The Best Chicago Brunch Restaurants

Brunch is arguably one of the meals of the day. You can have both savory and sweet and day drinking is encouraged! What’s not to love? Since Chicago has a killer culinary scene it can be a little overwhelming to know where to go, here are my favorite (or are on my list of places to go) Chicago brunch restaurants.

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Downtown

Avec

You can’t go wrong with Avec, and now they are open for brunch it’s a must-visit! Avec serves Mediterranean-inspired tapas and there is something (multiple things) for everyone. The food is fresh, flavorful, and delicious. It’s one of my favorite spots in the city.

Beatnik

I haven’t been yet, but this has the coolest bohemian vibe and is right on the river. There’s a terrace (enclosed in Winter), DJs, Mediterranean food, and fun brunch cocktails. It has a great reputation in the city.

Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe

This is the only pick on the list that doesn’t offer alcohol, but you can’t think of pancakes in Chicago without thinking of Wildberry. They have a massive menu with all sorts of pancake options, but if that’s not up your alley they offer lots of egg dishes too. Or get the best of both worlds and order an egg dish with a pancake on the side. They don’t take reservations and are wildly popular, so prepare to wait or get there early.

Cindy’s Rooftop

The reason you go to Cindy’s is for the retractable roof (which means you can go in when it’s not warm) right on Michigan Avenue with unmatched views of the bean. I mean…don’t discount the food, but you won’t get that view anywhere else.

Maple & Ash

One of my absolute favorite dinner restaurants, but I have yet to make it for brunch. When you are here it’s for a celebration. It’s pricey, but if it’s anything like dinner you will not regret it. It’s a scene at dinner, but a little more laid back during brunch.

Lincoln Park/Lakeview

Summer House Santa Monica

Like The Hampton Social, Summer House has a coastal vibe, but this time it’s California cool. Less fish on the menu, this is really all about laid-back American food. Fun fact: one time I went here for brunch and was wearing the same exact white and blue gingham shirts as the employees. That was fun!

Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!

Café Ba-Ba-Reeba is one of my favorite tapas places in the city and brunch tapas do not disappoint!

Blue Door Farm Stand

Farm-to-table classic American food with a French countryside aesthetic. I like to think this is what it’s like dining with Ina Garten.

Farm Bar

Midwest through and through, Farm Bar has an elevated take on comfort foods. Think Nutella croissant, pork belly poutine, and apple brandy maple syrup.

Little Goat

Stephanie Izard is high on the list of Chicago culinary icons and Little Goat is her version of a diner. Open Tuesday-Sunday and only until 3:00 this is a great option if you are visiting Chicago during the week. It’s also a much more affordable way to try Stephanie’s (did I mention she is a James Beard recipient) food than her other restaurants Duck Duck Goat and Girl & The Goat.

Related: 3 Day Chicago Itinerary for Spring and Summer

West Loop

Beatrix

Beatrix has a few locations around the city but my favorite is the Fulton Market location in the West Loop. Of course, they have indoor seating but they also have a ton of outdoor and I may love eating al fresca as much as I love eating brunch. Whether you want to go healthy or not so much, Beatrix has plenty to choose from. Hot tip, I always request my coffee in a to go cup up front so I can walk out with it once finished with brunch. Never not with 3 beverages at all points in time.

Bandit

They like to say they are “farm-to-bar” and they have a bottomless brunch to back it up. I haven’t made it here (yet) but the menu looks like it would be great for after a night on the town.

West Town (Wicker Park, East Village)

Lonesome Rose

The best Tex-Mex place in the city (I think it might be considered Logan Square or Bucktown actually) their queso is amazing as is the breakfast burrito. If it’s nice when you visit make sure to get a rooftop spot!

Paradise Park

Paradise Park is a fun spot any time of day, but do yourself a favor and go to the roof and find yourself an old-school patio chair to sit in. They could do well based on the gimmicks alone, but the cocktails are great (my last was topped with a mini donut) as is the breakfast pizza.

Parson’s Chicken & Fish

From the same group behind Lonesome Rose, Parson’s Chicken & Fish is known for its fried chicken, frozen boozy drinks, and amazing outdoor patios. They have a few spots in the city, but my favorite is the West Town location (although Logan Square is the original and has more outdoor space).

The Perch

A classic American brunch spot with indoor, outdoor, and beer garden seating, The Perch also has a wood-fired grill for various dishes. The blueberry cornbread and hashbrowns are some of my must-try recommendations.

Etta

Like Maple & Ash, and from the same group as Maple & Ash, Etta is one of my favorite dinner picks but I haven’t made it to brunch yet. Trust me, it’s on the list. They have both a River North and a Bucktown location but I love the roof at the Bucktown spot (you know how I love a good rooftop!) The focaccia at dinner is amazing so I can only imagine what it is like at brunch with jam and I love the wood-fired pizza for the table.

Cracked on Milwaukee

Cracked is the place you want to be when you’ve had a little too much fun out on the town and are looking for a breakfast sandwich and some tots to accompany your mimosa flight.

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