Best Breakfast in Chicago
How do you like your eggs in the morning? Boiled? Fried? Replaced with extra bacon? No matter your preference, the Windy City has a breakfast to tempt every tastebud. Fuel a day of sightseeing with some Southern soul food or start your morning where the locals do at the city’s best biscuit counter. Whether you fancy salty or sweet, we’ve pulled together our favorite spots for your early morning meal. So rise and shine and start the day right with our guide to the best breakfast in Chicago. Our recommended breakfast places in Chicago include:
- Over Easy
- Dove’s Luncheonette
- Southport Grocery and Cafe
- Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
- Lula Cafe and much more!
Image courtesy of m.henry
m.henry
This local cafe offers a balanced approach to healthy eating, mixing lighter fresh ingredients with organic, rich flavors. Get your hands on a killer fried egg sandwich stuffed with gorgonzola, thick blackberry bliss hotcakes and for a healthier start to the day, delve into a fluffy dandelion omelet.
Lula Cafe
You might not be able to have a regular at this seasonally changing cafe but rest assured, each farm-to-table dish is as drool-worthy as the next. Tuck into easy-going organic eggs, a classic breakfast burrito or tofu veggie scramble. ‘Make a resy’ at Lula Cafe or turn up and take a seat at the bar for a Metric coffee.
Wishbone
This West Loop restaurant has served up southern comforts to hungry Chicagoans for almost 30 years. If eggs are your bag you’ll be spoilt for choice from Savannah shrimp omelets to crawfish cake benedict. Or pick from sweet pancakes, crunchy french toast and plenty of Louisiana beans, grits and biscuits.
Kitsch'n On Roscoe
Kitsch by name, kitsch by nature - this casual sidewalk cafe has been stuck in a 70s timewarp since it opened over 20 years ago. Sit among the tongue-in-cheek decor and get stuck into breakfast favorites including green eggs ‘n’ ham, candied bacon brioche and a healthy wholefood bowl. And if you’re looking for a remedy for last night’s endeavors then the hangover menu is the perfect fix. 
Image courtesy of Jam Restaurant
Jam
Concrete, translucent plastic and exposed brick give this popular brunch kitchen a startup tech vibe. But despite its industrial interiors, the Michelin recommended Jam serves up a range of home comforts including maple carrot cake pancakes, pork belly eggs benedict and malted custard french toast. You’ll also find fresh options for the health-conscious such as wheat berry salads and salted banana oatmeal.
Over Easy
For a cheap eat that hits the spot, take your breakfast Over Easy style at this local favorite in Ravenswood. Sassy eggs with a side of jalapeño and chorizo are top of the list, as is banana spiked french toast and granola packed blueberry crunch pancakes.
Mortar & Pestle
Chef Stephen Ross brings a sprig of sophistication to traditional breakfast dishes at his first restaurant, Mortar & Pestle. Soft-scramble eggs come with foie gras and truffle, pancakes with vanilla bean and balsamic pickled blueberries, and eggs benedict with Alaskan king crab.
Dove’s Luncheonette
In the heart of Chicago’s Wicker Park you’ll find Dove’s Luncheonette, which despite its name serves a top-notch breakfast menu. Pop yourself at the kitchen counter to snack on Texas toast or tuck into burnt brisket hash on a spinning window-view stool. Image courtesy of The Allis
The Allis
For a classy breakfast that you can tuck into morning til night, grab a table at The Allis. The Soho House restaurant offers the public a chance to catch a glimpse of the global exclusive members’ club whilst enjoying dishes including shakshuka baked eggs, warm coconut pudding and fancy avocado toast.
Southport Grocery and Cafe
Known for their perfectly light and fluffy cupcakes, the Southport Grocery and Cafe is a must-visit. Sweet-toothed visitors won’t want to miss their breakfast menu, serving up unmissable bread pudding pancakes, a grown-up grilled pop tart and pancakes made from their famous cupcake batter.
Daley’s Restaurant
In 1892, young John Daley opened a diner for his fellow construction workers. Fast forward to over 125 years later and Chicago’s oldest restaurant is still serving southern dishes to its customers. Perfect for a lazy start, Daley’s Restaurant has an all-day breakfast menu featuring skillets, scramblers, sandwiches and more.
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
Like biscuits? Like pie? Then you’ll love Bang Bang, Chicago’s hotspot for traditional Mid-Western cooking. Sweet lovers will want to gorge on key lime, triple berry jam and bourbon caramel chocolate cookie, whilst those with a savory craving can pick from ginger sage sausage, buffalo chicken pot pie and poached apples with garlic cream cheese.
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