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Updated: Where to Eat Brunch in Chicago Right Now

by Jeffy Mai@jmai Aug 21, 2014, 6:40am CDT

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by Jeffy Mai@jmai Aug 21, 2014, 6:40am CDT

2 comments / new

Brunch, not quite breakfast or lunch, is often overlooked but we're here to give it all the attention it deserves. The Eater Chicago Brunch Heatmap has been updated to show you more new places—alongside old favorites—that are doing great things with their brunch menus. So start your day off right and get your eggs on at these restaurants that are hot right now.

Did we miss your favorite spot? Leave us a comment or send a note to the tipline and tell us where you like to brunch.

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Tanta Chicago

Gaston Acurio’s red-hot Tanta has brought the flavors of Peru to Chicago. He’s now taken it a step further by introducing a brunch menu so diners can try reimagined breakfast favorites. Start with one of the excellent ceviches before moving onto dishes “From the Earth” (quinoa burger), “From the Coast” (octopus braised in red wine sauce, quinoa and swiss chard salad) and more (huevos tanta; chicharron waffle). As for drinks, well you can’t go wrong with a pisco tasting.

118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

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River Roast

Tony Mantuano’s latest restaurant focuses on contemporary tavern fare with an emphasis on roast meats and fish carved tableside. Brunch offers classics such as shrimp & grits, biscuits & gravy and mascarpone French toast alongside new spin on classics like rabbit & waffles. Throw in a view of the Chicago River and complement it with a Roast Bloody or Beermosa and you’ve got a perfect start to the day.

315 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654

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The Dawson

The Dawson finally has a hearty brunch menu to go with its killer cocktails. Start with some deviled eggs or a shrimp cocktail, then move onto bigger bites like the salmon gravlax, honey ham steak and French toast terrine. There’s a beverage for just about every palate but you’ll want to try the frozen Mai Tai while summer is still in season.

732 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60654

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Analogue

Analogue has been receiving rave reviews for its drinks and outstanding Cajun fare. Sunday brunch offers staples like beignets along with andouille hash, ham steak and eggs, and fried chicken sliders. An appropriately-named Death or Glory cocktail features Barton bourbon, demerara, Great Divide Yeti stout, cayenne pepper and a whole egg. It’s about as close as you’re going to get to Louisiana in Chicago.

2523 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

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Knife & Tine

Having taken over the former Sprout space, Knife & Tine has a lot to live up to. Its brunch menu is up to the task offering savory dishes like biscuits and gravy, pork belly po’ boy and breakfast tacos. Balancing them out are sweet items that include creamsicle French toast and cinnamon roll pancakes.

1417 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL

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Whisk

The new Ukrainian Village restaurant is a brunch spot by day and burger joint at night. The concept is American brunch fare with a Mexican twist and the menu features all of the breakfast staples like huevos rancheros, omelettes, salted caramel pancakes and benedicts on the weekend. And if you want a burger during the day, they’ve got a limited selection available as well including the black bean, turkey and house burger.

2018 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

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Fig & Olive

The Gold Coast’s sprawling new Mediterranean concept has a summer seasonal brunch selection centered on fresh, local ingredients. The extensive menu features everything from salads and organic eggs(truffle mushroom fontina scrambled eggs) to Panini, burgers, bruschetta, raw bar options (oysters, crudo, beef tartar) and more (rosemary lamb Milanese). With such a variety, there’s just about something for everyone.

104 E. Oak St., Chicago, IL 60611

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Table, Donkey and Stick

Table, Donkey and Stick have recently launched weekend brunch service. You’ll find hearty dishes such as bacon steak, fried chicken, corned duck leg, smoked trout and more along with drinks like the Corpse Reviver (aperol, cocchi Americano, prosecco, grapefruit and blood orange bitters), a perfect remedy after night out.

2728 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

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Yum Cha Dim Sum Parlor

Do brunch dim sum-style at Yum Cha. Start with some tea and order as many items as you can handle. The bite-size dishes are meant to be shared and include Chinese staples like sui mai, BBQ pork buns, chicken feet and turnip cakes. There are even some modern twists on the classics, such as a foie gras topped egg tart.

333 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601

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MFK.

The new Lakeview spot has been garnering praise for its Spanish-influenced seaside fare. Start with little bites such as crunchy prawn heads and ceviche with poblano guacamole. Larger items include fresh whole shrimp, while an order of cobia collar & clams is enough to feed multiple people. Don’t skip out on the “Soil” section either; seared corn with cotija cheese and smoked paprika has been likened to an “elevated elotes.”

