The best bakeries & sweet shops in Gurnee

“Fast-food chain specializing in frozen custard & signature burgers made with Midwest beef & dairy.”

“Long-running chain serving signature breakfast items & a variety of coffee drinks.”

“Ice cream chain offering design-your-own creations hand-mixed on a granite slab, plus shakes & more.”

“Fast-food chain specializing in frozen custard & signature burgers made with Midwest beef & dairy.”

“Supermarket chain featuring Hispanic groceries, meats, produce, baked goods & in-store tacquerias.”

“Long-running chain serving signature breakfast items & a variety of coffee drinks.”

“Retro, cash-only Italian-American bakeshop with highly decorative cakes, savory treats & pastries.”

“Donut Dudes is slinging playful rings like the blue-frosted Cookie Monster, Oreo Crumble, and a roster of filled donuts bursting with chocolate, vanilla, or bright fruit jams. Pair your pick with a hot coffee and upgrade your Oak Lawn morning routine, or power through that afternoon slump.”

From the Oak Lawn newsletter, August 26, 2026

“Ice cream shop with a family-run feel, also selling Mexican-style popsicles.”

“Momentum Coffee Austin is your nearby fuel station, pouring smooth brewed coffee and espresso plus breakfast croissant sandwiches, Mo' Melt grilled cheese, and legit pastries. Try the signature Caramel Apple Butter Latte or a frozen blend this week, then ride that caffeine into a productive day.”

From the Cicero newsletter, August 26, 2026

“Whether you’re craving bright, fruity paletas, creamy scoops, or a tangy-sweet mangonada, Mixoacana in Little Village nails the summer fix. Keep it simple or go extra with chocolate-dipped, topping-loaded paletas and waffle sundaes that taste like a tiny vacation from your inbox.”

From the Chicago newsletter, August 26, 2026

“Ice cream parlor specializing in homemade frozen treats such as mangonadas and yogurt fruit cups.”

“Mobile provider specializing in soft-serve ice cream for parties and events.”

“Paleteria and ice cream shop featuring a wide variety of flavors, from traditional Mexican desserts to snow cones.”

“Long-standing seasonal ice cream destination serving cones, shakes, sundaes & banana splits.”

“Petite, understated spot dishing up signature ice cream & sundaes, plus brownies.”

“Traditional store selling chocolates, confections & fudge, as well as original recipe ice cream.”

“When you need a dessert win that actually delights your inner 8-year-old and adult palate, this week Windy City Sweets delivers with weekly handmade chocolate blends, famous fudge, truffles, s’mores, gummy candy and legit ice cream options, plus thoughtful gift boxes when you want to look like you planned ahead.”

From the Chicago newsletter, August 3, 2026

“If your weekday needs a lift, Gurnee Donuts has fresh, no-fuss rings of joy that hit the spot, from old-school glazed to more creative specials. Grab a dozen for the office or just two for you, then enjoy that quiet moment before Waukegan wakes up.”

From the Kenosha newsletter, August 7, 2026

“Got a family get-together this week? Ms. D's Candy Shop has soulful brunch and dinner pans, flexible pick ups, and easy drop-off catering for everything from casual hangouts to milestone moments, all with that cooked-with-love vibe your crew will talk about long after the plates are clean.”

From the Cicero newsletter, August 13, 2026

“Old-school sundaes in signature seashell dishes, hot fudge worthy of hoarding, and handmade chocolates like buttery English toffee are why Margie's Candies still hits after 100+ years. Treat yourself this week, split something ridiculous, then bring home a box for the days you swear you’ll eat less sugar.”

From the Berwyn newsletter, August 18, 2026

“The Frosted Baker whips butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla into hand-decorated cookies that genuinely taste as good as they look, perfect for birthdays, team parties, or just surviving a Monday. Go custom or pick a themed set, then claim credit at the party...”

From the Waukegan newsletter, August 23, 2026

“Chocolatier and ice cream purveyor with friendly staff also selling packaged candies.”

“From buttery, fruit-studded scones to rotating cake slices like the beloved Jeannine, A Taste of Heaven bakes everything in-house daily and backs it up with all-day breakfast and hearty sandwiches. Treat yourself this week, then pretend the cupcakes were for a friend.”

From the Evanston newsletter, August 17, 2026

“Bakery specializing in thick, soft cookies (including chocolate-chip banana, peanut butter and s'more varieties) as well as scones.”

“Made from scratch daily, the center-filled cupcakes here come in a variety of flavors.”

“Southern-style bakeshop specializing in traditional sweet treats & custom cakes.”

“Kid-friendly shop dishing up ice cream and milkshakes, along with candy.”

“Craving a little nostalgia with your sugar rush? B&B Ice Cream and Candy is slinging Chicago classics like Italian beefs, nachos, and Italian ice alongside scoops, gummy candies, and chocolates. Quick pick-me-up this week, now with two locations so your sweet tooth has options.”

From the DeKalb newsletter, August 23, 2026

“Longtime candy counter doling out handmade sweets & specializing in custom items for any occasion.”

“French pastries, cakes & breads in a relaxed bakery/cafe with brick walls & a compact dining area.”

“Hawaiian cakes meet classic bakes at Iced, bringing island vibes to fluffy layers and cupcake trays that somehow vanish during the group chat taste test. Got a celebration coming up or just a Tuesday that needs frosting? Their traditional and Hawaiian cakes plus cupcakes will do the trick this week.”

From the Chicago newsletter, August 18, 2026

“Whether you’re craving a build-your-own Pick + Mix or one of the Candy Connoisseur Signature Mixes, Lil Sweet Treat delivers big flavor with gluten-free, gelatin-free and naturally-dyed options. Planning birthdays or block parties this week?”

From the Cicero newsletter, August 20, 2026

“Retailer offering premium chocolate & other confections, plus cocoa & gift baskets.”

“Welcoming bakeshop for old-fashioned treats from cupcakes & pies to cookies, plus breakfast bites.”

“When the usual chips won't cut it, Ichiban Candy has KitKats, Pocky, fizzy Ramune, and other Asian treats that somehow disappear on the drive home... Perfect for a quick weeknight pick-me-up or sharing during movie night.”

From the Hammond newsletter, August 11, 2026

“Modern bakery with vintage decor touches known for cupcakes & sweets plus support for local schools.”

“Cozy cafe baking up gluten-free options alongside breakfast, coffee, and desserts.”

“Casual bakery dishing up the chain's popular chocolate chip cookies, along with muffins and other baked goods.”

“Established independent supermarket offering a standard range of produce, meats & other groceries.”

“Alliance Bakery - Division turns everyday cravings into small celebrations with French-inspired pastries, playful cupcakes, and custom-designed cakes that taste as good as they look, plus a proper espresso bar so you can sample macarons, mini eclairs, or a 'just because' iced cookie this week.”

From the Cicero newsletter, August 21, 2026

“Bakery featuring a wide selection of cupcakes, cakes and pies, as well as brownies and cookies.”

“A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates for hand-crafted assortments, the iconic chocolate mice and penguins, rich drinking chocolate, and patisserie-level pastries. It’s a chic little reset for your week, equally great for treating yourself, grabbing a gift, or braving Chicago weather with a cup of molten bliss.”

From the Chicago newsletter, August 11, 2026