Welcome to Saint Anna Bakery & Cafe
Located in Chicago's Chinatown, Saint Anna Bakery & Cafe offers a taste of traditional Cantonese cuisine with a modern twist. Boasting a diverse menu of fresh baked goods and savory dishes, this neighborhood gem has garnered a loyal following for its delicious offerings. From the mouthwatering red bean-filled mochi to the fragrant BBQ pork buns, each bite at Saint Anna's is a flavorful journey to Hong Kong. The cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and affordable prices make this bakery a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Cantonese flavors in the heart of the Windy City.
- 2158 S Archer Ave Chicago, IL 606162158 S Archer Ave Chicago, IL 60616 Hotline: (312) 225-3168
Saint Anna Bakery & Cafe is a hidden gem in the heart of Chicago's Chinatown, offering a delightful fusion of Cantonese and Hong Kong-style cuisine. Situated at 2158 S Archer Ave, this quaint bakery and cafe exude charm and authenticity. The menu boasts a variety of delectable treats, from savory bbq pork buns to sweet red bean mochi.
Customers rave about the delicious custard buns and savory egg tarts, praising the affordability and old-school neighborhood feel of the establishment. The bakery also offers unique items like chicken pot pie and curry turnovers, setting it apart from traditional bakeries in the area.
One standout feature of Saint Anna Bakery & Cafe is their warm soy milk, only available in the morning, which has become a must-have for many loyal patrons. The bakery's assortment of breads and pastries, including the famous BBQ bun, are said to be "to die for."
With a cash-only policy and limited seating, the focus is on the quality of the food rather than the frills. The friendly aunties working at the bakery add to the charm, making customers feel right at home.
Overall, Saint Anna Bakery & Cafe offers a unique and authentic culinary experience that combines traditional Cantonese flavors with modern twists. If you're in the mood for a taste of Hong Kong in the heart of Chicago, this bakery and cafe is a must-visit. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

A small hole in the way place. But their goods are very yummy. The white mochi with red bean filling is so good!!! Bbq pork bun was so good too!

I rarely feel the need to review but I want to support this place! Delicious custard buns. Super cheap. I don't know how they make any money off it. Feels old school and neighborhoody. I love it.

The bakery is really good. I am not always in Chinatown as I do not live in the city limits anymore but when I am down in the City I try to buy a few egg tarts, ham and egg bao, and maybe a pineapple bao to go. The only thing is that they are cash only so remember that. Also, its best to go early in the morning as its more fresh at that time.

It might be cash only. But I promise it's worth it. The buns are good, but they're not my favorite. We come here for the chicken pot pie and curry turnover! Not every bakery makes it--most only do dessert cakes and buns. The aunties working here are really nice...especially if you speak Cantonese. My husband has come at times forgetting cash and he empties his pockets and asks what he can get--they treat him like their own kid with a little bit of exasperation but are gracious enough to let him have one more treat than what he has money for. There's got to be a special place in heaven for the Saint Anna aunties. There are a few tables to sit at and eat if you wanted to stay, but most people seem to order and go. It's not going to win any points for being IG-worthy, but who cares because this place is OG Chinatown with 10/10 food. Bonus: we got a sheet cake from here to serve at our wedding (the chestnut is so good). What we get: Chicken pot pie (gai pie) - try this!!! The crust is so buttery and crumbly and flaky in the best way. And the filling is so tasty. We could literally come and just buy out the case if we ever remembered to bring enough cash. Curry turnover - try this too! Who doesn't love a turnover?! And make it savory? Yes, please. The curry isn't really spicy--both our kids loved it. Just get it. You'll probably want more. Milk tea - I'm a little particular...this tea wasn't strong enough for my taste. But it wasn't bad. I just prefer stronger tea to milk ratio.

My parents & I wanted afternoon tea. My mom has always loved their shrimp rice roll with their sauces. I, on the other hand, prefer my sauces in moderation. Dad ordered the tart, but because we split our rice rolls with him, he didn't have any more room for the tart. With this late summer heat in upper 90's, they could have turned up the air conditioning. It was a bit too stuffy for us. This would be a fine star rating. Service was quick & efficient, as always.

This is 4th time visiting here whenever I am in Chicago. My family always take home frozen bao and pork shrimp siomai. But, the hit is the warm soy milk which can only be found in the morning. I would force myself to be an early bird just for these. They also have a great assortment of breads and egg pie. The bbq bun is to die for.

Old school asian bakery. Lots of solid selection and price is affordable. The eggtart is shaped like an oval, not round. It's good. The tart is like a sugar cookie. The coconut bun was pretty good. Filled with sweet coconut filling. The lady here was so nice. No seats or tables to sit inside anymore (looks like they used to), but you can stand outside and eat. There are lots of buildings, so nice shade. This place is cash only. There is atm us bank in the same plaza.

The best place for HK-style milk tea! You will NOT get the cup of hot water with the cheeky tea bag steeping away. I had Cuppa Tea aka 广芳园 in Flushing last week, and honestly Saint Anna's was basically just as good, and less than half the price. You can specify how sweet you want it, too, which is nice. They also have all the usual Chinese bakery suspects at very reasonable prices; I like getting the boat-shaped egg tarts. The chicken pot pies and sponge cakes are popular and I plan on trying those next time! Inside is very spacious but there's no seating. Cash only. The ladies who run the counter are very nice and seemingly trilingual. Highly recommend!