The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago
Balena is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

1. Balena

1633 N Halsted St (btwn Willow St & North Ave), Chicago, IL
Italian Restaurant · Lincoln Park · 66 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Chef Chris Pandel shows off his rustic Italian side with a breakfast-y selection of dishes including scrambled egg bruschetta, crispy polenta hash with pork ragout and a porchetta sandwich. Read more.

Batter & Berries is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

2. Batter & Berries

8.5
2748 N Lincoln Ave (btwn W Diversey Pkwy & W Schubert Ave), Chicago, IL
Breakfast Spot · North Side · 167 tips and reviews

EaterEater: At this Lincoln Park café, guests can indulge their sweet tooth on a variety of decadent creations, such as caramel French toast topped with candied walnuts, caramel sauce and maple butter. Read more.

Big Jones is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

3. Big Jones

8.6
5347 N Clark St (btwn W Summerdale Ave & W Balmoral Ave), Chicago, IL
Southern Food Restaurant · Andersonville · 138 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Weekend brunch features staples such as gumbo, shrimp & grits and the popular Eggs New Orleans, a riff on eggs benedict with blue crab cakes. Read more.

Bohemian House is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

4. Bohemian House

11 W Illinois St (at N State St), Chicago, IL
Eastern European Restaurant · Near North Side · 49 tips and reviews

EaterEater: At brunch, try the open-faced pork schnitzel sandwich, smoked beef tongue hash, and a strawberry kolacky. Read more.

Dove's Luncheonette is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

5. Dove's Luncheonette

9.1
1545 N Damen Ave (btwn Milwaukee Ave & Wicker Park Ave), Chicago, IL
Diner · Wicker Park · 95 tips and reviews

EaterEater: If you need a little morning pick-me-up, the "Back to Life Cocktail" ceviche is a refreshing starter that’ll do the trick. Read more.

Dusek's is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

6. Dusek's

8.6
1227 W 18th St (at S Allport St), Chicago, IL
Bar · Pilsen · 90 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Drop in for a plate of chicken and waffles or pancetta benedict and wash it down with a cold beermosa. Read more.

Frontera Grill is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

7. Frontera Grill

8.4
445 N Clark St (btwn Illinois St & Hubbard St), Chicago, IL
Mexican Restaurant · River North · 257 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The brunch menu features huevos rancheros, chilaquiles and hot cakes so you can start the day off with a hearty, satisfying meal. Read more.

Gather is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

8. Gather

9.0
4539 N Lincoln Ave (btwn Wilson Ave & Sunnyside Ave), Chicago, IL
American Restaurant · Ravenswood · 42 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Lounge on the backyard terrace and nosh on contemporary American bites like shrimp & grits, flapjacks, chicken & waffles and more at this well-done restaurant and wine bar in Lincoln Square. Read more.

GT Fish and Oyster is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

9. GT Fish and Oyster

531 N Wells St (at Grand Ave), Chicago, IL
Seafood Restaurant · River North · 195 tips and reviews

EaterEater: For brunch, start with some fresh oysters and go to town on biscuits & gravy, crab benedict and chicken & waffles. Read more.

Mindy's Hot Chocolate is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

10. Mindy's Hot Chocolate

1747 N Damen Ave (at W Willow St), Chicago, IL
Dessert Shop · Bucktown · 199 tips and reviews

EaterEater: For brunch Mindy kicks it into overdrive and delivers an assortment of sweet and savory dishes, ranging from buttermilk blueberry pancakes to brisket hash and a breakfast banh mi.  Read more.

Jam is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

11. Jam

3057 W Logan Blvd (at Milwaukee Ave), Chicago, IL
Breakfast Spot · Logan Square · 55 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Chef Jeffrey Mauro elevates morning cuisine with dishes such as malted custard French toast, lake trout quiche and a rotating waffle of the day. Read more.

Longman & Eagle is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

12. Longman & Eagle

9.3
2657 N Kedzie Ave (at W Schubert Ave), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · Logan Square · 352 tips and reviews

EaterEater: If you’re nursing a hangover, try the PBR breakfast—two eggs, bacon or sausage, maple glazed spam, house potatoes, can of PBR—along with a shot of whisky to help with the recovery process. Read more.

Lula Café is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

13. Lula Café

9.3
2537 N Kedzie Blvd (btwn Linden & Logan Sq.), Chicago, IL
Café · Logan Square · 256 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The brunch menu features rotating items like a breakfast burrito, cornbread French toast and a rotating selection of breakfast sandwiches. Read more.

M. Henry is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

14. M. Henry

8.7
5707 N Clark St (at W Hollywood Ave), Chicago, IL
Breakfast Spot · Edgewater · 139 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Satiate the sweet tooth with cinnamon roll French toast; go vegan with an organic tofu scramble with veggies; or try "Fannie’s Killer Fried Egg Sandwich" loaded with eggs and bacon. Read more.

Nana is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

15. Nana

3267 S Halsted St (W 33rd St), Chicago, IL
Café · Bridgeport · 82 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The menu changes to highlight what’s in season but avocado fries, the nanadict (pupusas, chorizos, poached eggs, poblano cream sauce) and huevos rancheros are all signature items worth your attention. Read more.

North Pond is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

16. North Pond

8.6
2610 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · Lincoln Park · 41 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Take in the gorgeous views of the skyline while enjoying a seasonal and locally-sourced three-course prix fixe menu. For $35 per person, it’s one of best and most overlooked brunch deals in town. Read more.

Sweet Maple Cafe is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

17. Sweet Maple Cafe

8.2
1339 W Taylor St (btwn Loomis & Throop), Chicago, IL
Breakfast Spot · University Village - Little Italy · 72 tips and reviews

EaterEater: There’s usually a line at the down-home breakfast cafe but wait it out and be rewarded with country scrambles, customizable omelets, pancakes, French toast, breakfast tacos and more. Read more.

The Duck Inn is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

18. The Duck Inn

8.8
2701 S Eleanor St, Chicago, IL
Gastropub · Bridgeport · 47 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The neighborhood gem offers chef-driven comfort foods. The brunch fare includes brioche French toast and, predictably, duck confit hash. Read more.

The Publican is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

19. The Publican

8.9
837 W Fulton Market (at N Green St), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · Fulton Market · 358 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Dishes constantly change but you can expect to find fresh oysters from the coast and items like crab scramble and chili-glazed pork shoulder. Read more.

Trenchermen is one of The 20 Essential Brunch Restaurants in Chicago.

20. Trenchermen

2039 W North Ave, Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · Wicker Park · 100 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The brunch program is given the same attention as the dinner menu and features an ever-changing array of seasonal dishes to go along with a robust pastry and coffee program. Read more.