Best Breakfast and Brunch Places in Downtown Chicago

"West LoopWhen this West Loop pioneer opened back in 2003, the elegant yet approachable eatery quickly made a name for itself thanks to sleek communal tables, a forward-thinking wine list, and, most importantly, the juiciest medjool date dish the Midwest had ever encountered. Plump dates undergo the full hog treatment here, plied with spiced chorizo sausage before being wrapped in a thick slab of bacon, fired until crisp and crackling, and doused in a warm piquillo pepper tomato sauce that practically demands a hunk of good, freshly baked bread. Don’t think, just order.How to book: Reserve via Tock or order take-out and delivery via DoorDash, GrubHub, and Caviar."

"Go to this Euro-style wine bar when you're feeling gregarious; the rather stark space has seating for only 48 people, and it's a tight fit....Read More"

"This sunny Lincoln Park outpost continues to serve up Cali swag via a full bill of brunchtime favorites. Hass avocado BLTs, loaded cobb salads, housemade English muffins, breakfast burritos stuffed with fluffy scrambled eggs and sausage, and Guiliana Prosecco-fueled mimosas keep the grown-ups humming while junior takes on a heap of silver dollar pancakes crowned with fresh fruit and maple syrup.How to order: Head to OpenTable for all-season courtyard and indoor dining reservations or grab pick-up and delivery via ChowNow, Caviar, Uber Eats, GrubHub, and DoorDash. Available for Delivery/Takeout"

"Housed in a light-filled room with high ceilings and hanging ferns, Summer House recreates the magic of Southern California even in the dead of a Chicago winter. Using seasonal and local ingredients, trained chefs create fare that’s inspired by California but with a Midwestern heart. Kids can choose from quesadillas, burgers, grilled cheese, chicken fingers, or the ever-popular Breakfast for Dinner option."

"Even in the depths of winter this Lincoln Park restaurant is full of sunshine and joy. Channeling its inner Cali, the food here is light and bright – ahi tuna and watermelon tostadas, handmade local burrata and fresh salads. The kids’ menu mirrors that with fresh berries accompanying most dishes."

"A post shared by Chicago Food Blogger • 312food (@312food) on Jun 6, 2020 at 11:17am PDT. The maple syrup at Sweet Maple Cafe comes from Vermont and the recipe for the pancakes is all original. Try it “bursting with blueberries” or “not-so-plain” buttermilk, and add the extra maple syrup for a sweet breakfast taste."

"Neighborhood locals and Chicago visitors alike, can be found enjoying the Sweet Maple menu. Family recipes and fresh ingredients make this restaurant feel like home. Pancakes: Good-Old-Fashioned Pancakes-Their great taste comes from our original recipe."

"Located on Milwaukee Avenue, The Bongo Room is a casual café that serves fresh, seasonal breakfast and brunch fare in a relaxed setting. Mornings are started with classics such as breakfast burrito, croissant sandwiches, and vegetarian croissant sandwiches along with a seasonally changing selection of made-to-order pancakes and French toast creations. Other breakfast items range from tomato scrambles and three-egg omelets with a range of fillings to breakfast sandwiches, all accompanied by freshly brewed coffee and tea."

"There is a reason why there is a line for the Saturday and Sunday brunch at The Bongo Room. With a breakfast and brunch offering that is divided into savory, sweet, and sinful sections, there is something to please every palate. The restaurant’s concept is to serve fresh and seasonal brunch and breakfast with some unique twists."

"Just down the street from Jerry’s is the newer Bongo Room (the original is in Wicker Park). I am in LOVE with this back patio. Every time I go, I swoon over the cozy feel, the natural-looking wood-work, and the vertical gardens on the slated walls."

"With baseball games in short supply this summer, gazing at Wrigley Field may be the next-best thing. Settle in on Smoke Daddy’s rooftop patio to dig into Chicago-style spareribs or dip soft pretzels into jalapeño beer cheese. After a few old fashioned cocktails or smoky Bloody Marys, nobody will blame you if you start singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

"Long before you see Wicker Park’s Smoke Daddy, you’ll smell the intoxicating wafts of smoked meat lingering in the air. The barbecue is described as “Memphis-Texarkana” and, though we don’t know exactly what that means, we can definitely say it makes our taste buds sing. The slow-cooked pulled pork is no-frills but absolutely heavenly."

"The Tempo Café is a family-friendly 24-hour diner that serves an all-day breakfast that is packed with favorites such as fluffy omelets, egg scramblers, gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, hamburgers, and more. Established over three decades ago, the warm and welcoming neighborhood diner has been providing locals with delicious comfort food for more than 30 years and continues to do so today. Breakfasts are wholesome and hearty, with dishes such as huevos rancheros, continental chicken livers, steak & eggs, corned beef hash & eggs, eggs Florentine, poached eggs and eggs Benedict."

"Chicago’s my kinda town with bars generally open until 4 a.m. That means late night grubbing is an essential part of the going out experience – the greasier the better. Also Try: Hollywood Grill, Melrose Cafe"

"James Beard Award-winning chefJonathon Sawyer’s globally inspired restaurant in the newly renovated Four Seasons Hotel provides all the reasons to get up on a weekend morning. Kickstart your Saturday or Sunday with a glorious bowl of Steel-Cut Oats with Brûléed Banana and cinnamon-peanut brittle or go decadent with the Breakfast Bolognese with a poached egg and crispy breadcrumbs. I’m intrigued by the Teeny Tiny Croissant Cereal served with house-made horchata, but who am I kidding?"

"Robust wood-fired pizzas, a sizeable wine list, and wallet-friendly daily specials have helped solidify Frasca as a neighborhood go-to. Try the Italian sausage pie — loaded with fennel sausage, sautéed onions, and mozzarella — with a glass of Cabernet. Al fresco dining is available on Frasca’s outdoor patio."

"Normally we don’t condone paying through the nose for Chinese food when Chinatown options abound, but this gorgeous fourth-floor terrace, brimming with fresh flowers and offering a view of the historic Water Tower, is hard to beat. Elevated takes on peking duck and wok-baked lobster surpass expectations, but if you’re looking to take advantage of the digs while keeping within a budget, stick with snacking on dim sum and splurge on a fancy cocktail."

"What's better than Cantonese delicacies while gazing at Chicago’s skyline?. Located inside The Peninsula Hotel, Shanghai Terrace sets the scene for a 1930s supper club. Have a cocktail on the terrace or enjoy Cantonese meals inside the restaurant."

"Along with promising some of the best Chinese food in Chicago, Shanghai Terrace also boasts some of the best views. From both the seasonal terrace and main dining room on the fourt..."

"The eclectic menu deftly combines traditional French and Japanese fare but don't expect any sushi here. For example, you'll find spring rolls filled with goat cheese and chicken, and shiitake mushrooms liven up leek and brie tarts. The menu includes a nice selection of vegetarian options such as crispy pizza and handmade pastas."

"For 30-plus years, Yoshi Katsumura has stayed true to his instincts rather than to fashion. Seafood offerings and a wagyu beef bento box star on the regular menu; daily specials, such as grilled jumbo sea scallops and soft-shell crab tempura, keep things lively.D Tue–Sun."