When asking yourself about something to do near me in Chicago with a group of friends or family, consider
Frera Desserts
Why Frera Desserts is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Frera Desserts, located in the vibrant Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, offers a unique gathering spot for friends to indulge in exquisite plant-based desserts and specialty coffee. Founded by Chef Pavlina Manahov, this dessert and coffee bar distinguishes itself by crafting artisan raw vegan delights that combine both healthful ingredients and decadent flavors. The inviting venue, enhanced by the interior design expertise of Madga Rauscher, provides a cozy and elegant atmosphere ideal for casual meetups, special occasions, or simply satisfying a sweet craving. The menu features a diverse selection of creative desserts such as Mango Cake with Lemon Frosting, Hazelnut Cake, and White Chocolate paired with Salted Caramel Fig Sauce alongside a Rosemary Walnut Crumble. Frera also serves plant-based vanilla ice cream and raw ice cream cakes made with fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, ensuring a guilt-free indulgence that appeals not only to vegans but to all dessert lovers. Their commitment to high-quality and organic ingredients makes meeting friends here both a delicious and nourishing experience. The welcoming ambiance and innovative menu have quickly made Frera a beloved destination in Chicago's culinary scene.
Here's what people think of Frera Desserts
As of recent, Frera Desserts holds a 4.8-star rating based on 124 reviews.
User reviews for Frera Desserts consistently praise the exceptional quality and creativity of the plant-based desserts, highlighted by a remarkable 4.8 rating from 124 reviews. Many customers express surprise and delight that the desserts maintain rich and satisfying flavors despite being entirely vegan and raw, with some reviewers noting they enjoy Frera's offerings even though they are not vegan themselves. Positive feedback emphasizes the freshness of the ingredients, the complexity of flavors, and the health-conscious approach that does not compromise indulgence. Additionally, patrons appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and the thoughtfully designed interior, which enhances the overall experience. On the other hand, some less enthusiastic reviews mention the limited seating and operating hours, as the venue generally stays open from morning until mid-afternoon. A few customers desire more variety or more extensive savory options beyond desserts and coffee. Despite these minor critiques, the consensus portrays Frera as a standout in Chicago’s plant-based dessert scene, celebrated for its innovative, nourishing sweet creations and friendly service. Overall, the reviews highlight that Frera Desserts successfully balances health and pleasure, making it a must-visit spot for dessert aficionados and those seeking a wholesome treat.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Harper Veresiuk
Best coffee, best people, and best atmosphere in Chicago!! After discovering them, I never go to any other coffee place because I’m spoiled now! Their desserts are to die for, I always get their cakes for my birthday, they make everything fresh daily. My pup Sherlock loves going there because he always gets treats from Anastasia. They work with local artists and professionals and host workshops. Lastly, they have fun seasonal menus with new unique drinks, my favorite is strawberry cloud matcha
Ірина Кашалаба
Such a cozy and welcoming place! Super clean, with friendly and attentive staff. You can really feel the love and care put into every detail. The quality of the food is excellent and definitely worth the price. Everything tastes fresh and made with high-quality ingredients. Can’t wait to come back!
Faith F
I really liked the vibe inside of this cafe. It’s super cute inside and they have a bunch of tables to relax at. I ordered the strawberry coconut foam matcha and it was good, I enjoyed the flavor mix and the matcha wasn’t watered down. However I do think at almost $9 this is very overpriced and I didn’t even substitute anything.
Nicole Jean
I really love this little café! It’s spacious, bright, and the perfect spot to study or work. It’s quiet, making it easy to focus, and the coffee is great so are the cakes! I could easily spend the whole day here.
Victoria Pakhalchuk
I tried the blueberry cake and a new drink from the summer menu - blueberry mint ube latte😍. It's so DELICIOUS😍! I recommend everyone to visit this coffee shop. It's clean, tasty, everything is freshly prepared, in short, I love this place!
How to reach Frera Desserts
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Why Frera Desserts may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at Frera Desserts with your friends?
