Best Brunch In Chicago Near Me
Go beyond flashy restaurant groups and opt for these local gems instead
Temperatures are slowly rising in Chicago, which means brunch season is about to be back in full swing. But instead of flashy hotel dining rooms and trendy restaurant groups, opt for a place tucked away in one of the city's charming neighborhoods, like these six spots.
Where to Get Brunch in Lakeview: Mortar & Pestle
For an elevated take on the classics, visit this North Side establishment. Rich soft-scrambled eggs are served up with foie gras, truffle and crème fraîche, while muesli is crowned with caramelized bananas, blueberries and strawberries. Other must-have items include an Alaskan king crab Benedict and a croissant egg sandwich paired with "umami fries."
Where to Get Brunch in Humboldt Park: Café Marie-Jeanne
This casual French café is ideal for both picky and adventurous palates alike. Choose the griddle cakes, avocado toast or the Monte Cristo sandwich as a reliable standby. But for those on the opposite side of the spectrum, the restaurant also offers sautéed calf brains, caviar toast, seared foie gras and plates of fried chicken livers.
Where to Get Brunch in Little Village: Carniceria Aguascalientes
Walk through aisles of Mexican ingredients and past cash registers to access the restaurant at this grocery store-turned-taqueria. Order favorites like huevos rancheros and huevos a la mexicana, or go for owner Andy Macias's house specialty gordita. The round steamed mass of masa is split in half and filled with your choice of beans, cheese, meats and vegetables. Wash it down with a glass of horchata, agua de jamaica made from the hibiscus flower or chela, beer served with lime in a salt-rimmed mug.
Where to Get Brunch in Bucktown: Mable's Table
Inspired by her cooking, chef Anthony Reyes opened and named his restaurant in honor of his mother. The menu is full of comfort food items such as cinnamon roll pancakes, skillets of prime rib hash and a breakfast burrito stuffed with porchetta, smoked provolone and salsa verde. Keep an eye out for Mable, who will occasionally show up to work the line.
Where to Get Brunch in Logan Square: Owen & Engine
For those in the know, the Slagel Farms Beef Burger, a simple meat, bun and caramelized onion combo, is the go-to item at this English gastropub. Though, there's plenty more if you're looking for something different, including bangers and mash, steak and fried eggs (made with a 21-day, dry-aged rib eye), and Moroccan curry falafel with lemon-mint chutney.
Where to Get Brunch in Hyde Park: Medici on 57th
In the heart of the University of Chicago's campus, Medici dishes out a traditional menu of eggs, omelets, French toast, Benedicts and pancakes, with a heavy dose of fresh bakery items like apple-cinnamon croissants and a rotating list of just-baked breads.
Ximena N. Larkin is a writer and communication strategist based in Chicago. Find her at @XimenaLarkin on Instagram and Twitter.