432 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614

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Carnivale

At long last, Carnivale is now offering brunch service after eight years since opening. You’ll taste Latin Fusion flavors on items such as bacon-wrapped dates, Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche, carnitas chilaquiles and churro style waffles. Then indulge in chocolate lava mousse cake or tres leches for dessert.

702 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60661

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Fat Rice

Expanding into brunch has made it slightly easier to snag a seat at Fat Rice. Abraham Conlon's menu is still unique during the day, however, bringing in an array of new items such as chive dumplings, a bone-in pork chop sandwich and Macanese hash.

2957 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

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Also featured in:

xoco

Rick Bayless' recently-opened Xoco Wicker Park, unlike the original Xoco, serves weekend brunch. Although it opened at brunchtime on opening weekend, the brunch items weren't available yet but they should be flying out of the kitchen very soon.

1471 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

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Also featured in:

Nico Osteria

Nico is still a tough table to land but you can always stop in for brunch to get a taste of the menu. Start with some Italian doughnuts or croissants before moving onto the seafood selection of Peter’s Point oysters, Alaskan king crab, chilled lobster and more. Other options include a porchetta autostrada sandwich and a trio of pastas such as spaghetti carbonara and tagliolini with clams.

1015 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611

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Also featured in:

Cicchetti

One of the best restaurant openings of the past year also serves an excellent brunch. Mike Sheerin’s lineup of items includes house-smoked whitefish, fried chicken mercato, scrambled egg bruschetta, ciabatta French toast and more. Enjoy it with a spritz or bellini and see what the buzz is all about.

671 N St Clair St, Chicago, IL 60611

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Also featured in:

Au Cheval

Forget about your average greasy spoon diner, Au Cheval redefines what you know with creative interpretations on classic dishes. Brunch options include foie gras and scrambled eggs, potato hash with duck heart gravy and the popular cheeseburger a cheval.

800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

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Lula Café

The always-popular Lula Cafe has lines out the door and it’s easy to see why. Diners pack the house for breakfast and brunch classics like buttermilk pancakes, honey-goat cheese bread pudding French toast, smoked trout scramble, buckwheat griddle cakes and more. The restaurant also serves up seasonal dishes using organic produce from local sources.

2537 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647

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Commonwealth Tavern

Commonwealth’s locally-sourced brunch menu offers a varied selection of choices. A revamped brunch menu features a little bit of everything from bar snacks (fundido) and sandwiches (BLT) to shared plates (calamari) and full plates (lamb ribs).

2000 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618

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Little Goat

Stop in for brunch at Stephanie Izard’s diner and order anything and everything on the menu. The almost-always open restaurant features a wide selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner options available all day that will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. These reimagined diner classics include breakfast spaghetti ‘n clams 'n crab, pork belly pancake sandwich, fried chicken, goat chili and a lot more. And don’t forget to save some room for the shakes, pies and sundaes.

820 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

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Trenchermen

A robust seasonal weekend brunch features dishes like a bacon stuffed bacon sandwich, scrambled tofu and the popular Trench Double burger. A number of playful cocktails like the 'Better than Advil' (tequila, cucumber, jiardiniere) also help round out the meal, while the signature coffee program is not to be missed.

2039 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

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Tanta Chicago

118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Gaston Acurio’s red-hot Tanta has brought the flavors of Peru to Chicago. He’s now taken it a step further by introducing a brunch menu so diners can try reimagined breakfast favorites. Start with one of the excellent ceviches before moving onto dishes “From the Earth” (quinoa burger), “From the Coast” (octopus braised in red wine sauce, quinoa and swiss chard salad) and more (huevos tanta; chicharron waffle). As for drinks, well you can’t go wrong with a pisco tasting.

118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

River Roast

315 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654

Tony Mantuano’s latest restaurant focuses on contemporary tavern fare with an emphasis on roast meats and fish carved tableside. Brunch offers classics such as shrimp & grits, biscuits & gravy and mascarpone French toast alongside new spin on classics like rabbit & waffles. Throw in a view of the Chicago River and complement it with a Roast Bloody or Beermosa and you’ve got a perfect start to the day.

315 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

The Dawson

732 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60654

The Dawson finally has a hearty brunch menu to go with its killer cocktails. Start with some deviled eggs or a shrimp cocktail, then move onto bigger bites like the salmon gravlax, honey ham steak and French toast terrine. There’s a beverage for just about every palate but you’ll want to try the frozen Mai Tai while summer is still in season.

