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Bananas foster challah French toast
Bananas foster challah French toast at No Vacancy

Where to Eat Brunch in Chicago Right Now

Enjoy a Bloody Mary or benedict at these 20 spots

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Bananas foster challah French toast at No Vacancy

Brunch — not quite breakfast, not yet lunch — is one of the best parts of the weekend. The Eater Chicago Brunch Heatmap is here to help by highlighting the newest options for a delicious midday meal. The latest additions to the list include the new River North bar No Vacancy, bottomless mimosa at Le Sud, and Southern comfort food at Chef Art Smith’s Reunion. These restaurants join a growing number of kitchens offering exciting brunch menus. So start the day off right with eggs (and much more) at these 20 destinations.

For a list of classic city favorites, check out the Iconic Brunch Map.

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Thomas & Dutch

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The new concept from the restaurant group behind Farm Bar serves comfort food and cocktails made with fruit and honey from Brown Dog Farm in Southwest Wisconsin. Weekend brunch options include brioche french toast with honey, maple syrup and seasonal jam, and rye panzanella with beet-cured salmon. Grab a patio table and enjoy the weather with a strawberry bellini or honeydew spritz.

The new restaurant from Amy Morton and Debbie Gold serves French-Moroccan dishes including spicy shakshuka with goat cheese, braised chicken tagine and duck liver mousse with medjool date jam. Order a bottle of bubbly for DIY mimosas made with hibiscus syrup or orange or grapefruit juice, or spice things up with the Marakesh Marie blended with harissa and served with a charcoal-grilled olive.

Irene's

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The former team behind The Press Room brings a new spin on an old-school diner, serving breakfast and lunch fare daily at the counter or in large booths. Dig into a breakfast burrito stuffed with black beans and scrambled eggs or a plate of carrot cake pancakes with cream cheese frosting while sipping a mimosa or drip coffee from Passion House. A kids’ menu is also available.

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar

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CheSa’s Bistro & Bar, the first full-service restaurant from CheSa’s Gourmet Food Trucks & Catering chef and owner Chesaree Rollins, offers a fully gluten-free menu of Cajun and Creole fare. Weekend brunch highlights include fried chicken served over cinnamon beignet waffles and creamy grits topped with short rib. A DJ provides music on Sundays. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

Le Sud Mediterranean Kitchen

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Head to Roscoe Village for a boozy brunch with $25 bottomless mimosas and bellinis blended with orange juice, mango, strawberry or peach. The menu from executive sous chef William Lara features equally indulgent dishes like French toast tiramisu with goat cheese spread and coffee liqueur whipped cream, and lobster Florentine with yuzu hollandaise. Book a table through Resy.

Little Goat Diner

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Stephanie Izard’s Little Goat Diner moved from the West Loop to Lakeview on April 18, offering a cozy spot for all-day breakfast with options including shrimp & grits with braised pistachios, avocado toast with pickled vegetables, and corned beef hash with eggs. The sweet side of the menu features milkshakes, fresh baked monkey bread, and pie. Diners in a hurry can visit the “Grab & Goat” section for breakfast sandwiches and cookies.

Evette's All Day

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The third outpost of Evette’s, which also has locations in Lincoln Park and Fulton Market, expands on its core Lebanese-Mexican menu with dishes inspired by chef/owner Mitchell Jamra’s time spent in Arizona and New Mexico as a child. Start the day with egg scramble in a paratha-style flakey wrap with fried onions and mozzarella, or with a plate of chorizo and halloumi tacos.

Stay Cafe

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The new Logan Square all-day eatery provides a destination to get some work done while having a meal and a drink any day of the week. Brunch fare ranges from light to decadent, with options like a goddess omelet filled with feta and spinach or red velvet buttermilk pancakes topped with cream cheese icing. Wake up with a Vietnamese iced coffee or chill out with a bloody mary made with CH peppercorn vodka and garnished with a strip of candied bacon.

