INTRO – Nina HazhalaChicago, IL, USA

ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS why we are so in love with weekends is that we really love to have brunches together. It is a great way to dress up, meet and chat about what happened during the week, brainstorm our Lokal projects, and celebrate the end of the week with our favorite food.

The tradition of having brunches in the USA is pretty strong. Yes, some people are complaining that it is absolutely not difficult to make your own pancakes, scrambled eggs, and a pot of hot coffee at home. However, block-length lines can be easily spotted near most of the popular cafes and restaurants all around the country.

We asked some local Chicago bloggers to share their ‘top 3’ brunch spots in the city. Here are the places to add to your next brunch exploration.

Rachel Bires

Photographer & Content Creator

Instagram: @rach.bires

MY NUMBER ONE favorite brunch/breakfast place is Hash on Western and Hirsh. I love it because it’s a chill little neighborhood spot with great music, incredible food, and the tiled tables are so cool! They have several hash dishes, and my favorite is the Humboldt. It has black beans, hominy, tomatoes, jalapeno, and Chihuahua cheese and is served over a bed of potatoes with Salsa Verde on the side. I get chorizo added to it and get sour cream on the side! They don’t serve drinks, but it is BYOB! I love bringing a tall boy of High Life.

Hash Chicago | Breakfast Restaurant by Rachel Bires
Hash Chicago | Breakfast Restaurant by Rachel Bires
Hash Chicago | Breakfast Restaurant by Rachel Bires
Hash Chicago | Breakfast Restaurant by Rachel Bires
Hash Chicago | Breakfast Restaurant by Rachel Bires

Presidio – My favorite dish there is the Breakfast Burrata and I love their Mission Mary.

Baptiste and Bottle – They have an incredible Breakfast Burger and an amazing Bloody Mary bar!

Greg Birman

Creative Director

Instagram: @gregbirman

FOR SOMEONE WHO APPRECIATES SPACIOUS and moody interior design as much as I do, PQM (Publican Quality Meats) might be a surprising choice for brunch. Despite the crowded deli atmosphere in this small West Loop butcher shop, I still default to the simple breakfast dishes and traditional recipes such as the Butcher’s breakfast, Seasonal Hot Dogs, and Ribollita soup (which I happen to serve at my wedding). The one thing that always tunes out the neighbors is the Bloody Mary with a snit of Miller high life.

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The Ruin Daily – Come for the coffee and stay for the Egg Sandwich. Also serving up Metric coffee, The Ruin is the best sandwich spot in the city behind Chef Mario Manzini. Don’t sleep on their happy hour specials if you happen to be in the south of the West Loop.

Tanta – Having been to Peru, I can testify to the ingredients and the Japanese influence required to pull off an authentic, yet contemporary Peruvian cuisine the way Chef Jesus pulls it off. Always get their Cebiche Toreado, and if you’re still hungry, get the traditional Lomo Soltado.

Photo from www.instagram.com/theruindaily
Tanta Chicago | Peruvian Restaurant by Greg Birman

John Stoffer

Interior & Portrait photographer

Instagram: @johnstoffer

ONE OF MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES is Lula Cafe. I almost always get the Breakfast Burrito and a champagne cocktail. If you are going alone, I’d recommend sitting at the bar. There is awesome music bumping and it’s fun to watch all the coffee and drinks being made.

Photo from www.lulacafe.com
Photo from www.lulacafe.com
Lula Cafe | Farm-to-table Restaurant by John Stoffer

Close second and third would be The Allis at Soho House in West Loop and Cafe Robey in Wicker Park. 

P.s. Check out the pool at the Robey Hotel after you grab coffee at Cafe Robey.

The Allis | Restaurant & Cocktail Bar by John Stoffer
The Allis | Restaurant & Cocktail Bar by John Stoffer
Cafe Robey | American Restaurant by John Stoffer
Cafe Robey | American Restaurant by John Stoffer

Hash Chicago

Breakfast Restaurant

Address: 1357 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States

Phone: +1 (773) 661-2964

Instagram: hash_chicago

Presidio

American Restaurant

Address: 1749 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States

Phone: +1 (773) 697-3315

Instagram: presidiochicago

Baptiste & Bottle

New American Restaurant

Address: 101 E Erie St, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

Phone: +1 (312) 667-6793

Instagram: baptistechicago

PQM

Butcher Shop

Address: 825 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

Phone: +1 (312) 445-8977

Instagram: publicanquality

The Ruin Daily

Sandwitch Shop

Address: 328 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661, United States

Phone: +1 (312) 929-2707

Instagram: theruindaily

Tanta Chicago

Peruvian Restaurant

Address: 118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, United States

Phone: +1 (312) 222-9700

Instagram: tantachicago

Lula Cafe

Farm-to-table Restaurant

Address: 2537 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States

Phone: +1 (773) 489-9554

Instagram: lulacafe

The Allis

Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

Address: 113-125 North Green, Chicago, IL 60661, United States

Phone: +1 (312) 521-8000

Instagram: theallischicago

Cafe Robey

American Restaurant

Address: 1616 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States

Phone: +1 (872) 315-3060

Instagram: caferobey

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Editors – Nika Levando & Nina Hazhala

Executive director – Julia Latkins

Slide photo – Rachel Bires