Whether you need an instant mood boost, are searching for a group activity, or are looking to cure a hangover from the night before, brunch is the solution to all problems. Luckily, Chicago has an abundance of superior morning eats and brunch in Chicago.
How we handpick Chicago’s brunch spots
Our team has carefully selected each brunch spot on this list. Our editors and the Secret Chicago team depend on personal experiences, recommendations, editorial reviews, customer feedback, and thorough research to bring you the most delicious brunch in Chicago. This list is regularly updated as we discover new openings and revisit established favorites.
The best brunch spots in Chicago
Little Goat Diner
With Stephanie Izard, the first female chef to win Bravo’s Top Chef, at the helm, you can bet your bottom dollar the Little Goat Diner will serve a Chicago brunch to please the pickiest of people. A menu dedicated to brunching and serving spectacular dishes all day makes this an ever-reliable brunch spot that always exceeds expectations.
The retro midcentury-modern diner is casual and cozy, so you can brunch away in comfort and choose from an array of delectable brunch options, both traditional and worldly.
📍Address: 3325 N Southport Ave, Chicago
BLVD Steakhouse
BLVD’s glamorous outdoor dining room evokes an enchanting secret garden adorned with lush greenery, luxe upholstery, and romantic string lighting.
Guests can now enjoy steakhouse favorites alongside new dishes like King Crab Benedict, TK Chopped Salad, and Maine Lobster Roll in the restaurant’s all-season covered Atrium. While devouring the delectable brunch options, you can sip brunch-forward cocktails, Champagne, and rosé.
📍Address: 817 W Lake St., Chicago, IL 60607
Lula Cafe
The dining room and patio at Lula Cafe offer an incredible brunch in Chicago. The long-established menu can be enjoyed while overlooking the square.
Consistently identified as one of Chicago’s best brunch spots, Lula Cafe cannot be overemphasized. You can’t go wrong with Lula Cafe, another neighborhood staple that uses locally sourced ingredients and offers a range of vegan and gluten-free options.
📍Address: 2537 N Kedzie Avenue, Chicago
Honeybear Cafe
Honeybear Cafe is a down-to-earth, family-owned restaurant in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Almost everything is homemade at Honeybear Cafe, and as a scratch kitchen, as much as possible is sourced locally.
If you’re looking for somewhere to feel wholesome and healthy while tucking into some delicious tacos, French toast, or a vegan tofu scrambler, Honeybear is that place.
📍Address: 7036 N Clark St, Chicago
Wake ‘N Bacon
Wake ‘N Bacon boasts both an astounding chic setup with an abundance of floral decorations from the ceiling and a menu of distinct flavors from Latin America, Asia, and America.
The Chicago brunch menu offers burritos, Hawaiian bread options, bagels, pancakes, chia puddings, and spiced maple chicken ‘n waffles, which are our favorite if you have a sweet tooth.
📍Address: 420 W Belmont Avenue, Chicago
Summer House Santa Monica
With all the fantastic Chicago diners, sometimes it’s nice to change things up. Lincoln Park’s Summer House Santa Monica, with its bright and breezy dining room, will transport you to sunny California.
If you’re looking for an instant mood boost, this is it. This beautiful restaurant has coastal touches, hanging plants, and a glass retractable roof that echos a stunning setting channeling West Coast charm. You certainly won’t be disappointed when you’re enjoying one of their brilliant brunch options.
📍Address: 1954 North Halsted Street, Chicago
The Publican
While The Publican is chiefly a seafood and pork restaurant offering hand-selected and sustainably raised fish, the rustic Fulton Market spot also offers a charming brunch with various meat and vegetarian options.
📍Address: 837 West Fulton Market, Chicago
Maple & Ash
If you’re in search of an upscale, boozy brunch in Chicago, look no further than Maple & Ash in the Gold Coast. The luxurious spot has an equally sumptuous menu.
