Chicago boasts a list of cafes known for incredible pastries—so much so that people often wait in line for 20 or more minutes. But what if we told you there are equally wonderful cafes that remain under the radar—well, until right now?
We don’t believe in gatekeeping here. So, we’re going to tell you about a spot that’s just as good as Kasama and Cafe Yaya: Swadesi Cafe. The charming cafe is filled with singular pastries and delicious beverages that will brighten any morning.
Swadesi Cafe is led by Sujan Sarkar, a nominee for the 2024 James Beard Award. Pastry chef Yash Kishinchand is in charge of day-to-day operations and crafts Indian-inspired creations, including sweet and savory pastries.
What’s on Swadesi Cafe’s menu
The savory pastries offer a distinctive flavor profile, blending Indian roots with French pastry techniques. Highlights include the Samosa Chaat Croissant stuffed with spicy potatoes and a delightful hint of tangy tamarind; the Malai Custard Croissant, combining ras malai with pistachio cream within buttery layers; and the Chicken Puff, made with house-made butter chicken, chopped cilantro, amul cheese, cheddar Cheese, puff pastry and topped with toasted nigella seeds.
On the sweet side, the pastries are perfectly baked with melt-in-your-mouth qualities. Some favorites include the Jaggery Chocolate Chip Cookie, featuring brown butter and sea salt, and the Carrot Halwa Tartlet, topped with vanilla chantilly and pistachios.
The beverage that attracts everyone is the freshly brewed masala chai. Unlike the chai lattes found at most American coffee shops, the masala chai has a unique preparation. It is made from a blend of loose tea leaves, rose, and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, fennel, and clove. These ingredients are brewed in milk for about an hour, then strained and served either sweetened or unsweetened.
A close runner-up is the key lime matcha, which features citrus syrup, vanilla, ceremonial matcha from Uji, Kyoto, and coconut milk. This drink is shaken and poured over ice, then topped with sweet cream.
If you want to indulge in a morning breakfast that combines traditional Indian flavors with modern twists, be sure to add Swadesi Cafe to your list.