When the sun rises in Chicago, it’s not just a new day — it’s a new opportunity to try one of the amazing breakfast places the city offers. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and the Windy City has plenty of cozy places where you can wake up and fuel yourself for whatever the day may bring. Check out these 10 best breakfast places in Chicago and make your morning a little better.
m.henry
commons.wikimedia.orgOrganic products, locally sourced, and healthy cooking — you can have it all in a breakfast meal. They feature a full lineup of classic and healthy favorites, including omelets, quiches, French toast, crepes, hotcakes, and a whole host of side items. You’ll also notice a variety of Latin-American infusions that ensure you’ll have plenty of new foods to try.
Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe
Berry Bliss Panckaes | Vanilla Anglaise, Blackberry coulis, … | Flickrwww.flickr.comYou’ll find a few Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe locations dotted around Chicago. No matter the location, you’ll find favorites like pancakes, egg dishes, Benedicts, Belgian waffles, French toast creations, crepes, and so much more. They’ve also got an extensive coffee shop menu, including seasonal flavors, juices, and pastries.
Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club
commons.wikimedia.orgYou don’t have to be part of the club to enjoy a nice breakfast. Their morning lineup includes both the sweet and savory ends of the spectrum, from French toast and hotcakes to breakfast burritos and tofu plates. It’s brunch at its best, and you can get your fill seven days a week.
Lou Mitchell’s
lou mitchell's | a Route 66 institution | Laura LaRose | Flickrwww.flickr.comOld-school flair meets modern appetites at Lou Mitchell’s. With a history spanning more than 100 years, this hot spot is known for its jumbo omelets, brunch-inspired dishes, and a side of nostalgia that is all but a lost art. Women and children can still expect to be greeted with a mini box of Milk Duds, a tradition Lou started in the 1950s that continues today.
Tempo Cafe
www.flickr.comThis American cafe offers all your breakfast favorites, allowing you to mix and match your way to a perfect meal. Customize your own skillet meals or omelets, or elevate your morning meal with huevos rancheros or avocado toast. They’ve also got a hearty selection of waffles, pancakes, French toast, and sandwiches that are both filling and wholesome.
Eleven City Diner
commons.wikimedia.orgOpen daily for breakfast and lunch, Eleven City Diner embodies everything a family diner should be. It feels like gathering ‘round your own dinner table, with quality food and hospitality, two constants you can depend on. Breakfast-wise, you can count on classics like egg dishes and bagels to healthy bowls with quinoa, avocado, or keto-friendly foods.
3rd Coast Cafe
commons.wikimedia.orgA mainstay in the Gold Coast area of Chicago, 3rd Coast Cafe has been dishing out hot breakfasts since 1985. They source many ingredients locally to give patrons a high-quality meal. And if you happen to miss your alarm clock one morning, no worries — they serve breakfast all day, every day.
Little Goat Diner
Smoked corn beef hash with eggs | Little Goat, Chicago IL | Flickrwww.flickr.comBreakfast is a global language, which means it should offer global flavors. Little Goat Diner understands the assignment and responds with a menu brimming with unique flavors from around the world. Its all-day menu includes classics like eggs, hashbrowns, and bacon, along with fancy finds like Sichuan pork sausage, kewpie, and kimchi.
Batter & Berries
commons.wikimedia.orgWith two locations to serve you, Batter & Berries is most widely known for its French toast flight. It’s just one of their many unique food options that make dining a pleasure. They also partner with local suppliers, artisans, and brands to give you bona fide Chicago products you won't find just anywhere.
The Bongo Room
www.flickr.comA Wicker Park favorite for breakfast, The Bongo Room is widely known for its unique pancakes that remove all guilt from eating dessert for breakfast. Favorites like the chocolate tower French toast, Oreo pancakes, and white chocolate and caramel pancakes make getting out of bed a little easier in the morning. You can also indulge in a hearty weekend brunch if that’s more your flavor.
Breakfast Highlights: Top Spots at a Glance
- Offers a mix of classic and health-focused breakfast dishes with Latin-American influences, using organic and locally sourced ingredients.
- Known for pancakes, waffles, crepes, and Benedicts, alongside a coffee shop menu with seasonal drinks and pastries.
- Features sweet and savory breakfast options, from French toast to tofu plates, served daily.
- Historic diner with jumbo omelets and brunch dishes, famous for its nostalgic charm and tradition of handing out Milk Duds.
- Customizable breakfast options like skillets and omelets, along with hearty dishes such as huevos rancheros and avocado toast.
- Classic diner serving dependable breakfasts like egg dishes and healthy bowls, emphasizing quality and hospitality.
- Longtime Gold Coast favorite offering locally sourced breakfasts served all day, every day.
- All-day breakfast with globally inspired flavors, featuring unique dishes like Sichuan pork sausage and kimchi.
- Famous for its French toast flight and partnerships with local suppliers, offering creative and Chicago-centric dishes.
- Celebrated for indulgent, dessert-like pancakes, including options like Oreo and white chocolate caramel, alongside a hearty weekend brunch.
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