Chicago’s Most Anticipated French Bakery Opening in West Town Is Finally Set to Debut June 17
Guillotine Bakery, a French-inspired pastry shop that has been building buzz for nearly two years, is officially opening on June 17 at 1711 W. Chicago Avenue. The project is led by founders Alizé Bikard and Vincent Didry, along with head baker Vince Le Bec, all of whom bring deep experience in French baking culture and high-end pastry kitchens.
The bakery is built around classic French technique, focusing on laminated pastries, sourdough breads, and simple café offerings done with precision. Expect croissants, pain au chocolat, pain suisse, baguettes, and kouign-amann, a rich caramelized pastry from Brittany that remains rare in many U.S. bakeries. Many of the core ingredients, including butter, flour, and chocolate, are imported directly from France to preserve authenticity.
Inside the space, customers will see something unusual for a bakery in Chicago. A glass-enclosed production kitchen puts bakers on full display, turning the process of dough preparation and lamination into part of the experience. The design leans modern and industrial, blending French baking tradition with a minimalist aesthetic that highlights the craft behind each pastry.
Coffee service will be intentionally simple, focusing on espresso-based drinks rather than trendy flavored menus. The goal, according to the team, is to let the pastries remain the main attraction rather than overwhelming customers with a complicated beverage program.
The bakery’s founders say Chicago was chosen for its strong food culture and openness to new culinary ideas. Before opening, the team even tested demand through pop-up events, where hundreds of pastries reportedly sold out within hours, signaling strong early interest among local food lovers.
Now, the full concept is about to be tested at scale, and anticipation is high across West Town and beyond. With limited seating and a focus on craftsmanship, Guillotine Bakery is expected to draw steady crowds from day one.
For more details, visit the original coverage here:
https://chicago.eater.com/restaurant-news/168109/guillotine-bakery-new-opening-french-pastry-bread-west-town
https://www.timeout.com/chicago/news/one-of-chicagos-most-hyped-bakery-openings-finally-has-a-date-060426
