Stopped by Magnolia Bakery and it absolutely lived up to the hype. I came for the banana pudding and it was easily one of the highlights of the visit. It was rich, creamy, and packed with banana flavor without being overly sweet. The texture was perfect too, with the soft wafers blending into the pudding while still giving it that classic homemade feel. Every bite was worth it. The bakery itself had an inviting feel, and service was quick and friendly. It's the kind of place that instantly puts you in a good mood when you walk in. Definitely a spot I would come back to anytime I'm craving something sweet. read more

Kinda of a mixed bag here. Flourless chocolate cake: 2/5. Probably the driest flourless chocolate cake that i have ever had. Banana pudding: 4/5. I am not a big fruit pudding fan, but this was really well done. The chunks of banana really help make this so good read more

I finally had the time to sit down and share my full review, and I'm genuinely excited to talk about our ongoing experience with Magnolia Bakery in Chicago. Our relationship with this place goes back several years, and at this point, visiting it has practically become a tradition for us, one that we look forward to every time we find ourselves in the city. Our love affair with Magnolia Bakery began the moment we tasted their famous banana pudding for the very first time. It's difficult to put into words just how unexpectedly delightful that first experience was. We'd heard great things about the bakery, of course, but nothing prepared us for how rich, comforting, and beautifully layered that pudding would be. It's the kind of dessert that immediately pulls you in, creamy, flavorful, nostalgic, and yet elevated in a way that keeps you thinking about it long after the last spoonful. From that point forward, Magnolia Bakery became an essential destination on every Chicago trip, almost like a ritual that we simply cannot skip. Our fondness for this place has grown so much that it has actually begun influencing our hotel choices. Whenever we plan a stay in Chicago, we deliberately look for accommodations that place us within convenient walking distance of the bakery. The surrounding area offers plenty of shopping and sightseeing opportunities, which makes staying nearby even more appealing. It's incredibly convenient to spend a morning or afternoon wandering around the neighborhood and then find ourselves naturally gravitating toward Magnolia Bakery for a delicious break. One of the things I appreciate most about this location is what you see the moment you step inside. The bakery has an open, inviting setup that allows customers to look directly into the baking area. For me, this is such a meaningful detail. Seeing the bakers at work, mixing, assembling, crafting everything by hand, reinforces the authenticity of the entire experience. It gives me confidence in the quality and freshness of what we're eating, and it creates a sense of connection to the craftsmanship behind every cake, pudding, and pastry. You can tell that things here are genuinely made from scratch, and that alone sets the tone for how special this place feels. The ambiance of the bakery is another reason we keep coming back. As a family, we love spaces that feel warm, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed, and Magnolia Bakery hits all of those marks. The interior décor has a charming, almost nostalgic aesthetic that creates a comforting mood the moment you walk in. Beyond that, there are several seating options available inside, which is perfect for us. After spending hours walking around the city, shopping, or sightseeing, being able to sit down, relax, and enjoy our treats becomes a much‑needed part of the day. Whether we're sharing different desserts, reviewing our shopping finds, or simply resting our feet, the space adds to the joy of the visit. The service style here is pretty straightforward, and honestly, that's something I genuinely appreciate. It's a typical bakery setup: you line up, scan through the display case filled with cakes, pastries, puddings, and seasonal items, make your selections, and pay right away. The simplicity of the process makes everything move smoothly. There's no rush, but there's also no confusion, just an easy, clean system that gets you from craving to enjoying your dessert in a matter of minutes. Although the line can sometimes get long, especially during peak hours or weekends, we have been lucky in that our visits almost always fall on weekdays. Because of that timing, we rarely encounter significant wait times. Even when the line does look a little long, it tends to move at a reasonable pace because of how efficiently the staff works. And honestly, even if we did have to wait, the smell of freshly baked goods and the anticipation of that first bite make the wait feel more than worth it. Overall, Magnolia Bakery has become one of those places that holds a special place in our hearts. It's not just about the banana pudding, though that will always be the star, it's about the atmosphere, the quality, the consistency, and the memories we associate with every visit. Each experience there adds something new to our affection for the place, which is why we continue returning again and again. We absolutely love this bakery, and we recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone visiting Chicago. Whether you're a dessert enthusiast, a banana pudding lover, or simply someone looking for a delightful spot to relax and treat yourself, Magnolia Bakery is an experience you shouldn't miss. read more

