The renowned Ravenswood bakery, Sweet Moon Cafe & Bakery, has opened its doors in Wilmette. Known for its signature ‘Medovik,’ or Russian honey cake, the bakery offers thin, cookie-like honey layers separated by tangy sour cream. The new location at 1222 Washington Court is directly opposite Wilmette’s Metra station. It features a variety of fusion-style baked goods from around the world.
Aigerim Mambetova, the owner, moved to the U.S. from Kyrgyzstan in 2012 with her husband Marlen Alchinov and niece Zhannat Raiymbek Kyzy, who manages both bakery locations. Mambetova started Sweet Moon in Chicago due to dissatisfaction with local cakes. “Everything was too sweet and filled with chemicals,” she shared. She began baking at home, and her unique cakes quickly became popular within her community. Consequently, she decided to sell them.
Earlier this month, the first Sweet Moon location in Ravenswood celebrated its five-year anniversary. The Wilmette branch commenced operations on October 24, 2026, offering a range of Eastern European, Slavic, and American pastries. The menu also includes various breakfast and lunch options.
Mambetova’s pastries are handcrafted from scratch, representing traditional cuisines of Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the U.S. Their bakers begin in-house preparations at midnight, continuing until 7 a.m., when goods are delivered to both storefronts. When Sweet Moon launched in 2021, Mambetova and her husband managed all baking from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Today, with an expanded team, Mambetova focuses more on refining recipes and managing operations. She noted, “The menu took me about three years to create.” Her knowledge comes from self-learning through YouTube and social media, without formal training.
The Kiev cake, an adaptation of the Ukrainian Kyiv cake, is a standout feature. It consists of hazelnut or cashew meringue layers filled with chocolate and vanilla buttercream. Another notable offering is their sea buckthorn tea, made from berries imported from Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan.
Raiymbek Kyzy, the manager, remarked that Mambetova once disliked baking. Her passion developed as she sought pastries not available locally. The Wilmette community’s supportive nature delights her, as patrons now engage more personally with staff.
Soon after opening, Mambetova plans a launch party to engage with residents further. Sweet Moon operates daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Tuesdays, when closed. Patrons can enjoy pastries, coffee, teas, and other menu items until closing.