Quick answer
The Publican serves Chicago's most celebrated brunch — maple-braised bacon, outstanding waffles, and a Fulton Market atmosphere that buzzes. For farm-to-table elegance, Lula Cafe in Logan Square has been the standard for 25 years.
- Best overall
- The Publican (Fulton Market)
- Best budget
- Tweet (Uptown) — $12–$19 with free cake
- Last verified
- 2026-03
Top verdicts
- Best overall: The Publican (Fulton Market)
- Best value: Tweet (Uptown) — free cake!
- Most creative: Superkhana International (Logan Square)
- Best splurge: Maple & Ash (Gold Coast)
- Best French toast: Batter & Berries (Lincoln Park)
How We Picked These
Chicago brunch typically costs $15–$30 per person, with The Publican, consistently ranked #1, being the essential stop for its European beer hall experience. For Southern comfort food, Luella's Southern Kitchen is a top pick, while Maple & Ash offers a splurge-worthy experience exceeding $200. Reservations are strongly recommended on weekends for popular spots.
Chicago brunch typically costs $15–$30 per person, ranging from budget spots like Tweet under $18 to splurge experiences at Maple & Ash exceeding $200. The Publican, consistently ranked #1 across multiple best-of lists, is the essential stop — but arrive early on weekends or book ahead.
We cross-referenced Reddit threads (r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago), professional critics (Eater Chicago, TimeOut, The Infatuation, OpenTable Top 100), and Google reviews to find brunch spots that consistently earn praise from both locals and food writers. Every restaurant on this list appears on at least 2 major best-of lists and has genuine Reddit endorsements — no pay-to-play, no sponsored picks.
Brunch Map
Open in Google Maps →Scraped 40+ Reddit threads about Chicago brunch. Cross-referenced with Eater Chicago, TimeOut, The Infatuation, OpenTable, and TripAdvisor. Verified with Google Places API data (ratings, review counts, hours). Ranked by frequency of recommendation, quality of endorsements, and diversity of cuisine and neighborhoods.
1The Publican
European Beer HallQuick comparison
- Best for
- Legendary waffles, maple-braised bacon, and a lively Fulton Market atmosphere
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 2,900+ reviews · Maple-braised bacon is a table must · Outstanding beer selection · Part of One Off Hospitality Group
- Limitations
- Weekend brunch gets loud and packed · Pricey for brunch · Communal seating isn't for everyone
- Price / value
- $$$ · Brunch entrees $16–$28 · Premium for the quality
- What to order
- Order the maple-braised bacon for the table — it's mandatory. The waffle with honey butter is the star. Crab scrambled eggs and chicken schnitzel for savory.
🕐 Hours
2Lula Cafe
Farm-to-TableQuick comparison
- Best for
- Seasonal farm-to-table brunch in a beloved Logan Square institution
- Strengths
- 4.7★ from 3,500+ reviews · Brunch served 6 days a week · Seasonal rotating menu · Beautiful patio in summer
- Limitations
- Extremely popular — long weekend waits · Closed Tuesdays · Limited parking
- Price / value
- $$ · Entrees $14–$22 · Excellent value for farm-to-table quality
- What to order
- Breakfast burrito is a sleeper hit. Rotating breakfast sandwiches. French toast changes seasonally. Carrot cake for dessert is legendary.
🕐 Hours
3Tweet
American BrunchQuick comparison
- Best for
- Best eggs benedict in Chicago with unbeatable hospitality and free cake
- Strengths
- 4.7★ from 2,200+ reviews · Free cake when seated · Best eggs benedict · Staff is famously friendly · Open 7 days
- Limitations
- Can get packed on weekends · Uptown location is a trek for some
- Price / value
- $$ · Entrees $12–$19 · Outstanding value
- What to order
- Eggs benedict is the legendary order. The free cake is genuinely excellent. French toast and omelets are rock-solid.
