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A skillet of steak and eggs.
Tanta’s brunch features a host of Peruvian delights.
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Chicago’s Iconic Brunch Restaurants

These essential spots serve stellar Bloodies, Benedicts, and more

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Tanta’s brunch features a host of Peruvian delights.
| Official Photo

Where to brunch is perhaps the most important decision of the weekend and with so much at stake, it's imperative that the right choice is made. While the Eater Chicago Brunch Heatmap highlights what’s new and popular at the moment, the following is an overall look at the essential spots around town for eggs, waffles, Bloody Marys, and more. The latest additions to the list include French-Mexican restaurant Tzuco, modern Indian specialist Superkhana International, and West Town soda fountain Spinning J.

As of August 20, the city has mandated that everyone wear facial coverings while indoors. For updated information on coronavirus cases, please visit the city of Chicago’s COVID-19 dashboard. Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may still pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

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M. Henry

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Andersonville’s beloved daytime cafe has an excellent brunch menu that satisfies every palate. Sweets include cinnamon roll French toast; vegans can enjoy the organic tofu scramble; and "Fannie’s Killer Fried Egg Sandwich" is a delicious combination of eggs, Applewood bacon, plum tomatoes, thyme, and Gorgonzola on toasted sourdough. Seating is first come, first served so get there early to avoid the long lines. Online ordering is available here.

The signature <span data-author="-1">“Fannie’s Killer Fried Egg Sandwich,” with eggs, bacon, tomatoes, and Gorgonzola.</span>
M. Henry is an Andersonville go-to for midday dining.
M. Henry [Official Photo]

Big Jones

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Focusing on locally-grown and sustainably-farmed ingredients, chef Paul Fehribach produces some of the finest Southern cuisine in Chicago at Big Jones. Weekend brunch staples include beignets, fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and “Eggs Bayou LaFourche” — a riff on eggs Benedict featuring crawfish cakes in popovers with poached eggs and béarnaise sauce. Online ordering is available here.

A stack of griddle cakes topped with powdered sugar and strawberries.
Big Jones is one of Chicago’s best Southern restaurants.
Big Jones [Official Photo]

Luella's Southern Kitchen

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Few things in life are as pleasurable as starting the day off with juicy fried chicken. Paying homage to his great-grandmother Luella, chef-owner Darnell Reed whips up Southern comfort foods to nourish the soul. Diners can expect chicken gumbo, salmon croquettes, shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and more. The buttermilk biscuits and skillet cornbread are also can’t-miss sides. Place online orders here.

Superkhana International

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Logan Square’s Superkhana International is a modern Indian restaurant unlike any other. Chef-owners Zeeshan Shah and Yoshi Yamada started off by hosting pop-up dinners before transforming the concept into a full-scale operation in 2019. The pair celebrate Indian cooking with creative spins on classic recipes and during brunch hours, the menu offers dishes like a bun omelet sandwich; French toast with gajar halwa, almond dukkah, and galub jamun syrup; and uttapam — savory griddle cakes with peas, Thai chili, and coconut chutney. The beverages are similarly intriguing and include a Bloody Mary with cumin tequila and a garam masala sour. Online orders can be placed here.

Batter & Berries

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Chicagoans indulge their sweet tooths on a variety of luscious French toasts at this Lincoln Park cafe, such as caramel French toast topped with candied walnuts, caramel batter, and dulce de leche. Can’t decide on just one? Sample them all in a flight. Even sweeter: The restaurant is BYOB. Online ordering is available here.

A French toast flight.
Batter & Berries specializes in French toasts.
Batter & Berries [Official Photo]

Frances' Deli and Brunchery

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Chef Derek Rylon started a revolution when he opened Batter & Berries, just north of the Lincoln Park and Lakeview border. He’s now cranking out waffle flights and more at Frances, a former Jewish deli that now focuses on brunch services every day. The syrups and sauces are house made in Frances as Rylon takes evolves his tried and true formula.

Lula Cafe

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Jason Hammel helped spark the farm-to-table movement in Chicago and his Logan Square spot remains an exemplar of seasonal and locally-sourced cuisine. The popular restaurant is always busy in the mornings, when guests have options such as brioche French toast, French omelet, and rotating breakfast sandwiches to choose from. Online orders can be placed here.

A bowl of noodle soup.
Lula Cafe is a pioneer of farm-to-table cuisine in Chicago.
Lula Cafe [Official Photo]

Nellie’s Restaurant

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This classic Puerto Rican restaurant features a weekend brunch buffet that’s legendary. For about $24, adults can feast on pastelón, roasted pork, and more. But the jewel is the coconut oatmeal. Nellie’s avena de coco is an addicting and simple dish that will give diners cravings at random times. There’s also breakfast jibaritos served with eggs.

