Sure, you love other people making French toast for you, but you don’t always want to spend Saturday morning listening to screaming kids, or "untz-untz" music while the loud table next to you guzzles mimosas. Luckily, there are plenty of restaurants in Chicago serving a delicious brunch that aren't too crowded or sceney. When you want to go out for some weekend pancakes, but prefer to do it in relative peace and quiet, consult this guide.
THE SPOTS
This spot is Permanently Closed.
This Filipino restaurant in Wicker Park works well for brunch with a date, a friend, or even just having a banana chicken waffle sandwich (fried chicken between two banana waffles and ube syrup) by yourself. The charm factor increases even more when you can sit on their small, tree-lined back patio. It feels like the kind of tiny urban backyard you’re certain exists but have never experienced for yourself, like exact change or a runner’s high.
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
We can’t think of a better way to start our weekend than with the excellent food at Segnatore in Humboldt Park. Every brunch dish at this casual Italian restaurant has some kind of plot twist that makes it interesting. Like amaro-soaked sourdough in the bread pudding, or hash browns with foie gras and truffle creme fraiche. The restaurant feels like a low-key European cafe, and is perfect for hanging out in the winter with things like hot espresso martinis made with cinnamon coffee and coconut foam.
Over the past few years, Logan Square has filled up with popular restaurants. But before them all, there was Lula Cafe. It opened in 1999, and it’s been doing farm-to-table food since before that was even a thing. These days, it’s both a casual neighborhood restaurant and a destination-worthy spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And while Lula is definitely popular, even when it's busy you'll have a peaceful brunch surrounded by people as interested in listening to music (and talking) at a reasonable volume. The menu is new American, and you can get everything from a smoked trout scramble and biscuits and gravy, to sweet dishes like custard-stuffed French toast.
photo credit: Armitage Alehouse
Signs you’re at a restaurant from the Bavette’s team: soothing 1920s jazz, a dim dining room that feels like the Clue mansion, fantastic service, and great food. You’ll find all of the above at Armitage Alehouse, the same team’s Lincoln Park restaurant. But weekend brunch is one thing this place has that its predecessors don't. The brunch menu is filled with pub-inspired dishes like a full English breakfast, a blood sausage, apple, and pork cheek pie, iron-pressed waffles, and a whole bunch of brunch cocktails.
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
When we talk about "best new brunches" we're normally thinking of places we linger with a plate of French toast and a pitcher of mimosas. Tribecca's is not one of those spots. Instead, this small sandwich shop in Humboldt Park has a short brunch menu with four B.E.C sandwiches inspired by The Golden Girls. Their flavorful "Sophia" is made with Italian spiced bacon, fontina, and basil aoili. The "Rose"—a B.E.C. with tater tots and lemon maple butter—will obliterate any hangover. They're filling and delicious, and good luck coming here and walking away with less than three sandwiches per person.
This an upscale vegan restaurant that’s located on the seventh floor of Saks Fifth Avenue. And even if you’re not a vegan, or shopping the Clinique bonus sale, you should come here for the interesting food. You can get dishes like mushroom hash, baked berry French toast, and spicy crab cakes made with jackfruit. Plus, it’s never loud or busy, and has a great view of Michigan Ave.—as long as you sit facing the windows and not the men’s underwear display.
You never got around to planning that romantic getaway to Galena did you? Don’t feel bad - when you’re eating on the enclosed backyard patio at The Duck Inn in Bridgeport, you can forget you’re in the city. Their weekend brunch has comforting dishes like sticky buns, duck hash, and an "egg mcduckinn" which is a breakfast sandwich on an english muffins. Just make sure you have enough time to hang out after brunch for housemade cold brew. The space has fire pits and comfortable chairs that will make you want to stay a while.
Cement walls and some pretty dramatic uplighting give S.K.Y an industrial feel, but the space is always quiet and relaxed, with a low-key indie rock playlist that will make you feel like you’re at a chill house party. Plus the food is delicious. There’s a $34 three-course brunch prix fixe menu with dishes like truffle butter toasties and coconut pancakes, plus a la carte items for the table to share.