Frera Desserts offers an outstanding reason to gather your friends and family around a shared love for delicious, health-conscious treats in a warm, welcoming setting. Located in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood, this vibrant plant-based dessert café boasts a stellar 4.8 rating from over 120 reviews, reflecting its exceptional quality and popularity. If your group values indulgence without compromise, Frera Desserts’ menu promises a delightful adventure with raw, vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free creations that fuse complex flavors balanced perfectly. Beyond desserts, the café serves fresh smoothies and specialty coffee, creating a complete sensory experience. The ambiance itself is inviting and aesthetically pleasing, providing a cozy yet stylish spot ideal for socializing, relaxing, or even working together. This unique combination makes it a perfect destination for meetups, offering not only guilt-free indulgence but also a lovely atmosphere to connect and unwind. Meeting here means enjoying treats carefully crafted from organic, plant-based ingredients while catching up with loved ones over refreshing drinks in a space designed for gathering.
What kind of activities and experiences can you enjoy at Frera Desserts?
At Frera Desserts, the experience extends beyond simply eating—you and your group can dive into a carefully curated menu of sophisticated raw desserts, each imbued with unique flavors. Classics like the T-W Miso mini cake, pumpkin panna cotta, and boozy cherry tart offer a range of textures and tastes, from creamy and rich to unexpectedly flavorful with hidden surprises, all without conventional baking or refined sugars. The café also offers a distinct beverage menu that includes drinks like the maple butter latte, complementing the desserts with warm, nuanced flavors. Its plant-based focus means that every bite is mindful of health and ethics, appealing to vegans, raw food enthusiasts, and anyone seeking lighter, nutrient-dense options. The open and aesthetically pleasing environment provides ample space for your group to lounge, converse, and linger, making it more than just a quick stop. Additionally, the café’s small event and gathering space means groups can plan private gatherings or special meetups. Whether you want to relax, celebrate, or work on collaborative projects with friends, Frera Desserts delivers a versatile setting tailored for comfort and community.
Why is Frera Desserts a perfect place for group meetups?
Frera Desserts stands out as an ideal meetup spot primarily because it seamlessly combines an excellent culinary journey with a welcoming environment designed for groups. Its location in Bucktown is central yet cozy, allowing easy access from many parts of Chicago. The café itself is thoughtfully arranged to accommodate groups without feeling cramped; its layout encourages communal interaction while providing enough privacy for intimate conversations. Customers consistently praise the space for being beautiful and comfortable—bright, clean, and with modern vibes that appeal to a broad audience from casual visitors to remote workers. Moreover, the plant-based, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free desserts cater to a wide range of dietary preferences and restrictions, so dietary differences within a group are less of a concern. This consideration creates an inclusive experience where everyone can find something to enjoy. The presence of a small event space also means your group can customize meetups, such as birthday celebrations, vegan food tastings, or casual get-togethers, turning ordinary visits into memorable occasions. This unique blend of ambiance, dietary inclusivity, and flexible space perfectly suits groups looking to connect over tasty treats in a relaxed atmosphere.
What makes Frera Desserts unique compared to other dessert spots?
Frera Desserts distinguishes itself through its commitment to raw, vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free creations that don’t just substitute but elevate dessert expectations. Unlike conventional bakeries, nothing here is baked, relying instead on innovative, plant-based ingredients sourced fresh and organic. This approach results in desserts that are not only visually stunning but also intriguing to the palate, offering flavor complexities often missing from traditional sweets. Their signature offerings, such as the t-w misu parfait and pumpkin panna cotta, introduce customers to dessert textures and flavors that surprise and delight, setting the café apart in a crowded market. Furthermore, the shop’s attention to clean ingredient sourcing and preparation reflect a dedication to health-conscious patrons without sacrificing taste or indulgence. This focus caters particularly well to those following raw or whole-food diets as well as people with gluten sensitivities, a detail not always found in dessert-focused businesses. This thoughtful, craft-driven approach combined with a stylish and serene café atmosphere makes Frera Desserts a genuinely unique destination within Chicago’s food landscape.
How accessible and inclusive is Frera Desserts?