You can with the iced seafood tower, which includes shrimp cocktail, oysters, Alaskan king crab, tuna tartare, & sashimi. Or, if you want a more breakfast-skewed meal, order the Alaskan crab eggs benedict, the baked French toast, or the French omelet.
📍Address: 8 West Maple Street, Chicago
Lou Mitchell’s
While age doesn’t always guarantee quality, it is difficult to ignore one of Chicago’s oldest restaurants, Lou Mitchell’s. With various pancakes, waffles, and omelets, there are plenty of options, and this old-school dining experience is sure to exceed expectations.
📍Address: 565 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago
Chicago Diner
The famed diner often makes it into lists of the best vegan restaurants in Chicago, and rightly so. A large menu offers anything ranging from pancakes to black bean veggie burgers, but it’s what they can do with seitan and tofu that will blow your mind and your taste buds.
📍Address: 3411 N Halsted Street, Chicago
📍Address: 2333 N Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
Batter & Berries
Talk to anyone about Batter & Berries, and they’ll mention the phenomenal French toast. Available in strawberry, blueberry, lemon, and caramel flavors, the French toast is a must-try for brunch fanatics. For the real deal, the French Toast Flight offers a taste of all four.
With its bright floral surroundings, hearty brunch, and fantastic service, Batter & Berries is unsurprisingly one of the most popular Chicago brunch options in the whole city.
📍Address: 2748 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
Pick Me Up Cafe
Pick Me Up Cafe is another restaurant offering a fantastic array of vegan and vegetarian fare. However, unlike the Chicago Diner, Pick Me Up Cafe has just as many meat options. Any group can find a variety of dishes to satisfy all needs.
Whether you’re looking for a Vegan Tofu scramble, Bacon Benedict, or Huevos Rancheros Deluxe, the brunch options at Pick Me Up Cafe are sensational.
📍Address: 4882 N Clark St, Chicago
The Bongo Room
The Bongo Room is a beloved brunch spot in Chicago. This casual café offers an exceptional brunch in a relaxed atmosphere. Many patrons often choose meat or meat-free burritos and croissant sandwiches. You won’t want to miss the decadent Lobster Benedict, which has garnered a loyal fanbase.
📍Address: 1470 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Beatrix
You’ll struggle to find a more reliable brunch spot than Beatrix. With multiple locations around the city, the friendly chain of cozy cafĂ©s offers fresh-squeezed juices and an outstanding brunch menu.
The popular all-day eatery focuses on healthy and affordable options, from light & fluffy lemon pancakes to steak, chimichurri & eggs. You can guarantee that Beatrix has something for everybody. Finding a convenient meeting place with a small collection of well-located coffeehouses and restaurants shouldn’t be hard.
📍Address: 519 N Clark Street (River North)
📍Address: 834 W. Fulton Market (Fulton Market)
📍Address: 671 N. St. Clair Street (Streeterville)
Tweet
Tweet is nestled within a vintage art deco building. It serves a wide range of classic and non-traditional dishes in a comfortable but unique setting.
Almost everything on the menu is under $15, including delicious dishes like Eggs Florentine, Portabella Benedict, and Avocado Toast Platter. There are spectacular drinks, including sangrias, mimosas, craft beers, iced coffees, and iced teas. Oh, and the service is superb.
📍Address: 5024 N Sheridan Road, Chicago
Miru
Located in the St. Regis Hotel, Miru will offer an incredible brunch in Chicago every Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Combining traditional Japanese offerings like Chawanmushi and Okonomiyaki with classics given an Asian twist like Breakfast Boa and  Buttermilk Pancakes with whipped yuzu ricotta, the result is a uniquely crafted brunch experience.
And that’s not all; there’s (Build Your Own) Temaki, Tokyo Brunch served in the traditional Japanese breakfast style, and sweet treats like Coconut Chia Pudding with compressed mango and raspberries brought to you by the Executive Pastry Chef Juan Gutierrez.
📍Address: 401 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601