Chimney cakes, a European delicacy with roots in Transylvania, are celebrated as Hungary’s oldest pastry. Made from sweet yeast dough rolled into a long rope and baked into a cylinder, they are coated in melted butter and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Sometimes, they’re served with ice cream on top — a treat you can experience at Ann Arbor’s House of Chimney Cakes Cafe.
Located at 216 S 4th Ave., House of Chimney Cakes is worth a visit. Having tried the original pastry in Europe, I’d say this cafe does a commendable job of recreating its signature flavor.
The cafe offers a pleasant ambiance, with friendly staff and quick service, something I greatly appreciated. However, one obvious feature of the place is the decor: pink dominates the interior, from the walls to the seats and even the countertops. While it is cheerful, a more subtle color scheme may have been preferable.
But their menu was certainly unique. Not only did they have chimney cakes with ice cream, other sections on their menu included Delectable Treats, açaí bowls, and one that I found particularly interesting — savory chimney cakes.
All in all, I would rate the House of Chimney Cakes 4.5 stars. The customer service and food were both excellent, though the chimney cake wasn’t quite what I remembered from Europe, and the vibrant pink decor felt overwhelming after a while. But despite these minor critiques, I’ll definitely be returning — I need to try the Matcha Monster — and would recommend all to try it at least once.
