Best Chicago Brunch by Neighborhood!

If you just love the perfect sweet brunch dish, then this is the place for you!

M. Henry has the most delicious pancake and french toast dishes -- thoughtfully plated and made with local, seasonal ingredients.

WHAT TO GET:

• Lemon brioche french toast
• Shrimp + crab cake eggs benedict
• Cinnamon roll french toast
• Bread pudding
• Mochaccino

I've only been here once, but it's easily once of the best Chicago brunch spots in the city. Their Sassy Eggs are TO. DIE. FOR.

Over Easy Cafe is a small spot, and they pretty much almost always have a line on the weekends -- but they won my heart immediately by offering free coffee outside to keep warm during the wait (I went in the winter).

WHAT TO GET:

• Sassy Eggs: pork chorizo hash topped with two eggs any style, cheddar cheese, ancho ketchup, sour cream, & guacamole
• Pozole; French Toast; Weekly Specials

This spot flies a little bit under the radar, and I don't really know why. It's SO worth the trip to Lincoln Square to stuff your face with these epic dutch pancakes.

It's tiny, so plan to wait at Pannenkoeken Cafe. It's worth it!!

WHAT TO GET:

• Sweet pannenkoeken
• Savory pannenkoeken
• Belgian waffles

You can't go wrong with almost any menu item at Lula Cafe, a super delicious farm-to-table spot in Logan Square.

Like many of the other spots, plan to wait if you go on the weekends -- though if you time it right in the summer, you can wander around the LS Farmers' Market while you wait.

WHAT TO GET:

• Steak & eggs; ginger brioche french toast; grits specials; granola
• Literally anything else (it's all awesome)

Psst! Lula Cafe is also on my guide to smoked salmon in Chicago!

I loooove Same Day Cafe for weekend and weekday brunch.

They bake their own homemade rosemary bread, and it's amazing -- so be sure to order anything with that. (No, you can't buy more of the bread to take home -- and yes, I've asked!!)

WHAT TO GET:

• Grilled cheese
• Fried egg toast
• Scrambled eggs with biscuit
• Avocado toast
• BLT
• And all of their sides are awesome too

Psst! Same Day Cafe is also on my avocado toast guide!

There are some really creative and inventive dishes at Cafe Marie-Jeanne - like these floral uni scrambled eggs(!!).

They also have a to-go counter with tons of yummy pastries. YES, PLEASE.

WHAT TO GET:

• Uni scrambled eggs
• Steak & eggs; ginger brioche french toast; grits specials; granola

Psst! Cafe Marie-Jeanne is also on my avocado toast guide!

Eggs on pretty blue plates abound at Dove's Luncheonette in Wicker Park.

It's an all-day breakfast spot with a southern-inspired Mexican menu. Sign me up!!

WHAT TO GET:

• Burnt ends hash
• Seafood ceviche
• Chicken fried chicken
• Cocktails

P.S. Dove's Luncheonette is also on my avocado toast guide!

I am OBSESSED with Mott St's Asian-inspired brunch menu -- it's so delicious! Try the Bowl of Awesome if you want something truly unique.

On top of that, they have one of the best burgers in the city -- and you can get it on the brunch menu.

WHAT TO GET:

• Bowl of awesome
• Pork jowl skillet
• Kalbi & eggs
• Mott burger

RESERVATIONS:

• Mott Street Reservations

My friend Seth introduced me to Uncle Mike's Place, an all-day Filipino breakfast & lunch spot in West Town.

Go hungry!!! It's a LOT of incredible food.

WHAT TO GET: 

• Anything from the Filipino breakfast section
• Marinated skirt steak

It seems like many of the best Chicago brunch spots are still serving cereal in some way -- but not always in the ways you'd expect The Fruity Pebble French Toast is the real stand-out at Flo. That, or the Cocoa Puff French Toast.

They're both pretty epic. But you'll just have to try for yourself. 🙂

WHAT TO GET: 

• Fruity pebble french toast
• Cocoa puff french toast
• Skirt steak eggs benedict
• Ranchero burrito

If you haven't been to Dusek's, you really should go. There's so much good food here -- and you'll want to bring some friends with you so you can try it all. Here are a few favorites--

WHAT TO GET: 

• Chilaquiles
• Chicken & waffles
• Eggs benedict
• Shakshouka
• Breakfast flatbread

Duck Inn has a local, sustainable, seasonal menu and also an epic back patio. This is another spot where you'll want to bring a group -- it's hard to pick a favorite on this menu (or their dinner menu!).

WHAT TO GET:

• Duck hash
• Nashville hot biscuit
• Horchata french toast
• Any grits dish

RESERVATIONS:

• Duck Inn Reservations

My friend Karen is THE go-to for all of the best Chinese food in the city, and I'm not going to pretend I don't ask her advice every single time I go to Chinatown, because I most certainly do (uhh.. sorry about that, Karen).

Her favorite is Phoenix Restaurant, and with good reason -- their dim sum brunch is incredible, and the most authentic to her family and friends from Hong Kong.

WHAT TO GET: 

• KAREN'S MUST TRY: baked molten egg yolk bun - talk about #yolkporn!
• Hom Sui Gok (saltwater dumpling)
• Shiu Mai (open faced steamed dumplings)
• Whole shrimp steamed rice crepes
• Wu Gok (fried taro dumplings)
• Sweet mini egg custard tots
• Tip: ask for their house-made hot chili oil!

My friend Erica introduced me to Stax Cafe a few years ago, and I'm so glad she did.

It's a family business serving made-from-scratch breakfast dishes with fresh ingredients. Nothing super fancy here, just yummy breakfast food with quality ingredients.

