September 13, 2023

Brunchin' in the Windy City: Chicago's Best Brunch Places!

Discover the best brunch spots in Chicago, featuring unique flavors and innovative menus to satisfy every taste bud. Uncover the city's hidden gems and popular hotspots for your next weekend outing.

Richard Gargan
Richard Gargan
Reviewed from:
Illinois
Brunchin' in the Windy City: Chicago's Best Brunch Places!
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In the Windy City, there's no shortage of delicious and diverse options to satisfy your weekend cravings. From scrumptious savory dishes to delightful sweet treats, these top-notch brunch destinations offer a fantastic fusion of flavors that will leave you craving more. So, put on your stretchy pants, grab your friends, and get ready to indulge in Chicago's finest brunch offerings that promise to kick your weekend off to a mouth-watering start!

BRUNCH N BURGERS CHICAGO

2255 W Taylor St, Chicago

(312) 285-2965

Reviewed by:

Brunch N Burgers in Chicago is a must-visit hotspot for anyone in the area. The restaurant offers unique twists on classic Southern breakfast dishes and incredible burgers that will leave you feeling satisfied and happy. The staff is warm and friendly, and the atmosphere is perfect for a weekend brunch. Whether you're looking for classic brunch fare or innovative takes on old favorites, Brunch N Burgers is the perfect spot to satisfy your cravings. Highly recommended!

Lula Cafe

2537 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago

(773) 489-9554

Reviewed by:

Lula Cafe in Chicago is a cozy and delicious spot for brunch. The food is exceptional, with unique flavor combinations and thoughtful preparation that elevate even simple dishes. The ambiance is lively and the staff is friendly, making for a great dining experience. Reservations are recommended, but the value for the price is exceptional. The kitchen is clean and functional, and the lighting and creativity in the menu is evident. Overall, Lula Cafe is a local gem that is highly recommended.

Pastores Brunch

4661 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago

(773) 961-7841

Reviewed by:

Pastores Brunch is a fabulous spot for brunch in Chicago, with an attentive and generous staff who can even sing on key. The stuffed French toast and chicken and mini waffles with ample sauce options are stand-outs, but the fresh squeezed orange juice is the real star. The restaurant has a great vibe, friendly staff, and amazing food made with care. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a great brunch experience in Chicago.

Lou Mitchell's

565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago

(312) 939-3111

Reviewed by:

Lou Mitchell's is a wonderful classic diner in the heart of downtown Chicago and a great place to start your journey down Route 66. The atmosphere is affable, and the staff is the best. The coffee is great, and the food is delicious, especially the malted pecan and bacon waffle, cottage cheese omelet with ground beef, sausage, French toast with strawberries, banana, and toasted coconut, and Texas hash and eggs. Lou Mitchell's also offers homemade donut holes and orange slices upon arrival. The service is kind and friendly, and the restaurant is located in a nice neighborhood. Overall, Lou Mitchell's is a must-try for breakfast or brunch in Chicago.

The Hampton Social

353 W Hubbard St, Chicago

(312) 464-0500

Reviewed by:

The Hampton Social in Chicago is a great place to grab brunch, lunch or dinner. The spacious Long Island vibes lend themselves to a fun and social atmosphere, complete with live music. The food is fresh and delicious, with a buffet offering a great selection of dishes. The cocktails are on point and the service is quick and attentive. The decor and interior are beautiful and lend themselves to a comfy meet-and-mingle vibe. Highly recommended for a fun afternoon with friends!

Beatnik West Town

1604 W Chicago Ave, Chicago

(312) 929-4945

Reviewed by:

Beatnik West Town is a magical venue with an impressive vibe that is worth visiting. The decor and atmosphere are stunning, and the drinks and food are delicious. The menu could use some improvement, but the shareable plates are a great option to try new things. The staff, especially Nick, is friendly and offers great suggestions. Although it is pricey, it is recommended to split the dishes with a big group of people. Overall, the experience at Beatnik is highly recommended, especially for brunch in Chicago.

