Best brunch in Chicago

41 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People often name Lula Cafe when asked for brunch, and some call it a favorite. One diner calls the brunch delicious and names the babka and breakfast burrito, and another picks the French toast and grits. One repeat visitor says it has never impressed them, and another likes the food but finds the casual setting unsuited to dressing up.

21 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club for brunch across its Chicago locations; one commenter places a branch on Damen by the Brown Line. Several diners praise the food: one calls its brunch potatoes the best they have had across its three locations, and another says the skillets are big enough to stretch into two meals. One diner found the diced potatoes at its Ravenswood branch very bad.

20 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend M Henry's for brunch, and many place it in Andersonville; one commenter names the Clark Street and Hollywood location, which is the one listed here. One commenter calls its blackberry cakes the best, another says everything they order is solid with good coffee, and one says the food is tasty but has only eaten there outdoors in summer.

Andersonville

19 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Uncle Mike's Place for brunch, and some point to its Filipino breakfast. One commenter calls the longanisa-and-tocino combo and the lugaw a personal favorite, another calls the lugaw excellent, and one says the plates are so generous that a table fills up with food. Commenters place it in West Town, and one calls it the only real brunch pick there.

West Town

18 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People name Dove's Luncheonette as a brunch pick, and a few call it a favorite. One diner praises the breakfast and the masa pancakes, and another prefers it to Wildberry because similar food is easy to find elsewhere while Dove's stands out. Commenters place it in Wicker Park. Two commenters push back on the pick, one in a single word.

Wicker

16 people recommendvia r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood

People recommend Big Jones for brunch, and many place it among Andersonville's picks. Some describe its food as Southern, and one praises its New Orleans cooking. One diner calls the crab cake Benedict outstanding, and one visitor enjoyed an earlier meal but found the room very empty on a return visit.

Andersonville

16 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Tre Kronor for brunch. One diner says the whole menu is great and dreams about the lingonberry pancakes, another goes whenever they want things done exactly right, and one calls it an underrated find. A couple of commenters note it is some way out from downtown.

15 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Obelix for brunch, and several point to the food as delicious or very good. One diner who visited for Sunday brunch rated the food highest and would recommend brunch in River North, one says the brunch is amazing, and another suggests ordering all the pastries. One diner calls the brunch solid, and another says Obelix is very nice.

River North

14 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/chicagofood

People recommend Daisies for brunch, and several name it as the clear pick. One diner who has visited twice calls it great, another prefers its brunch to its dinner, and one calls it a top-tier brunch pick with a roomy layout and an approachable menu, though not their personal favorite. One diner finds the food good but heavy, and one calls it overrated and suggests lowering expectations.

14 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Honeybear Cafe in Rogers Park for brunch, and one ranks it among their favorite brunch spots in the city. Several diners say the portions are large, one praises the chilaquiles trio, another the French toast, and one recommends the wildcat skillet. One diner rated the taste mediocre despite the large portions, and one was let down on each of a few visits.

Rogers Park

13 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Chief O'Neill's for brunch, and many point to its buffet. One calls the Sunday brunch buffet amazing, another calls it a go-to buffet with endless mimosas and a lovely back garden, and one says their older parents love the brunch. One diner finds the Saturday brunch less good than the Sunday one.

13 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood

People recommend Ann Sather for breakfast and brunch across its Chicago restaurants; commenters name Lakeview and Edgewater and a branch by the Granville red line stop, which is the one listed here. One diner calls the giant cinnamon rolls the best, another loved the crab cake Benedict, and one praises the Southern Decadence, a Benedict-style plate with biscuits and sausage gravy. One diner found the cinnamon rolls dry after repeated tries, and another finds the ham steak too thick, though a third likes its thickness.

12 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Longman & Eagle for brunch. A few single out the Bloody Mary, and one enjoyed the breakfast sandwich. One diner reports five recent brunch visits with consistently strong food, and another calls the brunch solid even though the place may have peaked in popularity.