732 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

Analogue

2523 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Analogue has been receiving rave reviews for its drinks and outstanding Cajun fare. Sunday brunch offers staples like beignets along with andouille hash, ham steak and eggs, and fried chicken sliders. An appropriately-named Death or Glory cocktail features Barton bourbon, demerara, Great Divide Yeti stout, cayenne pepper and a whole egg. It’s about as close as you’re going to get to Louisiana in Chicago.

2523 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Knife & Tine

1417 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL

Having taken over the former Sprout space, Knife & Tine has a lot to live up to. Its brunch menu is up to the task offering savory dishes like biscuits and gravy, pork belly po’ boy and breakfast tacos. Balancing them out are sweet items that include creamsicle French toast and cinnamon roll pancakes.

1417 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL

Visit Website

Whisk

2018 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

The new Ukrainian Village restaurant is a brunch spot by day and burger joint at night. The concept is American brunch fare with a Mexican twist and the menu features all of the breakfast staples like huevos rancheros, omelettes, salted caramel pancakes and benedicts on the weekend. And if you want a burger during the day, they’ve got a limited selection available as well including the black bean, turkey and house burger.

2018 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

Fig & Olive

104 E. Oak St., Chicago, IL 60611

The Gold Coast’s sprawling new Mediterranean concept has a summer seasonal brunch selection centered on fresh, local ingredients. The extensive menu features everything from salads and organic eggs(truffle mushroom fontina scrambled eggs) to Panini, burgers, bruschetta, raw bar options (oysters, crudo, beef tartar) and more (rosemary lamb Milanese). With such a variety, there’s just about something for everyone.

104 E. Oak St., Chicago, IL 60611

Table, Donkey and Stick

2728 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Table, Donkey and Stick have recently launched weekend brunch service. You’ll find hearty dishes such as bacon steak, fried chicken, corned duck leg, smoked trout and more along with drinks like the Corpse Reviver (aperol, cocchi Americano, prosecco, grapefruit and blood orange bitters), a perfect remedy after night out.

2728 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Yum Cha Dim Sum Parlor

333 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601

Do brunch dim sum-style at Yum Cha. Start with some tea and order as many items as you can handle. The bite-size dishes are meant to be shared and include Chinese staples like sui mai, BBQ pork buns, chicken feet and turnip cakes. There are even some modern twists on the classics, such as a foie gras topped egg tart.

333 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601

Visit Website

MFK.

432 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614

The new Lakeview spot has been garnering praise for its Spanish-influenced seaside fare. Start with little bites such as crunchy prawn heads and ceviche with poblano guacamole. Larger items include fresh whole shrimp, while an order of cobia collar & clams is enough to feed multiple people. Don’t skip out on the “Soil” section either; seared corn with cotija cheese and smoked paprika has been likened to an “elevated elotes.”

432 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614

Visit Website

Carnivale

702 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60661

At long last, Carnivale is now offering brunch service after eight years since opening. You’ll taste Latin Fusion flavors on items such as bacon-wrapped dates, Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche, carnitas chilaquiles and churro style waffles. Then indulge in chocolate lava mousse cake or tres leches for dessert.

702 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60661

Visit Website

Fat Rice

2957 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Expanding into brunch has made it slightly easier to snag a seat at Fat Rice. Abraham Conlon's menu is still unique during the day, however, bringing in an array of new items such as chive dumplings, a bone-in pork chop sandwich and Macanese hash.

2957 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

xoco

1471 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Rick Bayless' recently-opened Xoco Wicker Park, unlike the original Xoco, serves weekend brunch. Although it opened at brunchtime on opening weekend, the brunch items weren't available yet but they should be flying out of the kitchen very soon.

1471 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

Nico Osteria

1015 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611

Nico is still a tough table to land but you can always stop in for brunch to get a taste of the menu. Start with some Italian doughnuts or croissants before moving onto the seafood selection of Peter’s Point oysters, Alaskan king crab, chilled lobster and more. Other options include a porchetta autostrada sandwich and a trio of pastas such as spaghetti carbonara and tagliolini with clams.

1015 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611

Visit Website

Cicchetti

671 N St Clair St, Chicago, IL 60611

One of the best restaurant openings of the past year also serves an excellent brunch. Mike Sheerin’s lineup of items includes house-smoked whitefish, fried chicken mercato, scrambled egg bruschetta, ciabatta French toast and more. Enjoy it with a spritz or bellini and see what the buzz is all about.

671 N St Clair St, Chicago, IL 60611

Visit Website

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Au Cheval

800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

Forget about your average greasy spoon diner, Au Cheval redefines what you know with creative interpretations on classic dishes. Brunch options include foie gras and scrambled eggs, potato hash with duck heart gravy and the popular cheeseburger a cheval.

800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

Visit Website