Soloway Coffee In Bucktown Has the Best Croissants in Chicago. Challenge Me on That.

A note before we get into it: this entry is based on extensive experience at the Lincoln Park location. The Bucktown outpost opened in February 2025 and I haven't made it there yet. Everything described here should be consistent across both locations, but I'll update this when I do.

Founders Arthur and Iryna Yuzvik opened their first cafes in Ternopil, Ukraine, in 2012 and brought the concept to Chicago in 2024. The beans are roasted by them in Ukraine and shipped over. Ukrainian heritage runs through the decor and the products they carry, and the pride in it is visible in a way that feels genuine rather than decorative.

The pastry case is the reason most people are here and it earns every bit of the attention. Everything is baked in house and the case stays full until it doesn't, which happens faster than you'd hope. The croissant selection alone is worth the trip. Pistachio is the move if you love pistachios, which you should. Strawberry is a fast follow. Plain, chocolate, and almond are there for the traditionalists. These are not the flat, forgettable croissants you get at most cafes — the lamination is right, the butter is present, and the fillings are restrained enough to let the pastry itself do the talking. There are also cakes, macarons, and a cinnamon roll that has a legitimate claim to being one of the best in the city.

Beyond pastries, the shakshuka is a genuinely good way to start the morning if you can find a seat. The walk-up window solves this gracefully if you're grabbing and going.

The coffee is honest and solid, roasted with real pride at the source. It's not what I'm traveling there for. I go for a croissant with a cappuccino alongside it, not the other way around.