Batter & Berries

2748 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago

(773) 248-7710

Reviewed by:

Batter & Berries is a must-visit brunch spot in Chicago, with unique and delicious dishes and friendly, attentive service. The smothered chicken omelet, sausage omelet, and French toast dishes are all highly recommended. The BYOB option is a great touch, and the staff is knowledgeable about the menu. The chicken waffles were a bit heavy, but the outstanding waffles and fried chicken with sweet potato waffles made up for it. The French toast flight with blueberry, strawberry, lemon, and caramel options was a Yum yum good experience. Overall, Batter & Berries is a 5-star experience that should not be missed!

Yolk - South Loop

1120 S Michigan Ave, Chicago

(312) 789-9655

Reviewed by:

Yolk - South Loop is a great spot for brunch in Chicago. The food is delicious, with standout dishes like the omelets and French toast. The service is excellent, and the prices are reasonable. The only downside is that it can get busy after 9:30am, so it's best to arrive early. Overall, a highly recommended spot for a tasty breakfast or brunch.

Beatrix

519 N Clark St, Chicago

(312) 284-1377

Reviewed by:

Beatrix in Chicago offers amazing breakfast and brunch options with health-conscious ingredients that still taste amazing. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxing, and the service is great. The restaurant offers a good variety of options and has a coffee selection that is amazing. Freshly squeezed juices are also available. The food's presentation is well-cured, and the attention to detail puts this place higher than others. The service is excellent, and the waitstaff is attentive. The gluten-free options and vegetarian/vegan options are also appreciated. They also have a really good pastry counter. Overall, a great place for breakfast/brunch in the city that is definitely worth a visit.

The Whale

2427 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago

(773) 825-2900

Reviewed by:

The Whale in Chicago is an exceptional brunch spot with a cute 1920s vibe and elevated glam decor. Reservations are recommended for weekend visits, and the indoor and outdoor seating options make it perfect for large groups or a good time with friends. The brunch menu is delicious with standout dishes like the lobster waffles and fresh crab. The mimosas were also quite tasty. The theme of lavish casino lifestyle of the 1940s & 50s is well executed throughout the decor, service, and drinks. While the food looked better than it tasted, it was still creative and well put together. The Whale is a great place to get dinner, grab drinks, or take friends when they visit. The atmosphere is swanky and fun, and the staff is helpful and kind. The Lobster Tacos are a must-try!

Storyville Chicago

712 N Clark St, Chicago

(312) 741-9786

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Storyville Chicago offers a taste of New Orleans with its incredible food, atmosphere, and cocktails. The dessert, bananas foster, is a must-try with its unique presentation and delicious flavor. The ambiance is laid back and classy with tasteful music and attentive service. The Cajun pasta with steak, chicken wings, catfish nuggets, fried fish with Jambalaya, and Pimms Sup drinks are all delicious and generously portioned. The oyster bites are a standout dish with their flavorful sauce. The live band adds to the fun atmosphere. Overall, Storyville Chicago is a great spot for brunch in Chicago.

Yolk - Marina City

340 N State St, Chicago

(312) 477-7676

Reviewed by:

Yolk - Marina City in Chicago is a must-visit brunch spot. Their menu offers traditional favorites as well as unique original dishes that are sure to satisfy anyone's cravings. The portions are generous, and the food is delicious. The wait may be a bit long, but it is well worth it. The restaurant has a cute and cozy ambiance, and the service is exceptional. The chilequiles, chicken and waffles, red velvet French toast, corned beef hash, and cheesy grits are all highly recommended. Yolk is definitely a restaurant to visit again and again.

The VIG Chicago

1527 N Wells St, Chicago

(312) 982-2186

Reviewed by:

The VIG Chicago is a great place to grab brunch in Old Town. The burgers, salads, and chicken parmesan sandwich are all must-tries. The outdoor seating and friendly service make for a great dining experience. The bar offers a large selection of drinks, including specialty cocktails. The ribeye and cauliflower dish may not be for everyone, but the steak sandwich is highly recommended. The prices are a bit high, but worth it for the quality and experience. Overall, The VIG Chicago is a great local restaurant and a must-visit in the neighborhood.

