ZipPicks Awards
Best Mediterranean in Loop
Master Critic Review
Seedo's Bakery
7.6
A Palestinian-owned Levantine bakery stall in Sterling Food Hall focused on pastries, manakeesh, and taboon-bread sandwiches that reward a light, bakery-first order. It’s strongest when you treat it as one savory item plus one pastry rather than a full spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pistachio croissant, Za'atar manakeesh, Basbousa coffee cake
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Levantine pastries and manakeesh built around fresh-baked taboon and spice.
Who should go: Pastry lovers who want a savory-and-sweet stop
When to visit: Morning or early lunch before popular pastries sell out
What to order: Pistachio croissant, za'atar manakeesh, basbousa coffee cake
Insider tip: Ask what just came out of the oven—then build your order around it.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Sterling Food Hall is in the Loop—street parking is scarce and pricey. Best move is nearby paid garages (short walk) or CTA/walking; rideshare drop-off is easiest during weekday lunch.
Dress code: Casual Loop lunch rules—jeans, sneakers, office attire all fit. No need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate to lively food hall energy—fine for quick conversation, but not a quiet café vibe.
Weekend wait: N/A - inside a food hall; evenings can be busy but it’s usually order-and-go rather than a formal wait.
Weekday lunch: 5-15 minutes depending on the Sterling rush; fastest if you order one savory item + one pastry.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—za'atar manakeesh and several bakery items work well; you can build a full meatless order easily.
Vegan options: Some options—za'atar manakeesh can be a good lane, but many pastries include butter/dairy. Ask which items are dairy-free that day.
Gluten-free options: Limited—this is a bread-and-pastry-forward stall. If you’re strictly gluten-free, it’s better as a skip.
Best For
Better for: Fresh-baked Levantine comfort—warm taboon/manakeesh and a pastry combo that feels special without a full meal commitment. It’s a strong ‘one savory + one sweet’ stop with real bakery payoff.
Consider Alternatives If: Skip if you want a quiet sit-down, a big plated Mediterranean dinner, or strict gluten-free options. Also skip peak lunch if you hate food hall crowds—go morning for the best pastry selection.