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 some 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.
Read More/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70096962/heatmap.0.0.0.0.jpg)
Updated: Where to Eat Brunch in Chicago Right Now

The Kitchen
River North's new farm-to-table restaurant offers brunch with a view. Chef Johnny Anderes’ menu highlights local ingredients on items like a quiche of the day, smoked salmon bruschetta, braised pork shoulder, trofie alla Bolognese and more. If that’s not enough, the seafood bar offers oysters, caviar and a grand platter selection of oysters, lobster, claims, mussels and crab legs.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459113/the_kitchen.0.0.0.jpeg)
Seven Lions
Alpana Singh’s new Michigan Ave. restaurant overlooking the Art Institute is a hotspot with an approachable American clubhouse menu. You’ll find brunch staples like bacon and chocolate chip pancakes, “Green Eggs & Ham” benedict, duck hash, and a lox and bagel relish tray.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459112/seven_lions.0.0.0.jpeg)
Bar Takito
The newly launched brunch menu at this West Loop joint offers Mexican favorites like pozole, breakfast tacos, coctel de camarones (spicy shrimp cocktail) and pambazos, a Mexican sandwich with guajillo sauce, chorizo, potatoes, eggs, crema, and queso fresco.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459120/bar_takito.0.0.0.jpg)
Also featured in:
Chop Shop
The Wicker Park eatery has launched brunch service and is offering plates like lobster polenta cake benedict, banger-stuffed portabella and pastrami smoked salmon to go alongside its in-house charcuterie and cheeses.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459109/chop_shop.0.0.0.jpg)
Osteria Langhe
Chicago's excellent Pietmontese restaurant has expanded its hours to Sunday brunch. Dishes include rock shrimp with polenta and poached egg; Bang Bang biscuits & gravy; and roasted pork shoulder with eggs, chile, fontina, house potatoes and grilled flatbread.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459119/osteria_langhe.0.0.0.jpg)
Mon Ami Gabi
Mon Ami Gabi’s Sunday brunch is here and with it, plenty of delicious French specialties. Enjoy beef bourgignonne benedict, crème brulee French toast, a chicken, mushroom and kale crepe, and a croque madame sandwich. For those who want to brunch at home, you can have it delivered to your door as well.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459117/mon_ami_gabi.0.0.0.jpg)
Barley & Brass
The new bar and eatery offers brunch classics such as green eggs & ham, French toast, steak & eggs, chicken & waffles, and a breakfast sandwich alongside cocktails like the Del Soul (gin, cucumber juice, lemon jalapeño, lime, raw sugar, dill).
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459121/barley_and_brass.0.0.0.jpg)
Joe Fish
Rosebud’s latest seafood-centric spot features a number of scrumptious options for brunch. Start with a raw selection of oysters, king crab legs and baby lobster tails before moving onto larger courses such as a Kobe dog, Maine lobster soft scrambled eggs, and shrimp & polenta.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459111/joe_fish.0.0.0.jpg)
Also featured in:
Bar Pastoral
Lakeview's popular wine and cheese bar is a perfect way to start the day. The restaurant offers a varied selection of artisan cheeses as well as a brunch menu of comforting favorites such as grilled cheese & tomato soup, biscuits & gravy, and seasonal frittata. And despite what people might think, it’s never too early in the day for some wine and cheese.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459110/bar_pastoral.0.0.0.jpg)
La Sirena Clandestina
John Manion’s Latin spot serves up winning dishes no matter what time of the day it is. Brunch specials include plantain chilaquiles, breakfast empanada (bacon, onions and cheddar), croquet milanesa and a mushroom ragout. Pair that with a michelada or caipirinha and the day will be off to a good start.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459116/la_sirena.0.0.0.jpg)
Davanti Enoteca River North
One of the city’s best Italian spots impresses with its brunch menu too. Highlights include focaccia di Recco, truffle egg toast with fontina and asparagus, pork belly hash & eggs, and a sausage, egg & cheese breakfast sandwich. In addition, diners can also enjoy a wide variety of pastries, pizzas and pastas while Bloody Mary lovers will be delighted by the extensive build-your-own bar.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459114/davanti.0.0.0.jpg)
River Roast
Tony Mantuano’s latest restaurant focuses on contemporary tavern fare with an emphasis on roast meats and fish carved tableside. Brunch offers classic dishes such as biscuits & gravy and mascarpone French toast alongside new twists like rabbit & waffles. In addition, the Blues & Brews program on Saturdays and Sundays features local Chicago blues musicians playing live during brunch. Throw in a view of the Chicago River, complement it with a Roast Bloody or Beermosa and enjoy the weekend in style.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459136/river_roast.0.0.0.jpg)
