This Artisanal Illinois Bakery Is One Of The Best In All Of North America

The dining scene in Illinois is one of the best in the country — from fine dining to the mom-and-pop chicken shack. But, in my opinion, there's really nothing quite like a fresh-baked loaf of bread or pastry. Baking reveals the true skill of a chef — can they master the arts and sciences needed to create perfectly laminated croissants or structurally-sound puff pastries? This neighborhood spot in Chicago does just that, and is the best bakery in Illinois as a result.

Lost Larson, 5318 N. Clark St., is located in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood on the Far North Side of the city. The bakery opened in 2018 and is headed by owner-chef Bobby Schaffer and his sister Bree Schaffer.

Its peaceful, minimalist design makes it a great place to sit down and enjoy a meal.

It serves fresh-baked bread, cakes, pastries, and Swedish-inspired confections that quickly earned it the title of the best bakery in Illinois — and one of the best in North America. These cardamom buns are among its most popular selections.

There's a sister location in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, meaning there are now twice the opportunities to try one of these top-rated treats.

These ham and cheese croissants have my name all over them.

Add a fresh-brewed cup of coffee and bring a book, laptop, or friend to pass the time.

The bakery mills its own grains to create cloud-soft bread and crunchy crusts.

Pro tip: Don't need a whole loaf? Try the Avocado Smørrebrød — avocado on a slice of country loaf, topped with pickled red onions, radish, and almond-pistachio dukkah.

This stunning berries and floral cake is a work of art. It features an angel food sponge cake base with layers of blackberry mousse, orange blossom and ricotta mouse, and fresh black raspberry jam.

Seasonal and holiday pies and cakes are also available by special order. Serving these after dinner would be a gift in and of itself.

Do you think Lost Larson is the best bakery in Illinois? What would you order here? What do you look for in a local bakery? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your visit by checking out the Lost Larson website and the Lost Larson Facebook page. And while you're on the North Side of Chicago, consider stopping by to see the world's largest pin button collection!