Pierrot Gourmet at The Peninsula

"You might know Pierrot Gourmet as the unusually laidback French cafe connected to the Peninsula Hotel—home to fancy Chinese food, fancy afternoon tea, and a fancy rooftop with a great view. It’s also a bakery that’s quietly making some of the best baked goods in the city. Ignore the touristy crowd eating brunchy things at tables, and hop in the to-go line to stockpile perfectly flaky chocolate croissants, hefty cinnamon rolls, and stunning tarts that look indistinguishable from real chrysanthemums. All of their desserts are perfect for making you the MVP of someone else’s dinner party or inhaling on the couch in the company of your dog." - veda kilaru, john ringor

"You might know Pierrot Gourmet as the unusually laidback French cafe connected to the Peninsula Hotel—home to fancy Chinese food, fancy afternoon tea, and a fancy rooftop with a great view. It’s also a bakery that’s quietly making some of the best baked goods in the city. On weekends, tables are filled with a casual, touristy crowd drinking cappuccinos and eating brunchy things like egg white frittatas and brioche french toast bites. But the bakery counter line is populated with people who know that getting a box of perfectly flaky chocolate croissants or a stunning tart indistinguishable from a real chrysanthemum will win them the brunch-at-home game." - Veda Kilaru

"Fancy and intricate French dishes are always a pleasure but sometimes all you need is a cup of coffee, a croissant, and prime views. This breakfast and lunch café inside The Peninsula offers a casual setting that’s ripe for people-watching in the heart of downtown. Though the menu includes items like tarte flambée, quiche lorraine and baked mac and cheese, the restaurant’s bakery is its biggest standout. No matter how full you may be, save room for the beautiful macaroons, cakes, and pastry selection." - Samantha Nelson, Eater Staff

"This French cafe at the bottom of the Peninsula hotel is a little busier and noisier than most of the spots on this list. But it’s a good idea if your business meal is with clients who are also secretly tourists - the kind who after meeting you over quiche lorraine, head straight to the Hancock Observatory and then the Lego store." - adrian kane

"This French cafe at the bottom of the Peninsula hotel is a little busy and noisy, but it’s a good Streeterville option for a casual breakfast or lunch with tourists. Order the quiche Lorraine, then head straight to the Hancock Observatory." - Adrian Kane