Just next to the Starbucks at Clark and Deming sits an underappreciated bakery that offers it all: The Austrian Bakery.
The small, comfortable space functions as a coffee shop, bakery, and restaurant. Upon entering, there stretches an encased array of cakes, pies, cookies, particularly delicious cinnamon rolls, strudels, and tarts.
You may grab a pastry as you turn to join the others scattered along tables or seated at a wooden bar looking out onto Clark Street. Individuals can be seen working at laptops (free Wi-Fi!), reading from books and magazines, or simply enjoying a meal.
The menu ranges from breakfast favorites to sandwiches, paninis, soups and salads. Monday through Friday between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the Austrian Bakery runs a lunch special offering a sandwich, drink, and chips for $5.99. Stop by for a hearty omelet to energize for final exams, to munch on some Nutella butter cookies while writing one of the last essays of the quarter, or a Schnitzel sandwich when it’s time to finally celebrate the start of winter break. Austrian Bakery 2523 N. Clark St. austrianbakery.com