Pompette

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The all-day cafe and wine bar from veterans of Wood and Salero offers coffee and grab-and-go cinnamon rolls and apple coffee cake along with dine-in brunch Wednesday through Sunday. Options include brioche French toast, crab croquettes with saffron aioli, and a smoked salmon tartine. Get some caffeine from a cappuccino or the Cozy Au Lait, iced coffee blended with brandy, amaro and milk. Book a table through Resy.

Maple & Ash

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Splurge with a $90 brunch featuring a choice of entree such as lobster avocado toast or steak and eggs accompanied by sides of maple-glazed bacon, filet mignon, and crispy breakfast potatoes. Make it a party with a tower of espresso martinis or bubbly. Maple & Ash also offers a brunch version of its tasting menu for $175 that includes caviar, a seafood tower, and a bottle of champagne.

Brass Tack

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The restaurant within the Waldorf Astoria Chicago offers bottomless still and sparkling rosé during weekend brunch. Try the sommelier’s selections paired with Brass Tack’s signature burger topped with griddled onions and Butterkäse cheese, or a plate of brioche French toast served with candied orange. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

Barcocina West Town

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Lakeview Mexican spot Barcocina opened a second, larger location in West Town in October, welcoming even more groups for bottomless brunch. A $60 package includes two hours of house margaritas, mimosas, and Modelo plus chips and salsa, access to a buffet of bacon, scrambled eggs and carved meat, and a brunch entree or plate of tacos. Options include s’mores French toast topped with graham crackers and torched marshmallows, and breakfast tacos stuffed with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and jalapeño syrup. A la carte dishes are also available. Make a reservation on OpenTable.

LIVA at Chicago Winery

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Gather a group and take over one of the new River North spot’s large booths or grab one of the small tables near the fireplace and share bottomless mimosas along with a benedict made with pork belly and giardiniera hollandaise or brioche French toast with Grand Marnier syrup. Try the working winery’s excellent Blanc De Blancs with the bubbles and board brunch special, which offers two glasses and a chef’s selection of cheese, charcuterie, and accompaniments for $40.

The acclaimed restaurant from the owners of Le Bouchon brings its novel spins on French fare to brunch, serving a foie gras Monte Cristo with duck bacon, a duck breakfast patty and duck egg along with a sweet corn and lobster crepe. Pastry chef Antonio Incandela shows off with a patisserie section featuring a variety of croissants and danishes. The brunch is available on the weekend and Mondays, when the restaurant also offers half-price champagne. Book a table through Resy.

avec River North

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The restaurant’s large dining room makes it an ideal place to bring a group to share Mediterranean fare such as spiced shakshuka with Tunisian couscous or hummus with soft egg and hearth-baked pita. Split a cinnamon toast punch bowl made with rum, spiced pear liqueur and horchata or order a bloody mary garnished with one of avec’s signature chorizo-stuffed dates.

Big Star Mariscos

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The West Town spot’s focus on tacos and seafood extends to its brunch menu, where options include ceviche, shrimp and grits, and carnitas tacos with scrambled eggs and handmade flour tortillas. Order a prickly pear mimosa or bloody maria and chill out to classic albums and music from local bands played on vinyl records and cassette tapes. Make a reservation through Tock.

Chef Art Smith’s Reunion

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Art Smith, former personal chef to Oprah Winfrey and Lady Gaga, has rolled out brunch at his restaurant positioned at the main entrance to Navy Pier. Seek out a seat on the large patio and enjoy the view while dining on his famous fried chicken along with other Southern comfort fare such as fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese grits. Add on bottomless mimosas for $30. Reservations are available through OpenTable.

No Vacancy

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New River North bar No Vacancy dishes out hangover cures from executive chef Zenas White including a skillet with eggs, sausage and crispy fingerling potatoes, bananas foster challah French toast, and quesadillas with birria scrambled eggs. Bottomless bloody marys and mimosas and music from local DJs add to the Sunday brunch’s party vibe.

Planta Queen

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The Miami import brings a vegan brunch option to River North, serving Asian-inspired fare such as ube mochi waffles with caramelized bananas, cinnamon buns with chai icing, and kimchi “egg” fried rice. Make it a party by adding bottomless mimosas and sake sangria.