🕐 Hours
4Batter & Berries
Brunch & WafflesQuick comparison
- Best for
- French Toast Flights and creative waffle dishes in Lincoln Park
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 4,900+ reviews · French Toast Flight is legendary · Multiple locations · All breakfast dishes excellent
- Limitations
- Walk-in only — weekend waits 1+ hour · Sweet-leaning menu · Tight space
- Price / value
- $$ · Entrees $13–$20 · Great value for portions
- What to order
- French Toast Flight — four flavors in one order. Waffle flights available too. For savory, the omelets. Lemon French toast is the sleeper best flavor.
🕐 Hours
5Big Jones
SouthernQuick comparison
- Best for
- Refined Southern brunch with beignets, shrimp and grits, and crab-stuffed eggs benedict
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 1,800 reviews · Sustainably farmed ingredients · Beignets rival New Orleans · Eggs New Orleans is a showstopper
- Limitations
- Weekend brunch fills quickly · Limited outdoor seating · Some dishes skew heavy
- Price / value
- $$ · Entrees $15–$26 · Excellent value for refined Southern cooking
- What to order
- Eggs New Orleans — poached eggs with blue crab cakes in popovers and béarnaise. Beignets to start. Shrimp and grits. Fried green tomatoes to share.
🕐 Hours
6m.henry
Creative BrunchQuick comparison
- Best for
- Creative daytime brunch with massive menu and strong vegan options
- Strengths
- 4.6★ from 1,800 reviews · Incredible variety · Cinnamon roll French toast · First-come first-served
- Limitations
- Walk-in only — early arrival essential · Closed Mondays · Small space
- Price / value
- $$ · Entrees $13–$20 · Excellent value for portions and creativity
- What to order
- Cinnamon roll French toast. Fannie's Killer Fried Egg Sandwich (eggs, Applewood bacon, Gorgonzola on sourdough). Organic tofu scramble for vegans.
🕐 Hours
7Maple & Ash
Upscale SteakhouseQuick comparison
- Best for
- Special occasion splurge brunch with seafood towers, caviar, and champagne
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 4,000+ reviews · Seafood tower is spectacular · IDGAF tasting menu · Glitzy Gold Coast vibe · Champagne cart
- Limitations
- Sunday only · Very expensive ($50–$200+) · Scene-y · Reservations essential
- Price / value
- $$$$ · A la carte $30–$60+, IDGAF $200/pp · A splurge, not a regular spot
- What to order
- IDGAF menu for the full experience. A la carte: Alaskan king crab benedict or fire-roasted seafood tower. Keep the champagne flowing.
🕐 Hours
8Superkhana International
Modern IndianQuick comparison
- Best for
- Inventive Indian-inspired brunch unlike anything else in Chicago
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 540+ reviews · Utterly unique menu · Bun omelet sandwich is a revelation · Creative cocktails
- Limitations
- Weekend brunch only (Sat–Sun) · Small space fills fast · Limited brunch hours
- Price / value
- $$ · Entrees $14–$22 · Great value for the creativity
- What to order
- Bun omelet sandwich. Uttapam (savory griddle cakes with coconut chutney). French toast with gajar halwa. Cumin-tequila Bloody Mary or ghee-bourbon old fashioned.
🕐 Hours
9Obélix
French BistroQuick comparison
- Best for
- Indulgent French bistro brunch with escargots and legendary caviar sandwich
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 700+ reviews · Le Bouchon pedigree · Everything rich and indulgent · TimeOut ranked #3 in Chicago
- Limitations
- Tight tables · Weekend brunch only · Pricey · Reservations recommended
- Price / value
- $$$ · Entrees $18–$35, caviar sandwich $145 · Splurge-worthy French quality
- What to order
- Caviar sandwich if budget allows ($145). Otherwise: escargots, croque madame, salade Lyonnaise. Don't leave without a café au lait.
🕐 Hours
10Tzuco
French-MexicanQuick comparison
- Best for
- Stunning French-Mexican fusion brunch in one of Chicago's most beautiful dining rooms
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 2,600+ reviews · First Mexican-born Michelin-starred chef in US · Heated all-season patio · Sangria pitchers
- Limitations
- Weekend brunch only · Pricey · Reservations essential · River North parking
- Price / value
- $$$ · Entrees $18–$32 · Premium but justified by creativity and setting
- What to order
- Belgian waffles with duck leg carnitas and poached egg. Orange-scented French toast with pink peppercorn crème anglaise. Share the sangria. Tres leches horchata for dessert.
