Abrah Bakery and Daily Bistro
Restaurant · Lincoln Park ·
Bakery & bistro with European flavors, pastries, cocktails
Bakery & bistro with European flavors, pastries, cocktails
"Run by Soloway Coffee owners Artur and Iryna Yuzvik, this 26-seat all-day cafe and bakery in Lincoln Park charms with homemade breads, dreamy laminated pastries, and a thoughtful cocktail program. The menu leans on house-baked loaves for sandwiches and standouts like the vegan toast, which layers white bean hummus, finely chopped sautéed mushrooms, and artichoke hearts over a thick slice of malt bread, and the labneh salad, where creamy, slightly sour labneh is piled with still-crunchy blanched broccolini, tangy grape tomatoes, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes that beg for an order of sourdough on the side to mop everything up. Ukrainian roots shine in the cherry varenyky, whose cherry juice–infused dough encases sour cherries over rich vanilla cream, tasting like an excellent cherry pie filling, while desserts like the trompe l’oeil “pear,” with pear sauce encased in yellow-tinged white chocolate and whipped almond praline ganache, and the honey buckwheat cake, layered with sour cream frosting and vanilla caramel, feel special-occasion worthy. Drinks range from kvass lemonade, built on toasted bread, sugar, yeast, grape vinegar, and fresh lemon with sparkling water, to the iced Night Bloom, which pushes caffeinated beverages into new territory with berry, citrus, and pomegranate juices plus a splash of coffee. Fresh loaves — including country sourdough, Guinness bread, and cranberry-studded malt bread — sell out quickly Friday through Sunday, so arriving early (or checking the freezer case if you’re late) is wise, and in warm weather the sidewalk patio turns into a DJ-fueled summer party. Open as a full-fledged cafe with wine, coffee, pastries, and savory plates like chicken Kyiv and skirt steak, it’s popular enough that reservations are highly recommended." - Lisa Shames
"Open morning to night in Lincoln Park, this all-day cafe and bakery from the Soloway team blends French, Scandinavian, Ukrainian, and American influences. Popular mornings see Turkish-style eggs (poached eggs with dill yogurt, caramelized olives, and cherry tomatoes), while the bakery keeps demand high with cruffins, cinnamon rolls, pies, and housemade breads like focaccia, malt with cranberries, and a dark loaf made with Guinness. A market case stocks frozen favorites such as chicken Kyiv, varenyky, syrnyky, and hearty soups, with macarons on the way, and shelves hold jars of pistachio paste, salted caramel, and almond paste. The team also stages special events—from a Borsch & Varenyky patio party with cherry varenyky, Ukrainian borsch, and Kyiv cake paired with a DJ spinning Ukrainian Afro-house music—to upcoming indoor wine tastings and potential dessert pairings, all aimed at creating “special experiences.”" - Lisa Shames
"Abrah is a Ukrainian bakery and restaurant in Lincoln Park. They have morning baked goods like chocolate babka and carbonara danish, and a dinner menu with dishes like chicken kyiv, branzino ceviche, and grilled miso cabbage. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - John Ringor
"An all-day bakery and bistro opening at 2269 N. Lincoln Avenue, this two-part space pairs a to-go bake counter with an intimate 24-seat dining room dominated by an open kitchen, serving breakfast, brunch, and dinner. The bakery side offers freshly baked breads and pastries — including crème brûlée danish, seasonal berry laminated pastry, classic plain croissants, savory kimchi danish, and a puff pastry topped with roasted vegetables, bacon, and mashed sweet potato — while the dining menu draws on French, Scandinavian, and Ukrainian influences with American touches. Signature dishes include a Kyiv-style chicken cutlet stuffed with dill butter on parsnip purée with pickled onions, grilled skirt steak with charred romaine and garlicky baby potatoes in a smoked paprika butter and peppercorn sauce, and gombovci: Western Ukrainian farmer’s-cheese dumplings filled with ripe cherries, coated in breadcrumbs and served with rich sour cream, seasonal fruit, and cherry jam. The streamlined coffee program features a 100% arabica custom blend developed with the owners’ Ternopil roastery team, noted for hints of peach yogurt, blueberry, and linden honey; tea is sourced from Chicago’s Spirit Tea. The team emphasizes training and a personal touch (they hosted a four-day master class led by French pastry chef Romain Dufour), and the concise beverage program includes natural wines and pét-nats, aperitif-style brunch cocktails, and evening espresso martinis and whiskey sours. Interior details such as hand-drawn food images on white tiles, lime-wash paint with warm undertones, light blue-and-white patterned tiles above the pass, and a planned mid-summer patio create a calming, vintage-tinged atmosphere." - Lisa Shames
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