Wicker Park's Culinary Glow-Up Continues: A Beloved Bakery Lands on Cortland & Port Union Reinvents Milwaukee Ave

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Wicker Park · May 11, 2026

Wicker Park's reputation as Chicago's most culinarily restless neighborhood shows zero signs of slowing down, with two fresh openings giving neighbors even more reason to explore beyond their usual haunts.

First, pastry devotees take note: Dan Koester of Bad Butter — formerly known as Dan the Baker — has opened his very own brick-and-mortar bakery at 1655 W. Cortland St. in Wicker Park. Koester's laminated breads and pastries have been among Chicago's most sought-after for years, previously available only through extremely limited weekend drops at the Emily Hotel in the West Loop. Now neighbors have a dedicated home base for his extraordinary baked goods. Expect a line — and it'll be worth every minute of the wait.

Meanwhile, over at 1559 N. Milwaukee Ave., the space that once housed the plant-based Bloom restaurant has been reborn as Port Union. The team behind the acclaimed Amaru has thoughtfully reimagined the room with a wide-ranging menu that weaves Latin influences throughout — think arrachera with aji verde and elote tortellini with chile morita — alongside more eclectic offerings like garlic bread with ricotta and hojicha crème brûlée. It's the kind of neighborhood restaurant that rewards curiosity.

Wicker Park is serving up something genuinely new on every corner this spring. Get out there, grab a pastry, pull up a stool, and keep supporting the local spots that make this neighborhood one of Chicago's most exciting addresses. Stay up to date at wickerparkbucktown.com!

Sources:
1. https://www.wttw.com/playlist/2026/03/19/upcoming-restaurants-spring-2026
2. https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/guides/new-chicago-restaurant-openings