Yolk - Streeterville

corner of Grand & McClurg, 355 E Ohio St, Chicago

(312) 822-9655

Reviewed by:

Yolk - Streeterville is highly recommended for brunch in Chicago. Despite wait-list times being off, the food and service were excellent. The countryside skillet and yolk all-star combo were highly recommended dishes. Although there were some issues with cold food and inconsistent attention from the server, the portabella mushroom salad and steak and eggs were noted as delicious and flavorful. The coffee was also bold and delicious. Overall, Yolk - Streeterville is a great spot for a satisfying brunch in Chicago.

The Breakfast Club and Grill

1381 W Hubbard St, Chicago

(312) 666-2372

Reviewed by:

The Breakfast Club and Grill is a fantastic brunch spot in Chicago with great service and delicious food. Though some menu items may be a bit pricey, the quality is worth it. The meat lover's skillet and French toast were standouts, and the avocado toast and strawberry jam were also tasty. The chef is talented and the atmosphere is relaxed. Despite the lack of a tie-in to the movie, it's a great spot for a date or get-together with friends.

Yolk - West Loop

500 W Madison St, Chicago

(312) 454-9655

Reviewed by:

Yolk - West Loop in Chicago is a super cute brunch spot located in the train station. The ambiance is lovely and the location is very clean, including the restroom. The food is fresh and pretty, but could use some seasoning. However, the server is excellent with speedy, prompt, and efficient service. The breakfast food is great, with the Mexican scrambler and banana nut French toast being amazing. It's also BYOB, which is a plus. The only downsides are the lack of alcohol and diversity in the menu. Despite this, the meal portions are generous and the server was very personable and helpful. Overall, Yolk - West Loop is a good breakfast spot in downtown Chicago that is worth the price.

Summer House Santa Monica

1954 N Halsted St, Chicago

(773) 634-4100

Reviewed by:

Summer House Santa Monica is a highly recommended restaurant for brunch in Chicago. With an ambiance similar to Michael's in Santa Monica, the restaurant offers excellent service and mostly great food. The flavors of the dishes are fresh and delicious, with a wide variety of options available. The decor and atmosphere of the restaurant are stylish and welcoming, making it a great spot for family and friends gatherings. Highly recommended dishes include the truffle fries, shrimp cocktail, Ahi tuna poke nachos, spicy rigatoni, and coconut cream pie. Although reservations are a must, the excellent service and divine bakery make it worth the visit.

nana

3267 S Halsted St, Chicago

(312) 929-2486

Reviewed by:

Nana for brunch in Chicago offers a great variety of food, quality products, good service, and a cozy environment. The fried avocado and fried chicken & pancakes are must-try dishes, and the mimosas are made with fresh squeezed OJ. The restaurant has been remodeled and has a beautiful inside as well as patio, making it perfect for any meal. The staff feels like family, and the prices won’t hurt your pockets. While some have had negative experiences with service or wait times, the delicious food and quick service make it worth stopping by. Overall, Nana is a great option for brunch in the neighborhood.

Wake ‘n Bacon

420 W Belmont Ave, Chicago

(773) 880-5100

Reviewed by:

Wake ‘n Bacon is a must-visit brunch spot for tourists, visitors and residents of Chicago. The atmosphere is great and the service is top-notch. The ability to order directly from a phone is a plus. The decor is breathtaking and the free mirror for photos with on the spot prints is fabulous. The bacon is absolutely amazing, juicy and perfectly flavored. The Wake ‘n Bacon burger, berry bliss crepes, chicken and waffles, and purple haze coffee are all delicious. The staff is friendly and the service is fast. The chairs could be more comfortable, but that's a minor issue. Overall, Wake ‘n Bacon is highly recommended!

The River Kitchen and Bar

2909 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago

(773) 935-7500

Reviewed by:

Despite some minor setbacks, The River Kitchen and Bar's Drag Brunch was an enjoyable experience. While the limited view of the performers was a bit of a disappointment, the food was wonderful and the service was great. The bouncer was strict, but ultimately just doing their job. The show itself was fantastic and the servers were nice and attentive. There were some inconsistencies with the food, with some items being underwhelming, but the avocado toast, bacon, and hash browns were a crowd favorite. Some guests found the cost to be too high, especially for larger groups, but overall the experience was worth it.

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