Soloway Coffee In Lincoln Park Has the Best Croissants in Chicago. Challenge Me on That.
A Ukrainian coffee shop on one of Lincoln Park's best corners that earns the line out the door
I will say it plainly: Soloway may have the best croissants in the city. If you disagree, I genuinely want to know where you're going, because I would be happy to do the research.
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. That last part is the challenge. Soloway is a neighborhood favorite on one of the cuter corners of Lincoln Park, surrounded by gorgeous trees and good shops, and the room is small enough that finding somewhere to sit is its own exercise. 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. As the best cup in that part of Lincoln Park, it does exactly what it needs to do.
They opened a new location in
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