Maple & Ash

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Opulent steakhouse Maple & Ash dials things up a few notches during Sunday brunch. For $75 per person, diners get their choice of entrée plus French toast, fire-roasted filet mignon, crispy breakfast potatoes, and maple-glazed bacon to share with the table. There are also a la carte seafood towers, large format cocktails, and a $125 “I Don’t Give a F*@k” tasting menu. All in all it’s one of the most lavish brunch experiences in town.

Spinning J

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Small, charming, and retro-inspired, Spinning J is the type of gem every neighborhood deserves. The bustling bakery and café evokes nostalgic feelings thanks to its vintage centerpieces: A Liquid Carbonic marble bar that dates back to 1928 and a Bastian Blessing soda fountain. Regulars keep coming back for the tasty pies and sodas crafted with house-made syrups, but don’t sleep on the food menu. There’s a killer breakfast sandwich, a smoked trout bialy, pot pies, rotating stratas and quiches, and more. Online ordering is available here.

Chef-owner Carlos Gaytan takes traditional Mexican cuisine in a bold and upscale direction at Tzuco. By incorporating French techniques into his cooking, Gaytan creates refined versions of ceviche, chilaquiles, tlacoyo, huarache, and other Mexican staples. Complementing them are fun and original dishes like Belgian waffles served with duck leg carnitas, and French toast — made of orange-infused sweet sponge bread — topped with pink peppercorn ice cream.

Regional Peruvian specialties drive Tanta but the menu is also heavily influenced by the country’s diverse ethnic makeup. Using ingredients and techniques from China, Japan, Italy, and Spain, the kitchen delivers irresistible dishes like chaufa aeropuerto, a pork-and-veggie fried rice topped with a shrimp omelet; and pollo a la brasa, a Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken. Though diners can order off the full dinner menu during the daytime, don’t overlook brunch options such as the soy-glazed pork served with bao buns (la fiesta del lechon). And when it’s warm out, the rooftop terrace is one of the city’s best outdoor destinations. Online ordering is available here.

The Publican

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Specializing in pork and seafood, One Off Hospitality's European-inspired beer hall has been a Chicago essential for more than a decade. The menu changes constantly but one will always find maple-syrup-braised pub bacon, crispy hash browns, and a terrific waffle served with honey butter and jam. Online orders can be placed here.

Roister

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The Alinea Group’s casual and lively restaurant is decidedly less upscale than its siblings, but the food is just as impressive. The brunch menu boasts charred corn and avocado toast, green tomato BLT, smoked rib eye and eggs, and arguably one of the best fried chicken sandwiches in Chicago.

A fried chicken sandwich.
Roister serves its famous fried chicken sandwich during brunch.
Jeffy Mai/Eater Chicago

Sweet Maple Cafe

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Battle the throngs of college students and University Village locals to snag a table at this home-style cafe on Taylor Street. The rewards — hearty scrambles, customizable omelets, fluffy pancakes, home fries, and corned beef hash — are worth the effort. Online orders can be placed here.

Stephen Gillanders’s globally-inspired restaurant in Pilsen has received high praise for offering ambitious-yet-approachable food at an affordable price point. During brunch service, the three-course prix fixe menu features choices such as bacon and egg fried rice, coconut buttermilk pancakes, truffle butter toastie, garlic beef noodles, and fried chicken with habanero butter and creamed corn. The meal can also be complemented with a la carte items like lobster dumplings and black truffle croquettes.

A plate of fried chicken over creamed corn.
S.K.Y.’s brunch menu includes three courses for $29.
Jeffy Mai/Eater Chicago

Dolo Restaurant and Bar

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Dim sum, a traditional Cantonese dining experience, makes for a perfect brunch. At Chinatown favorite Dolo, guests are treated to a wide array of shareable, made-to-order bites. Options range from chicken feet, rice noodle rolls, and shrimp dumplings to sweet classics like sesame balls and egg tarts. It’s the ultimate communal meal so bring a party to try as much as possible. Online ordering is available here.

The Duck Inn

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Kevin Hickey has been turning heads for years at his Bridgeport gastro-tavern the Duck Inn, which was named Eater Chicago’s Restaurant of the Year in 2015. The menu presents elevated bar fare, such as fried cheese curds with Bloody Mary ketchup, a duck fat hot dog, duck wings, and Italian beef. Diners craving brunch-ier items can try the “Egg McDuckInn” sandwich or rotisserie duck hash. Online ordering is available here.

This Mexican-influenced eatery is a brunch favorite for South Siders. The menu highlights organic and seasonal ingredients, and folks can enjoy avocado fries, guava-stuffed French toast, chilaquiles, fried chicken and pancakes, and more. Online ordering is available here.