WHAT TO GET:

• BBQ eggs benedict
• French toast and crepes with fresh fruit
• Adult grilled cheese
• Fresh squeezed juices

Psst! Stax Cafe is also on my avocado toast guide, and mentioned in my Little Italy guide too!

The Publican is on EVERY "best Chicago brunch" list because it is the best of the best. They have some of the most creative brunch dishes you'll find, and the thickest bacon on top of that.

I don't get there too often, but it is one of my favorite spots in the city for brunch OR dinner. Be sure to make a reservation if you go -- there's almost always a wait.

WHAT TO GET:

• Crab eggs
• Thick cut bacon
• Red wine poached eggs benedict
• Dough baby
• Literally anything else on the menu

Psst! Publican's sister spot Publican Tavern is my favorite spot for food AND coffee at O'Hare.

Eden is an American restaurant in the West Loop.

One of the coolest things about Eden is that they have their own urban garden right outside the restaurant. They grow their own produce, herbs, garnishes, and more all year round -- and use them seasonally in their dishes.

WHAT TO GET:

• Breakfast bowl
• Grilled avocado eggs benedict
• The burger!

RESERVATIONS:

• Eden Reservations

My friend Ashley from Clean Plate Club introduced me to Peach's, a delicious breakfast and brunch spot in Bronzeville.

Go for the biscuits with peach compote and some amazing grits; stay for the fruity pebble pancakes. 

WHAT TO GET: 

• Biscuits
• Grits
• Fried chicken
• Fruity pebble pancakes

Heaven on Seven is a neighborhood cajun spot tucked away on the 7th floor of a downtown office building with a SUPER delicious brunch.

Heads up: their brunch is on Saturdays only (they're closed all day on Sundays), and they're cash only - so bring your $!

WHAT TO GET:

• Bananas foster french toast
• Shrimp + beef debris on parmesan grits
• Gumbo + jalapeño cheddar cornbread
• Bloody marys + hurricanes

Psst! Heaven on Seven is also on these guides: 14 Hidden Restaurants in Chicago + Best Lunch in the Loop.

Cindy's Rooftop is a beautiful restaurant with one of the best views in the city, for visitors and Chicagoans alike.

They have an awesome brunch menu, beautiful cocktails, and an awesome view of Millennium Park and the bean. It can get busy, especially in great weather, so I recommend making a reservation!

WHAT TO GET:

• Avocado toast
• Buttermilk pancakes
• Chilaquiles
• Cocktails!

Psst! Cindy's Rooftop is also on this guide: Drinks with a View in Chicago.

Baptiste & Bottle is another somewhat hidden downtown spot, on the 20th floor of the Conrad Hotel.

They have some of the most beautiful, delicious dishes and inventive cocktails for brunch -- as well as dinner.

WHAT TO GET:

• Belgian waffle with berries
• Huevos rancheros
• Insane cocktails

RESERVATIONS:

• Baptiste & Bottle Reservations

I love the menu at Somerset, and it's about time I added them to this brunch list!

They have a great brunch menu that also includes hits from other meal parts (like their epic crispy chicken sandwich).

WHAT TO GET:

• Cinnamon roll
• Fried chicken and french toast
• Eggs benedict
• Breakfast sandwich
• Crispy chicken sandwich

RESERVATIONS:

• Somerset Reservations

Maple & Ash has a really awesome bottomless brunch on Sundays. Bottomless bubbles are ~$20/person, and there's a buffet for another ~$40-50. It's a bit pricey for brunch, but you get a TON of food and it's delicious -- so personally I think of it in place of a "dinner."

Be sure to make a reservation here! Maple & Ash also does a really good job of celebrating special occasions - so be sure to note it on the form if you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary, etc.

WHAT TO GET:

• House-made angolotti
• Made-to-order omelets
• Carved meats
• ALL the desserts
• Bottomless bubbles, of course 🙂

You didn't think I'd write a brunch list without avocado toast, did you?? Not only that, but no brunch list would be complete without a Summer House mention -- especially during the Chicago winter, when it's the perfect (momentary!) escape to a warmer, brighter place.

I've already mentioned one of their brunch dishes on my list of fancy smoked salmon dishes in Chicago, and here are a few other equally great brunch dishes.

WHAT TO GET: 

• Avo toast
• Shortrib hash // roasted vegetable hash
• Lots of rosé
• Cookies to go!

After a nice little lap around the city, we've finally made it to my home turf, Lakeview.

Mortar and Pestle serves weekday and weekend brunch and lunch. They don't take reservations, so try to come before or after peak brunch hours (or plan to wait a bit!).

WHAT TO GET: 

• King crab benedict
• Deviled eggs (specials rotate daily)
• Truffle, foie, and creme fraiche scramble

Southport Grocery and Cafe has all-day breakfast on weekends and weekdays. They have a small, awesome menu with a lot of creative dishes like bread pudding pancakes (see pic!).

They also have a specialty grocery store with a lot of awesome local goods to try.

WHAT TO GET:

• Pancakes (bread pudding, cupcake batter, etc.)
• Avocado toast
• Chorizo and eggs

Last, but certainly not least is The Gundis. To my knowledge, this is the only Kurdish spot in the city -- and you've never had a brunch like their Breakfast for Two.

It's a Kurdish FEAST, with a huge soft scramble in the center and countless plates of cheeses, olives, veggies, breads and sauces, and unlimited Kurdish tea surrounding it. If you go, you won't be disappointed. And, it's <$40 for two!

WHAT TO GET:

• Kurdish breakfast for two with soujouk
• Kurdish baklawa crepes

RESERVATIONS:

• The Gundis Kurdish Kitchen Reservations