Stopped at Magnolia Bakery while in Chicago. This cute little bakery has indoor and outdoor seating perfect for enjoying your sweet treats before heading back out into the city. They offer a variety cake slices, cookies, brownies, and more! I purchased a slice of cake and fudge brownie. The cake was buttery & light and the icing was the perfect amount of richness. The fudge brownie was soft and gooey! It paired perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream when I got back home. The staff I encountered were friendly and personable! Overall, a great stop if you have a sweet tooth while in Chicago. read more

See all

Disappointed. Great concept but missed the mark on delivery.. the pretzels in the banana pudding was mushy - big mushy cup. read more

See all

Their sweets are very eye stopping and colorful to look at. Their coconut chocolate bar was very moist & delicious They have a red velvet & banana pudding was very tasty. If you have a sweet tooth, this is your place to go. read more

We love Magnolia! They never disappoint. The German chocolate cake is my fiancés favorite in the city! I always try the seasonal puddings because I can't to banana pudding! My favorites have been the pumpkin and apple pie puddings! So good and light! The space is cute also but we typically order to go or through uber. Try it! You will not be disappointed! The service is A+ read more

Magnolia Bakery - Apple Crisp Pudding Small - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

They had no ice cream, no carrot cake, and their selection was limited. While I was looking at the menu, the employee yelled "Everyone follow the rules and get in line" like a military sargeant. Everyone visibly cringed and got quiet. A lot of people walked out including me. read more

I stopped into Magnolia Bakery to settle a friendly debate with my classmates about the best dessert. As a true southerner, I knew the correct answer was banana pudding, but since I was traveling to Chicago, making my own was not an option. Magnolia felt like the next best thing and it delivered. The banana pudding was rich, creamy, and had that perfect balance of vanilla, banana, and softness that makes it such a comfort dessert. It was good enough to change a few minds in our group and confirmed for me that banana pudding still holds the crown. I am already planning to go back to try the apple pie version because it sounds incredible. Service was quick and the shop itself has a warm, inviting feel that pulls you in. If you love classic desserts done well, Magnolia Bakery is worth the stop. read more

See all

Perfect treat after a long day at work! Employees are friendly and helpful. Here's a secret tip, sometimes if you are super nice, they might even throw in a sweet treat for you. read more

The whipped banana pudding is definitely good for a sweet treat. Service is fast and the cafe itself is very clean and busy. We stopped by a second time before our last day in Chicago and decided to get whipped banana pudding and a salted Caramel cheesecake, while the cheesecake wasn't bad, it was not like what I am typically accustomed to. I'd still go for the whipped banana pudding. read more

I got the small banana pudding from here. It's pretty good but a little overpriced for what you got. To be fair the other sizes have better value but I was by myself and didn't want to over order. The banana pudding bar gimmick seemed especially overpriced too since they were quoting me around ~$12 for it, but it did look pretty good haha. Workers seemed nice so no complaints on the service side. read more

Magnolia Bakery - Classic Banana Pudding Small - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The best pudding you can get from a chain. We stopped in to try the season specialty, Pumpkin Spice Pudding. I also tried the Apple Cinnamon Cupcake, it was just ok. I do prefer their standard banana pudding, but the specialty wasn't bad. read more

See all

Came here 30 minutes before closing and they were still a bit busy! But the line moves really quickly since all the desserts are already prepared. We ordered a large classic banana pudding, small seasonal pumpkin spice pudding, and iced americanos. The banana pudding is good but it's a bit too sticky because it's so whipped. The taste and sweetness is perfect though. My favorite was the pumpkin spice pudding! It tastes exactly like pumpkin pie and wasn't too sweet. As for the drinks, the iced Americanos were not great. Upon us receiving them I was skeptical because the color was so light. There was no ice at all and the color made it look like black tea rather than americanos. The taste was super light and disappointing. read more

