Best brunch in Chicago

Top brunch spots in Chicago

12 locals' picks — neighbourhoods, price tiers and what to order.

• Lula Cafe

  $$$

  Logan Square

  Seasonal brunch icon, James Beard-nominated.

  Order: Farm brunch tasting

• Bongo Room

  $$

  Wicker Park

  Chicago brunch institution, queue out the door.

  Order: Red velvet pancakes

• Lou Mitchell's

  $$

  West Loop

  1923 diner classic, free Milk Duds at the door.

  Order: Banana hotcakes

• Beatrix

  $$

  River North

  Bright all-day cafe, healthy-leaning brunch.

  Order: Avocado toast benedict

• Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe

  $$

  Loop

  Pancakes-first brunch, family-friendly.

  Order: Berry crunch pancakes

• Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits

  $$

  Logan Square

  Bakery brunch, biscuits & pie.

  Order: Cheddar-chive biscuit sandwich

• Hutch

  $$

  Wicker Park

  Southern brunch with strong cocktails.

  Order: Country fried steak benedict

• Daisies

  $$$

  Logan Square

  Pasta brunch, hard reservation.

  Order: Brunch pastas

• Yolk

  $$

  Multiple

  Bright all-American brunch chain.

  Order: Iced Cap'n Crunch French toast

• Floriole Cafe & Bakery

  $$

  Lincoln Park

  French pastry brunch spot.

  Order: Quiche & croissants

• Big Star

  $$

  Wicker Park

  Patio brunch with Mexican leanings.

  Order: Breakfast tacos & bloody marys

• M. Henry / M. Henrietta

  $$

  Andersonville

  Neighborhood brunch fave.

  Order: Bliss cakes (blackberry pancakes)

Where to eat

• Alinea

  $$$$

  Modernist tasting · Lincoln Park

  Grant Achatz's three-star theater on a plate.

• Pequod's Pizza

  $$

  Deep-dish · Lincoln Park

  Caramelized cheese crust — the locals' deep-dish pick.

• Au Cheval

  $$

  Diner / Burgers · West Loop

  Two-hour wait for the country's most-talked-about cheeseburger.

• Girl & The Goat

  $$$

  Modern American · West Loop

  Stephanie Izard's wood-fired plates, share everything.

• Lou Mitchell's

  $

  Diner · West Loop

  Route 66 diner since 1923 — fluffy omelets and free Milk Duds.