Friday Five: Best Brunches in Chicago
Today’s Friday Five post includes a list of the best brunches in Chicago.
Good morning and happy Friday. C and I are getting over being sick (we are healthy now thank goodness) but loved the warmer weather that Mother Nature graced us with this week. It was a stressful week at times so I’m especially looking forward to a fun weekend. C continues his weekly toddler swimming lessons on Saturday morning and we are hoping to squeeze in a family breakfast date. I’m in the mood for it since the theme of my post today is the five best brunches in Chicago.
Going out for brunch is one of my favorite food-related activities. You can find amazing brunch options all over Chicago, but I have visited five over the past few months that I’m highlighting today.
Best Chicago Brunch: Little Goat {West Loop}
Little Goat is Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard’s diner in the West Loop neighborhood. I met a group of lady friends here in February for an early Galentine’s Day brunch. Little Goat is beautiful and bright inside with large skylights in the center of the restaurant. Their menu is amazing, filled with elevated comfort food dishes that you might find at a corner diner.
Little Goat takes reservations, which I appreciate. I tried the Spiced Apple Pancakes with Oatmeal Crumble and they were amazing. I can’t wait to go back.
Best Chicago Brunch: Flying Saucer {Ukrainian Village}
K and I met friends at Flyer Saucer this winter for an early morning breakfast date. We have toddlers born only a few weeks apart, so meeting up at 8am on a Saturday is typical. We actually arrived before the restaurant opened and I was practically pounding on the door for my second cup of coffee. I’m only half kidding. 🙂 Flying Saucer has many vegan and vegetarian options on their menu {they also offer meat dishes}. The restaurant is small and quirky/colorful inside.
I tried the quiche special with an almond milk latte from Metropolis Coffee. Metropolis is my favorite local coffee roaster.
Best Chicago Brunch: Beatnik {West Town}
Stepping into Beatnik, which is located near a busy corner of Ashland Avenue, is like walking into a magical garden. I didn’t know much about it when I met a few friends for brunch last month. The restaurant has been described as “posh with globe-trotting decor.” That is completely accurate – I’m not sure I’m cool enough to visit on a regular basis, but I enjoyed the brunch atmosphere and would go back in the future for a fancy cocktail.
Beatnik takes reservations and offers a small but tasty brunch menu. My friends and I started with a mini pan of cinnamon rolls, which is basically my ideal Sunday morning.
Best Chicago Brunch: 3 Arts Club Cafe {Gold Coast}
The 3 Arts Club Cafe is located inside Restoration Hardware’s fancy pants store in the Gold Coast neighborhood. I have been wanting to visit the cafe ever since it opened in 2015. Dining is available in the Grand Courtyard, which is filled with light from a glass ceiling. It can be incredibly difficult to get in for brunch and there are no reservations, so I highly recommend arriving early {before they open ideally} and planning on a wait.
I visited the cafe for a group birthday celebration. The menu is simple but delicious and brunch is a whimsical experience. You can take coffee or wine throughout the store to walk around and browse. The Gold Coast Restoration Hardware is over 70,000 square feet and consists of six floors. Shopping feels like walking around in a luxury home. Quite an experience, but I happily came home empty handed!
Best Chicago Brunch: Orange Restaurant {Lincoln Park and Roscoe Village}
A few weeks ago my family had an early morning family outing at the Nature Museum in Lincoln Park, which started with breakfast at Orange Restaurant. I love Orange but hadn’t visited in years. Typically I don’t choose a sweet option for my main breakfast, but I could not resist a plate of their Orange Rosemary French Toast. This french toast is made with brioche bread and sweetened up with an orange-rosemary syrup that I can’t wait to recreate at home.
C loved the mini pancakes {not so mini} with a side of scrambled eggs. The restaurant is small and was almost full when we sat down, even though we arrived during the toddler-friendly hour of 8am. My favorite thing about Orange is their beverage options – they offer a fresh squeezed juice bar and orange-flavored coffee. Click here to check out the menu.
I’m Celia. I live in the Chicago area. I'm a mama of two, runner, business owner and former Iowan. My blog includes recipes, fitness and travel posts, and stories about Chicago.