Magnolia Bakery - Classic Banana Pudding Large - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I have always wanted to try the banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery, but prior places I've been that have it it's been really far out of the way. Imagine my surprise when trying to transfer between trains in Chicago and coming across a Magnolia Bakery. My friend and I split a medium banana pudding, and we demolished it within minutes. It certainly lives up to the hype and well worth a try. The bread (cake?) pieces melt in your mouth, perfectly balanced with cream and banana chunks. According to my Asian dessert-primed palate, I would say it's quite sweet, but the other flavors balance out the sweetness well so it's not overwhelming. Service was very quick, and the cafe has ample seating with white tables. It's very cute inside! read more

Magnolia Bakery - Classic Banana Pudding Medium - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I wanted to go to this location before I even showed up in town and when I got a chance to go in the line moved very smoothly and I was able to try their world famous original banana pudding and I've traveled to the south. I've traveled to the West Coast. This is the best banana pudding. read more

The banana pudding is amazing, I love that they have seasonal banana pudding flavours. I went back a second time because it tasted so good. Line moves fast. This location is bigger and has seating as well. read more

Magnolia Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is my first time actually coming inside the store and I got the birthday cake, confetti cake and it was so delicious. The portion size was just right so I was able to eat it over the span of three days. Lol since it's located in the mall, this location was busy both times that I came in, but you're able to work through the line pretty quickly.. also very much love the decor. I will definitely say that I got a bang for my buck. read more

See all

Really good banana pudding but the brownie was a bit dry. The line was very long, but it moved fast. read more

Magnolia Bakery - banana pudding brownie - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

What a cute bakery with an abundance of goodies! I came for the banana pudding and was not disappointed. I had the original and strawberry shortcake puddings. Surprisingly, the strawberry shortcake pudding was my favorite. Customer service was good and fast. The dining area was spotless. read more

See all

I love banana pudding so knew I had to stop by and see what the hype was bout. Decent sized location but seating is a bit limited. Open kitchen concept so you can see them baking in front of you. They have lots of options other than just banana pudding, like cookies and cakes. I got their original and the peanut banana pudding and both were great! Pro tip: if you're looking to fly with these just remember none of their sizes are less than 3.4oz so you'll have to check them in your luggage, which I don't recommend. Better to just have it shipped online. Don't be like me and buy 2 smalls and a large banana pudding and then have to eat them both! ‍ read more

See all

Hands down my favorite food item I consumed while in Chicago. We went the first time and loved it so much that we made it a point to stop by again before leaving. After both trips I can confidently say I prefer the banana pudding over the apple crisp pudding but both were very refreshing and light. I snatched a banana pudding cookie to bring back home but it didn't make it past the airport because I got too excited to try! As soon as I got home I visited their website and was thrilled to find out that they ship nationwide. Will definitely be taking advantage of this! read more

Magnolia Bakery - Apple Crisp Pudding Small Banana Pudding Cookie - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The banana pudding is worth a visit. Rich and not too sweet. I really enjoy it and would recommend it to others We also ordered the special edition pretzel peanut butter chocolate pudding. It was delicious and decadent. I still preferred the banana one more though. Customer service was friendly enough. Expensive but ok to pay for a special occasion treat. read more

See all

Service was impeccable! They FA w such great recommendations especially since I was going to be traveling with my treats. Which I truly appreciated! The pastries were beyond precious! Both delicious and aesthetically pleasing. Will definitely be going back! read more

See all

Pleasantly surprised to find out Magnolia Bakery has a location in Chicago. I was compelled to check it out, to my delight it was so yummy! I don't know they offered banana pudding so of course I got it. I wanted to buy everything but remained modest. The store could be a little cleaner, not the food area but the entrance from State Street the vestibule could use some attention. The decor and look works well, makes the store feel inviting and warm. read more