An omelet served with greens and toast.
Nana focuses on using local, organic ingredients.
Nana [Official Photo]

Pearl's Place

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Head to Bronzeville stalwart Pearl’s Place for an unlimited supply of soul food. The buffet is the best bang for the buck and most popular option, offering made-to-order omelets and waffles as well as grits, salmon croquettes, chicken wings, and much more. In addition, breakfast is also served all day. Online ordering is available here.

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M. Henry

Andersonville’s beloved daytime cafe has an excellent brunch menu that satisfies every palate. Sweets include cinnamon roll French toast; vegans can enjoy the organic tofu scramble; and "Fannie’s Killer Fried Egg Sandwich" is a delicious combination of eggs, Applewood bacon, plum tomatoes, thyme, and Gorgonzola on toasted sourdough. Seating is first come, first served so get there early to avoid the long lines. Online ordering is available here.

The signature <span data-author="-1">“Fannie’s Killer Fried Egg Sandwich,” with eggs, bacon, tomatoes, and Gorgonzola.</span>
M. Henry is an Andersonville go-to for midday dining.
M. Henry [Official Photo]

Big Jones

Focusing on locally-grown and sustainably-farmed ingredients, chef Paul Fehribach produces some of the finest Southern cuisine in Chicago at Big Jones. Weekend brunch staples include beignets, fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and “Eggs Bayou LaFourche” — a riff on eggs Benedict featuring crawfish cakes in popovers with poached eggs and béarnaise sauce. Online ordering is available here.

A stack of griddle cakes topped with powdered sugar and strawberries.
Big Jones is one of Chicago’s best Southern restaurants.
Big Jones [Official Photo]

Luella's Southern Kitchen

Few things in life are as pleasurable as starting the day off with juicy fried chicken. Paying homage to his great-grandmother Luella, chef-owner Darnell Reed whips up Southern comfort foods to nourish the soul. Diners can expect chicken gumbo, salmon croquettes, shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and more. The buttermilk biscuits and skillet cornbread are also can’t-miss sides. Place online orders here.

Superkhana International

Logan Square’s Superkhana International is a modern Indian restaurant unlike any other. Chef-owners Zeeshan Shah and Yoshi Yamada started off by hosting pop-up dinners before transforming the concept into a full-scale operation in 2019. The pair celebrate Indian cooking with creative spins on classic recipes and during brunch hours, the menu offers dishes like a bun omelet sandwich; French toast with gajar halwa, almond dukkah, and galub jamun syrup; and uttapam — savory griddle cakes with peas, Thai chili, and coconut chutney. The beverages are similarly intriguing and include a Bloody Mary with cumin tequila and a garam masala sour. Online orders can be placed here.

Batter & Berries

Chicagoans indulge their sweet tooths on a variety of luscious French toasts at this Lincoln Park cafe, such as caramel French toast topped with candied walnuts, caramel batter, and dulce de leche. Can’t decide on just one? Sample them all in a flight. Even sweeter: The restaurant is BYOB. Online ordering is available here.

A French toast flight.
Batter & Berries specializes in French toasts.
Batter & Berries [Official Photo]

Frances' Deli and Brunchery

Chef Derek Rylon started a revolution when he opened Batter & Berries, just north of the Lincoln Park and Lakeview border. He’s now cranking out waffle flights and more at Frances, a former Jewish deli that now focuses on brunch services every day. The syrups and sauces are house made in Frances as Rylon takes evolves his tried and true formula.

Lula Cafe

Jason Hammel helped spark the farm-to-table movement in Chicago and his Logan Square spot remains an exemplar of seasonal and locally-sourced cuisine. The popular restaurant is always busy in the mornings, when guests have options such as brioche French toast, French omelet, and rotating breakfast sandwiches to choose from. Online orders can be placed here.

A bowl of noodle soup.
Lula Cafe is a pioneer of farm-to-table cuisine in Chicago.
Lula Cafe [Official Photo]

Nellie’s Restaurant

This classic Puerto Rican restaurant features a weekend brunch buffet that’s legendary. For about $24, adults can feast on pastelón, roasted pork, and more. But the jewel is the coconut oatmeal. Nellie’s avena de coco is an addicting and simple dish that will give diners cravings at random times. There’s also breakfast jibaritos served with eggs.

Maple & Ash

Opulent steakhouse Maple & Ash dials things up a few notches during Sunday brunch. For $75 per person, diners get their choice of entrée plus French toast, fire-roasted filet mignon, crispy breakfast potatoes, and maple-glazed bacon to share with the table. There are also a la carte seafood towers, large format cocktails, and a $125 “I Don’t Give a F*@k” tasting menu. All in all it’s one of the most lavish brunch experiences in town.