Syrup poured over purple ube waffle
Ube waffle from Planta Queen

The Loyalist

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The casual restaurant below two-Michelin-starred spot Smyth launched Sunday brunch for the first time in January. It’s a truly indulgent affair offering black truffle Lyonnaise salad and an omelet made with camembert and caviar. New cocktails include A Model’s Dejeuner made with rum, coffee liqueur, and grapefruit, and a bloody mary featuring pickle-brined vodka. Make a reservation on Tock.

Thomas & Dutch

The new concept from the restaurant group behind Farm Bar serves comfort food and cocktails made with fruit and honey from Brown Dog Farm in Southwest Wisconsin. Weekend brunch options include brioche french toast with honey, maple syrup and seasonal jam, and rye panzanella with beet-cured salmon. Grab a patio table and enjoy the weather with a strawberry bellini or honeydew spritz.

LeTour

The new restaurant from Amy Morton and Debbie Gold serves French-Moroccan dishes including spicy shakshuka with goat cheese, braised chicken tagine and duck liver mousse with medjool date jam. Order a bottle of bubbly for DIY mimosas made with hibiscus syrup or orange or grapefruit juice, or spice things up with the Marakesh Marie blended with harissa and served with a charcoal-grilled olive.

Irene's

The former team behind The Press Room brings a new spin on an old-school diner, serving breakfast and lunch fare daily at the counter or in large booths. Dig into a breakfast burrito stuffed with black beans and scrambled eggs or a plate of carrot cake pancakes with cream cheese frosting while sipping a mimosa or drip coffee from Passion House. A kids’ menu is also available.

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar, the first full-service restaurant from CheSa’s Gourmet Food Trucks & Catering chef and owner Chesaree Rollins, offers a fully gluten-free menu of Cajun and Creole fare. Weekend brunch highlights include fried chicken served over cinnamon beignet waffles and creamy grits topped with short rib. A DJ provides music on Sundays. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

Le Sud Mediterranean Kitchen

Head to Roscoe Village for a boozy brunch with $25 bottomless mimosas and bellinis blended with orange juice, mango, strawberry or peach. The menu from executive sous chef William Lara features equally indulgent dishes like French toast tiramisu with goat cheese spread and coffee liqueur whipped cream, and lobster Florentine with yuzu hollandaise. Book a table through Resy.

Little Goat Diner

Stephanie Izard’s Little Goat Diner moved from the West Loop to Lakeview on April 18, offering a cozy spot for all-day breakfast with options including shrimp & grits with braised pistachios, avocado toast with pickled vegetables, and corned beef hash with eggs. The sweet side of the menu features milkshakes, fresh baked monkey bread, and pie. Diners in a hurry can visit the “Grab & Goat” section for breakfast sandwiches and cookies.

Evette's All Day

The third outpost of Evette’s, which also has locations in Lincoln Park and Fulton Market, expands on its core Lebanese-Mexican menu with dishes inspired by chef/owner Mitchell Jamra’s time spent in Arizona and New Mexico as a child. Start the day with egg scramble in a paratha-style flakey wrap with fried onions and mozzarella, or with a plate of chorizo and halloumi tacos.

Stay Cafe

The new Logan Square all-day eatery provides a destination to get some work done while having a meal and a drink any day of the week. Brunch fare ranges from light to decadent, with options like a goddess omelet filled with feta and spinach or red velvet buttermilk pancakes topped with cream cheese icing. Wake up with a Vietnamese iced coffee or chill out with a bloody mary made with CH peppercorn vodka and garnished with a strip of candied bacon.

Pompette

The all-day cafe and wine bar from veterans of Wood and Salero offers coffee and grab-and-go cinnamon rolls and apple coffee cake along with dine-in brunch Wednesday through Sunday. Options include brioche French toast, crab croquettes with saffron aioli, and a smoked salmon tartine. Get some caffeine from a cappuccino or the Cozy Au Lait, iced coffee blended with brandy, amaro and milk. Book a table through Resy.