See all

We really enjoyed the bakery. The banana pudding bar is such a fun and delicious idea. There are a lot of good good options to choose from. Cupcakes are moist and delicious. Staff is super nice. read more

See all

I have always wanted to try their banana pudding but there were no locations on the West Coast. I was delighted to find a storefront in Chicago. I meant to try the banana pudding but got tempted by the hummingbird cake. The dense cake was made of a banana cake that was full of nuts and enrobed in a delicious cream cheese frosting. They have a rotating banana pudding bar that features different flavors. After pounding the pavement some more, I need to come back and try their famous pudding. read more

Magnolia Bakery - Banana pudding bar - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Pricey pudding. I've seen their banana pudding cookies in grocery stores, but this visit was the first time I tasted their pudding fresh. I tried their strawberry shortcake limited edition one. The interior of the store is super cute. The walls are mint green and the decoration is nice. read more

A lazy stroll down Michigan Avenue and through Millenium Park found us looking for a place to sit and cool off, maybe grab a quick little snack when we happened upon the Magnolia Bakery. We got a lavender cupcake and a vanilla cupcake, a hot tea and a coffee. Boom, a quick pickup and an energy boost for another afternoon of exploring downtown Chicago. If you haven't tried Magnolia, it's as good as they say, even if you're 1,000 miles from New York City. Next time you're in the area, stop in and give Magnolia a try. You'll be glad you did! read more

Magnolia Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The banana pudding cookie was my favorite. I'd like to come back and try some of the other southern desserts they offer . Kinda pricey. $16 for this a water read more

Magnolia Bakery - Caramel cupcake, banana pudding cookie, chocolate chip cookie - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

"If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?" Pink Floyd "Another Brick In the Wall" When this song was released in 1979, some of the radio stations played the standard cut, while some played the extended version including a postscript featuring this interesting monologue. I remember being perplexed by what all of the fuss was about when it came to pudding. I mean, how good could it really be? ‍ While the English school children portrayed in this song longed for the pudding being offered to them, I can't imagine that it compared favorably to what is being served at Magnolia Bakery. Those students may have experienced vanilla pudding, but I struggle to believe that theirs was adorned with chocolate cake and chocolate fudge icing (or included roasted strawberries). "Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pudding" is clearly a secondary school assignment, so I would recommend commencing your pudding education within the primary school setting. Should you receive high enough marks during your "Classic Banana Pudding" course (a creamy creation that includes vanilla wafers and chunks of fresh banana), and with the recommendation of your Headteacher, you may then progress along the pudding path of higher education . ‍ Regardless of the trajectory of your course of study, be sure to consider auditing their course in "Red Velvet Hot Chocolate." Local delivery, catering, and shipping are all available. Still can't get enough of this stuff? Consider joining their "Pudding of the Month Club" so that their creations can be regularly delivered to your doorstep. And that's...Henry's Take. #magnoliabakery #maketodaysweeterthanyesterday Photo credit @danavoros read more

See all

I have been the biggest fan I've ignoring a bakery ever since I was a kid. Anytime I'm near Chicago or New York, I stop in to get their popular cupcakes and try some new desserts! The lady serving me was kind and respectful and they gave me a bag to help with the load I was already carrying which was so sweet and definitely put a smile on my face! The location itself is clean, organized and smells amazing as soon as you walk in! read more

I've been back to this spot quite a few times since my original review, and I have to say, they've improved in some areas. The line flow is much better now, and they seem to run out of items way less than they used to, which is great. That said, I'm still not a fan of the cupcakes. They just don't do it for me. The banana pudding, though? That's the real reason to come here. It's absolutely worth the trip. The cake slices are also a step up from the cupcakes, with a fluffier texture and a much better frosting to cake ratio. I've also tried the banana pudding cookies, and they're pretty good too. I just wish they'd bring back the chocolate banana pudding. That was my absolute favorite. It's still super crowded. It's still chaotic. The prices are on the high side. But for that banana pudding? Totally worth it. read more