12 people recommendvia r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood, X

People recommend Tiztal Cafe on Clark for brunch. Several praise the chilaquiles, and one also loves the country fried steak. Two commenters mention the oatmeal shakes, one says the patio and fresh juices are very good, and another says the food is homemade.

Clark

11 people recommendvia r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood

People recommend Lou Mitchell's when asked for brunch or breakfast, and two commenters place it near Union Station. One points to its classic diner menu, and another recommends it for diner-style omelettes and fresh juice. Two commenters describe it as long-established, and one rates the menu well only when pressed for an opinion.

10 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend The Publican for brunch. One diner calls the potatoes excellent, another says the brunch there is great, and one says it mixes distinctive items with classic brunch plates. A couple of commenters say it works for kids. One finds the dishes fairly ordinary, though suited to picky eaters.

10 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/chicagofood

People name Cozy Corner for brunch. One commenter calls the Hipster Benedict remarkably good, another finds the portions generous for a traditional American brunch, and one always asks for well-done potatoes and finds them crisp. Two diners were let down: one found the sausage gravy on the Hipster Benedict bland, and the other found the hollandaise on their pictured dish fell short.

Logan Square

10 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Kasama for brunch, and a few single out the pastries or baked goods as excellent; one diner says it lives up to the buzz. A couple of commenters call it overrated, one for brunch and one for sitting down, and another wants somewhere more relaxed.

9 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba for brunch; one describes it as a Spanish tapas spot with a large brunch, and another cites the sangria and plates meant for sharing. Two say it suits a larger group, and one calls it especially good in summer. One diner calls it a regular brunch spot when family visits, with a menu that mixes fun and kid-friendly options.

9 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Beatrix for brunch; commenters name the West Loop location, and one says it is their favorite among its several city locations. One calls it probably the best answer for a last-minute brunch, another says they bring people there when unsure what they will like, and one suggests it for coffee and pastry options.

West Loop

9 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

People recommend Eden for brunch, and several praise the brunch itself, with one singling out the pastries. One diner likes the mocktails, another a good Bloody Mary, and one commenter recommends it for its beautiful interior. One says it is their group's usual brunch pick when diets and tastes vary, and one who has not eaten there yet thinks it looks like a pleasant brunch option.

9 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Summer House for brunch, and one commenter names the Lincoln Park location, which is the one listed here. A couple say they prefer its brunch to its dinner, one diner rates the bakery items highly, and a couple like the look of the place. One visitor found the brunch weak, and one diner with a toddler called the food passable, though the child loved the donuts.

Lincoln Park

9 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, X

People recommend Eleven City Diner in the South Loop for brunch, and two point to it as a kid-friendly option. One diner calls its deep-fried diced potatoes very good, and another says they love the place. One commenter finds it aggressively mediocre.

South Loop

8 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Park & Field for brunch, and a couple suggest it for group brunches. Several point to its drinks, and a couple praise the patio. One diner finds the food mediocre, and two haven't been in years, so the current experience may differ.

8 people recommendvia r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood

People recommend North Pond for brunch, and its setting is described as scenic and lakeside. The food is praised, with one saying the grits are excellent on the Sunday brunch menu, and a couple suggest it for special occasions, with one calling it dressy without feeling stiff.

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood

People recommend the cafe at 3 Arts Club inside RH Chicago for brunch, and several praise the setting as beautiful or lovely. A few say the food is great or really good, and one diner loves the smoked salmon plate. Commenters differ on the patio: one says it is not a real patio, and another says it has a patio feel.

Restoration Hardware

7 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Handlebar for brunch, and one diner calls its brunch great. A few point to its vegetarian and vegan options, and a couple like its back patio.

7 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

Seven commenters recommend Kie Gol Lanee for brunch, an Oaxacan restaurant with Uptown and Logan Square locations; one names the Uptown location, which is the one listed here. One diner praises the Oaxacan food and calls a recent brunch fantastic, and two call the brunch outstanding or very good. One commenter calls the tamales divorciados one of their favorite brunch dishes and says in their opinion the Logan Square branch is just as good as the original. Most commenters don't say which location they mean.

