Let the pros help you start your day in Chicago with these seven breakfast and brunch recommendations.
Photograph courtesy of Lula Cafe
Lula Cafe
The prices are right, the ingredients are farm-to-table fresh, and the food is inventive enough to get the best chefs in the city excited about eating here, even in the morning.
"Breakfast here is insane. They do a beautiful poached egg dish, it's like you could be at Michel Bras in France. It's the egg with some sort of vegetable curry that is really not too thick and underneath it, pickled baby carrots, fresh herbs and poached baby turnips. Incredible breakfast!"
FED Pro > Chef Paul Kahan
"Their brunch is the best in the city, by far. They have this peanut butter sandwich, The Tineka, that is really kind of an earthy crunchy, hippy-dippy sandwich, but it's delicious."
FED Pro > Chef Chris Pandel of The Bristol, Balena
"Definitely come for their brunch."
FED Pro > Bartender Dustin Drankiewicz of The Tack Room
"This is a great brunch place especially for the burrito breakfast."
FED Pro > Chef Giuseppe Tentori of GT Fish & Oyster
Logan Square
2537 North Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647
T: 773.489.9554 | lulacafe.com
Photograph courtesy of Little Goat
Little Goat
Chef Stephanie Izard's ode to a diner with breakfast served all day. Expect a full range of comfort food on the menu They also have a coffee bar featuring Stumptown coffee.
"A lot of people know chef Stephanie Izard for winning season three of Top Chef. She owns Girl and the Goat and this is another one of her great places."
FED Pro > Chef Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill, Toplobampo, Xoco
West Loop
820 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60607
T: 312.888.3455 | littlegoatchicago.com
Diner Grill
"My ultimate guilty pleasure is the 24-hour Diner Grill. Ordering The Slinger (their famed dish) after a long night of work or drinking is high on my list of favorite things."
FED Pro > Bartender Patrick Smith of The Violet Hour
Lakeview
1635 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60613
T: 773.248.2030
Photograph courtesy of Bijan's Bistro
Bijan's Bistro
No matter what time you're hungry, or what day, this cafe will have a meal for you. Serving from early morning breakfast to late night dinner, the menu features hearty dishes like eggs and pancakes to burgers, pork chops and Bananas Foster.
"They are always serving until 4am, and putting out awesome quality stuff all day and night long. I love it here."
FED Pro > Bartender Dustin Drankiewicz of The Tack Room
Near North Side
663 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60610
T: 312.202.1904 | www.bijansbistrochicago.com
Photograph courtesy of Hollywood Grill
Hollywood Grill
Classic American diner food with breakfast foods served all the time and they're open 24/7.
"I'm a big fan of the Hollywood Grill if I'm by myself and want to grab a quick diner breakfast."
FED Pro > Chef Pat Sheerin of Trenchermen
Wicker Park
1601 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622
T: 773.395.1818 | www.hollywood-grill.com
Photograph courtesy of Floriole
Floriole Cafe & Bakery
They started as a stand at the Green City market selling French pastries and have opened a store and expanded to breads, sandwiches and salads. Owners Sandra Holl worked as a baker at San Francisco's Tartine Bakery and Mathieu hails from Paris.
"This is a bakery and café that I come to for the best canele and croissants in the city whenever I can."
FED Pro > Chef Giuseppe Tentori of GT Fish & Oyster
"This is a really wonderful bakery and they also have great pizzas. One night a week, they offer savory pizzas and you can come here after hours for them."
FED Pro > Chef Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill, Toplobampo, Xoco
Lincoln Park
1220 West Webster Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
T: 773.883.1313 | www.floriole.com
Photograph courtesy of Perennial Viran
Perennial Virant
The morning menu features American breakfast stables like omelets, oatmeal, French toast and pancakes.
"They do a great brunch and especially for groups."
FED Pro > Chef Pat Sheerin of Trenchermen
Lincoln Park
1800 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
T: 312.981.7070 | perennialchicago.com
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