See all

Magnolia's Bakery is definitely a step above the other bakeries in the area. Pros: - Delicious selection of treats! Their banana pudding is a crowd favorite and I always find myself grabbing some during my visit. They will sometimes have seasonal treats to spice up the selection. - The line moves quickly no matter how busy it is inside. They truly have mastered keeping the line moving forward. I've rarely had to wait very long to be greeted by an employee and getting my order placed. - The inside is always clean! Cons: - I've visited Magnolia's enough to start noticing some shrinkflation starting to happen. The ice box used to be massive and now it's at the point that the cookies don't even notice the top. The prices haven't changed but the size of your treat has shrunk. - Seating can be limited due to the crowds of people that flow in and out of the shop. read more

See all

I tried this banana pudding when I was in NY and was really excited to see there was one in Chicago! I went on a Sunday morning. Found free street parking about 10 minutes away. The store was clean and had a nice, chill vibe. Customer service was ok. I tried the regular banana pudding and the strawberry shortcake pudding, While the banana pudding had the same good taste/flavor of the NY Magnolias - the bananas were way too ripe and brown and there were too many wafers. I was also disappointed that there were no strawberries or bananas in the strawberry shortcake pudding - it was just pudding and lots of wafers. It's pretty pricey in my opinion, so you want to make sure you check those bananas before you leave in case you need to return your banana pudding for one that isn't overly ripe. read more

See all

I got the rose cardamom latte and carrot cake pudding. And it's just not it anymore. The latte seemed watered down and it was made from a syrup that was too sweet. The ratio of carrot cake to custard was too small. I would have loved to have more carrot cake bites but it was mostly custard. So the end result was somewhat boring and bland. I used really like magnolia but the quality has downhill in recent years. read more

I stopped in and grabbed a confetti cake slice and a magic bar and I really loved the cake slice. It tastes like something you'd make in your own kitchen. The buttercream is the perfect balance of sweet, buttery and vanilla. Very enjoyable! The magic bar was good but fell apart into a ton of pieces when handling it or trying to cut it. I wish it held together better. Overall very enjoyable desserts. read more

See all

Just came here to say that if you're not a banana pudding fan, there's plenty of other options here! But try the banana pudding too. I'm frankly not a banana pudding person, but this one is actually really good and you can see the hype. It's not very sweet and does not taste too overpowering of banana. On our most recent trip, I had the German chocolate cheesecake. I was torn between the other yummy cheesecake options, like key lime. This one had everything I wanted though, chocolate, cheesecake, and a nice crunch. Super yummy! Our service was actually very quick for a Saturday, but we did take our desserts to go. It did seem like the inside is a bit rundown and not as well kept, but it was already almost the end of the day and we know the location is frequented by tourists. read more

Magnolia Bakery - German Chocolate Cheesecake - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Magnolia Bakery is located at street level of Block37 and today the signage for Pumpkin Spice lured me in, knowing it is only a seasonal treat. The girl at the counter didn't know much when I asked about ingredients due to some of my allergies but she found someone else to come answer my question. Despite walking by numerous times, candidly I never ordered anything before today mostly because I can't eat anything with bananas and the Banana Bread Pudding is what they are most well-known for. Almost everything was already pre-packaged in display cases ready for take away and because I came in the early evening, the aroma of a bakery was absent and pretty much all the cupcakes and cookies were gone for the day. I was a bit shocked they didn't offer me a bag or napkins and just handed me the cardboard pudding container. Overall the Pumpkin Spice Pudding was not too sweet and very creamy. I got the medium container for $9 USD and it's enough for two people to share or to eat half right away and the rest for later. Ambiance 6/10 Quality & Value 6/10 read more

See all

The place is clean and colorful. The long lines in front of the store should be a testament to the quality of the confectionery. But not to worry, their service is exemplary. They take orders while we wait in the line. Talking about the desserts themselves, I expected them to be too sweet. But they were the right amount of sweet. We got the banana pudding and the key lime cheesecake both of which were mesmerizing. Would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting the city. read more