Accessibility and inclusivity are at the heart of Frera Desserts’ appeal. The café provides a menu thoughtfully designed to accommodate diverse dietary needs and preferences. All desserts are naturally gluten-free, vegan, raw, and made without refined sugars, appealing to vegans, people with gluten intolerance, and health-conscious consumers alike. While Frera does offer toast options that currently contain gluten, the staff maintain separate workstations for gluten and gluten-free items to minimize cross-contamination risks, and they are actively seeking gluten-free toast alternatives. This commitment to catering breadth and transparency about dietary accommodations demonstrates an inclusive philosophy. Moreover, the café’s physical location and layout support easy access for groups, providing a welcoming environment for everyone. The event space further broadens its inclusivity, allowing groups to tailor their gatherings according to their unique needs. Overall, Frera Desserts embraces an inclusive ethos both in terms of food and environment, making it a comfortable and accommodating place for a variety of guests.
How does the atmosphere at Frera Desserts enhance your meetups?
The atmosphere at Frera Desserts plays a crucial role in why it’s perfect for social gatherings. Described by visitors as warm, inviting, and visually appealing, the space combines modern design with cozy touches that encourage relaxation and conversation. Natural light floods the café during the day, creating an uplifted mood, while the tasteful décor strikes a balance between vibrancy and calm. The ambient background music complements the space without overpowering conversation, ensuring groups can socialize comfortably. Importantly, the café also offers a quiet environment conducive to working or casual hanging out, meaning that meetups can easily transition between lively talking and shared productive moments. This flexibility allows friends or family to make the most of their time together, whether celebrating special occasions or simply catching up. The combination of thoughtful décor, serene vibe, and an overall welcoming energy contributes substantially to the quality of your meetup, making each visit to Frera Desserts a memorable one.
What beverage options complement the desserts at Frera Desserts?
Beyond its impressive dessert selection, Frera Desserts offers beverage options that perfectly complement their plant-based sweets and enhance the group experience. Specialty coffee drinks, including the highly praised maple butter latte, feature rich and nuanced flavors with natural sweet notes that harmonize beautifully with the desserts. The café also serves fresh, vibrant smoothies crafted from carefully selected plant-based ingredients, providing refreshing and healthy alternatives for groups who may prefer lighter or dairy-free beverages. These drinks not only balance the richness or creamy textures of the desserts but also cater to a spectrum of tastes within a group, making it easier to satisfy all members. Additionally, the café’s commitment to organic and clean ingredients extends to its drinks, ensuring a consistent experience of quality and health consciousness. Whether your group wants a warm coffee to sip slowly or a cool smoothie to refresh, Frera Desserts meets that need with options created to accompany their distinct desserts perfectly.
How can Frera Desserts accommodate special events or parties?
Frera Desserts is well-equipped to accommodate special events and parties, providing a unique setting that elevates any celebration. The café includes a small event and gathering space within its premises, allowing groups to arrange private or semi-private meetups tailored to their occasions. Whether it’s a birthday party, a vegan dessert tasting event, or a casual social gathering, the flexible space can be adapted to meet the group’s size and needs. The staff at Frera are experienced in supporting these events, ensuring that dietary accommodations and menu selections align with guest preferences. By offering plant-based, gluten-free, and raw dessert options, the venue ensures that guests with varying dietary restrictions feel included and delighted. The ambiance, combined with exceptional food and drink offerings, creates an atmosphere perfectly suited for memorable, joyful celebrations. Booking ahead for groups is advisable to ensure space availability and customized service, making Frera Desserts a hassle-free and attractive option for group parties in Chicago.
What are customer experiences and reviews like at Frera Desserts?
Customers consistently praise Frera Desserts for its delicious and visually striking plant-based treats and inviting atmosphere. With a solid 4.8-star rating from more than 120 reviews, the café is heralded as a top destination for anyone seeking vegan, raw, and gluten-free desserts that do not sacrifice flavor or sophistication. Reviewers highlight standout items like the t-w misu mini cake, boozy cherry tart, and pumpkin panna cotta as favorites due to their rich, complex flavors and innovative textures. Many appreciate the café’s commitment to organic, fresh ingredients and the absence of refined sugars. The beautiful, bright space also receives kudos for being an excellent hangout and work-from-home spot, combining comfort and style. While some mention an awareness of potential gluten cross-contamination due to the current inclusion of gluten-containing toast, the overall sentiment remains highly positive. Patrons describe their visits as special and refreshing dining experiences, often returning for both the food and welcoming community vibe. This exceptional customer feedback reflects Frera Desserts’ appeal as an ideal place to meet and enjoy premium plant-based desserts with friends and family.