Fraiche Cafe

Chocolate whoopie pies, salted caramel cupcakes and everything else they serve in heaven

The bakery counter at Fraiche Cafe, by Karina for TKGO

Visiting Fraiche once almost guarantees you’ll be back many times. The bakery case beckons, as do the descriptions of dishes scrawled in chalk on a nearby hanging board. The pastel blue walls are an unexpected but pleasing color, and between the delicious food and the bottomless Intelligensia coffee, don’t be surprised if hours pass too quickly.

Fraiche is one of Evanston’s best brunch spots, with breakfast burritos, crossaint sandwiches and a sweet-and-savory almond brioche French toast. We’ve never tasted a bad frittata du jour, but the mushroom with swiss is especially worth the excitement.

The baked goods are decadent and always satisfying as well, from powdery Mexican wedding cookies to dense whoopie pies and moist Nutella swirl poundcake. Don’t miss the small lemon sandwich cookies, perfect if you’re having a rich coffee drink like a latte or cappuccino. The salted caramel cupcake is Tara’s favorite decadent treat, and every kind of scone (made fresh each day) is an instant hit.

-Tara and Karina for TKGO City Guides