in McHenry (link)

  • The team behind Foxtail and Cadence Kitchen are hoping to open a new restaurant in Downers Grove called The Rec League (link)

  • Elk Grove Village announced their summer concert series line up which includes O.A.R., Cheap Trick, and Scotty McCreery (link)

  • Winnetka Music Festival announced their 2025 lineup which includes headliners, The Revivalists and Cold War Kids (link)

Life In The Burbs

This week, we caught up with Joey Zeller, the co-founder of The Distance Social, one of our favorite cocktail bars in the Chicago suburbs. As the bar celebrates its 3rd anniversary tomorrow, Joey shares his journey to opening The Distance Social, his go-to spots on his days off, and why he believes the suburbs are more up-and-coming than ever. Check out the full interview below, and be sure to stop by this weekend to raise a glass and join the celebration!

Upcoming Events

FEATURED EVENT: Lake County Flavor Festival

NORTH SHORE

NORTHWEST SUBURBS

WESTERN SUBURBS

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