It started with a croissant in Paris—and a craving for something real.
There was butter. Curiosity. And And the kind of hunger that makes you hop on a plane to Paris to learn from the source.
Before Verzênay became Lincoln Park’s lowkey French patisserie for crisp croissants, deep conversation, and weekend rituals, it was just Arshiya and Aqeel—dreaming about building something of their own.
Arshiya had always felt at home in the kitchen. Aqeel understood the value of building something with purpose.
They weren’t chasing trends or trying to replicate anyone else. They wanted to create something personal.
Thoughtful. Delicious in a way that lingers.
So they started with what they had: a few folding tables at Green City Farmers Market, recipes from Arshiya’s time training in Paris, and a whole lot of care.
More Than a Bakery, By Design
Verzênay wasn’t built to go viral.
It was built to be the kind of Chicago bakery you return to—where the food is quietly excellent, the space feels like a reset, and the service knows your name (and maybe your macaron preference).
By the time they opened the brick-and-mortar in 2021, Verzênay had already earned a quiet, loyal following—people who appreciate a well-crafted pastry and a well-earned pause.
The regulars? They bring friends. They stay longer. They get it.
Because it’s not just the butter-forward kouign-amann, the quiche that melts before you finish chewing, or the made-this-morning macarons. It’s the ambiance. The details.
The way everything is done on purpose.
Inspired by Paris, Perfected with Heart
Arshiya trained at Ferrandi in Paris, then worked in world-renowned kitchens like Le Meurice and Arnaud Delmontel. Her standards are sky-high—and it shows.
Everything at Verzênay is handcrafted in-house, from scratch. It’s what defines us as an artisan French bakery in Chicago—not just what we make, but how we make it.
No shortcuts.
No prefab.
No pastry-in-a-box.
And while the technique is French, the soul is Chicago. Ingredients are local whenever possible. Farmers are part of the story. Freshness isn’t a slogan—it’s the rule.
It’s a foundation that shapes not just what they bake, but what comes next.
A Taste of What’s to Come
More of what makes people feel good.
More slow mornings with lavender tea.
More seasonal specials that surprise and delight.
More small moments that turn into rituals.
Arshiya and Aqeel aren’t chasing scale. They’re building something that lasts—rooted in quality, community, and care.
They’re staying true—to the pastry, to their people, and to the experience.
So whether you’re swinging by solo for a quiet bite, catching up with a friend, or picking up something gift-worthy that actually tastes like it was made with love—you’ll find it here.
At Verzênay, nothing’s rushed. Nothing’s random. Everything’s worth savoring!
Come by Lincoln Park and feel it for yourself.
Or browse our menu and start planning your next perfect bite.