Maple & Ash

Splurge with a $90 brunch featuring a choice of entree such as lobster avocado toast or steak and eggs accompanied by sides of maple-glazed bacon, filet mignon, and crispy breakfast potatoes. Make it a party with a tower of espresso martinis or bubbly. Maple & Ash also offers a brunch version of its tasting menu for $175 that includes caviar, a seafood tower, and a bottle of champagne.

Brass Tack

The restaurant within the Waldorf Astoria Chicago offers bottomless still and sparkling rosé during weekend brunch. Try the sommelier’s selections paired with Brass Tack’s signature burger topped with griddled onions and Butterkäse cheese, or a plate of brioche French toast served with candied orange. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

Barcocina West Town

Lakeview Mexican spot Barcocina opened a second, larger location in West Town in October, welcoming even more groups for bottomless brunch. A $60 package includes two hours of house margaritas, mimosas, and Modelo plus chips and salsa, access to a buffet of bacon, scrambled eggs and carved meat, and a brunch entree or plate of tacos. Options include s’mores French toast topped with graham crackers and torched marshmallows, and breakfast tacos stuffed with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and jalapeño syrup. A la carte dishes are also available. Make a reservation on OpenTable.

LIVA at Chicago Winery

Gather a group and take over one of the new River North spot’s large booths or grab one of the small tables near the fireplace and share bottomless mimosas along with a benedict made with pork belly and giardiniera hollandaise or brioche French toast with Grand Marnier syrup. Try the working winery’s excellent Blanc De Blancs with the bubbles and board brunch special, which offers two glasses and a chef’s selection of cheese, charcuterie, and accompaniments for $40.

Obelix

The acclaimed restaurant from the owners of Le Bouchon brings its novel spins on French fare to brunch, serving a foie gras Monte Cristo with duck bacon, a duck breakfast patty and duck egg along with a sweet corn and lobster crepe. Pastry chef Antonio Incandela shows off with a patisserie section featuring a variety of croissants and danishes. The brunch is available on the weekend and Mondays, when the restaurant also offers half-price champagne. Book a table through Resy.

avec River North

The restaurant’s large dining room makes it an ideal place to bring a group to share Mediterranean fare such as spiced shakshuka with Tunisian couscous or hummus with soft egg and hearth-baked pita. Split a cinnamon toast punch bowl made with rum, spiced pear liqueur and horchata or order a bloody mary garnished with one of avec’s signature chorizo-stuffed dates.

Related Maps

Big Star Mariscos

The West Town spot’s focus on tacos and seafood extends to its brunch menu, where options include ceviche, shrimp and grits, and carnitas tacos with scrambled eggs and handmade flour tortillas. Order a prickly pear mimosa or bloody maria and chill out to classic albums and music from local bands played on vinyl records and cassette tapes. Make a reservation through Tock.

Chef Art Smith’s Reunion

Art Smith, former personal chef to Oprah Winfrey and Lady Gaga, has rolled out brunch at his restaurant positioned at the main entrance to Navy Pier. Seek out a seat on the large patio and enjoy the view while dining on his famous fried chicken along with other Southern comfort fare such as fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese grits. Add on bottomless mimosas for $30. Reservations are available through OpenTable.

No Vacancy

New River North bar No Vacancy dishes out hangover cures from executive chef Zenas White including a skillet with eggs, sausage and crispy fingerling potatoes, bananas foster challah French toast, and quesadillas with birria scrambled eggs. Bottomless bloody marys and mimosas and music from local DJs add to the Sunday brunch’s party vibe.

Planta Queen

The Miami import brings a vegan brunch option to River North, serving Asian-inspired fare such as ube mochi waffles with caramelized bananas, cinnamon buns with chai icing, and kimchi “egg” fried rice. Make it a party by adding bottomless mimosas and sake sangria.

Syrup poured over purple ube waffle
Ube waffle from Planta Queen

The Loyalist

The casual restaurant below two-Michelin-starred spot Smyth launched Sunday brunch for the first time in January. It’s a truly indulgent affair offering black truffle Lyonnaise salad and an omelet made with camembert and caviar. New cocktails include A Model’s Dejeuner made with rum, coffee liqueur, and grapefruit, and a bloody mary featuring pickle-brined vodka. Make a reservation on Tock.

Related Maps