Spinning J

Small, charming, and retro-inspired, Spinning J is the type of gem every neighborhood deserves. The bustling bakery and café evokes nostalgic feelings thanks to its vintage centerpieces: A Liquid Carbonic marble bar that dates back to 1928 and a Bastian Blessing soda fountain. Regulars keep coming back for the tasty pies and sodas crafted with house-made syrups, but don’t sleep on the food menu. There’s a killer breakfast sandwich, a smoked trout bialy, pot pies, rotating stratas and quiches, and more. Online ordering is available here.

Tzuco

Chef-owner Carlos Gaytan takes traditional Mexican cuisine in a bold and upscale direction at Tzuco. By incorporating French techniques into his cooking, Gaytan creates refined versions of ceviche, chilaquiles, tlacoyo, huarache, and other Mexican staples. Complementing them are fun and original dishes like Belgian waffles served with duck leg carnitas, and French toast — made of orange-infused sweet sponge bread — topped with pink peppercorn ice cream.

Tanta

Regional Peruvian specialties drive Tanta but the menu is also heavily influenced by the country’s diverse ethnic makeup. Using ingredients and techniques from China, Japan, Italy, and Spain, the kitchen delivers irresistible dishes like chaufa aeropuerto, a pork-and-veggie fried rice topped with a shrimp omelet; and pollo a la brasa, a Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken. Though diners can order off the full dinner menu during the daytime, don’t overlook brunch options such as the soy-glazed pork served with bao buns (la fiesta del lechon). And when it’s warm out, the rooftop terrace is one of the city’s best outdoor destinations. Online ordering is available here.

The Publican

Specializing in pork and seafood, One Off Hospitality's European-inspired beer hall has been a Chicago essential for more than a decade. The menu changes constantly but one will always find maple-syrup-braised pub bacon, crispy hash browns, and a terrific waffle served with honey butter and jam. Online orders can be placed here.

Roister

The Alinea Group’s casual and lively restaurant is decidedly less upscale than its siblings, but the food is just as impressive. The brunch menu boasts charred corn and avocado toast, green tomato BLT, smoked rib eye and eggs, and arguably one of the best fried chicken sandwiches in Chicago.

A fried chicken sandwich.
Roister serves its famous fried chicken sandwich during brunch.
Jeffy Mai/Eater Chicago

Sweet Maple Cafe

Battle the throngs of college students and University Village locals to snag a table at this home-style cafe on Taylor Street. The rewards — hearty scrambles, customizable omelets, fluffy pancakes, home fries, and corned beef hash — are worth the effort. Online orders can be placed here.

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S.K.Y.

Stephen Gillanders’s globally-inspired restaurant in Pilsen has received high praise for offering ambitious-yet-approachable food at an affordable price point. During brunch service, the three-course prix fixe menu features choices such as bacon and egg fried rice, coconut buttermilk pancakes, truffle butter toastie, garlic beef noodles, and fried chicken with habanero butter and creamed corn. The meal can also be complemented with a la carte items like lobster dumplings and black truffle croquettes.

A plate of fried chicken over creamed corn.
S.K.Y.’s brunch menu includes three courses for $29.
Jeffy Mai/Eater Chicago

Dolo Restaurant and Bar

Dim sum, a traditional Cantonese dining experience, makes for a perfect brunch. At Chinatown favorite Dolo, guests are treated to a wide array of shareable, made-to-order bites. Options range from chicken feet, rice noodle rolls, and shrimp dumplings to sweet classics like sesame balls and egg tarts. It’s the ultimate communal meal so bring a party to try as much as possible. Online ordering is available here.

The Duck Inn

Kevin Hickey has been turning heads for years at his Bridgeport gastro-tavern the Duck Inn, which was named Eater Chicago’s Restaurant of the Year in 2015. The menu presents elevated bar fare, such as fried cheese curds with Bloody Mary ketchup, a duck fat hot dog, duck wings, and Italian beef. Diners craving brunch-ier items can try the “Egg McDuckInn” sandwich or rotisserie duck hash. Online ordering is available here.

Nana

This Mexican-influenced eatery is a brunch favorite for South Siders. The menu highlights organic and seasonal ingredients, and folks can enjoy avocado fries, guava-stuffed French toast, chilaquiles, fried chicken and pancakes, and more. Online ordering is available here.

An omelet served with greens and toast.
Nana focuses on using local, organic ingredients.
Nana [Official Photo]

Pearl's Place

Head to Bronzeville stalwart Pearl’s Place for an unlimited supply of soul food. The buffet is the best bang for the buck and most popular option, offering made-to-order omelets and waffles as well as grits, salmon croquettes, chicken wings, and much more. In addition, breakfast is also served all day. Online ordering is available here.

Related Maps