7 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

People recommend A Taste of Heaven as a brunch spot, and those who name a neighborhood say Andersonville. One diner says they love it, and most others simply name it.

Andersonville

7 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

People recommend Avec for brunch, and one diner calls the brunch extremely good, praising the bacon-wrapped dates, focaccia and pastries. One calls it a strong brunch spot in River North with a bright, airy room, and another calls the brunch outstanding.

River North

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Cindy's rooftop at the Chicago Athletic Association hotel for brunch, and several praise the rooftop views. One diner praises its French toast, another says the dishes are meant for sharing, and one likes bringing visitors there before the Art Institute. One commenter finds the food only average and suggests going just for cocktails.

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood

People recommend Aba for brunch in the West Loop, and a couple find the setting beautiful or very pretty. One diner who has gone for brunch more than once likes the terrace and the Middle Eastern food, and a couple suggest the rooftop. One thinks its bolder dishes would be too much for a picky group.

West Loop

6 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Lark for brunch, and a few mention its drag brunch: one ranks it among the best drag brunches they have tried and prefers it for the food, and another attended and praised the format. One diner found the food exceptional, and one who has not visited lately calls the food very solid and says it used to host a drag brunch.

Boystown

6 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Pleasant House Pub for brunch. One person describes a recent brunch there as enjoyable, another names the French toast with blueberry compote and cream sauce as a favorite brunch pick, and one likes going for brunch there. One commenter calls the pub underrated.

6 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend The Duck Inn for brunch, and commenters place it in Bridgeport as a Southside option. One diner names it their favorite brunch and likes the outdoor dining, another calls the brunch quite good though very filling, and one praises the food highly. One says it is fairly near the ballpark.

6 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

People recommend Kitsch'n on Roscoe for brunch. One diner loves it, calling it quirky and fun with consistently good food, and a commenter praises the hash browns. One calls it a good, laid-back place for brunch, and another says it serves brunch every day.

Roscoe

6 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

People recommend Superkhana for brunch. One diner who tried the brunch menu found all the brunch sandwiches good, and another calls the chai-spiced French toast very good. One says they have been going recently, and another says its atmosphere is quite distinct from the other spots they list.

6 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

People recommend Breakfast House for breakfast and brunch, and one commenter calls it kind of a local chain. One says the Ashland location, which is the one listed here, consistently gets the poached eggs and hollandaise right, and one calls the BLT Benedict great. Another says that across its locations it offers plenty for mixed groups, including vegetarian and vegan options, and one calls it solid all around.

Ashland

6 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend The Vig for brunch. It has Old Town and West Loop locations, and commenters name both; the one listed here is the West Loop location. One recommends it as a lively daytime brunch pick for a bachelorette group, and another suggests it for a drinks-friendly brunch where the food is strong. One calls it very good and another a pleasant surprise.

6 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

Six people name Bayan Ko Diner in answers to brunch requests, and one says it recently opened in Ravenswood. One diner calls the ube pancakes at this Filipino-Cuban fusion diner delicious. Most others simply name it.

Ravenswood

6 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

One diner describes a first-hand brunch visit where the khachapuri, hummus and cake slice stood out, and another says the brunch food is excellent and the back patio is calm. Others list Fiya among brunch spots without describing it, and commenters place it in Andersonville.

Andersonville

6 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

People recommend El Mariachi for brunch: one for a Mexican boozy brunch, one for bottomless brunch, and one points to the brunch at the Broadway location. Most others simply name it.

6 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Southport Grocery & Cafe for brunch. One diner described a recent first-hand visit and was pleasantly surprised by the flavor, and another calls it the best, liking its drip coffee and house-made baked goods. One calls it a decent brunch spot, and another calls it lackluster.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

Golden Nugget Pancake House comes up for brunch mostly at its Diversey and Pulaski branch. Two praise the cinnamon roll pancake there, one calling it very sweet, and one says they have never left hungry. One treats it only as a fallback if the group is fine with the place.