Dove's Luncheonette
One Off Hospitality’s take on the classic diner offers a menu of Southern-inspired Mexican cuisine. Start with cobia ceviche and roasted beets in mole negro before moving onto more substantial plates like chile rellenos and red chile enchiladas.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459124/dove_s.0.0.0.jpeg)
Also featured in:
A10
Matthias Merges’ A10 continues to be a standout in Hyde Park. On Sundays, the restaurant’s brunch service features dishes such as crème brulee griddle cakes, French onion quiche, vegetable crepe, chicken & waffles and more.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459115/a10.0.0.0.jpg)
Baker Miller
Sometimes it’s okay to load up on sweets for breakfast, especially if it’s from Baker Miller. In addition to its pastries and assortment of pies, the brunch menu also offers oatmeal, grits and a Plowman’s breakfast of daily bread soldiers, soft egg, black pepper bacon sausage link, dressed arugula and jam bar toppings.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459125/Bxl2uUNIEAEp4yb.0.0.0.jpg)
Avec
Don't feel like braving the long lines at avec? Then stop in for Sunday brunch, where you can still enjoy the signature favorites: chorizo-stuffed dates, slow-roasted pork shoulder, and "deluxe" focaccia. You'll also get to try specials like oven-baked French toast and Moroccan 'berghir' pancakes with chicken wings.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459122/avec.0.0.0.jpg)
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.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459123/au_cheval.0.0.0.jpg)
Also featured in:
Fat Rice
If you can't snag a seat at Fat Rice during dinner, try during brunch. Abraham Conlon's menu is still unique during the day, bringing in an array of new items such as chive dumplings, a bone-in pork chop sandwich and Macanese hash.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459126/fat_rice.0.0.0.jpg)
The Publican
Everyone’s favorite pig-themed gastropub offers one of the city’s best brunches on the weekend. Start with some fresh oysters from the East and East Coasts, then try the pork belly bibimbap, pork schnitzel or duck confit al pastor. As always, don’t forget about the popular syrup-braised pub bacon and pork rinds either.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459133/publican.0.0.0.jpg)
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 Amanda Rockman’s Italian doughnuts or chestnut coffee cake before moving onto a raw seafood selection of oysters, bigeye, chilled lobster and more. Other options include Ham Chop & Eggs, Pigs in a Blanket, Calabrian Sausage & Shrimp Hash and Salmon Benedict with Prosecco-Dill Zabaglione.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459127/nico.0.0.0.jpg)
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 Lula's breakfast burrito, lemon streusel crusted brioche French toast, smoked trout scramble, peanut butter griddle cakes and more. The restaurant also serves up seasonal dishes using organic produce from local sources.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459128/lula.0.0.0.jpg)
Trenchermen
A robust seasonal weekend brunch features dishes like a bacon mortadella breakfast sandwich, eggs ‘Florentine’ and the popular Trench Double burger. A number of playful cocktails like the ‘Wake & Bake’ (cold brew coffee, coffee liqueur, Kringle) help round out the meal, while the signature coffee program is not to be missed.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459129/trenchermen.0.0.0.jpeg)
Longman & Eagle
The Michelin-star favorite serves a popular brunch consisting of items like chicken and waffles, wild boar sloppy joe, and ploughman's platter. And if you're having a rough morning, try the PBR Breakfast—two eggs, bacon or homemade sausage, house potatoes and a can of PBR—to help the recovery.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459131/longman.0.0.0.jpg)
Big Jones
The Southern-focused kitchen focuses on locally grown and sustainably farmed food. Try the crowd favorite Eggs New Orleans—ponchartrain blue crab cake with poached eggs, popovers, and béarnaise sauce—or some old fashioned shrimp and grits. Housemade pecan-wood-smoked Andouille sausage and hog's head pâté are specials off the butcher’s block.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459134/big_jones.0.0.0.jpg)
Also featured in:
M. Henry
Brunch doesn’t get much better than the one at m. henry’s. Fannie’s Killer Fried Egg Sandwich is loaded with eggs and bacon and served with house potatoes; the Veritable Vegan Epiphany is a tofu scramble with veggies; and Drunken Stuffed Poblano Pepper is filled with scrambled eggs or tofu, chorizo, avocado, mozzarella and sweet corn and served with Mexicali rice, tortillas and sweet plantains. It’s a menu with something for everyone.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62459135/m_henry.0.0.0.jpg)
Also featured in: