We're not saying bigger is better. But in the case of Umaga Bakehouse , it doesn't hurt.

At nearly 4,000 square feet, it’s one of the largest Filipino bakeries in the U.S., and Aida Napoles of AGN Design turned that space into a sun-dappled, modern refuge for sweet-toothed Chicagoans. Think warm earth tones, bronze tile accents, floor-to-ceiling windows and a bespoke S-shaped wooden table that curves through the space, doubling as seating and display.

Umaga has earned buzz for its Filipino staples, from fluffy ensaymada to hot pandesal, ube-infused treats and even halo-halo. Now, Napoles' work has been named to the shortlist for the 2025 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards.

The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards , founded in 2008 in the U.K., sees over 14,000 entries from 100 countries

See Full Page