🕐 Hours
11Luella's Southern Kitchen
Southern ComfortQuick comparison
- Best for
- Best chicken and waffles in Chicago with authentic Southern comfort cooking
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 1,700+ reviews · City-best chicken and waffles · Buttermilk biscuits · Chef's personal heritage shines
- Limitations
- New location on Kedzie · Closed Mon–Tue · Weekend crowds
- Price / value
- $$ · Entrees $14–$22 · Generous portions, great value
- What to order
- Chicken and waffles — the must-order. Salmon croquettes. Shrimp and grits. Buttermilk biscuits and skillet cornbread as sides.
🕐 Hours
12Dolo Restaurant and Bar
Chinese Dim SumQuick comparison
- Best for
- Communal dim sum feast in Chinatown — a brunch experience unlike any other
- Strengths
- 4.3★ from 1,200+ reviews · Massive dim sum menu · Family-style communal dining · Own parking lot · Open daily
- Limitations
- Not a traditional 'brunch' per se · Can be overwhelming for first-timers · Gets crowded weekends
- Price / value
- $$ · Dim sum plates $5–$14 · Excellent value for the variety
- What to order
- Egg tarts. Fluffy pork buns. Creamy egg custard cakes. Durian pancakes if you're adventurous. Har gow (shrimp dumplings). Come hungry, bring friends.
🕐 Hours
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best brunch in Chicago?
Based on cross-referencing Reddit, Eater Chicago, TimeOut, and The Infatuation, the most consistently recommended spots are The Publican (legendary maple-braised bacon and waffles in Fulton Market), Lula Cafe (farm-to-table pioneer in Logan Square), and Tweet (Uptown's beloved eggs benedict specialist with 4.7 stars). Each appears on multiple best-of lists with enthusiastic Reddit endorsements.
How much does brunch cost in Chicago?
A typical Chicago brunch runs $15–$30 per person before drinks. Budget-friendly spots like Tweet and m.henry keep dishes under $18. Mid-range favorites like Batter & Berries and Big Jones average $18–$26. Upscale spots like Maple & Ash can hit $50–$200+ with their IDGAF tasting menu. Bottomless brunch deals typically add $20–$30.
Do I need reservations for brunch in Chicago?
For popular spots, reservations are strongly recommended on weekends. The Publican, Lula Cafe, and Maple & Ash take reservations via OpenTable or Resy. Beloved spots like Tweet, Batter & Berries, and m.henry are walk-in only — arrive before 9 AM on weekends to avoid 45-minute+ waits.
What are the best chicken and waffles in Chicago?
Luella's Southern Kitchen is the top pick — chef Darnell Reed's Southern comfort food is legendary. Batter & Berries serves excellent waffle flights. The Publican's chicken schnitzel with their signature waffle and honey butter is an upscale alternative.
Where should I go for brunch on the North Side?
The North Side has Chicago's densest brunch concentration. In Andersonville: m.henry and Big Jones are blocks apart. Uptown has Tweet (4.7 stars, free cake). Lincoln Park has Batter & Berries. Logan Square has Lula Cafe and Superkhana International. All worth a CTA trip.
What is the most unique brunch in Chicago?
Superkhana International in Logan Square offers Indian-inspired brunch unlike anything else — uttapam griddle cakes with coconut chutney, French toast with gajar halwa, and a cumin-tequila Bloody Mary. Tzuco combines French technique with Mexican flavors. Dolo's Chinatown dim sum feast is a completely different experience.
What is the best weekend brunch in Chicago?
The Publican's Saturday-Sunday brunch (9 AM–2 PM) is the gold standard — maple-braised bacon, crab scrambled eggs, and an outstanding beer selection. Lula Cafe serves brunch daily except Tuesday. For a special occasion, Maple & Ash's Sunday brunch with seafood towers and champagne is unmatched.
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