Diversey Pulaski

5 people recommendvia r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood

People recommend Roscoe's Tavern for drag brunch, and one calls it a long-standing community institution. One says the weekend brunch package makes a fun outing for drag fans, and another enjoys the brunch and finds the food better than some other spots. One found the brunch just okay: fun, with good performers but a more relaxed vibe.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend The Dawson for brunch. One diner says the food was great, another calls the brunch great and says the patio is a good choice in nice weather, and one calls the brunch solid and a less trendy option. Another names it among brunch options.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

Five people name Nookies for brunch; commenters who name a location say Wells, which is the one listed here. One diner calls it great and suggests the croque madame if it is on the specials, and another says they never finish their plate. One has not been but thinks it looks good.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

People name Pauline's as a brunch option; one places it in Andersonville and another in Ravenswood. One diner rates the crab eggs Benedict excellent, and another says it is a bit out of the way but has sat outside there with a baby.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People name Un Amor as a brunch pick. One commenter says it has a Latin influence, and another says it serves a Guatemalan-style breakfast. Most others simply name it.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

People recommend Pompette for brunch. One diner says it has their favorite eggs Benedict, another enjoys the brunch a lot, and one calls it a good seated brunch pick next to Lula Cafe, as an alternative to casual spots. Others simply name it.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People name Doma Cafe as a brunch pick. One diner recommends it for a breakfast sandwich with hash brown and its olive oil cake, and the others simply name it.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Five commenters name Flying Saucer for brunch. One says the food is great and the vibe is good and feels it deserves a higher spot on a list of options. Two simply name it as a direct answer and two include it in longer lists, so there is little more detail on what to expect.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Luella's Southern Kitchen for brunch. One diner says every meal there has been good, and another calls it a great weekend brunch spot. One commenter says it is not quite a perfect fit for the request but still recommends it.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Pick Me Up Cafe for brunch. One diner calls it a favorite and praises the breakfast potatoes, one calls the smoked salmon Benedict with dill hollandaise incredible, and another says it suits groups with mixed diets. One commenter says it is worth visiting even though it sits north of Lakeview.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Kanela Breakfast Club for brunch; it is a chain, and the one listed here is the Andersonville location, which one commenter calls really good despite it being a chain. One lists it among Andersonville brunch options, and another says the food is amazing.

Andersonville

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

People recommend Batter & Berries for brunch, and commenters who name a location say Lakeview, which is the one listed here. Two recommend the French toast flight, one of them calling it outstanding, and one of those says they cannot speak to the other locations. One calls it one of the city's best breakfast spots and praises the French toast.

Lakeview

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

People recommend Andros Taverna for brunch. Some single out the pastries, with one calling the baklava bear claw among Chicago's best, and one says the food was delicious. A couple call it a favorite brunch spot with a Greek twist on eggs and dishes not found at typical brunch spots.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

People recommend MingHin for brunch across more than one location: one commenter calls the Aon Building branch the better one, and another likes the Streeterville interior and calls Lakeshore East nice too. One suggests its dim sum as an alternative pick, and one had a blast at a brunch visit there.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

One diner says they love brunch at Wilde and rates the chicken and waffles highly. When people were looking for a holiday-style brunch replacement, others suggested it, and two mention the festive decor and fires.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, X

People recommend Pastores for brunch, and two commenters place it in Lincoln Square. One calls it the best option for Mexican brunch, another says they love the chilaquiles, and one says it is very good.

Lincoln Square

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Five people name Etta for brunch, but only one describes a visit: that diner enjoyed a Sunday brunch and describes the menu as eclectic. The others are bare names in lists of suggestions.

5 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Cafe Robey comes up for brunch, and one diner who went with family says the meal was very good. Another says the breakfast and brunch menu is pretty solid and fits larger groups. One enjoyed it but said the orange juice was not fresh, and another found a couple of dishes lackluster and is surprised it gets recommended.

5 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood

People recommend Frasca for brunch. One diner calls the Paulina location a solid brunch and says a visit with their parents was fantastic, and another says the hash browns at the Roscoe Village spot are great though unconventional. One calls it mediocre and wonders how it has lasted so long.