ZipPicks Awards
Best Bakery in Wicker Park & West Town
Best Breakfast in Wicker Park & West Town
Best Michelin Star Restaurants in Wicker Park & West Town
Best Tasting Menus in Wicker Park & West Town
Best Chef's Table Restaurants in Wicker Park & West Town
Best Business Lunch Restaurants in Wicker Park & West Town
Master Critic Review
Kasama
9.0
Kasama is a Michelin-starred bakery and modern Filipino restaurant from chefs Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, pairing daytime pastries and counter service with a reservation-only tasting menu at night. Locals line up for carefully made breakfast plates and pastries, then treat the evening menu as a special-occasion splurge that has reshaped how Filipino food is perceived in Chicago.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mushroom adobo, Longanisa breakfast sandwich, House croissants
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 9
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 9.3
What makes it special: Two-Michelin-starred Filipino bakery-café and tasting menu under chefs Tim Flores and Genie Kwon.
Who should go: Diners seeking destination-level Filipino pastries and tasting menus.
When to visit: Early weekday mornings for pastries or reserved evening tastings.
What to order: Mushroom adobo, longanisa breakfast sandwich, a selection of pastries.
Insider tip: Lines for the bakery move fastest right at opening, while dinner requires planning reservations far in advance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the neighborhood; can be tight during peak brunch and dinner hours. Plan extra time.
Dress code: Smart casual works well — diners range from casual daytime attire to dressier evening outfits.
Noise level: Moderate — daytime can feel lively, evenings are quieter and conversational.
Weekend wait: Evening tasting menu is reservation-only and books far in advance.
Weekday lunch: Lines can still form for pastries and breakfast, but waits are typically shorter than weekends.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — there are thoughtful vegetarian dishes and pastry options, though not the majority of the menu.
Vegan options: Limited — some items may work, but most dishes and pastries include dairy or egg.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free options exist, but pastries and many dishes contain gluten and cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the tasting menu makes for a memorable, intimate evening, while the bakery is a more casual (but still impressive) daytime option.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Daytime bakery service is first-come, first-served with a line. The dinner tasting menu requires advance reservations.
Is it kid-friendly? Daytime visits can work for families if kids are comfortable with lines and counter service. The evening tasting menu is best suited for adults.
Best For
Better for: Elevated Filipino flavors, world-class pastries, and a dinner experience that feels truly special-occasion.
Skip if: You want a quick, guaranteed-seat meal at peak times or prefer large, traditional entrée-style dining over tasting menus and pastries.