The best bakeries & sweet shops in Lake County

“Ice cream parlor chain known for its many ice cream flavors & sundaes, plus cakes, drinks & other treats.”

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

“The Counter Ice Cream & Italian Ice keeps it simple and satisfying with creamy scoops and bright, refreshing Italian ice that hits the spot after a ballgame, beach day, or just because. It’s the kind of neighborhood stop where one taste suddenly turns a quick errand into a mini victory lap.”

From the Gary newsletter, October 2, 2026

“Just over in Highland, Cakes By Karen turns big days and random Tuesdays into events with custom cakes that taste as good as they look, plus muffins, scones, and gourmet cupcakes. They also print photos on cookies, roll out their famous paczki for Paczki Day, and can handle special dietary needs.”

From the Gary newsletter, October 9, 2026

“Ice cream parlor chain known for its many ice cream flavors & sundaes, plus cakes, drinks & other treats.”

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

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

“Whether you’re on dessert duty or just craving something better than store-bought, Sue & Kim’s Pies in Merrillville keeps the focus on one thing done right, pie. It’s an easy hop from Gary and perfect for birthdays, Sunday dinners, or those I-deserve-this-on-a-Tuesday moments.”

From the Gary newsletter, September 13, 2026

“SerenDIPity Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor is that whimsical neighborhood ice cream spot with a literal gold camel vibe, perfect when you need a quick sugar reset between errands. It’s cozy, local, and delightfully quirky... the kind of place you end up recommending to everyone who asks where to grab something sweet.”

From the Schererville newsletter, September 8, 2026

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

“Regional counter-serve chain featuring ice cream & a market with dairy products such as fresh milk.”

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

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

“Counter-serve chain serving cinnamon rolls plus other baked goods & specialty frozen beverages.”

“Ice cream parlor chain known for its many ice cream flavors & sundaes, plus cakes, drinks & other treats.”

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

“Counter-serve chain serving cinnamon rolls plus other baked goods & specialty frozen beverages.”

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

“Franchise bakery specializing in handcrafted bundt cakes, plus curated gifts & party supplies.”

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

“Casual bakery offering a variety of cupcakes and custom cakes, plus brownies and vegan options.”

“Franchise bakery specializing in handcrafted bundt cakes, plus curated gifts & party supplies.”

“Retail chain selling gourmet chocolates & candies, with gift options for special occasions.”

“Grocery store offering household goods, plus a bakery & deli with ready-to-serve foods.”

“Ice Cream on Wheels shows up with a full-on ice cream truck, a cart, or even a cooler, then handles the rest. From kid birthdays and school field days to block parties and employee appreciation, their budget-to-corporate packages keep Gary gatherings happily quiet... except for the slurps.”

From the Gary newsletter, September 3, 2026

“From silky cheesecakes to crispy dessert egg rolls and other premium sweets, Divalicious Desserts Bakery & Cafe is the spot locals call when they want something a little extra. Grab a box for the crew or tap their catering for birthdays, office wins, and just-because moments.”

From the Gary newsletter, September 25, 2026

“Craving something cold or a legit snack this week? Bajo Cero Michoacana scoops creamy helados and bright, fruity paletas, then backs it up with tacos, burritos, and gorditas made with fresh ingredients, so you can handle both dessert cravings and hunger in one happy stop.”

From the Gary newsletter, August 27, 2026

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

“Tasty Treats Bakery turns out artisanal pastries, gourmet cupcakes, and bespoke cakes that look like showpieces and taste like you actually planned ahead. Got a birthday, work thing, or just a Tuesday to elevate this week? Expect quality ingredients, inventive baking, and flavors that genuinely impress.”

From the Hammond newsletter, August 23, 2026

“Morkes Chocolates Cedar Lake has that old-school pedigree since 1920 with small-batch, hand-dipped chocolates, standout truffles, sea salt caramels, and caramel apples, plus Dairy Belle Ice Cream. Book a chocolate-making party for kids or adults and turn a regular weekend into bragging rights.”

From the Crown Point newsletter, September 7, 2026

“Casual ice cream shop serving soft serve in banana split form, as well as shakes and malts.”

“Diner, ice cream store and eatery featuring burgers, gyros and pizza puffs, with a drive-thru and outdoor patio.”

“Bakery featuring gluten-free eats, including cakes, pastries and bread, plus coffee.”

“Whether you want a classic sundae or a creative shake combo, Dairy Belle keeps it fun with creative scoops, sundaes, and shakes plus that vintage-parlor vibe. Bonus points for the drive-thru when the craving hits and you’re not leaving the AC, or the kids are in pajamas.”

From the Merrillville newsletter, September 1, 2026

“Counter-serve bakery/cafe chain serving sandwiches, salads & more, known for its bread & free WiFi.”

“Whether you crave a classic or something fun, Munster Donut keeps the case rolling with fresh batches throughout the day, donut-on-a-stick surprises, and a rotating lineup like blueberry cake, red velvet, strawberry cake, and cherry. Also clutch when you need brownies, cinnamon rolls, bowties, and cookies.”

From the Hammond newsletter, August 27, 2026

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

“Handcrafted scoops and paletas, plus yogurt con frutas and mangonadas that taste like summertime even when Lake Michigan has opinions. Delicias Elita keeps it simple, fresh, and fun, so grab a cheesecake scoop or a fruity paleta and call it self-care.”

From the Gary newsletter, August 22, 2026

“Marilyn's Bakery bakes from scratch daily with local in-season ingredients, turning out fresh pies, custom cakes, and a real-deal local lunch. Perfect for midweek pick-me-ups, low-key celebrations, or catering the crew, with flavors that taste like someone’s grandma actually signed off on every bite.”

From the Gary newsletter, August 19, 2026