Cadinho Bakery & Café — Restaurant in Chicago

Walking into Cadinho Bakery & Café feels like stepping into a cozy corner of Portugal. The warm tones of the interior, complemented by colorful murals and vintage photographs of Portuguese streets and countryside, immediately set the scene for an authentic and inviting experience. The service is equally warm, attentive without being intrusive, and clearly passionate about their offerings.

But let’s talk about the star of the show: the food. I came in curious and left completely enchanted.

I ordered the Pastel de Amendoa, a traditional Portuguese almond tart that completely exceeded expectations. The pastry shell was golden, delicately flaky, and rich with buttery layers that melted with each bite. Inside, the almond filling was luscious and moist, almost custard-like in texture, with a nutty depth that lingered beautifully on the palate. The balance of sweetness was spot-on, with hints of citrus zest and possibly a touch of cinnamon dancing in the background. The aroma alone, warm, nutty, and slightly floral felt like a comforting embrace.

Though hot chocolate wasn’t listed on the menu, the staff kindly offered to make one and I’m so glad they did. It was the second-best hot chocolate I’ve ever had in my life: thick, velvety, with deep cocoa richness and just enough sweetness to make each sip indulgent but not overwhelming. It warmed me from the inside out.

Cadinho’s dedication to flavor, tradition, and hospitality makes it a gem worth revisiting. If you’re visiting, do not leave without trying the Pastel de Amêndoa and definitely ask for that hot chocolate. You’ll...

Coffee - top notch! They had a great menu, both the classics and specialty drinks. The barista was able to guide my drink choice and I really enjoyed their brown sugar shaken espresso. The drip coffee was good as well.

Food - the pastry section lived up to the hype. We enjoyed two different pieces of quiche (one that our baby enjoyed as well!), the ham and cheese croissant (worth the $$), a pastel de nata (incredible), and a pastel de nata with chocolate. We will be back for more.

Service - all the workers were extremely nice and helpful.

Experience - we dined in and got there at about 9 on a Saturday. There were a few others dining in and no line. The atmosphere was calming and it was fun to watch the chefs and bakers in action. They had high chairs available for our daughter to use and there was plenty of sitting options. The aesthetic of the cafe is also very nice with fun art displayed on the walls and a clean appearance. We didn’t sit at the bar top but the stools there looked...

Cadinho, meaning "little bit", was the expression heard by the owners Maria and Eric during their 3 years spent abroad in Portugal. After returning back to the his hometown, Eric brought Maria to McKinley Park to cultivate a local community a shared experience of their trips both in Cassais Portgual and Beijing, China. Drawing from their favorite snacks when teaching in Portgual, Maria, pay an homage to Portguese tarts and does a great job to its authencity! Cadinho is overflowing with friendy staff and an encapulsation of two expats' story abroad. I was very happy to be drawn into their travel experience turn cafe.

Definitely when you have the time, steep in to try their baked goods and a cup of coffee! I really enjoyed the sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese and spinch quiche as well as their famous...